Living with a magical girl, but a weirdo cadre

　"The estimated contact time is 30 seconds."

　The doctor's voice during the communication procedure sounded very flat—

　"Twenty seconds..."

　"Ten seconds..."

　"Five seconds..."

　"Four...three...two..."

　"coming."

　As soon as the doctor announced his arrival, the dark crack burst open like a hornet's nest that had been disturbed, with countless black snake scales gushing out in a rush.

　"Everyone, prepare for battle!!!"

　Xian Kui's voice resounded throughout the wilderness via the radio, her voice filled with determination and resolve... just as she had always done.

　"For the sake of our Li people!"

　The battle begins.

　……

　"Boom boom boom!!!"

　"Whoa, whoa, whoa!!!"

　Black snake scales poured out of the cracks like a torrential rain, turning the entire sky black.

　Subsequently, it was subjected to a barrage of numerous spells.

　The mechs quickly formed a defensive line, while the magical girls condensed brilliant rays of light that intertwined to create a giant net of light.

　The two forces blocked the snake scales' attack from the defensive line, causing the snake scales that charged forward to make a deafening roar.

　Amidst the swirling dust and mud, the verdant wheat fields of this "spring" were instantly torn apart. Both the wheat and the fields were reduced to dust in the shockwave, and the air was almost instantly filled with the smell of burnt and gunpowder.

　"All personnel, full firepower!"

　"Fire! Fire!"

　"Don't underestimate the bonds you have with the Li people!"

　"..." Amidst the shouts of commanders from various countries, this "great war," which was bound to last a long time, began.

　Perhaps it's because of the significant reinforcements made to everyone during this period, and the excellent pre-battle preparations.

　It's also possible that the "crack" isn't too big for now. So, the Li people are currently in complete control.

　It even has a hint of "blocking the birth point".

　……

　Cong Yu: "..."

　Throughout the entire process, the giant snake never appeared in Lixiang; it seemed that the other party... had never shown any interest.

　This is hard to call bad news, but...

　Will everything go so smoothly?

　Chapter 1154 Another Past

　The moonlight, like a silver sickle, leaned against the confessional, while the ink bottle on the table held the rust-red ore mined from the hills behind the monastery.

　The young "Cong Yu" stroked the parchment with his fingers, the boy holding the quill pen lightly, his fingers stained with some scarlet ink.

　Sitting in her room, Cong Yu was carefully choosing her words as she wrote a birthday greeting to the old priest who had been transferred.

　[To my mentor and friend, Raoul Midgard:]

　"It's been a long time. I am Gwyn Navia, the monk who once followed you. I learned of this by chance..."

　Wearing monk's robes, Cong Yu sat quietly in her room on the windowsill bathed in moonlight, writing a letter to her first friend.

　The old priest was his guide and friend in this world.

　It was precisely because of this that a small corner of his loneliness disappeared, but that was clearly enough.

　This world teeters on the edge of a precipice; even taking just one step back is incredibly precious.

　I... am okay...

　Why...am I lonely...?

　Ignoring the whispers in her ear, Cong Yu once again dipped her brush in ink and finished the letter under the moonlight.

　Amidst the noise around her, Cong Yu walked out of the room alone, completely unaware of the cries for help coming from the prayer room.

　After placing the letter on Sister Monica's desk, who was in charge of mailing, Cong Yu returned to her room to check on things and go to sleep.

　That night, Cong Yu had a dream.

　He couldn't tell if it was a good dream or a bad dream; he couldn't remember. The only thing he could recall was the shadow that bound him like a spider web.

　The sound of breathing collided back and forth between the stone walls, eventually shattering into tiny ice shards and disappearing, transforming into lightning, wine, and furry things.

　It also formed something golden, blue flames and green fairies... but all of this shattered in the dream.

　Those things are incompatible with darkness.

　Finally, what woke Cong Yu was the first bell ringing for morning prayers... He had always been an outstanding child, and that was precisely why he was so likable.

　Upon waking, the noise, commotion, and clamor around him made him feel as if this day was different from the past.

　Everyone seems to be very diligent today.

　Cong Yu thought this through, and then...

　He then heard that the new priest had died, and a junior monk with whom he had a reasonably good relationship had disappeared.

　The knights have arrived to investigate and have determined that the young monk killed the priest... The knights, however, are evasive and refuse to reveal the cause, details, or motive.

　"..." Cong Yu didn't care about that. He simply sat in his seat as always and listened to the hymns.

　And so, Cong Yu taught

　Tang lived there for a while longer...

　Until the melodious sound of horns led the angels to arrive.

　The karmic fire and divine light of the heavens began to descend to punish the sins of the world.

　The world is on the verge of destruction.

　At this moment, in response to the world's cry for help, "Cong Yu's" choice will naturally be...

　-

　"..."

　"Well……"

　Cong Yu frowned slightly, a hint of pain in her eyes, as she snapped out of her daze amidst the countless inexplicably flashing images.

　Their attention was refocused on the battlefield...

　The current battle situation is very favorable for Lixiang, except that the giant snake has not yet shown itself.

　Cong Yu stood at the edge of the battlefield, idling as a "safety net" facing the giant serpent (not really), his gaze piercing through the pervasive magic as he looked into the distance.

　The booming sound of the spell echoed, and shouts and metallic sounds intertwined, like a chaotic yet stirring battle song.

　However, his mind was not on that.

　Some things, some images and scenes, still flicker in Cong Yu's mind, as if they are synchronized with something.

　It's worth mentioning that Cong Yu is not someone who hasn't read the novel or watched similar anime.

　At this moment, he was able to make a guess about it...

　"That's probably... another 'thread' of mine."

　Cong Yu said this, while [Source Darkness Apophis] curiously popped out: [Huh? What were you thinking just now?]

　[Source Darkness Apophis], who can synchronize with Cong Yu's inner thoughts, didn't sense anything just now.

　There was only endless darkness.

　In response to Yuan An Apophis's question, Cong Yu shifted her gaze away from the hourglass beside her, which was rapidly absorbing snake scales.

　Cong Yu, who was looking at Yuan An Apophis, paused for a moment, then answered after organizing her thoughts: "Just now, I may have seen another version of myself experiencing something... How should I put it? It was very similar to me."

　[Source Darkness Apophis: Oh...oh?]

　[Source Darkness Apophis: How could the other you be so evil? How could the current you be so good?]

　Although I was told "okay," but...

　Cong Yu felt a little strange being told that by [Source Darkness Apophis], and he pursed his lips speechlessly.

　Do you know about the butterfly effect?

　Cong Yu asked this question, while [Yuan An Apophis] tilted its head, its serpentine body gently twisting in the air.

　[Source Darkness Apophis: I understand now. I just synchronized your knowledge level... Wait, I don't understand.]

　Cong Yu chuckled helplessly and shook his head: "It means... a butterfly flapping its wings on the other side of the world might cause a tornado in another place."

　This explanation was somewhat abstract, but fortunately the other party understood it.

　[Source Darkness Apophis: So, the other you and the current you went down completely different paths just because of some small difference? Is that so?]

　That's right, that's it.

　[Source Darkness Apophis: Oh! Whose fault is that?!]

　"..." Cong Yu responded to the little snake, who seemed eager to start a "blame-sharing session," with silence and a focused gaze.

　[Source Darkness Apophis: ...]

　Oblivious, Yuan An Apophis fell silent. Realizing something, she spoke, "I was wrong. I have repented now."

　"Repent (heartless)."

　After saying this, Cong Yu rolled her eyes at [Source Darkness Apophis], nodded, and turned her gaze back to the distance.

　"To put it simply... another you was just babbling in my ear, which made me miss the Saint King's cry for help."

　"The Saint King, who did not flee with me, was driven to despair during the pursuit and activated her annihilation spell."

　As he said this, Cong Yu shook his head and sighed, "In the end, my other self activated you before the world was destroyed."

　To prevent the world from dying, another version of Congyu decides to destroy it prematurely and reshape it into a possibility he is familiar with.

　And this is very little different from who I am now.

　[Source Darkness Apophis: ...]

　After a moment of silence, [Source Darkness Apophis] slowly spoke again: [Loneliness is not for you, Cong Yu.]

　"..." Cong Yu did not answer immediately. The flickering images in his mind were whispers in the dark, shattered dreams, and endless loneliness.

　He had faced all of these things.

　Unfortunately, the other version of him seems to be drawn by some force, heading down a path filled with loneliness and destruction.

　"Unfortunately, it's more suitable for another version of me."

　After a long period of thought, Cong Yu finally said in a low voice, adding, "It should also suit another version of you."

　[Source Darkness Apophis] was not satisfied with this answer. It sighed and shook its head as it looked at the battlefield in front of it.

　[Source Darkness Apophis: Can we win?]

　"We will win, absolutely!"

　Chapter 1155 The Giant Serpent (Part 1)

　Fight until the flames are burned out, fight until there are no regrets.

　At this very moment, the battle in Li Township is quite...

　Not tragic.

　Yes, it wasn't (tragic).