"He-----!"
In the high altitude above Misaki Bridge, Shana vibrated the flames on her wings, leaping high into the air. With Nietono no Shana, burning with intense Red Lotus flames, she swung it down towards Margery below.
The scorching Red Lotus flames instantly transformed into a roaring blaze, resembling a torrential flow of fire, sweeping down from the sky. The terrifying high temperature distorted the air, making it appear as if the entire space was warping, exceptionally frightening.
The scale of the flame torrent was unprecedented, like a colossal wave descending from the heavens, instantly covering Margery's entire field of vision.
"Damn!"
Beneath the fiery torrent, Margery stood on the floating large hardcover book, cursing loudly while simultaneously bringing her fingers together to chant the Improvisational Poem of Slaughter.
"Create a rose garden! Ha!"
"Stop all thieves! Ha!"
With Marchosias's chanting in accompaniment, centered around Margery's conjoined fingers, a totem-like Unrestricted Spell began to rotate, forming a circular pattern. It seemed to revolve around Margery like a halo orbiting a celestial body, undulating around her body.
The flame torrent from above immediately descended.
"Boom!"
A grand explosion unfolded in mid-air. The Red Lotus fire wave crashed down like a waterfall on rocks, erupting into a surging wave of flames. It bloomed in the air like massive water splashes, simultaneously incinerating and evaporating everything in the surroundings.
The terrifying high temperature baked the entire space, causing the temperature inside the Fuuzetsu/Seal to rise extremely rapidly, surpassing the range that an average human could endure in an instant.
Moreover, the center of the flames was as scorching as the sun, presenting an intense hue like molten lava, incinerating everything in its path.
In this situation, Margery, as if surfing, once again stepped on the large hardcover book, gradually riding out the impact of the formidable fire wave.
Every time the Red Lotus flames approached her, the totem-like Unrestricted Spell would rotate, creating an invisible fireproof barrier, isolating the flames.
However, each time it blocked an incoming wave of flames, the totem-like Unrestricted Spell would dim slightly.
"Snap…"
Until at a certain moment, a crisp cracking sound echoed above the totem-like Unrestricted Spell.
"Tch!" Margery couldn't help but exclaim.
"It's coming!" Marchosias loudly warned.
Soon after, a petite figure swung the Red Lotus wings on her back, descending like a diving bird with astonishing speed.
"Don't underestimate me!" Margery shouted gruffly, raising her fingers, conjoined, towards the sky.
"It's you who underestimated me!" Shana's eyes suddenly flashed with burning lights. As if plummeting like a meteor, she unexpectedly raised one of her hands high, forcefully hurling the weapon gripped in it.
"Chī!"
The sharp dagger instantly turned into a gleam of cold light, like a lightning bolt, directly shooting towards Margery.
Moreover, as it flew, the dagger spun rapidly.
"What...!" Margery's pupils suddenly contracted.
The rapidly spinning dagger made Margery inevitably recall that tornado-like attack from Tatsumaki, carrying a grand momentum. Her mind was instantly thrown into chaos."He----!"
Margery failed to notice that this attack, compared to the previous one, was merely superficial.
In the moment of its release, the power that was rapidly rotating with extreme speed in the previous strike would have stirred up the surrounding airflow, creating a Tatsumaki-like wind that broke through the sky, demonstrating astonishing power.
Now, however, the dagger thrown by Shana not only had a significantly weaker rotation but also failed to influence the surrounding airflow. It was simply a weapon thrown with a simple spin.
It could only be said that the previous strike had left an impression on Margery, leading to an excessive reaction.
Thus, with all her might, Margery, in a rather embarrassing posture, stepped on the large hardcover book, swiftly moving to the side.
The Moon Blade, spinning and shooting, narrowly missed Margery's side and landed in an empty space.
It was only at this moment that Margery realized she had been deceived.
"Oh no!" Marchosias exclaimed.
However, at this point, it was too late for Margery to react.
"Aaah————!"
Descending swiftly, Shana reached Margery's front with Nietono no Shana burning with intense Red Lotus Karmic Fire. Like a meteor, it heavily chopped down on Margery, whose complexion had abruptly changed.
"Boom————!"
Another explosion echoed.
The fire wave of the Red Lotus bloomed, enveloping the surroundings.
"Aaaaah————!"
In the fire wave, Margery emitted painful cries, enduring the fierce burning of the Red Lotus flames, scorching her body and leaving her clothes completely incinerated.
When the fire wave surged all around and began to recede, Margery was covered in smoke, with skin marked by patches of charred traces. Resembling a victim attacked by artillery from the sky, she heavily fell to the ground.
"Margery!" Marchosias's anxious voice echoed from the large hardcover book.
"Ugh..." Margery twitched slightly, her body overwhelmed by intense pain. Her hair, once tied into a ponytail, now lay completely scattered on the ground.
Blackened traces covered Margery's body.
Intense pain surged through Margery's entire body.
With great effort, Margery opened her eyes, struggling on the ground, preparing to stand up.
However, before that, the tip of an Ōdachi entered Margery's field of vision.
Margery's eyes underwent drastic changes.
In front of her, Shana stood, pointing Nietono no Shana at Margery's eyes. Looking down at her from a high vantage point, Shana made a declaration.
"I won."
An undeniable declaration of victory.
"Let it end here." Alastor solemnly spoke, "Continuing the battle is meaningless."
"...You dare say that..." Margery gazed at Shana, her eyes as sharp as if they could tear her to shreds. In a sarcastic tone, she said, "You are clearly a Flame Haze, yet you are fighting to protect a 'Denizen' and comrades. Who is truly engaging in meaningless actions?"
"I have no intention of debating with you, and I certainly have no intention of saving or converting your worldview," Shana spoke with an unquestionable tone. "I only know that I am the victor, so you must listen to me."
A faint distortion appeared on Margery's charming face.
At this moment, a leisurely voice entered everyone's ears.
"However, before that, why not listen to what I have to say?"
...