Against the backdrop of a pitch-black night sky, Zoro streaked across the battlefield like a green meteor, executing his Three Sword Style technique with lethal precision and cutting through the air. His overwhelming presence caused the very air to tremble with anticipation, piercing the battlefield.
Kavach's heart sank as he witnessed this display; a sense of foreboding rose within him. 'No way...'
However, remembering that his own ace card was also of the Red quality, he felt marginally reassured. 'At least he can't be killed instantly,' he thought.
Coming to his senses, he realised that he was merely scaring himself unnecessarily. 'As long as we can hold them off until the reinforcements arrive, that should suffice. The Association's backup forces should be here soon.'
Kavach wasn't referring to Gold-rank Lore Cardians such as Azrael, but to the lower-ranked Lore Cardians within the Association. Although these lower-tier Lore Cardian Masters might be ineffective against Emerald-ranked opponents, they could still cause significant damage to Gold-ranked members of the Crimson Oath Society.
He presumed that the fanatics of the Crimson Oath wouldn't choose to fight to the bitter end against such overwhelming odds.
Meanwhile, having already been battered and wounded on the battlefield, Memphis naturally sensed the terrifying power emanating from Zoro's ultimate technique, the Three Sword Style, and immediately sought to support Carl in the upcoming clash.
Unfortunately, a jet-black beam of energy narrowly missed him, leaving behind a smouldering crater where he had been standing just moments earlier.
Looking up, he saw the white-haired Millennium Elf Mage gazing calmly at him with ancient, calculating eyes.
'Tsk.' Memphis muttered under his breath.
In this critical situation, he knew that Carl would have to face the green-haired swordsman's hidden attack alone.
Memphis took a deep breath, gathered his remaining strength, and faced Frieren once again, his eyes showing steel resolve.
Facing Zoro's ultimate Three Sword Style technique, Carl's expression grew increasingly serious as he assessed the incoming threat.
He naturally understood why the green-haired swordsman had launched such a devastating attack so suddenly. When it comes to assassination attempts, it's only natural to want to end the fight with a single, decisive strike.
Gazing at the green-haired demon of war, which was now almost within striking range, Carl took a deep breath. He raised the crimson divine sword in his hand, the blade casting dramatic shadows over half of his face.
At the same time, the ethereal female figure behind him performed the same movement, their actions perfectly synchronised.
The blades of the two divine swords now reflected the faces of two distinct individuals, united by a common purpose: ice and fire.
The next moment erupted into a spectacular display of violence.
'Flame Dance!'
'Ice storm!'
The overlapping battle cries of a man and a woman suddenly echoed across the entire battlefield, their voices blending together in a deadly harmony.
Crimson flames and dark blue ice intertwined in a mesmerising display. The two opposing elements blended together perfectly, defying natural law.
A dreamlike sword of light slashed down through the night air, alternating rapidly between piercing cold and searing heat.
Concealed in the shadows, Azrael witnessed this spectacular display and couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Where did these discount versions of the legendary Ice and Fire swords come from?"
He could understand why this world might have developed abilities similar to those he knew from his previous life. Just as an infinite number of monkeys typing at random on keyboards might eventually reproduce every book in existence, the powers of ice and fire could also manifest as highly sought-after abilities in any magical world.
Fortunately, these weren't the legendary divine swords that Azrael was familiar with; otherwise, he would probably be facing an entirely different level of threat tonight.
Nevertheless, the sword light emanating from Carl's combined technique was formidable.
With the exception of Azrael and Kavach, all of the Lore Cardians present felt an involuntary chill run down their spines as they sensed the terrifying presence emanating from the clash.
Meanwhile, Godfrey — who had carefully constructed his Diesel identity — felt a pang of bitterness wash over him. Despite their careful planning, he had a nagging feeling that tonight's operation might ultimately end in failure.
But as everyone watched with bated breath, awaiting the outcome of this spectacular confrontation, Carl's expression suddenly changed, becoming alarmed. 'Not good!'
The brilliant sword of light that was supposed to engulf and obliterate Zoro paused dramatically in mid-air, then split cleanly in two, revealing the unharmed swordsman within.
Carl finally understood the true meaning of the green-haired swordsman's earlier declaration.
Now visible to everyone, the green-haired swordsman was covered in burns and frostbite from forcing his way through the combined ice and fire technique. However, his eyes shone with a frightening brilliance that spoke of unwavering determination.
'Three Sword Style: Oni Giri!"
Zoro landed with tremendous force and stomped the ground hard, instantly propelling himself forward and arriving before Carl in the blink of an eye.
Seeing the three pitch-black swords threatening to swallow the light around them, Carl thrust his crimson blade forward again in a desperate attempt to block Zoro's relentless attack.
Unfortunately, Zoro was intent on complete annihilation and launched the attack with the resolve to destroy everything, including his own body, which was being torn apart by the sword wind.
'Ding!'
The metallic clash rang out as Carl successfully blocked the initial strike. His expression brightened with a momentary sense of relief.
At that very moment, the ethereal female figure behind him swung at Zoro with fluid grace, wielding a slash of ice that seemed to flow as she moved. Her intent was clear: to sever the green-haired swordsman cleanly in half.
'Clang!'
The sound of steel clashing with iron echoed across the battlefield. Both Carl and the woman behind him looked at each other in astonishment.
At that critical moment, to the astonishment of all present, Zoro firmly blocked the icy blue divine sword with his pitch-black, Armament Haki-enhanced right arm, using it as an impromptu shield.
Ignoring the longsword piercing his flesh and pressing against his arm bone, Zoro curled his lips into a predatory grin that belonged more to a demon than a man. 'Looks like I've won this round.'
His voice, sounding like the final death knell from hell itself, echoed ominously in Carl's ears.
'What?!' Carl's eyes widened in disbelief.
'Three Sword Style: Sanzen Sekai!"
The pitch-black longsword transformed into a dragon of pure cutting intent, devouring Carl in one devastating gulp.
Everyone present stared at Zoro in stunned silence. He had already moved to a position directly behind his fallen opponent.
'Shh...'
Carl stood still for a moment, unable to process what had just happened.
Then, with a single, explosive breath, he erupted into a cloud of crimson blood.
'Thud!'
A dull final sound echoed across the battlefield as the president of the Donglai Cardian Master Association's ace card silently dissipated into particles of light.
Kavach's face contorted with horror as he watched the scene unfold before his eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing.
But the [Crazy Sword: Flame Silence] card, which was now entering its cooldown period, reminded him with crystalline clarity that his death was fast approaching.
„Diesel! Azrael!"
A shrill, primal cry echoed across the entire battlefield.
The association president was pleading desperately for salvation from his supposed comrades.
Maybe they really were his allies.
But with Carl unable to stop him, who could possibly prevent the green-haired swordsman, who now resembled a god of death incarnate, from reaching his target?
Seeing Zoro charge at him almost without pause, his three swords gleaming with murderous intent, Kavach panicked and tumbled backwards, using both his hands and feet.
Unfortunately, despite the various card effects that had enhanced his body, he was not a close-quarters combat specialist like Tempest. Therefore, there was absolutely no way he could outrun a determined Zoro.
In just a few desperate breaths, the green-haired swordsman — who now resembled a demon straight from hell, covered in blood, both his own and that of his enemies — appeared directly behind the fleeing president.
Kavach's legs gave way completely when he sensed the absolutely terrifying aura emanating from behind him, and he collapsed among the ruins.
Meanwhile, Memphis tried to rescue his summoner, but this desperate manoeuvre undoubtedly left him fatally vulnerable. He was ultimately annihilated by one of Frieren's devastating Zoltraak spells.
Just when Kavach thought his situation was completely hopeless, he sensed the distinctive presence of Vice President Azrael.
He turned his head frantically and spotted Azrael standing in the distance, silently observing the unfolding carnage with an expression that was impossible to read.
'Save me! Azrael!' Kavach cried out desperately, clinging to what seemed like his only lifeline.
However, the young Vice President merely shrugged with apparent helplessness in his terror-stricken eyes, conveying a sense of resigned inevitability.
Kavach could see Azrael's lips moving as if forming words, which seemed to be a farewell of some kind.
Before the doomed president could make sense of the young man's cryptic message, Zoro's blade had already completed its deadly trajectory.
Zoro was not interested in having a dramatic conversation with the man in front of him. His brief exchange with Carl had merely been out of mutual respect between fellow swordsmen.
The president of the Donglai Cardian Master Association met his end.
Seeing this decisive conclusion, Diesel immediately stopped fighting Godfrey and quickly got to Azrael's side.
Azrael's two visible cards were no longer engaged in active combat with Shiraori, but instead took up defensive positions around him. It was as if they genuinely feared that the members of the Crimson Oath Society might launch a surprise attack.
However, after watching Aizen and Misaka effortlessly disengage from the battle and retreat to safety, Diesel's eyes flickered with an unspoken understanding. Ultimately, though, he said nothing about the convenient timing.
After all, he had executed the same strategic withdrawal just moments earlier.
'President Azrael,' Diesel whispered urgently. 'Shouldn't we consider a tactical retreat at this point?'
'After all, President Kavach is dead,' he continued, casting a fearful glance at the three imposing figures standing before Godfrey.
Apart from Zoro, who was still standing despite his wounds appearing mortal, Frieren and Shiraori were also still capable of continued combat, according to the experienced Lore Cardian's assessment, despite not being completely unscathed.
And who could be sure that the green-haired card really had so little combat power left?
After all, Zoro had already sustained numerous injuries in his first clash with the ace card of President Kavach, yet he still managed to achieve victory through sheer determination.
While it might have appeared to be a balanced two-versus-two situation at first glance, the actual balance of power was heavily in favour of their opponents.
Diesel was genuinely afraid that the fanatics of the Crimson Oath Society would choose to continue this deadly conflict.
If the young man standing beside him also died in the conflict tonight, the whole of the Donglai region would be doomed.
Godfrey and Crowley weren't dwelling on these tactical considerations in the distance. Instead, both men were overwhelmed by a profound sense of relief.
'We've finally completed the mission assigned to us by the Sixth Master,' they thought simultaneously, their hearts still trembling from the dramatic shifts in momentum on the battlefield.
Fortunately, Azrael's cards ultimately prevailed, defying all odds.
Feeling a sense of relief mixed with healthy respect, Crowley gazed at the three diverse and powerful cards arrayed before him.
He was genuinely grateful to be a member of the Crimson Oath Society rather than their opponent; otherwise, he would have been facing these terrifying entities tonight.
The middle-aged man with the expressionless face had no desire to risk his life against Frieren's deadly magic or Zoro's legendary swordsmanship.
Godfrey, on the other hand, looked thoughtfully at Frieren and Zoro, then murmured quietly, 'These two powerful allies...'
'If I recall correctly, the intelligence reports said they had certain food and drink preferences?' he mused, uncertain whether another operation would require their cooperation.
After tonight's successful mission concluded, he decided to procure some of the legendary figures' favourite consumables. 'Many small gifts can foster lasting appreciation,' he reasoned pragmatically. 'This approach should ensure that the three masters continue to protect me.'
And just like that, the battlefield, which had been devastated, suddenly fell into an eerie, almost supernatural silence.
Several tense moments passed before Azrael frowned slightly as he observed the squid-masked figure in the distance. 'What is this guy waiting for?'
According to the carefully planned script, all Crowley had to do was deliver a few appropriately threatening words and then make his strategic withdrawal.
As for why they didn't immediately attack Azrael and his remaining allies, well, who would want to attempt to understand the warped thought processes of these fanatics from the Crimson Oath Society?
Crowley's heart trembled involuntarily beneath his concealing mask, as if sensing Azrael's penetrating gaze.
But just as he opened his mouth to deliver his planned exit lines, Azrael heard a somewhat familiar voice ring out clearly across the battlefield.
'Hey, Crimson Oath Society! Would you like to join forces with us to eliminate these Association lapdogs once and for all?'
It was Li Gang, a member of the Onefold Doctrine sect.
Having experienced the catastrophic monster invasion along the coast and witnessed the dramatic assassinations of the president and vice president, the extremists of the Onefold Doctrine finally decided that they could no longer remain passive observers.
'President!' Diesel's face changed drastically at this unexpected turn of events, and he immediately pulled the young man beside him towards safety.
However, Azrael calmly held out his hand, stopping Diesel in his tracks.
'Tonight brings an unexpected opportunity,' thought Azrael, his mind already calculating the potential advantages of this new development.
Everything was falling into place exactly as he had hoped.