-131- Doll, Doll, Doll

————"Kongouriki."

This is the name of the magical circuit that Yaya possesses.

In the past, Rozen only knew that this magical circuit could enhance the user's physical abilities, allowing even a delicate girl like Yaya to possess incredibly formidable strength.

However, now that he was infusing Yaya with magical energy and had a better grasp of the nature of her magical circuit, Rozen realized that his previous understanding was too simplistic.

Yaya's "Kongouriki" wasn't merely about boosting her physical abilities.

It was a magic that could materialize molecules, atoms, and even particles within her self-domain to an extremely high degree and then harden them.

Using this magic, Yaya could greatly increase her body's hardness by thousands of times, resulting in an explosive surge in strength, defense, and speed. She became nearly invincible.

This was the true effect of "Kongouriki."

That's why even when Yaya was attacked by Rozen, her clothes remained intact.

This was evidence of the versatile application of "Kongouriki."

In other words, Yaya's "Kongouriki" could not only affect herself but also extend to her surroundings.

For instance, her clothing, shoes, gloves, and even the puppeteer manipulating her could benefit from the effects of this magic.

The only limitation was that "Kongouriki" could only affect one target at a time.

If used on the puppeteer, the puppet would lose the power of this magic.

If used on the puppet, the puppeteer wouldn't benefit from this magic's effects.

Despite this, Yaya's "Kongouriki" was still worthy of being called the world's most formidable magical circuit for hardness.

Faced with such magic...

"Let's see how you defend against this!"

After comprehending Yaya's magical circuit properties, Rozen immediately adjusted the way he infused magical energy. He made it easier for Yaya to absorb the magical energy, ensuring the smoother and more fluid operation of her magical circuit.

This was a trait that only a top-tier puppeteer possessed—the ability to quickly grasp the performance of their puppet and bring out its full potential with superior technique.

Thanks to this, Yaya's speed once again surged, and like a phantom, she darted forward. She aimed a powerful punch at Hotaru, who was still trying to get up.

At that moment...

"Kamakiri!"

Akabane Tenzen signaled to Kamakiri by his side.

The next second, Kamakiri vanished from Akabane Tenzen's side.

When she reappeared, she was already in front of Hotaru.

No, not in front.

More accurately, it should be said that she appeared above Yaya's head.

To everyone's surprise, Kamakiri's hand was holding a large scythe that was entirely red. It was unclear when she had obtained this weapon through spatial manipulation magic from somewhere else.

Kamakiri raised the scythe high above her head and swung it down with a forceful blow aimed at Yaya's head.

The sharp scythe cleaved through the air and struck Yaya's head with a heavy impact.

"Clang!"

The crisp sound of impact rang out.

Sparks flew from the collision on Yaya's head.

Kamakiri's strike landed on Yaya's head, but it didn't even cut her scalp.

To be expected, and yet still astonishing.

"Since Kamakiri's magical circuit is based on spatial manipulation, it proves she doesn't use other magic."

Without the use of magic, even with a weapon, how could she cut through the hardening caused by the world's hardest magical circuit solely using her own arm strength?

"Since her magical circuit lacks offensive capabilities, she should just hide behind and avoid the front lines."

Rozen's magical energy surged.

In this moment, Rozen infused his magical energy into Yaya's body, completely taking control of her body by following the flow of her magical circuit. This was a technique commonly used by puppeteers—"Enforced Domination."

As the name implied, it was a technique to forcefully control the puppet they manipulated.

Using the technique of "Enforced Domination," Rozen thoroughly commanded Yaya's body.

With a swift movement, Yaya executed a mid-air somersault. Her slender thighs, carrying tremendous force, whipped down fiercely onto Kamakiri's body.

"Thud!"

Amidst the explosive sound, Kamakiri's body was kicked into a "<" shape by the impact of Yaya's formidable strength. She crashed heavily onto the ground.

This blow was enough to render Kamakiri unable to stand.

Seizing this opportunity, Hotaru surged up from the ground. With a movement too fast to be tracked, she released a palm strike that was as fast as lightning at Yaya's upturned back.

Facing this attack, Rozen didn't dare to be negligent.

Based on the strength displayed by the automaton called Hotaru earlier, her magical circuit should be capable of providing her with the same kind of power as Yaya's "————"Kongouriki."

Based on the strength displayed by the automaton called Hotaru earlier, her magical circuit should be capable of providing her with the same kind of power as Yaya's "Kongouriki," granting her incredible physical abilities.

Coupled with the heatwaves that rolled off her with every movement, Rozen suspected that this automaton's magical circuit was not that straightforward.

So...

"I absolutely can't let her land a hit."

It seemed that Rozen's thoughts were conveyed to Yaya through the flow of magical energy, and she understood them.

Immediately, Yaya regained control of her body, executing multiple flips in mid-air. She spun like a top, relying on centrifugal force to press one hand onto the arm that Hotaru used for her palm strike. Then, with a burst of strength, Yaya leaped high into the air.

"Chase her!"

Akabane Tenzen issued a cold order.

Hotaru promptly propelled herself off the ground, propelled by the enveloping heatwaves, and charged towards Yaya, who was soaring upwards.

"Counterattack!"

Rozen infused new magical energy into Yaya's body.

Yaya adjusted her posture and faced Hotaru's incoming attack.

"Thud!"

The collision of the punch and the palm strike sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

"Boom...!"

Yaya and Hotaru engaged in a fierce battle mid-air, causing shockwaves to erupt as they clashed, creating an exceptionally breathtaking scene.

However, this intense battle didn't last long.

From the moment Yaya effortlessly knocked Hotaru away, it was clear that Yaya's performance outclassed Hotaru's.

Now, supported by abundant magical energy, Yaya was displaying close combat abilities that Hotaru couldn't match, beginning to overpower her.

Despite this, Hotaru didn't retreat. Like a persistent insect, she ignored her own injuries and continued to engage Yaya.

Seeing this, Rozen's immediate thought was as follows.

"Not good!"

And indeed, it wasn't good.

Since Akabane Tenzen allowed Hotaru to entangle Yaya, it wasn't difficult to guess what course of action they would take next.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, Kamakiri, covered in numerous injuries, utilized spatial manipulation magic and appeared behind Rozen. She raised a scythe high above her head, aiming it at Rozen.

"Stop!"

In mid-air, Yaya clearly witnessed this scene. Feeling a sense of urgency, she swung a heavy fist, sending Hotaru flying. Then, she darted towards Rozen's direction.

In response, Akabane Tenzen uttered a single name.

"Kagerou."

As soon as the words fell, a young girl appeared in front of Yaya.

The veil on her face bore the character "Dragonfly".

This puppet named Kagerou extended her hand toward Yaya's direction.

Magical energy rippled out like waves, expanding from her hands.