8 Chapter 7: On the side [3]

Deus Ex Machina Industries, also known by the abbreviation of DEM, is a corporation based in England that is also one of the largest in the world. It was currently being led by Isaac Westcott as the current head director.

It is an organization that could be said to be the most prominent in terms of access in technology and advancement all over this years. Aside from Asgard Electronics, it is the only known industry that is able to manufacture Realizer Units for the Self Defense Forces and the Realizer units currently equipped by the world's military and police forces.

DEM's influence is something that anyone couldn't ignore. The country's police, organizations, and armies, which are supplied with the Realizers by the DEM all have supervisors or maintenance officials deployed by the DEM company. The organization has multiple branches throughout the world, including Japan, though the main headquarters is in England.

It can be said that all Realizer Units are made by DEM. And it seems that only the top brass of the DEM have heard rumors about the organization known as <Ratatoskr>, and have been ordered to eliminate them if they existed.

Due to their enthusiasm in hunting down the Spirits, they are considered economic rivals with Asgard Electronics, whom Ratatoskr is affiliated with.

...

Along the hallways of the main building of DEM located in England, one woman walked straight towards the corridors with a neutral expression.

Her appearance was that of a beautiful young-looking woman with light Nordic blond hair, purple eyes, pale skin and a slender body. She wore a black suit and high heels.

"...…"

Her name was Ellen Mira Mathers, Dubbed as "The World's Strongest Wizard," she was also the secretary of DEM's director Sir Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott, one of the company's chief executives.

Ellen was walking down the corridor of the main DEM industries building while perking up her shoulders in irritation.

Her mouth was twisted to a へshape, her eyebrows were brought closer to make a frown and her walking seemed somewhat violent. For the strongest- Ellen, who has dedicated to fulfill her everyday life with an elegant behavior; this was a rare occasion.

As for the reason for this? We can just say that she was suddenly interrupted when she was training. Though normally she would cut them to pieces, or at least complain to those who had disturbed her private time, but this is a different matter which she could not retaliate nor ignore.

Arriving to her destination, she called out and asked for permission to enter.

"----Ike. It's me"

"Aah, enter" A man's voice responded to her beyond the door.

"I'll be intruding"

After a short reply, she opened the door. Just like usual, Westcott was leisurely sitting down on a chair as if he was waiting for Ellen.

"Sorry, for calling you all of a sudden"

"No-----Did something happen with [Material A]?"

"No, it's not about that. You see, it seems that another kind of Spirit had manifested in this world without our knowledge. To add, it is a [Male] Spirit you see"

"What? That seems to be—"

"Impossible? Right? Well well, look what we have here. Doesn't this already give us enough proof?"

Isaac then passed a tablet to Ellen and was shown the footage contained in it.

What was displayed was a Spirit clad in a black mixed with violet Astral Dress. Beside it was something akin to cannons which are colored violet numbering to four. It showed that it can shoot rays and beams with strength and succession.

"This is..."

"Amazing? Amazing, right? I don't know whether <Deus> is involved here or not but this shows us that some of the things that we've speculated about Spirits were wrong"

"...." Ellen remained silent as she listened to Isaac. Noticing that he paused, Ellen gave a nod as if confirming for him to continue his words.

"Continuing on, the <Neighboring World> truly gave us some.... valuable data. We didn't even think that Male Spirits exists! Also, in regards to its abilities and appearance—"

Isaac unfolded his arms in enthusiasm as he explained bit by bit about what he thought—but was interrupted with Ellen's call.

"Ike"

"What is it, Ellen?" Isaac responded with a smile on his face.

"Is this Spirit....strong?" she asked with clear curiosity mixed on her tone.

Isaac showed a somewhat surprised expression but he retracted it a second later and then said, "Couldn't you asses it yourself? I know you will make have a more accurate answer than me on that part, no?"

"I'm just asking for your opinion. Also, I noticed that this Spirit has a different feeling compared to those that I've cut down all over the years"

"Heh, your instincts never fail you"

"Of course, this is a must. Of not, I wouldn't be even considered as the "strongest wizard" after all" Ellen said with pride showing off on her looks and tone.

"Haha, well, can you tell me what have you noticed in this Spirit that is different from those we've encountered before?" Isaac merely laughed and asked this question in response.

"Its abilities, fighting style... I can't really see the exact estimate of his capabilities unless I fight it personally. Also, this type of Astral Dress is...strange. It's nothing like before from the Spirits we know, though they may have resemblance, I can say that this is something "new" after all this years..." she paused for a moment as she pondered.

Ellen, who had fought many Spirits in the past knew what Type's of Astral Dress and Angel that they have through numerous battles and experience.

With those battle records in tow, she had at least memorized all the Type's of [Angel] and [Astral Dress] that each Spirit has.

Still, there might be some missing details and even Angel and Astral Dress data that DEM and herself had recorded and known. Even so, their accuracy is

"Noticed anything else?" Isaac inquired.

"This Spirit seems... dark? Wait, don't tell me...!"

"That's right! Correct, correct, my dear Ellen!" Isaac walked towards Ellen and gave her a pat on the head which somehow broke her neutral expression as she showed a slight blush and smile.

"An [Inverse Spirit]...."

"Exactly! And you know what this means, Ellen? With his unaccounted existence, it coincidentally brought us nearer than ever to the fruition of our dreams!"

"Yes. I'll do my best to make that happen"

"But you know, it seems that this [Inversion] wasn't complete" Ike added.

He also wondered as for why it isn't a "perfect" inversion. Well, an unexpected Spirit brought also unexpected mysteries and questions that needed to be answered.

He would think a solid plan about this later but he already laid out drafts in his mind and would already implement some of them right at this moment.

As for he would do now, he was about to embark his journey to Japan which is scheduled a few months earlier than intended because of this sudden Spirit after all.

'The preparations for this journey would take probably less than a week' Isaac thought to himself.

After a brief moment, he then asked Ellen.

"Though it is 'incomplete at the moment', what do you think about his fighting capabilities?"

"I think it would give me a good fight as long as I hold back on it"

"Confident, aren't you?"

"Of course, Ike, you know that best"

"Well, what do you think? As far as what you've seen, can you defeat him?"

"Yes, without a doubt. I can defeat this Spirit" Ellen answered without hesitation.

"Hahaha! Is that so? Then, I think we should hasten up our preparations to go overseas now. Also, command the some of our branch to transport some of the <Bandersnatch> team ahead of us. They will probably come in handy"

"On it"

And so, the day continued between Isaac and Ellen who had taken interest in this anomaly that occured out of thin air.

Would this be a <blessing> falling down to them?

or...

Would this be a <curse> that would devour them all?

As for the answer—who knows? Only the things that would happen in the present would decide what would be the outcome for the future.

——

[Somewhere within Tengu City]

On the dark alleys within the city stands one girl. Noticing the space quake alarm and the girl can't help but wonder to herself what was happening right now since it's been quite a while when she got beck here in the city.

The girl was a [Spirit]. A literal one.

The Astral Dress, which she wears, is made out of crimson and black frills, giving her the appearance of an elegant Gothic Lolita with uneven twin tails that emulate the minute and hour hand of a clock.

On her head, she usually wears a big crimson net bow to hold her hair. She also wears a red and black collar on her neck.

"Ara ara, an anomaly has appeared all of a sudden" she muttered as she put one hand on her cheek.

UUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu—————

"—This is not, a drill. This is not, a drill. The foreshock, has been observed. The occurrence, of a spacequake, is predicted. Persons in the vicinity, please move to the nearest shelter, immediately. I repeat—"

It was then the people started to rush towards the "shelters" located all over the city. Many people had rushed themselves fearing that a space quake might happen from where they were located at.

Realizing that some people might see her, she took a step back and basked herself in the darkness of the alleys.

Turning around and looking one last time at the direction of the "anomaly" she let out a laugh.

Her silhouette soon disappeared like it was as if it had blended within the shadows.

"Kihihihi. I really wonder, would you perhaps be an answer to my problem. I can't wait to find that out when we meet, New Spirit-san"

Delivering those words which was swept by a alight breeze in the air, she strode within the dark alleys with an amused smile etched on her face.