Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

The situation in the contest gradually became clear. After the retreat of two Songstresses, the remaining four Songstresses roughly divided into two factions, namely Ores-Prin and Audrey-Tilan.

After eliminating interference from others, the two factions began to engage with each other.

Central Region, Garnetstone Hill.

Within the mountains here lies a special mineral, which, when broken open, reveals many dark gold reflective specks, resembling pomegranate seeds.

Giant eagles with snow-white wings swooped down from the sky, continuously approaching the anti-aircraft machine gun turrets on the ground. In mid-flight, bullets occasionally breached the surface of the eagles, but most were deflected by their tough feathers, with only a few piercing through, drawing some blood.

As they neared, the members on the backs of the eagles leaped down, rapidly approaching the firing machine gun turrets. Soon after, flashes of silver blade light flickered, rendering the turrets inoperative within mere seconds.

After halting this anti-aircraft fire, three transport aircraft descended from high altitude, deploying biomechanical mantis-like Autonomous Units. These units, with slender bodies, three pairs of legs, sharp downward-curved dual blades, highly flexible all-around compound eyes, silver-colored bodies, exceptionally lightweight, needle-like limb tips adapted to various terrains, and equipped for attack, were released.

With ease, these biomechanical mantis-like Autonomous Units sliced openings atop the stronghold with sharp silver blades, then leapt inside, soon followed by the sounds of fierce gunfire and explosions from within the stronghold.

Inside.

The continuous clatter of deflecting bullets reverberated as these 'mantises' advanced rapidly against the defensive fire, effortlessly slicing through all encountered automatic defense turrets and Guardian Robots into fragments.

Faced with this situation, the members defending the stronghold hastily sealed all doorways to prevent the advance of these 'mantises', attempting to buy time.

"Emergency help needed, northern R3 area, stronghold 5 under attack, on the verge of being overrun, requesting assistance—"

In the bottom command hall, members of the Audrey Constellation anxiously watched as the area on the screen quickly turned red.

"Headquarters received, supporting units have been dispatched, please hold out for five minutes."

...

"It was bound to happen sooner or later."

In the central area of the main base, Audrey looked at the front-line footage on the big screen, feeling contemplative.

"I originally thought Prin would act first, but I didn't expect Ores to start first."

...

Stronghold 5, lower levels, intense street battles unfolded here.

The silver, streamlined mantis sped forward, its thrusters emitting white-hot exhaust trails, enabling it to leap and bounce using its six limbs within the space, constantly dodging fire from all directions.

"Swoosh—"

The sharp blade flashed and vanished, cleaving a crossbeam blocking the path, as a combat member using it for cover abandoned their firearm, drawing a Light Saber to engage head-on.

The pale pink and white Light Saber clashed against the mantis' downward-pressing sharp blade, with particle sparks flying at the contact point, wisps of blue smoke rising. Then the two-meter-tall mantis leapt back a few meters, temporarily evading its standoff with the Light Saber.

"It seems the Light Saber still poses a threat to them," murmured a member dressed in a white uniform. He was accompanied by three comrades, all belonging to the Audrey constellation members.

"Bullets struggle to hit these fast-moving entities, plus their bodies are made of a peculiar alloy. Without concentrated firepower on a single point, it's tough to deal significant damage with just a few bullets."

"Which company manufactures these? Honestly, it's my first time seeing such Autonomous Weapons, like exquisite yet cold killing machines."

"Did you see the snowflake-like octagonal blade emblem on their abdomens? That means they're products of the giant corporation 'Reaper.'

This company never advertises, but those in the industry know they've always been masters in the field of slaughter. Even official bodies have commissioned them multiple times to produce military Autonomous Units."

"This contest has numerous military-industrial sponsors. Certain conversion tables, which necessitate occupying specific strongholds, suggest that Ores secured a stronghold representing the 'Reaper' corporation."

While the few members quickly exchanged this information, the opposite silver mantis made its move again. All its thrusters activated, and the side armor of its body lifted layer by layer like scales. Even from more than ten meters away, they could see into the mantis's interior structures and components through these raised gaps.

As the members wondered why the opponent suddenly opened its armor flaps, a burst of orange-red light rapidly flowed through the mantis's body. Then a series of complex patterns branded themselves on its surface, activating. The entire mantis was covered in these eerie markings, making it appear particularly sinister and ferocious, far from its previous artistic silver streamlined appearance.

"Whoosh—" Countless streams of white air expelled from the gaps between the opened armor plates, with a faint burnt smell spreading through the air.

Then, the mantis moved, its speed like a phantom as it swept past the sides of the members, the wind it generated stinging their cheeks. Before they could turn around, the mantis used the wall behind them to pivot, two narrow arcs of blood tearing through the alley, where even faint traces of exposed bones and twitching viscera could be seen.

In the blink of an eye, two of the four defending members were mortally wounded and out of action. The other two, recovering from the shock, rolled swiftly on the ground, swinging their Light Sabers frantically to block the tempestuous assault of the mantis's six legs. The sharp tips, like spear tips, left a string of holes in the ground, relentlessly pursuing the two individuals, before the silver blade flashed again, tracing a high-speed silver arc trajectory in the air.