"Bzzz—!"
It was a tremor like ripples.
Like invisible waves, the tremor spread outward in successive pulses, centered on Black Catty as she flashed with the light of an Inherent Skill.
"...!?"
Fang Li's Ice-Blue Demon Eyes abruptly contracted.
"That is...!?"
Shana and Wilhelmina were likewise struck with shock.
"What happened...!?"
"An unforeseen development!"
Alastor and Tiamat both spoke with equal astonishment.
Even Jeanne on the ground revealed a startled expression, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Under such circumstances, the killing blow at Hundred Times Sonic Speed was neutralized.
The segments of Inherent Formula unfurling across that dark brown arm were like strings of text. They wound around that earth-shaking blade light and stopped it for an instant.
And that instant was already enough.
The next second, Black Catty and Fekir vanished simultaneously beneath the glow of the Inherent Skill, disappearing without a trace.
"Pheles!"
Wilhelmina's cry was all that remained.
As Black Catty and Fekir disappeared, Pheles—who had kept her head bowed as though unconscious, enveloped in sky-blue flames—vanished along with them.
Apparently, that Crimson King had been taken away by Bal Masqué together with the Reiji Maigo.
That was the ending.
After an unknown length of time, the tremors continually rippling through the sky gradually faded away.
This stretch of heaven and earth returned to silence once more.
"Pheles..."
Wilhelmina's body swayed slightly.
"Wilhelmina..."
Shana supported her guardian, her blazing eyes turning toward Fang Li.
Yet Fang Li did not look at Shana. He was staring into midair.
Light flickered in his Ice-Blue Demon Eyes.
The hand gripping the Commanding Sword had been trembling all along under the astonishing strain of unleashing Extreme Death - Seven Nights.
On the ground, those incongruous Death Lines had also disappeared, proving that Sabrac had retreated as well.
Jeanne, meanwhile, had fallen