"Shido, the rest is up to you."
"Up to me...?"
Shido tilted his head in confusion. Lingmeng looked thoroughly exasperated.
"To seal Tohka and the others, of course! I don't have that ridiculous ability of yours. Kissing them wouldn't do a thing."
"Oh—"
Lingmeng's reminder finally made it click for Shido.
The important thing wasn't defeating Tohka and the others in their Inverse forms. It was bringing them back to their usual selves.
He was the only person in the world who could do that.
But he still had no idea how to bring their minds back.
Lingmeng seemed to notice the uncertainty on his face and gave a soft laugh.
"Don't worry. Just follow your heart and do what feels right."
With that, Lingmeng flew over to Shido and gently patted his shoulder.
"—!"
Shido's eyes widened in surprise.
He could feel the pain in his body rapidly fading, while his nearly depleted Spirit Power returned in an instant.
It was clearly the effect of Lingmeng's Ain Soph.
"Now go!"
"Right...!"
Shido nodded.
Then he used the Elemental Spirit to have the wind carry him toward Tohka and the others.
Lingmeng's power held them fast, leaving them unable to move.
Seeing Shido approach with an Angel in hand, they watched him warily.
"Human... what are you planning to do to us!?"
Tohka shouted the question at the top of her lungs.
Shido only smiled, unfazed.
"I'm here... to take you home!"
"..."
They clearly didn't believe him. The hostility in their eyes remained.
"Ah—"
Shido seemed to realize something from the way they looked at him and let out a quiet sound.
Then he glanced at the Elemental Spirit in his hand.
After all, walking up to someone who was restrained while holding a weapon looked like he was