During the scuffle, Criollo would be frantic in trying to find Harvard, hoping he wasn't being scared to not face against the Toy Maker in Brunono's shop. He'd make sure to look back every chance he can to ensure the others in the house can handle the abuse of the Beldam's wrath. Once he got enough distance, he would see it by a small glimmer of the boy's suit, the Devil's Eye reflecting off of the remaining lights that weren't damaged by the destruction they made. "There you are! Did you forget what we discussed? You can't be hiding fro-" He'd began, ready to scold the child and reprimand him from not participating, until he'd see what was happening with the boy.
He was focusing. Nay, he was following.
His cat-like eyes tracked the Beldam the entire time, hiding himself so that he can properly study. So that he can analyze and understand her movements. Such eyes took Criollo aback, under the assumption the child was afraid. In reality, he's trying to face it. He'd keep himself quiet as he'd allow the child to understand the situation. How she's smart enough to weaponize the tar for her advantage to melt off the gum, how her reaction time was quick against the sticks. Every detail he had to keep an eye on, he made sure to study and utilize for himself, as he'd gather four cards to help in understanding her weak point. "Found it." He'd mumble, as he'd get up and went towards her, watching the smog begin to rise, shielding his nose to prevent himself from inhaling the toxic fumes. Criollo followed suit, letting him take the lead and try to capture the Beldam's attention. As he did, Harvard would make quick work of the newly made army to replace the ones that were swarmed by Tsukiya's influence.
"Her senses are all over the place. Her eyes are in different places, her sense of smell and taste non-existent. Her metallic body probably means no touch either. She can still hear things, as well as react when being hurt, but nothing else besides those parts. In other words, she's not a proper living thing..."
That thought process came as he'd use his spells: One to cut the distance and reach for a toy, one to plant something in it, and one to double that planted trap so he can trigger it twice. He'd repeat this process throughout the army, following a set pattern. Normally, repeating the same card twice would result in losing more energy over time. With this pattern, however, he can grant himself safety against being affected by its deficit, allowing him to repeat the string of events for each toy without having to worry about overspending. Moreover, he'd switch the two traps rigorously whenever he uses a new set, one spell to set up a mine to detonate and damage, the other a small scarecrow-like figure to act as a ward.
"Between her usual style and the toys she makes, its safe to assume she runs on that same energy as well. She's a witch at the end of the day, so it makes sense, but that meant her output is stronger than anyone else's in a normal battle. Her toys must've made sure to widen that gap as much as possible too. It explains why she's so adamant about sheer numbers to overwhelm someone."
He'd watch on his side as Criollo tried to keep that attention up, slashing and hacking at the woman whilst Harvard planted his tricks. Once the last spell was placed, the stage is properly set. He'd snap his fingers and allowed the ones with the scarecrow to trigger first, lunging towards the center to grab at Criollo and move him away from the incoming blast radius.
"However... That can also be a weakness..."
As soon as the Toys tried to operate, the Scarecrow began to make them part, a massive circle around the Beldam and any toys within it. Because of the nature with the Toys being energy with a proper shape, the wards act as both a repulsion from others, allowing the makeshift circle to be an invisible prison, but also as a bind, pinning them on the ground and preventing them from moving due to the excess energy acting as its own pressure. Not even the Beldam can get close, as the first set of wards would be to keep her away as much as possible, a layer upon layer of pressure to push her back if she gets too far from the center point. Ticking sounds can be heard as the mines become ready to explode, making the Beldam screech in anger and frustration as she knew what would come next.
"If you're too reliant on your soldiers... eventually you'd get tunnel vision. No matter how strong one person is, you're setting yourself up for failure if you don't take the opponent seriously and fight back in an equivalent manner. You're basically just asking for someone to kill you at that point."
Harvard would cast one more spell, a seal, a marking to encompass around the Beldam's body using the toys. Even if she were to survive, any excess left behind would be absorbed by the markings, allowing Harvard to fight back with a monster of his own. Criollo can't help but be amazed at the Card Magician's trickery, scaling up to the boy's shoulder as he'd brandish his axes again. "You're not afraid anymore?" He'd ask.
"Nah... I still am. Even more so now..."
"Then I am proud of you."
The witch roared as she'd try to reach for the child, but it served little use. Her own makeshift death sentence has been passed.
KA-BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!
An explosion that cratered not only the shop's restaurant, but also the upper floors, coating the area in flames, blasting away the glass indoors and exposing the caving shop to the light. Any remaining excess papers would be smoldered and reduced to cinders upon detonation. Smoke wafted across the area, as the House was able to escape outside, a chance to be free once more. Whilst they ran, Harvard remained. He stared down at the beast with its mirror-like eyes. He watched as the Beldam remained alive.
He watched as the Beldam was ripe with fury unrecognizable. "Yeah, I did it. What are you going to do about it?" Harvard asked. A roar was in response to his demeanor. "Thought so." He'd reply, a card prepared in hand as he'd try to snuff out the monster, just like how his mother did before.