The mechanical soldiers at their backs gave relentless chase, energy bolts howling past their ears.
Just as they were about to clear the treetops,
one of the machines suddenly accelerated, cutting in front of them and spreading its arms to form an energy shield.
Tohka gripped Sandalphon with both hands and slashed downward with all her might.
The violet blade of light struck the barrier, releasing a blinding flash.
In the instant it shattered, Tohka pulled Nia through the gap and plunged into the dense forest below.
Branches whipped against their faces as Tohka fought to slow their fall; the two finally tumbled into a small clearing.
Tohka immediately dismissed her Angel and dragged Nia into a thicket.
"Don't make a sound…"
She spoke in a hushed voice, eyes fixed on the sky.
Three mechanical soldiers circled overhead, clearly searching for them.
After roughly ten minutes they finally wheeled away, heading back toward the city.
"Whew… we're safe—for the moment."
Tohka let out a long breath and collapsed to the ground.
Nia also sighed, though her expression remained grave.
"They won't give up. DEM never stops hunting Spirits."
Tohka wiped the sweat from her brow.
"Can you tell me now? What exactly is this 'DEM,' and why are they after us?"
Nia sat against a tree, resignation written on her face.
"DEM—Deus Ex Machina. Publicly they're the world's leading manufacturer of Realizer Units, but in truth…"
She inhaled, then exhaled slowly. "In truth, they're an organization whose goal is the complete eradication of every Spirit."
"Their Realizer technology lets ordinary humans gain the power to oppose Spirits.
Those mechanical soldiers are only their most basic weapons."
"Why wipe us out? What have we done wrong?" Tohka asked, bewildered.
"To them, Spirits themselves are the 'mistake.'"
Nia gave a bitter smile. "Every time a Spirit manifests, it triggers a spatial quake—destruction, casualties.
DEM believes eliminating us entirely is the only way to protect humanity."
Tohka lowered her head, a stab of pain piercing her heart.
"But… someone told me Spirits don't have to hurt anyone…"
"Who—Itsuka Shiori?" Nia arched a brow.
"The girl who can seal a Spirit's power? Yes, she proves coexistence is possible—but DEM refuses to accept it."
"Itsuka Shiori? Seal Spirit powers?"
The name meant nothing to Tohka; her face showed only confusion.
"Huh? You don't know her? That's odd…" Nia blinked, clearly surprised.
Yet something else was more pressing. "Still, the people after us may have another agenda."
"From what I've uncovered, DEM's upper echelon shows an abnormal obsession with Spirits—
especially their executive director, Isaac Wescott. That man—"
A sudden sonic crack cut Nia off.
Tohka reacted instantly: Sandalphon materialized, cleaving apart a light blast from behind.
She stepped in front of Nia, scanning the forest with wary eyes.
Measured footsteps approached, and a tall figure emerged.
A blonde woman clad in white armor far more advanced than the mechanical soldiers', gold filigree tracing its surface.
Sharp blue eyes, a stern expression, and an overwhelming aura radiated from her.
"Impressive reflexes, Princess."
"I am Ellen Mira Mathers, Director of DEM's Second Executive Division—the world's strongest Wizard.
By order of the company, I've come to 'retrieve' you Spirits."
Tohka could feel that this "Ellen" was nothing like the soldiers before.
The spiritual energy rolling off her rivaled a Spirit's, yet felt sharper—like a finely honed weapon.
"Nia, get back," Tohka said, raising Sandalphon to shield her.
"She's different from the others."
Ellen's lips curved into a frosty smile.
"Those machines are mass‑produced. I…" Follow current novels on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
With a flick of her right hand, a longsword of light appeared.
"…am an executioner crafted specifically to hunt Spirits."
The moment the words left her mouth, Ellen vanished.
A blast of wind slammed into Tohka; she instinctively lifted Sandalphon to block.
At the clash of blades, a shockwave snapped every tree in the vicinity.
"Commendable reaction speed," Ellen said from barely an arm's length away.
"But how long can you keep it up?"
Her strikes poured in like a storm, each one targeting Tohka's weak points with surgical precision.
Tohka parried by sheer instinct, clearly at a disadvantage—Ellen's speed, strength, and flawless technique were beyond belief.
"Tohka!" Nia cried from behind. "Her Realizer Unit—Pendragon—is DEM's most advanced model. It perfectly replicates and counters Spirit powers!"
"Talkative Spirit," Ellen snorted.
Her left hand suddenly snapped toward Nia, firing a lance of light.
Ignoring her own safety, Tohka wrenched Sandalphon off line to intercept, succeeding—but leaving herself exposed.
Ellen seized the opening and slashed down on Tohka's shoulder.
Tohka staggered back with a cry, blood streaming down her arm and staining her violet Astral Dress.
"Tohka!" Nia rushed forward to steady her, panic in her eyes. "Are you all right?"
Tohka bit down and forced herself upright, though her face was already pale.
"Nia, run. I'll hold her off!"
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