“You all, look!”
Xingyu suddenly pointed toward the site of the nuclear explosion. The ground enveloped by the Black Prison Giant Spirit was now seeping with a black, viscous substance, releasing smoke several times thicker than before. That smoke filled up the entire body of the Black Prison Giant Spirit, and in an instant, the cavity left by the nuclear blast was completely restored and filled.
It was obvious at a glance—it was utterly unharmed.
The land, now violently spewing black smoke, had turned into little more than tofu dregs, crumbling at the slightest touch. The sea wall had been swept away by the waves, making the situation even worse.
However, the enemy’s advance was much slower than back in the Guaihaideep, dropping to about 120km/h for reasons unknown—a meager bit of good news.
At this speed, it would take at least 19 hours for the Black Prison Giant Spirit to reach the first inhabited city.
That meant the Magical Girls had 19 hours to prepare.
But in reality, it wasn’t nearly enough. They had all witnessed the previous scene: wherever the Black Prison Giant Spirit passed, the environmental destruction was catastrophic. Just like with the Black Candle Giant Spirit, the immense Primordial Substance it carried would almost permanently alter the environment.
If the local ecology was warped beyond recognition, it would be a calamity for humanity all the same.
“Magical Girls, is there any way to stop that thing?” The commander of the Border Guaihai Checkpoint asked over the radio.
Just from his flat, emotionless tone, it was clear he was utterly at a loss.
A Predator-class dimensional beast was not something contemporary human civilization could resist. If Magical Girls didn’t exist, even one Predator-class beast could wipe out civilization itself.
Zhizhi answered irritably, “Guess we’ll have to use Zeroth Tier Magic, then?”
“Agreed.” Xingyu nodded, “It’s the fastest and most reliable option. Besides, I’m worried the Black Candle Giant Spirit may also be making a move. To avoid being caught on two fronts, we must resolve this change as quickly as possible.”
“Tch!”
“But how are we supposed to use Zeroth Tier Magic against that thing?” Broken-winged Butterfly raised the core question.
The Black Prison Giant Spirit was too massive—even Zeroth Tier Magic couldn’t cover its entire form in one go. If they were going to make a move, it had to be a one-hit kill.
Otherwise, if the Black Candle Giant Spirit showed up, they’d be completely powerless.
“Everyone, get ready.”
While they discussed, a faint golden ripple appeared before them, squeezing a graceful figure out from between illusion and reality.
“Manjusha, you finally made it.” The tightly furrowed brow of Broken-winged Butterfly eased just a bit.
Half of the Ten Seats had already arrived—except for Xingyue, the top five were all here.
Apart from some different faces, the lineup was almost identical to four years ago.
“I understand the situation. In any case, let’s make preparations—if we’re not ready, we won’t be able to seize our chance when it comes.” Manjusha called for everyone to begin preparations for Zeroth Tier Magic.
Those Ten Seats present had all steeled themselves, prepared to die.
Before them stretched utter darkness, not even a hand visible before their face; behind them, the light was gradually fading.
It was seven in the evening—the sun was setting, and there was no retreat.
Zhizhi was directing her Dwarf Squad to prepare at a farther location.
Her expression was so stern that if Luoyou saw her now, she’d definitely take a picture for posterity.
Zhizhi couldn’t help but ask herself: What am I feeling right now?
The answer came quickly—just: Ah, four years ago I could only watch from the sidelines, but this time, it’s finally my turn.
[Ahhh!! If I’d known… If I’d known, I should have gone all out to defeat that brat first!!]
Her inner self roared.
Meanwhile, Xingyu and Liyun were confiding in one another.
“Liyun, are you nervous?” “…Nervous. What about you, Sis?”
“I’m alright. We survived the Black Candle Giant Spirit four years ago. Facing a Predator-class now… the only thing I feel is: ‘Ah, I’m that much closer to this level than before.’”
Xingyu spoke wistfully.
“As expected of you, Sis…” Liyun’s pride darkened into melancholy, “Back then… I couldn’t fight by your side…”
“We’ll make up for it this time, won’t we?”
Xingyu grabbed her sister’s wrist and smiled, “Besides, isn’t it natural for an older sister to protect her little sister?”
“Mm!”
Liyun’s heart was gradually filling with confidence.
And by the way—
[Though it’s just a comfort…]
Liyun closed her eyes and quietly prayed.
Please, Youyou, just like before, protect me and Sis this time too!
Youmen!
◎
Broken-winged Butterfly was watching.
Despite the tense atmosphere, she felt a calm unlike any before.
Whether facing the Black Candle Giant Spirit, the Wrath-Eating Giant Spirit, or the Gray Witch, fear no longer lingered in her heart.
She hadn’t brought Nightingale along, only communicating via magic.
“Big Sis, you absolutely have to come back alive!”
“Who do you think I am?” Broken-winged Butterfly’s face, usually unreadable, now bore a confident, heroic smile. “Not even the Black Candle Giant Spirit could take me down, so what’s a mere cloud compared to that?”
“In any case, you absolutely—absolutely must come back alive!”
Nightingale repeated the phrase over and over.
“Don’t worry. I’ve still got unfinished business. I won’t die.”
Broken-winged Butterfly reassured her.
Then, her eyes shone with hatred.
Even if I have to die… I’ll make sure to take Herrera and Ariel with me!!
Manjusha was cursing Xingyue.
She had no idea what Xingyue was really up to.
On the outside, Xingyue always displayed overwhelming power and charisma, never showing any hidden depths.
But Manjusha knew her: Xingyue, no matter how shallow she seemed, wouldn’t let herself get caught by Herrera at a time like this—let alone with the ambiguous ties between Xingyue and Herrera, it was even less likely she’d get into trouble now.
Even knowing Xingyue was plotting something, this was the second time she’d missed a Predator-class crisis, leaving the burden to others. Manjusha could hardly help but want to spit in her face.
And she still didn’t know how deep the Black Prison Giant Spirit’s background ran. Maybe it wasn’t as fearsome, or even surpassed, the Black Candle Giant Spirit from before—but who knew?
How many would die this time? And after that, there was still the Black Candle Giant Spirit’s inevitable revival to deal with.
“This time, I’ll be the one to lead the Zeroth Tier Magic.”
Manjusha said via magic.
“Manjusha!?”
“Are you sure?”
The reactions were heated.
Especially Broken-winged Butterfly, who frowned. “You could have let me take the lead this time.”
Magic was constantly progressing, and the Ten Seats were far stronger than before, but when it came to using Zeroth Tier Magic, they still hadn’t advanced an inch. Using it was essentially a suicide mission.
Following the rule of “keep your trump card for last,” it should be someone with a lower rank stepping up first.
That airheaded Liyun who’d wasted several years was out of the question. Broken-winged Butterfly thought she herself was the only real choice.
“No need. I’ll try to finish this in one go.”
Manjusha stated her position again.
The others could say no more.
[If I want to get out alive… about four exchanges, tops.]
Manjusha thought to herself.
Hosting the Zeroth Tier Magic would cause her immense harm. But if her life was truly in danger, the Ancient Magical Creature of Sidheim would intervene.
But beyond that, that being would never interfere.
Even if every other Ten Seat besides Manjusha died, it would make no difference.
For the Magic Alliance… for Sidheim, she was an existence who absolutely could not die.
If the Black Prison Giant Spirit could be killed and sealed with Zeroth Tier Magic before her life was at risk, all the better.
But if the Black Prison Giant Spirit was filthier than even the Black Candle Giant Spirit from four years ago, then human civilization might as well be done for. Even with Xingyue, there’d be no hope.
So, no matter what, Manjusha had to force that being’s hand.
At least, in her estimation, that being could definitely defeat a Predator-class.
At that moment, the Border Guaihai Checkpoint’s commander relayed an urgent message.
“The Exploration Team member who returned from the Guaihaideep has woken up. He says he must speak to you directly!”
“Bring him here!”
Manjusha instantly realized—this might be their breakthrough!
She couldn’t even wait for them to come and went directly to meet them.
Only one member of the Exploration Team had survived; all the others had perished. The survivor’s body was coated in a viscous black substance, smoking as if his life was leaking away with every breath.
“Comrade Magical Girl, has that thing arrived?” the gaunt team member asked.
Manjusha nodded. “Yes. You can see it from the window.”
The man clenched his fist.
“That thing… killed my teammates…”
He took a deep breath and continued, “Comrade Magical Girl, you must be careful. That thing is tied to a Ruins inside the Guaihaideep. We confirmed via murals that it’s the guardian of the Ruins. I don’t know how it got out, but I know it was deliberately led here.”
Manjusha opened her eyes wide. “Do you know its weakness?”
“Weakness… I don’t know. But in the murals, it wasn’t like what you see now. In the murals, it wasn’t that big…”
“So, its real body isn’t as massive as it appears now, right?”
“I think so… Oh, right! I don’t know if this will help, but we saw other things in the murals too…”
The team member used as few words as possible, but described everything in detail.
There wasn’t much, but it was enough to suddenly clarify Manjusha’s lost sense of direction.
“Thank you for your information.”
The light faded from the man’s eyes. “Comrade Magical Girl… please… you must destroy that thing…”
Manjusha turned away, leaving.
“We will.”
No answer. Even without looking back, Manjusha knew—he was gone.
Having returned from the endless dangers of the Guaihaideep, he had finally found rest on this land.
Back at the front line, Manjusha gave an order that none could understand or accept.
“Summon Little Red Riding Hood,” she said.