Ellen's lightsaber had fully charged, its destructive energy already carbonizing the surrounding trees.
Barely able to stand, Tohka dragged herself upright and placed herself in front of Nia.
With Sandalphon held horizontally before her chest, she braced for a final defense.
"Give it up, Spirit."
Ellen's voice was cold as the lightsaber swung down.
At that critical instant—the entire world suddenly froze.
Falling leaves stopped in mid‑air, drifting dust froze like sculpture, and Ellen's blade hung ten centimeters from Tohka's forehead, unable to advance another millimeter.
Even sound fell silent; the forest sank into absolute stillness.
From the void, a tall figure stepped out.
Rei Ao surveyed the scene, multicolored irises sweeping across the suspended tableau.
When his gaze fell on Nia, slumped on the ground, the fur at his shoulders bristled slightly.
"Oh? She hasn't been captured by DEM at this point in the timeline… interesting."
He walked leisurely over to Nia, bent down, and lifted her into his arms.
Nia's eyes could still move, but no sound left her lips; she could only stare in fright at this suddenly appearing man.
"Don't be afraid—I'm here to help."
Rei Ao gave her a gentle smile, then moved to stand in front of Tohka.
With a snap of his fingers, he released Tohka from the time stop.
"Rei… Rei Ao?!"
The moment she could speak, Tohka's first reaction was excitement. "You really came!"
Rei Ao chuckled. "My little princess called for help—how could I not?"
A flash of displeasure crossed his eyes as he noted her injuries. "You're hurt pretty badly…"
Tohka flexed her stiff limbs and pointed Sandalphon at the still‑frozen Ellen. "That woman is strong—her armor is tailored to counter a Spirit's power!"
Rei Ao only smiled dismissively. "In the face of absolute power, any targeted design is a joke."
Setting Nia down, he told Tohka, "Take care of your friend. I'll deal with our new toy."
He walked up to Ellen and snapped his fingers again, lifting the time freeze on the entire space.
The instant time resumed, Ellen's lightsaber crashed down—carving only empty air.
Tohka and Nia had already been relocated to safety by Rei Ao's spatial jump.
"What?!"
Ellen stared, shocked, at the three figures now in the distance—especially the black‑haired man she'd never seen before.
"Who are you? When did—"
Rei Ao greeted her with refined courtesy. "Allow me to introduce myself: Rei Ao, a friend of Tohka's.
"And incidentally, the master to whom you're about to submit."
A flicker of anger flashed in Ellen's eyes. "Arrogant. If you side with a Spirit, I'll eliminate you as well!"
Raising her lightsaber once more, she pushed her armor to full power; even greater energy gathered than before.
Rei Ao merely yawned, then formed a single thought—
Freeze.
With that casual notion, Ellen's armor abruptly began to disintegrate.
White plates peeled away, the lightsaber scattered like sand blown by wind.
In barely three seconds, DEM's vaunted pinnacle of technology—the Pendragon equipment—was reduced to scrap on the forest floor.
But what truly terrified Ellen was the stagnant flow of energy within her own body.
She looked down—only to find herself standing stark naked in the woods, her impressive figure exposed to the air.
"W‑what have you done to me?!"
For the first time Ellen showed shock, arms instinctively crossing to cover herself.
In a blink Rei Ao appeared before her and pulled her slender waist into his embrace.
"I've merely confiscated your toys for the moment. Now you are my toy."
Ellen tried to struggle, but to her horror her body refused to obey, leaving her limp against him.
"Let me go! DEM won't spare you!"
She roared in anger, yet without her power the threat rang hollow.
Rei Ao whispered by her ear, "Quiet, little wildcat.
"Otherwise I won't mind disciplining you right here—just as I did to Jibril."
Ellen didn't know who Jibril was, but an instinctive chill made her fall silent—for now.
Group Chat
Misaka Mikoto: "W‑what just happened?! Why is that woman suddenly naked?!"
Hayasaka Ai: "Rei Ao‑kun, you're such a perv—but nicely done!"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "As expected… it's this kind of development again…"
Frieren: "Well, for Rei Ao‑kun there are countless ways to do that. Not surprised."
Marcille: "T‑treating a woman like that isn't very nice…"
Julis: "Absolutely excessive!"
Sui: "Rei Ao‑kun is so cool! He handled that villain in seconds!"
Fubuki: "Sui, your rose‑colored glasses are way too thick…"
…
Supporting Nia, Tohka walked up to Rei Ao, worry in her eyes as she regarded the subdued Ellen.
"Rei Ao, she… you're not actually going to—"
Rei Ao narrowed his eyes. "What? Worried I'll do something bad to her?"
He deliberately tightened his hold, causing Ellen to squirm in shamed anger.
"That's not it!" Tohka blushed. "I mean DEM won't let this go!"
Nia finally gathered her wits and adjusted her glasses. "Thank you very much for the rescue, Rei Ao-san.
"But Tohka's right—DEM's influence is worldwide, we—"
"No need to worry." Rei Ao cut her off with a smile.
"Since I'm here, I won't let anyone hurt you again."
He glanced at the furious Ellen in his arms. "Conveniently, we have a fine guide to lead us straight to the dragon's lair."
Ellen jerked her head up. "Don't even think it. I'd rather die than betray—"
Rei Ao's smile deepened. "Oh? We'll see about that."
He turned to Tohka and Nia. "Ready? We're taking a day trip to DEM headquarters."
Tohka gripped Sandalphon and nodded vigorously.
Though still hesitant, Nia knew there was no other choice.
Raising his hand, Rei Ao opened a portal of swirling space before them.
~~~
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