Himeji Castle

From the corner opposite Yuan Shikai, a lilting song rang out.

"London Bridge is broken down. Gold is won, and bright renown.

"Shields resounding, war-horns sounding, Hild is shouting in the din!"

"Arrows singing, mail-coats ringing—Odin makes our Olaf win!"

It was "London Bridge Is Falling Down," a Mother Goose nursery rhyme. As Alice finished singing, a giant tree creature rose from the ground.

The place was steeped in curses and darkness. Even without the curses, the darkness alone made it a setting a Witch would love.

Alice was stronger here. She had left home without many of her PLOYs, not even bringing Robin, who could take a fatal blow in her place.

But she had brought the Bridge Giant, one of her three ace PLOYs. With its formidable offense and defense, mere skeleton soldiers were no match for it. The Bridge Giant was more than enough.

All Alice had to do was sit on the Bridge Giant's shoulder and watch it fight its way forward.

Alice's destination was the castle too. She did not understand what had happened, but as the last Witch, she feared no challenge.

In another direction, Sajyou Manaka grew more excited as she took in the scene before her. This was exactly the kind of story she wanted.

Stumble into another world, battle its creatures, defeat its ruler to break free, then return to her own world.

Manaka Sajyou did not know why this other world existed, what had activated it, or what the final enemy would be like.

But she knew she would win in the end. All she had to do was enjoy the journey.

The skeleton soldiers ahead were perfect for loosening up her neck and getting some long-overdue combat practice. Since they were undead creatures of darkness, Manaka Sajyou decided to