Hear Me Out for a Moment

"Drink----!"

High above the Misaki Grand Bridge, Shana flapped her fiery wings and leaped into the air, slashing down at Margery Daw below at Nietono no Shana was burning with intense Crimson Flame.

The scorching Crimson Lotus Flame instantly transformed into roaring waves of flame, sweeping down from mid-air like a torrent of fire.

The terrifyingly high temperature distorted the air, making it appear as if the entire space itself was warped, a truly horrifying sight.

The scale of the torrent of flames was unprecedented, like a wave crashing down from the sky, instantly covering Margery Daw's entire field of vision.

"Hateful!"

Beneath the torrent of flames, Margery Daw stood atop a large, hardcover book suspended in mid-air, feeling the terrifying heat gradually engulfing her. While cursing loudly, she dared not neglect to join her two fingers together and chant Slaughter Improvisations.

"Let's make a rose garden! Ha!"

"Stop all the thieves! Ha!"

As Machias chanted in response, a Inherent Formula -like circle of fingers began to rotate around Margery Daw's joined fingers, forming a ring that rippled around Margery Daw like a halo revolving around a planet.

The torrent of flames that descended from the sky immediately came crashing down.

"Bang—!"

A spectacular explosion erupted in mid-air.

The fiery waves of the crimson lotus exploded like a waterfall crashing onto the rocks, transforming into surging waves of fire that bloomed in mid-air like giant splashes of water, burning and evaporating everything around them.

The terrifyingly high temperature baked the entire space, causing the temperature inside the Sealed Heaven space to rise rapidly, instantly exceeding the range that ordinary humans could endure.

The center of the flames was as hot as the sun, with an intense color like magma, burning everything in its path.

Under these circumstances, Margery Daw once again seemed to be surfing, stepping on the large hardcover book, gradually swaying away under the impact of the terrible fire waves.

Whenever the flames of the Crimson Lotus approached him, the totem-like Inherent Formula would spin up, as if erecting an invisible fireproof barrier to isolate the flames.

However, with each attack of flames blocked, the totem-like Inherent Formula dims a little.

"Snap..."

Until one moment, a crisp cracking sound rang out from the totem-like Inherent Formula.

"Tsk!" Margery Daw couldn't help but click her tongue.

"They're here!" Machias shouted a reminder.

Immediately, a petite figure flapped her crimson lotus wings and, like a bird swooping down, charged down at an astonishing speed.

Don't underestimate people!

Margery Daw shouted rudely, pointing her fingers, which she had clasped together, into the air.

You're the one who underestimates me!

Shana's eyes flashed suddenly, and as she swooped down like a shooting star, she suddenly raised one of her hands high and forcefully threw the weapon she was holding.

"Laugh----!"

The sharp dagger instantly transformed into a flash of cold light, shooting straight towards Margery Daw like a bolt of lightning.

Moreover, the dagger was spinning rapidly as it flew.

"What...!" Margery Daw's pupils suddenly contracted.

The rapidly spinning dagger inevitably reminded Margery Daw of that Tatsumaki- like, powerful strike, throwing her into a moment of disarray.

Margery Daw had no idea that this attack was merely a facade compared to the last one.

If it were the previous strike, the rapidly spinning force at the moment of throwing would have stirred up all the surrounding air currents, drawing them in and transforming them into Tatsumaki that pierced the sky, with astonishing power.

Now, the dagger Shana threw not only had much less spin, but it also didn't stir up the surrounding airflow; it was just a weapon that was simply spinning as it was launched.

It can only be said that the previous blow had already given Margery Daw an impression, leading to an overreaction.

So Margery Daw, with all her might, in an extremely disheveled manner, stepped on the large hardcover book and darted to the side.

The spinning, flying Moon Blade grazed Margery Daw's side and landed in empty space.

It was only then that Margery Daw realized she had been tricked.

"Oh no!" Machias exclaimed.

However, by then it was too late to react.

"Drink up! Ahh...

Shana swooped down and appeared in front of Margery Daw, her hand Nietono no Shana Crimson Karma Fire burning fiercely, and like a meteorite, she slashed down heavily at Margery Daw, whose expression had suddenly changed.

"Bang—!"

The explosion rang out again.

The fiery waves of the red lotus also burst forth, enveloping the surroundings.

"Aaaaaaaahh...

Amidst the flames, Margery Daw cried out in agony as the crimson flames relentlessly burned her clothes, leaving nothing but ashes.

As the flames swept outwards and began to subside, Margery Daw was already covered in smoke, her skin charred and blackened, like a victim of artillery fire, falling from mid-air and crashing heavily to the ground.

"Margery Daw!"

Machias's anxious voice rang out from the large hardcover book.

"Hmm..."

Margery Daw twitched slightly, her body writhing in intense pain, and even her ponytail had completely come undone, spreading out onto the road.

The charred marks covered Margery Daw's body.

Excruciating pain coursed through Margery Daw's body.

Margery Daw could only manage to open her eyes with great effort, struggled a few times on the ground, and prepared to get up.

However, before that, the tip of a large katana caught Margery Daw's eye.

Margery Daw's eyes changed drastically.

Shana stood before her, Nietono no Shana, into Margery Daw's eyes, looking down at her and making a declaration.

"I won."

An undisputed declaration of victory.

"Let's stop here," Alastor said in a deep voice. "There's no point in continuing the fight."

"... You really dare to say that..." Margery Daw stared at Shana, her gaze sharp enough to tear her to pieces, and said sarcastically, "You're Flame Haze Warrior, yet you fight alongside your comrades to protect your 'apprentice.' Who's doing something so pointless?"

"I have no interest in arguing with you, much less in trying to save your worldview," Shana said in an unquestionable tone. "All I know is that I am the victor, so you must listen to me."

Margery Daw's pretty face twisted slightly.

Just then, a leisurely voice reached everyone's ears.

"But before that, why don't you listen to me say a few words?"