Located within Tengu City, the DEM branch office serves as DEM's base of operations in Tengu City. A few days ago, Westcott arrived here after receiving news of a Spirit to investigate the latest information regarding Spirits.
Currently, in a luxurious room on the top floor of the DEM branch. Westcott held a glass of red wine, sitting on a luxurious and soft circular sofa, sipping the wine and squinting at the screen in front of him.
On it was a report compiled by DEM over the past few days concerning the Spirit energy that suddenly appeared in Tengu City. Although the intelligence showed multiple energy fluctuations, only the Spirit's spiritual wave was analyzed; the other two energy sources remained unknown.
If one looked closely, they could see all of Itsuka Miku's personal information. The Spirit that DEM had investigated over the past few days was Itsuka Miku, who was observed by DEM's satellites a few days ago after using her abilities on a large scale.
Over the past few days, DEM Company conducted a comprehensive investigation into the detected Spirit, constantly monitoring her movements. They discovered that she was scheduled to hold a concert in Tengu City soon, making it the perfect time for their operation.
"I didn't expect to accidentally discover a Diva after losing a Sister last time... It seems my luck isn't bad. Although I lost the Sister, I can still have her take her place for now." He knew that their research was almost nearing success. The news of the Sister being abducted almost caused him to lose control, but he managed to restrain himself.
Westcott reached out and pressed a button on the communication device on his desk, asking, "How are things, Ellen? How are the preparations going?"
"Lord Westcott, everything is ready. All team members are in position. We can proceed with the capture plan for the Diva!" A stern voice came from the other end. From her voice, one could feel her confidence in completing the mission and her loyalty to Westcott.
"That's good. But don't startle our beautiful Spirit guest. Make sure to bring her to DEM Company for a 'visit'."
Westcott grinned. Yes, they had to 'entertain' her properly.
"—Understood, Lord! However, what happened at the branch base last time..." Ellen's voice on the phone became somewhat hesitant, as if she wanted to say something but dared not.
"Hmm? Is there a problem, Ellen? Just say it." This wasn't like his strongest Magician at DEM Company! Westcott chuckled, shaking his head slightly, and took a sip of the red wine in his hand.
"Yes, Lord. I should have been present when that incident happened last time, but I have no memory of that night. Even the Sister was taken away by someone in the end. I feel that during this operation to capture the Diva, the opponent might appear at the very end of the capture." Ellen's voice surprisingly carried a hint of solemnity.
She had no memory of the night the Sister was taken. Moreover, all information from DEM Company's surveillance systems that night had vanished, leaving only traces of damage on the building and some water marks. The person who could do this was definitely not an ordinary individual. Ellen could feel that this was definitely a formidable opponent.
Ellen guessed that after she was defeated, her memory was erased by the opponent. Although she was reluctant to admit it, she seemed to be no match for the opponent.
"Hahahahaha..." Westcott, after a moment of silence, burst into laughter. He drained the red wine in his hand in one gulp, completely unconcerned about the precious wine, drinking it like a commoner.
"Don't worry. You know, this operation is also a test in a sense, isn't it? I'm very curious about who caused trouble at DEM Company during the last attack. If this operation can lure them out, then we've gained something, haven't we? Go ahead and do it without worry."
Moreover, he also wanted to know who the opponent was. At that time, DEM Company had received no reports of the branch being attacked. Even if someone had infiltrated, the base would have automatically sent an attack report to the main base. But they received nothing, absolutely no information.
If he hadn't received a report about an invasion at the Spirit confinement base, Westcott wouldn't have known about this. So, taking advantage of this opportunity, he wanted to see for himself who exactly was attacking DEM Company.
"Yes, Lord!" After Ellen replied loudly, the call ended. Ellen quietly looked at the communicator in her hand, then finally sighed helplessly. Since Westcott had said so, she couldn't disobey his orders, even if she felt in her heart that this operation would fail.
Meanwhile, at Yoshino's home in Tengu City, Yoshino and Toujou Nozomi were watching TV on the living room sofa after dinner. Yoshino sat in the middle of the three, creating a beautiful and harmonious scene. However, this scene was broken by Honjou Nia's voice.
"Oh no, Yoshino! This time, things are really bad!" Honjou Nia's loud voice attracted the attention of those watching TV in the living room. They turned to look at the living room door, wondering why Honjou Nia was acting like this. Had she gone crazy from drawing too many comics?
"What's wrong with Nia?" Minami Kotori asked curiously. Usually, at this time, Honjou Nia would be in her room drawing comics or playing games, right? Why was there such a commotion now?
"Something must have happened. You know, Nia has Ratziel. Nothing she wants to know can be hidden from her. She must have discovered some important information, otherwise, such an abnormal thing wouldn't happen." Toujou Nozomi thought, stroking her smooth chin.
Hearing Toujou Nozomi's words, Yoshino closed her eyes and began to sense the situation in Tengu City. Sure enough, after a brief exploration, she discovered multiple energy bodies above the Tengu Sports Stadium. The reactions were very similar to those from the AST personnel.
"Hmm? No, there are suspected AST reactions above the Tengu City Sports Stadium. Their number is about twenty... No, over thirty people." Yoshino, with her eyes closed, sensing the situation at the Tengu City Sports Stadium, discovered a familiar fluctuation, as if she had seen this energy reaction somewhere before. That fluctuation wasn't among the crowd; it was hidden. They probably didn't even know of her existence.
"How can this be? There's no Spatial Quake alert right now, so it can't be AST personnel dispatched to capture a Spirit. This means it's not AST, but DEM Company coming out to capture a Spirit, right?" Toujou Nozomi analyzed, chin in hand. In the current situation, only DEM Company could be behind this. And since they had rescued Honjou Nia last time, it made sense that they would want to capture a new Spirit. Moreover, the commotion from their last battle with Itsuka Miku must have been noticed by them, otherwise, this situation wouldn't occur.
"Oh no, Yoshino! My Ratziel just received intelligence. It says that Westcott is planning to capture Itsuka Miku, who is currently holding a concert at the Tengu City Sports Stadium. If I'm not mistaken, the team organized by DEM Company is about to reach the stadium." Just then, Honjou Nia pushed open the living room door. She had been conducting her daily intelligence gathering when she discovered their plan and rushed to Yoshino to report it.
"So that familiar energy fluctuation is Ellen? This won't do. Sister Miku is no match for her. If we don't help her, she'll be taken away by Ellen. We have to go help her." Yoshino stood up, her clothes instantly transforming into her spirit dress. Her right eye emitted a dazzling blue light. "It seems I shouldn't have erased their memories when we attacked DEM Company last time. This time, they actually want to capture Sister Miku again. I have to teach her a lesson."
"Hmm! Everyone except Nia, let's go. I don't believe these DEM Company people will be kind enough to consider the safety of the audience present. It's too dangerous for Nia to appear now. You were just rescued, so it's best to wait at home for us to return."
Toujou Nozomi also transformed into her shrine maiden attire. Although if the number of people appearing this time was over thirty, they would need to properly disperse the audience at the concert. It was well known that Itsuka Miku's fans were definitely not few in number; there were certainly many people there.
"...I understand. Although I can't help much, I'll wait for you all to come back at home." Honjou Nia said with a forced smile after a moment of silence. Not being able to help Yoshino made her feel so useless. She couldn't help at all, just ate and slept at home every day.
Hehe~ You don't have to be like this, Niiya. More than helping, Yoshino prefers you to live safely, without any pressure. You know that you and Yoshino are now one; Yoshino has your power. You've always been helping Yoshino, you know.
Why does someone so active usually like to overthink things?
"Hmm? Sister Niya's power of the Second particle, I feel it clearly, no need for that expression."
"And if this rescue is successful, Sister Miku will definitely open her heart to us."
Just like Itsuka Shido and Itsuka Miku in the original story.
Yoshino extended her hand, and a six-pointed magic circle appeared at her feet, enveloping Yoshino and the others. As long as she knew the exact location, Yoshino could teleport there from anywhere.
And now, only teleportation magic could get them there in time. After all, Yoshino's home, Tengu City Stadium, was still quite a distance away. Otherwise, by the time Yoshino and the others flew over, Itsuka Miku would have already been taken away by the DEM Company.
"Okay, be careful on the way."
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