At this moment, even Kujou Sara herself was a bit shocked by her own strength. She also didn't quite understand why she was able to erupt with such powerful force.
Moreover, as she eliminated more enemies, her power seemed to grow stronger and stronger.
However, this situation perfectly matched Kujou Sara's current desire to slaughter her way through the battlefield. Therefore, she didn't think much about it and continued to immerse herself in the killing.
"Kujou Sara has suddenly become so strong!"
Even Paimon let out a cry of alarm, drawing Lumine's attention.
Seeing Paimon pay attention to another woman, Lumine felt a surge of jealousy. The Dull Blade in her hand swung even more fiercely, though it lacked a bit of its usual power.
This couldn't be helped. Lumine's body hadn't fully recovered, and forcing her Elemental Power would only worsen her injuries.
Under the full-force attacks of Kujou Sara and Lumine, the two sides, despite the vast difference in numbers, were barely fighting to a stalemate.
In such a situation, even Kamisato Ayaka's performance seemed a bit lackluster.
Hidden in the shadows, Kujou Ittou's face broke into a smile of certain victory.
"Kill, kill a few more!"
"Your mission ends here."
Kujou Ittou muttered softly to himself, then spoke to Kamisato Ichiman beside him.
"The time is right. The Fatui should make their move."
After hearing these words, Kamisato Ichiman nodded, then immediately took a signal flare from his person and lit it.
Hearing the sharp sound of a flare ascending into the sky, everyone looked up with grim expressions at the signal bursting above, dividing their attention to monitor their surroundings.
They had heard before arriving that the Fatui were hiding in the shadows, and now it seemed the enemy could no longer contain themselves.
As for whether the current stalemate would tip in one direction due to the Fatui's intervention, they no longer had the mental energy to consider it.
However, after a long wait, the Fatui still did not appear to join the battle, leaving everyone somewhat puzzled.
Just then, a cold, gloomy light swept across the battlefield.
"Everyone, prioritize your own safety!"
Seeing this, Kamisato Ayato immediately warned the others, even instructing the combatants to retreat a bit.
Yet, to Kamisato Ayato's surprise, Kujou Ittou also commanded the people from the Two Commissions to pull back.
Before Kamisato Ayato could even grasp the purpose behind the other's actions, a terrifying Electro Element fluctuation surged from nearby, causing his expression to change drastically.
Sure enough, when Kamisato Ayato turned his head to look in Kujou Sara's direction, he found her entire body enveloped in terrifying lightning. Her expression was one of extreme pain, and she couldn't help but let out a muffled groan as she tried to suppress her agony.
"Kujou Sara!"
"Lady Kujou Sara!"
The surrounding crowd cried out in alarm at the scene, then hurriedly rushed forward to check on her.
Lumine and Kamisato Ayaka also temporarily stowed their weapons and charged toward Kujou Sara.
"Not good!"
"Milady, don't go over there!"
Kamisato Ayato heard Aoba's voice, filled with utter terror, from beside him, and then a figure shot out directly.
Kamisato Ayato froze for a moment, completely unable to comprehend why Aoba would be in such a hurry.
But after a short while, he understood.
The purple-black lightning enveloping Kujou Sara's entire body suddenly became extremely unstable. A heart-stoppingly terrifying fluctuation radiated from there, and then the lightning's brightness increased a hundredfold in an instant. An extremely evil and ominous power erupted from Kujou Sara's body.
That was... the power of the Abyss!
Lumine's expression changed again. This time, she could no longer worry about the elemental power turmoil within her body, and she forcibly used Anemo Energy to propel herself forward. In an instant, she arrived by Kujou Sara's side and directly rushed in, rescuing her.
The next second, a terrifying thunderstorm mixed with extremely evil Abyss Power exploded among the crowd. As Kamisato Ayaka watched the scene unfold before her, a suffocating feeling surged in her heart.
At this moment, Kamisato Ayaka happened to be charging toward Kujou Sara, completely unable to dodge this explosion. She could only watch in despair as the purple-black lightning gradually crept up her body.
However, in the next second, a startling Electro Element fluctuation surged from another direction, then a thunderclap struck across the open ground, causing the very air to produce a piercing screech.
In the blink of an eye, a figure enveloped in purple light blocked the way in front of Kamisato Ayaka. Upon seeing that familiar figure, her pupils dilated sharply.
The next moment, Kamisato Ayaka crashed into those warm arms, hearing a muffled grunt from above, though it was quickly drowned out by the screams of everyone else nearby.
"Aoba! Ayaka!"
An expression of terror appeared on Kamisato Ayato's face as he lifted his legs and tried to rush forward regardless of the danger, only to be held back by the samurai beside him.
"Protect the Head of the House!"
With a furious roar, several more samurai rushed forward, tackling Kamisato Ayato to the ground in unison. They then used their own bodies to shield him completely.
Even Paimon was stuffed into a samurai's clothing pocket, after which he immediately dropped to the ground.
The next moment, an ear-splitting roar shook the heaven and earth.
By the time the commotion gradually subsided, not a single figure remained standing on Kamisato Ayato's side. The number of dead and injured was unknown.
"Aoba!"
After her mind cleared from a brief blank, Kamisato Ayaka immediately pushed Aoba off her body and then carefully laid him flat on the ground. Tears then gushed out like an open floodgate.
"Aoba, wake up, please don't scare me!"
No matter how Kamisato Ayaka called out, Aoba showed no sign of movement. His face was terrifyingly pale, and even his hair had turned slightly white. His breathing had grown extremely weak.
Kamisato Ayaka anxiously grabbed Aoba's hand and then discovered that he was holding something. Raising her hand to wipe the tears from her eyes, Kamisato Ayaka finally saw clearly that it was an Electro Element Vision.
Kamisato Ayaka's heart gave a sudden jolt. She had never imagined that Aoba's wish just now would catch the gods' attention and be granted a Vision.
What Aoba's intense wish had been at that moment was already self-evident.
Thinking of this, Kamisato Ayaka's tears gushed out once more, and scenes of the beautiful moments they had shared during their time together surfaced in her mind.
"Ayaka..."
Kamisato Ayato was helped back to his feet by the samurai who had protected him. He could not blame them for their actions; they had simply been fulfilling their duties, even risking their lives to do so.
What filled Kamisato Ayato with resentment and frustration was that just a moment ago, his sister had almost died right before his eyes.
As her elder brother, he had failed to protect his own sister!
If Aoba hadn't obtained a Vision at the last moment and appeared before Kamisato Ayaka with the utmost speed, he would have lost everything completely.
But the current outcome was equally unacceptable to him. He had already accepted Aoba, and they were just one step away from a relatively happy ending, yet everything stopped at the very last step.
Kamisato Ayato knew that in such a terrifying explosion, Aoba had no chance of survival.
The most fatal part was the Abyss Power within it, something that ordinary lifeforms simply could not withstand. Even if Aoba still had a single breath left, his days were numbered.
It was precisely for this reason that Lumine, despite her own injuries worsening, insisted on saving Kujou Sara. She then used her immunity to the Abyss Power's erosion and her own sturdy physique to help Kujou Sara withstand the subsequent impact.
At this moment, Kamisato Ayato was so ashamed he wished he could find a hole to crawl into. While he was still worrying about whether Aoba could protect Kamisato Ayaka, Aoba had already given him the answer with his life. He had even obtained a Vision, filling the gap in his strength.
Now, Kujou Sara and Lumine helped each other to their feet. Looking at the shattered bodies on the ground and Kamisato Ayaka, who sat nearby unable to stop her tears, Kujou Sara felt her heart tighten.
All of this was her fault!
Her Vision had been tampered with. She had noticed her strength was unusual before, even as early as when she was resisting the tsunami's impact, but she had paid it no mind.
Kujou Sara had originally thought her strength had only improved under extreme crisis and rage. How ridiculous of her to think such a thing!
Now, the survivors were all standing up one after another, yet the bodies still lying on the ground made up a full third of the group. She, who had caused so many people to lose their lives, was still alive.
Why was she still alive!
What face did she have to continue living?!
Kujou Sara was in utter agony, and the Vision on her body flashed violently as if responding to her intense emotions.
"Hahahaha, marvelous, simply marvelous!"
"What a wonderful show this has been!"
Kujou Ittou stepped forward while clapping his hands, and behind him appeared dozens of Fatui soldiers. As for the other Fatui soldiers, they appeared all around, completely surrounding them. The murderous aura made everyone's faces look incredibly grim.
"This victory came far too easily. I only had to intervene slightly, and you all fell!"
"Kujou Ittou!"
Kujou Sara let out a low roar, her voice hoarse and filled with terrifying hatred, like a demon from hell.
Lightning manifested on her body once again, but this time it was blood-red lightning!
"Oh oh oh, you're angry, aren't you?"
"Sigh, I didn't want it to be like this either, but who told you to run away!"
"Didn't we agree before, as long as you didn't run, nothing would happen?"
Kujou Ittou shrugged his shoulders and spoke with a mocking expression.
"Actually, I wasn't planning to do this in the first place, but who told the Traveler to come to Inazuma?"
"If I can offer the Traveler to That Lord, I will surely be granted supreme honor and rewards! Hahaha!"
Kujou Ittou laughed triumphantly, and beside him, Kamisato Ichiman's face also revealed an expression of eager anticipation.
"Oh, there's something else I haven't told you. After your last escape, those uselesss fools who were originally guarding the Kujou Clan were executed to serve as a warning. I killed half of them directly."
Just as Kujou Ittou finished this sentence, a bolt of blood-red lightning descended from above his head, carrying an extremely dense and terrifying aura.
However, the Electrohammer Vanguard standing beside Kujou Ittou suddenly pushed him aside, taking the full force of the blood-red lightning himself.
With a muffled groan, the Electrohammer Vanguard was actually struck directly to his knees.
"That was close, that was close! But it's a shame, you were just a little bit short!"
Seeing this scene, Kujou Ittou shook his head and raised his hand, using two fingers to gesture the small distance.
"But I really didn't expect you to still have this kind of power. It seems chatting with you in prison was the safest way after all!"
Kujou Ittou waved his hand indifferently, and the members of the two commissions and the Fatui charged forward all at once.
"Protect My Lord! Protect Milady!"
Many of the people present let out one last furious roar before throwing themselves into the even more dangerous battle without any hesitation.
"Traveler, how are you? Are you okay?"
Paimon flew to Lumine's side and asked with a hint of worry.
Lumine shook her head. Her body was fine, with only some minor injuries. The Abyss Power had no effect on her, but the Elemental Power within her body had become even more chaotic.
However, she couldn't worry too much about that right now. After the explosion and the influence of the Abyss Power, everyone present was basically at their wit's end. If she didn't step up, everyone would be finished before long!
At this point, if Lumine wanted to unleash her full strength, she only had one last move left!
Lumine forced herself to rally her spirits, leaped into the midst of the Fatui, and then unleashed the Power of Nihility from within her body.
Isn't this just a self-destruct? Let's see who can tank more damage!
Lumine alone held off nearly half of the Fatui soldiers. Of course, one reason for this was that she was far more important than anyone else. The main objective of the enemy's operation this time was to capture her, while the others were just a bonus.
At this moment, all sorts of battle cries and curses echoed from all around, but for Kamisato Ayaka, these sounds seemed to exist in another world.
Kamisato Ayaka's beautiful eyes were filled with tears, but their light was extremely dim.
Suddenly, Aoba's hand moved, and Kamisato Ayaka's eyes immediately regained their spark.
"Aoba, you, you finally woke up!"
Kamisato Ayaka, overcome with joy, tightly grasped Aoba's hand with both of hers, her gaze filled with both hope and fear.
The next second, Aoba opened his eyes. He first scanned his surroundings as if searching for something, then his expression quickly turned calm and satisfied.
"Thank goodness, Milady, you aren't hurt..."
Hearing Aoba's words, Kamisato Ayaka's tears began to flow again.
"Aoba, you will be fine, I won't let you die!"
Hearing this, Aoba's eyes appeared exceptionally serene.
"Milady, don't be sad for me. As a retainer, it is my honor to die for you."
"Brother Thoma's request before his departure, I have kept it firmly in my heart. I shouldn't have let him down, right?"
"What a pity, I never thought the time would come so soon..."
"Aoba, stop talking, you will be fine!"
Aoba shook his head, the light in his eyes visibly dimming.
"Milady, I thought at the very end that I wouldn't have enough time. It seems even the gods are on my side this time."
"It was a gift from the gods that helped me save you, so, I want to pass this gift on to you..."
Aoba's voice didn't tremble in the slightest, but anyone could feel the life force within him rapidly draining away.
Kamisato Ayaka's hands grasped Aoba's hand and the Vision in it, her face filled with sorrow.
"Don't cry, it will make you look less beautiful..."
Aoba raised his other hand to wipe the tears from the corners of Kamisato Ayaka's eyes, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
"Milady, you still have My Lord."
"I didn't give My Lord a chance to show his strength this time, he won't be angry with me, will he?"
Hearing the commotion over here, Kamisato Ayato was both heartbroken and exasperated. For a moment, his facial control slipped, and he made a very awkward expression.
"Aoba..."
Kamisato Ayaka whispered, afraid that even a slight sound would take away the other's last trace of life.
"Milady, I'm a little tired, I want to... sleep for a while..."
The next moment, his arm fell. Feeling the last trace of warmth completely vanish from his hand, Kamisato Ayaka's tears once again gushed out like a floodgate opening.
Kamisato Ayato, who had been fighting with all his might while keeping an eye on Kamisato Ayaka's situation, was filled with heartache. He then unleashed all his inner anger and sorrow on the Fatui soldiers before him.
Kamisato Ayato also tried to fight his way toward Kujou Ittou, but the latter was being heavily protected. Even Kujou Sara at her full power couldn't break through their defenses, let alone Kamisato Ayato, who was physically and mentally exhausted.
"Aoba."
"Thank you for the gift."
Kamisato Ayaka took the Vision from Aoba's hand, then carefully arranged his hand and tidied his appearance.
After doing so, Kamisato Ayaka stood up, carefully fastened the dull Electro Element Vision to her waist, and then raised her hand to wipe the tears from her face. Looking at Aoba's peaceful face, which looked as if he were merely asleep, she revealed a gentle smile.
Aoba didn't like seeing her cry, so she would smile.
Kamisato Ayaka slowly drew the sword from her waist, her gaze at Aoba as gentle as water.
However, a burst of extreme cold erupted, making almost everyone present shiver uncontrollably.
Soon, as the blue light faded, Aoba was frozen inside an ice coffin. Kamisato Ayaka slowly turned around to face Kujou Ittou, her eyes filled with an unyielding chill.
Though a smile remained on Kamisato Ayaka's face, it held no warmth, giving everyone an extremely cold feeling.
At this moment, Kamisato Ayaka gave off the impression of a fragile porcelain doll, but the piercing killing intent emanating from her body made everyone tremble with fear.
"Aoba, we've never fought side by side before, have we?"
Kamisato Ayaka murmured softly. A purple light rose from beneath her feet, vanishing in an instant as if it were an illusion. However, the Electro Element Vision at her waist glowed, proving it was no trick of the light.
"Let's celebrate your first battle with the lives of every enemy here!"
As her words fell, a terrifying rumble of thunder erupted from within Kamisato Ayaka's body.
Under everyone's astonished gaze, the Electro Element Vision at Kamisato Ayaka's waist erupted with a radiance that dazzled heaven and earth. The next second, ice-blue light surged forth, refusing to be overshadowed. The blue and purple lights intertwined and fused, forging the most brilliant colors in this world!