Milim's arrival instantly changed the situation. The Scum Boss, blinded by the azure spider lily he had yearned for over thousands of years, completely ignored the fact that one of his arms was being held immobile, instead reaching out toward Esdeath with his other hand.
However, Milim simply reached forward, grabbed both of Kibutsuji Muzan's arms together, and applied force, crushing them into a ball as if they were a soda can.
Before the Scum Boss could even cry out, she kicked his body, using the force to rip both arms clean off, and sent him flying away with the kick.
With an expression of utter disdain, she tossed the 'ball' of arms aside and, wearing an innocent smile, said to Jean, "We meet again, Jean."
"Ah, I'm really happy to see you, Milim. By the way, don't we need to worry about that Kibutsuji Muzan? He seems worth a lot of points."
"Eh, is that so? Let me see."
Milim stared at Kibutsuji Muzan's location with her sky-blue eyes for a moment. Although Kibutsuji Muzan had specifically kicked up dust after being sent flying, either to block the sunlight or to prepare an escape, these obstacles were meaningless before Milim's 'Dragon Eyes.'
After confirming the situation, Milim tugged at her cape and flew into the sky in a rather cool pose, gathering energy with a casual wave of her hand.
"Dragon Buster!" Accompanied by Milim's childish voice, twenty-three beams of energy scattered in all directions; about ten of them bombarded the Imperial Capital, while the others flew outside the capital's perimeter.
The closest energy beam struck the ground some distance away from the dust Kibutsuji Muzan had kicked up. However, with Jean's keen eyesight, a silhouette seemed to appear within the flash of the explosion; it was likely the Scum Boss had already taken the opportunity to run some distance away.
With an explosion scene resembling a mushroom cloud, along with the earth-shaking impact and tremors, it looked like he was doomed.
In fact, just as Jean had guessed, the remaining count on the mission interface was frantically ticking down: 22/29, 21/29... 2/29, 1/29, 0/29.
Accompanied by the final violent tremor from afar, the interface officially signaled the completion of the mission.
Jean, who had been focused on the mission interface, could finally breathe a sigh of relief. The gentle sunlight shining upon them felt so warm, making both body and mind feel exceptionally pleasant.
Just as Jean was preparing to thank Milim and check on Esdeath's condition, Esdeath stood up first and tossed the azure spider lily she had been holding to Jean.
Jean hurriedly caught it in a panic and was just about to complain when they discovered a vast amount of ice suddenly spreading over their entire body. Within just a few seconds, they were completely unable to move.
Having failed to make a sound, Jean had no choice but to look at Esdeath with a puzzled gaze.
Meanwhile, Milim, who had slowly descended to the ground, also cast a curious glance.
Esdeath threw away all the cloth covering her. The large areas of skin exposed through her heavily damaged military uniform were being scorched by the sunlight, charring and emitting a sizzling, ear-piercing sound.
Standing firm with difficulty, she faced the sun, raised her saber, and pointed it at Milim ahead, issuing a challenge with a fearless smile.
Milim's aura suddenly expanded. Without doing anything, simply by existing there, the fragile bricks and tiles around her shattered one after another, making it impossible for anyone to even look directly at her figure.
Yet, Esdeath did not waver at all. Her eyes were clear and sharp, her posture upright and resolute. She created a large number of ice spikes to assist her and launched an attack toward Milim.
Milim, observing Esdeath with her Dragon Eyes, blinked and revealed an expression of interest.
"Eh, so that's how it is. Then I will fulfill your wish."
Saying this, she pulled a strangely shaped sword from the void.
"creation sword, Star Lord Dragon Horn Sword. Just as you wished, let me show you my strongest."
She then swung it in Esdeath's direction. In an instant, the entire world seemed to be dyed pure white; all boundaries were erased, as if nothing existed at all.
Esdeath, caught in the midst of it, experienced a moment of confusion before wearing an expression of relief.
Just as she was about to close her eyes, a shout suddenly rang out: "Esdeath!!!"
Turning to look, she saw Jean struggling to break through the icy restraints, reaching out a hand toward her.
Seeing this scene, Esdeath left behind a happy smile.
Then, the impact arrived.
Everything, including Esdeath, was completely vaporized and dissipated.
Minutes later, the steam that had filled the surroundings like mist dispersed, leaving behind only a fissure thousands of meters deep, which, originating from the tip of the sword, split the Imperial Capital in two from the center.
Jean, having completely broken free from the restraints because the Teigu had failed, gripped the pendant in their hand tightly. Taking a deep breath, they tried their best to steady their heart, then turned around to face Milim in front, but hesitated for a long time, unable to speak.
"How about it? Do you want to take revenge for her?" Milim asked with a smile.
"No, this is not your fault, nor is it her fault." Confirming their thoughts once more: "The only thing wrong is that I am still too weak and had no way to forcibly stop her."
"Eh? Don't people usually blame others for their mistakes? Doing that would make life a bit easier, you know."
Jean shook their head, then picked up the nichirin blade and pointed it at Milim: "Hey, Milim, I will become stronger. One day, I will become strong enough to defeat you."
Hearing Jean's words, Milim also wiped the smile from her face and just stared fixedly at Jean. Afterwards, the curiosity in her eyes, which had been like a child seeing a toy, was replaced by the serious regard one has for an equal friend.
She revealed a heartfelt smile: "Mm, I'll be waiting for you!" She then tapped a few times in the air, and after a flash of white light, she vanished from sight.
---
Only Jean remained, standing in the center of the silent ruins of the Imperial Capital, holding the melting azure spider lily in their hands.
They had just relied on their heart to voice their current regret and future longing.
But in this situation, Jean had no mood to do anything.
Standing there in place, they triggered the return countdown.
The Imperial Capital, having endured the hurricane, was a sunny day, and the sunlight shone equally upon Jean without any difference.
However, Jean could not feel a shred of warmth, only the bone-chilling cold left behind by the frozen Imperial Capital.
Touching their cheek, hmm, perhaps it was still raining.
Not long after, following another flash of white light, Jean's figure also vanished from the Imperial Capital.
---
After everything, the prosperity and glory had vanished into smoke.
The empty Imperial Capital, the vanished royalty, the vanished dignitaries, the vanished army, the vanished wealthy merchants, the vanished commoners.
Leaving behind only that Millennium Empire that was ultimately beyond saving.
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