The fox girl, Higanbana, kicks the ground and summons an umbrella. She immediately chants a spell that covers her whole legs with wind. After that, she covers the umbrella with dazzling golden flames that swirls.

Sistina also leaps towards Higanbana and gathers magic at her palms. She clenches her fists and prepares a punch.

“You’re dead!”

Sistina and Higanbana’s attack clashes but it was obvious that Sistina is far stronger and superior as her magic swallowed the golden flames dispersing it in the air as the force was too strong which also blows a strong gust.

But contrary to my expectation, Sistina grimaces because she already knows that she just threw her punch towards nothing. Her face distorts in anger as if she was just mocked by the fox girl who made her follow a prank. She immediately raises her head towards the sky.

I also follow her stare as I lift my head towards the sky.

Higanbana slowly descends with her umbrella undone. She sways left and right as the current of the wind changes.

She…made an annoying smug towards Sistina.

“Ahh, I knew it. I just don’t stand a chance against you if we clashes directly.”

“UuuuuRAAHHH! Damn fox brat! You purposely led me into that attack to gauge my power?! Are you really mocking me?! I thought you said you don’t have any fear?!”

“Uwaah... I’m not dumb enough. I may have said that but I didn’t say I am not cautious and careful. Besides, I don’t intend to die here. I am not the type of person that will give up my life but rather, I will do my best to survive to see another day and another smile of Asagao.”

“Your reasoning pisses me off!”

Sistina jumps toward Higanbana in rage as her magic becomes more violent.

“[Attraction!]”

As Sistina shouted, I immediately thought that this might be a charm spell or alike but, something feels really off as the atmosphere becomes more malicious.

“Wah--!”

“This is one of deviation that my ability as an Arcana of Lust has!”

Higanbana comes closer towards Sistina but it was very unnatural. More like she is being pulled towards Sistina and her resistance is close to zero.

The fox girl struggles as she got pulled. She expands her magic and casts various elemental magic that she enhances in her body.

“This is the end for you! I wonder how much energy do you have!”

“[Love Touch!]”

“[Arctic Burst!]

Before Sistina could touch Higanbana, the whole place suddenly is enveloped in an icy hell and exploding icicle starts falling from the sky.

Her feet got almost caught by the creeping ice and falling icicle as she promptly dispels her magic and evades the attack.

“How..?!”

“Oh? It is not a compounded magic. It’s a magic that I came up by myself with overlaying spells before I chant them.”

“That’s impossible! Are you saying you instantaneously cast two spells at the same time?!”

“Who knows? I just move by my instinct.”

I don’t have much knowledge when it comes to magic and their tiers but, I do know that there are types of magic that can be casted continuously or followed by another one. It will all depend on the casters limitations and spell tier.

Magic is an expandable energy that a person utilizes to manipulates elements, strengthening one’s body, controlling phenomena, bend the rules of this world, or even altering facts.

To be able to use magic is important too as it can be helpful in one’s daily life. Soul weapons that are exclusive to humans and sub-humans are considered an important asset in militaristic asset as soul weapons are efficient as they don’t break and gives a wide variety of power.

No one knows why Soul Weapon is only exclusive to humans and sub-humans but it is a fact that it is something more powerful than dwarven smith’s creation but they are still incomparable to a godly artifact.

Divine weapons are another story told in legends and Violetta even told me that it is impossible to see one in a lifetime.

BAM!

An explosion occurs as Sistina’s attack was evaded again.  It seems she tried to use Attraction again to pull Higanbana closer but to no avail, it didn’t work again against Higanbana as she easily adapts and uses the power for her advantage.

She covered herself in gold flames and almost burnt Sistina. In return, Sistina used another skill against the fox girl.

“[Rejection!]”

It’s a skill opposite to Attraction which pushes the foe away from her.  She then filled her palm with magic and blasted Higanbana with it but was evaded as the fox girl flies toward the sky.

“You’re really popping a vein in my head! Are you really serious about this fight?!”

“Who knows? Maybe you should try harder?”

“What are you trying to pull?”

“Pull? You’re the one who keeps pulling and pushing here and you ask me that?”

“You…”

“Well, this is a good practice for me.”

WHOOSH!

BAM!

In an instant, Sistina is holding Higanbana’s neck against the ground with her right hand. Higanbana’s face faltered for a little but immediately wears the arrogant smile that she kept wearing.

“Vixen! You still dare show me that smile of yours even though your life is in my hands now!?”

“It’s funny how you are a sore loser even though you haven’t lost yet.”

“You’ve been running you mouth off for a while now! I guess I’ll just strangle you to death!”

“Wrong move.”

“?!”

“[Enhancement – Astlan’s Ira.]”

As Sistina hold Higanbana’s neck and the strangle gets tighter, Higanbana suddenly lit up and hell blaze ensues as it covers her body. Her tails and ear becomes tinted with dark color and she immediately exudes a presence similar to Ashfon.

“Tsk!”

Sisitina immediately leap back as Astlan's Ira lightly scorched her hand. Higanbana on the other hand is calm and collected as she stands up but, the problem now is that her own clothes got burnt.

“I really don’t like showing my body to other people other than Asagao and Alstroe. I guess I need to get serious and apply everything I learned when I trained under mother.”

“Big talk…you can bring out so many tricks under your sleeve but I shall remind you that you never did any scratch to me other than this little burn.”

“You’ll see…”

As Higanbana ends the conversation, she immediately casts a stone shrine between her and Sisitina. I can see her from behind and I saw how her tails flutters and feel how her power expanded again to another level.

“[Over Edge]”

“[Magnify Magic]”

“[Clarity]”

“[Maximize Magic Regeneration]”

“[Minimize Magic Casting]”

“[Magic Sensitivity Overload]”

“[Multiple Elemental Enhancement]”

“[Concentrated Magic Outburst]”

“[Magic Resistance Upgrade]”

“[Multiple Thought Processing]”

“[Mind Berserk!]”

I can’t believe it…

Even Violetta will be amazed if she sees this.

This kid, she closed the gaps between her and Sistina through her talent and adaptability. Judging by Sistina’s actions and gestures, she is a veteran warrior and she is arrogant enough to hold back against her enemies.

It is something that even hard workers cannot keep up… a genius.

This little fox girl is gifted with a soul weapon, a strong magical power, and talents that anyone would hope for.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Also, to use Astlan’s Ira. Is she another kind of a monster akin to Ashfon?

“Here I go!”

.

.

.

A volley of magic happens in front of me.

I was able to regain some strength that I was able to pull away the unconscious ishtal away from the battlefield but other than that, I could not see myself being of any help to Higanbana.

The little fox girl dances in the air as she fire arrays of magic towards Sistina who is helpless against her barrage as she does not have any way to reach her from the height Higanbana floats.

Whenever she tried to jump towards Higanbana, she will just simply push her down back by opening the umbrella and pushing her with Astlan’s Ira in a form of fire and ice.

Her use of fire and ice magic are efficient and strong while the others such as earth, lighting, water and wind are only used for necessities such as foothold, floating in the air or even blocking such as emitting sparks whenever Sistina is going to touch her.

Sistina’s attraction and rejection becomes useless as Higanbana will always find a way to turn over the tide. Her Love Touch won’t even reach the fox girl who sways left and right in the air haughtily.

The only one taking so much attack is Sistina but…

I can’t even see a single scratch from anything unless it’s from Astlan’s Ira.

And I noticed one thing from Higanbana…

She doesn’t use Astlan’s Ira much. More like, she uses it when she is in a pinch.

“What’s wrong? Not going to attack?”

“Hmm…I guess I won’t get anywhere when I fight with you. I just realize that. All I need to do is to calm down.”

“Tsk…”

“So, I shall attack that woman over there!”

“Damn!”

Higanbana immediately fly towards my direction as Sistina’s intentions is to attack me. She lowers her altitude and glides closer to the ground. Sistina make a smirk and that’s when I knew…it was trap.

“I got you now, brat!”

“Heh!”

“?!”

But to no avail, tricking a fox isn’t happening.

Sistina jumps over Higanbana and shoots closer to her with a little room to move. She then kicks Higanbana in her back that had her flying and rolling.

Sistina didn’t waste any moment and quickly rushes to Higanbana but…

“You’re dead!”

“Oh? How cliché.”

FWISH!

As Sistina tries to grapple Higanbana’s head again, the little fox girl throws a punch but was deflected with Sistina’s other hand.

That’s when it happened.

“[Love Touc--!]”

“Here!”

POOF!

“ArrRrrrRRRRGHHhhh! My eyes!”

“Hehe!”

“[Astlan’s Ira – Hell Blaze Punch!]”

BAM!

What happened is that Higanbana’s deflected hand actually had some dirt and she threw it to Sistina’s eye that temporarily distracted and blinded her. Taking that opportunity, she swiftly moves to her flank and threw a punch again filled with Astlan’s Ira.

“Ack!”

“Your kick hurts too, thank you.”

“B-Bastard! Who the hell throw dirt to your enemy’s eyes?!”

“I already know the difference between our strength so I’ll rather be tricky. Besides, who told you I am going to fight by the book?”

“I-In my maiden’s face…you…soiled it…”

“A-Ah…sorry…it’s just that…you’re too strong…”

Is it just me or she just honestly apologized to an enemy…?

“H-Here… wipe it with a cloth…”

“E-Eh…?”

“Pretty faces are to be taken care of…”

“R-R-Right…did you just called me pretty?!”

“It’s a big reason I don’t hit you on the face.”

“You’re actually checking on your enemy’s appearance…”

“…”

“W-Well…this is awkward…”

Even I got really confused of what this little fox girl doing. Does she actually care about her own enemy or she doesn’t?

“Enough with this bullshit! I had it! I am going all out and kill everyone here!”

Sistina distances herself from us.

It seems she already ran out of patience. She takes out a purple crystal out of her cleavage and shows it to us.

“Do you lot know what this is?”

“What kind of dumb question is that? Asking us something we’ve never seen before.”

“Wha--!? Can’t you even humor with your enemy?!”

“Aahhhhh! What is that?!(monotone)”

“Guh! I’ll tell you then! This crystal is something Lord Nil created. It can store magical power, a large amount of energy, it can even store a soul of the living here and on top of that…it can store divinity!”

As Sistina said so, she crush the crystal in her palms and it quickly oozes a power I’ve never felt before. She immediately soaked in veil of dark mist as it forms into an egg shape with her inside.

It shoots out pillar of dark light that darkens the sky and submerge the whole place in an unbelievable pugnacious aura.

“This is…really bad, huh?”

“What do you mean, Miss Higanbana?”

“That’s…a divine ascension…”

“Divine…what?”

“It means she is getting an upgrade.”

“That’s a really vague way of describing it…”

When the pillar of dark light dies down, the shell exploded and strong gust of wind exploded in the surrounding.

What stands there is…Sistina with something weird behind her…it’s like an emblem or some sort. It was dark and eerie to the point that my eyes unconsciously averts it sight from it.

“I won’t be wasting any time… I’ll finish my job here at once and go home where Lord Nil is waiting for me. I want to see his face.”

“I know how that feels. Won’t you just turn back and head home now?”

“I am not going to be satisfied if I don’t bury you deep in the ground.”

“Negotiation failed, huh?”

“Prepare for the worst.”

“[Attraction!]”

?!

“[Earth Shrine!]

In haste, I cast earth shrine for both of us. The reason is that my guts told me that her power is too abnormal now. Our bodies were immediately lifted from the air as she invokes the magic. The earth shrine that I erected is for stopping our bodies from being pulled.

“Hmph! No matter. I don’t need to use that skill anymore. I have a better one than Love Touch. I just don’t need to touch you anymore.”

“[Love Drain]”

Mist spread out in the air and fills the whole place. As it meets with my body, I slight brush from it saps some of my strength.

“Miss Higanbana, be careful! This mist…!”

“I know…I’m actually already down…”

“Eh?!”

“I’ve already spent all of my magic power and I am out of stamina…”

Higanbana lay down on her face lifelessly as her energy, stamina and magic power depletes. Even I cannot do anything in this situation.

Is this the fall of Astlan’s Castle?

Archdevils invading the city…

The people of our city will surely die… and here I am…just lying here…unable to do anything for the people Ashfon and Violetta try hard to protect.

The loyal subjects that will be faced their demise at the hands of the devils.

Sistina walk towards Higanbana leisurely, her overbearing power that akin to a god put so much stress on my chest.

“Hey, little fox girl. Do you feel fear now?”

“Hmm? Nope. Not a bit.”

“How stubborn…Hmm…I’d like to check you a little…”

“Wha--?”

As Sistina said that, she straddles above Higanbana and starts caressing all over her body. She massages her young, yet supple breasts and gently slid her hand on her thighs.

“I’d like to keep you as a pet and train you. How stimulating…”

“Yeah? If you can, that is.”

“You can’t defeat me. Don’t you still see the reality of that?”

“Hmm? I never said that I am the one who will defeat you.”

“What are you…”

“I’m just…stalling time.”

“Stalling time? For what?!”

“[Avidya Severance – Destroyer of the Seventh Hell!]”

.

.

.

I wasn’t able to see it or even feel that attack coming.

It’s like a flash that just passes by that no one will bother looking but still manage to catch attention because it was so loud.

The land which was heavily damaged by the battle earlier becomes totally destroyed as the land parted and trees sways from the impact that they got uprooted.

There are rubbles of rock and stone that really far away from here.

In that rubble, Sistina is there…

Before me, a girl with silver hair and golden eyes stands. She is young but already has a figure to be envious of. She is wearing a skimpy clothes and a long skirt fashioned with a leather shoes.

This girl here sent Sistina flying with a kick on the body.

“Higan! You are right! There are tons of devils around the castle!!”

“Right? Good thing I had you help people killing them but, what took you so long? Did you have a hard time Alstroe?”

“Eh? No, they were really easy but it kind of bothersome since some of them regenerates back to life so I have to rush at them until their regeneration cannot hold out.”

“That’s sound so you Alstroe. I am kind of defiled here… can you give me a hug?”

“Ehehehe!~ Higan is so spoiled!~”

“Wait!”

I interjected their conversation.

Based on what I heard, Higanbana sent this girl around the whole castle and defeated the archdevils all by herself?!”

“Is it true?! You helped the soldiers to defeat the devils?!”

“Hmm? Yes! Oh, you’re injured too. Do you also want a hug?”

“I’ll reject your tempting offer.”

“Buh!”

This girl here is Alstroemeria, huh?

She is one of Asagao’s friends and… Violetta told me that she is on par with Ashfon as they fought each other a while back.

It’s also unbelievable.

There’s no magic or anything from her and yet, she is so strong.

But, I am thankful is she really helped my soldiers. This also means that she saved our city and now, she also saved us from imminent danger.

“UWAaaarRGhhHHHH! It’s you! It’s you, Alstroemeria!!!”

“Eh? Me? Why are you so angry?!”

Sistina appears from the rubbles and visibly much angrier. Her blood lust seeps and permeated me that shook my whole body. Her power now got more violent as it goes out of control.

“You! Because of you!! Lord Nil won’t return my affection, my love, my feelings! All because of you!!”

“Eh? Sorry. I really don’t what you are saying.”

“I’m going to kill you! I am going to definitely kill you!!”

“Ehehe! Come!~ All challenges are accepted!!”

Sistina kicks the ground and approach us in a flash but in return, Alstroemeria also did the same. The difference is that Alstroemeria is faster.

“ORYAAAA!”

“Gah!”

“[Avidya Severance – Thousand Strikes]”

As they clashes, Alstroemeria immediately dominated the battle with another kick.

After that, I don’t know what’s happening anymore as I cannot follow her movements. Everything that I saw I just like a flash when in reality it’s just a rain of punches from her.

Sistina could only hold out her arm to defend herself from the barrage of unseen attacks.

Alstroemeria’s rush is so powerful that it shook the very land we are stepping on and sends an array windfall towards everywhere.

I struck my hammer down and hold Ishtal and Higanbana so we won’t get blown away.

After that, Sistina got blown away with a grapple from Alstroemeria.

“Phew! It’s good to move my body like this once in a while! That was a really good warm-up!”

That was just a warm-up for her?

This just shows how different her league is. She is in the plane of monsters together with Ashfon and Violetta. Even this enemy of ours, Sistina, who used her trump card and becomes somewhat akin to a god, she got clearly beaten without reserved by Alstroemeria.

Sistina who was thrown from afar stands up while she stagger, the emblem behind her slowly fades as her body weakens. Sistina’s fearsome power got overpowered by a mere brute strength.

“Kill!! I am…going to…kill you! Alstroemeria…!”

“I’m sorry. I’m going to make you sleep. It’s dangerous for you to move around with that injury.”

It was a fine decision she made.

Alstroemeria run towards Sistina with one fist clenched which she lifts in the air.

And…

BAM!

The wind blasted sideways from where Sistina stands. The ground violently shook as the impact of the punch is so strong. But there’s something wrong…

The attack didn’t reach Sistina.

She didn’t block the attack nor Alstroemeria stop the attack on herself either. There was something transparent that prevented her from landing the attack.

“Oops, I can’t let you do that.”

“?!”

Suddenly, an old man appears from Sistina’s side and catches her weakened body as she falls. The old man holds her by the waist and hold out his other hand towards Alstroemeria.

The old man wears a weird coat with weird tools hanging from inside and dons a weird monocle in one of his eyes. His hair is gray and he is tall and well built for someone old.

The old man opens his mouth and speaks…

“Well, well, Sistina, you’re clearly beaten up. Ahh!~ What soft alluring body as always! Gahahaha”

“Dylan! You bastard! Let me go!”

“I can’t do that. Be thankful I am here to save your pretty butt.”

“Why is it has to be you, you smelly old man!”

“Gahahaha! Do you remember the strict order of Lord Nil?”

“D-Don’t engage battle with Alstroemeria…”

“Good girl. You don’t want him hating you, right?”

“Guh…!”

“[Avidya Severance – Destroyer of Seventh Hell!]”

“[Arcana of Sloth – Avoidance.]”

BAM!

Alstroemeria who preemptively attack the old man who is called Dylan was immediately blocked. The force of her punch blows everything away again except for the place where Dylan and Sistina are standing.

Dylan just made a smile as the attack didn’t reach him.

“Ah, I can’t have you doing that again, lady. I am Dylan, an etherian. In the Order of Arcana Sin, I am the current Arcana of Sloth and I don’t have any title to mention. Well, I am always available for fun night time and I love plump butts…oops…do I really have to say that? Gahahaha!”

“How…? Is that a barrier, Dylanlan?!”

“Gahaha! What a cute nickname I got!”

“Buh!”

“That is one of my few skills, Avoidance. I don’t block your attack. I redirect everything towards another place at my will except towards the attacker. I don’t necessarily block the attack, but if you’d like to test it again, I am willing to…redirect the force of your attack towards your friends over there.”

“……”

Alstroemeria didn’t say anything as Dylan told her what he is capable of. It struck me that Arcana magic is truly magnificent and horrifying that even someone like Alstroemeria can’t do anything against it.

“Don’t be frustrated there. You’re going to ruin your young pretty face. It’s all about affinity and you are extremely bad against me.”

“Next time…”

“Hmmm…?”

“Next time, I am going to defeat you!”

“Gahahaha! Don’t bother! I am not fond fighting but I would be happier if you let me inspect your body!”

“Sexual harassment!”

“Sorry! Gahaha! We will take our leave now. This lady over here overstepped her bound.”

“Dylan…you…!”

Sistina who was already weakened never fail to return a glare to us.

“You, fox over there!”

“Me?”

“I’ll make sure you’re not going to make a smile like that ever again the next time we meet!”

“Hmph! Bring it on!”

With that, they turn around and a purple warp appears which they enter. We just stare at their back as they leave and as they enter the warp until they disappear in thin air.

I breathe a sigh as their malicious presences vanish.

“Uwaahh…! Alstroe, that was nerve wracking!

“Yes, yes! Here’s your embrace spoiled little Higan!”

.

.

.

After that, I invited the two inside the castle to rest.

I immediately head out and inspect every gate and ask every division commander of what happened.

All of them have the same response which they told me that a devil that stands out and extremely powerful appears but was immediately beaten by a silver-haired girl. All the gates were protected, some of the soldiers were harmed and injured, almost one-fourth of the total forces but, it’s a blessing that death didn’t occurred.

I checked every garrison and posts and all are untouched and undamaged.

We owe Alstroemeria and Higanbana a huge debt but, all they ask me is one thing.

“Hey, where’s Asagao?! You're name is Edelweiss, right? You're pretty too!”

“I want to see Asagao, where is she? What is she doing now?!”

They ask me over and over so I didn’t have any choice but to tell them.

“Miss Higanbana and Miss Alstroemeria, unfortunately, Princess Asagao is currently at the dragon capital. Things are complicated and there are problems…”

““And…””

“…Lord Mrothgir and her Maid Milin passed away…”

……

I guess I shouldn’t have said that abruptly.

Their faces say it all as it pales.

“H-Hey…that’s a lie…right?”

“Master…is? That’s impossible…!”

“I mean, Murot may be weaker than me but he is not that easy to be taken down!!”

“M-M-Master...”

“I don’t know the details but their bodies were left here earlier. It seems that this place is not the only one attacked by the devils. It also occurs in the Dragon capital and Demon Capital.”

I answered their unsaid questions.

Alstroemeria starts tearing up upon hearing the death of one of her adventuring companion and start sobbing as it slowly sunk to her.

“Murot…*sob*…no way…*sob*…”

But contrary to the crying Alstroemeria, Higanbana’s face is still blank…no…her eyes are blank and seemingly, she killed her emotions at this point.

“Alstore.”

“H-Higan?”

“Asagao…is in danger…we’re going to follow her.”

“E-Eh?”

“I am sad…I feel really sad that I could cry too but, when I think of how much sadder Asagao is, my mind cannot forgive the person who made her feel that way. Unforgivable…!”

“Higan…can we at least pay a visit to them? I…I at least want to pray for their souls…”

“Alstroe is really kind and nice. That’s why I love you like how I love Asagao.”

“Thank you…”

After they visit Mrothgir and Milin who was laid in a bed without life, they both kneel down and prayed. Higanbana who is seemingly emotionless shed tears as she closes her eyes while Alstroemeria’s tears flows nonstop.

I tried to stop them but they were determined to leave immediately.

I presented the two with foods and coins for their adventure and I hope I could give them more as they have done so much.

They are strong but… their hearts and minds are stronger.

Unlike me who was apathetic to most people, they are sweet and gentle despite of their disposition. Just like Asagao, they have smiles that soften one’s heart…

Asagao sure made such bright friends…and cute one’s to boot.

Now, what should I mention to thank first in my prayer towards the Goddess of Blessing today?