Ch 274: Reinforcements

"Don’t be late for school, or I will make you stay after hours." warned Natsuki as she pushed Mash and Gudako out of the apartment.

"Yes. See you later, Astarte." Smiled Mash as they walked out. "We'll bring you a few snacks."

"Accept." nodded Astarte with a blank face, still dressed in snow white pajamas.

Natsuki had pointed out, wisely, that the little homunculus wouldn't be able to attend classes along with everyone else, and would be bored out of her mind. instead, she had asked Mash, who Astarte now considered as her Master, to entrust the girl to her during the day.

Mash had agreed but declared that she intended to take Astarte with them when they left this world. Astarte had no objections to this, and Natsuki agreed, although with a little reluctance. Mash could tell that Natsuki was already getting attached to Astarte.

Today would be the first day of class for Mash and Gudako, and Jinah was on her way back. Just one hour earlier, she had sent them a message to report the attack on the airship transporting princess La Folia Rihavein and the capture of Beatrice Basler.

"Did Natsuki-chan give you the address of Nagisa's apartment? I forgot to ask her." asked Gudako.

"Yes, senpai. It's only a few minutes away."

"Good. Maybe we could stop for a few minutes in a back alley? I want to check on Medb and our guest."

"I do not mind, but please do not make us late." smiled Mash, guessing that Gudako didn't intend to just say 'Hello' to Medb.

"Thanks, I'll make it quick." grinned Gudako.

As soon as they found a deserted side street, Gudako took the Sanctuary from her spatial ring, gave it to Mash, and entered it. With the time dilation, she could afford to stay inside maybe 90 minutes before they would be late for school.

…

"Hi, Medb. You look great. How are you doing?" asked Gudako with a wave of the hand.

Medb was dressed in a red latex bodysuit open at the front, revealing her generous cleavage, a red rubber corset, red leather knee-high boots and red latex opera gloves, as well as her red military cap.

"Ah, Gudako. Nice to see you. Have you come to check on her progress?" smiled Medb as she patted Aya's head.

The black-haired witch was bent over a leather-padded saddle, her legs spread apart and strapped on the saddle's legs. Her arms were secured behind her back by a severe armbinder made of black leather and making her elbows touch, and multiple straps kept her waist and torso pressed against the saddle. Another strap had been braided into her long black hair and tied to the wrist strap of her armbinder, forcing her to tilt her head up and stare straight ahead.

Not that she could do any staring, as a black leather blindfold covered her eyes, and her mouth was filled with a purple gag connected to a web of thin black straps forming a web around her head. Gudako recognized it. It looked like a large ball gag on the outside, but it was in reality a golem Mash had created for improving her own deepthroating skill. Gudako didn't doubt that it was currently extending and retracting a thick rubber phallus down Aya's throat.

There was a wriggling dildo protruding from Aya's ass, and Medb was lazily moving another in and out of her pussy as she looked at Gudako, making Aya moan and grunt lustfully.

When Gudako walked closer, watching with a growing grin, she also spotted a web of leather straps around Aya's torso, and deduced that it was a breast-enhancing chest harness. Aya wasn't small by any means, but she knew that Noah would like them significantly bigger, and enhancing a reluctant slave girl's body without her approval was a great way to humiliate her and make her submit faster.

"I came because I figured you could use a refresher, to make sure you don't start slipping up and forget that you are a slave first, and a dominatrix second. But I'd like to know, yes. How is this slave doing?" asked Gudako, already shedding her clothes.

"It's taking longer than I initially thought, since she is particularly strong-willed, but her resistance is only delaying the inevitable and has already largely crumbled. I haven't started the obedience training part yet, but she is now well on her way to becoming addicted to bondage sex."

"It's been what, five weeks since we took her? I made her cum well over a thousand times since them. She stopped trying to manipulate me, and her body is developing nicely, gradually growing more sensitive, needing less and less stimulation before she gets the next orgasm."

"A few more weeks, and she will be constantly horny. Living only for more bondage, more teasing and more orgasms. Then, I will start making her properly obedient."

"I see. We're about to start our first day in school, with Natsuki as our teacher. An hour ago, we got news from Jinah. She has already protected La Folia Rihavein from a kidnapping attempt, and captured Beatrice Basler. They are on their way to Japan, so you can expect one of us to drop a new slave for you to train in about ten days, subjective."

"Great. I can train two slaves at the same time without issue. I'll need help if the number climbs to three or more, though, unless you allow me to use hypnosis."

Medb shoved the vibrator deep into Aya's pussy, making her moan louder.

"Slave, keep those vibrators inside you. If you let any of them fall, I will flog your ass and edge you for half a day… Your answer?"

"Heph fhipheph." replied Aya as best she could with her mouth packed full of rubber.

"We must make it quick, so we'll go with your favorites." said Gudako.

"Yes, Mistress." smiled Medb, licking her lips as she looked at Gudako up and down before waking to the bed and putting on it a few items from her spatial ring, a black leather armbinder, as well as a blindfold, a red ball gag, and her favorite strap-on.

"Should I undress, Mistress?"

"No, I like what you are wearing right now." replied Gudako, taking the strap-on Medb had offered her and stepping into it.

Medb didn't wait for the order before presenting her back to Gudako and putting her hands palms against each other, fingers interlaced. Gudako slipped the leather armbinder up her arms, fastened the shoulder straps, lacing it tightly until her shoulders touched. A small lustful groan escaped Medb's lips, and Gudako smiled as she fastened the armbinder's straps around her wrists, and under and above Medb's elbows.

"What are you, Medb?" asked Gudako as she hugged her from behind and molested her.

"I am Akeno's slave, and Master's slave." purred Medb, her previous domineering attitude replaced by a submissive one like a switch had been flipped.

"That's right. And you like this, don't you?" asked Gudako, though it wasn't really a question.

"Yes." replied Medb with a hot breath, a flush on her face. "Every night, I dream of Master. I dream of being put in bondage, being forced on my knees, and made to worship Master's magnificent cock."

"Good Girl." smiled Gudako. "That is how a proper sex slave should be. Always eager to be bound, always eager to serve her Master."

"Just like you, Mistress?" asked Medb.

"Yes, just like me. I, too, am Master's sex slave before being anything else. I, too, have dreams of being dominated by him every night. But you are the one who spent five weeks without any session. I can wait. Open wide, Medb."

Medb eagerly opened her mouth, accepting the ball gag in Gudako's hands. Gudako fastened the strap tightly, as anything less was inacceptable, and blindfolded the pink-haired Servant before resuming her ministrations. Gudako decided to add a black leather posture collar to Medb's bondage, and to allow herself 45 minutes to give Medb a good reaming.

…

"So?" smiled Mash as Gudako reappeared, her hair still a little damp. As she waited, she had reloaded the Sanctuary's mana capacitor.

"So, I gave Medb a short refresher, and Aya's training is progressing, although Medb may have been a little optimistic in her initial time estimate. She's fine with doing both Aya and Beatrice at the same time, but might need help if the number increases."

"I see. We can always help her if she becomes swamped."

The two young women walked out of the side street and quickly made their way to an apartment complex. They didn't need to enter it, as the four girls they had come to meet were already waiting for them near the entrance. Yukina, Nagisa, Reina, and Avrora. Nagisa happily waved at them as they approached.

"Mash, Gudako!" called out Nagisa when they got close enough.

"Hi, everyone." grinned Gudako. "I hope we didn't make you wait too long."

"It's fine." smiled Yukina, giving her blonde doppelganger a quick hug. "We were talking about our school with Avrora-chan. She was asleep most of the time when she was inside me, so there are many things she isn't really familiar with.

Avrora nodded and gently pushed Nagisa away before facing Mash and Gudako.

"Thou hast my thanks, for granting me this body." said Avrora with a soft, melodious voice and a slight bow.

"No thanks are required. We are only happy to have been able to help with your situation. It is nice to meet you properly, Avrora. Can we be friends?"  asked Mash.

"I would like it, yes." smiled Avrora.

"This is nice and all, but we need to go, or we'll be late for school. I do not want Natsuki-chan to bonk my head with her fan." pointed out Reina.

"Yes. we also need to introduce you to Kanon-chan." nodded Yukina.

The six girls nodded and started walking toward Saikai Academy.

"Natsuki-chan has been quick, getting you registered and providing you with the uniforms and textbooks." nodded Reina, glancing at the white and blue uniforms Mash and Gudako wore.

"Yes. She obviously has a lot of pull with the school's administration." nodded Mash. "The decision-makers must have decided that us attending class under her watchful eyes was much better than us being loose in Itogami island during school hours. I'm assuming you gave Avrora one of your spare uniforms?"

"Yes, we're the same size." nodded Nagisa. "I knew she wasn't an ordinary teacher, of course, and that she was involved in the supernatural side of the Island. But until your arrival, I had no idea that she was the warden of the fabled dimensional prison."

"I didn't either." shrugged Yukina before looking at Mash. "Mash, Gudako, we got news from the Lion King Organization. They want to assign three observers to you, but they decided to ask for your approval first."

"Observers? People like you and Reina?" asked Gudako.

"Yes, like us." nodded Yukina. "Typically, the role of an Observer is to remain hidden and watch from a distance without interfering with the observation subject. But sometimes, and most definitely in this case, the observer is also a bodyguard."

"Does your organization really think we need protection?" chuckled Mash.

"It's not you who needs protection, but everyone else." snorted Reina. "Take for example Nagisa. Our role, aside from regularly reporting to the Lion King Organization, is to deal with people picking a fight with her without her ending up summoning an overpowered familiar that will destroy the surroundings."

"I guess that is a reasonable concern, although your superiors seem to underestimate our degree of control over our own abilities." nodded Mash. "We heavily specialize in anti-personal combat, not large-scale mayhem and destruction."

"Jinah summoned a dozen huge dragons and said she has hundreds. That doesn't sound like anti-personal combat." retorted Reina.

"You have a point." chuckled Gudako, exchanging a glance with Mash, and they both nodded. "We're fine with having Observers tag along, as long as they do not interfere with the missions the Gods gave us, and we reserve the right to rescind our approval at any time should the people they send prove to have a problematic character."

"Yes, thank you." nodded Yukina, taking her smartphone from her pocket. "I'll send them a message right away, and they should reach us this evening. Maybe sooner if they anticipated your answer and were already on their way."

"What happened to the girl from last night, Astarte?" asked Yukina.

"Natsuki-chan asked to take care of her during the day. She simply doesn't have the necessary knowledge to attend class with us. She would be bored out of her skull." replied Mash.

"But Natsuki-chan will spend a significant amount of her time being in class herself." frowned Yukina.

"Yes, but I think she had a few things planned to keep Astarte busy. She's in a better position than us in that regard with providing Astarte with entertainment."

"I see…" nodded Yukina.

The girls kept chatting until they reached Saikai Academy, a modern-looking, three-floor white and blue building, and walked down the hallway to their class. Two gorgeous girls were talking with each other near the door, and when they saw the incoming group, they blinked, as if not believing their eyes, then quickly walked toward them.

"What!? Nagisa, you have a twin sister?!" exclaimed a girl as she immediately left her seat to walk to them. She had waist-length strawberry blonde hair, some of it tied in a ponytail by a pink ribbon, and multiple bangs ending with drills. Her pinkish-red eyes switched from Nagisa to Avrora.

Following behind her was a girl with shoulder-length silver-white hair, some of it tied into a braid on her left side, and blue eyes. An aura of purity and innocence seemed to surround her.

"Ah, Asagi… This isn't…" started Nagisa with an awkward laugh. It was only now that she realized she hadn't come up with a cover story to explain why Avrora looked so much like her.

"What is it, then?" demanded Asagi, looking like a housewife who had caught her husband cheating.

"My name is Avrora Florestina." said Avrora with a small smile. "Thou hast my words of thanks for being a good friend to Nagisa, kind Priestess of Cain."

"Priestess of Cain?" asked Asagi, confused. "And your way of speaking, just who are you?"

"The twelfth Kaleid Blood." replied Avrora, making both Asagi, the girl behind her, and Nagisa flinch.

"T-The Fourth P-Progenitor!" gasped Asagi. She didn't understand what Avrora meant by 'twelfth', but the name Kaleid Blood was something every resident of Itogami Island had heard about at least once. One of the world's four strongest existences, rumored to be hiding somewhere in the Island.

"Avrora, you shouldn't say that in the open!" urged Nagisa with a strangled voice as she looked up and down the hallway. Thankfully, no one else seemed to have heard.

"She is bound to know." shrugged Avrora. "Since she is the Priestess of Cain, there shall be no end to people wanting to use her or kill her. Thou will not be able to defend her whilst keeping this a secret, Nagisa."

"One more person to protect?" asked Gudako to Mash, who shrugged.

"It seems so, Senpai."

"Ahem." fake-coughed Yukina. "Introductions first. Asagi, Kanon-chan, those are Avrora Florestina, Gudako Fujimura, and Mash Kyrielight. They are under Natsuki-chan's responsibility and will attend class with us for a while."

"Nice to meet you. Do you also belong to the Lion King Organization?" asked Asagi.

"No, we aren't affiliated with any faction you could have heard about." nodded Mash. "And our circumstance are… complicated."

Asagi's head swiveled back to Nagisa, demanding an answer, and she immediately caved under the pressure.

"Well… you remember those black dragons we talked about yesterday? They are with the dragon summoner, and they came to deal with a few villains, mostly. They aren't a danger for the civilians."

"That's right." grinned Gudako. "You have nothing to fear from us. We're very friendly people!"

"Fine." sighed Asagi. "It's nice to meet you too. I hope we'll get along."

Asagi wanted answers, though, and she turned to Avrora. "Now what's this nonsense about me being a Priestess of Cain? Does this have anything to do with that weird Nalakuvera puzzle I received yesterday?"

"I honestly have no idea." replied Nagisa. "And Nalakuvera? Why does this word ring a bell?"

"Remember what Natsuki-san said." sighed Mash with a frown at Asagi. Gudako, Yukina and Reina were also watching Asagi intently. "You know, while she was repairing that gate…"

"Ah! This ancient god-slaying weapon you guys have been asked to… Ouch!" exclaimed Nagisa, alarmed, right before something hard bonked the back of her head.

She turned with an aggrieved expression, seeing an angry Natsuki standing close, wearing a white dress, her folded fan in hand.

"What a bunch of troublesome students. You guys haven't even entered the classroom yet, and it's already become a headache. Don't speak about those things in the damn hallway!"

"I'm sorry, Natsuki-ch… Natsuki-sensei!" corrected Nagisa as Natsuki was already lifting her fan again.

"Not another word until we reach my office. Wait here while I tell the other students that class will start late today."

"Yes, Natsuki-sensei." replied Mash.

They looked at each other while Natsuki entered the nearby classroom for a few seconds, announcing to the students already there that they were to self-study for a little while, and to inform the students who would come later, since class hadn't started yet, and some had yet to come in.

She came out, took a good look at them, and made an exaggerated sigh before gesturing for them to follow.

Mash, Gudako and the others followed Natsuki to the end of the third floor's hallway, and into a fairly large office, simply but comfortably furnished.

"Astarte!" exclaimed Mash with a smile. Astarte was standing near the desk, dressed in a very cute maid uniform.

"Master." nodded Astarte.

Mash looked at Natsuki, who smiled, proud of herself.

"I had been thinking about getting a maid for a while now. This was a good opportunity."

"…Well, as long as Astarte is fine with it, I won't object." shrugged Mash, thinking that before very long, a certain witch would also be wearing a cute maid uniform.

Natsuki gestured toward the two sofas around a low table, and the girls sat down.

"Natsuki-chan, the Lion King Organization is going to send three more Observers to accompany Gudako, Mash and Jinah. They may send another for Medb later, but they are a little stretched currently." said Yukina.

Natsuki considered for a second scolding Yukina, then gave on it, as they had important things to discuss and little time to waste.

"Good. Avrora, how did you know that Asagi is the Priestess of Cain?" demanded Natsuki.

"I felt it." frowned Avrora. "The Fourth Progenitor was created by the other three to defeat Cain, the Sinful God, should he return. We Kaleid Blood hath each inherited a portion of his power. Asagi hath a faint divine scent coming from her body, and I recognized it."

"Wait, this is getting confusing, Avrora-chan. Are you the Fourth Progenitor or his successor? And there are several Kaleid Blood?" asked Nagisa, and Avrora nodded.

"The original Fourth Progenitor was stronger than the three who created them, and they feared him because they could not control him. Thus, they split his bloodline across twelve dolls, each controlling one of the Fourth Progenitor's Beast Vassals. I am the twelfth."

"…I see. So that is why I could only summon Regulus Aurum while you were inside me."

"Inside you?" asked Asagi.

"Well, long story short, Avrora-chan and I became friends two years ago, but we were attacked by terrorists, and she sacrificed herself to save me. I gained her power, and it turns out that her soul was inside my body since then, asleep most of the time, but Mash and Gudako found her an artificial body to inhabit. And she now looks like me, but we're not sure why."

"Oh." nodded Asagi, watching Avrora with a conflicting mix of wariness and goodwill.

"Thee dost not need to worry about me, Asagi. I will not harm thee, no matter what, and Nagisa can still summon Regulus Aurum, as a bond hath formed between us that is yet unbroken. And thou will be able to control more Beasts Vassals, Nagisa." said Avrora, guessing the cause of Asagi's wariness.

"I can?" blinked Nagisa.

"As the twelfth, I am also the 'Root' of the Kaleid Blood. Since thou hath established a blood contract with me, Nagisa, thou can also access the other Beasts Vassals through me. However, thou first need to make blood offerings to placate them, by drinking the blood of virgins, and making them thee Blood Servants."

"Ah?" asked Nagisa, flabbergasted. Then she blinked at Astarte, realizing something.

"I made thou drink Astarte's blood, not only to stabilize her familiar Rhododactylos, but also to placate Regulus Aurum. Thou will have no more difficulty controlling it." nodded Avrora.

"…I was wondering why I still felt his presence inside me, and why he seemed quieter… So I can still use it to protect Asagi and Kanon, right?"

"Yes."

"Gee, thanks." sighed Asagi. "But that's not all that reassuring if the other eleven Kaleid Blood disagree with you and want a piece of me. And you said that more people would try to use me or kill me… Wait, Natsuki-chan, how do you know that I am this so-called Priestess of Cain? Can I just refuse the position? I never asked for it!"

"The island's administrators know about it, and while they didn't tell me, I am aware of more than they think." shrugged Natsuki. "Just like I am not supposed to know that Itogami Island has a secret name, the Altar of Cain."

"Just who is Cain?" asked Mash. "A real local God? A threat to mankind? Can he really be revived by a local power?"

"That is hard to say for certain, as they are few facts and a lot of myths contradicting each other." sighed Natsuki. "He was a Deva, some kind of godlike entity, who fell into the mortal realm. In order to return to the Deva realm and get revenge upon those who cast him out, he gathered humans under his banner, gave them knowledge, and taught them how to make weapons able to injure Devas. He caused the Cleansing, a war during which the humans became the world's dominant force. No one really knows how Cain died. But he has a cult who intends to revive him, and those guys are dangerous. I suspect that at least one of the higher-ups in the island is part of that cult."

"Wait, you implied that the Devas were living in their own realm." frowned Gudako. "So, who was the dominant force on Earth before the humans took over?"

"The Devas. I told you that those myths are contradicting each other. There's even an obscure reference suggesting that Cain did something that stripped the Devas of their divine nature and turned them into what we call Demons today, but I do not really believe it." shrugged Natsuki.

"All very interesting, but I'm more concerned about the practical implications, since, you know, my life seem to be on the line." retorted Asagi. "Are you saying that those cultists want to use me somehow to bring Cain back? I should leave for the mainland, find a place to hide somewhere where even the government won't find me."

"No, Asagi. You of all people should know that no one can remain hidden for long. You are safer here with people who can protect you." replied Natsuki.

"I do not think that this matter of Asagi being the Priestess of Cain is an immediate danger, if the administration of Itogami Island has known about it for a while." frowned Gudako. "Potentially far more urgent is the Nalakuvera. What do you know about it, Asagi?"

"Well, I am rather famous in certain circles as a problem-solver and white hat, and I work part-time for the administration on their IT systems, doing security work and stuff. Yesterday, I received an anonymous email challenging me to solve a puzzle, one that looked like an ancient language. I thought it was interesting, so I ran with it. It took me three hours, but I solved it. It consisted of the name Nalakuvera, as well as a single sentence."

"Crap. And did you reply to that email?" asked Gudako.

"Yes, I sent back the proof I had decoded it." shrugged Asagi, pausing as she saw the grim faces of Gudako, Mash and Natsuki. "Is that a problem?"

"You could say that, yes." sighed Natsuki. "Nalakuvera is the name of an ancient god-slaying weapon that no one could activate until now, because the texts related to it couldn't be translated, and it seems an international terrorist has stolen it."

"Oh crap…" paled Asagi.

"Senpai…" hesitated Mash. "We're facing multiple potential threats with now three different persons to protect, and we're only two days in. Should we call in reinforcements?"

"More troublemakers?" warily asked Natsuki, still a little salty about the incident involving her dimensional prison and wondering if there would still be an Itogami Island by the time they left.

"…I think it's a bit early for that." frowned Gudako. "We can always request more people if the situation starts getting out of hand. Maybe we should call Jinah to have her opinion?"

"Understood, Senpai. For now, we keep our eyes open." nodded Mash.

"Well, it's about time we all went to class. Obviously, what we discussed here isn't to be spread to the other students." said Natsuki, starting to stand. Before she could complete the movement, her smartphone made a sound, and she looked at it with irritation.

An irritation that turned into dismay as she read the message she had just received, and she sent a flat look at Mash and Gudako, as if blaming them for some bad news.

"That damn Snake Charmer is coming to Itogami island. Because of dragon sightings. His yacht will be there tomorrow afternoon."

"…On second thought, I'm calling Olga-Marie." sighed Gudako, taking her smartphone.

"Who's Olga-Marie?" asked Asagi.

"A mage, and the leader of a research outpost we're using as a forward base." smiled Mash.

"Hi, Director! This is Gudako." grinned Gudako, her phone against her right ear. "I'm calling because I think we could use some support… No, no immediate danger, and everyone is doing fine, but it looks like we're about to be stretched thin trying to fulfill all of our objectives. Too many things are happening at once. So… Yes, I'd like a few people who wouldn't stand out too much inside a high school, for escort duties. Information gathering as well, since there seems to be several factions moving in the background, and not all of them friendly ones… Yeah, that would be great. Thank you, Director!"

Gudako ended the call with a satisfied smile to Mash. "We're getting Tiné and Saika for additional escort, and Misaki and Mikoto for their social and hacking skills. They will teleport to us as soon as Olga-Marie can gather them."

"That's great, Senpai. They will make our job a lot easier."

"Four more people?" asked Natsuki with a mental groan.

"Yes! They are great people. Not the strongest Agents, that honor goes to Jinah and Akeno, but they should be more than enough." proudly announced Gudako.

"…I'll need to find you all proper accommodations. I can't have eight people living in my apartment, not counting myself and Astarte."

"Yes, thank you very much for your support, Natsuki-sensei! We're sorry for the bother, and we'll make it up to you." grinned Gudako.

"I'll find you a few apartments close to each other and close to school. Astarte stays with me, though."

"What? Are you trying to steal her from me, Natsuki-chan?" asked Mash, not liking the smug undertone in Natsuki's voice.

"What if I am? What are you going to do about it? And stop calling your sensei with a chan!"

"Ah! I understand, since she's so cute in that maid outfit, but that's no good. She's coming with us when we leave this world, and that's not negotiable."

"When you leave this world?" asked Asagi, confused, but neither Mash nor Natsuki paid her any attention.

"Let's see what she will decide by then. You aren't going to kidnap her against her will, are you?" asked Natsuki.

"Of course not." retorted Mash. "We'll see what she decides then."

"Then we're in agreement." nodded Natsuki, accepting the challenge.

"Uh… Should I really be there?" hesitated Kanon. "I heard a lot of important-sounding things, but I am just an average high-school student, so…"

"No, you are there for a reason, Kanon-chan." replied Nagisa. "Gudako and Mash mentioned several missions they have been given. One of them is to protect you."

"Me?" asked Kanon, greatly shocked.

"Yes." nodded Mash. "Although we do not know why yet."

"But I have no enemies, and I was never involved in something dangerous." protested Kanon.

"Kanon-chan, you told me before that you were involved in an accident a few years ago, and that you had been struck from amnesia and didn't remember anything from before, right?" said Nagisa with sympathy.

"…Yes? Are you saying that I am in danger because of something that happened before the accident? Or maybe because my father is the CEO of Magus Craft?"

"We do not know yet." replied Mash. "However, one of our friends is escorting someone who may very well be your niece. They should reach Itogami island this evening, and they were already attacked on the way. The attack failed, so it is fine. That person is eager to meet you and confirm if you really are her aunt or not."

"…I understand." replied Kanon, troubled. She would like having more relatives, but also felt nervous about it.

"Returning to the matter of Nalakuvera, Asagi, do you have any way to track the people who sent you that email." asked Natsuki.

"…That would be difficult." frowned Asagi. "They used a generic address from the second largest internet company, and their security is no joke. I could probably break in anyway, but not without being spotted, and if the sender really is a terrorist who has yet to be caught, they probably were smart enough not to send it from a computer or IP address that could be traced back to them. That being said, the puzzle didn't contain much information, even decoded. I doubt they could control any kind of weapon with the equivalent of a single sentence."

"…I see." nodded Natsuki, looking at Asagi with sympathy. "Which means…"

"That they will try to kidnap me." cut in Asagi, her expression grim.

"That is likely. I hate exposing my students to danger, but…"

"I understand, Natsuki-chan." nodded Asagi. "I'm the one who stupidly answered an email from a dubious source, so I should become the bait to stop them."

"You do not need to worry about your safety, Asagi." said Gudako. "We are very, very good at protecting people. On that matter, Igris-kun."

Gudako's shadow suddenly enlarged while becoming darker, and Igris slowly rose from it, eliciting gasps of surprise from Asagi and Kanon. Nagisa, Reina and Yukina had already seen him, but they still couldn't help feeling a little intimidated as they remembered how easily Igris had defeated Regulus Aurum and how fast he could move.

"Igris-kun, would you mind protecting Asagi for now? I know this is outside of the orders Jinah gave you, but she would want you to if she were informed. We want the enemies to capture her and bring her to their leaders before we reveal ourselves and take them all out."

Igris looked at Gudako for two seconds before nodding, walked closer to Asagi who was frozen stiff, and entered her shadow.

"…Is he a familiar? Where did it go?" asked Asagi.

"Something like that, and he is now in your shadow. Igris-kun doesn't speak, but he is just as smart as anyone else in this room. He's very reliable." replied Mash.

"How many of those did Jinah leave behind?" asked Natsuki, watching Gudako's shadow with suspicion.

"One more." nodded Mash.

"Okay, what's this thing about you leaving for another world?" sighed Asagi, only to be interrupted by a flash of light, and several people suddenly appearing.

"Hi, guys." cheered Gudako. "Thanks for being willing to join us. Let me do the introductions…"

Misaki Shokuhou was wearing the beige school uniform of Tokiwadai Academy from her world.

Tiné Chelc was in her usual white dress and white satin gloves that wouldn't be out of place in a gala, and Saika was covered with her heavy black coat and torn red cape.

Mikoto Misaka, on the other hand, was dressed in a frilly black and white maid uniform, along with white sating gloves and stockings, and wore a black leather choker with white frills around her throat.

Misaki saw Mash's raised eyebrow as she looked at Mikoto and grinned, placing a hand on Mikoto's right shoulder. "Mikoto had lost a bet, so she's my personal maid for another twelve days."

"Get your hand off me, Misaki!" scolded Mikoto as she stepped away, blushing.

"Tut tut, you didn't call me 'Misaki-sama', so that's one more day as my maid. Thirteen days now, from your original seven." declared Misaki with a victorious smile, and Mikoto groaned.

Natsuki sighed in defeat. Some of those guys were also troublemakers for sure!