The flames surged violently, evaporating moisture from the air at an alarming rate. Under this oppressive heat, the battlefield became a lifeless hellscape devoid of any hope for survival.
"[Divide—]!"
"[Divide—]!"
"[Divide—]!"
Every flash of the gems on Vali's armor weakened the fiery tide crashing down upon him.
Witnessing this futile resistance, Jeanne Alter burst into wild laughter.
"Hahaha! Fool! This sea of flames was born from my hatred and mana. As long as my hatred burns, the flames will never end! Continue your pathetic struggle! Bring equal destruction upon this land! Hahahaha!"
Laughing maniacally, Jeanne Alter raised her banner high. Immediately, the flames surged upwards, engulfing the vast sky. The scorching wind twisted space itself with horrifying heat.
Trapped within the inferno, Vali's pristine white armor was scorched bright red, even beginning to melt at its edges.
Simultaneously, countless black spears shot forth from within the raging flames.
"[Divide—]!"
Instinctively activating his "Divide" again, Vali absorbed so much energy he felt as if he would burst from within. Unable to hold more, he desperately expelled excess energy as particles of light from his wings, indicating he had reached his limit.
While theoretically, the powers of [Boosted Gear] and [Divine Dividing] had no upper bound, their wielders certainly did.
The cursed black spears pierced through the White Dragon Emperor's armor and into Vali's body, his blood evaporating instantly upon release.
"Feel the flames of my hatred! The flames that once burned Jeanne d'Arc alive! Hahahaha!"
Jeanne Alter's laughter echoed from the flames as fierce, terrifying fire gathered in the sky, roaring downwards in torrents of blazing bombardment, hammering Vali relentlessly.
Azazel and Michael had already retreated from Jeanne Alter's ruthless assault. This was no game; she cared nothing for friendly fire. Even the two leaders found themselves wary of her rampaging flames.
Struggling desperately, Vali conversed urgently with the spirit inside his Sacred Gear.
"Albion, I have to use [Juggernaut Drive]."
"Indeed, if this continues, survival will become difficult. Your opponent truly wants you dead. How will you use [Juggernaut Drive]?"
"For escape. After all, we can't hurt her, can we?"
"To think a forbidden technique that unseals [Divine Dividing] at the cost of your life would be used to flee… Fate is ironic indeed."
The presence within the gem sighed, but Vali felt no frustration—only excitement. Growth could only be achieved by surviving desperate battles. This was precisely why he'd joined Khaos Brigade. If he couldn't find battles to help him grow stronger, he'd rather die here.
"I, who shall awaken—"
Vali began his chant in a low voice, and an ominous, cursed aura erupted from him.
Suddenly, Jeanne Alter's golden eyes flickered, sensing something. She turned swiftly towards a certain direction.
Under the bright moonlight, a figure streaked into the sea of flames like lightning, instantly appearing at Vali's side.
"Ow ow ow! So hot! What is this cursed fire?! Even my fire-warding charm can't completely block it?"
A man dressed like a general straight from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms wielded an extending staff, smashing through the black spears impaling Vali and catching him before he fell.
"Vali, your luck sure sucks. Running into a monster like her… Looks like your friends were completely annihilated, huh? Never seen you in such a pathetic state before."
"…It's you, Bikou? Your timing is impeccable. But you're wrong—this is great luck. Meeting an opponent this strong… it's perfect for me."
"Fine, fine, you're lucky. Damn, why'd I get stuck with a battle-crazy partner like you?"
Upon closer inspection, the man known as "Bikou" was surrounded by a translucent barrier significantly reducing the fire's intensity. After grabbing Vali, this barrier enveloped them both.
"What is that?"
Jeanne Alter tilted her head curiously, her golden eyes narrowing at the unfamiliar sight.
It wasn't exactly magic; rather, its nature resembled the curses or "xianshu" of China. Jeanne Alter, having once wielded the powers of Shuten Douji and Ashiya Douman, had some knowledge in this field.
"That's a fire-warding charm—xianshu, or divine arts," Azazel helpfully explained as he and Michael approached. "Also… he's a descendant of Sun Wukong."
"???"
Jeanne Alter whipped around, staring at Azazel incredulously.
"Well, technically he's a monkey youkai inheriting Sun Wukong's power. Still, to think even you've joined Khaos Brigade… Looks like this world is doomed after all. A White Dragon Emperor paired with Sun Wukong's descendant—quite the fearsome duo," Azazel commented dryly.
Hearing Azazel's words, the monkey-man smiled.
"Unlike the original, who reached Buddhahood, I prefer living freely. Call me Bikou—that suits me better."
"Enough chatter, Vali. Time to go. Our next target is Asgard, remember? Losing you would be a big loss."
Supporting Vali, Bikou spoke casually.
"Don't be ridiculous… I won't die here… Not yet…"
"Yes, yes, you still want to get stronger and fight stronger opponents, right?"
Bikou spun his staff effortlessly, thrusting it downward. Despite being midair, a magic circle instantly formed beneath their feet.
They were trying to escape!
Yet nobody could stop them.
Jeanne Alter's flames still raged furiously, and even if Azazel and Michael rushed through the flames, they'd already be too late—the magic circle had activated.
Realizing this, Azazel sighed helplessly, ready to watch them vanish.
But at that very moment, Jeanne Alter raised her hand.
CRACK!
With the sound of shattering glass, the magic circle beneath Bikou and Vali inexplicably broke apart.
Vali and Bikou froze.
Azazel and Michael froze.
Even those watching from the ground froze.
Bikou, startled back to his senses by Jeanne's sudden wave of killing intent, instinctively reacted faster than he could think. He swung his extendable staff expertly, intercepting Jeanne's swift thrust with a fiery clash, scattering flames in every direction.
Bikou's expression grew deadly serious. "Did you do that?"
"You burst onto the battlefield, spouted meaningless nonsense, and planned to whisk away my prey right before my eyes. Think I'd let you get away with it?"
Failing her first strike, Jeanne Alter drew back her banner and attacked mercilessly. Her strikes—thrusts, slashes, sweeps—came swift and relentless, overwhelming Bikou.
With every exchange, Bikou grew more alarmed. Her technique was impeccable, her strength terrifyingly superior. His arms trembled from the initial clash alone, rapidly leaving him at a disadvantage.
"What's wrong?! Living under that name, you'd better show me some of the Great Sage, Sun Wukong's legendary power! Is this all you've got?!"
Bikou grew increasingly confused. Why's this lady so angry?! Is she a fan of Sun Wukong or something?
Though Jeanne Alter had once killed a Sun Wukong in the Campione! world, technically… she could still be a fan, right?
Which kid raised in China didn't admire the Monkey King at some point?
WHOOSH!
Bikou slowed by a fraction of a second due to numb arms—enough for Jeanne Alter's spear-like thrust to slice his cheek, cutting several strands of fur.
Alarmed, Bikou swiftly retreated, eyes locked on Jeanne. Yet she vanished, instantly appearing before him like a ghost, wielding her banner overhead.
"Eat this!"
"???"
She smashed her banner downward. Gritting his teeth, Bikou raised his staff horizontally in defense.
Right before impact, a voice echoed:
"[Divide—]!"
Their weapons collided, a deafening clang reverberating through the air. The shock traveled through Bikou's body, shaking him to the core. But because Jeanne's power had been halved, he survived.
Jeanne's attack, briefly slowed, gave Vali the opening to land a fierce punch, knocking her back.
She swiftly stabilized herself, flames surging forward again.
Bikou's relaxed smile vanished, replaced by grim seriousness.
"What a monster… We're retreating, Vali! This time, we run for our lives!"
Pulling three hairs from his body, Bikou blew them away. Instantly, three identical clones appeared, charging fearlessly toward Jeanne Alter.
The clones bought enough time. Bikou, gripping Vali, whispered a quick chant. By the time Jeanne obliterated the clones, the pair had vanished in a flash, moving with incredible speed into the distant sky.
"Damn it! They got away!"
Jeanne clicked her tongue, irritated.
Jeanne had mastered magecraft enough to instantly break their teleportation magic, but what Bikou used this time wasn't magic—it was xianshu, divine arts. Could it be Sun Wukong's legendary "cloud somersault" technique?
"Whatever it was, if they try that again, I'll make them regret it!"
Thus, the Khaos Brigade attack ended.
Now, only one final issue remained before peace could become reality: the Khaos Brigade itself.
As Michael prepared to leave, Jeanne suddenly intercepted him.
"I have a question for you, Michael. Depending on your answer, I might consider… becoming an enemy to you and the Church."