webnovelfull Chapter 296 Beyond the Future
Chapter 296 Beyond the Future
We are proceeding deeper into the mine shaft; everything is normal at the moment.
The sound of hyacinths came through the communicator.
Su Tianqing sat calmly on the villain's rooftop, a magical light screen unfolding in front of her, displaying the four members of Hyacinth Group walking through the mine tunnel.
Using a camera familiar imbued with invisibility magic, he was able to see the Hyacinth Squad's every move.
"Forming an elite team to enter the barrier and conduct an investigation, that's exactly the kind of thing they would do."
Nan Jia fish made an evaluation,
"But in terms of safety, this is their best option at the moment."
"Yes, if I were in your shoes, I probably would have made the same decision," Su Tianqing replied.
The Star Shadow's combat power is vastly different from that of ordinary magical girls, so sending the Star Shadow first when facing the astral behemoth is absolutely the right choice.
"Now, let's discuss our action plan."
"Bunny, Doggy, what do you think we should do now? Should we stay here and wait for Hyacinth and the others to return victorious with their intelligence?"
After saying that, Su Tianqing casually waved away the magical light screen that was monitoring Hyacinth and the others, and turned to look at the rabbit and wolf sitting not far away waiting.
Xia Taotao stood on the edge of the rooftop, lost in thought, while Fei Yelan sat obediently in a chair, dazed.
The rabbit girl quickly spoke up:
"...It's not very polite, but I just don't think it's very reliable, especially hyacinths."
Xia Taotao showed no mercy to the hyacinth and stated her thoughts directly.
In fact, Su Tianqing also felt that the series of plans by the righteous magical girls were a bit risky.
After all, he already knew that there was a giant astral beast hidden beneath the port city, and he was also well aware of what kind of monsters Hyacinth would encounter during her investigation.
Three shadowy stars think they can detect the astral behemoth?
What a joke! If it were that simple, I would have already sent two waves of the Zodiac Witches to beat Jormungandr to a pulp!
That's why I vehemently refuted Inari in yesterday's memory reading.
"Then leave the responsibility of covering for us."
"Once Hyacinth and the others enter the barrier, that's when we'll begin our operation."
Su Tianqing said.
My plan is actually very simple:
The camera-equipped familiar provides location information while continuously monitoring Hyacinth and the others' condition and progress.
Once they confirm the location of the Astral Behemoth or a direct conflict occurs, they will use teleportation magic, modified by Inari's magical technology, to directly attack Jormungandr!
Next, let the Witch Squad hold back the miscellaneous monsters that Jormungandr might summon, and then let Cat Shatter enter Black Hole Cat Punch mode to give that big fat snake a Cat Ride in the face.
I punched it so hard its big tooth flew out!
"How's my plan going? Bunny, are you going to team up with Kitty?"
After explaining her impromptu plan, Su Tianqing looked at her companions with great anticipation.
The war-crazed catgirl was eager to try, while the sadistic rabbit grinned, wishing they could immediately go and have a showdown with the astral behemoth.
But Fei Yelan was the only one who seemed a little nervous.
"Um... can I ask a question?" The gray wolf girl hesitantly raised her hand.
"Sure, ask away, doggy."
Although she really wanted to immediately retort, "I am a wolf!", Fei Yelan still followed Su Tianqing's words and voiced her question.
"I remember you told us about Inari-senpai's memories, Fox. You said, 'I am the key to fighting Jormungandr.' What does that mean?"
"This..." Su Tianqing paused for a moment.
The dog's question came at just the right time; I, the fox, had almost overlooked this crucial point.
Greedy Wolf Star.
This star, which has accumulated immense magical power over millions of years, is a secret weapon in Inari's plan to deal with Jormungandr.
But how can she establish a connection between the dog and the planet Greedy Wolf? Can she withstand such immense magical power?
...Su Tianqing immediately thought of the last Inari prop she had collected.
Inari's Eyeglasses Case
This is something that was kept in a safe with that confidential document from the Ministry of Infrastructure, and it contains the only memory I haven't read yet.
This is also the last clue left by Inari.
"Then let me see what memories are inside this thing. Maybe Ms. Inari will provide some meaningful information."
Without hesitation, Su Tianqing immediately unleashed the memory magic within her glasses case.
……
A brief bout of dizziness, as always
Then, a dark underground tunnel came into view.
The tunnel walls were supported by sturdy wooden piles to prevent collapse, but there were already signs of water seepage and decay at the end of the tunnel, making it look like a long-abandoned mine tunnel.
However, the signs of decay that had appeared over time did not affect the movements of the red fox girl.
She stood before the broken rock wall at the end of the tunnel, her wand waving lightly as if outlining some intricate magical barrier.
If everything goes according to plan, Hyacinth and the others should find this barrier from my location.
Inari spoke softly, as if talking to Su Tianqing, or perhaps to herself.
[This is the passageway to Jormungandr's location. I've placed multiple layers of protection here to ensure it won't be detected by Jormungandr or triggered by any unrelated individuals.]
"You really did foresee Hyacinth and the others' actions," Su Tianqing exclaimed.
Yes, but that's the limit of my visual perception.
Inari replied.
She gradually stopped drawing the barrier with her arms outstretched, wiped the fine sweat from her forehead, and let out a long breath.
[Phew! ...That completes everything.]
【This is the last memory I leave you, Miss Heart Moon Fox】
"I know why you came to find me." Fei Yelan was currently filled with confusion. The Greedy Wolf Star did not pay attention to her; that star remained as arrogant as ever.
After our last discussion, I've carefully considered your opinion, Miss Xinyuehu.
"My opinion?" Su Tianqing tilted her head.
"You mean, you also feel that three Star Shadows aren't enough?"
【yes】
Inari nodded.
That behemoth has slumbered beneath the port city for countless years. My barrier only prevented it from gathering the last bit of magic power. Its power is far beyond what an ordinary magical girl can contend with.
Even the Star Shadows, which draw magic directly from the starry sky, would find it difficult to contend with it on a small scale.
In other words, only by utilizing the immense magical power of the Star of Greed can Jormungandr's power be weakened to the greatest extent possible, bringing it to a level where it can be defeated by the Shadow of Stars!
At this point, Inari glanced back at the rock wall behind her, then turned to face Su Tianqing.
I'm sorry, this is the last piece of information I can give you, Miss Heart Moon Fox.
The laws of time limit my vision of the future; I cannot see certain key moments, as if shrouded in a thick veil of mist that I cannot dispel no matter what I do.
Therefore, I plan to use some more radical methods.
"...What method?"
[I designed a theoretically feasible variant within the Harvest Magic barrier.]
[If you can transform the barrier into the variant form I gave you in the future, and then use the immense magic of your Starry Shadow to power it, I can accomplish a feat that transcends the limits of magic.]
After a brief pause, Inari murmured softly:
I will travel through this barrier to the future where you are.
"...Is it really possible? How should I do it?"
silence.
Inari shook her head with a wry smile.
I cannot tell you here, Miss Heart Moon Fox.
The laws of time bind me, and naturally, they also bind you.
I cannot obtain any information from you that attempts to transcend the laws, just as you cannot hear the message I am about to convey.
We need a messenger, a messenger who can connect the two of us.
【——Zi Xuan】
Upon hearing this name, Su Tianqing shuddered.
Nangong Zixuan, the true form of the magical girl Ziyingshi, and Inari's adopted younger sister.
She loves her younger sister very much. According to Zixuan, she even sends her a living allowance every month.
[By letting Zixuan serve as the link between us, I can transcend the laws of time and deliver this final message, which is bound by those laws, to you.]
"...Let's transcend the constraints of time together, Miss Heart Moon Fox!"