"Uwaaah!!!" In Tohka's eyes, Nia Honjo was still staring at her doujin with that weird look on her face just a second ago. But the next instant, she froze in place, and the book in her hands fell to the ground. Then, under Tohka's startled gaze, she clutched her head in pain and dropped to one knee, letting out one wretched scream after another. Her previously calm aura also turned violently chaotic in that moment.
"Damn it, this is the same as what happened with Origami." Seeing this, how could Tohka not know exactly what was going on? She quickly scooped up the book that had fallen to the floor. Then she stepped up to Nia's side, trying to help her up. Though she'd already mentally prepared for this, she had been hoping Nia wouldn't end up like this.
"Ugh!" But just as Tohka reached out to touch Nia and was about to say something, Nia suddenly opened her eyes. This time her gaze wasn't merely complex—it was filled with an icy coldness.
In the next instant, a jet-black astral dress enveloped her body, and a black book materialized right before Tohka's eyes. Before Tohka could even react, it swallowed her whole.
Phantom Library (Ashufiriya) —The upper-tier power of the All-Knowing Demon King—possessed the ability to imprison people inside stories. Anyone trapped inside would be locked in a miniature domain similar to a neighboring space. Within it, they would become characters in that story, unable to use their original powers. There were only two ways to escape: either the user opened the passage again, or the imprisoned individual harnessed the power of a mighty character within the story to break free.
"Where is this…?" On her end, Tohka only felt the light in front of her flicker. When her surroundings came back into focus, she found herself standing in a small village. And it was clear this village wasn't part of modern society—it looked more like ancient Japan, exuding an old-fashioned air.
"Ashufiriya, huh? It's interesting, but there's no time for this." Glancing around, Tohka knew she'd been sealed in the Demon King Scripture. And outside, DEM's Westcott and Ellen were probably there by now. Although she hadn't seen them in some time, Tohka hadn't forgotten the threat they posed. So, to shatter this confinement, she unleashed her full strength.
"Descend, Calamity King—shatter, O world!!!"
...
"Hahaha—this is it! Now—attack! Break her astral dress and force out the Inverse Crystal!" Outside, Westcott had been watching everything closely. When he saw the inverse Nia and the sudden disappearance of Tohka, he knew the chance had come. So, he immediately ordered the two behind him to strike. He knew this was the perfect opportunity.
"Hmph, so those bastards really are here. You two—take care of them. Mana, Origami—go intercept those two." At the same time, Kotori had been observing everything. She turned and addressed Origami and Mana, who had only recently joined them. Clearly, she'd already gotten word that DEM's board had been dealt with, so she'd brought her people over. After all, Nia's affection toward Tohka had already reached the threshold—one more push and she'd be successfully "captured." At a time like this, she knew those guys would definitely pull some dirty tricks.
"Yes!" Hearing Kotori's command, the two immediately turned and sprinted off. In the next moment, they vanished into the airship and reappeared in the path of Ellen and Artemisia Bell Ashcroft. The two of them were clad in specially-made Realizer Units. While they might not be stronger than their opponents, holding them off for a while wouldn't be a problem.
So, in that instant, each picked a target and blocked Ellen and Artemisia, preventing them from getting anywhere near Nia.
"Damn it." Watching his two subordinates being stopped, Westcott smashed his remaining fist down onto the table in front of him in fury. Then he saw Kotori's airship slowly charging its cannons toward him. He knew perfectly well the enemy had been prepared for this. But right now, more than any of that, he cared about the inverse Nia before him. He knew she couldn't confine Tohka for long; see how there was no movement now? She was clearly dealing with Tohka's resistance inside. So, he gritted his teeth and shouted down to his men: "Ignore that bombardment—it won't break through this shield! Aim the new weapons at that Spirit—destroy her immediately! I'm going out to prepare."
With that, Westcott dashed away. First, he didn't believe his shield could withstand that blast. Second, he knew exactly how powerful his cannon was. There was no way that Spirit could survive. He had to snatch the Inverse Crystal before Tohka and the First Spirit could react. The sooner, the better—ideally, he'd reach her the very instant the bombardment ended. These people were his most loyal subordinates—they wouldn't disobey.
"That bastard's insane. Do they really think they can withstand our firepower?" Watching the enemy ship, Kotori frowned. She hadn't expected them to be so desperate—willing to take her attack head-on. But in that moment, she couldn't feel triumphant—because if this kept up, that Spirit would almost certainly perish. She knew Westcott had thrown everything he had into this, and that cannon blast was going to be devastating.
"Damn it… Looks like I'll have to step in myself." She glanced around. There was no one left to deploy. So, Kotori stood up, ready to personally intercept the shot. But before she could move, someone blocked her path.
"Don't go out. The attack has already begun. Even you can't stop it—and I believe that little girl already has her own plan. Right now, we have to trust her. You going out wouldn't help." The one blocking her was none other than Reine Murasame. She could tell none of this was outside Tohka's expectations.
But with Reine holding her back, the cannon on the enemy ship finished charging. Kotori had missed her last chance to intervene. In the next instant, both ships fired simultaneously. In a flash, the Kotori's energy cannon pierced DEM's ship—but DEM's own cannon fired at the same time.
And then—giant violet wings of light unfurled behind Nia, enveloping her in their midst.