Using the powerful self-healing ability of the "Awaken Gáe Bolg" and the fact that none of the Yoki owners resisted, Lancer barely managed to pull off this move that had only existed in his plans. The result was satisfying, but the cost was equally massive. His body was now riddled with holes like an anthill; Yoki itself is naturally threatening to humans, let alone having it flow through his body like a river before being crammed into the spear.
But Lancer still had a trump card!
Pop~
As something jumped into the air, a green potion in Lancer hand was poured directly into his mouth. Even after drinking it, he felt a faint pain inside, so he pulled out several more bottles and downed them.
Previously, the battlefield was on a hair-trigger; Lancer had no chance to take medicine. He was sure if he tried, the opponent would take the opportunity to blow his mouth off. But now that both were nearly immobilized (one with a pierced kidney, one with an internally ravaged body), he could safely chug potions.
The "Recovery Potion G" in the real world naturally couldn't restore everything as long as the HP bar wasn't empty like in a game, but it wasn't far off. The specially mixed potion could restore his life force and heal his wounds. Aside from being unable to regrow limbs, it was applicable to almost most situations. The only problem was likely "drug resistance," but drinking a few bottles didn't matter.
Feeling his organs and muscles constantly recovering, Lancer was about to sigh in relief, but then his eyes widened because—the opponent was also chugging potions!
Eirin Yagokoro hadn't been this badly injured in more years than she could count. After becoming the "Sage of the Moon," she had never fought anyone again. Though her skills hadn't regressed, her physical condition had grown stronger. But no matter how strong, one cannot heal a kidney in a short time, let alone a strike named "Night Parade of a Hundred Demons" mixed with different Yoki from nearly a hundred Youkai. Even Lancer, the user, could barely move; as the target, Eirin doubted how many organs in her abdomen were still intact.
But when she saw Lancer taking out unknown potions, she remembered a certain "hobby" of her own.
As an alchemist, she naturally carried many potions she had refined herself. But having never been pushed to this point, she had completely forgotten them. Lancer actions reminded her.
Undoubtedly, the potions refined by Eirin herself surpassed the Recovery Potion G used by Lancer in terms of quality. But considering their respective injuries... their recovery progress was about the same.
The battle seemed poised to descend into a war of attrition once more.
Kaguya Houraisan, currently being protected by the crowd of Youkai, truly wanted to rush out and shout, "Stop fighting!" But the problem was she couldn't move at all. When Eirin arrived, the followers behind her hadn't stayed; who knew when they would pop out?
In reality, if Eirin had no support, she had already lost.
Her goal was to take Kaguya away, but now, severely injured, it was nearly impossible to forcibly take Kaguya away under the protection of the crowd. Even if no one there could beat her individually, combined they were more than she could easily handle.
The battle had gone from eruption to climax in less than a minute, but the aftermath was a skin-crawling war of attrition.
Lancer had several arrows stuck in him that he hadn't had time to pull out. Eirin originally otherworldly aura was gone, replaced by messy clothes and completely disheveled hair.
She looked incredibly wretched, but surprisingly, the rage in her heart was gradually fading.
It wasn't that she approved of Lancer—if she could, she would cut him into eighteen pieces. But she had to admit that through the constant fighting, she realized just how firm Lancer resolve to keep Kaguya here was.
Even she had to admit that this man—covered in wounds, right arm hanging limp, holding a spear with one hand—had a will worthy of her recognition.
'A pity. If it weren't for Kaguya...'
Even now, Eirin felt her actions were faultless. In the Lunar Capital, Kaguya was the revered "Princess," but staying here, she was an exiled "Sinner."
From Lancer perspective, he was protecting Kaguya. From Eirin, she was also protecting Kaguya. The only difference was that one protected the "Lunar Princess as a disciple," while the other protected the "NEET Princess who plays games all night."
Neither was truly right or wrong in this matter, but because of that, they could never be reconciled.
The atmosphere grew heavier, and the spectating Youkai held their breath. Everyone realized the battle was likely reaching its end. This fight, though only lasting less than half an hour, felt like it had raged for days and nights.
The nearly destroyed ground and the wretched state of the two combatants made the atmosphere even more oppressive.
Someone kicked something.
Clang~
With a dull sound, Lancer, who had been looking down, suddenly raised his head. At the same time, the "Awaken Gáe Bolg" in his hand ignited once more. He had lost count of how many times he had repaired his spear during this battle. Without a doubt, it would accompany its master through life and death once more, until the final arrow shot straight for Lancer brow...
Both gave up on defending and went straight for the opponent's vital points.
Thud~
Rip~!
The dull sound of an arrow hitting a solid object and the screech of something being sliced were incredibly piercing. Everyone's gaze finally focused on the two.
When the blood-soaked figure propped up by the spear nearly fell, everyone's hearts leaped, until he propped himself up and stood straight again. Only then did everyone notice Lancer right hand blocking his forehead.
His right hand, which previously could barely hold a spear, had been blocked against his forehead at the last moment. The strike imbued with Eirin final power couldn't pierce his skull after breaking through two layers of blood vitality defense and Lancer palm. After moving his hand, his forehead was nearly stained blood-red, with the skin almost entirely torn.
But no matter how close to victory, Eirin had undoubtedly "lost" at this moment...