“The previous girl’s memories contained information about murder hornets.”

“They’re the ultimate weapon against angels.”

“...You could even call them angel-killers. After all, even one of the Seven Demons would have a hard time coming out of a fight with them unscathed.”

“The weapon this thing’s holding can release a dream-inducing agent.”

“If you’re hit head-on by that weapon... whoever you are, you’ll be trapped in a nightmare-like hallucination for a thousand years.”

“That would... break your will in an instant.”

Turing summoned Incandescent spiral, then flicked it around in a reverse grip and leveled its tip at the enormous bee-man before her. A murderous aura erupted from her petite frame like a landslide sweeping down a mountain.

Flames flickered into view around Turing’s waist and back. They surged over her in layer upon layer, like red waves crashing one after another.

She stood firm like the steadiest reef in the sea, facing down the murder hornet without a tremor.

“Merka, if you can, you should get out of here for a while.”

“Leave the fighting to a lady, okay?”

Turing turned her face slightly and managed a faint smile for Merka.

A bead of cold sweat slid down Merka’s forehead. The currents bursting from the flames around Turing made the hem of his clothes snap in the wind.

He knew he wasn’t needed in a fight at this level. If he stayed, Turing would only have to split her attention to protect him.

“...”

“I understand. I’ll stay nearby and look for a chance to support you.”

Merka gave a slight nod, then eased back behind Turing. A moment later, he disappeared into the shadows.

————————————————————————

A subway-like platform stood in a remote spot on the edge of the β-level.

Aside, whose body was barely held together by a jumble of mismatched parts, crossed the platform with practiced ease and entered the tunnel beneath it.

In the cold, subway-entrance-like tunnel, aside bent down and set oddly shaped hexagonal stones along the walls and floor.

But if anyone had taken a closer look, they would’ve realized those weren’t stones at all. Each one was a hive incubating an ice hornet.

“What are you doing?”

“My dear twin brother.”

Lilith sauntered over to the edge of the platform, lightly tapping the ground with the toe of her shoe. Looking down at aside, busy below, she spoke with a sneer.

“You’ve set all these traps along the only path from the second floor to the third. Don’t tell me you’re planning to kill that ill-fated pair of lovers?”

At the sound of her voice, aside turned around and saw Lilith’s sinuous, viper-like figure appear on the platform.

She looked down at aside from above. She wore a modern hip-hop hoodie and an edgy pleated miniskirt, with a tiny baseball cap perched on her head. The emerald-green snake scales on her cheeks gleamed like jewels, adding to Lilith’s striking presence.

“So it’s you.”

“You wretched thing that just won’t die.”

Aside didn’t seem surprised by Lilith’s appearance.

It offered a couple of perfunctory words, like greeting an old acquaintance.

“I can’t die just yet.”

Lilith crossed her arms and gave a scornful laugh.

“It took me ages to find saints who meet my standards...”

“I still need them to answer my questions.”

“If you insist on being stubborn...”

“Then I’ll play with you in their place.”

Lilith began warming up.

She folded one leg back, reached behind herself to catch the raised ankle, and hopped on one foot, just like a professional athlete.

“If I wanted to lift your head off your neck...”

“It’d be even easier than popping a cap off a beer bottle.”