After Youko had escaped us with her Gate, I asked Mary to follow Youko's trail. If he traveled via Gate, she might know where she was going. |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"I'm sorry... But there's no trace of anything. She's following a perfectly pre-calculated breakaway route." |
![Story Yakutsk.png](/images/b/b6/Story_Yakutsk.png) Yakutsk |
"I bet. It's infuriating, but I highly doubt Youko would make such a fatal mistake." |
![Story Queensway.png](/images/b/bc/Story_Queensway.png) Queensway |
"She's such a powerful opponent. We were on the defensive and they easily toyed with us all around." |
![Story Yakutsk.png](/images/b/b6/Story_Yakutsk.png) Yakutsk |
"It's quite a blow that Miyako's magic power was sucked out of her." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Conductor, what are we going to do now? We don't have much time now that Youko's Great Curse Magic has been completed." |
Conductor |
For now, each and every one of us, including Miyako, use the time to regroup. |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
But first, I would like to know Miyako's current situation. Is there any hope for recovery now that a considerable amount of magic has been sucked out of her? |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"......" |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"I am sorry, I don't know. It is the first time for me to have such a large amount of magic power drained out of me all at once." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Not even just great techniques like the one I just did, I... can hardly use sorceries anymore." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"It can't be helped. Now that this has happened, we need to think about our next move. Let us all discuss what we should do from now on." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"I'm sorry... Because I did something reckless, I dragged everyone down..." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"That's not true, Miyako was just trying to do what you could at that time, and didn't want to leave it to Mary alone." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Thank you Yoshino-chan. But it is true that I was inexperienced." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"At that time, if Yuuzen-san had been there, I might not have attacked her unnecessarily. |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Even if I did attacked her, I might not have had my magic power sucked out of me." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"If I had been more proper, the result would not have been like this..." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"But Yuuzen wasn't there, and Miyako didn't attack without thinking, did you?" |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"Yoshino and everyone knows that. So we don't blame you for your lack of experience." |
![Story Putra.png](/images/b/bc/Story_Putra.png) Putra |
"Yep yep, if you're saying that, then what about us here who couldn't do anything at all in that situation?" |
![Story Vivienne.png](/images/8/89/Story_Vivienne.png) Vivienne |
"C'est exact. Neither the vanguard nor the rear guard could do anything, and we can only just wait for a chance. Miyako was the first one to find that chance. Right?" |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"I didn't tell you to 'stay out of it' either. I was attacking alone, but I was also trying to see if we can fight together." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"And also, don't compare everything about yourself to Yuuzen. You are not Yuuzen." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"......" |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"There's nothing wrong with using Yuuzen as a role model. However, thinking 'Yuuzen could have done this' is not going to yield any results, because it is you, Miyako, who has to do something, not Yuuzen." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Miyako, can you use both sorcery and Gate magic to toy with Youko? Can you escape from Youko's manifested space, and trick her with a clean escape?" |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"No, I cannot." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Does Yuuzen have a reflection meeting at times like this?" |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"No..." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Yuuzen-san doesn't do that. She would think about what she can do as a sorceress and what she should do next." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Right, we just need to think about what's next. We still need your help." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Yes, you may not be able to use bigger arts, but it's not like you can't use all of them, right?" |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Yes, I think I can use some of the simpler techniques." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Then you shouldn't have a face like that." |
Mary smiled softly and turned herself around. I'm sure Mary must have seen Miyako's development. |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"......" |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"Miyako, are you okay?" |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Yoshino-chan, all I did was apologize. I haven't completed anything yet." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Mary-san is cheering me up. Aah what am I even doing?" |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"ーーI have to do what I am able to do now." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"Yes, Yoshino is always on Miyako's side, so let's do what we can do together. Very sure everyone is thinking the same way. |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Thank you, Yoshino-chan." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"You are welcome." |
![Story Yakutsk.png](/images/b/b6/Story_Yakutsk.png) Yakutsk |
"Yuuzen was stranded on the summit, and Miyako's power was taken away. We are at a sudden disadvantage." |
![Story Putra.png](/images/b/bc/Story_Putra.png) Putra |
"If only we knew how Yuuzen was doing." |
![Story Vivienne.png](/images/8/89/Story_Vivienne.png) Vivienne |
"If it were that easy to find out, no one would have any trouble." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"Oyaya, guess not. Miyako is trying to say something". |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Everyone, I am going to check on how Yuuzen-san's doing now." |
![Story Putra.png](/images/b/bc/Story_Putra.png) Putra |
"Wha? Can you do that?" |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Yes. Before I left Yuuzen-san, I put an eye shikigami on her. I will activate it now." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Everyone can touch me anywhere on my body. As long as you touch me, I will be able to share my vision with you." |
![Story Queensway.png](/images/b/bc/Story_Queensway.png) Queensway |
"Miss Miyako, are you sure you can use sorcery without problems?" |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"This is not a problem. I am the only one who can perform this technique." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"You are very reliable. Indeed you are." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"But don't overdo it. If Yoshino thinks it is dangerous, you will be stopped." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Thank you. I'll ask you to take care of me then." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"At your request." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"Well then, Miyako-san, please do it right away." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"I'll begin. Everyone else, please prepare yourselves too." |
Miyako said this as she adjusted her breathing. Miyako slowly began chanting to activate the shikigami, faint sounds could be heard in the silence. |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"--I say to you, though the darkness covers the one you think of, let it be the way from the moon." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"--Come, come, to the moonlit night.
--Come, come, to the night watcher." |
As Miyako's chanting ended, a haze hanged over my vision. The scenery that I should have seen before gradually faded away. I wonder if this is what they call shared vision. |
Miyako |
"Thank goodness... Yuuzen-san is safe." |
Mary |
"I don't see that cursed spirit. I wonder if it has been defeated." |
Miyako |
"I think she returned it to the sorcery art. That's why Yuuzen-san went here." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"But while it's good, we can't be comfortable." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Don't underestimate her too much. She has always been a do-what-I-want type of person. That's why I trust her." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"This is the heart of Great Curse Magic it seems?" |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Yes, the amount of magic power is extraordinary. If she returned the cursed spirit, she should just run away. I don't think Yuuzen would stay in a place like this for long." |
![Story Queensway.png](/images/b/bc/Story_Queensway.png) Queensway |
"Is it possible that she was surrounded by a Phantom Mist and couldn't get out?" |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"Or perhaps, does she have an agenda?" |
![Story Queensway.png](/images/b/bc/Story_Queensway.png) Queensway |
"Do you think Miss Yuuzen is staying of her own volition?" |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"She returned the cursed spirit back to the sorcery art, but she found a reason why she couldn't turn back." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"Also, this feeling... Yuuzen is aware of Miyako's 'eye'." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"If that's the case, she must have a plan, and Yuuzen should be in control." |
![Story Queensway.png](/images/b/bc/Story_Queensway.png) Queensway |
"I'd say she has a plan, but Miss Yuuzen is on the other side of the mountain. Shouldn't we move now?" |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Moving now won't make things much better, we need to find out why Yuuzen is still there. What if this is Youko's trap?" |
![Story Queensway.png](/images/b/bc/Story_Queensway.png) Queensway |
"Ah..." |
![Story Yoshino.png](/images/b/bd/Story_Yoshino.png) Yoshino |
"There is also a possibility that everything we just saw was an illusion." |
![Story Queensway.png](/images/b/bc/Story_Queensway.png) Queensway |
"But that was Miss Miyako's sorcery, right? How can sorcery be hijacked and have illusions shown to us...?" |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"It can. I'll tell you this, Yuuzen can do this in no time at all." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"We are dealing with a sorceress, and a good one at that. As Youko said herself, 'the battle of highly-skilled sorcerers starts from the moment they meet'." |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"The deception has already begun..." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
This is what Yuuzen used to say... How unaware. I've got to get a little smarter too." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Anyway... We can't read the situation over there yet. Let's keep this up a little longer and see what happens. Don't miss the signs that it's time to move." |
Likely unintentionally, Mary's hand on Miyako's shoulder gripped stronger. |
Beside her, Miyako just looked at Yuuzen worriedly and, softly called Yuuzen's name. |
![Story Miyako.png](/images/2/21/Story_Miyako.png) Miyako |
"Yuuzen-san..." |