"We can't hold on any longer... retreat!"
"The defensive line has several breaches already... if this continues..."
Countless battlefield reports converged before Sangonomiya Kokomi, her expression grave. The cacophony of battle cries and roars outside was deafening. The scent of blood had already drifted to the rear command center, casting a pall of gloom over the area.
Kokomi raised her head to look at the assembled personnel, all awaiting her orders. The Divine Priestess took a deep breath to steady herself and issued commands with feigned composure:
"Have the Shogunate forces and resistance fighters form three defensive lines, gradually delaying the enemy to buy time. We must hold out until the arrival of the gods!"
Kokomi nodded slightly, unable to comprehend why the Electro Archon still hadn't arrived. The immense pressure from Osial in the distance made her heart clench tightly, though fortunately it hadn't taken action yet.
But just as this thought emerged, several dark purple lasers illuminated the night, dividing the battlefield and instantly tearing massive gaps in their defenses.
Sensing disaster, Kokomi pushed past those trying to stop her and rushed out of the tent to survey the battlefield.
Purplish-black flames were devouring countless humans and demonic beasts. The scorched black earth intermittently emitted a nauseating stench mingled with abyssal energy and divine power. Several burning figures ran wildly in all directions as countless soldiers dropped their weapons in despair, staring blankly at the hellish scene before them.
Even the land itself had been split apart, leaving behind eerie black flames that inspired terror. Severed limbs and blood littered the ground while wails and screams rose and fell. Those who survived contact with the lasers found purple patterns spreading across their faces before rapidly desiccating into mummies.
"All forces retreat! Stay out of the evil god's attack range! Have all squad leaders reorganize defensive lines!"
Sangonomiya Kokomi clenched her fists, issuing orders through gritted teeth. In truth, she was terrified - facing such a formidable enemy left her bewildered too. But she had to maintain the appearance of calm strategizing because she couldn't falter. If she fell, the entire army would lose its pillar and collapse.
A pillar of light suddenly shot skyward from the Grand Narukami Shrine, dispersing the black clouds over Inazuma City. All of Inazuma's people looked up to see countless points of light scattering across Narukami Island like snowflakes.
Those who had lost their Visions saw light return to their eyes. The anxious masses found themselves enveloped in these warm points of light. On the frontlines, the endlessly roaring demonic creatures vanished like illusions.
"This is..."
Standing on the ship's deck, Kaedehara Kazuha reached out to catch one of the drifting lights, sensing within it a hope called "dreams."
On the pitch-black sea, Osial began lashing the waters. This time, the black storm grew even more violent, attempting to corrode everything it touched.
On one side stood a nation filled with light; on the other, a sea sinking into endless darkness. The two forces clashed once more. The Sacred Sakura at the shrine purified the filth from the ley lines and continued thriving. Amidst falling cherry blossoms, a figure burst forth.
Countless eyes turned skyward again as the brightest point of light advanced toward Osial.
With each step, ripples spread beneath his feet. The air stilled as blades carrying countless wishes floated around him, awaiting command.
Suddenly, the Statue of the Seven at Osial's core erupted with dark purple radiance. Purple divine power shot into the sky, transforming into countless arrows that rained down toward Rover. The blades before him turned horizontally.
Rover leisurely drew his sword. Everyone heard the clear ringing as countless wishes converged upon the blade's edge.
An upward slash sent forth golden sword light that annihilated the purple arrows overhead while simultaneously cleaving the clouds to reveal a sliver of starry sky.
The controlled Osial intensified its assault. From the raging sea, several dark purple waterspouts made landfall, mingled with endless lightning that ravaged everything. Then endless water arrows gathered across the ocean's surface before being unleashed in an overwhelming barrage toward Inazuma City.
Amid this cataclysmic disaster, the gale-force winds made Rover's clothes flap violently. The air was thick with the violent, destructive aura of the abyss.
Rover 's eyes remained utterly calm, as if oblivious to these attacks as he continued walking forward through the air.
As the water arrows were about to strike, Rover slowly raised his hand.
"Snap!"
The crisp snap of fingers overpowered the howling winds and the sound of blades cutting air, becoming the only sound in that space.
In that instant, everyone's eyes widened. All movement and attacks froze in that moment - the entire world paused except for that lone figure still advancing forward.
This time, all of time stood still at this moment. Only Rover remained unaffected, like a true deity!
After the snap, Rover extended his hand again and clenched it toward Osial. His eyes held nothing but icy indifference toward insignificant creatures.
Osial's massive form was forcibly lifted by this power. It madly flailed its tentacles as the central Statue of the Seven began showing signs of collapse. The space around it fractured like shattering glass.
Finally, a discordant sound broke the silence - Osial's roar of unwillingness, its final struggle.
Rover slowly raised his sword and closed his eyes.
All of Inazuma's people seemed to witness their nation's entire history - from nothingness to its construction brick by brick. The passage of time became manifest, and between each moment, seeds called "hope" took root and sprouted.
Kazuha realized he could move again and hurried to the ship's prow, where his friend seemed to be waiting.
"Kazuha, never give up. Even the smallest person holds boundless power. I don't regret facing the might of lightning. Will you believe in and witness the Musou no Hitotachi born from Inazuma's people?"
His friend's form was dreamlike and ethereal. As his friend extended a hand, Kazuha's vision blurred. He suddenly remembered that day when his friend's body stood straight and tall beneath terrifying lightning.
"Yes... because I too believe in the future. There must be hope in the future!"
Kazuha pressed his lips together, clenched his fists, and strove to project his wish toward that figure in the sky.
Countless wishes emerged from across Inazuma, gathering in the sky to release dazzling radiance that completely dispelled the black clouds.
Rover glanced at the deity standing atop Tenshukaku, who was also watching him. The divine being saw an old friend waving at them.
Its cold expression wavered slightly before it finally looked up to see a hand extended before it.
"Ei."
Makoto smiled and nodded at it. The ice in its heart melted in that instant, revealing burning dreams. Slowly, it raised its hand to clasp the offered one.
Ei's wish also rose slowly to join the others in the sky.
"Rover, let me witness whether this Musou no Hitotachi - belonging to you and Inazuma's people - is truly as Makoto said, capable of becoming an eternal moment!"
Rover swung his raised sword toward the still-struggling Osial. Countless starlights fell with the descending blade as innumerable wishes formed scenes that merged into the sword light.
In that instant, all color and sound vanished from the world, leaving only the golden sword light as the sole existence between heaven and earth.
When everyone regained their senses, they first heard the sizzling of intense heat - the entire sky seemed to be burning. Then the sea presented a shocking sight.
An endless sword scar divided the ocean, revealing the shattered seabed. The profound chasm made hearts tremble with fear.
"My heavens! This... this..."
The bloodstained Arataki Itto stood dumbfounded at the shoreline, unable to find words for the scene before him.
"A miracle... heavens, a true miracle!"
Even the usually reserved Kamisato Ayaka unconsciously wiped monster blood from her face, staring blankly as her sword dropped unnoticed.
Yae Miko appeared beside Ei at some point. Before she could tease, Ei spoke first:
"Makoto... was right. People's wishes are more important than I imagined. Henceforth, for eternity's sake, I must value them."
Seeing Ei's lonely figure, Yae sighed before looking again at the bisected sea. She already knew what to do next.
"Rover, you really did it!"
Aether hurried to the newly landed Rover, while Abby proudly put his hands on his hips as if he'd delivered that slash himself.
"Of course! Who do you think he is?"
Paimon exclaimed excitedly:
"Rover, I want to learn that too!"
Aether immediately rapped Paimon's head, saying irritably:
"I haven't even learned it yet, let alone you. I'm Rover's first disciple."
Paimon stamped her foot indignantly and looked to Rover.
"Me too! Can I be the second disciple?"
Abby flew over and patted his chest.
"Actually, you could be my first disciple, Abby. I'll take care of you."
Paimon immediately threw up her hands in complaint:
"Learn how to sniff things from you?"
Abby crossed his arms and retorted sarcastically:
"Still better than being completely useless, right?"
Paimon had no comeback. After thinking hard without success, she stamped her foot angrily again.
"So annoying! I'll give you an awful nickname too - how about 'Gluttonous—'"
Aether's eye twitched as he glanced at his wallet.
"Someone seems even more gluttonous than Abby..."
"Ahhh! Whose side are you on anyway?"
(The Inazuma arc will conclude in a few more chapters.