Meimeng knew she faced a quandary. Given Arcueid and Altrouge’s current state, the only way to halt their battle was through the application of force. In terms of sheer power, their side had five individuals, with both Yagokoro Eirin and Hijiri Byakuren possessing strength superior to the two combatants. Even if Meimeng exerted her full power, she wouldn't lose… it was a classic case of rock-paper-scissors, where every strength had a counter. While they couldn't simply mow down the duplicates as easily as the princesses, conversely, suppressing the two princesses wouldn't be difficult.

After all, the opponents' special abilities were ineffective against them. Infinite magic and stamina only provided an advantage in a prolonged engagement, but the actual gap in raw power offered only a negligible effect.

Therefore, subduing the two through force was a viable option. But!

The environmental constraints could not be ignored. Even if they possessed the ability to subdue the two, it wouldn't be effortless. Surrounded by so many duplicates, if they moved to attack the princesses, both parties would be completely focused on by the clones, and such a chaotic situation could easily lead to unforeseeable consequences.

In short, brute force was absolutely out of the question.

It seemed persuasion through words was the only recourse… Meimeng mused internally. She then instructed the four others—Eirin and the rest—to stand guard nearby as a precaution, while she herself moved toward the battlefield of the Black and White Princesses via the gap.

"Hey, you two over there! Your mother says it’s time to come home for dinner!" The moment she emerged from the gap, Meimeng bellowed at the two with all her might.

Hearing this, Yagokoro Eirin and the other four were instantly speechless. Such words, meant to trick a three-year-old, could possibly work on anyone other than Cirno?

As expected. Altrouge was far from foolish; she was cunning as a ghost. And while Arcueid was naturally spacey, she wasn't just driven by appetite—mere food couldn't tempt them. Furthermore, their kill counts were neck-and-neck, making this a fierce competition where even a single point could determine the victor. They had no time to bother with such trivialities, ignoring the call as if they hadn't heard it, not even sparing a glance.

"It really didn't work? This is truly troublesome…" Discovering she was being utterly ignored, Meimeng tilted her head, her face etched with worry. Though her breadth of knowledge was vast, easily matching the ancient and seasoned youkai of Gensokyo, her sheer intelligence paled in comparison to her sister, Touko Refrain. Moreover, she wasn't skilled at mediation. She was utterly stumped by the current predicament.

However, her father had entrusted this task to her. Failing to complete it would make her seem useless.

Watching the two below fight with increasing exhilaration, looking as if they would never stop until the seas ran dry and the earth crumbled, Meimeng finally sighed in resignation. "There's no other way. I really didn't want to use this trick, but... to meet Father's expectations, I'll use it on you two for the first time."

As she spoke, Meimeng pulled a card from the pocket over her chest and tossed it forcefully upwards.

"Incredible Spell Card! Flowing Years—Ten Years Later!"

The moment the words faded, the card unleashed a white radiance that completely enveloped Meimeng. Her body then began to grow rapidly, visible to the naked eye. In mere seconds, the loli who appeared to be around twelve years old transformed into a stunning young woman in her twenties, and even her attire changed in tandem with the alteration of her physique.

"What the hell? Is that a magical girl transformation!" Even the widely experienced Aozaki Aoko couldn't help but exclaim upon seeing the sight from afar. Arcueid and Altrouge, closest to Meimeng, were finally drawn in, their gazes shifting toward her.

Although strange phenomena involving regression or children growing into adults existed within the Nasuverse—and Altrouge herself possessed such an ability—those transformations were always within forms they