Internal Strife: Mi

(Miluno)

Putting aside the fact that Aldebaran controlled me to kiss Ceruno, the arrogant Fomalhaut was actually defeated by Sirius.

It wasn't that she thought Sirius was weak, but she hadn't really gained any advantage over Fomalhaut before, especially in a one-on-one situation...

Could it be that I absorbed too much Dark Energy from Fomalhaut, causing her strength to decline drastically?

Sirius, who defeated Fomalhaut, even took Sun Ji hostage. Sun Ji had also been kicked by Mono, so he was in a bad state.

Just being able to stand here is a feat in itself, isn't it?

In short, neither of them was in good form, and they were both defeated twice by the highly motivated Sirius...

The materialized whip of light coiled around Sun Ji's throat, Sirius threatened:

"Aldebaran, how about releasing Ceruno in exchange for the hostages?"

"Yo, Sirius~"

The voice of Aldebaran emanated from within me, somewhat like a ventriloquist performance found only at temple fairs and circuses.

"You don't think I care about A-Ji's life or death, do you? You don't, do you? We're partners, but also competitors. I want the council seat she's after too. If she were to die in battle, it might not be a bad thing for me."

Before Sun Ji could express his opinion, Fomalhaut, who was lying disheveled to the side, questioned:

"Hey, aren't we heading towards the same goal?"

Fomalhaut's ideal was to establish a new regime centered around witches, so that witches would no longer be discriminated against...

That's why she chose to follow Sun Ji and elevate the status of the witch.

Many members of the "Supreme Council" have already been transformed into witches. As long as Sun Ji can obtain a formal seat, these council members who have become witches will support her on witch-related issues. After that, it will be a natural and effortless process to establish a witch regime.

No, shouldn't it be called the Witch Civilization?

However, Aldebaran's purpose was clearly completely different from Fomalhaut's.

"Huh? Why are you making me sound like a traitor? Aurora -chan~ I never said I was your ally, did I? Aren't you always the ones asking for my help? I only assist you for my own benefit; you've elevated the status of witches, which helps my activities, right?"

Aldebaran spoke, he manipulated me to circle behind Ceruno.

"But Sai-chan is still cuter, from now on I'm standing with her!"

She continues to waver and change her stance as always, unable to discern her position...

Accustomed to being taken advantage of, Ceruno, clutching her stomach, calmly asked:

What exactly do you want to do?

"They actually asked me what I want to do? Do I really need to say such an obvious answer myself?"

Aldebaran sniffed Ceruno's ear; the esters in her ear canal emitted a faint scent of osmanthus. Then she pursed her lips against Ceruno's ear... Although it wasn't her intention, she felt a warm sensation in her mouth—it was Ceruno's soft earlobe.

The latter shrank back, trying to struggle, but with her wand knocked away, she had no strength to fight me now.

"My goal all along has been simply to restart the 'Great Will.' Are you satisfied with this answer? Of course, if you don't believe me, I don't intend to prove anything."

For the inhabitants of this world, this is the absolutely "correct" answer, and it is also the great cause that the "Supreme Council" wants to achieve.

But Aldebaran's purpose is certainly not limited to this...

"Listen carefully~ Whether it's Mi-chan or the 'Great Hand', they are all parts prepared to restart the 'Great Will'. But preparing these parts also requires a lot of Dark Energy, which is why I cooperated with A-Ji's actions. After all, they did increase the rate of darkness erosion... Oh, I'm getting off topic."

She shrugged at Sirius.

"But, A-Ji, you don't want the 'Great Will' to awaken, do you? You want the witch to break free from the 'Great Will's' control? That won't do. Then there's no need for cooperation. Sirius, do as you please~"

He then made a gesture indicating that it was his turn to proceed.

Aldebaran had long ago stated that his and Sun Ji's goals were different, but he never expected to confront them under these circumstances.

This world is nearing its end, and she doesn't have much time left to do whatever she wants. Is she planning to use this opportunity to get rid of Sun Ji?

"You're even worse than I thought."

Although it was said that the enemy was having internal strife, Sirius seemed extremely unhappy as well.

She certainly didn't intend to kill Sun Ji.

Aldebaran, who claimed to stand with Ceruno, not only didn't let go of her, but even adopted an offensive stance...

Because the magical girls who were knocked away by "me" have all stood up.

Is it really possible to instantly dominate the entire field?

"Is this the end of the conversation? Ugh~ Fighting so many people at once, my body can't take it! Please~"

Aldebaran made a sound as affected as a high school girl.

"What is this guy who's taking hostages and isn't even here talking about?"

Sirius Light Rope to bind Sun Ji and Fomalhaut together like rice dumplings.

Immediately, a wide array of Light Arrow Sigil shot out from behind her.

These arrows made of light travel at extremely high speeds.

Even I couldn't escape it by simply Time Acceleration, but I have the power of a witch, a pocket watch that can create time, and after Mono's forced upgrade, the energy surging within me is inexhaustible.

In the My Own Time, even the light stands still.

However, even with the acceleration, there was no way to hold Ceruno and dodge, Aldebaran had to let go of Ceruno. Sirius seized the opportunity, wrapped his light whip around Ceruno, and pulled her Past.

"Oops?"

Aldebaran wanted to give chase, but the other magical girls were not bystanders. Their actions were very strategic. They spread out to guard against my lightning-fast attacks while using various spells to seal off my space to move.

Before the "Future Moment" is deactivated, it's difficult for me to affect objects outside of the air. This is why I always deactivate my pocket watch before each attack. I don't know if it was a lucky coincidence or if I figured this out, but the fan-shaped flame jets, the trigger-activated mines, the seemingly poisonous mist...

Hey! What? A magical girl using poison gas?

Several large-scale spells almost completely blocked my movement space, and even my vision. If I were to force my Past using "Future Moment," I would inevitably suffer damage...

"Hey, your magic is really interesting, but its flaws are also obvious."

Aldebaran muttered, "It can only affect itself; that's too limited in scope! Large-scale, long-range firepower is much more impressive."

Why is Aldebaran complaining when he's forcibly controlling my body and using my magic?

Can I change the type of magic?

Speaking of which...

Using a pocket watch, in the My Own Time, she can still connect with me?

"Ah!"

From within the lush green poisonous fog came Ceruno's battle cry. She was wrapped in Bubble Membrane, wielding a wand that had transformed into Trident, and swept it horizontally in their direction...

But how could someone moving at such a slow pace possibly hit me?

There was no need for a significant dodge; simply leaning back was enough to avoid the gleaming spear tip.

Although it resembles Trident, it is essentially a magic wand. To prevent Ceruno from using the restrictive Solidified Bubble, Aldebaran is still preparing to press my pocket watch...

"Huh?"

He reached out to grab her chest, but only touched the plain.

The three pocket watches were gone.