After teleporting, Origami Tobiichi reappeared at the mining site.
She expressionlessly observed Mio Takamiya's figure gradually materializing within the pillar of light. Though she appeared calm and indifferent, inwardly, she felt a slight tinge of nervousness.
Although she didn't believe the system would sabotage her over something trivial, facing the genuine Mother of Spirits still made her uneasy, even if she had prior knowledge that Mio held no hostility toward her. Nerves were nerves, after all.
As the light faded away, Mio Takamiya finally opened her eyes.
The pair of sky-blue eyes reflected each other's image, and for a moment, neither of them spoke first.
After a while, Mio raised her jade-like hand.
In the next instant, a colossal tree surged from the ground. It seemed to exist physically, yet also felt illusory.
At the center of the giant tree, the figure of a girl was etched. The roots rapidly extended in all directions, and the branches stretched out freely, as if spreading its power outward.
As the tree expanded, a barrier gradually emerged.
This barrier split the world into two. Outside the tree's range remained a doomsday-like scene, while within its bounds, the world reverted to its primordial state—pure black and white, sharply contrasting.
This was the Ain Soph.
One of the three Archangels possessed by Mio Takamiya—the Angel of Law.
Unlike the fictional Light Angel, Mech Angel, and War Angel that Origami had fabricated, Ain Soph was a true weapon possessed by the Mother of Spirits, a bug-level angel capable of altering the very fabric of reality.
Using the giant tree symbolizing the essence of Ain Soph as its core, the real world was rewritten into a neighboring dimension. Everything covered by Ain Soph would transform into a monochrome world—black and white—indicating its sphere of influence.
Within this domain, Mio could alter any rule.
In Ain Soph, she was the sole god.
Even the Origami who had undergone multiple enhancements was like an ant before her.
"This place prohibits surveillance."
Mio crimson lips parted. Her ethereal yet gentle and mature voice echoed.
As the rules of this space shifted, Origami could feel the numerous observing gazes being cut off, and the unnerving sensation on her back instantly disappeared without a trace.
"What is this place?"
After blocking those uninvited eyes, Mio turned her gaze back to Origami, her expression tinged with scrutiny. "I was clearly still observing Shido. Why did I suddenly end up here?"
Origami heart skipped a beat at her words.
That statement... Why did it sound like this Mio Takamiya was the actual original from the Date A Live universe?
Even with Origami composure, her palms started sweating.
Within Ain Soph, she couldn't escape even if she wanted to.
Even if she somehow got away, Mio could easily catch her.
But if she had to explain the situation—how would she even begin?
And if Mio found out she wasn't the real Origami Tobiichi, but merely someone playing her role, what would she do then?
At this moment, Origami had already cursed the system from head to toe in her heart.
Wasn't this just adding fuel to the fire?
If she couldn't calm Mio down, the only choice would be to use the Yatogami Tohka experience card.
Just as Origami thoughts were racing, Mio suddenly flashed a mischievous smile.
"Haha, look how panicked you are right now."
Mio burst into hearty laughter, completely losing her holy and pure demeanor. "You're probably thinking right now—'if I can't stabilize her, I'll have to use the Yatogami Tohka experience card to fight her,' right?"
Origami was momentarily stunned.
Wait a minute, the original story never said Mio had mind-reading abilities.
She immediately sensed something was off.
If Mio didn't have telepathy, then how did she know what she was thinking?
"Well, that's because I am you," Mio said, spreading her hands. "If the system in the last world could split our personalities in two, then copying our personality into another body in this world isn't a big deal either, right?"
"You've got issues. Was scaring me like that really necessary?"
Origami was completely thrown out of her role-playing mode, staring at her with a deadpan expression.
This bastard troll, knowing full well how nervous she was, still had the nerve to spook her.
Could someone this wicked truly be her other self?
Origami considered the idea for a moment.
Actually… it did make some sense…
She rolled her eyes and let the matter go.
"Back to the topic at hand."
Origami cleared her throat and asked seriously, "How strong are you, roughly speaking?"
"At the very least, stronger than an average Flügel," Mio replied casually. "Though I've never fought one, the Flügels have managed to kill gods before. I can say for sure—even if all the Flügels came at once, I could take them all down."
"And what about the God of War?" Origami asked next. "To end the War of the Gods, we have to kill Artosh—that's the biggest hurdle. Are you confident?"
The divine essence of the War God Artosh was constructed from the supreme concept of War. He was the ultimate embodiment of that concept.
Just like how the God of Games was invincible in games, the God of Smithing was unparalleled in forging, and the God of the Forest was unmatched in nature affinity—
Artosh, as the incarnation of War, was supreme in combat.
He was the strongest, because he was the concept of strength.
Artosh would always be the ultimate ceiling of combat power in this world.
If a force stronger than him appeared, his power would immediately scale up until it surpassed that force.
That's also why he longed for a worthy opponent.
Invincibility... was a lonely existence.
Upon hearing Origami concerns, Mio merely smiled.
"Bound by this world's rules, the War God is the strongest. I can never beat him," Mio said plainly. "So, I'll just change the rules of the world."
As she spoke, she pointed to the Ain Soph behind her. "Within this domain, I define the rules. That's why I am invincible."
Origami fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"Then when the time comes to fight Artosh, I'll leave everything to you," Origami said. "But before that, let's conquer the Dwarf and Forest Elves first and try to complete Side Quest Three as perfectly as possible."
"Unfortunately… I'm afraid that won't be possible."
Mio activated her power, and the massive tree behind her slowly vanished. The black-and-white domain collapsed.
Then, Origami looked up—and saw floating islands in the sky, along with Flügels flapping their wings above them.
"Looks like the War God's getting a little impatient."
Mio expression shifted, her holy aura returning.
"I'll handle things here. You go do what you need to do."