Chapter 42

(Bai Ziye)

"We can begin."

Sirius called out, and I turned and ran into the western mountain path. Taking advantage of the cover of the tall tree canopy in the rainforest, I quickly broke the sound barrier. Using the height of the hillside and tree canopy, plus Ceruno's magic that reduced gravity, I easily used inertia to "fly" to the top of Sirius's head.

"We succeeded!"

This is my strategy; after all, there's no set limit to the scope of the battle!

Leaping over the treetops from the hillside, I saw Sirius gathering a powerful eye laser, intending to deal with Ceruno first before turning his attention to me?

A reasonable judgment, but unfortunately, I'm now moving faster than she knew!

It leaped high into the air, momentarily blocking out the sunlight.

In that brief moment, Sirius tried to turn around and deal with me. Her reaction speed was fast, but to me it was as slow as a sloth flipping over.

Cute Star Skyward Crash!

With a sudden downward momentum, it crashed into Sirius's back. The four-petaled Wings of Light instantly went out, and she lost her balance and swayed precariously. However, the powerful laser was also deflected at an off-center angle.

"Oh no!"

The out-of-control laser beam swept towards "Bai Ziye," or UI-31, who was watching from the sidelines.

I'm not worried about him getting hurt.

Rather, it would be worse if he didn't get injured. If he summoned his armor at this moment, it would be very difficult to explain things to Ceruno.

The laser's direction needs to be adjusted, but twisting Sirius's neck at this point could break it.

The same logic applies to attacking UI-31. It's practically impossible for my magic to "protect" it, but if it's a materialized beam of light, perhaps I can cut it in half or deflect it?

Having made up my mind to jump off Sirius's back, the recoil also accelerated her descent to the ground. I strode towards UI-31, drew the black and gold short swords from my waist, and joined them end to end to form an alien-shaped longsword.

"Ha!"

A flash of sword light appeared.

I severed the light.

The broken back half of the blade didn't lose momentum. I gripped the hilt, turned the blade, and struck the beam of light with a vengeance, sending the laser that could have damaged UI-31 flying into the sand, sending up a spray of fine sand.

"Call..."

After finishing all that, Sirius hadn't even landed yet when I went to Ceruno's side and deactivated the time magic on the Magic Membrane.

"Wow!"

Sirius's scream finally reached my ears. She crashed heavily onto the beach, then spitting out sand as she got up... As expected of an Arch-Tempered Magical Girl, her body is incredibly sturdy. I was worried that my jump might hurt her, but it seems I was overthinking it.

She patted herself clean and then changed into a casual dress.

"You won."

She admitted it quite readily.

"Wow, Miluno- chan's speed has gotten even faster. It seems I'm finding it a bit difficult to handle both of you at the same time..."

I can't maintain that speed in a one-on-one situation, and dealing with her alone would still be quite difficult for me in my current form.

Upon confirming that "Bai Ziye" was safe and sound, Ceruno excitedly raised her hand and jumped for joy.

"Miss Sirius, as agreed before, can I go to Hawaii Island today?"

"You volunteered for the challenge just to have fun?"

"Hehe, after all, I'm the only one who hasn't been to the island yet..."

It's actually quite unfair.

Although the official setting states that Miluno and Bai Ziye have visited Oahu, they haven't actually been to either island, and now they're being subjected to Ceruno's sour grapes. I'm speechless...

"I can go, but on one condition."

Sirius's words made Ceruno pout in dissatisfaction.

"Are there any conditions?"

"Ceruno- chan, have you forgotten that you're being watched? You can only go to Oahu after the 'The Other Side' launches an attack. Otherwise, once the External Invader appear in the city, it will definitely cause damage and losses, and even more seriously, it may lead to casualties."

In comparison, Nabu Island is more suitable as a battlefield, especially with its large, open beach, although turning over the sand after a battle is a bit of a hassle.

Sirius's words were undeniably true, and although Ceruno looked unwilling, she still nodded.

Sirius then said, "Don't be sad, there's an entertainment room in the mansion."

"A game console?"

"There is chess and indoor golf."

"Gah! That's some kind of aristocratic entertainment!"

Even after becoming a magical girl, Ceruno still thinks about playing video games all day long. Despite being dressed in a glamorous outfit, her otaku nature has never changed.

Ceruno looked dejected. Although she had won the contest, she had failed to gain her freedom, and even the joy of victory had been washed away.

When will the Monster invade?

Okay, she's starting to have her eye on the Monster.

Including the magical maids in the mansion, there are as many as seventeen magical girls on Nabu Island. Any Monster who comes here is no match for them, so it's normal that I don't feel any pressure. However, I don't have the habit of underestimating my opponents, even if they are just small fry.

However, the "The Other Side" seems to think the same way.

"He hasn't come all day!"

Midnight.

Even the good-natured Ceruno couldn't help but throw her pillow against the wall in frustration. She finally had a chance to experience the authentic Hawaii culture on Oahu, but "the Other Side"... canceled.

"Maybe they don't want to waste the Monster? They've already given away so many for free, I don't believe those Monster really don't want money."

"Is your hoarse voice better now?"

"Cough cough, my throat is swollen, it's still not feeling well."

"That chili sauce is that powerful?"

Of course, I've already turned back into Bai Ziye, but I'm still keeping a low voice and pretending that my throat hasn't recovered yet, otherwise I'll still be exposed when I switch to UI-31 tomorrow.

I turned off the TV and the guest room light, and half-lying down, I said, "Idiot, stop hoping, go to sleep."

Ceruno closed her eyes and lay down, muttering to herself.

"Sigh, I hope that Monster comes early tomorrow."

She's so obsessed with Monster; you'd think he was her friend.

"It's hard to say, maybe the Monster won't come tomorrow?"

Buzz--

It felt like a slap in the face; the familiar wormhole sound effect came from outside.

Looking up at the Starry Night through the balcony, a blue ring appeared not far from the mansion... Are you kidding me? It's past midnight, everyone's asleep, couldn't this Monster come during the day?

Although I was reluctant, Ceruno didn't think so.

She, who had been lying flat, sprang up excitedly, quickly changed into her Battle Dress, and used her staff as a conductor's baton, deftly twirling it with her fingertips.

They're really in high spirits.

"Yezi, you wait! I'll be right back!"

"... What am I waiting for?"

"Wait for me to come to Hawaii!"

She said this with a grin, and then climbed over the first-floor balcony.

Even if they defeated the Monster...

There's no boat to take us to Hawaii this late at night...

She underestimated me, so to be on the safe side, I disguised myself as Miluno and followed her.