(Heartfelt thanks to You Bi Ji Yue, Amnes, n Da n, Mo Yu Linshang, Dongfang Wansui, You're Quietly Watching Me Update, Eternal Night ★ Dawn, and Yang Hehe for their tips!)
"Boom—!"
A thunderous roar erupted into terrifying soundwaves that swept outward wildly alongside a violent shockwave.
Under that horrifying impact, the entire ground trembled. Enormous cracks rapidly spread from the center of the collision, extending hundreds of meters away.
"Ugh..."
Black Rabbit, Kudou Asuka, and Kasugabe Yō shielded themselves from the raging wind, letting out pained groans as they clearly struggled to endure it.
Only White Yaksha and Sakamaki Izayoi remained standing calmly where they were, directly enduring the gale while staring fixedly ahead, unwilling to look away even for a moment.
"Ha ha ha ha ha—!"
Under those circumstances, Luos, floating in midair, broke into delighted, triumphant laughter.
"Do you see that? This is Algol's power! Mere nameless vermin can't even touch her! Ha ha ha ha!"
It had to be said that Luos's smug laughter was exceptionally grating.
The moment it rang out, an astonishing shockwave burst from the center of the field, blowing away all the dust hanging in the air.
Luos's laughter abruptly stopped.
White Yaksha, Sakamaki Izayoi, Black Rabbit, Kudou Asuka, Kasugabe Yō, and the others widened their eyes slightly as well.
Before the now black-bear-sized Algol stood a shield.
A colossal shield like a city wall, adorned with petal-like ornaments.
Algol's earth-shaking blow had struck that shield and been completely blocked.
Then, a voice sounded from behind the shield.
"A Star Spirit?"
There was a trace of fighting spirit in that voice.
"Interesting!"
As soon as the words fell, the enormous shield distorted like a mirage and vanished from where it stood.
Noah, still standing as straight as before, turned his gaze toward