章 108: Onee-sama, Let Me Turn You Into a Woman!
Blue-gray snowflakes glowed faintly as they drifted down from the sky.
As Kurumi approached the ruins, the Black Ash storm gradually subsided.
These ruins had to be a significant site—one side's critical hold in the past wars.
Even though it had long been destroyed, it still emanated a heavy pulse of spirit energy.
Kurumi stepped out from the snow and wind, pulling her collar up against the cold.
She hadn't encountered any devil species or other monsters along the way, thanks to the complete absence of any 'Spirit' aura on her.
Emmm…
Of course, "Spirit" here referred to the world's native spirit energy, akin to a source of magical power.
…
Pulling her coat tighter, Kurumi strode into the ruins.
She had indeed always felt some kind of bewilderment, a vague sense of wandering.
But it was never as tangible a question as "Am I still human?"
This body had no real significance, just a form chosen for wandering the world as a traveler of her own whims.
That God had seduced her into joining this brutal war for the Star Cup under the guise of a 'human.'
But…
Now that she'd entered this game, it didn't really matter if she followed His rules.
Kurumi tightened her grip on the weighty black and red revolver in her hand.
There was nothing left to fear.
The blue-tinted snowflakes dusted down behind her in soft, endless cascades, seeming as if they would never cease to fall.
Kurumi lowered her head, stepping around a branch, and her black hair cascaded down in a silken stream.
——
The ancient ruins of Mellyrn, the capital city of the Elves
Green, moist moss covered everything, along with vines and something resembling large mushrooms that thrived in the moist gloom.
To Kurumi, who had just walked in from the war-torn red and black wastelands, this green scenery was overwhelmingly vibrant.
She had seen world traversed by the [Blank] siblings, but the history of this war among the Old Deus buried in time remained largely unknown to her.
Zero…
That might be the name, referring to a history that no longer existed.
She wandered through the high-reaching, root-like remnants of the ruins. Beside her, at one end of the ruins, an entire section had been obliterated, forming a sky pit. Looking up from there, she could see the sky tinged in a deep red.
Long, marble-like pillars crisscrossed and climbed from the bottom of the pit, etched with symbols resembling illustrations, like arrows piercing down from the heavens.
The edge of the crater bore no visible scorch marks… meaning it was unlikely to be the work of Dragonkin or Dwarvenkind.
Such advanced magic would also be beyond the capabilities of the Gigant race…
...
Taking all the clues into account… the most likely culprit was the Flügel.
A ghostly wind swept through the ruins as Kurumi raised her head.
There were… others here in these ruins.
——
Kurumi braced one foot against a vine reaching toward the sky, and, defying all physics, sprinted swiftly up it to the upper levels.
The upper levels of the ruins revealed a scene of unusual beauty.
A vast sea of vibrant, radiant flowers, with a golden path of blossoms running through its center and brilliant red blooms flanking each side.
The dazzling blend of gold and red was so beautiful, it seemed like a dream.
Leaping lightly up from the lower level, Kurumi landed upon the satin-like petals, a faint fragrance wafting into her nose. The Elves were known for creating these magnificent scenes, deceptive as their own appearances.
Her heart thudded in her chest, each beat echoing through the ruins, amplifying in the stillness around her.
Kurumi walked down the golden floral path, her steps light, and for a moment, the whole upper level seemed filled only with the sound of her gentle footsteps.
"Is… this an illusion?"
…
Beneath her fierce owl mask, Kurumi's crimson eyes darted around, alertly scanning her surroundings.
If she chose not to abide by the rules, she could fully extend the City of Devouring Time, commanding the flow of time around her, making it easy to discern if there were enemies nearby and where they were.
Only a Ex-Machina could evade Kurumi's perception in such a state.
But, no… that would be too much of a coincidence.
Thinking further on it now served little purpose; after accepting the invitation from that God, the [God of Games], Kurumi had no intention of breaking the rules she had agreed to.
Kurumi held her breath, glancing around casually yet observing everything with precision.
She listened carefully, seemingly hearing only her own footsteps… and the beating of her heart.
No… no… no…
There was also the wind…
Swoosh—
A sound like the wind passing through a narrow crevice slipped past her back.
Got it! Absolutely… definitely not an illusion!
The dark chains linking her gunblade wound another few loops around her wrist, and Kurumi came to a halt.
Thud-thud—
Thud-thud—
Her heart pounded as she listened keenly to the sound from behind.
Could that sound be from the former residents here—the Elves?
Or was it from the Flügel who had ravaged this place?
It didn't matter… whoever it was, as long as she could take them down… it would be enough.
Swoosh—
That same sound like the wind through a narrow opening filled the air again, only this time, it circled all around Kurumi.
Vacuum blades of wind spiraled through the air like scattered leaves, whirling toward her, though… they seemed somewhat weak?
It was a specialized magic of the Elves.
Kurumi took a defensive stance. The initial vacuum wind blades struck the ground near her feet, scattering vibrant petals into the air.
Then came a downpour of blades, pelting down like rain. The attacker seemed to be holding back?
But… Kurumi had no intention of dodging.
"Vengeance—"
The first wind blade had already struck Kurumi's ankle, but it split in two as if striking a blade against tofu.
A white glow shimmered around her body, signifying—Damage Immunity.
"—Counterattack."
Bang—
The trigger clicked, and a single shot sent petals flying in all directions.
But… Kurumi's expression was one of utter shock.
…
『Onee-sama, I can't… hold back anymore. Please, let me become a woman! ☆~~~』
A petite, completely bare, young girl tugged at the hem of Kurumi's coat. With a soft voice, albeit in a monotone, she pleaded with Kurumi.
"Wha… Whaaat???"
…
A little, naked Ex-Machina girl appeared in front of Kurumi.
She looked very young, her smooth, delicate, snow-white skin exposed, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. Large ears flopped at the sides of her upturned little head, resembling the droopy, triangular ears of a Scottish Fold cat.
On her bare back, two tail-like appendages, resembling "Spirit Corridor Connecting Nerve," swayed gently.
The sight scratched at Kurumi's heart.
So… so cute.
Kurumi froze in place.
In the quiet ruins of the Elves, a little girl, her joints and ear machinery exposed, tugged at Kurumi's coat over and over.
Behind her, a shower of vibrant flower petals drifted in the wake of Kurumi's gunfire.
A vision… like a painting.
Perhaps it was because Kurumi hadn't expected her foe to be this small…
Or perhaps because Kurumi had purposefully held back…
Her counterattack had been nothing but a blank shot.
The little girl took advantage of this and, standing on her tiptoes, reached up, tugging repeatedly until she managed to grab hold of Kurumi's owl mask.
Plop—
The mask was gently pulled off.
"[Analysis]- Compiling information—" the young girl murmured in a voice that sounded like a digital prompt.
…
Ex-Machina!
Beings entirely mechanical, even down to their very species.
An ancient race created in the distant past by deactivated Old Deus whose essence had been extracted.
One of the "Fifteen Races," tenth in the hierarchy, capable of analyzing any species, including Old Deus, and mimicking the powers needed to shatter them.
They connect as a "Collective Entity"—to be seen by one is to be seen by all, to be opposed by one is to be opposed by the entire race.
A terrifying race even the six "Higher Lifeforms" dared not provoke recklessly.
"Vengeance… counterattack?"
The little girl tilted her head cutely in confusion.
The petite girl, deemed an "Untouchable Danger" by the Dwarvenkind, flicked her two tail-like appendages, expressing her owner's confusion.
"[Review]- Analyzing situation—"
Her voice had that same monotonous tone, as if reading from a script.
Her orange eyes glowed with a spiral light even in shadow, her large mechanical ears adorned with devices resembling graphics card fans, which at the moment emitted a serene blue glow.
The girl leaned into Kurumi's embrace, and despite being Ex-Machina, her body was unexpectedly soft.
——Resembling a young human girl, her long black hair shimmered with a hint of violet, her skin fair and delicate.
"[Awaiting Silence]- Analyzing information—"
Her face was flawless, her eyes taking on the clarity of rubies.
She scanned Kurumi, analyzing rapidly.
『Onee-sama, I can't… hold back anymore. Please, let me turn you into a woman! ☆~~~』
The scene fell silent.
This… this brat…
A vein popped on Kurumi's forehead.
She had expected the Ex-Machina to be a bit lacking in decorum, but… this was still… a little beyond her expectations.
"Hey, hey… little one…"
Kurumi held the girl's face in her hands, her bare mechanical body nestled in Kurumi's coat.
Kurumi leaned down, drawing close to the Ex-Machina girl.
In a gentle, husky, and alluring tone, she asked,
"Do you… have any idea what you're saying?"
…
——Then, to Kurumi's utter bewilderment, as her face took on an expression of total disbelief—
The Ex-Machina girl stood on her tiptoes and softly kissed Kurumi's lips.
"[Question]- Comprehension Failure—"
In the ruins… countless flower petals swirled in the air.
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