Battle Plan Before the War

"Corrosion... I understand."

After Gu Yu placed special emphasis on those two words, Yae Sakura immediately understood what he meant.

Five hundred years ago, after Kallen Kaslana left Schicksal, she had arrived in Yae Village carrying a sealed box containing the [demon].

In the time that followed, Yae Sakura had been consumed in body and mind by the [demon] due to her resentment toward some of the villagers.

Although all that had passed, and the demon no longer tempted Yae Sakura but instead hid within Gu Yu's stigmata without appearing again, no one understood better than Yae Sakura just how terrifying the Power of the Corrosion Herrscher was.

She would not assume that being corrupted once had given her any resistance to that authority. If anything, most of her power came from the Corrosion Herrscher.

If she were present then, no one could guarantee that Yae Sakura would not resonate with the Corrosion Herrscher's Core and ultimately lose control, becoming a burden to her teammates.

"I understand. I will remain at St. Freya Academy and look after Mei."

"Mm. As for the rest of you... there is one more matter."

Looking at Bronya and Lin, Gu Yu thought for a moment before drawing two cards from the card case and releasing the items stored within them before everyone.

"Th-This is?!"

As a Flame Chaser from the Previous Era and Otto's ally of five hundred years, Fu Hua recognized at a glance the two items that should never have been in Gu Yu's hands.

The Ninth Divine Key, [Star of Eden].

And the Sixth Divine Key, [Abyss White Flower].

The former should have been in Anti-Entropy's possession. Even if Anti-Entropy had likely become friendly with Gu Yu, they could not possibly hand such a crucial Divine Key to him so casually