This is not the date I wanted.

"So? Are you ready?"

“Ah… almost there.”

After Origami adjusted her breathing, she tightly gripped the handle of the "Heroic Spirit Warrior".

Artemisia was very strong. After the actual battle, Origami realized this clearly.

Not only the amount of magic power generated, but also the control of magic power, the scale and precision of the random field, physical ability, and fighting skills, each of them has reached the peak. Except for Alan Mathers, this is the first time she has felt such a huge pressure in a battle with a magician.

Even equipped with the most advanced manifestation device, the possibility of her defeating Artemisia was still slim.

However, incredible thing is that Origami's heart was unusually calm at this moment.

(If... what would Meng Yue do at this time?)

Well, what answer would Liang Yi Meng Yue, who once almost killed herself in the reversed state, give when faced with this situation?

Maybe the answer would be this.

——There is no need to attack head-on. Where there is a shortcoming, make up for it from other places. I have never been interested in comparing who is stronger or weaker. All I have to think about is how to get the victory I need.

(…This is really frustrating.)

Origami felt unhappy when she realized that she was trying to figure out her rival's thinking patterns.

"…Artemisia Ashcroft. You are very strong. You have always been stronger than me."

After calling out the other person's name with respect, Origami took a deep breath and focused herself.

"——As a magician."

Divine Power Spiritual Outfit. Ichiban (Eheieh).

She silently recited the true name of the spiritual suit in her heart, and the mecha of Brunhilde was suddenly adorned with white gauze. Several "wings" shining with dazzling light hovered around Origami Tobiichi.

"Elves?!"

After seeing the changes in Origami, Artemisia was surprised at first, and then a look of realization appeared on her face.

"I see... The elf who was responsible for holding Alan back when we captured Sister was you, Devil. You were wearing a CR-Unit, so I didn't recognize you."

Artemisia said with a refreshing smile.

"Great. Since you are an elf, I can kill you without any scruples."

"..."

Origami didn't reply, her eyes fixed on Artemisia, ready for a fight.

Then, like two magnets attracting each other, the two of them rushed into the void at the same time.

04 Battle of Cosmos (Part )

==============================

"--Aha!"

With a low roar, Tohka swung the Aosha-gong and chopped the surrounding Bandersnatch into pieces, creating a small empty space.

Not missing this opportunity, Shidou took Tohka and moved about four meters in the universe.

However, soon, the path that Tohka had opened up was filled with a large number of drones, and bullets infused with magic power gushed out from countless gun muzzles.

"Shidou, here we go again."

"it is good."

Shidou quickly used the Ice Puppet to summon an ice shield to block the drone's shooting.

"Damn it... it never ends. How many drones does DEM have?"

Shidou couldn't help sweating on his forehead as he looked at Bandersnatch that almost filled his entire field of vision.

Although he had made certain mental preparations when he decided to infiltrate DEM's drone army, the resistance he actually encountered was still far beyond his imagination. Shidao felt like he was moving forward in a jungle swamp, and it was so difficult to move a few steps.

[According to Meng Yue's investigation, since September, after DEM lost a large number of magician members, the production of this type of drone has begun to increase significantly. Although the combat effectiveness is slightly insufficient, the cost of manufacturing a drone is much lower than training a magician. In addition, the drone's fearlessness of death can replace magicians in many dangerous tasks. The plan was proposed by Westcott in mid-October last year, and was officially approved at the end of November. Production began in various DEM branches around the world.]

"…Juya, I won't understand even if you explain this to me."

Hearing Maria's answer, Shidou said with a wry smile.

[In conclusion, at normal production speed, DEM should have a stock of no less than 4,000 drones.]

"...Four thousand."

Hearing the data obtained by Maria, Shidao's mouth twitched slightly. When he thought that the hundreds of drones in front of him were just the tip of the iceberg of the total number of enemies, Shidao felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.

To be honest, although the power of this type of drone is not too terrible when it is used alone, it will become very troublesome when the number reaches a certain level.

(Forget it. No matter how many enemies there are, what I am going to do will not change.)

Shidou let out a breath and relaxed the tension in his shoulders. He maintained the ice shield to block the drones while observing the situation on Rokuko's side.

As expected, just as Shidou was surrounded and unable to move, Hoshimiya Rokuko was now surrounded by densely packed drones, and he kept using angels to summon gravel flying objects and spiritual beams to fight back.

And it is obvious that the pressure on Rokuko's side is much greater than that on Shidou's side.

[Bandersnatch, without anyone in command, will first attack individuals with obvious spiritual power fluctuations. Because you, Shidou, used the Sage of the Dawn to limit the spiritual power output, the drones will focus on attacking Rokuko.]

"That's it."

To be honest, Shidao himself did not expect that his unintentional action could lead to such a situation.

"Tohka, please continue."

"Well, leave it to me."

After getting enough rest, Tohka picked up the Aosha-ko again and began to sweep the surrounding Bandersnatch.

Just like that, although the speed was slow, Tohka and Shidou still managed to get behind Hoshimiya Rokuko.

(Good... Looks like Rokuko didn't notice us.)

Shidao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although the drone attack greatly hindered their movement speed, it also became a good cover.

"Tohka, I'm ready."

"Ah."

After receiving Shidou's signal, Tohka took a deep breath, and the Aosako in her hand began to glow with colorful light as her spiritual power filled up.

The giant sword slashed out with the force of tearing silk, and the purple spiritual energy separated from the blade and turned into a sharp crescent moon, sweeping away the Bandersnatch that blocked Rokuko and Shidou.

Partial expansion - Raphael (Hurricane Knight)!

The moment the road was opened, Shidao immediately deployed his angels and rushed to the back of Hoshimiya Rokuko at the fastest speed, stabbing Rokuko with the "Seal Master" in his hand.

"Michael (Master of Seal) - [Open]."

However, just when Shidao thought he was going to succeed, a small "door" appeared in front of him and sucked the front end of the "Sealing Master" into it.

"Even if the enemy forces suddenly increase, Liu'er has never ignored your danger."

Without even glancing back at Shidou, Rokuko calmly raised his "Seal Master" and shot a beam of spiritual energy towards the "door" he had opened.

[Shidou! Back off! ]

"—!"

Although Maria said this, Shidou himself knew that due to the inertia of his previous rapid sprint, he had no way of changing direction to avoid Rokuko's attack.

——Ice puppet!

At the critical moment, Shidao summoned an ice wall in front of him to block the direct attack of the spiritual power beam.

However, that was all. After being hit, the ice wall suddenly pushed Shidao away.

Although Rokuko wanted to take advantage of the victory and give Shidou another stab, Bandersnatch rushed up at this moment and blocked Rokuko's sight.

"It's much more difficult than expected... Itsuka Shido."

Rokuko couldn't help but mutter softly. To be honest, Gokawa Shido's judgment and reaction ability were somewhat beyond her expectations.

……

"Are you okay? Shidou!"

After quickly catching the ice wall that was thrown back, Tohka looked at the dizzy Shidou and asked worriedly.

"Ah, ah. It's okay... Thank you, Tohka."

Shidou shook his head, waited for his consciousness to become clearer, looked in the direction of Rokuko, and sighed in distress.

"...I was too naive. I thought I could use the 'Sealing Master' just by getting close to Rokuko."

Thinking about it again now, Shidou suddenly realized that he had not considered it carefully enough. After showing the Sealing Master at the beginning, Rokuko had always been extremely vigilant towards Shidou, so it was naturally impossible for her to just let Shidou use the Sealing Master on her.

What's more, "The Lord of Seal" was originally Rokuko's angel. Rokuko obviously knew very well how to deal with its attack.

(Is there any way... to make Rokuko show a flaw——!?)

However, when Shidao was halfway through thinking, without any warning, a sharp pain filled his brain.

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!"

[Shidao!? ]

"Shidou? Shidou, what's wrong with you?"

The cries of Tohka and Maria gradually faded away, and under the influence of this severe pain, Shidou only felt that his vision became dark.

At this moment, a cold electronic sound echoed in his mind.

[——Conditions met——Probability of triggering passive——Future peek——]

Suddenly, Gokawa Shido felt the world spinning, and the scenery in front of him turned back into the universe.

——This time, you can't escape.

Six?

Shidou opened his eyes wide in surprise. He saw that Rokuko, who was supposed to be fighting Bandersnatch at this moment, was now sticking his body out of a "door" and appeared right above him.

——Death, Gokawa Shido.

After making such a declaration, Rokuko looked at Gokawa Shidao indifferently and stabbed out the "Seal Master".

……

"——!?"

Shidou suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked around in panic. Rokuko was not around him, but Tohka was looking at him with a worried look on her face.

"Shidou!? Are you okay?"

"Ah...it's okay. Sorry for making you worry."

Shidou gently touched Tohka's head and soothed her softly.

However, the headache still made his face very pale, and Shidao could even feel cold sweat under his clothes.

Moreover, although he knew that the scene he just saw was not real, Shidou also knew in his heart that it was not an illusion either.

That is the future that Gokawa Shido must face next.

(Is this what Meng Yue meant by peeking into the future... No wonder she is so averse to this ability.)

Looking at the "Sage of the Dawn" on his wrist, Shidao couldn't help but think. Let alone what the future holds, the side effects of this ability alone would be enough to make Shidao uncomfortable for a while.

(Dawn Sage, turn off the ability to peer into the future.)

【Understand——Probability Passive Future Peep——Close——Complete.】

After receiving such an answer, Shidao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He now understood why Mengyue called this ability Russian roulette. If he was unlucky like Niya and was locked in a near-dead future, he would not be able to laugh even if he wanted to.

However, Shidao's luck was pretty good this time.

"Maria, Tohka."

Looking at Hoshimiya Rokuko in the distance, Shidou smiled with confidence.

"I've thought of a way to unlock Rokuko's heart lock."

PS: I have to go out tomorrow, so I uploaded it in advance.

PS: I feel the limit of daily updates. (Please be mentally prepared)