"Miss..."
Enma Ai's reaction caused those around her some concern. Kottou-onna, especially, immediately returned to Enma Ai's side and supported her.
"Hey, beautiful lady! Look over here."
Noticing Enma Ai's reaction, just as Rita paused out of slight concern, Ichimokuren suddenly brushed aside his bangs, revealing the eye hidden beneath them.
"What..."
Before Rita could react, her head began to feel a little dizzy. At that moment, a throwing knife flashed white as it shot swiftly toward her.
However, Silver Moon behind Rita blocked it the very next moment.
"What a pity!"
Seeing the throwing knife blocked, Kottou-onna could not help sighing in disappointment.
"Interesting, but... this ends here!" Rita quickly shook off the effect that would have been enough to make an ordinary person faint. She was not angry; only her wine-red eyes grew slightly more serious.
"This is the sword technique I created to deal with those who obstruct the Bishop's plans—Cold Star One-Slash Style. Anyone who stands in my way shall sink into a frigid prison of ice!"
"Watch closely! Extreme Cold Storm!"
In an instant, the entire world seemed to have entered an ice age. The terrifying Ice Domain completely froze even the nearby river.
This was absolute supernatural power, instantly changing the weather and terrain, like a legendary domain that belonged to its wielder alone.
Yet when Rita looked toward Enma Ai and the other three, she found that they too had been frozen within the ice. Her prepared ultimate technique had ended before it could even begin, leaving Rita somewhat frustrated. It felt uncomfortable not to use it.
Looking at the frozen Higanbana Sea nearby, Rita raised the scythe in her hand...
"Cold Star One-Slash Style Ultimate Art: Afterimage Forward Step Slash!"
Its mountain-splitting, sea-cleaving power carried the momentum of a world coming to