Boom!
Purple lightning struck from the sky, gathering on Beatrice's divine arm that held Thor Hammer aloft. With Beatrice's triumphant cry, a vivid purple thunderbolt burst forth from Thor Hammer, dozens of massive lightning pillars crossing the deep crater and hurtling towards Hiroshi's group.
At the same time, Luo Xiaobai raised his right hand, his eyes shining with a silvery glow.
"Time and space, be sealed!"
With Luo Xiaobai's shout, a wave of silvery light rapidly spread outward.
On the stone platform, Julian, who had just lifted his foot to leave, narrowed his eyes. The space displacement spell in front of him shattered instantly as it was swept by the seemingly infinite silver ripples, turning into scattered fragments of light.
"Julian brother?" Erika, holding Julian's hand, looked at the scene in confusion.
Julian remained silent, his expression grim. He circulated his mana rapidly, trying every teleportation method he knew, but the space remained unchanged. Turning, he looked back at Beatrice, who was almost collapsing without Thor Hammer, and ignored her entirely. Stepping past her staggering figure, Julian focused his gaze on Hiroshi's group being assaulted by the lightning pillars.
"Lord Julian," Beatrice struggled to stand, holding her knee. She looked at the figure in front of her, murmuring, "Beatrice... loves you, Lord Julian."
Julian heard Beatrice's words but didn't even glance back. To him, the real Beatrice had died in the darkness of Fuyuki City long ago. The girl behind him now was nothing more than a tool bearing a fragment of Beatrice's consciousness.
"Hey! Hey! Hey!"
Rin Tohsaka screamed in panic as the lightning pillars drew closer, clutching the remains of Luvia's clothing in desperation.
"Ahh!"
Luvia slapped Rin's hands away with a squeal, her face flushing as she stole a glance at Shirou Emiya, who was trying his best not to look their way. She sighed in frustration and glared at Rin.
"Rin! What are you doing? With Shirou and his friends here, we won't be hurt. Why are you panicking so much?"
"Oh!"
Tohsaka seemed to realize something suddenly and shouted, "I forgot! Sorry, sorry!"
She turned her head away and muttered quietly, "What a shame."
Kazuma Satou nudged Hiroshi cautiously, pointing at Rin. "She did that on purpose, didn't she?"
Hiroshi looked around, then pulled Kazuma into a corner, whispering, "I think so too. I heard that last part very clearly."
Nodding in agreement, Kazuma glanced at Shirou, whose face was red as he avoided looking towards the girls. "Tch, damn harem protagonist. But I have to say, women's fights are terrifying."
Seeing Kazuma's jealousy towards Shirou, Hiroshi noticed Megumin sneaking closer. Reading the private messages sent in the chat group, Hiroshi quietly activated a domain to isolate Kazuma's senses.
Hiroshi slapped Kazuma's shoulder and asked loudly, "What's up? Envious of his harem?"
"Huh?"
Kazuma stared at Hiroshi, not realizing anything was out of the ordinary. Grinding his teeth, he replied, "Of course! Harems are every man's dream! Who wouldn't be envious?"
"Isn't Megumin enough for you?" Hiroshi said, glancing at Megumin behind Kazuma, who had her staff raised, and Aqua, who wore a gossipy expression. He mentally drew a cross. Amen.
"I do love Megumin!" Kazuma declared firmly, loyalty shining on his face.
Behind him, Megumin lowered her staff slowly, her face blushing.
"But!"
Kazuma's tone changed as he leaned closer to Hiroshi with a sly grin. "Megumin's chest is a bit small. Though there's potential for growth, Aqua's body is amazing. Sure, she's dumb, but if she just keeps quiet, it's bearable. And Darkness is awesome too!"
Drool almost seemed to be forming as Kazuma fantasized. He elbowed Hiroshi and grinned. "C'mon, Hiroshi, as a man, don't you want a harem too?!"
Seeing the two staffs hovering above Kazuma's head, Hiroshi folded his hands in prayer once again. Amitabha.
May you find bliss in your next life, my friend. Even though I share some blame, it was forced upon me! Merciful Buddha.
"No!" Hiroshi answered resolutely. "I am completely devoted to Ruri."
"Here we go again."
Kazuma sighed, shaking his head. He waved a finger in front of Hiroshi's face. "We're all men, Hiroshi. You've got to accept your deepest desires."
"Enough," Hiroshi pushed Kazuma's hand aside, standing upright with an air of righteousness. "As a man, I must learn to control my heart. I am devoted to Ruri, forever."
"Shh, shh!" Kazuma quickly pulled Hiroshi down and whispered, "Don't shout! You'll alert the others dealing with the lightning pillars!"
"Don't worry."
Hiroshi nodded, taking a few steps back and giving Kazuma a sad smile. Then he retracted the isolation domain.
Seeing Kazuma's expression change drastically, Hiroshi shook his head. "I'm sorry, Kazuma. It was Megumin's request. Stay strong."
"You...!"
Kazuma turned to Hiroshi in disbelief, then quickly spun around. He threw himself onto the ground before Megumin, who looked at him like he was a bug. "Megumin, you misheard! It was all a misunderstanding!"
"Activate your domain!"
"Huh?"
Kazuma was confused. "Why?"
"Activate your domain!!!"
"Y-Yes, Lady Megumin!"
Seeing Aqua and Megumin enter Kazuma's domain, Hiroshi once again prayed silently. Namaste.
"Are they always like this?"
Keqing squatted down and patted Klee's head, curious.
"Hmm?" Klee tilted her head. "Is Cat-Ear Sister talking about Big Brother Hiroshi and Kazuma?"
Klee folded her arms and thought for a moment. "Big Brother Hiroshi and Big Brother Kazuma often whisper secrets together. Every time I try to eavesdrop, Big Brother Hiroshi catches me."
Keqing froze. She remembered some private male conversations she had overheard at work. Blushing, she hugged Klee gently and said, "If Hiroshi doesn't let you listen, it must be because it's something you shouldn't hear yet. You shouldn't try to eavesdrop anymore, okay? And call me Sister Keqing. These aren't cat ears; it's a hairstyle."
"Okay, Sister Keqing," Klee nodded obediently but said regretfully, "Then I'll wait for Big Brother to tell me himself one day."
"Ah!"
Keqing was startled by Klee's words. She looked at the child and decided to direct her gaze toward the fading lightning pillars. Whether or not Hiroshi would ever tell Klee about it, Keqing decided to ignore that answer.
Infinite retracted the flying sword that had destroyed the last lightning pillar. Watching the crowd behind him chatting and laughing, he smiled as he looked up at the blue sky.
He patted Luo Xiaobai's head and spoke softly, "It's been a long time since it was this lively. This is nice."
"Hmm?"
Luo Xiaobai looked up at Infinite, his lips curved in a warm smile. Luo Xiaobai nodded. "I like this life with everyone too."