"Everyone, escape through there!"
Pindo's sudden attack tore a huge gap in the Purging Knights' formation. Spotting the opening, Fujimaru Ritsuka shouted loudly, trying to direct the refugees toward it.
But the refugees had long since descended into panic.
Crying, screaming, and wailing drowned out Fujimaru Ritsuka's desperate commands.
The sudden eruption of battle, the thunderous explosions, and the Purging Knights who had already drawn their swords and brought them down upon the civilians had terrified them out of their wits.
The crowd surged wildly, desperate to flee, but all it brought was trampling and even greater casualties.
"Everyone—!!!" Fujimaru Ritsuka shouted anxiously once more, but it was completely useless.
"Ritsuka, use this!" Leonardo da Vinci pulled out something resembling a large megaphone from who knew where and struggled to hand it to Fujimaru Ritsuka.
Amid the surging mass of refugees, even staying together was difficult.
And while Fujimaru Ritsuka's group fought while desperately trying to help the refugees being slaughtered by the Purging Knights escape, battle erupted once again atop the city walls.
The moment Anno landed, a pillar of light shot from the Holy Spear and blasted toward him again. Gritting his teeth, he swung Chalk sharply upward, splitting the light in two. It exploded against two sections of wall behind him.
"Though rebellious, the light of Holy Selection shows that you are worth reclaiming, Anno." The Lion King's movements were minimal—truly minimal. Though those beams could cause violent explosions, Anno knew that for the Lion King before him, this was merely a casual gesture, not even a proper attack.
"...Have you truly changed, my king?" Anno parted his lips and asked sorrowfully.
"Lia, you shouldn't be like this." The hand Anno held the Holy Sword with trembled slightly.
The person before him was so heartbreaking to behold.