Surging flames erupted without warning. Feeling the scorching blaze rushing at her, the blonde woman's expression changed slightly as she hurriedly retreated. That gave Airi an opening—for her, a single instant was enough.
"Projection—begin!"
Airi raised her free left hand and shouted. The next moment, a twisted, bizarre crimson longsword appeared in her grasp. At the same time, Airi viciously drove the crimson sword in her left hand into the ground.
"Rise, my heavens! Display your supreme radiance here! Behold my talents! Hear the acclaim of ten thousand thunderbolts! Embrace the glory of the sovereign! Bloom in fury like a flower! Let the Golden Theater that enthralls the heart open!"
As Airi's words fell, the world around them suddenly changed. The pitch-black night sky, the glittering city, and the lively festival parade all vanished, replaced by a circular ancient Roman theater shining with golden light. The blonde woman widened her eyes in surprise as she stared at the scene before her.
"What is this? Sorcery? Magic?"
"Something like a grand spell."
Airi gripped the Flame Greatsword in her right hand and looked at the blonde woman before her. Since this was merely a projected recreation, Airi could not directly create an Inherent Domain. Moreover, this world lacked the Power of Existence, and she was not the Serpent of the Festival, so she could not use Fūka. Under these circumstances, the only thing she could definitely use without damaging the surroundings was Nero's "Golden Theater." Though its essence resembled an Inherent Domain, it was ultimately still a grand spell, and could be maintained as long as there was sufficient mana—which was naturally no problem for Airi.
"Alright, now we can really cut loose. And by the way, you won't be able to leave until you've killed me."
"Interesting."
Hearing that, the