The visions that surfaced in their minds moments ago bore no difference from the current reality.
Noin was indeed the first to be attacked, but in those prior visions, this person did not exist.
No, that's incorrect. The moment this person appeared, those visions surged into their mind.
'Did the changes just now result from this person's intervention?'
'And now, Noin was saved by this person again.'
'Is this person here to save us?'
As the leader of a Familia, Alise is no fool. Her mind, agile and quick, spun through numerous thoughts in an instant, connecting various dots before concluding.
"Everyone, gather around me!" Although uncertain, Alise knew what needed to be done and immediately called out to Noin and the rest, who had narrowly escaped death.
The visions had shown each of her companions being isolated and overwhelmed, beyond her reach to save.
But by bringing her companions together, Alise believed they could stand a chance against this terrifying monster that had appeared.
Alise's command, given her leadership role, was compelling. Coupled with the shared sentiment among the members, they quickly rallied to her side as soon as she spoke.
However, the unknown monster seemed to disregard the Astraea Familia's wish to unite.
Right after Alise's instruction, the monster that had just been blocked vanished again from their sight.
This action sent a chill down Alise's spine, her fear not for the monster itself but the potential of her companions being slaughtered as foreseen.
Yet, the next moment brought Alise a sigh of relief.
For the monster was thwarted once again, not by anyone else but the mysterious glowing figure that had appeared just now.
Currently, the monster and this luminous figure were behind Neze, who was totally unaware of her near demise.
As Alise was about to express her gratitude, both the figure and the monster vanished again, startling Alise and a few other Astraea Familia members who noticed.
Sure enough, upon scanning the area, they found the monster and the glowing figure clashing once more, this time behind Asta.
The members, who were doomed to instant death in those visions, had all been saved.
This made Alise and the others fully understand that the glowing figure before them was not an enemy but a friend.
Alise and her companions felt a sense of realization, as if the luminous figure had come specifically to rescue them. Their suspicion was soon confirmed by the person in question.
Finally, after blocking the unknown monster's attack three times, the figure fully appeared before them, allowing them to clearly see its features.
"Hey, Ryuu, I've come to save you!" Aston, facing the astonished members of the Astraea Familia, greeted them with a slight smile.
Time Projection, this ability, comes with significant limitations and can't be used carelessly.
The farther back in time he arrives, the more unstable and shorter the duration he can stay, without significantly altering the timeline.
Aston had just stabilized after arriving more than ten seconds ago.
Fortunately, he could act even during the stabilization phase; otherwise, Ryuu's three companions would have died at the hands of Juggernaut.
However, Aston's form began to blur again.
"Ryuu, do you know him?" Alise, realizing Aston's purpose, turned to a bewildered Ryuu and asked.
"No, I don't know him," Ryuu responded blankly.
"It seems he specifically came to save us." As the others finally reached Alise's side, Kaguya raised an eyebrow and commented.
"That was really close." Noin, the first to be attacked by Juggernaut, spoke with lingering fear.
She was the only one among the three to witness Juggernaut's attack firsthand.
The sudden, invisible assault terrified her, the murderous intent chilling her to the bone.
"Thank you, unknown adventurer!" Overwhelmed with relief, Noin thanked Aston.
The others also expressed their gratitude to Aston.
Neze and Asta were thankful for Aston saving their lives.
Though they did not see Juggernaut themselves, the sense of a life-or-death crisis was palpable.
After Aston blocked the attack, they too felt the reality of being targeted.
The rest were grateful on behalf of their companions.
However, Aston did not respond verbally to their thanks; he simply nodded slightly at them and then his gaze returned to Ryuu.
"Ryuu, don't despair, don't lose hope."
"Find me, and grow with me."
"Wait until my eyes become like this, then seek me for help."
"Also, the more first-class adventurers, the better." Aston, looking at Ryuu, gently advised.
This left everyone present bewildered, unsure of what Aston was talking about.
However, Alise and the others didn't dwell on these mysteries.
"Unknown adventurer, what's your name? I'm coming to thank you." Alise drew her sword and charged towards Aston.
She hadn't forgotten that they still faced an enemy.
Seeing this, the others also prepared to act.
But, just as they had run only a few meters, they noticed something odd.
Their bodies were glowing; what was happening?
Alise and the others stopped, looking seriously at the light wrapping around their bodies.
"This is!" Alise instantly looked towards Aston, as their current situation was identical to his.
"Alise, Kaguya, what's happening to you!" Ryuu, who had also charged forward, noticed the difference, shouting out in panic.
That's when everyone realized, Ryuu wasn't glowing like them at all.
"Sorry." Aston apologized to the frantic Ryuu.
In the next moment, Alise and the others gradually turned into points of light and vanished, starting with Alise and ending with Maryuu. They disappeared one by one in front of Ryuu, who couldn't touch them.
"What did you do!" Ryuu, no longer preoccupied with the monster, charged at Aston, shouting angrily.
"Sorry, but don't worry, Ryuu. Find me, and everything will be okay." Aston, facing the charging Ryuu, began to blur slightly, still smiling gently.
As soon as he finished speaking, Aston's flickering form burst into light points and disappeared into the air.
Disappearing along with Aston was Juggernaut, who hadn't moved.
When Aston blocked Juggernaut's third strike, he used all his strength to instantly kill and erase it.
But because the strike was too swift, Juggernaut itself didn't realize it.
Now, as Aston's power faded, Juggernaut began to disappear.
"What's happening!" Ryuu, grasping at thin air, fell heavily to the ground. After getting up, she clenched her fists, bit her lips until blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
The next moment, Ryuu's gaze shot towards the Rudra Familia members above, frozen like wooden chickens. In a flash, she charged out like a burst of wind.
"It's all your fault!"
"Die!"