"We won!"
Seeing the battle end, many of the people present sat down on the ground, panting heavily.
The previous battle had been too brutal, almost pushing their stamina to the limit.
The intense emotional fluctuations and high-pressure environment had caused many of them to break through their own limits, and even nearly half of them had obtained a Vision.
They hadn't thought much about it during the battle, but now everyone was shocked to discover that although they had lost many members, their combat power was probably even stronger than at the beginning.
At this time, Lumine also gradually tried to withdraw the Power of Nihility, but it had little effect, as her body's condition was currently too chaotic.
"Arlecchino, aren't you a Fatui Harbinger? Why are you attacking your own people?"
Because what had just happened was too shocking, Paimon took a long time to snap out of it before speaking in disbelief.
Arlecchino twirled the blood-red scythe in her hand a few times, then put it away again, and slowly said.
"Weren't they already controlled by No. 3?"
"Uh... Well, that's true..."
Paimon scratched her head. Even if that was the case, generally speaking, few people would act so decisively.
"They damaged the relationship between Snezhnaya and Inazuma. I only acted to clear up the misunderstanding."
Arlecchino extended her hand to Kamisato Ayaka on the ground. Kamisato Ayaka hesitated for a moment, then took Arlecchino's hand and barely managed to stand up from the ground with the other's help.
"Thank you."
Hearing Kamisato Ayaka's thanks, Arlecchino nodded with a normal expression.
"Leave it to me."
Kujou Sara and a few others flashed to the two's side, then took Kamisato Ayaka from Arlecchino's hand.
Kamisato Ayato had originally wanted to personally help her up, but considering he needed the support of the samurai by his side just to stand, he quickly abandoned the unrealistic idea after a brief moment's thought.
"Miss Arlecchino, thank you very much for your intervention."
Arlecchino waved her hand dismissively and said.
"Don't worry about it. I already said I only acted to clear up the misunderstanding."
"Even if Miss Arlecchino doesn't mind, for us, you saved our lives. A thank-you is certainly in order."
"On a personal level, you saved my sister. I am willing to express goodwill to you on behalf of the Kamisato Clan."
"If there is anything the Kamisato Clan needs to do, please do not hesitate to ask. As long as it does not violate our principles, I will do my best to assist."
Kamisato Ayato's words were partly to express his sincere gratitude, but they also served as a subtle probe into Arlecchino's purpose for being in Inazuma.
Arlecchino did indeed have a reason for coming to Inazuma, but this reason was not a secret that could not be revealed, so she replied.
"I do indeed have a matter that I need the Head of the Kamisato Clan to help with."
"This time I came to Inazuma, only to see Persephone."
"If possible, I would ask the Head of the Kamisato Clan to inform me of Persephone's location."
After hearing Arlecchino's words, Kamisato Ayato spoke with some hesitation.
"I currently do not know where Persephone is, but I will send people to spare no effort in gathering information for Miss Arlecchino. However, it is difficult to say exactly when there will be any results."
"Hmm?"
Arlecchino looked a bit confused.
"Until now, Persephone has not personally appeared?"
"No."
Kamisato Ayato shook his head, and Arlecchino's brow immediately furrowed deeply.
At this time, Paimon flew over and chimed in.
"Ayato, actually Persephone can be considered to have appeared, can't she? She very likely even fought a battle with Raiden Ei."
"Although we did not see that battle with our own eyes, the tsunami kicked up by the aftermath of the battle was so terrifying. I believe you saw it when you arrived, Arlecchino."
"If I hadn't run away quickly before, I almost lost my life!"
Paimon said, her heart still racing with fear.
Hearing Paimon's words, Arlecchino only then realized that the tsunami she had encountered before was not formed naturally at all. No wonder the ground on the island was still muddy and a mess even now.
When she encountered the tsunami, it was still dozens of meters high. Arlecchino couldn't even imagine how grand and terrifying the initial tsunami must have been.
Lumine must have been the one who acted, right?
Arlecchino looked at Lumine, who was still emitting a terrifying aura, and pondered.
She was probably guessing right. If Lumine hadn't intervened to weaken the tsunami's power to the maximum extent, not many people on Ritou Island would likely have survived.
To be able to do this, it seemed she had somewhat underestimated Lumine's strength.
"Miss Arlecchino, you must be tired from your journey. How about coming with us to rest elsewhere? We can also explain the events that have been happening in Inazuma recently."
Kamisato Ayato looked at Arlecchino. Because she had saved Kamisato Ayaka, even if her identity was a Fatui Harbinger, he did not harbor much hostility in his heart.
After hearing these words, Arlecchino nodded.
"Then I'll trouble you."
Kamisato Ayato left a few people who still had some strength to clean up the battlefield, then prepared to lead the way for Arlecchino. However, at this moment, Lumine's surrounding area within a dozens of meters was covered in a layer of terrifyingly mysterious power, and others still could not approach.
"Traveler, aren't you done yet?"
Hearing Paimon's urging, Lumine's lips twitched helplessly. She wanted to end this as soon as possible too!
But at this moment, the various powers within Lumine's body were completely out of control, and her spirit was utterly exhausted. Her head felt dizzy and heavy, making her want to collapse and sleep immediately.
In this state, even if she tried her hardest to stop the chaos in her body, it was still very difficult to achieve.
Finally, after Lumine's explanation, the others left ahead.
As for safety, there was no need to consider it at all. Lumine was far stronger than most of them present.
Seeing the figures of everyone receding in the distance, Lumine directly fell backward. Her body smashed hard against the ground, and she immediately entered a baby-like sleep.
She was slacking off. Let her deal with things after she woke up!
On the other side, after wave after wave of sea waves swept through, the sea surface gradually quieted down.
And just at this moment, over a hundred figures emerged from the seawater. Everyone was enveloped in a layer of pale blue barrier and a bright yellow curtain of light. After everyone regained their footing on the sea surface, the faint bright yellow glow vanished.
Earlier, when they were in the seawater, the two types of power had overlapped to protect everyone's safety. It was just that the parties involved were not in a particularly good mood.
At this moment, Gorou was about to go crazy, frantically questioning Daphne in the Mental World.
"Daphne, you have so many methods, why do you have to use my abilities?!"
"This will completely expose me!"
After hearing Gorou's words, Daphne spoke in a didactic tone.
"This is me kindly guiding you!"
"Look, with the same ability, the effect I produce is several times better than yours, and you are much more familiar with this power than I am."
"With such a rare opportunity to improve yourself, instead of focusing all your energy on watching my technique, you still have the spare time to think about other things?"
"Gorou, you're really disappointing me!"
"So that's how it is!"
After hearing Daphne's words, Gorou's tone was filled with deep shame.
Daphne had gone to the trouble of demonstrating a more refined use of his ability for him, yet not only did he not thank her, he even blamed her.
He truly deserved to die!
However, Gorou quickly realized something and spoke again.
"Wait, Daphne, if you really wanted to teach me, you would have done it a long time ago. You did this on purpose!"
"Ehehe, why are you reacting so quickly this time? No fun, no fun, I'm leaving now."
As soon as her voice fell, Daphne returned control of the body to Gorou.
After regaining control of his body, Gorou immediately felt dozens of gazes filled with complex emotions. His body stiffened as he slowly raised his head.
"Miss Hina, that last move you used... it seemed to be Lord Gorou's ability..."
A strained smile appeared on Gorou's face as cold sweat trickled down his temple.
Gorou looked to Sangonomiya Kokomi and Thoma beside him for help, but the two silently averted their gazes.
It wasn't that they didn't want to help or were leaving him to die, but they truly were powerless to assist.
Soon, Gorou turned his head back, the expression on his face even more distorted.
Gorou wanted to argue his way out, but for a moment, he couldn't think of an excuse, so no words came out.
"So, Miss Hina, you are actually..."
At this moment, Gorou was incredibly nervous and desperate. He had already guessed what the other person was about to say.
He was doomed. He was going to suffer a complete social death, his years of integrity shattered on the ground.
Gorou furiously debated Daphne in the Mental World, but she had a silver tongue that rivaled Yae Miko's. Gorou couldn't gain any ground at all, making him even more depressed.
Finally, Gorou closed his eyes and resigned himself to his fate.
"...Lord Gorou's younger sister, right?!"
"Huh?!"
Gorou's eyes widened in shock, and he stared blankly at the expectant gazes of everyone around him.
Wait, how on earth did you all jump to such a ridiculous conclusion?!
Don't you know whether I have a younger sister or not after all these years we've spent together?!
"Seeing Miss Hina so surprised, I must have guessed right!"
"I can't believe Lord Gorou kept Miss Hina hidden from us all this time. That's so unfair!"
"I knew it! How else could Miss Hina use Lord Gorou's ability? It makes perfect sense if they're siblings!"
"Miss Hina is even stronger than Lord Gorou. The student has truly surpassed the master!"
"Having Miss Hina with us on missions gives us such a sense of security!"
"Lord Gorou, you can take your time coming back. The troop is safe, do not worry!"
-
The soldiers began to discuss the matter enthusiastically, to the point where even the terrifying tsunami from before was temporarily pushed out of their minds. Meanwhile, Gorou grew more and more bewildered.
Good grief, they've even thought up the reasons and excuses for me. How much more ridiculous can this get?!
And as for the one who told me not to rush back, just you wait. I've already marked you down!
"Miss Hina, we aren't wrong, are we?"
Seeing that Gorou hadn't responded for a long time, the soldiers' chatter gradually died down, and they asked tentatively.
Thinking of his crumbling dignity and integrity, Gorou spoke without the slightest hesitation.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"As expected, Miss Hina really is Lord Gorou's younger sister. Now it's confirmed!"
"It's time to start calling her Lady Hina. Don't forget, she's temporarily filling in for her older brother."
"If we're going to call her Lady Hina, then don't blame me for getting even more excited!"
Hearing the renewed and enthusiastic discussion, Gorou's face fell as he thought to himself, Is it too late to recognize the real Miss Hina as my sworn sister now?!
"By the way, what was with that wave just now? It couldn't have been formed naturally, right?"
Seeing the excitement grow on everyone's faces, Gorou couldn't help but shiver and immediately changed the subject.
"It definitely wasn't formed naturally," Sangonomiya Kokomi said, shaking her head.
"It was likely caused by a battle. The most probable explanation is that the Raiden Shogun intervened."
Hearing Sangonomiya Kokomi's speculation, the crowd fell silent for a moment before speaking up.
"The Raiden Shogun has finally made her move."
"Does this mean there's nothing left for us to do?"
"Not necessarily. If the Raiden Shogun had a solution, Yashiori Island wouldn't still be unfit for ordinary people to live on today."
Although Sangonomiya Kokomi also believed the tsunami was likely caused by the Raiden Shogun's battle, considering she had witnessed it herself, she didn't think the Raiden Shogun had necessarily won, so her inner thoughts were far from optimistic.
At least when she was on Yashiori Island, she felt the Raiden Shogun's strength was not much different from that terrible enemy, and that enemy was very likely not the mastermind.
"Everyone, do not lower your guard; this crisis is not over yet."
"Although I also hope the Raiden Shogun can contain the current extremely dire situation after stepping in, after all, the number of Dragon Blood Potions we brought is far from enough..."
Speaking to this point, a trace of bitterness appeared at the corner of Sangonomiya Kokomi's mouth.
That's right, not enough.
Time was truly too pressing, so much so that even many people on Watatsumi Island had not been able to enjoy them first.
Aside from the people who went on this mission, the rest of the Dragon Blood Potions were all gathered and prepared to be shipped to Inazuma to solve the urgent problem.
However, even so, it was still not enough.
"...But we must make the worst preparations and get the Dragon Blood Potions into the hands of the ordinary people who need them as soon as possible."
After hearing these words, everyone's expressions turned grave, and they nodded seriously.
"Yes, Lady Sangonomiya!"
"Continue on our way."
"When we pass by islands along the route, we will rebuild the rafts."
All the rafts they had built earlier had been swept away into the sea, so now they could only rebuild them.
With Sangonomiya Kokomi's current strength, she could indeed bring all the soldiers to Kannazuka just like this, but her energy consumption would be very high, and if an unexpected accident occurred, it would be a disaster. So, she had to conserve her strength to prevent unexpected situations from happening.
As Sangonomiya Kokomi finished speaking, everyone started their journey again.