"As our princess mentioned, Captain Eclair, you excel in emblem cannon usage. Could you demonstrate it for me? I'm new to this world and unfamiliar with these things," Zhang Fan said, seemingly oblivious to the oncoming enemy forces, instead turning to Eclair with a genial request.
"First, activate your emblem," Eclair responded, lifting her left hand and unleashing her emblem towards the enemy. A pale blue emblem materialized in her palm.
Observing her, Zhang Fan concentrated and summoned a golden emblem onto his own hand. The emblem power, a fascinating force indeed.
"Then, channel all your strength and spirit into it, enhancing the emblem!" Eclair instructed. As she spoke, her emblem was fortified, showing a pale green gate adorned with two knightly swords and flanked by a pair of wings, though smaller than those of Princess Mishore.
Following her lead, Zhang Fan gathered his qi, focusing it into a point. His emblem appeared behind him, strikingly similar to the princess's but predominantly gold and white. Notably, it featured two sets of wings, one black and one white, symbolizing a harmony of light and darkness.
"Convert the power of Florineld into energy and release it through your weapon!" Zhang Fan thought, interpreting the action as harnessing magical elements. Though new to this, he successfully fired his emblem cannon. It was surprisingly easy!
Both Zhang Fan and Eclair unleashed their emblem cannons. Zhang Fan's was visibly larger, leaving Eclair astonished at his immense power on the first attempt.
The combined might of their attacks obliterated over fifty soldiers, maybe even seventy. The explosion's vast reach was comparable to a small missile. Impressive indeed! Despite the considerable exertion of qi and physical energy, Zhang Fan found the effort manageable.
"Although powerful, the emblem cannon greatly depletes strength and energy. Use it wisely," Eclair advised, masking her astonishment with her usual haughtiness.
"Understood," Zhang Fan replied with a smile, about to say more when a whistling sound pierced the air. A long-range sniper! Both he and Eclair immediately reacted.
The attacker targeted Zhang Fan. Eclair, despite her apparent indifference, instinctively shielded him, ready to take the hit. But Zhang Fan wouldn't allow it. The Parathion transformed into a massive white shield, enveloping them both.
Such immense power! That was Zhang Fan's first thought. The enemy's arrow, enhanced with emblem power, was pitifully ineffective.
"Well done. But you're still just lackeys of the defeated princess," a female voice taunted from a nearby hill. A silver-haired girl with lion ears, not cat ears, appeared. Her left ear was adorned with a braid. Young, maybe eighteen or nineteen, she exuded beauty and authority. Clad in an armor jacket and black cloak, she rode a grey ostrich-like creature, a Sengrab. A blue shield hung on its chest, adding to her imposing presence.
"Princess Léonmichelle!" Eclair recognized her at once, her voice tense. This was no ordinary girl.
"Princess of the Galette Lion Corps?" Zhang Fan's expression hardened. This princess was his greatest adversary. In the anime, her prowess was well-known.
"Calling me 'princess' so intimately is troublesome. I am Léonmichelle Galette des Rois, the ruler of the Galette Lion Corps, the Knight of the Hundred Beasts. Address me properly, you impertinent fools!" she declared, her mount stepping forward menacingly.
"There she is! Princess Léonmichelle has entered the fray! Look at the majesty of her mount, Doma! What will she bring to this battle?" the commentator on the battlefield exclaimed, highlighting her popularity.
"Hmph, I'll leave for now. But I expect a good show from you," Léonmichelle said dismissively, riding off towards the Biscotti Republic's defense line. If she broke through, the battle would likely be decided.
"Hey, just a friendly heads-up: with your current strength, defeating the Lion Princess is a long shot," the system AI, Cai Cai, appeared, offering a realistic perspective.
"Alright, Cai Cai, any good suggestions then?" Zhang Fan asked, knowing she wouldn't appear without reason.
Cai Cai's advice would guide Zhang Fan as he prepared to pursue Princess Léonmichelle, with Eclair by his side, into the heart of the battle.