Shortly, at the same time that happened.
"I… lost…"
Laying on the ground of the beyond dilapidated surroundings, both asphalt and concrete had been reduced to pure soil from that attack.
The place at which she laid was a small crater which was a result of the white point of intersection of their attack.
With a haggard breath, she muttered those words—not in the unbelievable result, but with… frustration of not being satisfied.
She was okay with the outcome, but far too unsatisfied.
"We both gave our best…"
Besides Tsuan sprawled on the ground, Ikari sat on the dusty ground, looking far into the sky as he spoke those words.
"...Still… I couldn't defeat you…"
Despite that, the wound on her stomach had opened completely, now across her stomach as warm red dripped out of it.
"No, you did well enough. You pushed me to the limits of the power I could draw out."
Ikari said that, glancing towards her for a moment, before raising his head to look back to the sky. He then narrowed his eyes.
"So… did I manage to fulfill your wish?"
He asked.
Tsuan, however, slowly shook her head, making Ikari blink his eyes. Then, for a brief moment, his expression dropped.
"No… Not yet… It's not enough… Ikari."
"More… I want to fight you… More and more and more and more… I want to continue fighting you…"
Hearing that, Ikari had several changes of expression that ranged from shock to surprise to eventually… amusement.
"Wait… Haha… what a selfish wish."
Ikari said that, standing up from the ground, looking far away where a dome of light could be visibly seen despite being several tens of kilometers away.
Narrowing his eyes for a moment, he then turned his attention back to her.
"I don't mind. If your wish is that, then I don't mind."
Outstretching his hand towards her, both halves of
Sleep for now, he muttered under his breath as the open wounds on her stomach closed at a visible pace.
Time on the wound was being rewound.
Having both halves of an angel and a demon king meant being able to control some aspects of space-time.
Moreover, this much was just barely within the safe limits, making him sigh at how many close calls he'd had in just a few minutes.
However, while all that was done and all…
"You are the only one left."
Ikari said that, turning to an empty space in front of him, speaking there as though there were someone there.
"Let's see. I was honestly worried that you would have taken actions against my bold actions, and honestly, I'm thankful you didn't."
In the first place, she had no choice but to simply watch. After all, the conditions have fully been achieved.
And after that, those that lost during the game also had known of this and went into hiding.
No, it was only one of them. The rest were holed up in groups. And should Doll Master have made a move, then things would come crumbling down.
Should rumors spread, she'd definitely be affected.
Especially if those other stuck-ups should hear about this, then never mind the Tenth Region—other regions might start looking for reasons to suppress her.
In fact, there are a few who would take action on the spot if they have a reason too.
But at the very least. If she could get her hands on Ikari, then never mind those girls—she would use him against them and the Neighbouring World till he breaks.
At the very least, that was what she had thought.
"Moreover, there's the Sephirah Crystal made from a hundred Quasi-Spirits, you seem to think highly of yourself. If your power is ten, then it increases it to about a thousand or so."
"Don't underestimate any of them."
They were people who had put their lives on the line and were prepared to die. Even he was here, risking his life.
Well, objectively speaking, he's not that much different, using them for his own goal, however, it was mutual—with him, and them.
"Now, get down here. Let's have a one-on-one talk (date)."
This was not as simple as him saying it. He was demanding it. However—SHUA!
That's not going to work, huh? Ikari thought, as inanimate figures slowly materialized from above the crater, surrounding him.
He didn't need to see their exact number. From the reiryoku he was feeling, they crossed hundreds in no time, continuously appearing, reaching a thousand even.
Casting a brief glance at Tsuan, "Hundred or thousands, it don't matter. Descend
[Demon King: Astaroth (Maenkou, lit., "Demon Flame Duke")]
[Weapon: Sword]
Once more, a pillar of flame shot down from the sky, in response. All that was left was a grey sword with some silvery highlights.
"Ardor'Ghehenna."
Ikari got on one knee, planting the sword into the ground, positioning himself close to Tsuan.
From the ground, multitudes of pitch-black destructive flames shot out from the ground as a pillar.
As they arrived, they were suspended, burning; furthermore, the flames spread to the furthermost of the puppets.
In one single attack, he had taken care of them—but, CRACK–!
"Tsk." Ikari clicked his tongue. However, this wasn't in annoyance or frustration. If anything, there was a smile on his face. "At the very least, you've finally shown yourself."
"To think it was actually you… I thought as much."
Standing up, pointing his sword over to the girl that slowly walked towards him was Ibusuki Panie.
"No, no, I'm not alive. Because Panie is already dead."
She said that, crossing her index fingers in an X manner.
"So, this is what you would have actually done to them if I had killed them."
"Yes. However, you just had to go ahead and spoil everything."
"So, what? No more dolls to send at me?"
Ikari asked, still pointing his sword at her, but once more the girl shook her head again, raising her head to meet him.
"Well, it's sad you wiped them out that easily, but even you cannot handle another of that number—not even your women back there."
The Doll Master used her thumb to point toward the back. But she didn't care about them; her focus was solely on him.
"I've been studying you for quite a while, and, I wonder what situation you would be if I add another thousand to that."
"...So, that's it…"
Ikari's shoulders slumped slightly as he let out a wry smile.
"Yes. In addition to the first greeting, I have around 1800 bodies! Yeah, no one has ever been able to get past 1000 bodies before! Panie was so moved! So there are about two-thirds still remaining, please try your best!"
"You are absolutely not okay in the head."
"Why does it matter? Aren't you an inverse? If you are, then show me just how powerful you are."
"Even if I make a move against you now, I know this ain't your real body, so why would I do something as stupid as that. Besides… they're here…"
Panie narrowed her eyes slightly, and then silence.
With that silence, she then heard it. Brief rustling against the wind, followed by reiryoku approaching at thunderous speeds.
THUD!
In mere seconds, a loud sound resounded on the outer perimeter of the crater. Ayame, Isami, Aiai, Sheri, Tonami, Yui, Inui—alongside… Empty.
Isami: "Ha! You've finally shown yourself, snake!"
Ayame: "Don't bother, that's not even the real thing."
Isami: "Eh? Is that so?"
Sagakure Yui: "Doll Master never shows herself, so it's only natural."
Nogi Aiai: "Doesn't matter as long as I get to fucking slug her once."
Tonami: "What a meathead."
Sheri: "Nahahaha, I kind of agree with her."
Tonami: "You keep quiet there."
Ikari and Panie went silent watching their interaction, and both couldn't help but look at each other before letting out a sigh.
But it was soon over before Panie looked over at Empty.
"Oh, who do we have here."
"..."
Oddly, unlike the usual Empty who would have either been cowering or acting like her usual self—
This time, she was… rather, it was a different emotion.
"I've finally found you."
A couple of everybody stopped, watching Empty whose reiryoku suddenly began to rise.
"Yui!"
"Alright."
Calling out the ninja, she disappeared, appearing beside him, crouching down to receive Tsuan before disappearing once more.
Now, there were no longer obstacles.
Yet, things just seemed to spiral down as a doll appeared beside Panie.
Ikari, who was keeping eyes on Empty the whole time, saw her expression spike—then it changed as the doll appeared.
"Now that I think about it… what was her name again…? Y-Yuei…?"
"IT'S YUE!"
Empty snapped; however, she was held back immediately by Ayame and Isami. "Woah there!"
"Yes~ Yue, Yue, Yue, now then, please, kill that loudmouth over there."
Of course, neither Ikari nor the others would allow this to happen. However—
"Ikari-san. Please, let me handle this."
A sudden request like this came from Empty. A rare expression of anger—and most especially, hate.
Thinking back, he did remember what happened before. This was also a chance.
Nodding, "Alright." Then, looking at Ayame, he motioned to her, who at first persisted, then with a sigh, let go.
Empty jumped into the crater, slowly walking towards the doll called Yue, who also mirrored her approach.
Empty, the girl who kept inspiring herself, lowered her head.
The doll rushed over with great excitement. It was reminiscent of how she used to run. Lost, lost, everything was lost. But even so, she still lived on for her sake.
But in the end, it was meaningless. The innocent doll set up its favorite claymore. Somedays, it felt like a nostalgic dream.
Victory—sometimes she would shout that when greeting her back home. She hated fighting, she also hated being hurt, even more so if it was a friend hurt.
However, she didn't want to disturb how happy she looked talking. And so, she had always, always been waiting for that day and time again.
"...I've been waiting for you all this time."
Welcome back, the girl whispered to herself.
She spread her arms out to greet her as the doll's sword was embedded in her chest.
Looking at the fallen girl, Ibusuki Panie—and from around, sounds came from everywhere, sounds of snickers, except for Ikari and the rest.
They all looked towards Ikari; however, he hadn't moved. Hence, they didn't move.
"Well, that ended pathetically, don't you think?"
"Is that so…?"
"Hm?"
"Do you really think it has ended?"
Panie's gaze narrowed at Ikari. What did he mean by that? Then suddenly, a bad premonition came from inside her as she turned towards Empty.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you."
"I tried and tried and tried."
"I wasn't strong enough."
"I had no choice but to rely on others."
There were tears in those glassy eyelids. Yet, an unwavering will—the will of a weak girl who had no choice but to rely on others.
But, at this stage, it was up to her alone. She couldn't rely on Him for assistance at this stage. This... should be resolved by her.
As though in response to that, the doll trembled.
The hand holding the greatsword, which had been embedded into the body of the Empty Quasi-Spirit, trembled.
"I! This! No! I didn't mean to, Hibiki! I don't know anymore. Everything. But, I remember. I can only remember the things that Hibiki liked, what Hibiki liked! So! That's why..."
To shock them, the doll began to question itself, going against the orders of its puppeteer.
And Ikari, not being one to let that chance go, formed a connection with two of the Quasi-Spirits under him.
'Isami, Ayame, I want you both to coordinate with me. Ayame, start searching for the coordinates I'm sending. Using
'That… is a lot to ask for honestly. Besides, I don't think Isami can quite…'
'What do you mean! If He says I can do it, then I can do it!'
'How unreasonable, both of you.'
Despite that, Ayame still complied though she still thought it was absolutely unreasonable. But if there was anything unreasonable. It was this situation in the first place.
"What? No way. Why aren't you obeying me!"
"N-no! I don't want–!"
"Obey me!"
Panie tightened her command on the doll; however, at that point, it was a loss for the puppeteer. It was fighting against the orders given to it.
It was exactly at that moment—
"I urge you to give it up, Doll Master. This is where everything ends."
Ikari finally stepped forward.