After an unknown amount of time had passed, silence finally returned to this snowfield.
No.
It was no longer one snowfield, but two.
The once pristine, flawless snowfield had been split in half by that strike, as though it could cleave heaven and earth.
Centered on the Military Base, a deep ravine like a heavenly chasm lay across the snowfield, dividing it into two halves.
"Crack... crack-crack..."
The ground was still continuously splitting apart.
"Boom... boom-boom..."
Massive boulders fell one after another from the air, kicking up wave after wave of snow.
"Whoosh..."
The aftermath of the storm was still sweeping through, causing the snow and wind to gradually spread.
"Cough... cough-cough..."
Before long, a burst of coughing came from a corner of the snowfield.
Within the swirling snowstorm, Misaka Mikoto, Shokuhou Misaki, Kamijo Touma, Tsuchimikado Motoharu, Sasha, and the others were either kneeling or sprawled on the snow. As they rose, they kept gasping and coughing.
"Just now..."
Everyone looked at one another in shock and uncertainty, seemingly astonished that they had survived.
Then, they saw it.
A figure stood before them.
It was not Sylvia.
"Ring..."
The dazzling radiance slowly dimmed, gradually revealing the Holy Banner with its fluttering flag to everyone's eyes.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
Jeanne braced her Treasure Tool before her, gripping the Holy Banner tightly as she panted violently.
Clearly, Jeanne had replaced Sylvia at the critical moment and used her Treasure Tool to protect everyone from that seemingly heaven-cleaving strike.
However, none of them recognized the Saintess who had suddenly appeared before them.
"You are...?"
Misaka Mikoto, Shokuhou Misaki, Kamijo Touma, Tsuchimikado Motoharu, Sasha, and the others all stared blankly at the scene.
"Mm..."
At that moment, Jeanne's legs gave out, and she fell toward the ground.
"B-Be careful!"
Misaka Mikoto, Shokuhou Misaki, Kamijo