"According to the intelligence gathered by the reconnaissance squad, the current state of Saint Fontaine is somewhat different from before."
After everyone passed through the teleportation gate leading to Saint Fontaine, Fu Hua immediately came to a stop. She turned to face the group and spoke with a solemn expression,
"In the past, Saint Fontaine could be entered freely from the outside, but when leaving, one had to pass through xxx Station, the only exit. But now, the invisible barrier of Saint Fontaine has become bidirectional, those outside can no longer enter Saint Fontaine either."
Faced with this situation, Bronya slightly furrowed her brows. With her fingertip resting against her chin, she asked thoughtfully, "Squad Leader, this should be a recent change, right?"
Fu Hua nodded slightly and continued, "That's right. Previously, headquarters could still dispatch personnel to provide reinforcements, but because of this change, other squads and logistics personnel can no longer enter Saint Fontaine."
Hearing this, a trace of unease flashed across Timido's face as she murmured softly, "Then... have we become isolated and without support again?"
As soon as her words fell, a warm hand suddenly landed on her shoulder.
Her body trembled, and she instinctively turned her head, only to see Fu Shi grinning broadly with a bright, carefree smile. Her tone was arrogant yet reassuring as she spoke, "What's there to be afraid of! With a lineup like ours, we'll block soldiers when they come and deal with water when it flows! Even if the sky people show up, it'd be impressive if they don't turn tail and run!"
The unease on Timido's face eased somewhat. She nodded lightly and responded in a small voice, "Mm..."
Seeing this, Fu Hua added calmly, "There's no need for everyone to worry too much. The reconnaissance squad also brought back another piece of information, at the same time the nature of the barrier changed, several gigantic red crystals appeared within Saint Fontaine's urban area. These red crystals are larger than before, and monsters are patrolling around them, as if guarding them. If nothing unexpected has happened, "
Raiden Mei☆ didn't wait for Fu Hua to finish and accurately picked up the thought, "The cause of all this is those giant red crystals, and as long as we destroy them, reinforcements should be able to enter Saint Fontaine."
"Exactly. That's what I think as well." Fu Hua nodded in agreement.
With the plan set, Fu Shi informed Fu Hua of the locations of the five giant red crystals she had sensed.
Fu Hua immediately began tactical planning and divided everyone into groups for the upcoming operation.
Fu Hua and Carole formed one group.
Raiden Mei☆ and Lyle formed another.
Bronya and Adam formed a third.
Elysia took the initiative to propose forming a group with the introverted Timido.
As for Fu Shi, under Fu Hua's helpless gaze, she insisted on going alone to the location of the final giant red crystal.
Fu Hua looked at Fu Shi's departing figure and shook her head helplessly, "Be extremely careful. If you encounter danger, contact me immediately. I will rush over at once."
"Relax, you old antique!" Fu Shi waved her hand. Her figure had already turned into a streak of light shooting into the distance, her voice filled with confidence. "Dealing with something this small is a piece of cake!"
Bronya's fingers moved swiftly across the virtual screen, quickly linking everyone's communication channels together, "Everyone, confirm that communications are being received normally and maintain real-time contact. The number of constructs around the red crystals is still unknown. Prioritize clearing the outer guards, then look for an opportunity to destroy the red crystals."
"Roger!" everyone replied in unison. Then, splitting into their respective groups, they dashed off toward their targets.
Elysia gently took Timido's hand, her steps light as a butterfly, the familiar gentle smile still hanging at the corner of her lips, "Little Timido, are you feeling nervous?"
"Y-Yes, Miss Elysia." Under the gaze of those eyes filled with warmth, Timido's fingers curled unconsciously. Her voice carried a barely noticeable tremor. "I... I'm not very good at interacting with people..."
Elysia stopped, turned around, and gently held Timido's hands. Her starlit eyes were so tender they seemed capable of melting ice, and her voice was as warm as a spring breeze, "Little Timido, look, right now, we're partners fighting side by side, so relax～ And you're so cute, you should smile more～?"
As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly and revealed a bright, captivating smile, "Come on, just like me."
'Miss Elysia's smile is so beautiful... so warm...'
Hearing this, Timido's eyes flickered slightly. Beneath her mask, she tried her best to pull into a somewhat stiff smile. She tightened her grip on Elysia's hand and responded softly, "Miss Elysia..."
"That's it! No need to be so reserved. You can call me Sister Elysia too, you know～?"
Elysia laughed as she gently rubbed Timido's head. Then she took her hand again and continued forward, her steps still light and lively, "Let's first investigate the red crystal situation and quietly approach it. Don't alert the enemy. Don't worry, while I'm here, I absolutely won't let a cute girl get hurt even a little～"
'Sister Elysia' Timido repeated it silently in her heart. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she nodded gently. Though a trace of nervousness still lingered in her eyes, there was now much more determination.
At the same time, Fu Shi had already arrived at her destination.
From the ceiling of the central hall, a giant red crystal hung upside down. Below it, a Code IV, Emperor was pacing back and forth with heavy steps, the sound of metal joints grinding echoing clearly through the silence.
The next second, Fu Shi's figure plunged down from above like a meteor. The spear in her hand pointed straight at the Code IV, Emperor below, her crisp shout tearing through the deathly stillness of the hall, "Take this!"
The Code IV, Emperor abruptly raised its head. Its crimson core flared with a blinding warning red light, while the four armor plates floating behind it moved like shields to block above its head, forcibly taking the fierce blow.
"Boom!"
The tremendous impact instantly cracked the ground with spiderweb-like fractures, rubble falling incessantly.
Fu Shi spun lightly in midair and landed steadily on the second-floor railing. Looking at the mecha below, now reduced to particles, she clicked her tongue, "Tch. That's it? It couldn't even take one hit from me?"
With the enemy defeated, the giant red crystal on the ceiling seemed to lose its support. Its crimson glow rapidly faded, turning into a lifeless gray-white.
Immediately after, a crisp "crack" rang out. Cracks spread across the crystal's surface before it shattered with a thunderous crash, countless fragments falling like a meteor shower.
Fu Shi raised her hand to connect to the comms, calling out casually, "Moshi moshi, I'm done over here. Old antique, how's your progress? Need help?"
Fu Hua's calm voice soon came through the channel, mixed with the sharp sounds of metal colliding in the background, "The outer enemies have just been cleared. Preparing to destroy the red crystal. No support needed. Stay alert."
Carole's voice was filled with admiration, "Senior Fu Shi is so fast!"
Adam followed up with a report, "Captain Bronya and I have also finished on our end."
Lyle's voice carried urgency and enthusiasm, "Wow! Then I'd better hurry up! I absolutely can't fall behind!"
"Good luck. I'll be waiting for you all at that, what was it, bridge～"
Fu Shi replied absentmindedly. With a light tap of her toes, she leapt down from the railing and landed amid the scattered crystal fragments. Her boots crunched softly over the debris as she strode out of the hall with brisk steps.