It was a truly spectacular scene.
On one side, a massive pillar of flame descended from the sky, evaporating the atmosphere along its path.
On the other side, a dagger spun violently, akin to a Tatsumaki wind, shooting extremely fast.
The deep blue pillar of fire and the extremely fast-spinning Tatsumaki wind collided in mid-air.
"Boom——!"
The next second, a thunderous roar resounded.
The collision between the pillar of fire and the Tatsumaki Wind was like the clash of a meteor and a typhoon, creating a staggering storm of impact. It resembled a stellar explosion, sending shockwaves in all directions, forming a ring-shaped disturbance that expanded outward.
In an instant, the space within a radius of several hundred meters seemed to be shaken, trembling as if by some force.
"What?!" Margery and Marchosias, suspended in the high sky, exclaimed in surprise.
Shana, on the other hand, was propelled by the impact storm. With even more intense momentum, she crashed towards the ground.
"Hu——!"
The howling wind echoed in her ears.
"Pa Pa Pa Pa——!"
The Red Lotus fire powder danced in the air.
Shana descended extremely fast towards the ground, managing to stabilize her figure only after a struggle. The black clothing on her back suddenly lifted, and with a swift turn, she landed firmly on the surface of the Misaki Bridge.
At the same time, in mid-air, a dagger fell and landed precisely by Shana's side.
"Qiang——!"
With a crisp sound, the sharp dagger embedded itself directly into the bridge, piercing through the asphalt road.
Shana immediately reacted, shifting her gaze towards the direction of the dagger.
"That dagger..." Alastor's voice, somewhat surprised and enlightened, emanated from the pendant.
As for Shana, she was completely stunned.
She recognized that dagger.
Because not long ago, after the battle with Sydonay, Shana had picked up this very dagger.
"Zing..."
A cold arc of light flowed over the blade of the dagger, resembling a residual moon.
Its name was Moonlight Dagger.
In the instant, Shana realized this, her grip on Nietono no Shana's handle tightened abruptly.
Perhaps even Shana herself hadn't noticed.
On her youthful and charming face, a heroic smile replaced the previously stern expression.
Power began to fill Shana's entire body.
In mid-air, the wild beast named Tōga floated, looking around vigilantly, shouting.
"Who? Show yourself!"
"I can't sense any aura at all. Could it be that guy Lamies?!"
Margery and Marchosias' voices echoed from Tōga's flame robe.
The response they received, however, was a youthful voice.
"Now is it the time to be distracted?"
Hearing this, Margery's heart tightened abruptly. She turned her head sharply, gazing towards the front.
At that moment, Shana held Nietono no Shana in one hand and Moonlight Dagger in the other. A pair of Burning Eyes burned with dazzling light, focused on Margery's body.
Behind Shana, a pair of wings emerged.
Wings crafted from the flames of the Red Lotus.
"Alright."
Shana pointed Nietono no Shana towards Margery, wearing a newfound confidence on her face.
"Let the second round begin."
...
In the Bright Red World, the flames of the Red Lotus and the deep blue flames once again ignited at the center of the battlefield, creating a fierce clash.
Someone observed this spectacle.
On the rooftop of a building closest to the edge of Misaki Bridge.
Two people were watching.
One was Fang Li.
The other, an elderly gentleman dressed in worn-out suits, exuding a gentlemanly aura.
The two stood side by side, discussing the intense conflict between Red Lotus flames and deep blue flames as if critically reviewing the situation.
"Truly deserving of the 'Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Assassin.' Although young, she can easily suppress the 'Chanter of Elegies,' quite unusual," praised the elderly gentleman.
As the elderly gentleman spoke, the battle had completely shifted. Shana now unilaterally dominated Margery.
Margery, in the form of Tōga, agilely soared through the air, releasing flame projectiles, and attempting to attack Shana. However, Shana's Red Lotus flame wings showed no signs of dodging. Instead, they met the attacks head-on. In a flurry of blade lights and sword shadows, Shana effortlessly deflected all incoming flame projectiles.
Seeing the ineffective attacks, Margery immediately altered her strategy. She began chanting the proud "Improvisational Poem of Slaughter," creating multiple avatars that surrounded Shana, attempting to confuse her.
However, Shana closed her eyes, then suddenly burst forth like a meteor, rushing towards one of the avatars. With Nietono no Shana and Moonlight Dagger in hand, she swiftly struck down the incoming flame projectiles.
The flame robe named Tōga was directly cleaved apart.
Margery, riding on the consciousness of Marchosias stored within the large hardcover book, surfed out like a wave.
Shana promptly closed the distance while consecutively slashing with her weapons.
Without the flame robe, Margery stood no chance in close combat against Shana and could only desperately evade.
The battle now completely favored Shana in this scenario.
Watching this scene, Fang Li showed no hint of surprise.
"Originally, in terms of strength, Shana is not inferior to the opponent. Now that she has learned to control her flames preliminarily, suppressing a Flame Haze filled with a vengeful heart is not a difficult task."
Fang Li remarked, "Wait for some time. Once Shana becomes completely familiar with her power, she'll become even stronger."
"Is that so?" The elderly gentleman nodded, then sensed something, asking somewhat uncertainly, "Shana?"
"The name of the 'Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed assassin,'" Fang Li shrugged, indifferent. "Just picked it up recently."
"I see." The elderly gentleman understood.
If there were a third party present, seeing Fang Li and the elderly gentleman chatting amiably would undoubtedly make them think that the two had known each other for a long time. However, in reality, they had just met moments ago.
It was at the moment Fang Li used the Extreme Death Nanaya technique to throw the Moonlight Dagger, blocking Margery's pillar of fire attack. At that instant, the elderly gentleman silently appeared by Fang Li's side, watching the battle together.
Fang Li didn't display any surprise or wariness, and it was as if he had known the arrival of the other party. Without glancing at him, Fang Li continued to watch the battle alongside the elderly gentleman.
"You must have quite the courage, knowing the person chasing you is right here and still coming directly," Fang Li said with a half-smile.
"Should I call you 'Corpse Retriever,' or should I call you 'Corpse Retriever'?"
...
Fang Li's words, though devoid of any hostility, slightly tensed the surrounding air.
However, the Crimson World Denizen known as "Corpse Retriever" showed no concern. Instead, he truthfully answered Fang Li's question.
"Call me Lamies, and it'll be alright." He introduced himself as such. "At least, in this state, that's what everyone calls me."
Hearing this, Fang Li continued to gaze at the ongoing battle ahead. Observing the consecutive bursts of Red Lotus flames and deep blue flames, almost as if speaking to himself, he uttered a line.
"Then I'll call you Lamies, at least until you come out of the Torch you're possessing."
Upon hearing these words, the gentleman named Lamies responded with an amazed nod, saying, "Being able to see clearly that I'm currently inhabiting a Torch, you truly aren't an ordinary human."
"It's not something to be surprised about," Fang Li replied somewhat indifferently.
Then, Fang Li slowly turned his head, lifting his gaze towards Lamies.
"After all, I can clearly see the inner workings of the Torch, and there's another presence inside as well."
With these words, a chill began to rise within Lamies.
Because Lamies saw it.
He saw Fang Li's eyes.
A pair of ice-blue eyes.
Eyes that seemed to directly pierce through one's vulnerabilities.
No.
These eyes didn't just see weaknesses.
They saw things that undoubtedly surpassed what others could imagine.
Otherwise, there would be no way to explain the chilling sensation.
"...Is it safe to say you truly live up to being the one that 'Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed assassin' has set her sights on?"
As if trying to conceal his own expression, Lamies slightly lowered the hat worn on his head, covering his eyes, and spoke so.
"It seems I can understand why the Reiji Maigo (Midnight Lost Child) fell into your hands."
Fang Li raised his brows slightly.
Regarding Lamies, Fang Li still vaguely remembered some information.
This Crimson World Denizen, often called the "Corpse Retriever," had an impressive background.
—The "Spiral Organ."
Mention this name, and no Flame Haze or Crimson World Denizen would be unfamiliar with it.
Because this name belonged to the most outstanding Unrestricted Spell Master in the Crimson World.
Including Fuuzetsu/Seal, many excellent Unrestricted Spells were created by this Crimson World Denizen, bringing substantial influence and advancement to the development of Unrestricted Spells.
And this "Spiral Organ" was Lamies.
The "Corpse Retriever" Lamies, while residing in a Torch, earned this title by collecting the Power of Existence from hundreds of years of Torches.
The reason for doing so was because Lamies wished to restore an item given to him by a former lover.
An item that Lamies didn't even get the chance to see, as it was damaged.
Restoring an item that no longer exists is a monumental task for a Crimson World Denizen and even a Flame Haze whose power relies on existence.
Fortunately, the reputation of being the most outstanding Unrestricted Spell Master was not unfounded.
Over the course of several hundred years, Lamies, while collecting Power of Existence, successfully developed Unrestricted Spells in this field. However, driving this Unrestricted Spell required an exceptionally large amount of Power of Existence.
Contrary to other Crimson World Denizens, Lamies had no intention of achieving this by devouring human Power of Existence. Lamies believed that such an approach would inevitably lead to retaliation from Flame Haze, posing too great a risk. Instead of taking such risks, Lamies chose to take his time and gradually achieve his goal.
Thus, Lamies inhabited Torch's bodies, allowing himself to manifest in this world without consuming the Power of Existence. Simultaneously, he slowly collected the Power of Existence from Torches on the verge of extinguishing, showcasing to the world that he was a harmless entity, unlikely to attract the attention of Flame Haze.
Of course, this meant that Lamies, unable to manifest his true form and restricted from freely using the Power of Existence, was almost equivalent to being completely powerless in combat. Hence, Fang Li harbored no sense of caution towards Lamies.
Unexpectedly, Lamies was aware of the fact that the Reiji Maigo (Midnight Lost Child) was within his body. This was something Fang Li had not anticipated. As a result, Fang Li turned his gaze back to Lamies.
In Lamies' eyes, the ice-blue Mystic Eyes had vanished, reverting to a pitch-black hue. Seeing Fang Li's reaction, Lamies gave him a reassuring smile, but the words that followed were impossible to ignore.
"In fact, I received a commission from the 'Bal Masqué' as a consultant and set up an Unrestricted Spell in this city. Once it succeeds, I'll receive a substantial amount of Power of Existence as a reward."
This unexpected piece of information caused Fang Li to narrow his eyes slightly. He remained silent, urging Lamies to continue.
"I can't tell you the effect of the Unrestricted Spell, as it would violate the commission. If that happens, not receiving the reward would be a minor issue. The real problem is that if behemoths like the 'Bal Masqué' catch wind of it, my future actions will become troublesome," Lamies said with a seasoned voice. "However, I can tell you that driving this Unrestricted Spell requires meeting a certain condition. Once that condition is met, the Power of Existence driving the Unrestricted Spell will be directly extracted from your body. Do you understand what I mean?"
Fang Li naturally understood.
This meant two crucial things.
Firstly, once the Unrestricted Spell is activated, if the inscribed Unrestricted Spell is triggered, Fang Li, whose Power of Existence has been absorbed, may disappear. After all, Fang Li is still a human, and once devoured by the Power of Existence, death is inevitable.
Secondly, the 'Bal Masqué' targeting the Reiji Maigo (Midnight Lost Child) might not come to Misaki City. Because, commissioning Lamies to set up an Unrestricted Spell in the city, they could just wait for the Unrestricted Spell to take effect without the need for anyone to drive it, achieving their goal effortlessly.
Fang Li didn't know what their goal was. He only knew that he might have fallen into a trap set by the 'Bal Masqué'— a trap that was still being arranged. Moreover, Fang Li knew that even asking Lamies wouldn't help. Otherwise, Lamies wouldn't allow contact with Fang Li.
Therefore, Fang Li posed another question.
"Why did you tell me this?"
Upon hearing this, Lamies couldn't help but smile.
"Because I don't want to offend either the 'Bal Masqué' or a human treated so cautiously by the 'Bal Masqué.' I just want to quietly accomplish my goal and avoid offending anyone who might pose a threat to me, including you," Lamies said with sincerity. "I only wish to complete my objective peacefully, without making enemies."
Leaving behind these words, Lamies' body transformed into a flock of birds, disappearing on the spot. Witnessing this, Fang Li only stared at the gradually receding flock of birds, lowering his head in contemplation.
...
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