Vol 7 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 7: The Battlefield of Only Two People

Part 1

Rewind back a few o

shi+dou and Kurue-scale convention centre located in the uu Square

The stage of the Tenguu Festival, the cultural festival organized by ten different schools, was also the location where the revolution had happened

Then – noas the fortress of the Spirit: Izayoi Miku

“It is the ht, there are so many people…”

shi+dou said so in a low tone, as he looked down at the ground frouu Square While it was true that he would not be discovered from that distance, there was no need to intentionally speak loudly

In the darkness, at the lit up, bone chilling entrance, a large number of people poured out from inside

At thatthe noise of the speakers nearby, he immediately looked for a place to hide

A news helicopter bearing the name of a TV station flew in the air It … however, it was likely that even the pilot and reporter were being controlled after listening to Miku’s perfor at an extreh to survey the area

Although it was unclear to what extent was Miku’s range of control, but up to the point where shi+dou and Kurumi had arrived at the plaza, the streets were filled with the citizens controlled by Miku, as though it was a scene from a horror film

In reality, they were alht a few times Without Kuruht and sent to Miku

“Even though we had barely made it here… nohat should we do next?”

Looking at the crowd below, shi+dou’s forehead began to sweat profusely

“The main entrance is already this crowded, and the other entrances are likely to be heavily guarded Even if we try to enter fro the area…”

“What are you saying, shi+dou-san Is there a need to think through all of that”

Noticing shi+dou’s troubled expression, Kurumi said so in a dismissive tone

“Do you have an idea?”

“Mets to Miku-san - But, what happens afterwards will depend on shi+dou-san’s actions”

“is that really possible?”

“Ara, you don’t believe ”

As she said so, Kuru expression as she covered her face with her hands

“Oi, oi…”

“If you don’t want ive me one of shi+dou-san’s eyeballs, or let me suck your blood, or pet my head”

“here, don’t cry”

Without any room for choice, shi+dou moved his hand to the top of Kuruan to caress Kurumi’s hair Kurumi then finally smiled happily

“Alright, we are leaving If we delay any further, the situation may worsen”

“”

shi+dou stared with his eyes half-open at the cause of the delay, but in order to avoid further trouble, he decided not to push the matter

“but, what do we do? There are sothe area…”

“Hehe, hehe, this is simple”

Kuru up - and carried shi+dou

“Eh --?”

“Alright, let’s go”

As she said so, she walked to the edge of the roof while carrying shi+dou

And then without hesitation, she jumped down the roof

“Uu, uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa--!?”

The two of theht of over 300 metres Without any ot about the ene them

After a sense of weightlessness si in the air, there was an indescribable feeling of landing on the ground The round, a thick shadow appeared on the surface, absorbing most of the impact of the fall

“Ara ara, shi+dou-san What’s with the noise?”

“Don’t, don’t mention it, just let me down…”

“Ufufu, there’s no proble you like this”

As Kuruht

And then, in the next instant, shi+dou and Kuruhts with a “PA!”

It was to be expected Screa so loudly in front of prepared ene to attract attention to himself

“damn it…”

shi+dou looked at his surroundings

People People People And more people

There were at least several thousand enemies

And including himself, there were just two people on their side

There wasn’t a suitable phrase to describe, the landslide advantage that presented a despairing difference in strength

And the people here, all looked at shi+dou with a eous a person, he was bound to be daunted at such a sight

“Ara, shouting would remind them the purpose of their existence, that is you, shi+dou-san”

“Who do you think caused this, who do you think…”

Looking at the relaxed Kurumi, shi+dou shouted

But, noas not the time to do this

It was unknown if they were observing, or awaiting Miku’s instructions The bouncers didn’t hurry over However, they were also increasingly surrounding their range It was as though they were surrounding the cornered shi+dou and Kurumi, into a semicircle

In the front of the squad, were extre men, as well as armed policemen

And then, at that instant

“--So you dare to return to my castle, you sure are confident shi+ori-san… no, Itsuka shi+dou…”

The sound rang throughout the Tenguu Square It was through the speakers There was no mistake it was Izayoi Miku’s voice By the looks of it, the news of shi+dou’s appearance had already been sent over

“Miku…!”

shi+dou unwittingly said her name Of course, the voice here could not be transmitted to the interior of the square Miku continued without changing her tone

“While I do not knohat do you want, but since you’re here I cannot possibly let you escape, right? Alright, everyone, catch him

It’s alright if he suffers a bit, but please try to treat him nicely - otherwise I won’t be able to make him suffer”

Leaving a chilling phrase, and with a “phwoosh”, Miku cut the line

What replaced the noise were the resounding voices of Miku’s followers

[UWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO--]

“Uu, uwaaaaaa…!”

As though their restraints were re at shi+dou and Kurue so far, shi+dou couldn’t help but cower at the sudden force

“Ku, Kuruerous! We have to flee!”

But Kururound

This was to be expected when one thought about it shi+dou’s group was coous croithout room for escape

“Ku…!”

Everything was about to end The e, reached his hand out at the cornered shi+dou--

At the moment he was about to touch shi+dou, there was a sudden sound, and he was sucked towards the ground by an unknown force

“Eh…?”

shi+dou let out a surprised noise -- and immediately pressed his knees

Thesense of tiredness washed over him

“This, this is…”

shi+dou used his entire body’s weight, before being able to maintain the posture he had, squeezed out a noise

Looking in front, the men that had surrounded shi+dou, were all on the floor, in painful moans

And then, the surroundings that were supposed to be lighted by the street lights, were surrounded by a layer of darkness

This was a fa the period Kurumi attended school, shi+dou had experienced it before [7B 1]

“<city of=”” devouring=”” time=””> …?”

“- Uhe, hehehe That’s right It’s good that you remember it, shi+dou-san”

Kurumi twisted her lips, as she looked at shi+dou The left eye that was e backwards

<city of=”” devouring=”” tiel’s abilities, Kurumi would have to use up some of her own [Ti the people who stepped into her shadow enter a co their [Time] - that is, their life

“While it’s also tiring to spread e area, ufufu, there really aren’t much opportunities to absorb so ood use of all of you”

“Kurus…!”

“Ara ara, are you saying it’s better to be captured?”

“Ku…”

shi+dou painfully bit his teeth as he walked forward

“Be… merciful…”

“Mh everybody is affected, on average everybody’s tih time left for everyone”

“”

There was nothing left except to believe her words With heavy footsteps, shi+dou passed the collapsed followers

Part 2

“What, what’s that…?!”

In the control roo at the displays on the wall, Miku couldn’t help but let out a cry at the unbelievable sight

The display showed the ies sent from a closed-circuit television camera installed outside the roo clustered by a group of cute Spirits, while thinking about the result of that despicablecaptured

But the folloho had charged at shi+dou upon Miku’s orders, all fell to the ground And then, shi+dou and the dressed girl simply continued on without resistance

“That girl… don’t tell me, she’s also a Spirit…?”

She squinted her eyes and looked at the girl on the display

With this scenario, that could be the only possibility It must have been that man, shi+dou who had foreseen this, and left a Spirit by his side How insidious! Miku remorsefully clenched her fist

“Besides, she didn’t see”

Being able to reach here irl wouldn’t be controlled by her, even if she hears her perfors had becos should have been siirl had the same ability as shi+dou?

But, while she thought so, shi+dou and the uu Square At this rate they would quickly arrive at Miku's place

--to seal her powers

“ku, how can I… let you get aith this…”

Miku clenched her fist, and muttered

Yes, Miku would not have her Spirit abilities be taken away from her

--Because, if this power, this [Voice] were to disappear--

“I would… be returning, to, that, time…”

Miku quickly shook her head, and stood up fro Miku’s shoulders, widened her eyes in shock

“Ane, aneue-sama? What is it?”

“I’ to resume the performance!”

Part 3

“Ugu…”

Walking through the stacked crowd of fallen people was actually a tiring thing shi+dou battled with his occasional feeling of nausea as he tiptoed, following Kurumi closely

Even if one were to put it nicely, it was hard to say that it was an easy path, but there was nobody to interfere with shi+dou’s group In a while, shi+dou and Kurue

“Come, shi+dou-san”

“Alright…!”

shi+dou responded to Kurumi’s instruction, as he opened the doors in one breath

“uu”

The central stage was filled with a strange air While the seats were filled with girls - after the intrusion of Kururound

And then, in the deepest part of the stage

She was there

With her back against a large organ-like Angel, a girl in an Astral Dress, stood there leisurely

Izayoi Miku The Spirit that controlled music and sound - and the master of the place, at that moment

And beside her, with the limited Astral Dresses on their els: Yoshi+no and the Yamai sisters

“Miku!”

At the sahed loudly

“What kind of noise is that Can you please not use such unclean sounds to pollutey, your vileness would mean that even if you were beaten to death and buried, that patch of soil will never ever be fertile again due to the eternal curse you casted on it Shut up, you walking piece of trash”

“ku”

shi+dou frowned, having been scolded in such a cavalier tone

But this was not the time to cower due to such trivialities shi+dou opened his ain

“Miku! Listen to irl as abducted then! So-!”

“Didn’t I tell you… to SHUT UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP--!”

Miku shouted loudly, and her crossed arms immediately burst open

And then as though to cover her hands, a radiant keyboard appeared

“Gabriel

And then, her fingers began to play vigorously on the keyboard

An invigorating, upbeat tune rang through the plaza

In an instant, the girls who had collapsed in the audience, stood up, as though they were puppets controlled by a string

“This, this is…”

shi+dou turned and looked at Kurumi However, thebackwards This e her <city of=”” devouring=”” tih to prove that point, Kuru out an “Ara ara”

“This is surprising Mere hu my shadow”

“Ufufufu, how is that, good enough? My Gabriel

Miku, as though to flaunt her victory, began to play even orously

“Alright - I won’t waste any irls! Come to me! Execute this man in front of me!”

Following Miku’s voice, the thousand girls on the audience seat turned to shi+dou immediately

“Ku…!”

His body froze at the spot, shi+dou’s face revealed a painful expression

- But at the instant they came at shi+dou

“Hehe, not yet, not yet If you thought you have won”

Kurumi’s mouth curved into the shape of a crescent moon, as her shadow covered the whole area

“Because, no irls - they are no match for [me]”

“Wha…!?”

Miku’s shocked voice cae But this was to be expected

Tenguu Square, central stage From every corner where Miku had covered the area with her voice, irls’ hands, legs and bodies

“--!?”

Seeing this unusual sight, it wasn’t just Miku, even shi+dou was at a loss for words It wasn’t the first time Kurumi had cloned herself… but because they were on the school’s rooftop then, there weren’t this amount that appeared

However, shi+dou immediately turned towards Kurumi

“Kurumi!”

“I understand, I won’t kill them”

Kuruhts, and cut in ahead of him

“What, what is this! What’s going on…!”

As though to reply to Miku’s shriek, rew out frole softly A creepy voice spread froaka’s work, extreical

But, to say that Miku’s side would be suppressed -- that would be a big mistake

“Raphael<knight of=”” winds=””> – El Rem[Piercer]!”

“Responding Raphael<knight of=”” winds=””> – El Nahash][Constrictor]”

In that instant, the voices caust of wind

“Kuaaaaaaaa…!”

shi+dou’s body was carried away by the overwhelainst the wall of the auditorium

But -- it strangely did not hurt That was because Kuruently received shi+dou

“Sor, sorry, Kuruht for me to address you like this?”

“Ufufu, please don’t worry Before getting eaten by us, shi+dou-san should first take good care of his body”

“ah, I see”

He felt slightly conflicted by this, though this was not the tiround, looking at the two girls that were flying towards the sky froe

“Kaguya, Yuzuru…!”

The twin Spirits with Astral Dresses on theiron their backs, struck an offensive pose against shi+dou, wielding a gigantic lance and pendulum Even if it was one of Kurumi’s clones, there was no way she can subdue a Spirit who has el

“So the unrepentant fool returns again! Kuu, and you’re using such strange tactics! I will not forgive those who dare to harardless of who he is! Disappear now, if you don’t want to go to hell!”

“Warning This is your last chance Disappear iain, shi+dou-san, ill have to get rid of you”

Kaguya and Yuzuru silently stood in the air, glaring at shi+dou They weren’t joking, neither were they playing a prank Their piercing gaze conveyed a stance of hostility

“O, onee-sama… I won’t let you harm her…!”

Siel that was on the stage -- Zadkiel<frozen puppet=””>, widened the freezing border, separating Miku from Kurumi’s clones

“Fu, fufu… I see Right now, I have three very very cute Spirits to deal with you…! I won’t lose to you!”

Listening to this, the Kuruether

“Kihihi, hehe” “Hehehehehe” “Aha, aha” “That’s right, Spirit-san” “As an opponent…” “Without an Angel…” “It htly difficult…” [7B 2]

The voice sounded like a wind that had passed a dense forest, as it continued sounding It was enough to unnerve Yoshi+no and the Yas, with a face of displeasure

Kuru-song manner

“--come, come, come to me, Zafkieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelmperor of=”” time=””>! For these Spirits who do not know their lis of their ways!”

In an instant As though to cover the entrance of the stage, a golden clock rose froantic keyboard that was several times taller than Kurumi, an ancient rifle and pistol each served as the hands of a clock

“An, Angel…”

shi+dou looked at the clock and began toZafkielel without peer that controlled time

Kurumi twisted the corner of her mouth due to shi+dou’s words She opened her hands with a “PA!” Following these actions, two handguns flew from the clock, and into Kurumi’s hands

Following that, Kuru

“Alright shi+dou-san Are you ready”

“Eh? Ready…”

“From now, you will be alone with Miku-san Please try to convince her It’s best if you could change her mind If not, please make a deal with her, to not interfere with us until we rescue Tohka-san”

As Kuruun

“Zafkielmperor of=”” time=””>-- Aleph[The First Bullet]!”

At the same time, a shadow seeped out from the “I” on the clock, and was sucked into the un

Sian to appear in the auditoriuan to shoot at the airborne Yamai sisters

“Ku… this is annoying! Yuzuru!”

“Acknowledgeive me your hand”

Kaguya and Yuzuru both held each other’s hand, and using it as a center of gravity, began to spin in the air

As such they used thisaway the pitch black bullets that were shot by the Kurumis

“Kukakakaka! Do you think such tricks ork against us, the children of gales?”

“Easy These attacks are like peashooters in the face of Yuzuru’s winds”

The Yamai sisters exclaimed loudly While the Kurumis continued to fire the bullets, they were all blocked by the wall of gales around Kaguya and Yuzuru

However, the real Kuruan to giggle at the situation

Holding her gun, she then turned towards the Kuru shi+dou

“Then, it’s up to you now, [me]”

“Mm, I understand, [me]”

After talking, a black bullet was shot towards the shi+dou-carrying Kurumi between her eyebrows

However, shi+dou understood that that was not a bullet meant to kill The power of [Aleph] was--

“Uwaa……!”

shi+dou was silenced by the sudden inco impact

He was soon subject to the attacks of the Ya shi+dou, quickly weaved her way through the Yae that Miku was on

“Wha--”

“Horror This--”

The air was soon filled with Kaguya and Yuzuru’s shocked voices While she was carrying shi+dou, it was still possible to observe the hastened Kurumi’s actions with the power of Aleph[The First Bullet] It was a scary sight

But, the Ya assaulted by bullets everywhere As they were panicking, Kurue

“!”

[Wow! Wo-!]

Yoshi+no and Zadkiel<frozen puppet=””>, ere on the stage, had began to panic due to the events that occurred earlier To protect Miku from the enemy that had suddenly appeared, Yoshi+no created an ice barrier

However, in that instant a nuan to fly towards Zadkiel<frozen puppet=””> as though they were missiles

“Kehehehehehehehehe!”

“Ki, kya…!”

[No way! What are you guys doing--!]

Yoshi+nofor Zadkiel<frozen puppet=””>’s body to lean backwards At the saan to form into icicles She then shot the icicles everywhere, attacking the invading Kurumis

However, there was a delay as a result of the formation of the boundary Just before the ice barrier was co Kuruht in front of Miku at a speed that cannot be seen by the naked eye

“Hiii…”

“--ba!”

The Kuruue, and made a face

This seee of cowardliness as she began to inhale deeply

“Kurumi! Watch out!”

shi+dou shouted out unwittingly He remembered Miku’s action It was a powerful sound wave that blew Tohka away No matter how much Kurumi accelerated time, there was no way she could possibly avoid the attack

But

“Aha”

In that instant The shadow at Miku’s feet grew-- one of Kurumi’s clones flew out, and muffled Miku from behind

“Mu, uu!?”

Realising her surroundings, Miku attempted to escape from her constraints

But then, the Kurumi clones appeared froan to drag Miku towards the shadow

“Nnguuu! Muuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn--!?”

No led, Miku was no ulfed by the darkness

“Ku, Kururee not to--”

shi+dou stopped his sentence midway

As he was also being engulfed by the shadohile being held by Kurumi

“Wha…! Kurumi!?”

He widened his eyes in shock, and tried to escape However, Kuruh he was on an elevator, his vision slowly descended

“Ku--ah…”

“Kehehe, hehehehehehehehe”

Listening to Kuruhter--shi+dou’s vision was filled entirely with a sea of darkness

Part 4

“ah?”

In the darkness, shi+dou rapidly blinked his eyes

Earlier, shi+dou had indeed been sed by Kurumi’s shadow -- but shi+dou hadof his body

He frowned and looked around But, there was nothing other than a large sea of darkness

“This… it can’t be, what’s inside Kurumi’s shadow?”

“Aah, what’s going on--! Where is this place--?”

There was a sound from behind him shi+dou turned back and noticed the source of the voice

“Miku!?”

“muu”

Miku had also noticed shi+dou’s presence She widened her eyes in an instant, but then ih she was about to scream

But, just as she put up that stance The shadows nearby began to creep out and restrain Miku

“Hii…?”

Miku’s body froze like a statue It was followed by a muffled voice out of nowhere

“Kihihi, don’t be naughty, Miku-san”

At the sales of a few people spread in the air

“--alright, so the first promise has been fulfilled Now, shi+dou-san, it is up to you We do not have time now Please hurry”

“Al, alright…”

shi+dou lightly slapped his cheeks [Allow shi+dou soantly fulfilled Although it was done through questionablethe plan

But, there were likely no other means to allow shi+dou and Miku some isolation time while the latter was protected by a s shi+dou then turned towards Miku

“Miku”

“hmph”

Miku turned away from shi+dou as he called her name

Though she wasn’t attacking shi+dou as she had understood the circumstances, it didn’t mean that she will listen and concede to shi+dou’s words With an unhappy face, she remained silent as she crossed her arms

shi+dou walked to Miku, and deeply bowed his head

“I need to apologize to you for deceiving to you earlier I’m really sorry…!”

Miku glanced at shi+dou and pouted

“terrible You’re the worst-- You hid your gender to befriend me, and you even let an to shake uncontrollably

“no, that’s not it, Miku, from a practical viewpoint…”

“What did you say!?”

“No, nothing…”

shi+dou hurriedly shook his head Having said an unnecessary sentence, he could only bon

“I was in the wrong for deceiving you! But… please don’t involve others into this! Please release Yoshi+no, Kaguya, Yuzuru and all the others you have controlled--”

“U… ru… saaaaaaaaaaai! Would you just shut up already! My, nity has already been tarnished by you, so stop flattering me! I won’t listen to any of your words!”

“Mi, Miku…”

“Don’t you dare call me th--at!”

As she said so, Miku turned away again

“Oi, oi…”

“”

“Miku--”

“”

It seemed that the conversation had reached a dead end [7B 3] There was no other way to continue the conversation

“This is… frustrating…”

Even so, this as initially expected Considering that Miku’s initial affection for shi+dou was already at its lowest, it was unrealistic to expect her to be convinced in that short period of time

Hence Kurumi did not ask shi+dou to capture Miku

--don’t interfere before Tohka is rescued

To et