The space was filled with bullets, numbering in the thousands. Mimi calculated the trajectory of each bullet, anticipated evasion, and precisely engineered ricochets to transform it into an unavoidable, omnidirectional assault. Norn would fall before such divine skill even if she could erect the most formidable defensive wall.

—Or so it seemed.

[The flow of time lies in my grasp.]

Norn lightly waved her fan, and all the bullets froze just centimeters before hitting her. Not just the bullets; falling debris hung motionless in the air, and even the sounds of explosions were extinguished, leaving absolute silence.

Mimi, too, was frozen mid-motion, her Gatling Cannon poised, unable to move.

“Hmph, impressive. This one never imagined there would be an Artificial Spirit with such combat sense. However, it is unfortunate for you. Against another demon, this might have sufficed, but you are outmatched against me.” (Norn)

Norn pushed aside the encircling bullets with her fan, smirking down from above like a god overlooking the mortal realm.

“This one is Norn, ruler of the authority of time. Your ignorance is apparent, rabbit.” (Norn)

Norn stopped time just before the bullets could hit. No matter how fast the bullets moved, even at the speed of light, they could never connect if time itself were stopped.

She swept aside the bullets and approached the immobilized Mimi, wearing a confident smile.

She then raised her hand.

“This one is no mere Artificial Spirit. Judging by her aura, she must have been an ace warrior in the past. Killing her here would only result in her revival. I’ll seal her in time the moment I kill her.” (Norn)

Gathering mana into her fan, Norn prepared to deliver the sealing blow.

“Don’t take it personally. You won’t even realize you’re dying as your life is snuffed out.” (Norn)

Norn swung her fan toward Mimi’s head with enough mana to easily cleave through Mimi’s spirit armor.

—Or so it seemed.

“You finally showed a decisive opening~”

Mimi murmured as the armor on her chest opened despite the halted time that should have immobilized her. Inside was a pocket watch, ticking away even in the frozen time. This was no ordinary watch: it was a special, rare item that continued to function even when time was stopped. It was Mimi’s true ultimate trump card.

“What?! How are you able to move, you wretch?!” (Norn)

Norn was utterly stunned by this unimaginable turn of events, her mind going blank for a moment. Meanwhile, Mimi leisurely replied as light radiated from the pocket watch.

“We already knew you could manipulate time, Norn~ And this is Mimi’s true ultimate technique.” (Mimi)

[Can’t be late. The world is beginning.]

An immense aurora burst from Mimi’s chest and struck Norn, pushing her back with overwhelming force.

“I-Impossible! How can this be?! This one can’t escape! In this frozen world of stopped time, I cannot weave the threads of fate! So you were waiting for me to stop time?!” (Norn)

Norn screamed bitterly as her body disintegrated, her magic swallowed by the light. It was too late. In a world where time was stopped, no futures could be woven, as no futures could exist without time.

Facing an inescapable fate, Norn was engulfed in the light, triggering a massive explosion that destroyed the entire building before she vanished.

Once the blast subsided, Mimi finally released the trigger, watching the Gatling Cannon’s barrel spin idly. She sniffed softly.

“While time is stopped, no other temporal authority can be used. That’s why I aimed for it and my preparations for time were perfect~ Too bad-usa.” (Mimi)

Mimi lowered her weapon, letting out a small, triumphant cry, satisfied with her meticulously planned victory.

◇◇

Mimi descended slowly to the ground after defeating Norn. Sparks crackled on the ground on her way down…

“Ouch!”

“Eep!”

“Ugh!”

“Ow!”

A young girl and three women, battered and bruised, emerged from the rubble. Time resumed, and the world returned to its normal flow.

“The Demon Fusion has been undone. But that doesn’t change the fact that they’re demons. I’ll exterminate them~” (Mimi)

Landing on the ground, Mimi once again placed her finger on the trigger of the Gatling Cannon. Her gaze locked onto the four figures, and with one pull of the trigger, it would be over. Their mana was nearly depleted, and they had no means to counter her.

The Artificial Spirit, created to destroy demons, prepared to fulfill her purpose. 

Feeling her killing intent, the three women staggered forward, shielding Mei, and pleaded desperately.

“We’ve lost-ssu. But please, spare Mei-sama-ssu yo!”

“Yes, you can take our lives, but leave her be!”

“We accept defeat, but Mei-sama is innocent. Please have mercy!” 

Their earnest pleas carried no lies, only genuine concern for Mei.

“Norn was dangerous. I know how much suffering she caused, so forgiveness isn’t an option~” (Mimi)

Norn was a dangerous demon, and if they fought again, the same strategy wouldn’t work. Struggle was inevitable. Mimi knew well the immense number of casualties caused by Norn’s power to manipulate the future, both during the Demon War and over the subsequent 1,200 years. The exact number was unknown, but it was colossal.

This was the moment to eliminate her. With the introduction of the minor villain system, Mimi now had the means to annihilate demons. Missing this chance was simply…not an option.

“T-Then why didn’t you kill Mei-sama and instead welcomed her warmly-ssu ka?! Don’t let her live a life of half-hearted love! We sided with Harkein after assessing the situation and have done terrible things, so we can’t complain if we’re killed-ssu. But it was the fault of the adults in Mei-sama’s case. She deserves to live in a kind and peaceful world-ssu!”

“…Kyu.”

The choice made by Boss to spare Mei. Mimi thought it might be fine, given that she was just a child, and therefore not a threat. However, the power Norn had displayed earlier could not be ignored.

“Artificial Spirit, if we disappear, Mei-sama will no longer transform into Norn. Please, I beg you. Can you not simply erase us?”

“Please.”

“We’re begging you-ssu yo.”

The three girls prostrated themselves, pleading for Mei’s life. Mimi sighed. It might indeed be a viable option.

“Fine~ I’ll only spare Mei. I’ll leave the rest to Boss~” (Mimi)

Mimi hesitated but decided this might be the best course of action. She prepared to pull the trigger, aiming at the three girls. She could likely annihilate them instantly with a single shot.

“Nooo! You can’t kill Kuuko and the others!” 

But Mei stood up, spreading her arms in front of the three girls and yelling.

“Usa-chan, no! Kuuko and the others are my precious family!” (Mei)

Tears welled in her eyes as she trembled, her voice filled with an unfamiliar desperation. She stood firm, her serious gaze unwavering.

Seeing her expression, Mimi realized the resolve behind it and let out another sigh.

“Don’t-ssu yo, Mei-sama. This is where we should disappear.”

“Yes. That way, you can live happily, Mei-sama.”

“This is a necessary sacrifice, Mei-sama.”

The three girls were flustered and tried to persuade Mei, who, despite her efforts, refused to back down.

“If Kuuko and the others weren’t here, I wouldn’t be happy! Kuuko makes me happy when she pats my head, Ato makes chatting fun, and Shis secretly gives me delicious sweets! I will never let you kill them!” (Mei)

“Mei-sama!”

“Mei-sama!”

“Mei-sama!”

The three cried out emotionally, tears streaming down their faces as they embraced Mei. It was a scene that made Mimi, still pointing her Gatling Cannon at them, look like the villain.

“I’ll introduce Usa-chan to Kuuko and the others! She’s so cute, hugging her makes you feel happy!” (Mei)

Mei turned to Mimi with a tear-streaked face. Feeling pity, Mimi hesitated but then…made her decision.

“Even so, I can’t forgive demons. Goodbye~” (Mimi)

After those words, Mimi pulled the trigger without hesitation.

—Only, she aimed behind her.

With a deafening roar, a barrage of bullets shredded the floor, pulverized the walls, and swept horizontally with the Gatling Cannon. The entire building shook, but the storm of bullets came to a halt at a single point.

“What a perceptive Artificial Spirit. I like you, rabbit!”

A muscular woman emerged from the space, her appearance radiating an aura of raw power as she flashed a feral smile. She had been hiding instead of joining the battle against Norn.

“Even after defeating Norn, the spatial barrier surrounding this building wasn’t lifted, so I figured there was someone else~” (Mimi)

Despite all the commotion, no one had come from outside. That was because the entire building had been shifted into another dimension. Therefore, no matter what happened here, the original world remained unaffected, and no reinforcements arrived.

Mimi had suspected that Norn created this dimension, but when the barrier wasn’t lifted upon Norn’s defeat, she grew suspicious and poured all her mana into detecting the hidden enemy.

“Another demon discovered. Eliminating now~” (Mimi)

Mimi narrowed her crimson eyes and prepared herself, but the demon merely shrugged.

“Give it up. You’re out of energy after your battle with Norn, right? Don’t bluff.” 

The demon sneered, accurately assessing Mimi’s condition. She was correct. Mimi had almost no ammunition or energy left, and she already used her trump card.

“Even so, Mimi will destroy demons~” (Mimi)

Mimi is faithful to the Space Library and her mission to eliminate demons, so retreat was not in Mimi’s vocabulary.

Hearing this, the demon began to gather her strength, her muscles swelling as she sneered. The energy emanating from her body was even greater than Norn’s, radiating an overwhelming sense of power.

“Ha! You’ve got spirit. I don’t enjoy tormenting exhausted opponents, but I must retrieve Norn. I’ll have to kill you—”

“If it’s not your hobby, then leave.”

“Who the heck—”

A familiar voice interrupted, and the demon was sent flying backward, slamming into the wall after being kicked in the back.

The man who delivered the kick cracked his neck, lowered his foot, and glared at the demon.

“Looks like I made it in time. Hey, Krishna’s alive, right?”

There stood Lanpeach Kouza.

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