The resounding system notification sound echoed throughout Fang Li's entire mind, bringing a momentary clarity to his somewhat muddled head, but he couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Surviving in Desperation?"
Indeed, it could be considered surviving in desperation.
If he could achieve it.
But, was it possible?
The weakness and pain from both the soul and body had rendered Fang Li completely immobile, and he was only able to move his limbs feebly. It was absolutely impossible for him to engage in another battle.
While Trinity had sustained some injuries in the previous fight, they were still capable of combat. Coupled with each member possessing strength far exceeding Fang Li without using Stigma, even if Fang Li were unscathed, it would be impossible to defeat them, especially in his current condition.
Moreover, Fang Li could sense two extremely powerful auras coming from the direction of the castle.
One of them was Sabrac.
In the distance, the Denizens and Rinne of the 'Bal Masqué' gradually surrounded Fang Li.
In such a situation, Fang Li was utterly unable to fight again, so how could he successfully survive in desperation?
As for escaping, Fang Li gave up on that option.
Even when using Stigma, Fang Li felt his aura firmly locked onto by Trinity. They only needed to use an Unrestricted Spell for transfer, just like when they captured Fang Li before. Fang Li couldn't escape, no matter how fast he was. Hence, Fang Li chose to fight.
Now, with Fang Li unable to use Stigma and unable to fight, how could he escape?
This was complete and utter despair.
(No, that's not right.)
Suddenly, Fang Li snapped out of it.
(Since the Main God's Dimension has issued a quest, it means there is at least a chance to complete it.)
Even the highest-ranked S-Rank Quest would be impossible to complete with no chance at all, otherwise, it wouldn't have been issued. In this situation, the Main God's Dimension had issued an A-Rank Side Quest.
What did this represent?
It meant that even in this situation, Fang Li still had a chance to complete the quest.
(But this opportunity shouldn't be in my body.)
After all, Fang Li was completely powerless at this point.
(In that case, it means one thing.)
What is it?
Some sort of accident or surprise.
Next, there would be a surprise opportunity for Fang Li to complete the quest.
So, what would this surprise be?
Fang Li had completely lost the ability to move.
In that case, the only thing Fang Li could think of was one.
That is, rescue.
Originally, an impossible rescue.
So, in this world, who would come to rescue Fang Li?
There was only one person.
In this world, only one person stood on Fang Li's side, fighting alongside him.
Thinking of this person, Fang Li couldn't help but whisper softly.
"Shana…"
This call echoed as if traversing through space and time, reaching the ears of a girl in another corner of the world.
The next moment, an unexpected event occurred.
"Boom!"
A burst of Red Lotus flames suddenly descended from mid-air, like a flaming meteor carrying terrifying high temperatures, illuminating the entire night sky of Seireiden and crashing down.
"What…?!"
Hecate, Sydonay, and Bel Peol were all startled, and without any hesitation, they swiftly retreated from around Fang Li, moving towards all directions.
The surrounding Denizens who had surrounded them were equally shocked.
"What's happening?!"
"Red Lotus flames?!"
"Could it be…?!"
Amidst the panicked voices, the Karmic Fire of the Red Lotus descended.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, the Red Lotus flames burst open like an exploding waterfall, turning into a surging fire wave that swept in all directions, enveloping the surrounding area.
Naturally, Fang Li was in the midst of it.
However, Fang Li suffered no harm; instead, he found himself embraced by a petite figure.
In the Karmic Fire of the Red Lotus, Fang Li could only feel the warmth of that embrace.
Fang Li chuckled again and said, "You are way too slow."
This was the first thing Shana said to Fang Li when she rushed over after the battle with Margery. Now, Fang Li returned the same line to her.
The result was met with Shana's response, "As long as you could arrive on time, it's not considered late."
This was the only outcome.
However, the girl spoke matter-of-factly.
Her flame-like hair fluttered in the wind.
Her burning eyes gleamed brightly.
The girl with Red Lotus wings vibrating on her back held Fang Li, transforming into a fiery red meteor, shooting into the sky, and eventually appearing in the flames, impressing everyone.
"Flame-Haired…?!"
"Burning-Eyed…?!"
"How is this possible…?!"
All around, the Denizens were all shocked one by one.
Not to mention the others, even the complexions of Hecate, Sydonay, and Bel Peol slightly froze, showing surprise.
"The 'Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Assassin' of 'Flame of Heaven'…" Sydonay murmured, "Why did the Flame Haze of 'Flame of Heaven' appear here?"
Hearing this, Hecate didn't react at all.
Only Bel Peol raised her head and looked at the night sky of Seireiden.
More precisely, she looked at the gap that Fang Li had cut out with a single slash.
Looking at that gap, Bel Peol understood.
"You arrived at an inconvenient time…"
Bel Peol's words didn't reach anyone's ears.
In this instant, everyone's gaze was drawn to the figure of the Red Lotus, and they all stared intently.
As Shana looked at the Denizens and Rinne, who had surrounded them, and then gazed at Trinity on the ground, Shana, holding Fang Li with one hand and gripping Nietono no Shana with the other, spoke calmly.
"It seems like we've arrived at an extraordinary place."
At the same time, Alastor's voice also echoed from the pendant in front of Shana.
"This should be the headquarters of the 'Bal Masqué,' the Treasure Tool Seireiden, a counterpart to Tendoukyuu."
"Seireiden?" Shana seemed to understand something and said, "So that's how it is. That's why we couldn't fix our coordinates before?"
"Yes, Seireiden and Tendoukyuu both have Cryptas, and the surveillance from the outside world can't reach here," Alastor said. "Our successful arrival is probably due to the destruction of Crypta."
(Crypta "Sacred Room of Concealment") is a bubble-like, spherical, and hollow world that covers Tendōkyū and Seireiden, forming an invisible barrier that conceals everything inside and prevents even their existences from being sensed by the outside world)
"In that case…" Shana, just like the first time they met, directly ignored Fang Li and asked Alastor for advice, saying, "What should we do next?"
"We cannot fight," Alastor replied without the slightest hesitation. "With your power alone, it's impossible to deal with all the Denizens of the 'Bal Masqué,' including Trinity. It's impossible."
"Understood." Shana, with a determined tone, established the next course of action.
"We retreat."
...