The appearance of the angels had plunged the surroundings into utter chaos.

The sudden emergence and their overwhelming numbers were part of the reason, but the biggest issue was that both sides believed the other academy was behind it.

What should have been a united front against a common enemy only fueled the mutual hatred between the two academies.

However, not everyone was fooled.

“Ugh, what a pain.”

Yukihira wore a gentle smile as he casually tossed a knife into empty space. The blade flew straight toward an angel that had coincidentally appeared at that exact spot, piercing it and causing it to explode into fragments.

“The Chairman really is a cruel one. He probably knew this would happen. Hahaha.”

“President! It’s dangerous here! We should end the Conquest Festival and retreat immediately!”

A student assigned to defense shouted at him, but Yukihira shook his head.

“We can’t end the Conquest Festival.”

He flung knives indiscriminately around him. Every single one flew toward spots where angels happened to appear, slaughtering them all.

He was determining the future, ensuring that angels would manifest precisely where his blades would land.

“The angels have begun corrupting the dungeon core. If we act carelessly now, there’s a high chance the reversal won’t trigger. The only thing we can do is kill every last angel and end the Conquest Festival properly.”

The angels were flooding in, overwriting the dungeon core prepared for the festival. As long as they existed, retreat was not an option.

“B-But, President! If this continues—!”

“Hey, by the way.”

Yukihira threw a knife at the student who had been voicing objections. It embedded itself in their shoulder, and they collapsed with a pained expression.

“Wh-What are you doing?!”

“Who are you again?”

“…Huh?”

Yukihira continued smiling as he hurled knives at angels, but beneath that smile was unmistakable anger.

“Did you think I wouldn’t recognize you just because we have a lot of students? That’s kinda sad, y’know?”

“Y-You noticed?!”

The student screamed in shock as another knife pierced their leg.

“Guh!? W-Wait! I’ll talk! Just spare m—”

Before they could finish, the magic formula engraved on the knife activated, triggering a small explosion.

Yukihira stared at the bloodstain left behind and muttered.

“Ah, sorry. I already heard everything anyway. Still… without a reversal, this is just too much.”

He sighed as he looked at the remnants of what had once been a person. Then, he opened a communication line.

“Ah, hello? Can you hear me, Mizuhi?”

『What is it?』

On the other end, Mizuhi responded with unexpected calmness.

“Just checking in. Angels popped up, right?”

『Hm? Angels?』

Yukihira tilted his head at the mismatched conversation before peering five seconds into the future and nodding in understanding.

“Ah, those white birds. Yeah, those are called angels—neither Kisou Academy’s nor our weapons, just bad news. Kill them all.”

『I see. That’s a relief. I’ve already incinerated over a thousand of them.』

“As expected of an S-rank. Well then, go ahead and take down Kisou Academy’s dungeon core.”

『Are you sure? From what I’ve heard, the angels are an abnormal situation.』

Yukihira laughed as he materialized another knife.

“No problem. Ending the Conquest Festival properly is the only way to resolve this.”

『Understood. I’ll finish this as quickly as possible.』

“Thanks~”

He ended the call and continued slaughtering angels as effortlessly as breathing.

“I wonder what Rokuhara’s gonna do.”

His tone sounded more annoyed than when facing the angels.

■

“Hell yeah! Things are heating up!”

Rokuhara laughed as he sliced through angels. Behind him, countless angel corpses already littered the ground.

『U-Um, shouldn’t we stop the Conquest Festival since those angels—』

“You dumb? If we stop now, what happens to all the dead students in this space? You think panicking and calling it off will fix shit? Hell no!”

Rokuhara dashed across the battlefield. As he passed, he cut down angels about to kill students and trampled over the rest.

Among those he saved were even students from Mikage Academy.

『Ugh, so annoying!』

“But hey, Eina! Killing angels means bonus points! We’re not just talking high-end condos anymore—fancier meals, that perfume you love, all that shit!”

Rokuhara knew exactly how to handle Eina, a materialistic Demonsgear.

『Eh, for real!?』

“Deadass serious!”

『Even unlimited ramen toppings!?』

“All toppings, extra-large, free refills, go wild!”

『WOOOOOOH! You’re the best, Leader! Star-Slash Form Shift—complete!』

The twin blades in Rokuhara’s hands connected and transformed into a bow. Satisfied, he snapped them back into two swords.

『Ack, you broke them already! But it’s fine! ‘Cuz it’s for money!』

“Haha! That’s what I like to hear!”

The two swords, now imbued with unerring accuracy, danced through the air. They mowed down angels at a terrifying pace while Rokuhara simultaneously rescued students.

“Th-Thank you, Rokuhara-san!”

He stopped the student from bowing and pointed toward their base.

“Fall back and regroup. Move in squads of at least three. If things get dicey, run. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Y-Yes!”

『As expected of the Leader! Gotta squeeze every last penny outta the people you save, huh!?』

“Don’t lump me in with you.”

Sighing, Rokuhara took off again. His destination?

Mikage Academy’s dungeon core.

(They’re still pushing forward too. Now it’s a race.)

Twelve seconds of absolute time could overturn any battlefield. That’s why Rokuhara acted with victory as a foregone conclusion.

『…Hm? Ah, Leader, bad news!』

Suddenly, Eina shouted.

“Hah?”

『Lutra’s coming this way at insane speed! …Eh? Wait, no way—』

The moment Rokuhara turned at Eina’s alarmed reaction—

A ghostly figure stood right before him.

“Tch!?”

“One strike.”

A black greatsword was drawn, aimed straight at Rokuhara. A flash of light—or so it seemed—in the span of an instant.

(Can’t dodge. Then—)

In the next moment, Rokuhara twisted causality itself, redirecting his swords’ unerring trajectory toward the blade.

A tremendous shockwave erupted as their weapons clashed.

“Tch, the hell kinda greeting is that!?”

“Strange. One strike should’ve killed you.”

The young man tilted his head before kicking off the ground to create distance. He sheathed his sword.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“…Gatou Touraku.”

“Got it. I’m Rokuhara. Contracted to Eina here… So that black greatsword of yours is Lutra?”

“Sorry, but I don’t waste words on enemies.”

Touraku raised his sword again. Watching him, Eina spoke up.

『Leader, this is bad. Lutra’s… gone berserk. At this rate, she’ll get disposed of by Big Sis again.』

Rokuhara observed Touraku for a moment before sighing in disappointment.

“Man, if this is the Stellar Plan’s key player, we’re screwed. Had some expectations too.”

He raised his twin swords and taunted.

“C’mon, rookie. Let your senpai teach you a thing or two.”

“…Lutra—three strikes.”

Touraku’s voice was ice-cold as he gave the command.

The next instant, he lunged forward at blinding speed.

■

Uh… isn’t this kinda bad…?

『Ah, Lutra’s gone berserk. Alright! Time to seal her away!』

W-Wait, don’t suddenly start acting like the Starreader’s Staff!

“That’s… Touraku…!?”

“He’s totally fighting on par with an Executor!”

In the angels’ domain, we were peacefully observing the Conquest Festival’s progress.

After walking endlessly with no more angels in sight, I’d suggested this to kill time—and also because the two of them constantly using me to one-up each other was starting to wear on my sanity.

I’d asked the Starreader’s Staff to let us watch the festival unfold, but…

“This is an abnormal situation.”

Oh no.

Pretty sure those are angels, and Touraku’s gone berserk too.

Wait, huh!?

Isn’t this the event where Touraku deepens his bond with Lutra and gets stronger!?

But Rokuhara’s making his “I’m dealing with an annoying bastard” face!

『Partner, it’s time to fulfill our duty as the Starreader’s Staff. Look—Lutra’s already beyond saving. Whether her contractor’s been consumed or she’s just rampaging again, she’s a failure as a Demonsgear.』

W-Wait, Starreader’s Staff, give him a chance!

Touraku’s the protagonist! A little dark descent event won’t hurt!

He’s gonna come out stronger from this!

Have faith in the strength of his heart!

“…What’s wrong, Sorciera?”

Clam-chan noticed my odd behavior and peered at me worriedly.

“It’s nothing.”

“Liar. You’re making such a pained face. What is it?”

“—It’s Touraku, isn’t it?”

Before I could deflect, Rinka answered for me.

Oh no, this is gonna get messy.

“You’ve always believed in Touraku, entrusted everything to him. I don’t know the details, but I do know you two shared a strong bond.”

What bond!?

At best, I just messed with his preferences a little!

I didn’t do anything! Innocent!

『Why do you think you’re innocent, I wonder?』

I am!

I’m a beautiful girl!

“You really want to go save Touraku, don’t you?”

“I… don’t.”

He’s the protagonist, he’ll be fine.

Even if the story changes a bit, it’s no big deal.

Besides, Rokuhara’ll stop him.

“You suggested watching the Conquest Festival to kill time, but you’re actually worried about him, aren’t you? So…”

“That’s not it.”

Rinka was as stubborn as ever.

Maybe if I let her and Clam-chan argue, I can brush this off—

“Sigh, you’re so stubborn.”

Suddenly, I felt arms wrap around me from behind.

When did she get behind me!?

Does this mean Clam-chan’s hugging me!?

『Still frame captured! Hell yeah!』

The overexcited Starreader’s Staff left me even more flustered.

While I was frozen, the two of them accelerated their efforts.

“It’s fine to go save him. It’s okay to be a little selfish sometimes.”

“…No, I—”

“You’re the Starreader, right? But before that, you’re just a girl named Sorciera.”

Rinka gently squeezed my hand and nodded.

Oh no, I’m being peer-pressured into interfering with the plot against my will!

Mysterious Beauty Time forced activation!

『Erotic voice trigger!?』

Is your brain rotten!?

“It’s okay, we’ll come with you. Let’s go.”

“But I—”

“…Is Zero stopping you?”

“—!”

Rinka looked at me with sad eyes.

This is bad!

This is spiraling out of control!

『Ah, we’ve been called! Gotta go!』

Hey, wait—don’t just activate on your own!

“—Hahaha, so you’ve noticed after all.”

A magic circle spread before us, and a beautiful girl who looked just like me appeared.

The one who would complicate things the most—Zero had arrived.

“Zero…!? Wh-Why are there two Sorcieras!?”

Clam-chan screamed in shock.

Yeah, that’s fair. I’d be shocked too.

“The demon lurking within the Demonsgear Sorciera contracted with—that’s this Zero. The worst existence, corrupting her.”

“…I see.”

Oh no, Zero’s been labeled as an enemy.

But I had nothing to do with this!

『Partner, at this point, we have no choice but to save them. I’ll guide the conversation accordingly—leave it to me!』

Do whatever you want at this point.

“Long time no see, Agiri Rinka. And you must be… yes, Kirara Clam, was it? Seems you’ve gotten along well with our Master.”

Her villainous smirk was as flawless as ever.

At this rate, I’m stuck playing the tragic heroine.

“Stop it, Zero! Don’t lay a hand on them!”

“Oh my, how desperate… Haha, could it be? You’ve grown fond of these humans?”

Oi, don’t just casually cater to the shipping crowd.

“…No, I haven’t.”

“You’re a terrible liar. Like a child hiding a mistake. Adorable.”

Zero stepped closer, but Clam-chan jumped in front of me.

A swarm of Ma-chans surrounded her.

『Starreader’s Staff! Be careful! Those are all bombs!』

『I may have overdone it.』

『You bastard!』

I thought you were good at calculations!

This is what happens when you indulge your desires too much!

“My, my, what’s this? I only came because I was called.”

“…Please. Let her go save Touraku.”

Zero pretended to think for a moment before nodding easily.

“Very well.”

“Eh?”

“R-Really?”

Zero grinned at their surprise.

“On one condition—Master must deepen her connection with me further. Let us melt together, love each other!”

She spread her arms and declared it theatrically.

A textbook villain.

“But then—”

“Tch, you…!”

Oh no oh no oh no!

Clam-chan’s about to snap!

『Hey, why are you provoking them so much!?』

『Two bystanders, powerless to intervene… Yet it’s precisely this that makes their love burn so fiercely!』

『Shippers need to chill!』

Ugh, this is a failure.

Zero’s fully committed to either “Clam × Sol” or “Rin × Sol” event scenes now.

Dammit, at this point, there’s no stopping it.

Why did she turn out like this!?

I knew internet surfing was nothing but trouble!

“Master, you wish to save him, don’t you? Then there’s only one choice left.”

Zero stepped closer, arms still spread.

Clam-chan looked ready to pounce at any moment.

Finally, I spoke.

“…Fine.”

“!? Kei!?”

H-Hey, my real name!

“No, Kei! Don’t give in to her!”

Clam-chan too!?

I’d prefer if you called me Sorciera when I’m like this—the whole mysterious beauty thing!

“…Right now, I am Sorciera.”

“Yes. You are Sorciera. My contractor.”

Zero was loving this.

You’re having way too much fun.

Fine, I’ll play along.

“…Thank you, both of you. Because of you, I’ve made up my mind.”

“No, that’s not what I meant!”

“That’s right! Please, reconsider! If it’s that Touraku guy, I’ll stop him myself!”

Like you could win.

“Then you’ll get hurt, Clam. …I’ll be the only one who suffers.”

If I drag this out, that shipper might go even crazier.

So let’s wrap this up quickly.

“Good girl. Now, come.”

“No!”

“Don’t go!”

Ignoring their pleas, I took a step forward.

Then, I turned back—not with my usual mysterious smile, but a main heroine’s gentle one.

“Thank you.”

『You’re enjoying this too, aren’t you? Not entirely unwilling?』

『Shut up.』

Even though we were separated, the Starreader’s Staff sent telepathy as if reading my mind.

I couldn’t deny it entirely.

I knew this kind of beautiful girl moment was… good.

“Zero, please. Lend me your strength.”

“Of course.”

She pulled me into a tight embrace.

The moment she did—

“GYAH!?”

Pain pain pain!

Huh!? Why!?

『Hey, this hurts!』

『Adding 70% truck-kun pain for realism ＾＾』

『Warn me first!』

『Your pained expression is beautiful too. Not that I’ll let those two see it!』

What kind of rivalry is this!?

“Kei!”

“D-Don’t…!”

Seeing me in pain, Clam-chan tried to mobilize the Ma-chans, so I quickly stopped her.

Then, I forced another smile.

“Thank you… both of you.”

“「…!」”

A suffering beautiful girl’s face is so tragic…

That’s why I’ll keep it to myself—just smile for me…

“And so ends our prelude! Now begins our true stage!”

A grieving beautiful girl duo.

A screaming, unhinged Demonsgear.

And me, suffering 70% truck-kun pain for no reason.

A meaningless magic circle expanded, bathing the chaotic scene in purple light.

Ah, whatever—let’s just go with it~☆