Judging from theory alone, Smile's scheme had been quite vicious. Having two heavily wounded patients laid out before Punk was indeed troublesome. After all, who would dare treat His Excellency the Blazing Sun Throne's orders as mere background noise? The caster truly did not want to find out how that cold and aloof "President" might react if he really did something like "personally kill a companion" or "stand by and watch someone die."
So, if everything had proceeded normally, then barring any surprises, these two useless fools rolling around on the ground really might have slowed Whisper of Destruction's aggressive advance. It would not have been strange at all for the maiden goddess to achieve her strategic objective as she wished.
In fact, precisely because she could devise such a sinister plan, Smile was now more experienced than Punk in terms of strategic vision alone. After all, due to her severe lack of power, whenever she wanted to accomplish any plan—even merely delaying an enemy of the same tier—she could only prioritize schemes and conspiracies. Such methods, whether called despicable or wise, must have come naturally to Lady of Slaughter as a goddess.
Sounded impressive, didn't it? A feather fan and silk headdress, enemy fleets reduced to ashes?
However, do not forget that no strategy in this world had ever been, or could ever be, truly flawless.
Smile's calculation had indeed initially succeeded. She now stood there confidently, intending to watch the gloomy caster Punk struggle with his conflicted emotions. In her true mind, the option of fighting Punk face-to-face practically did not exist. Only this kind of "outwitting" suited a quiet, ladylike young woman.
Yet in reality... the Bright Moon Mage, bathed in the last rays of sunset, did not show any of the hesitation she had hoped for.