Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh.
Kalamaina, Xuelan, and Mira burst from the forest, landing in front of Tenra. Their breaths came quick, faces marked by exhaustion and battle.
"Tenra-sama."
They bowed, still catching their breath.
"Well done. Take a moment to rest."
Tenra nodded, sending waves of spiritual energy into each of them.
Their clash with Akeno's team had left wounds, some deeper than others. He couldn't use [Smile of the Holy Mother] right now, but the surge of spirit energy brought color back to their cheeks.
Moments after Kalamaina's trio arrived, Akeno and her group emerged from the woods and onto the battlefield.
"Rias!"
"Rias-buchou!"
Seeing her peerage, Rias's eyes lit up.
"You made it!"
With Akeno's team on the field, Rias was officially out of standby—ready to join the fight.
"Rias-sama's peerage has successfully reached the battlefield!"
"OOOOOOOH!"
The host's announcement echoed overhead, and cheers erupted from the spectators outside the alternate dimension.
"Yes, Sona-sama!"
Tsubaki stared at her king, resolve burning in her eyes.
"I won't comfort you. I won't blame you. If you feel guilty—if you refuse to accept this—then pick up your weapon and fight beside me. Take back every shred of dignity our comrades lost to Tenra Kamiyo."
"Now you understand the weight of leadership, don't you?"
Tsubaki blinked, startled.
"Raise your head, Tsubaki."
Sona cut her off, stepping forward, eyes stern.
"I'm sorry, Sona-sama. I failed to protect Ruruko and Momo. It was my responsibility—"
Tenra exchanged a look with Yubelluna, signaling her to rest. Tsubaki, however, stood before Sona, her face clouded with shame.
Soon, Yubelluna and Tsubaki arrived at the battlefield.
Setsura managed a tired smile.
He glanced at Sona. "I'd rather beat her fair and square—and then make her my fiancée."
Tenra smiled, reassuring her. "Honestly, it's better this way. If Sona lost without a fight, she'd never accept it."
"It's fine. She's no ordinary opponent."
Setsura's voice was heavy with regret. That little Knight was slippery—Setsura had caught up more than once, only to lose her again. The frustration lingered.
"Sorry, Tenra-sama. I couldn't stop her."
On the battlefield, Setsura and the small shinigami Knight were doubled over, gasping for air. Their chase had pushed both to the brink.
"Hah… hah…"
The first interception was over. Now, the real battle began.
She steadied her nerves, recovered her magic, and sprinted toward the fight.
Tsubaki watched her go, quietly exhaling. Yubelluna—the "Bomb Queen"—wasn't someone to take lightly. With that bizarre Longinus, even Tsubaki had her doubts. If the duel had continued, defeat was likely.
She leapt away, heading for the center of the battlefield.
Yubelluna shook her head. "No point in fighting now. Let's regroup and settle things with our kings."
With Bennia safely reunited with Sona, the pressure was off.
Tsubaki adjusted her glasses, smiling. "Yubelluna-sensei, do you still want to continue?"
Setsura's chase had failed.
The host's voice split the air. Relief flooded Tsubaki's face; Yubelluna could only sigh.
"Sona-sama's peerage has successfully reached the battlefield!"
Just as they braced for another round—
High-intensity combat was draining, even for them.
Sparks flew. Both women staggered back, arms numb, breath ragged.
CLANG!
No time for spells or Sacred Gear tricks. Yubelluna swung her staff to block—
Yubelluna jerked her head up—Tsubaki was already descending, blade flashing.
"Here!"
Yubelluna barely paid attention—her gaze swept the battlefield, searching for Tsubaki.
Water slammed into earth, shaking the ground. Rain exploded from the impact, flooding the ruins and forest.
CRASH!
Yubelluna's eyes narrowed. Flying clear would be easy, but the forest's anti-flight barrier forced her hand. She burned through magic, raising a massive earthen wall.
Tsubaki layered herself in defensive magic, then summoned torrents of water—her control nearly rivaled Sona's. A raging flood barreled toward Yubelluna, unstoppable.
Tsubaki grimaced. Before she could press the attack, Yubelluna fired off bolts of lightning.
But a cloud of mist rose up—Longinus power. The blades vanished, swallowed by the fog.
Tsubaki darted and dodged, waiting for an opening. When she found it, she struck—energy blades slicing through the air, sharp enough to cleave steel. In a blink, they closed in on Yubelluna.
Tsubaki had crushed Isabella in one exchange—Yubelluna knew she couldn't hold back. She unleashed everything: her staff raised high, thousands of fireballs rained down, turning the forest into a charred wasteland.
Inside the forest, Yubelluna and Tsubaki Shinra were locked in a Queen's duel.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
He stroked his chin, amused. Sona still wore her calm mask, but inside? She had to be feeling the pressure.
With Akeno's group assembled, only Sona's peerage remained. Tenra glanced at the countdown hovering above the forest—less than ten minutes left.
Confidence was good. Soon enough, he'd show them what true despair looked like.
Tenra couldn't help but grin. Irina, Akeno, and the rest—so confident, every one of them.
She'd been itching for payback—bullied by Tenra at home, on the battlefield, even in bed. Irina's simmering grudge was about to boil over. Just imagining Tenra surrounded and cut down by the whole squad filled her with gleeful anticipation.
Irina, twin-tails bouncing, brandished Excalibur and shouted, "Tenra, you jerk! Better wash your neck and wait for us! We're gonna chop you up until you're begging for mercy!"
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