A Battle Plan That Hardly Counts as a Battle Plan

"Let's summarize the current situation."

Half an hour later, Michael convened an emergency strategy meeting. Though the situation did not look optimistic, in reality... it truly was not optimistic.

"Stupid. No matter how you look at it, we lost completely!" Aoko casually declared their defeat to Michael and Alice Kuonji.

"We lost...?"

"Yes, that's the fact of it. The five anchor points haven't been destroyed, but the core controlling the barrier has fallen into her hands, and we've lost administrative control as well. We've gone from defenders to challengers, and besides..."

Aozaki Aoko did not continue, but everyone understood. The suppression of magical power was everywhere. What had once been a powerful weapon against intruders was now being used against them. Precisely because they had once managed this place, they understood the barrier's power even better.

"What if we ask the Church for help?"

Alice Kuonji looked toward Goda Church, separated from them by only a wall. According to their agreement, it was obligated to assist the managers of Misaki City's spiritual land.

"We're no longer the managers. The Church has no reason to support us anymore. Besides, to the Church, magi are enemies that ought to be eliminated in the first place."

Aozaki Aoko slammed her hand against the table in frustration. Though her words were dispirited, the fighting spirit in them, the determination to settle the score, was exceptionally fierce.

"But how did my sister tame that golden wolf? That's practically cheating."

She continued muttering to herself. "I always thought Phantasmal Species existed only in legends. You can't deal with something like that without magic that has endured for over a thousand years. Still, I never expected you to be able to defeat it, Michael."

Michael gave an awkward yet polite smile. If possible, whoever wanted the thrilling experience of brawling with a Phantom Beast Species could have it. He certainly did not want a second time.

"All right, enough about that."

Aozaki Aoko spoke like a machine gun, showing no sign of dejection. "What was taken from us must be taken back. Michael, Alice. Before it falls completely into someone else's hands, we have no time to dawdle."

"We definitely have to take it back. The question now is how."

Though Aoko's words were impossible to refute, Michael still raised his own concern. "As challengers, we hold no advantage whatsoever. What we need now is a practical plan. Reckless action will only lead to failure."

Aozaki Aoko fell silent. She truly had not thought of any comprehensive battle plan. Alice Kuonji was no different.

"So, girls, you still have much to learn."

Michael gently shook his head, wearing an inscrutable smile. He snapped his fingers, and azure particles of magical power gathered in midair, forming a simulated map of Misaki City.

"Eh?!"

"I haven't been wasting my time these past few days, you know."

With a thought from Michael, the map's outline began to blur while the flow and branches of the Ley Line grew increasingly bright, like blood vessels beneath human skin, continuously supplying magical power to the body that was the earth.

"Of the three conditions—timing, terrain, and unity—we can only secure terrain at the moment."

He projected a pointer and gestured over the Ley Line flow map. "We have to fight. If we want to reclaim administrative control, that is our only path. But we can still choose how we fight and where we fight."

"There's no need to consider the five major anchor points. They have completely become territory under Touko's control. As challengers, we would only be weakened there."

"The mansion is an option, but it would most likely be completely destroyed. Going there would only be walking into a trap."

"As for other places—"

Michael pondered for a moment, then lightly tapped one location. "I think this place would make an excellent final battlefield."

"Shaki's abandoned amusement park?"

Aozaki Aoko and Alice Kuonji truly could not understand why Michael had chosen that place as the battlefield. Was it merely because a Ley Line tributary ran beneath it?

"The Ley Line tributary is naturally one consideration, but that isn't my only reason for choosing this place. If I remember correctly, Alice's Familiar is a Fairy Tale Monster, right?"

"Yes."

Alice Kuonji nodded lightly. She quickly understood why he had chosen the abandoned amusement park as the battlefield.

"Moon Oil, Flat Snark—the Familiar that can unfold a barrier, endlessly spew magical power, and revive forgotten and abandoned things?"

Aozaki Aoko only knew that Alice Kuonji had such a Familiar. She had never actually seen what it was like, but Alice had told her that Moon Oil was made from fragments of the First Magic and possessed power that was nearly fantastical.

"If that's the case..."

She became eager to try. If things went according to Michael's plan, that person would basically have no chance of winning today. But if they did not drag out the person hiding in the shadows and helping her sister before the final battle, then the outcome of the fight would truly be hard to predict.

"Actually, Aoko, you could do as Touko did. Go out into the wider world, then come back once you have gained enough strength and take back what belongs to you."

"Hm? Why would I do that?"

Aozaki Aoko stared at Michael and countered, "I know it would be fine if I left now. Of course, it would also be meaningless. I won't run from Touko. Because this is proof that I lived here. Precisely because it is meaningless, I've decided to do everything I can do properly."

Her words were scorching and resolute. Faced with that unyielding determination, even Alice had to admit that although her roommate had many flaws, this very quality was what had made them friends.

"I was only saying it casually. I knew that with Aoko's personality, there was no way you'd wait until later to settle a score after taking a loss."

Michael shook his head rather helplessly. "Then get moving. Set up the battlefield in advance, lest something else happen. I doubt Touko will accept your challenge."

"We... what about you?"

"Something this simple doesn't need me to step in. Besides, I have a guest to welcome."

Aozaki Aoko stared suspiciously at Michael, as though trying to read something from his face. Yet that mask perfectly concealed Michael's true thoughts, leaving no opening to glimpse even the slightest bit.

"Tch. We can beat that woman even without you."

Aozaki Aoko curled her lip disdainfully, then took Alice's hand and headed outside. Just as she was about to leave the room, she suddenly stopped.

"You annoying bastard had better not die."

"Don't worry. Good people die young, while disasters live for a thousand years. I won't be dying anytime soon."

"I hope so... though it would still be better if you died!"

Aozaki Aoko muttered softly, then pulled Alice away without looking back.

Only after they had completely left the hospital did the smile gradually vanish from Michael's face, leaving behind nothing but calmness, like a carved statue.

"You've been standing outside for so long. Aren't you going to come in and sit for a while? Making a guest wait outside for so long is truly rude of me as the host."

"I merely found it interesting."

A young man in white vestments walked out from the shadows of the corridor with a light laugh, the rings on all ten of his fingers gleaming.

"Mr. Fool, we meet again."