Against the swirling backdrop of corrosive black mist, her pitch-black Herrscher Core flickered in and out of sight like a ghost.
Ling curiously touched the items left behind. Though they had lost their former luster and warmth and become battered beyond recognition, Ling's keen senses still perceived the rich, profound stories and emotions contained within them.
To her, those stories and emotions were entirely new discoveries, allowing her to find a different kind of enjoyment within this deathly silent city.
Silently following Ling's footsteps, Sakura swept her gaze across the surroundings, trying to find some trace of this city's former prosperity amid the ruins.
Unfortunately, even after Ling had lost interest in everything left behind in the market district, the pink-haired MANTIS could not find the slightest remnant of the flourishing scene from just days ago.
While Sakura and Ling leisurely strolled through the market districts of Heian-kyō, savoring the unique sights of the Land of the Rising Sun's capital, a decisive battle concerning the survival of the Land of the Rising Sun was quietly drawing to a close in the Satsuma region of Kyushu, on the nation's far western edge.
"Kill—!"
Soldiers clad in armor and wielding spears charged forward like a tide. All kinds of spells and incantations bloomed brilliantly across the smoke-filled battlefield, while the human warriors defending the city fought fearlessly, one after another, swearing to defend this land to the death.
Among them were samurai who had strengthened their bodies with Collapse Energy, resembling martial arts masters from Shenzhou, as well as onmyoji who chanted incantations and formed hand seals to cast spells.
Their presence was the key reason this final city of the Land of the Rising Sun had managed to hold out for two full days.
The bloody battles between the samurai and