-772- The downward spiral

"Hmm!"

Under the fluctuation of space, several figures simultaneously appeared from the flickering space, arriving at the front square.

The identities of these figures didn't need recognition; their names could be called out at once.

"It seems we arrived late."

The headmaster looked at the scattered automatons and the ascending Daedalus around, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"Is it resolved?"

Magnus stared at Rozen, his expression somewhat silent.

Behind Magnus, his automatons were all gathered.

However, under Eva's song still resonating throughout the entire Machinart city of Liverpool, these girls, one by one, didn't look too good.

Nevertheless, these girls were all Banned Dolls, and with Magnus's magical support, they weren't at risk of losing control.

This group of people appeared in the front square.

"He... Headmaster..."

Io finally reacted, looking at the headmaster with a look of hesitation.

The headmaster also looked at Io, his eyes filled with regret.

"It's a pity, Professor Iliade," the headmaster said with a somewhat regretful tone. "I had great expectations for your talent and research. I didn't expect it to turn out like this."

The headmaster's words made everyone feel a sense of unease.

"Headmaster..."

Io seemed like she wanted to say something more, but the headmaster interrupted her.

"Anyway, let's return to the academy." The headmaster spoke with an unquestionable tone. "The entire Machinart city of Liverpool has fallen into turmoil due to the automatons losing control. Only the academy, with its timely deployment of barriers to block the incoming magic attacks, has protected everyone. Since we can't use magic here and continuing to stay is dangerous, let's head back."

Even if Rozen had defeated a large number, there were still countless automatons in the entire Machinart city of Liverpool. If they all gathered here, it would be troublesome. Moreover, Daedalus was equipped with artillery; once it fired down, even powerful magus would be helpless without the ability to use magic.

Therefore, the headmaster had no intention to negotiate or seek others' opinions; he made a decision directly.

"Magnus, I'll trouble you."

The headmaster spoke to Magnus beside him.

"Kamakiri."

Magnus also calmly spoke, prompting Kamakiri, who held a sickle in the team, to step forward.

A magical fluctuation occurred around Kamakiri, seemingly preparing to cast magic and initiate spatial transfer once again.

"Wai... wait...!"

Io just wanted to tell Magnus that magic couldn't be used within "Multi-Controller," but Magnus had already acted.

"Boom!"

With an explosive surge of blood aura from Magnus's back, his hands simultaneously landed on Kamakiri's back, extending ten burning magical threads that connected to Kamakiri.

"Boom!"

Kamakiri's body suddenly erupted with astonishing magic.

This magic surprisingly smoothly activated Kamakiri's spell.

"How is this possible...!?"

Io was immediately astonished.

In that instant, everyone disappeared from their original positions, leaving the entire front square devoid of any human presence, becoming silent.

Soon after, this silence was shattered as numerous automatons came from all directions.

However, without a target to attack, these automatons could only roam around the square, lingering without leaving for a long time.

...

Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart, main gate.

At the gate, numerous students and professors were moving around.

Some were drawing and writing on the walls, some were providing magical power, some were moving various magical tools and stones, placing them in various directions. Some were activating the formulas engraved on the walls, enveloping the entire academy in an invisible barrier.

The academy spread open this barrier, resisting the invisible storm-like attack of the song from the outside, preventing the power of "Multi-Controller" from penetrating.

However, the academy could only resist and couldn't mount an effective counterattack. Once outside the main gate, they feared being immediately affected by "Multi-Controller," unable to use magic and leaving automatons exposed to the song.

A group of guards stood in formation, even forming a circle, with Avril waiting among them.

"Buzz!"

Within the circle, space suddenly fluctuated, and figures appeared one after another.

"Headmaster!"

"Headmaster!"

Students, professors, and guards consecutively cheered up, making their voices heard.

Naturally, it was Rozen and his group who appeared from the fluctuating space.

"Thank you all for your hard work."

The headmaster consoled everyone around.

Magnus had already retracted the magical threads of "Crimson Wing Formation," and Kamakiri stepped back.

Of course, Io still looked quite surprised at Magnus's ability to use magic under the influence of "Multi-Controller."

Everyone returned to the academy together.

Upon their return, Yaya, Irori, and Komurasaki immediately felt their bodies becoming much lighter. Magic could be used as usual, and the three of them sighed in relief.

Only Rozen remained unchanged, staring at the headmaster.

Because from the headmaster's attitude, Rozen had guessed what would happen next.

"Now that everyone is safe, that's excellent."

The headmaster smiled kindly at everyone.

However, the aura emanating from him grew stronger, and with a wave of his hand, the guards either shouldered rifles or released monkey-sized automatons, forming a encirclement, similar to Edmund's army earlier.

"Hea... headmaster...?"

Io seemed to sense something, her voice trembling.

"I'm sorry, Professor Iliad."

The headmaster spoke expressionlessly.

"Please allow us to arrest you."

This was the current situation.

"Ar... arrest...?"

Io repeated dumbfoundedly.

"Arrest...!?"

Yaya, Irori, and Komurasaki were all astonished.

But this was an undeniable fact.

"Just an hour ago, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince issued a notice to the royal family, claiming that he would control the entire Machinart City, taking everyone in the city as hostages. He demanded the current king to abdicate and declared himself a rebel."

The headmaster's voice echoed throughout the area.

"And according to the academy's investigation, you had private contact with the rebel Crown Prince Edmund and provided him with your research results. This led to the crisis in Machinart City, and now you are suspected of being an accomplice to the rebel. We are carrying out your formal arrest."

Having said that, the headmaster gave a direct order.

"Security unit, apprehend Ionela Iliad."

The headmaster's command immediately prompted the guards to respond.

"Yes!"

As a result, one by one, the guards stepped forward.