“…The Way?”

When Tsugumi asked this question, Mibu held a knife and began drawing a diagram on the ground with a scratching sound as she explained.

“Ah, yes. Tsugumi, you can only get so close to that eyeball, and your threads won’t reach the core or whatever it is. This means, up until the very edge, you can extend your threads… which could also mean that if you can climb up those extended threads, my blade might reach. What do you think?”

The diagram Mibu drew depicted something like a staircase extending towards a stylized eyeball.

— I see, creating a foothold with threads. The strength might not be enough, but it should be feasible for Mibu to climb up.

“That might be possible. …But, is it safe for Mibu to get close to it? I have some resistance, and so does Azuma, but you might not, right?”

When Tsugumi asked this, Mibu responded with a nonchalant expression.

“I want to confirm that as well, and if it seems impossible, I’ll just think of another method.”

Hearing this, Tsugumi stopped pressing further, feeling uneasy but understanding that Mibu wasn’t going to change her mind.

“…I see. Well then. We need to decide on the coordinates for the teleportation next. If we jump to random places, it won’t work.”

“—In that case, how about a position in a straight line from here? I can make adjustments with the foothold I create in the shadows.”

Azuma, despite his attitude, seemed willing to cooperate.

However, Mibu shook her head in response to Azuma’s suggestion.

“No, let’s avoid using this place as the base point.”

Mibu said this and walked to the edge of the building, pointing to a distant road.

“I think it’s better to use that location as a reference. The road is perfectly clear, and more importantly, it leads directly to the eyeball.”

Mibu pointed out a wide street that led straight to the Dawn Star building.

“Sounds good, doesn’t it? The visibility seems fine.”

Azuma agreed after confirming the road, and Mibu nodded in satisfaction.

“Okay, then since we’ve agreed, let me explain the arrangement and roles. —Once we go down, Tsugumi, you will teleport first and create a staircase at a 45-degree angle to the eyeball. Azuma, wait directly beneath the starting point of the staircase that Tsugumi creates. Then, synchronize with my running timing and teleport to the position where the staircase overlaps.”

As Mibu finished explaining, Azuma, looking puzzled, interjected.

“…Wait a moment. What do you mean by waiting and running? Mibu, you’re moving with me, right?”

When Azuma asked this, Mibu tilted her head in confusion and responded with a curious tone.

“Hm? Yes, that’s the plan, but since there is a road, it would be a waste not to build up some momentum beforehand. I thought about it during the previous battle, and since Azuma can teleport with inertia, it’s better to make use of that advantage.”

“…When I teleport with others, I need physical contact.”

“In that case, just reach out your hand. I’ll make sure to touch it while running past.”

“No, wait, are you serious? You’re talking about a speed like that of a bullet, right? You want me to synchronize with that? That’s absolutely impossible—”

Azuma, who had been perplexed, stopped mid-sentence and glanced at Tsugumi. As their eyes met, Azuma’s face contorted with frustration.

…This is just a guess, but Azuma might not want to say “I can’t” in front of Tsugumi. It seems that the previous exchange had a significant impact.

…But from Tsugumi’s perspective, Mibu’s request seems quite unreasonable.

Putting herself in Azuma’s position, it’s like being asked to catch a bullet coming towards her and then teleport. Unless within a reinforced barrier, achieving that in a normal state would be extremely difficult.

—However, if they can teleport as Mibu described, it would provide a considerable advantage.

Although Tsugumi is worried about Mibu charging in with her real body, if Mibu can run at her top speed, the blade will definitely reach the core.

Tsugumi plans to use threads to provide a guide to the core’s location, but she feels Mibu would likely grasp the general position from just a rough indication. She thought this without a particular reason.

Looking back now, Mibu had always possessed such a mysterious pull since her days as Rikka.

No matter how formidable the enemy, Mibu has the presence and persuasive power to make people believe she can handle it. If this were a different era, she would surely have become a renowned hero. It seems like someone like Freya would eagerly recruit her.

—Still, I wonder how Azuma will respond. If he can’t do it, he can’t, and it would be better to report it as soon as possible.

With that, Tsugumi waited for Azuma to speak up without offering any additional help.

Then Azuma clenched his fists in front of his chest as if calming himself and exhaled deeply. It seemed he had made up his mind.

“…Understood. I’ll do it. —But I’ve never tried such reckless movement with a living person before, so there’s a chance I might teleport to the wrong spot. I’ll make corrections as much as possible, but just keep in mind that I might end up in an unexpected place.”

Upon hearing this, Mibu smiled with relief.

“Ah, got it. —Then let’s go ahead and try it right away!”

◆ ◆ ◆

The three who descended then split into two groups.

Tsugumi and Azuma headed towards the building of the Dawn Star, while Mibu went in the opposite direction.

Naturally, there was no conversation between Tsugumi and Azuma. Tsugumi felt an uncomfortable atmosphere deeply.

After arriving under the building with this tense atmosphere, Tsugumi glanced sideways at Azuma.

Azuma, ignoring Tsugumi entirely, looked at Mibu with a tense expression.

Tsugumi, wondering what to do, opened her mouth heavily.

“…Azuma, um, are you going to be okay?”

“Be quiet. I’m concentrating right now.”

Azuma responded curtly, leaving Tsugumi at a loss for words.

…Well, it’s true that Tsugumi had been provoking Azuma a lot, but it was still disheartening to be met with such resistance every time she spoke.

Suppressing her gloomy feelings, Tsugumi calmly conveyed what needed to be said.

“Alright. Then please listen for now. I’ll go ahead as planned and make the staircase first, so please signal Mibu when the time is right. …No matter what happens, I’ll make sure to recover both of you, so you don’t need to worry about the landing. Just remember that.”

—No matter how much she dislikes someone, as long as they are cooperating, Tsugumi will do her best. It is her job to ensure the two thrown into the sky are safely returned to the ground without a scratch. She has no intention of letting personal feelings interfere.

When Tsugumi said this, Azuma’s eyes widened in surprise, then he snorted in displeasure. It seemed he had no intention of responding.

Well, Tsugumi didn’t mind. She had no intention of becoming overly friendly at this point, and as long as Azuma fulfilled his role, that was enough.

—Seeing Mibu waving from afar, Tsugumi nodded slightly. It seemed Mibu was ready as well.

Mibu had mentioned checking once at the start, but she was probably prepared to finish the task right away if the situation allowed.

That’s why Tsugumi couldn’t afford to let her guard down for even a moment.

With that, Tsugumi signaled Mibu and teleported into the dark sky to prepare the way for Mibu’s performance.