On the battlefield, both demons and Lore Cardian Masters stared at Azrael and his two companions in stunned disbelief. No one had expected anyone to survive such a devastating attack, much less emerge completely unharmed.
Keith frantically patted his body with trembling hands, his voice hoarse with shock. "We're alive. We actually survived."
Hisham stared at Fubuki standing gracefully beside Azrael, his mind reeling from the revelation. Until this moment, he hadn't realized that Azrael's most powerful card specialized in defense rather than offense. After all, during their earlier coordination, Fubuki had demonstrated so many diverse abilities that her true strength had remained hidden.
The memory of his own knight's massive tower shield crumbling within mere seconds under that same attack filled him with a complex mixture of emotions, the bitter sting of inadequacy combined with overwhelming relief at their miraculous survival. To lose so decisively in the very field he considered his specialty left Hisham's pride severely wounded.
Azrael remained oblivious to his companions' internal struggles. His attention focused entirely on the gold-level demon circling overhead, calculating how to make the creature pay for its arrogance.
"The targeting is proving difficult," he muttered with obvious frustration.
Through his enhanced perception, Azrael could track the golden demon's high-speed aerial maneuvers, but Artoria's devastating beam attack required precise aim to be effective. The creature's exceptional mobility made it nearly impossible to achieve a clean lock-on.
This represented one of Caliburn's fundamental limitations, it could only strike stationary or slow-moving targets with reliable accuracy. Even the upgraded Excalibur suffered from similar constraints, though it compensated with additional power and the protective capabilities of Avalon.
"Tsk." Azrael's lips curved in visible displeasure.
Fortunately, their spectacular defense against the previous attack had earned them an unexpected respite. No demon dared approach their position after witnessing Fubuki's incredible protective abilities. Any creature considering an assault would have to examine the massive crater surrounding their elevated perch and honestly assess whether it could survive a similar defensive technique.
For most of the bronze and silver-level demons still active on the battlefield, the answer was clearly no. There seemed little point in launching futile attacks against an impenetrable defense.
"Brother, you're absolutely incredible," Keith finally managed to speak after regaining his composure. "I completely surrender to your superiority."
He genuinely believed death was inevitable when that blood dragon had descended upon them. Who could have predicted that after Azrael spoke those embarrassing words to his card, the beautiful woman would deploy some unknown ability to deflect what should have been a fatal blow?
Keith's description might have been chaotic, but his confusion was entirely understandable. Fubuki had only demonstrated wind manipulation during their earlier coordination exercises, giving no hint of her true defensive capabilities.
As an eyewitness to the gold-level attack, Keith possessed an intuitive understanding of exactly how devastating Fubuki's protection had been. When the flesh dragon struck the ground, everything in the vicinity crumbled and collapsed, except for the small area where they stood, which remained as stable as an immovable mountain. All incoming force seemed to be redirected and dispersed to the surrounding terrain through some impossible rotational effect.
"But brother, we need to retreat to a safer position," Keith continued, his voice carrying newfound respect. "This location is becoming increasingly dangerous."
He had already mentally appointed Azrael as their team leader, a natural reaction when encountering someone of such overwhelming capability. Most rational people would immediately seek to ally themselves with such a powerful protector.
Azrael nodded agreement with the assessment. Fubuki's telekinetic shield had only protected their immediate vicinity during the previous attack, leaving them isolated like a tiny island in a hostile sea. If demons did decide to risk an assault, their current cramped position would severely limit their tactical options.
A Shadowkhan emerged from the darkness at Azrael's feet, and within moments all three Lore Cardian Masters had been transported through the Shadow Realm to the edge of the massive crater.
"Brother, I didn't see you use that particular card during our march here," Keith observed with obvious amazement as he examined the spectral warrior standing beside Azrael.
Azrael waved dismissively. "It wasn't convenient to deploy during our movement formation."
During the advance, he had simply activated his Pride transformation and used its wing capabilities for flight rather than revealing his Shadowkhan abilities to the entire force.
Their conversation was interrupted by a thunderous explosion echoing from behind them. Azrael turned to see blood-soaked earth erupting skyward like a crimson tsunami, debris scattered in all directions by tremendous force.
A solitary figure hovered in mid-air above the devastation, observing the destruction with cold indifference. Azrael recognized their gold-level squadron commander, which made it obvious who had been blasted into the ground below.
"Foolish ant! You've walked straight into my trap!" maniacal laughter erupted from the explosion's epicenter.
The gold-level Lore Cardian Master's expression shifted to alarm upon hearing those words. Without hesitation, his cards unleashed their most devastating techniques toward the source of the taunting voice.
Unfortunately, the corpses of fallen demons across the battlefield began liquefying into waves of flesh and blood that surged relentlessly toward the explosion's center. Within moments, a grotesque giant composed entirely of organic matter stood roughly twenty to thirty meters tall upon the scarred earth.
"Hahahaha! Now you die, you worthless pig!" the flesh titan roared with savage glee.
Its massive right arm transformed into a writhing dragon of meat and bone that lunged viciously at the airborne Lore Cardian Master. The gold-level fighter's cards immediately moved to intercept, forming a protective barrier around their summoner.
"Is that truly the extent of your abilities?" the Lore Cardian Master replied with contemptuous calm. "I expected some hidden trump card. How thoroughly disappointing."
As he spoke, an explosion rivaling a nuclear detonation instantly obliterated the flesh giant, scattering its component parts across a wide area.
To everyone's horror, the abomination reformed within seconds, its regeneration apparently instantaneous.
The gold-level Lore Cardian Master's frown deepened as he processed this disturbing development.
"This battlefield is my domain, scum!" the flesh giant bellowed triumphantly. "As long as corpses remain, I cannot be destroyed!"
Its triumphant laughter echoed across the devastated landscape with bone-chilling confidence. While it might not match a living opponent in direct single combat, on a battlefield littered with the dead, it possessed enough confidence to wear down most gold-level threats through sheer attrition.
The gold-level Lore Cardian Master surveyed the ongoing battle around them. Demons continued their relentless assault on the defensive lines, providing a steady supply of fresh corpses for the creature's regenerative abilities.
However, when his gaze fell upon Azrael and his companions, genuine surprise flickered across his features. "You actually survived that attack."
The flesh giant followed his line of sight, and upon spotting the three Lore Cardian Masters, a ferocious grin spread across its grotesque features. "Once I finish crushing you, that little flea won't escape either!"
Standing at the crater's edge, Azrael felt his heart rate accelerate as he recognized a golden opportunity presenting itself.
"Retsu, use Bakudō #77: Tenteikūra to contact our senior," he commanded. "Tell him I have a method to deal with this demon."
Unohana Retsu nodded gracefully and began the precise incantation for the advanced communication technique. This particular Kidō operated similarly to long-distance telepathic transmission, allowing secure contact across considerable distances.
Soon, the gold-level Lore Cardian Master hovering above received an unexpected message through an unfamiliar spiritual communication method.
"Senior, I am the Lore Cardian Master who was recently attacked. I possess a large-scale destruction technique that should eliminate most of the demon corpses in this area simultaneously. I request your assistance in restraining the creature while I prepare."
The gold-level Lore Cardian Master listened to the transmitted message with calm attention before turning to examine Azrael's distant position. When their eyes met, Azrael nodded respectfully to confirm the communication.
"Very well. Let's see what capability this junior possesses," the experienced fighter decided after a moment's consideration.
After all, even if Azrael's proposed method proved ineffective, nothing would be lost by the attempt. The current situation certainly couldn't become worse.
The gold-level Lore Cardian Master's cards immediately activated their binding techniques. Blazing chains of supernatural flame wrapped around the flesh giant like molten restraints, their heat leaving charred marks across the creature's scarlet surface.
"You think these pathetic bonds can contain me? In your dreams!" the flesh giant roared as it struggled violently against the fiery chains.
The flame restraints trembled under the creature's tremendous strength, though they held firm despite the monster's frantic efforts to break free.
In the distance, Azrael regarded Artoria with solemn intensity. "I'm counting on you, Artoria."
His voice carried the weight of absolute trust as he continued, "Consider this a personal favor to me. Use Caliburn on that abomination."