Bang! Bang! Bang!
Within the misty sea, Xuelan was engaged in an intense battle. As Rooks with expertise in martial arts, their fight was straightforward— clashing fists, a showdown of strength against strength.
Xuelan, as Tenraku's powerful Rook, was second only to Yubelluna within Tenraku's entire Peerage. Yura Tsubasa was no pushover either. As Sona's Rook, she possessed the artificial Sacred Gear "Shield of Spirit and Glory - Twinkle Aegis."
Bang Long!
Another collision and the force of their fists caused the air to explode.
Returning to the ground simultaneously, both girls were breathing slightly heavily.
"Hā... Hā..."
"You are impressive, Xuelan San. Truly formidable, as expected of Tenraku-Sama's Peerage," Yura panted while expressing admiration.
"Yura, you're formidable too. I initially thought that using Yubelluna's dense fog would be enough to defeat you from the start. But it turns out we've been at a standstill for so long," Xuelan said, brushing her somewhat disheveled hair.
"Then let's continue. For our masters' victory, let's settle the score today!"
Mutual respect filled the air and faced with such a rare opponent, Yura Tsubasa's fighting spirit surged.
However, Xuelan shook her head.
"Though continuing to battle with you would be great, this fight has already concluded."
"I can still fight."
Hearing Yura Tsubasa's response, Xuelan remained silent, a smile on her face.
It was at that moment—
Buzz!
The space seemed to distort, and the ground beneath Yura Tsubasa suddenly collapsed. She, in turn, felt a tremendous force, causing her entire body to prostrate on the ground.
"This is... gravity? It can't be, you haven't..."
She felt her body suddenly become dozens of times heavier and Yura Tsubasa couldn't help but pale in shock.
"Yura, are you trying to tell me that I haven't landed a hundred punches yet?"
"The 'Hundred-Times Gravity Fist' I used against Sairaorg's Peerage in our last battle was just a technique I developed on the spot. It had many shortcomings, but I've since perfected it."
"Now, the gravity fist has no previous limitations. With just one hit, I can double the opponent's gravity. However, earlier, I didn't let it take effect to prevent you from noticing. I wanted it to accumulate to a certain point before a sudden eruption."
"As I suspected, Yura, who wasn't aware of this, was unprepared. Now, bound by gravity dozens of times stronger, you can no longer fight me." Standing before Yura Tsubasa, Xuelan patiently explained.
"I see... I've truly lost this time..." Supporting her body with all her might, Yura Tsubasa couldn't help but force a bitter smile.
Although she felt somewhat unwilling, she couldn't deny that she had lost.
"I'm sorry, Yura. Next time, we'll have another battle if the chance arises. But this victory, I'll take without reservations!"
With her fists clenched, Xuelan delivered the final blow to her opponent...
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Boom!
"Ah!"
A massive explosion erupted in mid-air, and Sitri's Knight, Meguri Tomoe, screamed as she crashed to the ground, losing consciousness.
Returning to the ground, Isabela, half of her face concealed by a mask, tightly gripped her fists. Her heart was filled with excitement.
This was the power granted to her by Tenraku-Sama!
"One of Princess Sona's Rooks, out!"
"One of Princess Sona's Knights, out!"
Hearing the announcer's broadcast, Isabela's lips curved into a smile:
"Has Xuelan dealt with her opponent as well..."
A path cleared through the dense fog. Isabela knew it was Yubelluna summoning her, so she swiftly leaped and made her way over.
Before long, Isabela rendezvoused with Yubelluna and Xuelan.
"How's the situation now?"
"Princess Sona has lost five members of her Peerage. The enemy now only has a Queen and a Knight remaining."
"The enemy's Queen is not to be underestimated, but that Knight is unfamiliar. Their identity and abilities are unknown. It's likely that they're a new addition to Princess Sona's contracted Peerage."
By utilizing Yubelluna's ability to scatter and hunt down the enemy, they had achieved a major success in their operation.
"Yubelluna, are you alright?" Noticing Yubelluna's somewhat pale complexion, both Xuelan and Isabela couldn't help but express their concern.
"I'm fine. It's just that my Magic Power has been significantly depleted. It's not easy at all to control the 'Longinus.'" Yubelluna shook her head and spoke with a hint of helplessness in her voice.
Thinking about it, Yubelluna had only obtained the "Fog of Extinction - Dimension Lost" a few days ago. Although she had practiced it many times in these few days, mastering it was indeed no easy feat. Reflecting on how effortlessly Tenraku-Sama could handle so many Sacred Gears, Yubelluna couldn't help but be deeply impressed by her master.
"Yubelluna, disperse the fog. We don't need it anymore, and we can handle the rest without it."Xuelan suggested. With three of them against the remaining two opponents, they held an absolute advantage.
Indeed, continuing to maintain the fog would be a bit taxing for them. Yubelluna nodded and activated her ability. The dense fog, which covered nearly half of the forest, dissipated and gathered back into Yubelluna's body.
These mists were transformed by Yubelluna's Magic Power through her Sacred Gear. Though it dissipated a considerable amount, she managed to reclaim a significant portion. Yubelluna's somewhat pale cheeks regained a touch of color.
With the dispersal of the mist, the visibility in the forest finally cleared up. Shinra Tsubaki quickly gathered with her remaining companion.
Sitri Sona's newly contracted Knight was a petite figure dressed in a Reaper outfit, with a skull mask concealing her face.
"Yubelluna!" With a grim expression on her face, Shinra Tsubaki stared fixedly at the trio of Yubelluna. Her beautiful eyes gleamed with a sharp, icy light.
When she was trapped in the fog earlier, she couldn't do anything and could only listen as her comrades were defeated and forced to retreat one by one. The feeling of powerlessness weighed heavily on Shinra Tsubaki.
"I'm sorry, Tsubaki. I used underhanded methods against you, but this is war." Facing Shinra Tsubaki, Yubelluna spoke.
Though it was somewhat cruel, they were all fighting for their respective masters. Even if they were to fight again, she wouldn't show mercy.
Taking a deep breath, Shinra Tsubaki knew that what the others said was true.
Yubelluna and the others weren't wrong; it was her own weakness that led to her inability to protect her comrades.
"Bennia, from here on, I'll stay here and fight them. You go to the central battlefield in the forest."
"Make sure to rendezvous with Princess Sona. I'm counting on you." Forcing herself to calm down, Shinra Tsubaki spoke.
Watching Shinra Tsubaki, the petite Knight nodded in silence, then transformed into a blur and charged into the forest.
"Xuelan, stop her!"
With a changed expression, Yubelluna quickly urged.
"Understood!"
Stepping forward, Xuelan also swiftly pursued.
"Now, it's our turn to fight."
"Prepare yourselves. I'll reclaim the unwillingness of our comrades for all of them!"
A long blade appeared in Shinra Tsubaki's hand. At this moment, she exuded a dangerous aura like never before...
To be continued...