In an open and flat area, several people stood tensely, the atmosphere charged as if battle could erupt at any moment.
On the left stood a pink-haired girl with twin ponytails, her features fresh and exquisite, with bright eyes and white teeth, truly a budding beauty. She wore a pink dress, a pink headband, stockings, and pink shoes, wielding a sniper rifle as tall as herself. This was Mine.
She looked quite disheveled, with a shallow cut on her face that was bleeding, and her dress was dirty and heavily damaged, exposing her white shoulders, while her stockings were full of holes.
Opposite her stood two individuals: a hedgehog-headed man dressed in a robe, wearing wooden sandals and holding a long sword, clearly a samurai.
The other was familiar, an orange-haired girl with a single ponytail tied back, her appearance cute and gentle. She wore the Imperial Army's uniform, her figure slender yet curvaceous. This was Seryu. Beside her was a large, robust dog, her biological canine Teigu, Koro.
In between them lay a girl, her face delicate and gentle, wearing black-framed glasses, with purple hair spread across the ground. This was Sheele.
Her injuries were severe; her face was covered in blood, her lips pale as paper with blood at the corners, and several gaping wounds oozed blood. But the most serious injury was that her warm, soft body had been cut in half.
Her upper and lower halves were completely separated, blood gushing out like a faucet, soaking the ground. The wound was a bloody mess, her internal organs visible. She was completely unconscious, her heartbeat faint, her breath barely audible.
"Sheele!" Mine cried out in grief, tears welling in her eyes as she bit her lip hard, almost drawing blood.
"Another heinous criminal has been slain. Father, master, can you see this?" Seryu looked up at the sky with a cute smile.
The samurai with the long sword approached Sheele's body, sneering coldly, "Is this the strength of Night Raid? Truly disappointing."
"I will kill you all!" Mine shouted angrily, tears in her eyes, clutching her sniper rifle as energy gathered, emitting a formidable aura.
"Oh, you still want to resist?" The samurai drew his sharp blade, scoffing dismissively, "Such arrogance."
"You're next," Seryu's sweet face twisted with malice, "Prepare to die."
The tension escalated as battle loomed.
Suddenly, a steel fist shot out from the bushes, like lightning, grabbing Mine's waist and dragging her into the forest.
"Let go, boss!" Mine struggled fiercely, shouting in rage, "I need to avenge Sheele!"
From the bushes emerged a woman with short white hair, a gentle face, wearing a black suit—Night Raid's leader, Najenda. The fist was her mechanical arm.
With a slap, a red handprint appeared on Mine's face.
"Sheele is dead. Do you want her death to be meaningless?" Najenda scolded sternly.
Mine bit her lip, saying nothing, clutching her sniper rifle so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"I understand your feelings, but we must leave now. The Imperial Army is coming. If we stay, all Night Raid members will be in danger," Najenda sighed, placing a hand on Mine's shoulder, speaking softly, "Sheele wouldn't want this. Let's go."
Mine bit her lip, letting out a mournful cry, clutching her sniper rifle as she staggered away. Najenda followed closely behind, fleeing into the distance.
"Chase them!" Seryu shouted, ready to pursue.
"Wait," the samurai stepped forward, stopping her. "Don't go."
"What is it, Izou?" Seryu frowned, glaring at the samurai, speaking harshly.
"Don't chase. There may be other Night Raid members ahead. We'd be walking into a trap," Izou sheathed his sword, speaking calmly.
"Hmph, are you scared?" Seryu scoffed, dismissive, "If you're too cowardly, I'll go myself. These wicked people must be punished."
"Really?" Izou's sharp gaze flicked to Seryu. "But I hear the Princess is coming this way. Are you sure you want to keep chasing?"
At the mention of "Princess," Seryu halted, her face changing. After a moment, she muttered resentfully, "Fine."
"Let's go then, we don't have much time," Izou sheathed his sword, walking away.
"You go first," Seryu huffed, glancing at the blood-soaked Sheele, calling to Koro, "Koro, dinner time."
Koro's vicious face brightened at the prospect of food, trotting over to Seryu.
Watching Koro approach, Seryu's face darkened with anger. "What Princess? One day, I'll have my revenge, chop you up, and feed you to Koro."
"Oh? I hear you want to chop me up and feed me to your dog."
A voice, clear as tinkling jade, suddenly rang out.
From the dense, leaf-strewn forest emerged a girl wearing a white mask with red markings, walking gracefully. Her slender figure was elegant and poised. Though her face was hidden, it was clear she was a great beauty.
But seeing her, Seryu felt as if plunged into an icy abyss, her limbs numb, a chill rising up her spine, rendering her rigid.
"It seems you haven't learned your lesson, Seryu," Kaguya's voice was light but carried a chilling undertone.