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The next day.
I was awakened by the vibration of my phone on the nightstand.
In my arms, Mayuri stirred, murmuring softly as she burrowed deeper under the covers. Without opening my eyes, I fumbled for the phone, its usually pleasant ringtone now a grating annoyance.
"Hello?? Who is this…" I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep.
There was a mont of charged silence on the other end.
"Heh!" a sharp voice finally cut through. "Did you just crawl out of Mayuri's bed?"
"Oh. It's just you, Kotori-chan," I said, my voice still lazy. "Why the call? Did sothing happen?"
"Mhm! Get to the Fraxinus right now. I'll explain everything when you get here."
"Got it."
I hung up and finally cracked an eye open, my gaze falling to the floor where Mayuri's clothes were scattered.
The corner of my mouth twitched. The source of thɪs content is novel·fire·net
Looks like we went a little overboard last night...
"Mayuri," I said softly, gently patting the small, blanket-covered back of the girl clinging to . "Since you're awake, aren't you going to get up?"
Seeing her so content in my embrace, refusing to erge, I couldn't help but smile.
"Mmm… I want to stay with you a little longer," she murmured.
A mont later, a small head peeked out from under the covers, a single finger tracing idle circles on my chest.
"You still have to eat, Or you'll get sick." I chided gently.
"And whose fault is that!" she pouted, giving my shoulder a light, playful punch. "You should have been a little more considerate last night…"
"Uh… I don't think I'm the 'only' one at fault here…" I sat up, pulling the warm, soft girl into my lap.
"Hmph! It's all your fault!"
"Alright, alright, it's all my fault," I surrendered with a smile. "So what does Mayuri want for lunch?"
"As long as you're the one making it," she said, snuggling back under the covers until only her small head was visible, a sweet smile on her lips, "I'll eat it."
I stroked her golden hair, then got up, dressed, and went to prepare a al for everyone.
After a quick greeting, I headed for the Fraxinus.
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"Kotori, what's going on?" I asked the mont I stepped onto the bridge.
She rushed over, her expression grim, and pulled toward a large monitor. "You need to see this. Reine, play the video."
Reine glanced at , then tapped a command into the console.
The screen lit up with chaotic scenes from around the globe. Countless monstrous figures, clad head-to-toe in black ninja gear with only their glowing red eyes visible, were descending from the sky. They moved in strange, unnatural ways, systematically dismantling DEM facilities.
'The Shadowkhan.' I thought with a smirk.
Looks like my version is a lot more competent than Shendu's or Valmont's.
The video showed artillery shells and energy cannons blasting into the swarms, but the attacks had no effect. In an instant, my enhanced Shadowkhan tore through hundreds of DEM's combat robots.
The DEM Wizards in their CR-Units were equally helpless.
"Then, Ellen showed up," Kotori continued, pausing for effect, "but… even she, the world's strongest Wizard, was no match for them."
I watched the footage of Ellen in her Pendragon unit, a whirlwind of motion as she cut down scores of Shadowkhan. But for every one she destroyed, ten more took its place. It was hopeless. Faced with the unending tide, she was forced back again and again until, for a single mont, she left an opening.
Instantly, a different type of shadow warrior sward her. Her own shadow was consud, and she collapsed, unconscious, before being dragged into the Shadow Realm.
"Thankfully, these monsters only attacked DEM strongholds and then vanished," Kotori finished, her brow furrowed with worry. "Otherwise, I can't imagine the disaster they would bring. In just a few dozen minutes, every DEM base on the globe was annihilated. All their military forces were wiped out. Even Ellen was captured."
She turned to , her expression dead serious. "These enemies are terrifying. We can't just ignore them. So… Kyoya, I need you to help Ratatoskr fight them."
I looked at her, a strange expression on my face.
Help you fight the Shadowkhan? My own minions?
I had to actively suppress a laugh.
"Don't worry," I said calmly. "They're not our enemies."
"Not enemies?" Kotori froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Wait… did you send them?"
Even Reine looked over at in surprise.
I simply nodded. "DEM was annoying, like a swarm of flies, so I had the Shadowkhan wipe them out. The fact that they've disappeared just ans their mission is complete. You don't need to worry about it."
Kotori stared at , her mind reeling. She couldn't believe the monstrous army that had toppled a global superpower was under my command.
Then, the realization of what that ant began to sink in. She had been terrified all day, and I had been enjoying a lazy morning in bed.
I could see the storm clouds gathering in her eyes.
THWACK!
She kicked squarely in the shin. I blinked, genuinely confused.
"Hey, Kotori-chan, what was that for?"
"How dare you!" she seethed. "Why didn't you tell you were planning sothing this big? I've been worried sick all day!"
"Huh? I didn't tell you?" I feigned innocence, pretending to think back. "Uh… I guess I didn't."
I glanced over and saw Reine watching the exchange with a sly, knowing smile. A plan ford in my mind.
I turned to her, my face a mask of stern disappointnt.
"Reine," I said, my tone full of reproach. "Didn't I tell you about this? You didn't pass the ssage on to Kotori?"
"Kotori-chan, Reine must have gotten confused again and forgot to tell you. I'll be sure to punish her thoroughly later."
"..." Kotori stared.
Reine stared back at , a look on her face that said, 'I have a few choice words for you that are not appropriate right now.'
"You bastard! Trying to bla Reine again!" Kotori finally exploded.
After all this ti, she knew my tricks all too well. This wasn't the first ti I had tried to pull a stunt like this.
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