It was a truly spectacular scene.
On one side, a massive pillar of flame descended from the sky, evaporating the atmosphere along its path.
On the other side, a dagger spun violently, akin to a Tatsumaki wind, shooting extremely fast.
The deep blue pillar of fire and the extremely fast-spinning Tatsumaki wind collided in mid-air.
"Boom——!"
The next second, a thunderous roar resounded.
The collision between the pillar of fire and the Tatsumaki Wind was like the clash of a meteor and a typhoon, creating a staggering storm of impact. It resembled a stellar explosion, sending shockwaves in all directions, forming a ring-shaped disturbance that expanded outward.
In an instant, the space within a radius of several hundred meters seemed to be shaken, trembling as if by some force.
"What?!" Margery and Marchosias, suspended in the high sky, exclaimed in surprise.
Shana, on the other hand, was propelled by the impact storm. With even more intense momentum, she crashed towards the ground.
"Hu——!"
The howling wind echoed in her ears.
"Pa Pa Pa Pa——!"
The Red Lotus fire powder danced in the air.
Shana descended extremely fast towards the ground, managing to stabilize her figure only after a struggle. The black clothing on her back suddenly lifted, and with a swift turn, she landed firmly on the surface of the Misaki Bridge.
At the same time, in mid-air, a dagger fell and landed precisely by Shana's side.
"Qiang——!"
With a crisp sound, the sharp dagger embedded itself directly into the bridge, piercing through the asphalt road.
Shana immediately reacted, shifting her gaze towards the direction of the dagger.
"That dagger..." Alastor's voice, somewhat surprised and enlightened, emanated from the pendant.
As for Shana, she was completely stunned.
She recognized that dagger.
Because not long ago, after the battle with Sydonay, Shana had picked up this very dagger.
"Zing..."
A cold arc of light flowed over the blade of the dagger, resembling a residual moon.
Its name was Moonlight Dagger.
In the instant, Shana realized this, her grip on Nietono no Shana's handle tightened abruptly.
Perhaps even Shana herself hadn't noticed.
On her youthful and charming face, a heroic smile replaced the previously stern expression.
Power began to fill Shana's entire body.
In mid-air, the wild beast named Tōga floated, looking around vigilantly, shouting.
"Who? Show yourself!"
"I can't sense any aura at all. Could it be that guy Lamies?!"
Margery and Marchosias' voices echoed from Tōga's flame robe.
The response they received, however, was a youthful voice.
"Now is it the time to be distracted?"
Hearing this, Margery's heart tightened abruptly. She turned her head sharply, gazing towards the front.
At that moment, Shana held Nietono no Shana in one hand and Moonlight Dagger in the other. A pair of Burning Eyes burned with dazzling light, focused on Margery's body.
Behind Shana, a pair of wings emerged.
Wings crafted from the flames of the Red Lotus.
"Alright."
Shana pointed Nietono no Shana towards Margery, wearing a newfound confidence on her face.
"Let the second round begin."
...
In the Bright Red World, the flames of the Red Lotus and the deep blue flames once again ignited at the center of the battlefield, creating a fierce clash.
Someone observed this spectacle.
On the rooftop of a building closest to the edge of Misaki Bridge.
Two people were watching.
One was Fang Li.
The other, an elderly gentleman dressed in worn-out suits, exuding a gentlemanly aura.
The two stood side by side, discussing the intense conflict between Red Lotus flames and deep blue flames as if critically reviewing the situation.
"Truly deserving of the 'Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Assassin.' Although young, she can easily suppress the 'Chanter of Elegies,' quite unusual," praised the elderly gentleman.
As the elderly gentleman spoke, the battle had completely shifted. Shana now unilaterally dominated Margery.
Margery, in the form of Tōga, agilely soared through the air, releasing flame projectiles, and attempting to attack Shana. However, Shana's Red Lotus flame wings showed no signs of dodging. Instead, they met the attacks head-on. In a flurry of blade lights and sword shadows, Shana effortlessly deflected all incoming flame projectiles.
Seeing the ineffective attacks, Margery immediately altered her strategy. She began chanting the proud "Improvisational Poem of Slaughter," creating multiple avatars that surrounded Shana, attempting to confuse her.
However, Shana closed her eyes, then suddenly burst forth like a meteor, rushing towards one of the avatars. With Nietono no Shana and Moonlight Dagger in hand, she swiftly struck down the incoming flame projectiles.
The flame robe named Tōga was directly cleaved apart.
Margery, riding on the consciousness of Marchosias stored within the large hardcover book, surfed out like a wave.
Shana promptly closed the distance while consecutively slashing with her weapons.
Without the flame robe, Margery stood no chance in close combat against Shana and could only desperately evade.
The battle now completely favored Shana in this scenario.
Watching this scene, Fang Li showed no hint of surprise.
"Originally, in terms of strength, Shana is not inferior to the opponent. Now that she has learned to control her flames preliminarily, suppressing a Flame Haze filled with a vengeful heart is not a difficult task."
Fang Li remarked, "Wait for some time. Once Shana becomes completely familiar with her power, she'll become even stronger."
"Is that so?" The elderly gentleman nodded, then sensed something, asking somewhat uncertainly, "Shana?"
"The name of the 'Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed assassin,'" Fang Li shrugged, indifferent. "Just picked it up recently."
"I see." The elderly gentleman understood.
If there were a third party present, seeing Fang Li and the elderly gentleman chatting amiably would undoubtedly make them think that the two had known each other for a long time. However, in reality, they had just met moments ago.
It was at the moment Fang Li used the Extreme Death Nanaya technique to throw the Moonlight Dagger, blocking Margery's pillar of fire attack. At that instant, the elderly gentleman silently appeared by Fang Li's side, watching the battle together.
Fang Li didn't display any surprise or wariness, and it was as if he had known the arrival of the other party. Without glancing at him, Fang Li continued to watch the battle alongside the elderly gentleman.
"You must have quite the courage, knowing the person chasing you is right here and still coming directly," Fang Li said with a half-smile.
"Should I call you 'Corpse Retriever,' or should I call you 'Corpse Retriever'?"
...