In the end, they didn't end up fighting Altair.
As Altair departed, Mamika Kirameki let out a long sigh. The determination on her face was quickly replaced by exhaustion.
Taking action against a comrade had placed an enormous amount of pressure on her.
Even though she knew she was doing the right thing, the moral burden left her emotionally drained.
But now wasn't the time to rest.
Pulling herself together, she held the unconscious Natsumi Kyouno in her arms. As Meteora and the other two approached from the distance, Mamika glanced in their direction with a complicated expression—she clearly wanted to seek help.
However, in the end, she bit her lip and quietly left.
She had stopped Altair from killing someone—an act of justice, even if it meant raising her hand against a comrade.
If she really sought help from Meteora, it would be tantamount to colluding with the enemy.
Whether she joined the moderates with Natsumi Kyouno or simply handed her over to them alone, it would be a genuine act of betrayal.
Altair might think of her as a traitor, but Mamika didn't see herself that way.
"Meteora side is out of the question, and I can't return to our base either…"
Avoiding pedestrians, Mamika fled far from the scene of the battle and arrived at a remote neighborhood.
It seemed to be a redevelopment zone within Tokyo. The old buildings had been demolished, and rows of skeletal, concrete-and-steel structures stood in their place.
With nowhere else to go, Mamika decided to use this area as a temporary shelter.
She wasn't picky about the conditions. After all, Altair and the other creations had been using a ruined place on the outskirts as their base.
Although this place was dusty and devoid of amenities, at least it offered shelter from the elements.
She randomly picked one of the buildings, leapt to the top floor, and used her magic to clean out a small area. There, she gently laid down Natsumi Kyouno.
"She doesn't seem seriously injured. No major wounds—she must've just been knocked unconscious."
After a quick inspection, Mamika noticed the numerous blade wounds all over Natsumi body, and her heart ached.
She looked no more than twelve years old…
How could she go so far?
Thinking about how that person had tried to outright kill this girl filled Mamika with indignation again.
She had followed that person the entire time and had personally witnessed her attacking Natsumi without hesitation.
Mamika didn't know why she acted that way, or what she had gone through to become so extreme—but regardless, this was going too far.
Even if they were comrades, she couldn't tolerate her actions.
Even if they were comrades…
"Come to think of it, I don't even know her name. Everyone just refers to her as 'that one' or 'Military Uniform Princess.'"
At that thought, Mamika felt even more depressed.
She had considered her a comrade—but had she ever seen Mamika that way?
"Ugh…ugh…"
While Mamika was lost in thought, Natsumi Kyouno groaned in pain beside her.
Her body trembled slightly, and her breathing became more rapid.
Before long, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing a pair of emerald eyes filled with confusion and pain.
"Oh, you're awake."
Seeing her regain consciousness, Mamika asked anxiously, "How do you feel? Is anything hurting?"
"My whole body… hurts…"
The answer came instinctively, as though she were replying automatically upon waking.
But the next moment, Natsumi regained awareness and looked at the unfamiliar girl sitting next to her, her expression instantly turning cautious.
"W-Who are you? Where am I? What happened to the one who was fighting me?"
"I'm Mamika Kirameki. I'm a creation, just like you."
Seeing that Natsumi mind was still functioning properly, Mamika breathed a sigh of relief and gave her a warm smile.
"You're safe now. The one who attacked you has been driven away by me. Don't worry… at least, she won't be coming back anytime soon."
"I see…"
Sensing no ill intent, Natsumi rubbed her aching head and gradually calmed down.
However, as her mind began to settle, she looked at her own hands with a confused expression.
As if she didn't recognize them as her own.
"No way!"
Suddenly realizing something, her expression grew visibly panicked.
"Haniel! Haniel!"
A broom-shaped angel appeared in her hands as the power of the Mirror of Infinite Forms activated again.
But perhaps due to her weakened state, the mirror only flickered briefly before going completely dark.
"No magic… How could this happen…"
Apparently having never encountered this situation before, Natsumi shook the Haniel desperately, trying to squeeze out the last bit of power that could transform her.
But her efforts were in vain—nothing happened.
"Um… what are you doing?"
Confused by Natsumi actions, Mamika asked, "You're injured right now. You really shouldn't—"
"AAAAHHHHH—!"
Before Mamika could finish her sentence, Natsumi suddenly swung the Haniel down toward her head.
Though she had the body of a child and wasn't in great shape, she was still a spirit. The wild barrage left the unprepared Mamika yelping in pain.
"Forget it! Forget what you saw!" Natsumi cried emotionally as she attacked.
"Forget what?!"
Clutching her head in confusion, Mamika tried to protect herself as the two of them ran around the floor, kicking up clouds of dust.
But soon, Natsumi injuries caught up to her, and she had to stop, gasping for breath.
"You… You saw it, didn't you?"
Her voice was full of resentment, as if Mamika had done something unforgivable.
"What are you even talking about?!"
Mamika was completely baffled by her erratic behavior and wondered if she'd hit her head too hard.
"My true form—you saw it, didn't you?!"
"Well, of course I did!"
"I won't forgive anyone who sees my true form!"
"That's ridiculous! I saved you—of course I'd see it!"
"Ugh…"
At those words, Natsumi fell silent, her expression conflicted.
After a long pause, she limped toward the emergency exit of the building.
"But since you saved my life, I'll let it go this time."
She said without looking back.
"But if you ever tell anyone what my true form looks like, even if you saved me—I won't forgive you!"