[176] : AST's Crash Landing

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Meanwhile, aboard the Fraxinus warship, 15,000 meters above Tengu City, the golden-haired man—Kyouhei Kannazuki—asked Kotori Itsuka with a puzzled expression.

"Commander, are there male Spirits? That male Spirit dressed just like Princess seems to have defeated her. Should we take any action?"

Kotori Itsuka, the ribbon-wearing, twin-tailed Loli with red hair, calmly replied while sucking on her lollipop. "Not yet. Based on his actions just now, he doesn't seem hostile to humans. We'll discuss further plans after this is over."

"Oh, and Reine, bring Shiori up here later."

"Understood." Although Reine Murasame's face was expressionless, her heart was deeply concerned for Shiori's safety. At the same time, she couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.

'Wait a second... Since when were there male Spirits?'

———

The scene shifted.

When I and Princess turned to look at the sky, we saw several girls in mecha suits flying, launching several missile-like projectiles from their weapons, hurtling towards us.

I recognized them at a glance as the Anti-Spirit Team (AST). After all, Origami Tobiichi, leading the charge, was someone I had admired for a long time!

"But I can't let you interrupt me and Princess right now—" Looking at the incoming missiles, I chuckled softly, then crushed them in mid-air with a thought.

To avoid being disturbed by the AST for the time being, I simply set up a runic barrier to block and isolate their attacks.

Meanwhile, Princess looked at the group of girls continuously attacking from the sky, a hint of sadness in her deep purple eyes.

"It's them again. So annoying~"

Hearing Princess's comment, I also smiled teasingly. "Princess, have you calmed down now? I told you I wasn't an enemy, yet you insisted on fighting me. Now you've even lost your weapon!"

Hearing my words, Princess's face darkened again. Only then did she remember her Angel being snatched away by this guy.

Just as she was about to demand her Angel back, her body gradually began to turn illusory.

"Mm~ Is it time to return to the Neighboring World?" Seeing this, my eyes flickered.

I knew she was about to disappear and return to the Neighboring World. Although with my power, I could easily keep her here—

Ultimately, I didn't. After all, there was plenty of time. It was more fun to take things slow.

However, thinking of her loneliness in the Neighboring World, I immediately materialized a large box of snacks—mostly kinako bread.

The moment before Tohka disappeared, I stuffed it directly into her arms. Looking at her naturally dazed and adorable appearance, I said harmlessly.

"Princess, seeing you all alone in the Neighboring World is too pitiful. These snacks are for you. I'll return your Angel to you when we meet next time!"

As my voice fell, Tohka, still looking bewildered and curious, along with the box of snacks in her hands, turned into specks of light and vanished before my eyes.

———

At this moment, I looked at the AST combat girls hovering in the sky above and then dispelled the barrier.

After I snapped my fingers, the AST girls all plummeted to the ground due to gravity.

"Attacking me the moment we meet—isn't that a bit rude? Looks like some form of punishment is necessary!" I then arrived before Origami Tobiichi, stroking my chin and grinning mischievously.

"You! Don't hurt my team members! If you have guts, come at me!" Suddenly, a leading woman among the mecha girls shouted at me.

"CAPTAIN!"

"CAPTAIN!"

"..."

Hearing their captain's words, all the AST girls looked moved, declaring their willingness to live and die together.

Seeing this scene of life-and-death farewell, I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

They're acting like I'm some sort of villain...

———

I removed the altered gravity. After restoring their stamina and injuries, I couldn't help but remark. "Look, I'm not a Spirit. Why are you all showing such deep hostility towards me?"

"Not a Spirit?! Do you think we're blind? You're dressed just like Princess!!" The AST captain glared at me suspiciously

"Captain! We just received a detection report from HQ. He... he really seems to be human!" However, the face-slap came coincidentally.

The next moment, an AST girl suddenly spoke up, reminding her—

"...."

The AST girls all stared at each other, wide-eyed, unable to believe the news from headquarters.

Origami Tobiichi, however, felt a strange sense of familiarity, wondering, 'Where have I seen him before?'

———

On the other hand, looking at the stunned AST girls, I immediately dismissed my Astral Dress.

"Well? Now do you believe I'm not a Spirit?!"

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but smile sheepishly, their faces filled with embarrassment. But regarding my helping Princess, the AST captain still expressed great confusion—

Ultimately, after the AST captain apologized to me, she led her group away.

However, as they were leaving, Origami Tobiichi's gaze kept lingering on me from time to time, her calm expression unreadable, her thoughts unknown.

I quietly watched them leave, then returned to Shiori's side. However, I was surprised to find a silver-haired beauty—

Reine Murasame.

At the same time, she was also the source of all the incidents, the one known as the First Spirit—Mio Takamiya.

———

"By the way, System, Why did Mio Takamiya still set up this series of plans to have Shiori seal the Spirits?" I was very curious about this.

[Ding! This is because Mio Takamiya wants Shiori to become the strongest, to obtain an existence with a lifespan as long as her own.]

I had imagined countless reasons, but I had never expected this outcome...

———

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. My name is Reine Murasame. My commander would like to invite you to Fraxinus for a discussion—" Just as I was stunned, a clear voice sounded.

"Reine Murasame?" I naturally knew this name.

This was one of Mio Takamiya's incarnations.

For a moment, feeling playful, I decided to tease her. With a mischievous smile, I said meaningfully.

"Then, Reine, have you ever heard the name Mio Takamiya?"

Thump!

Reine Murasame's heart felt as if it had suffered a heavy blow.

Her body trembled violently. Although her face remained calm, the horror in her eyes couldn't be concealed.

Her eyes stared deadly at the man before her. From my playful gaze, Reine Murasame was very certain—he...

He definitely knew her identity!!!

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