Hinako: Haa... Haa... Do you think we've gotten far enough away from it now?
Ayane: Yes. It won't be much, but we've bought ourselves some time.
They look back towards where they fled from.
There, they can see Pandora Box's massive body walking around, destroying the amusement park's attractions as it looks for them.
Jin: Good grief, it's like something from a terrible monster movie.
Jin: Where is that small doll getting that much magical energy from to cause that much destruction...?
Sanada: That's not all. Look at that.
Floating beside Pandora Box is Alicia's small body, her arms outstretched and holding her scythe towards the sky.
If they look closely enough, it seems as if the very magical energy in the air of her Robotics;Notes is being siphoned into that scythe.
Sanada: That weapon is probably a device that allows her to recover its magical energy.
It's even strong enough to gather the energy from the air drifting around this place...
Ayane: As long as Alicia-chan possesses that thing, that monster can probably move around endlessly...
Sanada: ...No, not necessarily.
Hagane: What do you mean?
Sanada: Although she is collecting magical energy from her surroundings, there needs to be a corresponding amount just to maintain that doll's massive size.
Sanada: There's only one method the owner of that miracle weapon can be using to compensate for that gap.
Hagane: Wait, you don't mean...
Ayane: If we don't intervene, then Alicia is going to be killed by her own miracle weapon...
Hinako: No...
Hinako's face falls as an image of the worst possible future floats to the front of her mind.
Jin: ...So, what do we do? As long as we continue to flee from it that doll's energy will eventually run out.
Jin: Once the owner's own energy is exhausted, this dimension will likely collapse as well. That way we'll be free to return home.
Hinako: ......
A heavy silence flows between all of them as they realize that they have an urgent decision to make.
...But, it only lasts a few seconds.
Hinako: ...We can't let such a thing happen. I want to save Alicia-chan, no matter what!
Hinako looks at Jin with eyes full of determination.
Hagane: Damn straight! Besides, I'm not the kind of guy who runs from a fight in front of me!
Ayane: Well, there's no other way. If we just return like this, all of the risks I took to get this far will have been pointless.
Sanada: I know that we can rescue that girl... I can only hope that doing so will help alleviate my sins just a little.
Jin: Good grief... I thought you all would say as much. I don't care, I'll go with whatever you all decide to do.
Jin hangs his head with a sigh, speaking out those words in a cold tone.
Jin: But, it's true that it would be inconvenient if she were to die here... I need her to tell us where the Knight-Leader's location is.
Hinako: Jin-kun... Thank you!
Hagane: Heh, you just can't be honest can you?
Jin: Heh, say what you want...
Do you have something in mind, Sanada Keisuke?
Sanada: We should split into two teams. One team will occupy the dolls' attention and stop it from moving...
The other team's goal will be to stop that scythe's functions.
Ayane: During that time, we'll have to confront Alicia-chan directly... But, the burden on her from maintaining that doll's size will likely be noticeable.
Sanada: That's a fair point. If I can continue to take the doll's power with my magical weapon, than I can keep its strength at a managable level.
Jin: Alright, so you'll be the leader of that team then. Do you think two people will be enough to assist you?
Sanada: That will be fine.
Ayane: Right, then we just need to decide which of us remaining four should confront Alicia-chan.
Hinako: Yes, understood!
Hagane: Yeah! That sounds fine to me!
Jin: Now then... Who should be on that team?
Alicia: ......
Alicia has left Pandora Box's side, continuing to raise her scythe to the sky in order to collect the magical energy flowing throughout the air.
Surrounded by several smaller dolls, she drifts along as if she were floating, dancing like a fairy in the center of a parade.
It is like a dream world...
And far behind Alicia...
There are two silhouettes that are tracking her.
Hagane: DAHAHAHAHAHAH!! Hold on tight, little girl!!
Hinako: Nn! Let's go, big brother Hagane!
Hagane cuts his way through the middle of the amusement park with Hinako sitting on his shoulder.
Their appearance is noticed very quickly, and the group of dolls that were assigned to wander and guard the central square quickly finds and closes in on them.
Hagane: Get out of the way, small fries! If you won't move, then I'll carve open a path anyhow!!
He lightly swings Eckesachs back and forth, wiping out a large amount of dolls in the process.
Hagane: ...?! Above us, little girl!!
Hinako: I've got it... Aegis Maiden!!
Hinako projects her stalwart barrier upward at the dolls that are descending upon them from the sky.
Hagane finishes them off after they bounce off the barrier, leaving him and Hinako as the only ones left in the central square...
With a perfect barrier to reject any intruders, her location is ideal for Hinako and her Aegis Maiden.
Hagane: Not bad at all! I'm glad to have you here with me!
Hinako: Ehehe, I also feel that it's been an easy partnership.
Hinako: However, thanks to all of the noise we've made, those little soldiers keep coming one after the other.
Hagane: Who cares! With our combination, we can take on as many of these little bastards as possible!
Hinako: Eh?
Hagane: There's only one way forward to our opponent... DOORRRYAAAHHHHH!!
In the amusement park of darkness, the dancing dolls are continuously blown away.
However, their numbers are steadily increasing, and the speed of their progress gradually dwindles...
Hagane: Tch, there's still this many of them! We don't have time for this!
Hinako: Sanada-san...
The longer they take, the larger the burden is on the other group that has gone to preoccupy Pandora Box.
As the waves of dolls continue to flood in to attack them with no end in sight, Hinako lets out an anxious whisper...
Pandora Box: ALICIAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Pandora Box has gone on a maddened rampage, seeking only to destroy everything around it.
Although his methods of attacking the doll are few after its increase in size, Sanada does not hesitate as he stands in front of the giant doll.
Sanada: ...Haah!
The cards are sent forward by a gust of wind, piercing Pandora Box's body and siphoning away its magical energy.
Pandora Box: GOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH......
Sanada: Nngh... Although it seems to be working, this amount is truly...
Even if he consumes all of the energy he has already siphoned, it would only be a drop in the bucket of the capacity the doll currently possesses.
Also, the magical energy he has siphoned contains plenty of the doll's own darkness, and the befouled energy is affecting Sanada's body as his face twists slightly from the pain.
Sanada: Then, the question becomes how long I can continue to suck its energy...
Against magical energy filled with overwhelming darkness, even a veteran like Sanada can't help but let out a few words of concern.
But because Hinako has gone to save Alicia, he hides the pain wracking his body with his usual poker face.
Sanada: *Sighs* Tomorrow, I'll pray for this burning in my chest to pass.
He releases his cards and wind toward Pandora Box again, insistent on sucking as much magical energy from the monstrous doll as his mind and body will allow...
Pandora Box: AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
The doll follows its destructive instincts and swings a massive fist at a nearby attraction, crushing it entirely.
A large amount of debris goes flying as he lets out a long, anguished wail.
Ayane: ...Haaa!
With a gleam in her eye, Ayane weaves String Load's threads into a fine wire mesh.
A crimson net stretches forth in front of her, dispersing the massive chunks of debris just before they crush her.
Ayane: *Sighs* Such a troublesome child... If my magical weapon's ability could affect it, than I would end this in an instant.
Simply shrugging her shoulders instead, Ayane sets forth to seal Pandora Box's movement by tying several threads around one of the dolls' legs.
Pandora Box: OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH?!!
Ayane: Oh well. Even if this is all I can do, I'm still good at tying things up.
Ayane: You can struggle all you want, but I think you'll be stuck here for the rest of your short life.
Letting out a pleasant giggle, Ayane pulls on the threads wrapped around the doll's leg.
Although Pandora Box tries to unleash one attack after another, with the ability to constrict its movement by a few tweaks of her strings, the enormous creature cannot manage to land a hit on Ayane.
Ayane: Ufufu... No matter how large you become, you become cute again when you're helpless like this.
Ayane: All I can do is leave the rest to them... Do your best, you two.
As she brushes off Pandora Box's attacks, Ayane's thoughts are with the two who went to save Alicia.
Jin: Good grief, this is ridiculous... Why do we have to go so far just to save a girl that wasn't important to begin with...
Leaning against a streetlamp, Jin glares with cold eyes at Pandora Box's titanic form as it continues to try and strike his friends that are preoccupying its time.
After encountering unexpected interference from the Magi, Pandora Box swings a huge fist full of anguish down on Jin...!
Jin: Honestly, I can't understand why people tend to take the most inefficient approach.
Pandora Box: OHHHH...OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH?!!
An enormous explosion of flame rocks the fist as it comes down, knocking Pandora Box's massive body off balance.
Jin: I don't understand it at all... If you all would just leave it to me, I'd put it down in one moment!
Laughing fearlessly, he leaps into the fray.
Jin: ...Levaintein! It's too late to have any regrets...
This is your reward for making an enemy of me!
He swings the blazing sword downward, mercilessly slicing into Pandora Box's darkness-infused body...!
Hagane: DOORYAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!
As the countless dolls continue to flood in, Hagane continues to slice them several at a time into the sky.
But even his brute force is hitting its limit against the seemingly infinite supply of dolls.
Hagane: What do you think, little girl! Are the dolls' numbers decreasing at all?!
Hinako: N-No... In fact, I think they're just continuing to grow little by little!
Hagane: Damn, what the hell!
Each one of them is weak, but the sheer numbers raise their threat levels immensely...
Hagane suddenly comes up with an idea.
Hagane: We're changing our strategy! Little girl, get beneath me!
Letting the small girl climb down to the ground, Hagane lifts Eckesachs up onto his shoulder instead.
Hagane: Little girl, can you still extend your barrier completely around yourself?!
Hinako: Yes, I can... But why?
Hagane: I'll explain afterward! Just trust me for now!
Hinako: A-Alright... Aegis Maiden!
Following Hagane's suggestion, Hinako expands her barrier around herself.
Hagane: Alright! Don't be afraid now, little girl!
Hinako: Hm? Eh? Big brother Hagane...?
Hagane moves next to Hinako while holding Eckesachs like a baseball bat.
Hagane: Look out! HOME RUN!!
Hinako: Eh...EEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!!
Hagane: OOOORRRRYYYAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
He swings his axe around with all of his strength...!
Eckesachs brushes against the ground and connects squarely with the barrier of light.
...However.
Hagane: ...Eh?
Hinako: ...Eh?
Eckesachs only barely shakes the barrier, not even managing to leave a single scar upon its surface.
Hagane: W-Well, I certainly didn't expect that! Why do you have to have such a sturdy barrier?!
Hinako: Calm down, big brother Hagane! W-What were you trying to do?
Hagane: Well... I just figured that we'd never be able to catch that girl at this rate, so I thought that I'd at least make it so that you could reach her...
Hagane: So, I figured that with my power and your sturdy barrier that I could manage to send you flying toward her without harming you...
Hinako: You thought of something that reckless?!
Hinako can only stare in surprise at the massive man who came up with such a flawed plan.
All the while, the dolls surrounding them have inched closer and closer to them.
Hagane: Tch... Then I'm using my last resort!
You'll be fine, little girl! Just don't release your barrier, no matter what!
Hinako: W-What are you doing now... Hyaaaaa?!
He scoops up Hinako's small body and sets her on top of Eckesachs.
Hagane: You better hold on tight, little girl! Don't bite your tongue on the ride over!!
Hinako: W-Wait a moment, big brother Hagane...!! (Warning, lower your volume. Seriously. RIP headphone users.)
Hagane: UUUUUAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! FLY AWAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!
Hagane launches Eckesachs and Hinako forward into the sky. (I fucking love Hagane right now.)
Hagane: Heh, I'll leave the rest to you, little girl...
He stands his ground as he stares at the dolls surrounding him.
Hagane: Alright you all, I'll be your oppone-
Hagane: ...Uh, Eh? How can I fight now that I've thrown Eckesachs away?!!
Hagane cocks his neck in surprise, but the dolls that jump him care nothing for his circumstances.
Hagane: NUHAHAHAHAAAAAAHHHHH?! Hold on a second, you damn cowards!!!
Hagane runs off toward the other group and Pandora Box with a literal swarm of smaller dolls chasing after him.
His frightening screams echo through the otherwise empty amusement park of darkness...
Alicia: ......
Alicia is gathering more magical energy while riding the space-time travelling cruise liner.
She is no longer concerned with the two Magi that were being held back by the army of dolls she had deployed around the amusement park.
Without anyone to disturb her, she continues to quietly gather the magical energy floating in the air, and transfers it to Pandora Box.
Alicia: ......? (May wish to lower volume again...)
Something strange strikes her, and she looks up at the sky.
Alicia: ...WHAT?!
Something screams from across the sky, and a tremendously large object approaches the cruise ship...
At first she thought that a missile had been fired to blow her out of the sky, but it seems that isn't the case.
A moment later, an axe that is bigger than she is has crashed deeply into the deck of the ship...
Beside it is a girl who is slowly wandering around and looking like she is about to faint.
Hinako: Owowowowow... Big brother Hagane, you really are crazy sometimes...
Alicia: ...Hinako-chan?
Hinako: A...Alicia-chan!
Although Hagane's outrageous action was a bit too ridiculous, it has resulted in her winding up somewhere completely unexpected.
It was probably just a fluke, but Hagane somehow managed to successfully launch Hinako to Alicia's location with near pinpoint accuracy.
Alicia: I see... So you're going to get in my way as well, Hinako-chan.
Alicia brings her large scythe to bear on the unexpected intruder.
Hinako: You're wrong, Alicia-chan! I came here to save you!
Alicia: Save me...?
Hinako: That's right! Alicia-chan, you keep sending magical energy to Toy Box-kun with that miracle weapon...
Hinako: If you continue to do so, your life force is going to keep slipping away until you die from it!
Hinako tries so hard to plead with Alicia that her words are coming out all jumbled.
However...
Alicia: What, that's what this is about...?
Hinako: Eh...?
Alicia: I've known about it. Flying around my Robotics;Notes and gathering magical energy like this is only staving off the inevitable...
Alicia: When my magical energy runs out, the only thing that I can send Toy Box then is my life...
Hinako: I-If you know that, then why...?
Alicia: Because I'm the only ally that Toy Box has!
Alicia: Just his presence alone causes people to despair and view him as an abominably horrible weapon...
...The only way that he can be allowed to continue to exist is by obtaining results!
Alicia: For that reason, I will do anything... Even if it means I have dedicate the rest of my life force to him...!
Hinako: Alicia-chan...
After seeing such tragic resolve in the other girl's empty eyes, Hinako is on the verge of tears.
Alicia: The time for talking is over... Although you were not a target originally,
if you're going to stand against me as a Magi as well, then I won't forgive you either, Hinako-chan!
Alicia: For my duty... And for Toy Box and myself...
I will take your magical weapon from you!
Hinako: ...!!
Alicia takes a large step forward and swings her scythe at Hinako.
Its cutting edge grazes Hinako's slender arm, drawing a streak of red on her otherwise pure white skin.
Alicia: Haaaaaa...!!
Hinako: A-Aegis Maiden!
Sweet Home's barrier appears in the air in front of her, causing the jet-black scythe to crash violently against it.
Alicia: That technique again...? You won't be able to defeat me with defense alone...!
Hinako: Hng...Kuu...!
Hinako's face twists in pain as she feels her magical energy being sucked out of the wound that Alicia made with the first swing of her scythe.
Alicia: What's the matter, didn't you come to stop me?! You'll be exhausted before too long at this rate!
Hinako: Hnngh?! Uu...Hguh...!
Faced with Alicia's brutal assault, Hinako can only do one thing... and that is continue to endure the girl's assault without taking even one step back.
Alicia: Haa, Haa, Haa......
Since she is still not used to the weapon she is wielding, Alicia's breathing quickly becomes more and more labored.
Alicia: What are you going to do now? You're not waiting for me to run out of time and die, are you...?
Hinako: No! It's not like that...
Alicia: Then why aren't you even trying to attack back?
Alicia: You're a Magi, aren't you?! You're part of what is said to be the most heinous group of people in the world...
Alicia: If that's the case, than taking my life should be as easy as-
Hinako: I would never do such a thing! Because Alicia-chan is... You're exactly the same as I was up until not too long ago.
Alicia: ...Eh?
Upon hearing Hinako's words, Alicia stops her assault immediately.
Hinako: Do you know of the large hospital that's on this island?
Up until a few months ago I lived there, struggling with an illness but never getting any better.
Hinako: That illness would sometimes leave my body very weak...
...It eventually reached the point where I could die at any time.
Alicia: ......
Hinako: But by borrowing the power of Sanada-san's magical weapon, I was able to continue living my life.
Hinako: ...But that didn't come without a price. I gained more life for myself by taking away the lives of many people on this island.
Alicia: ...!! That's...
Hinako: Yes, that's what Toy Box-kun is doing right now...
Hinako: No. What he has done can't be compared to what I did in order to preserve my life. I took life away from many other people.
Alicia: ......
Hinako: By doing that, the disease disappeared from my body... By robbing people of their lives, I was able to restore mine.
Hinako: I know that was I did was wrong... But,
Although it may seem selfish, I am also thankful to them.
Alicia: Thankful...?
Hinako: Because of the life that I took from them, I was able to go to school,
I was able to live together with the people I loved, and I was able to spend my days living as an ordinary girl...
Hinako: I know that I shouldn't be allowed to enjoy such things... But, I can't lie about my feelings.
Hinako: That's why I want you to live, Alicia-chan!
To forsake yourself and this world that has so many enjoyable things waiting for you to experience...
I think that's absolutely wrong!
Alicia: B-But I...
Hinako: That's why... If you're absolutely sure that you want to give up your life so that Toy Box-kun can continue to exist...
Alicia: ......!
Her eyes open wide with surprise.
Hinako has dissolved her barrier and angled her unprotected neck towards the sharp end of the scythe.
Hinako: I'll give my life instead. That way neither you nor Toy Box-kun has to die, right?
Alicia: W...Why, would you...
Hinako: It's alright. The life I've lived up until now was borrowed in the first place...
Hinako: And if doing so lets you and others live happily, than I think that I'll be able to atone for those sins just a little bit.
While giving such a carefree smile...
She takes a step forward and places her throat against the scythe's sharpened edge...
Alicia: ...NOO!!
Alicia reflexively steps backward.
Hinako: ...Alicia-chan?
Alicia: No, I can't do that... I can't let you take my place, Hinako-chan...
Hinako: But Alicia-chan, at this rate...
Alicia: Even so, I don't want that... I want to be able to go to school like you, Hinako-chan...
Alicia: I want to talk much, much more with Mikoto-chan and Freya-san...
The tears that had swelled up inside the small girl begin to overflow as Alicia finally admits her honest desires.
Alicia: I'm sorry... Toy Box, I'm sorry...
But, I don't want to die yet...
Alicia: I want to return to the real world, together with Hinako-chan...!
Hinako: ......
Along with those words of hope from the small girl's mouth, the great scythe of darkness and despair crumbles to dust in her hands.
Hinako: Alicia-chan... Let's go home, together.
Alicia: But...
Hinako: It'll be alright, I'm sure that there's a way that we can help Toy Box-kun!
Hinako: Because my friends and I are unbeatable Magi!
Alicia: Nn... Thank you!
Alicia takes Hinako's outstretched hand.
And in order to change the fate of the miserable weapon of war, they run back to their companions that are waiting for them...
Pandora Box: ALICIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
As the two girls meet back up with their friends, they find them still engaged with Pandora Box who is now in a full berserker state from all of the magical energy he has absorbed.
Hagane: What do we do now?! Stopping that little girl should have saved her, right?!
Sanada: Yes, stopping her should have also stopped the flow of energy going to it.
Sanada: However, it only went on this kind of a rampage just recently... What the hell happened to make it go berserk...?
Alicia: ...I think it probably happened when my scythe was broken.
Hinako: What do you mean, Alicia-chan?
Alicia: That scythe isn't Toy Box's core, it is only a device that connects the two of us and lets me collect magical energy.
Alicia: When the supply of magical energy from me to him was broken, he had no choice but to somehow make up for that loss.
Ayane: In other words, he's likely siphoning the magical energy that created this space... right?
Alicia: Yes...
Alicia: But that's not all. Once the magical energy in this dimension runs out, Toy Box will be able to break through the barrier and return to the real world in this state...
Jin: You mean that monster would be set loose on Tsukiyomi Island?!
Hinako: W-We can't let that happen! We have to figure out some way to stop Toy Box-kun!
Ayane: But what can we do? In its current state, even we'll be in trouble if we're not careful.
Sanada: We could let him continue siphoning magical energy until he bursts from it... But that's not a realistic option.
Sanada: Something like 'death' no longer applies to that monster. If we're not careful, we'll only be incorporated into its massive supply of energy.
Hagane: Tch, it can't be helped. I'll have to go head-to-head with him in the next clash...
Jin: Don't even think about it, that fight would be over before it even began.
Hinako: Toy Box-kun...
With no ideas left on how to proceed, Hinako brings her hands to her chest as if to pray for a miracle.
...At that moment.
Hinako: ......!!
Sanada: M'lady!
Sanada jumps out in front of Hinako.
The space in front of them shatters, and a massive shadow steps through and lands right in front of them all.
Irmfrid: ......
Hagane: Y-You...!!
Jin: Irmfrid Burkhardt?!
Alicia: Father...?
Ayane: EHH?!
Yes... The one that steps through and lands in a cloud of dust is the Knight-Leader of the Seventh Code - Irmfrid Burkhardt.
Irmfrid looks at Pandora Box and then the Magi. Upon seeing Alicia standing with them, he lowers his head deeply.
Irmfrid: I see, I think I can guess the current situation... It seems you all have been taking good care of my daughter.
Hagane: D...DAUGHTER?!
Jin: Then, you mean... you're this girl's guardian?
Irmfrid: Yes, that's correct.
Ayane: I'm surprised... I guess Alicia-chan takes after her mother then.
Letting the Magi look at him and say as they wish, Irmfrid looks down at Alicia with a gentle and smiling face.
Irmfrid: You did well, Alicia... But, it seems that you've gone and gotten yourself in a bit of a mess.
Alicia: Yes... I'm sorry, father.
Pandora Box: OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! DON'T GO NEAR ALICIAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Irmfrid: Good grief, it seems my troublesome son has grown up to be an annoyance.
...As his father, I'll take responsibility.
Sanada: Are you saying that you think you can handle him?
Irmfrid: Yes. When one's child screws up, it's a parent's responsibility to clean up their mess.
With a wide grin on his face, Irmfrid walks up beside one of Toy Box's massive feet.
Irmfrid: *Ahem* ...Are you ready to calm down and come back home, Toy Box? Alicia is waiting for you too you know.
Pandora Box: ...ALICIA...?
Irmfrid: That's right, Alicia. The person you love.
Pandora Box: A...ALICIAAAAAA...
Irmfrid: ......
Pandora Box: A......
Pandora Box: ALICIAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Hinako: Kyahh?!
Irmfrid: How unfortunate... He's completely forgotten who I am.
Jin: What are you going to do? Stopping him when he's in this state is going to be difficult, even for someone such as you.
Irmfrid: There's only one thing to do...
Children who don't listen to their parents need to be punished.
With a fearless grin and matching laugh, Irmfrid turns his attention back to Pandora Box.
Irmfrid: Come, Toy Box!! I'll take on your full strength right here!!
Pandora Box: ......?
Irmfrid: What's the matter? You want to be with Alicia again, don't you? I'll let you stay with her if you can beat me!
Pandora Box: A...ALICIA...
Pandora Box: ALICIAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Hearing Alicia's name triggers Pandora Box, and the massive doll hurls a punch with as much magical energy as he can gather into it.
That massive fist is heading straight toward Irmfrid's comparatively small body...!
Irmfrid: OOOOOHHHHHHH! ROAR, WARTBURG!!
In concurrence with Irmfrid's roaring voice, an explosion of flame erupts from the enormous armored gauntlet like a jet-booster.
Irmfrid: HEIDELBURG!!
With that amount of additional force, Irmfrid hurls his rigid right arm and smashes his fist directly against Pandora Box's incoming punch.
And...
Pandora Box: AAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
The impact sends Pandora Box flying high into the air.
Most of the magical energy that he had gathered scatters into the air, and he rapidly begins to shrink.
Irmfrid: Mission complete... My beloved children.
Irmfrid murmurs so for everyone and no one to hear as he looks up at the rapidly scattering darkness-filled magical energy.
Having given over his mind to the darkness inside of him, Toy Box had resigned himself to wait until his body was unable to sustain itself and disappear.
The darkness is a fleeting existence of course, as he never could have existed in this world as long as he had without maintaining his existence as a plush doll.
There is no Creator who could tolerate such an existence, and he himself knows that better than anyone.
Therefore, he is prepared to disappear like this.
...His only regret, is that he will leave this world without seeing the smiling face of the little girl who could love something like him.
???: ...y Box... Toy Box!
Toy Box: ......Eh?
He recognizes the sound, the sound he wanted to hear so badly, the voice of that little girl.
Alicia: Toy Box... are you alright?
Toy Box: Aah... Alicia. Alicia... you're alright!
His voice comes out pitiful and tearful as he looks up at the girl's face that is looking down at him full of worry.
She picks him up in her small hands and holds him close to her face.
Toy Box: ...! You can't, Alicia! If you touch me, than your life will...
Alicia: I'll be alright... If you're left in this state, you'll be the one who disappears, Toy Box.
Saying so, the doll can feel strength pouring into him from where Alicia has picked up his ragged body.
Toy Box: Ah...
Alicia: There, you'll be fine now... You won't disappear now.
Alicia: As for the rest, I'll fix you up after we return home.
Toy Box: Alicia... why...? As long as I'm with you, I'll keep sucking away your life...
Alicia: I told you I'll be fine. From now on, I'm going to exercise and eat a lot more...
Because I need to be able to build up enough strength for myself so that I can support you as well!
Toy Box: Alicia...
Alicia: Ah, but... try to hold back on how much strength you take from me from now on, alright Toy Box?
Alicia: We're not going to lose to the power of darkness inside of you, Toy Box... Let's get stronger, together!
Toy Box: Nn! Alicia! Waaaaahhhh!! I love you!!
Held together by the person he loves, Toy Box begins crying like the child he is. (I-I'm not crying! ;_; )
In that moment, both of them really do look like true siblings.
Irmfrid: Hahahahahah! Good for you both! That seems to settle things here!
Jin: I somehow feel disappointed... You suddenly appear at the last moment and steal all of the glory right out from under us.
Jin: We might as well just be clowns at this point...
Ayane: He's the one you two were looking to get revenge on all this time, right? Why don't you challenge him?
Hagane: Eehhh?! W-Well, I don't really feel like it after seeing that...
After seeing Irmfrid punch a monster of that size flying through the air, even Hagane is acutely aware of how large the difference is between him and them.
Irmfrid: It seems this time that I have all of you to thank for helping my daughter... Therefore, I respectfully thank you all.
Sanada: There is no need for it. This wasn't something we did for your sake.
Sanada: Also, as the Seventh Code is still hostile toward us, trying to build familiarity is pointless.
Irmfrid: Hm, that's actually something I wished to speak about... Would you all listen to me for a minute or so?
Sanada: ...Hm?
Irmfrid gathers most of them together, speaking in a hushed tone with a serious look in his eyes...
Hinako: What's going on...? Everyone is looking really serious.
Left out of the circle of adults, Hinako pouts and looks away.
Alicia: Hinako-chan...
Hinako: Ah, Alicia-chan.
Hinako quickly turns around to face Alicia as the other small girl starts to timidly speak.
Hinako: I'm glad that you were able to save Toy Box-kun as well.
Alicia: Y-Yes... Thank you.
Alicia: And, I'm sorry... I said a lot of terrible things to all of you...
Hinako: It's alright, don't worry about it. We know what the cause was, Alicia-chan.
Alicia: Y-Yes... But still, thank you and, I'm sorry.
Alicia: S-So, that's not all I wanted to say...
...I was hoping to ask a favor of you... and it's alright if you turn it down...
Hinako: Sure, what is it?
Alicia: Um... if it's alright, can I come to the Shrine just for fun...?
Hinako: Of course, we'd be glad to welcome you.
Alicia: Also, not just that... maybe I could see what kind of dolls you have... Um, of course I'd show you more of mine as well... um...
Hinako: Sure, that's fine. I'd love to show you the next chance we get.
Alicia: Um, well... uh...
Hinako: ...?
Toy Box: Ahhh, geez! You're slow, Hinako! Alicia's saying that she wants to be friends!
Hinako: Eh?
Alicia: T-T-T-T-TOY BOX!!!
Alicia's face turns bright red and she quickly throws her hands over Toy Box's mouth.
Hinako: What, if that's what you wanted to say you should have said so earlier~
Toy Box: Right? Alicia can be terribly shy at times y- mmruphtph...
Alicia: S-Stop, Toy Box! I-I didn't say it because I thought you might say no...
Hinako: I'd never say no to something like that. I look forward to getting along with you, Alicia-chan!
Alicia: L-Likewise...
Toy Box: Pleased to meet you, Hinako! Now that you're one of Alicia's friends, I give you the special privilege of being able to rub my belly.
Hinako: Ehehe, thank you, Toy Box-kun. Good boy~
Alicia: Hauuuu... This is so embarrassing...
Alicia's face has turned so red that steam could come out of her ears at any moment.
In this way, by overcoming the wall of hostile relations that existed between them, a new friendship has been born.
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