Hidden Management Department garrison.
Fourth floor, changing room.
"Uwah! Why does it have to be a defensive battle? I wanted to go rescue Luo Shu, too! I even brought my professional camera~"
Chisato Nishikigi put on her IS storage bracelet, activated her Dying Will Flames ring, and fastened her Skill Demon God connecting necklace before complaining with a pout:
"Scenes where beauties rescue heroes are super rare! I wanted to record everything!"
"But by the time I arrived, that Demigod Origami had already flown off. Not even a single chance!"
Hearing this, Takina Inoue calmly continued adjusting her tactical vest:
"Didn't Origami already activate the Divine Pantheon's livestream function? You can just watch that directly."
Maya Natsume, who'd been dragged here early in the morning, froze upon hearing this. She halted changing clothes to ask urgently:
"What livestream? Who's this Origami? Origami Tobiichi? That girl is a Demigod?!"
Her outburst made Takina Inoue (still putting on her vest), Chisato Nishikigi (adjusting her collar), and La Folia (zipping up her outfit) simultaneously turn to stare at Maya with odd expressions.
Everyone's gaze made the girl's expression turn extremely awkward:
"Did I... say something strange?"
"Nothing much. We're just surprised you didn't know about this."
La Folia tilted her head slightly, smiling with amusement.
"It's not that what you're saying is strange, but rather that you're a bit odd yourself!"
'To already be involved in Familia operations while not even being part of the Familia?'
'From any perspective, this situation looks like one where Luo Shu and Lacus might silence you at any moment.'
'That's why I say you're the strange one here.'
Of course, Her Highness the Princess didn't voice such hurtful words aloud, instead changing the subject:
"Speaking of which, who designed this bulletproof undershirt? It's completely lacking in aesthetic appeal."
As she spoke, La Folia tugged at her collar, revealing the plain black undershirt beneath - devoid of any patterns, just a simple black fabric covering the chest area - and quipped playfully:
"Zero competitive edge. Pure functionality without any allure. Something like this would never catch Luo Shu's attention, right?"
Hearing this, Maya Natsume's face twitched:
"Wasn't this item designed precisely not to be seen by others?"
To which La Folia countered with a bright smile:
"No, no, no, the allure of uniforms is an essential skill point. And as matching equipment, how could the uniform design be so... ordinary?"
"If you don't fully utilise your charm, you'll never attract Luo Shu's attention."
"Wow, Her Highness is making such aggressive moves?"
Chisato Nishikigi nudged La Folia's arm with her elbow, grinning curiously:
"Say, Princess, have you and Luo Shu already... You know, hit a home run?"
La Folia responded with complete confidence:
"The question you should be asking is when we're planning to have children."
"No way! You're already at that stage?" Chisato gasped in shock. "I thought your talk about scheduling nights was just joking! You're actually serious about this?"
While Chisato was reeling from this revelation, Takina Inoue - having spent considerable time pondering the bulletproof vest's design - finally commented several beats too late:
"Isn't tactical equipment supposed to prioritise functionality first?"
Hearing this, Chisato - who'd been hoping to investigate which Familia members had become 'adults' - awkwardly shook her head and spread her hands:
"Ah, Takina really is still such a child~ Honestly, how am I supposed to continue the conversation now?"
Takina frowned at Chisato but didn't respond further.
With limited preparation time, she needed to load the specially crafted anti-magic bullets into her magazines, leaving no room for idle chatter with Chisato.
Just then, the room's speakers crackled to life with Kurumi's lazy voice:
[Ahem, announcement, everyone in the preparation rooms - please hurry up!]
[Tobiichi-san has already arrived at the Wilton Hotel to begin rescue operations. According to predictions, the witch's attack will likely commence soon, so make your final preparations!]
The sound of crisp-munching accompanied Kurumi's announcement, clearly indicating she was comfortably stationed at the garrison's information centre, diligently working through her snack supply.
But given the current situation, nobody paid attention to this minor breach of protocol.
Everyone in the room immediately accelerated their equipment preparations. Even Maya hurriedly adjusted the Qi-manipulation gloves custom-made for her by the research department, readying herself for the impending attack.
...
Meanwhile, above the Hidden Management Department garrison in Akihabara.
Emilia floated in midair, slowly raising her right hand.
The next instant, dense ice crystals instantly blanketed the entire building, transforming the massive six-storey commercial complex into frozen wasteland in mere moments!
After accomplishing this incredible feat, Emilia hovered mid-air, taking a slight breath as she silently observed the frozen structure below.
Then, retrieving a flare gun, she covered one ear and fired a signal flare into the sky.
Whoosh!
The flare soared into the air before exploding with a resounding bang, painting the sky with vivid blue fireworks.
As the flare detonated...
Lana, concealed in a nearby open-air car park, narrowed her eyes slightly while gazing at the signal flare.
"Has Emilia frozen the Hidden Management Department's barrier already?"
"Then let's activate the Glittering Jewel!"
"Yes, Lady Lana."
The witches at the rear immediately understood, raising their crystal balls to surround a deep blue Western-style coffin as they began chanting incantations.
As the spells resonated, each crystal ball ignited with bright yellow light.
Beneath this luminous glow, the coffin slowly opened, revealing a sky-blue-haired girl whose body was tightly bound by countless sealing strips.
Echoing with the chants, the azure-haired girl gradually opened her empty emerald eyes.
...
Hidden Management Department garrison.
Observing the snow-white ice wall outside the window, Kurumi Tokisaki sipped her black tea, arching her eyebrows with an alluring smile.
"Ara? I never imagined they'd actually launch a frontal assault."
"Has Big Brother not returned yet?" Mukuro Hoshimiya rubbed her sleepy eyes, murmuring drowsily.
Serafall, swinging her legs on the sofa, watched the ice wall excitedly.
"Seems our opponent's an ice-type Magical Girl too. How fascinating."
Opposite her, Miku Izayoi cupped her cheeks, a troubled expression on her face.
"Doesn't it feel a bit excessive having so many of us gathered here?"
Meanwhile, Kotori Itsuka—now restored from her child form, successfully resurrected and ascended to Demigod rank—sucked on a lollipop with a mischievous grin.
"So who's going first? Haven't we decided the order yet?"
At this, Nia Honjo glanced at Lacus, flipping through documents behind the desk, before producing slips of paper with a smile.
"As expected, let's decide by drawing lots! Whoever gets the red-tipped one goes first!"
"Oh? Pure chance then?" Kotori immediately showed keen interest.
"I'll probably just hold everyone back," Miku sighed nervously.
"This should prove amusing," Kurumi remarked with playful amusement.
As howling winds suddenly roared outside...
Five girls' hands reached towards Nia, each drawing a slip.
Finally, one Spirit examined her red-tipped slip, revealing a thoroughly wicked smile:
"Looks like I've won!"