"Lady Sangonomiya, it looks like Kannazuka is just ahead."
"Let's go straight to Tatarasuna. It seems the Shogunate Army and the enemy have broken out into war there."
Sangonomiya Kokomi spoke slowly after hearing the report.
Although this was a good opportunity to sneak attack the enemy's rear, the urgent priority now was to distribute the Dragon Blood Potion to the others as quickly as possible. Their time was running out.
At present, the Electro Element erosion in the ocean had already reached the vicinity of Nazuchi Beach. If it advanced a little further, it would reach Tatarasuna and Kujou Encampment, both of which were densely populated.
"Yes, Lady Sangonomiya!"
At this moment, Thoma's expression was somewhat uneasy. When he left, the war was in a state of absolute disadvantage, and he was worried that the Shogunate would suffer another major defeat, leaving the people to suffer under the flames of war.
Even if the situation was not as bad as he imagined, the previous terrible tsunami alone was enough to cause a large number of casualties.
"Please put your mind at ease, Thoma. The Shogunate is not that fragile, otherwise they wouldn't have held an absolute advantage in the previous war against Watatsumi Island."
Gorou noticed Thoma's unusual state and hurriedly spoke to comfort him.
"Yeah, I also believe in My Lord and General Kujou."
Thoma nodded, then continued to speak.
"I'm just a little worried about Milady."
"Though I trust Aoba will do his absolute best to protect Milady, he's still just an ordinary person. There's only so much he can do."
"Worrying about it now won't help. You'll be able to return soon enough, Thoma. You can see for yourself then, can't you?"
"G-G-Good afternoon, Miss Hina. You're right. I'll be able to return to Milady's side soon."
Seeing Gorou's hair stand on end, Thoma immediately realized his mistake and hastily corrected himself, barely managing to smooth things over.
"I'll see for myself then."
"If Aoba hasn't taken good care of Milady, I won't let him off easily!" Thoma said with a smile, letting out a sigh of relief. He then gazed into the distance, his eyes filled with longing.
This trip to Watatsumi Island had been far too disastrous. They had been away for so long that seeing the familiar scenery now made him feel as if a lifetime had passed.
Just then, Thoma suddenly felt a wave of resentment surging from all directions. Looking down, he realized that at some point, the surrounding soldiers had all turned their gazes toward them.
The sheer envy and resentment in their eyes were so intense that Thoma quickly scrambled away from Gorou, only then feeling a slight sense of relief.
Good grief, I almost got eaten alive just by standing a little closer and saying a few words.
Miss Hina's popularity is truly terrifying!
Thoma wondered if Gorou had led the army in the war between Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate with his current appearance, Watatsumi Island probably wouldn't have even needed the help of their Kamisato Clan.
At first, Gorou was a bit confused by Thoma's reaction, but he soon noticed the gazes of everyone around him, his face showing an expression of wanting to cry but having no tears.
He didn't want this damn popularity at all!
Gorou wanted to let Daphne come out and take his place, but he was afraid Daphne would do something shocking and make him completely suffer a social death, so he immediately chickened out.
Seemingly noticing that Gorou's mood was a bit low, a soldier next to him came over and made a suggestion.
"Is Miss Hina tired? I can carry you!"
"Damn, you beat me to it! Miss Hina, come over here, I've stuffed a layer of soft feathers inside my clothes!"
"If Miss Hina doesn't want any physical contact, you can step on my shoulders!"
"That's enough, you all just focus on the journey!"
Gorou couldn't hold back anymore and shouted loudly.
After hearing Gorou's roar, the surroundings immediately fell silent.
After a while.
"The lively Miss Hina is simply irresistible!"
Gorou took a deep breath.
I'm exhausted. Just destroy everything!
Fortunately, by this time everyone could see the outline of Tatarasuna. With Sangonomiya Kokomi pushing the raft with all her might, they quickly crossed the short distance. One after another, everyone stepped onto Tatarasuna and immediately began keeping watch.
"Lady Sangonomiya, there are no signs of activity around here. It seems almost no one has ever been here before."
"Do not let your guard down. The waves may have washed away the tracks."
Upon hearing Sangonomiya Kokomi's words, several soldiers went further out to scout, ensuring the surrounding area was safe.
Because there was now serious business at hand, everyone stopped focusing their attention on Gorou, finally giving him a chance to catch his breath.
"Gorou, and Thoma."
"We need to quickly investigate whether there are any survivors left in the island's villages, so we must split up."
"We still don't know the specific situation in Tatarasuna, so you must pay close attention to your safety."
"Rest assured, Lady Sangonomiya, we will be careful."
"Besides, our strength has improved significantly now. As long as no unexpected situations arise, we shouldn't run into any major problems."
Hearing Sangonomiya Kokomi's instructions, Gorou and Thoma quickly replied.
"And then... Miss Daphne."
"Yes, what's the matter?"
Just as Sangonomiya Kokomi's voice fell, the clay puppet resting on Gorou's shoulder began to move. At the same time, the expression on its face became lively, and it even started speaking.
"I was hoping that if danger arises, you could not only ensure Gorou's safety, but also protect the others."
"We will consider it a favor owed to you. If you have any requests, please feel free to bring them up."
Sangonomiya Kokomi spoke earnestly.
"It's fine. I have a score to settle with those people too, so I would have intervened anyway. We won't count it as a favor this time."
The miniature Daphne waved her hand.
"I haven't yet exacted revenge for the one who tried to control me. Although I'm probably no match for that woman, I can still collect some interest from her subordinates first."
"Thank you, that would be wonderful."
Hearing Daphne's words, Sangonomiya Kokomi breathed a sigh of relief.
"However, that's one thing; this kindness is another. We will still remember it."
After finalizing these last details, Sangonomiya Kokomi, Gorou, and Thoma each led a squad to the locations in Tatarasuna where people were previously known to live.
"I was actually chosen by Miss Hina! I'm so lucky!"
"Everyone, let's work harder! Don't embarrass Miss Hina. We have to be the first squad to complete the mission!"
"Alright!"
Hearing the spirited shouts of the soldiers around him, Gorou softly sighed. For some reason, he always felt completely out of place.
But whatever, morale being high is a good thing after all.
Thinking of this, a wry smile appeared on Gorou's face.
"Miss Hina, something seems strange."
"Why are there so many shipwrecks on the shore?"
Hearing these words, Gorou snapped back to his senses and looked in the direction the person was pointing. Then he saw wreckage after wreckage of ships that had been destroyed, scattered along the coast.
"Did the Shogunate have a naval battle with them?"
Gorou's heart tightened. He led his men forward to investigate and found that there were not many clothes or daily necessities among the wreckage, nor were there any bodies. His mood immediately became even more tense.
Without a doubt, this was a warship filled with [Heroic Spirits]. It must have been destroyed by the previous tsunami and thrown onto the beach, which stretched for thousands of meters, evenly scattered across the sand.
Since the enemy had warships participating in the battle, the Shogunate side probably had them as well. Encountering such a terrifying tsunami on the open sea, without the protection of a powerful being, there would be almost no chance of survival!
"Quick, everyone, search for any survivors!"
Gorou temporarily changed his original plan and sent everyone out to search for survivors.
However, as reports came in one after another, a look of confusion could not help but appear on Gorou's face.
It was one thing to have no survivors, but to not even have a single body?
Could it be that all these warships belonged to the enemy?!
Gorou found it hard to understand. What kind of situation would lead to such a large number of enemies going out to sea together, only to be wiped out in one fell swoop?
Moreover, Gorou noticed something else. If these ships had truly been destroyed by the tsunami, a tsunami of such terrifying scale should not have just scattered the wreckage so close to the shore. Yet, no obvious wreckage could be seen further away.
"Could these ships have sunk before the tsunami appeared?"
Thinking of this, a strong sense of absurdity arose in Gorou's heart. After all, the enemy's strength was formidable. It would be good enough just to avoid being defeated, let alone achieving a major victory.
But after thinking it over, there seemed to be no other answer. Gorou could only call everyone back and instruct them.
"Everyone, be careful. With so many ships destroyed, it's obvious that not many of them successfully left the island. They should be hiding somewhere in Tatarasuna."
Hearing Gorou's words, everyone was overjoyed.
"Miss Hina is so concerned about our safety, it's truly touching!"
Good grief, why weren't you all this excited when I spoke before?!
Seeing this scene, Gorou's heart once again lost its balance, even giving him the terrible thought that things weren't so bad this way.
Gorou couldn't help but shudder, quickly suppressing this terrible thought, and then asked Daphne.
"Daphne, can you sense any enemies hiding in the shadows nearby?"
"Yes."
Hearing Daphne's response, Gorou's heart sank.
He had only asked out of caution, never expecting his guess to be correct.
When had the enemy started watching them?
"Daphne, where are they?"
Gorou called his soldiers to gather and guard the surroundings, while asking Daphne again.
"Aren't they all right beneath the ground?"
Daphne replied with a playful and lighthearted tone.
"Underground?"
Hearing this answer, Gorou first froze for a moment, then suddenly jolted in alarm as he remembered that they were facing a group of [Heroic Spirits] who neither needed to breathe nor eat!
And just at that moment, a few meters in front of everyone, a pale arm reached out from beneath the sand. As if this were a signal, then dozens, then hundreds of arms emerged from under the beach one after another, creating a terrifying scene before them.
"Prepare to engage the enemy!"
Gorou roared, and then the Geo Vision on his body erupted with a dazzling light.
"Form ranks!"
Since Daphne had already exposed herself, Gorou no longer had any worries and directly used his ultimate move. A bright yellow banner was planted behind him, and an invisible Domain spread outward. The soldiers within the Domain immediately felt themselves strengthened in all aspects.
"Kill!"
The inspired soldiers, seeing the [Heroic Spirits] drilling out from under the sand one by one, let out a deafening battle cry and charged forward.
-
On the outskirts of Ritou, Enjou watched Lumine, who was still lying on the ground fast asleep, with a nervous expression, pacing like an ant on a hot pan.
He had been waiting here for a very long time, yet Lumine showed absolutely no signs of waking up.
Although Lumine's condition seemed to be stabilizing, with Enjou seeing the scope of the Domain of Nihility already shrink to dozens of meters, he worried that Paimon would come looking for her, which would mean he couldn't keep the credit for himself.
Enjou opened his mouth, wanting to call out and wake Lumine, but ultimately gave up on the idea.
If he woke her up while she was in the middle of a sweet dream, not only would he fail to earn her respect, but he would also incur her dissatisfaction.
"My life is just too hard!"
Enjou sighed, then looked absentmindedly at the sky as dawn broke.
A whole night, a whole entire night!
He had been waiting since yesterday afternoon, yet Lumine still showed no signs of waking up. Even a pig should have woken up by now!
No, I can't compare Her Highness the Princess to a pig. That's an insult to the pig... and to Her Highness the Princess!
Just then, Enjou heard a commotion behind him, growing closer and closer. He snapped back to his senses and turned around, only to see in the distance that white floating thing he now desperately wished he wouldn't see.
Instantly, Enjou's expression soured.
"Enjou, so you're here! You're finally back!"
Upon seeing Enjou, Paimon waved to him from afar.
Arlecchino sniffed the air, her voice tinged with distaste.
"The scent of the Abyss."
"Hey, Arlecchino, Enjou might have been in the Abyss Order before, but he's turned over a new leaf now. Don't you dare lay a hand on him."
Hearing Paimon's words, Arlecchino chuckled softly. She crossed her arms, her expression unreadable, but her indifferent gaze made the hair on Enjou's neck stand on end.
That's the look I recognize. She's someone I can't beat!
Who the hell is this woman?!
"Is the Traveler still asleep? I'll go wake her up."
Seeing Lumine still lying on the ground asleep, Paimon hurriedly flew over.
Enjou was about to insist that he was the first one to find Lumine and had been guarding her side, but after hearing Paimon's words, he immediately abandoned the idea of stopping her. Instead, he watched with a hint of schadenfreude, waiting for Paimon to suffer the consequences of waking Lumine.
"Traveler, wake up! The sun's already on your butt!"
Safe, safe. Once Her Highness the Princess is woken up, she'll definitely give Paimon a big slap across the face right away.
Finally, after Paimon's unremitting efforts, Lumine's eyelids twitched slightly before slowly opening.
Upon seeing Paimon, Lumine immediately sat up, pulling her Domain of Nihility back into her body in an instant. Then she tapped her foot, kicking up a gust of Anemo as she flew to Paimon's side and swung her arms wildly... letting Paimon burrow into her arms as she pulled her close.
Enjou: "???"
ps: There's one more chapter left that I couldn't finish writing. I have things to do early tomorrow morning, so I can't stay up late today. I'll make up for it tomorrow.