Future Moment

(Miluno)

Aldebaran was not angry at all about our "breach of contract".

Perhaps she had considered this possibility from the beginning, which is why she prepared the Witch Domain as a backup plan.

But we can't let her leave like this.

It wasn't just for the technology in the Witch Domain, but also to leave behind Betelgeuse to decipher the Ancient Computer we retrieved.

Continue to accelerate.

Using Dark Energy to drive magic is... easier than I thought.

It's hard to imagine that this Flowlight magic and the pitch-black darkness are so similar when used...

Does such a force that drives Great Will truly come without a price?

While I was thinking, I had already followed the path around the thorny flowerbed, parted the thorns and flowers to come to Aldebaran's back, and the sword that swung down headfirst unimpededly split Aldebaran's golden head.

"What--"

She collapsed in terror.

The petals from the flower crown had scattered all over the ground...

Ha! Just kidding!

She turned around with a mocking laugh.

"Mi-chan is going too far! Is she trying to kill me?"

But as I expected, the withering was just a symptom; this level of attack couldn't cause any real damage to the little golden statue. Even with its head split in two, it could still utter sarcastic remarks.

Then, it healed.

This regenerative ability has nothing to do with the Witch Domain. The cut surface revealed by the sword's edge contained no brain matter. Like the Oil Monster she created, she was simply a golden construct.

"You can't hurt me, no matter how fast you speed up, the result will be the same..."

Golden Thorns swirled around her. Although they didn't seem fast to me, I still had to be careful of these thorns while attacking. If I accidentally bumped into them, it would cause real damage. I also had to avoid the thorny plants under my feet. All these distractions made it difficult for me to go all out.

It's like walking a tightrope.

However, Aldebaran can move freely without sustaining any damage.

"Wow! Our compatibility is terrible! We can hardly deal with her using only physical damage!"

Aldebaran's scoundrelly nature annoyed even the little creature.

There are spells that can counter her, such as the Heat Haze spell which can cause her real damage, and I happen to have four Fire Phosphor Bomb -encapsulated batteries... but there are only four in total, so I must use them carefully.

Moreover, Aldebaran in its burning state is essentially enchanted with fire; the gold not only doesn't melt immediately, but its offensive power is also indirectly enhanced.

"I wish Ceruno- chan could use magic!"

The little thing was also thinking about a way to break the deadlock. She muttered to herself:

"If she can gather all the darkness within her domain, I can devour her completely!"

Oh right?!

Aldebaran herself wasn't wearing protective gear, so she couldn't use magic right now.

In other words, without the support of Dark Energy, she wouldn't even be able to power her golden body, right?

The little thing asked:

"That's correct in theory, but how are you going to do it?"

Mono, magic can be transmitted through physical contact, but what about Dark Energy, which is so similar to magic?

"That's probably possible."

If I could find a way to access her body, could you possibly seize her power... or even control of her Witch Domain?

"Oh? Good idea!"

The little creature let out a gasp of surprise.

"My control over darkness is stronger than any other witch's! No problem!"

Once you receive a positive response, the next steps are quite simple.

"What's wrong, Mi-chan? Moving this far is only more advantageous for me, isn't it?"

Four thorns propped Aldebaran high up, and she nocked her bow, the arrow pointing condescendingly down at Ceruno...

"Don't forget, Sai-chan is also my target, you know? You might be able to dodge, but can she be faster than my arrow?"

The terrain of this Golden Garden is too flat and open, with nowhere to hide. If I leave Ceruno's side, it will be the same as exposing her to Aldebaran's arrows without any defense.

"Mean!"

"Ha, you have no right to use those words, do you? Besides, I've already said it from the beginning! I will defeat you by any means necessary, and then leave with Ginseng, or... are you planning to admit defeat and beg for mercy?"

Ceruno then gave me a push in the lower back.

"Go ahead."

I turned around.

And what about you?

I will protect myself.

Since magic is unusable, how can one possibly dodge arrows shot from above?

"... Take this."

He tore the "Present Moment" from the chain on his chest and gave it to Ceruno.

"This is..."

But she clearly didn't know how to use it.

"Listen carefully, press the button above when you see her release the arrow, and leave the rest to me."

Now we can only gamble on capabilities that haven't been tested yet.

"Um!"

I began to meander along the path beside me.

Aldebaran was separated from us by a thorny flowerbed, which is why I didn't just rush over Past. However, she had already anticipated my route and created a thorny tendril that swept across the garden path.

At the same time, she fired a golden arrow at Ceruno.

I could see the trajectory of the arrow, but this arrow was impossible for Ceruno to dodge. However, she still had the leeway to press the button before being hit.

Time Stasis for her.

The arrows exploded on her, creating a golden storm on the field, but they failed to leave a single trace on Ceruno.

This is the power of the "Present Moment"...

The little thing said:

"Although Ceruno is safe, she can't undo it on her own. You have no magic right now, and you're only relying on Dark Energy to sustain the consumption of 'Present Moment.' Even I would be drained dry, you know?"

The darkness within the Black Crystal is rapidly dissipating, and at this rate, it will soon be unable to maintain its Crystal form.

However, Dark Energy can be obtained from Aldebaran.

Seeing the thigh-thick tentacles about to sweep along the path, I gritted my teeth and pressed "Future Moment".

Similar to when I pressed the "Past Moment" button, my consciousness was ejected from my body, time stood still, but my body remained in place, and the pocket watch dial continued to tick forward...

This is My Own Time.

"Holy crap?! I'm going to be burned dry!"

Simultaneously driving two pocket watches, Dark Energy was released like a flood, causing the little thing to utter Chinese verses.

"Don't just stand there! Run! The place you can reach in your current state is your 'Future' location!"

I see.

I understand the usage of "the Future Moment".

The consciousness entity can also be scratched by thorns, and its abilities are not outstanding; in fact, it appears somewhat weak because it cannot accelerate.

But this time is my My Own Time, and no one will notice the distance I travel during this time.

I endured the pain in my calves;

Enduring the exhaustion of the rapidly draining Dark Energy;

He touched the base of Aldebaran, which was supported by thorns, and looked up...

Tsk, her figure is clearly somewhere between a virgin and a loli, yet she dares to wear such daring gold lace panties?

With this in mind, I pressed the "Future Moment" button again.

"Huh? What time is it--"

From Aldebaran's perspective, I must have appeared beneath her through a hidden path, right?

But the distance didn't give her a chance to fight back. He grabbed her slender ankle, which he could easily grasp, and pulled her down from the thorns with all his might.

Wow!

Then I pulled her as close to my chest as possible...

Of course, the actions were much rougher than when he was holding Ceruno.

"Ouch, you bumped your rib on me!"