Sky Branch

(Sun Yao)

Miss Thunderous Resonance's sonic attack missed, and the wolf-headed Monster fled the scene with speed no less than Miluno's. The Association's drones chased after him, but they would probably have a hard time keeping up with that absurd speed.

"...He was so strong. Wouldn't it be troublesome if he got away?"

"They probably won't lose him, right? That Monster is so conspicuous, people will spot him wherever he goes."

As Miluno spoke, she drew her short sword and neatly cut away the tangled old roots wrapped around her legs. Although she had the explosive strength to kick through a tree, it was difficult for her to exert force and break free when her legs were pinned down.

The Werewolf Monster clad in black armor looked oppressive even from afar.

But Miss Heat Haze said, "This is bad. All of the Association's drones have been shot down by him."

That Werewolf was clearly stronger than ordinary Monsters. Any Monster that could trade blows with Miss Miluno had at least Witch-level strength.

Forget ordinary people—even magical girls had no confidence in defeating it.

"Th-then... he won't run into the city and hurt people, will he?"

I couldn't help feeling worried.

But Miss Miluno shook her head.

"I can't quite determine his stance either. Not only did he not try to kill me, but his final actions also displayed obvious 'humanity'... Miss SpiCa, has there been a precedent for something like that?"

"Although External Invaders possess intelligence, they do not understand human common sense or language. They are merely humanoid weapons sent by the Other Side."

There was a moment of silence over the radio before SpiCa continued, "Sorry to disturb your outing, Ceruno and Miluno. Please come to the Association. Aside from that Werewolf, there are other matters I would like to explain to you in person."

"With the mountain fire this severe, we can't keep sightseeing anyway."

Looking at the forest still billowing with thick smoke, I asked, "Then, Miss SpiCa, should we go to the treatment facility or the branch?"

"This time, please come directly to Sky Branch. I and... I will be waiting for you there."

Thunderous Resonance, who was carrying a loudspeaker, pointed at herself and blinked.

"Huh? What about me?"

SpiCa replied, "Just let the two of them come. Miss Thunderous Resonance, I'll have to trouble you to help more with the mountain fire."

"Sigh, so I'm being left out? Then may we meet again someday~"

This carefree biker magical girl did not press the issue. Holding up her magical Megaphone, she went back to assist the firefighters in putting out the blaze.

"Heat Haze, your assistance and guidance for Ceruno ends here. Focus on recovering properly."

"Huh? What can't you let me—"

Before Miss Heat Haze could even finish speaking, she went offline from the voice channel.

This was clearly Miss SpiCa's doing. She had specifically asked to see Miluno and me while excluding everyone else... It made me a little nervous.

"Let's head down the mountain first."

We had barely stepped out of the park's main entrance when Miss Yin Wei pulled up in a Beetle.

She had arrived incredibly quickly, as though she had been waiting nearby all along.

Miss Yin Wei rolled down the window and called out, "Get in."

I took the front passenger seat.

Miss Miluno climbed into the back seat.

Although there was little change in her expression, she was clearly in a terrible mood.

"Miss Yin Wei, have they found that Werewolf?" I asked.

"No, but the Association has notified the police. There are currently no plans to lock down the city; security has only been strengthened at the entrances and exits. The Association has also arranged for several magical girls to form an emergency response team, but without wormholes to provide warnings, the possibility of casualties..."

Miss Yin Wei glanced at Miss Miluno in the rearview mirror, then changed her wording. "...Ahem. However, judging from that Mechanical Werewolf's unusual behavior, the possibility of him directly attacking humans is not high. You don't need to blame yourself."

"No, it was indeed my responsibility."

As Miluno spoke, her brows drew slightly closer together.

The Monster had slipped away right under her nose. That had clearly wounded her pride, not to mention the possibility that it might cause casualties afterward.

"I failed to notice his little moves. If it can absorb and use other Monsters' powers, then it is very dangerous... We must deal with it as soon as possible."

SpiCa said through the earpiece, "The Intelligence Division has reconstructed the Werewolf's appearance and reported it to the police. If he appears in the city center, then even without a wormhole alert, armed police will seal off the scene immediately."

Though SpiCa said that, everyone knew that armed police alone could not withstand that Werewolf's assault...

A landmine had been buried, yet no one knew when it would explode. It was impossible not to feel anxious.

Leaving the mountains along the winding road, Miss Yin Wei drove straight down the highway toward the Association branch building in the city center. From afar, we could see the lotus-leaf-like umbrella platform spread across the rooftop. It was not only a helipad, but also the dock for the city's wormhole detection airship.

After being silent for some time, Miluno suddenly asked, "Miss SpiCa, aside from the Werewolf, what exactly do you want to say?"

"We'll discuss confidential matters in person. Also, I've already arrived at the branch."

I asked as well, "So fast! Did you travel through a Phase Wormhole again?"

"Yes. Sky Branch's wormhole tunnel has already been installed, but currently only magical girls can endure the immense pressure inside the tunnel... If this technology can be perfected, not only will we be able to respond to External Invader attacks more quickly and efficiently, but ordinary people's means of travel will also undergo a revolution."

"It sounds wonderful, but this technology isn't mature yet, is it?"

There was distrust in Miluno's tone. I had more or less grown used to it.

"Miluno, the development of any technology takes time..."

"Miss SpiCa, if I'm not mistaken, your ultimate goal is to use wormhole technology to launch the Second Counterattack Operation, correct?"

SpiCa, interrupted by Miss Miluno, fell silent.

The Second Counterattack Operation?

SpiCa had never truly recovered from that failure seven years ago. She was seeking a chance to make up for her mistakes.

It was not until the Beetle drove into the branch's underground parking garage that Miss SpiCa "reconnected."

"You're right. I am preparing a second counterattack, but this time I will not rush in recklessly. Only once we have fully mastered this technology and established a stable passage back and forth can we contend with the Other Side on equal terms. So there is nothing wrong with developing wormholes themselves... But I do indeed have selfish motives."

The car stopped.

Miluno and I followed Miss Yin Wei into the elevator lobby in the garage. The building's cold air poured from the tops of our heads through our entire bodies.

Miluno reminded her, "But humanity no longer has the courage to peer into the Other Side."

"Seven years ago, I sent thirty comrades to the Other Side, only for them to be transformed into Monsters and sent back one by one... It was all my fault. But I cannot let them die in vain. No matter what accusations I must bear, I will push this plan forward."

Miss Yin Wei pressed the elevator button.

Before that cold, impersonal elevator came down, the three of us could only stand there and wait.

"Miss SpiCa..."

Over all these years, she had carried such heavy mental burdens.

"For that, I need someone like you... Miluno, I need a capable magical girl like you. Please help me."

This was SpiCa's request to Miluno.

Miluno was very strong. Even among all the magical girls of the past twelve years, she belonged to the very top tier.

If someone like her were willing to assist the Association, to assist SpiCa...

"I refuse."

Miluno said it.

The elevator doors closed.