(Heartfelt thanks to Yunqi Qinggu for the donation!)
As the sky gradually darkened, magicians clad in CR-Units and cold Andersnatch mechanical dolls floated in the air one after another. Some held weapons, while others raised arms capable of launching attacks, all aiming at Miku standing on the ground below. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder.
After glancing around at the magicians and Andersnatch that had completely surrounded her, Miku looked at the man-sized crater blasted out by lasers in front of her, her expression turning rather grim.
"AST...?"
No sooner had she spoken than a woman floating in the air opened her mouth disdainfully. Her entire body was covered in red armor, her striking red hair framed high, fox-like eyes.
"What a shame. We're not those useless AST people..."
"Not AST...?" Miku frowned. Then, as though recalling something, she abruptly raised her head and looked at the red-haired, fox-eyed woman.
"You're from DEM!"
"Oh?" The red-haired, fox-eyed woman lifted her eyelids and grinned viciously.
"I never thought an Spirit would know about DEM. This is the first time I've heard that during a mission..."
"A Spirit..." Miku said darkly. "So you already know who I am...?"
"That's right!" The red-haired, fox-eyed woman licked her lips.
"What's wrong? Are you scared, Spirit—Diva?"
"Scared?" A sweet smile appeared on Miku's face.
"Are you saying that because my identity as a Spirit has been exposed, I have to be afraid of you...?"
"As prey, you should act like prey!" The red-haired, fox-eyed woman's voice sharpened.
"You're clearly a Spirit, yet you pretend to be human. Disgusting!"
"Tch..." At her words, Miku's smile vanished completely.
"Well, none of that matters. The question is, what do you people from DEM want with me...?"
"Hah...?" The red-haired, fox-eyed woman seemed to have heard