"No miracle came, and no hero appeared. Is the world really going to end like this?"
"This is truly a tragic ending. Everyone around the world, hug your families and say your goodbyes. This time, it might really be farewell forever."
"Tajima-san, please stop saying such terrifying and hopeless things! The enemy is about to attack, we need to retreat!"
"Waaah… Leave me alone! Those bastards have suppressed me for most of my life! I'm going to say my piece! I'm going to tell everyone the truth of what's happening here!"
"…"
The microphone-wielding reporter in the helicopter continued his broadcast, tears streaming down his face, his voice filled with emotion and resolve. He seemed to be a man with a story of his own.
Setting aside the dramatic reporter for a moment, something began to happen on the spaceship. The hatch on top opened layer by layer, and the woman from the broadcast, Rhea Aslan Deviluke, slowly rose up, seated on her throne.
"You've been making a racket over there for long enough. Let's start with you."
She glanced coldly in the direction of the helicopter and slowly raised a hand. A brilliant light flared as an energy blast was compressed at her fingertips.
Zzzzt…
The blast shot through the air toward the helicopter. There was no doubt that a direct hit would mean the complete destruction of the aircraft and everyone in it.
The people inside the helicopter were already in a panic, terrified and hopeless. The reporter bit down hard on the collar of his shirt, a defiant look on his face.
I have to be strong, I have to be strong! I will never bow down to these cruel and evil aliens!
Well, even as he told himself this, he was still scared out of his mind!
Just as the energy blast was about to hit the helicopter, something else happened—
Whoosh… A golden sphere of light descended from the sky and collided with the blast.
BOOM!!!!!
A massive explosion of blinding light erupted, as if a second sun had appeared in the sky…
"Oh… To think they'd make it back at a time like this."
Gazing at the figures floating above the ship, a cold smirk formed on the woman's lips as she stood up from her throne.
"Thank goodness… Lady Lala and the Young Master finally made it back…"
Inside the ship, Zastin and the black-suited guards looked at the figures on the main screen, all of them letting out a long sigh of relief.
If these VIPs hadn't returned, Earth would have truly been destroyed by that cold, crazy woman!
"Yay! It's Rhea, it's really Rhea!"
In the sky, Lala swooped down and hugged Rhea, affectionately rubbing her head against her.
"Princess Lala, it's been a while. I see you've awakened your potential and become so strong and outstanding. Lady Sephie will surely be pleased to hear this."
Sensing the powerful aura emanating from Lala, Rhea's face filled with praise and admiration. She gently stroked the girl's forehead with a smile, no longer the ruthless warrior, but a loving older sister.
"Mmm, Sora helped me train!" Lala nodded and replied with a cheerful grin.
"Sora… so he is Princess Lala's fiancé?"
She looked up, her gaze falling upon Sora. The other girls beside him—Risa, Mio, and Ryouko—were completely ignored.
Although her arrogant and cold demeanor was infuriating, the aura of this woman named Rhea was simply too powerful. Even being grazed by her dismissive glance was enough to make Risa and Mio tremble and hide behind Sora.
Ryouko wasn't as exaggerated, but her expression was grim. She never expected this troublesome girl to come to Earth. Even she felt a headache coming on.
"Woman, are you the one who wants to destroy our planet?" Sora asked with a lazy smile as she looked his way.
"Do you have a problem with that? Human," she retorted, her lips curling into a cold, sarcastic smile.
"Ah… Of course, I do!"
"This is my territory. I don't care who you are, what your purpose is, or how well you know Lala."
"But as punishment for invading my domain, I've decided to give you a good beating."
Sora's eyes narrowed as he spoke slowly and deliberately.
He had no doubt that if he hadn't returned in time, this woman would have absolutely destroyed the Earth, killing Saki and all the other girls left behind.
For her to act so arrogantly in his territory, Sora was genuinely angry. Out of consideration for her relationship with Lala and the fact that she was a beautiful woman, he wouldn't kill her. But a beating to vent his frustration was definitely necessary.
"Beat me? Hehehehe… Hahahahaha…"
Slightly taken aback, the girl named Rhea started to giggle, which soon turned into a full-blown laugh, as if she had just heard the funniest joke in the world.
"You think you can?!"
Her expression suddenly turned cold, and an icy, overwhelming aura erupted from her.
As the strongest Valkyrie of Deviluke, not even the arrogant leaders of the Dark Matterians or the Dragonians dared to speak to her like that. And now, she was hearing someone say they would beat her—and a mere human, at that!
Lala, who had been hugging Rhea, stumbled back several steps. Risa, Mio, and Ryouko were blown away by the sheer force of her aura, crying out as they flapped their transformation wings to stabilize themselves.
Sora, however, remained floating in the air, completely unmoved.
Silver eyes met black. Their sharp gazes seemed to spark in the air between them.
"Risa, Mio, Mikado-sensei, you shouldn't stay here. Go home for now," Sora said with a serious expression.
This woman, Rhea Aslan Deviluke, was arguably the strongest opponent Sora had faced in this world, nearly on par with the former Devilukean King. If they were to fight, the destruction would be immense. He couldn't go all out if the girls were nearby.
"Yes, Master!"
"That woman is strong. Be careful."
Knowing they would only be a burden if they stayed, the three girls nodded and flew down towards the city, heading to their respective homes.
"Sora, Rhea, don't fight," Lala pleaded, seeing that they were about to come to blows.
"Lala, stay out of this. Don't worry, for your sake, I'll only beat her up. I won't kill her."
"Hmph, such arrogance!"
"Princess Lala, I am here on Lady Sephie's orders to determine if this human is worthy of being your fiancé. The rule is simple: we'll see if he can survive against me. If he dies, it proves he is not worthy, and you will return to Deviluke with me."
Neither of them had any intention of backing down. Sora wanted to teach her a lesson, and Rhea was prepared to eliminate him.
"Aww… okay. If you want to fight, then fight. But be careful not to break Earth-kun, okay?" After thinking for a moment, the carefree Lala decided not to interfere anymore and bounced into the spaceship to entertain herself.
Her cold, sharp gaze locked onto Sora. Her battle aura flared as she slowly rose into the air.
It had to be said, aside from being too cold, this girl Rhea was quite impressive in every other aspect. She wore a striking silver battle dress, had a stunning face, a commanding figure, and silver hair that was even longer than she was tall, flowing behind her like a living goddess of war. It was enough to make anyone feel a sense of awe and admiration.
Though he hadn't known her long, Sora could tell that she was a woman with pride and coldness at her very core. For a woman like her, no amount of excellence or gentleness would leave an impression. The only way to win her over was to conquer her with overwhelming force.
"A cold goddess of war, huh? I've conquered plenty of those, but I can't resist doing it one more time…"
He licked his lips, a smirk forming. He couldn't let her overwhelming presence outshine his. Sora snapped his fingers, and a suit of sleek black armor materialized over his body, a black cape billowing behind him.
The battle against the strongest Valkyrie was about to begin!