Shun's axe collided violently with September's hammer, the clash reverberating across the battlefield. Yet, despite the force of their impact, September's overwhelming strength, amplified by the rank disparity between their ethereal arms, sent Shun reeling once again. Without hesitation, September pressed the attack, transforming his hammer into a long, whip-like appendage.
Shun narrowly evaded the incoming strike, his muscles straining as he dodged. This opponent, unlike any he had faced before, did not rely on ethereal abilities. Instead, the armored giant before him harnessed sheer physical strength and advanced combat techniques—an approach that severely hindered the effectiveness of Shun's Harvester. It's potential to negate ethereal abilities was of no use here.
From the brief exchanges between them, Shun suspected that September was likely affiliated with the same organization as October. Clearly, they were aware of his true capabilities—something he could not afford to underestimate.
The garden shimmered under the radiant glow of Joe Moran's wings, and with it, a fleeting sense of hope. Under their light, all armors were rendered useless. Shun knew that, if he could find the right moment, he had a chance.
Diving into the shadows below, Shun vanished from September's sight. Yet, September remained unfazed, standing patiently as though expecting the move. His calm demeanor only added to the growing tension.
With a sudden surge, Shun reappeared, rising from the shadows to strike with the Terrainiac Axe. September reacted swiftly, spinning to meet the attack with a wide, sweeping motion of his hammer. But in a flash, the axe in Shun's hand disappeared, replaced by a graceful longsword glowing with an eerie, dark aura.
It was the Blade of Diversion—now augmented by Harvester's mysterious power. The blade deflected the force of the attack effortlessly, momentarily staggering September. Seizing the opportunity, eight sharp, spider-like legs extended from Shun's back, lancing forward to pierce his opponent.
Yet September didn't seem to be affected, he swung his hammer again with brutal force, sending Shun crashing across the garden and into the stone wall with a bone-crushing impact.
"Shun!" Silver cried, a deep, instinctive fear creeping into her voice, her eyes wide with worry.
Unable to transform into Gemini Iricson as she hadn't prepared earlier, Silver struggled to maintain control, her attention divided as a beam of energy from June threatened to overwhelm her. At that moment, a voice rang out in her mind, steady and sure.
"Leave it to me. This person's fighting style counters the Blade of Yin."
Without hesitation, a brilliant explosion erupted from within Silver, and in her place stood Grey Iricson. With a swift motion, Grey leapt into the air, the white greatsword gleaming as it descended toward June with unyielding force.
"Woah, what is this?!" June exclaimed, though his expression remained nonchalant. He barely raised a hand, and barriers materialized before him.
Grey had been correct—June's defensive style was ill-suited to counter the Blade of Yin. But the Blade of Yang, known for its tearing power and resilience, tore through the barriers with ease. The barriers shattered almost instantly, but as the sword cleaved through June's form, his body dissolved into black smoke, reappearing a few meters away.
"You wield multiple ethereal arms?" June mused thoughtfully. "No, you're completely different people. Now, that's an oddity. Well, I'd rather just believe you wield multiple ethereal arms."
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Kris Etherson's Whirling Scythe spun in erratic patterns, its four joints twisting in every direction as the weapon ravaged the battlefield. Citizens under his control were torn apart, their bodies cut down with precision. No one could approach him with the help of Emilia and Olivia. In Vergil Killer's words, Kris's ethereal arm had the potential to outmatch a complete ethereal warrior due to its unpredictability. Still, it was also a double-edged sword—if its wielder lacked understanding, they could fall victim to their own weapon at any moment. For this reason, despite his usual casual demeanour, Kris was always the hardest-working one out of everyone.
On another front, Otto and his clone cornered Eden from two sides, leaving him with no escape. The battle was near its end, and Eden's defences were crumbling.
"Don't move," Otto warned coldly, his sword pressed to Eden's throat. "Or my blade might slip."
Eden's eyes widened in desperation, his breath quickening. But before he could respond, a voice rang out, cutting through the tension.
"Eden," called Alexander Levison, stepping into the garden from the castle. The Orb of Clarity in his hand glowed brighter than ever. "I don't understand. We've been together since childhood, never apart. When did you betray me, the kingdom, and decide to serve another?"
"Put that orb away!" Eden shouted, his voice trembling with emotion. "Alexandra Levison, I've never betrayed you! Everything I've done has been for you alone!"
Alexander's expression darkened. "My name is Alexander Levison. Never call me that again. For me? How? Why?" Yet, despite his confusion, he obeyed, dematerializing the orb. For a fleeting moment, his features softened as emotions took over.
But then, as the orb vanished from sight, Alexander gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"No, Eden, don't tell me..."
At this moment, a sudden, anguished cry erupted from the other side of the garden. Otto's gaze snapped toward the sound, his eyes narrowing in horror. There, sprawled lifelessly on the ground, lay Shun, crushed beneath October's hammer.
September raised his hammer once more, preparing to strike down on the defenseless Shun. "Boss said dead or alive. Better safe than sorry," he muttered, ready to deliver the final blow.
But just as the hammer descended, Otto and his clone intervened, swords raised to block the strike with perfect timing.
"Otto…" Shun's voice was weak, barely a whisper. "Why?"
Otto did not answer. Despite their previous quarrels, despite the genuine disdain he held for Shun, Otto acted instinctively. Whether it was the reflex of a soldier or simply a lingering sense of comradery—he did not know
He also didn't know, saving Shun's life came with consequences he couldn't yet fathom.
With a sigh, September lifted his hammer from Otto and his clone's swords. "March, October, will you hurry up or not?"
As he spoke, a portal materialized behind him. Out of it stepped two figures—small and youthful, but their expressions bore the unmistakable weight of lethal intent.
Shun's eyes widened in recognition. He had seen this portal before. This was the ethereal ability of Noah Heeden—his fourth complete ethereal arm.
"Didn't I tell you I needed him for an examination?" March complained, his tone childish yet sharp. "You should know better, Vic… oops, I mean, September."
September grunted, his expression unamused. "It'll take June a while to finish off that boy. We don't have much time, not with the citizens about to be eliminated. Take him and go."
"You don't care about credits anymore?" March raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with curiosity.
"As long as I don't get into trouble, I don't care much anymore," September replied coolly.
March turned to Otto. "Are you going to move, or do I need to assist?"
Otto's gaze hardened. He knew he had no chance against these new enemies. The smarter move was to save himself, not someone he despised. Yet, before he could act, three figures landed between them, their arrival shaking the ground beneath them.
September, sensing the shift, evaded their violent landing. Otto, still clutching Shun, stumbled backward, pulling him out of harm's way.
The first figure, the shortest of the three, wore a sharply tailored black suit, though his messy hair betrayed an air of disarray. His pupils glowed with a strange scarlet symbol.
The second figure was regal and imposing, his every movement exuding noble grace and a cold elegance. His eyes, though piercing, held a certain wickedness.
The third was a woman, draped in a tattered black cloak, her white hair stark against the darkness of her attire. Her hollow eyes betrayed no emotion, and she gripped a sheathed sword with unyielding determination.
"Eye of Starflame, Qing."
"Shadow of Starflame, Huang."
"Sword of Starflame, Zang."
"Here at your assistance, Mister Xshasi."