"Cough—cough!"
Vigne stood up abruptly, her face completely red.
She glared at Izumi for a moment before bolting toward the door.
"Izumi-kun, you idiot!!"
"W-Waaah… I'll never be able to get married now!"
With that emotional declaration, Vignette Tsukinose April stormed out of Izumi's office in a huff.
Watching her retreating figure, Izumi couldn't help but chuckle.
She was cooperating just fine a moment ago…
And now she's running away crying.
He leaned back in his chair.
"Talking like she didn't want it, but her body was pretty honest."
"What a troublesome girl."
Thinking about it made him laugh even more.
Still, he didn't worry too much about it.
He could always calm her down later.
Over the next few days, Vigne didn't show up at Izumi's office at all.
Most of the work was instead handled by Yukinoshita Yukino and the others.
Just when everyone had started to believe that things might remain peaceful for a while—
The office door burst open.
"Izumi-kun, this is bad!!"
Vigne rushed inside, clearly flustered.
"The enemy on the other side is gathering their forces!"
"They're preparing to launch an attack!"
Izumi frowned slightly when he heard the report.
"Notify everyone."
He stood up immediately.
"Full combat readiness."
"There's no time to waste."
If the enemy was already mobilizing, waiting for them to arrive before issuing orders would be foolish.
Vigne nodded seriously.
"Understood! I'll arrange it immediately!"
Without another word, she hurried back out.
There was no time to argue about what had happened earlier.
War was coming.
Personal matters could wait.
...
Moments later—
The entire camp was filled with the blaring sound of alarms.
Soon after, Aiba Asagi's voice echoed through the base.
"All personnel assemble immediately."
"Entering Level One Combat Status!"
The moment her announcement ended, everyone in the camp began rushing toward the central plaza.
Those stationed elsewhere also returned as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, the reconnaissance teams under Katō Megumi scattered in all directions to gather information.
The entire base moved like a massive machine suddenly shifting into high gear.
Combat personnel assembled one after another.
Among them were many small girls—Izumi's so-called "loli squad."
Some of them even had crumbs or sauce on their faces.
It was obvious they had been happily eating moments earlier before the sudden alarm forced them to run out.
But the other students were already used to this sight.
Those girls might look unreliable—
But everyone knew the truth.
They were some of the strongest fighters defending this corridor.
...
Once the combat forces had assembled, Rias Gremory led them toward the defensive walls at the edge of the camp.
A moment later—
Izumi appeared beside them through spatial teleportation.
From the top of the wall, he looked across the plain.
On the opposite side, inside the EXE World's camp—
Countless mechanical soldiers and mechanical dragons had gathered.
The moment Izumi sensed the battlefield—
His expression changed slightly.
He felt a familiar presence.
His brows furrowed.
"…This aura…"
He had definitely sensed it before.
Memories surfaced in his mind, along with the reports Asagi had compiled.
Soon, the answer came to him.
"Lugatium."
There was no mistake.
He would never forget that presence.
After all—
That was the enemy who had nearly killed him once before.
If he hadn't possessed the temporary power of Great Red back then…
He might have already died as cannon fodder.
While Izumi was still thinking about it—
The enemy suddenly began their assault.
Several Transcendent-class mechanical dragons shot forward across the sky.
Seeing this, Izumi immediately issued an order.
"Avrora! Those dragons are yours this time!"
Then he shouted another command.
"All personnel prepare for battle!"
"Anyone below S-Rank, retreat immediately!"
The order caused everyone's expression to change.
Anyone below S-Rank had to withdraw?
That meant only one thing.
The coming battle was far beyond their level.
Without hesitation, those weaker fighters quickly began retreating, taking whatever equipment they could and creating distance from the front lines.
Those remaining beside Izumi were all S-Rank or higher.
Several Heroic Spirits also stood ready along the walls.
...
The moment Avrora heard Izumi's order, she stepped forward eagerly.
"So it's finally my turn."
She raised her hand toward the sky.
"Roar, Lion of Gold!"
With her command, the legendary beast descended from the heavens.
The Golden Lion lunged forward and collided directly with the incoming mechanical dragons.
The battle began instantly.
At the same time, the others launched their attacks.
Not far from Izumi, Scáthach looked down at the approaching mechanical army.
A fierce smile appeared on her face.
"Well then… shall we begin?"
With that, she jumped from the wall and charged straight into the enemy ranks.
Right behind her—
Artoria Pendragon (Lancer) raised her spear and shouted.
"Knights of the Round Table—charge!"
Her companions answered with a unified roar.
Then they leapt from the wall and rushed toward the mechanical army.
Other Heroic Spirits followed suit.
These were all warriors Izumi had summoned to assist in battle.
Now that there was a fight to be had, none of them wanted to be left behind.
Heroic Spirits had pride.
They would not lose to anyone.
Meanwhile, the archers began firing from the walls.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
A rain of arrows filled the sky, flying toward the enemy camp.
Moments later—
Explosions erupted across the battlefield like fireworks.
The clash between Heroic Spirits and the EXE army had officially begun.
...
Izumi himself didn't move.
Instead, he kept his eyes locked on the enemy camp.
The newly constructed Lugatium still hadn't appeared.
Just then—
A small figure quietly appeared beside him.
It was Ophis.
Izumi gently rubbed her head.
"Why did you come here?"
Normally she stayed in the rear with Asia Argento.
Seeing her here surprised him a little.
Ophis looked toward the enemy camp with her usual expressionless face.
"There is great danger over there."
Her voice was calm.
"But I can feel it clearly."
"There is something very powerful."
"Perhaps… as strong as me."
That was why she had come.
And also to see if Izumi needed help.
Hearing that, Izumi simply smiled.
"I know."
"But I'm not afraid."
He looked toward the distant camp.
"Because I already killed it once before."
"I'm just curious whether it remembers me."
His expression turned slightly strange.
If nothing unexpected had happened—
This Lugatium probably didn't have its original memories.
Otherwise—
The one appearing here today wouldn't be Lugatium.
It would be—
Regalzeva himself.