Time flashed back ten minutes. Lin Luo was searching for Alice, Youxiang had just left the Sunflower Field with Mati, and Aya Shameimaru and her friend, Hatate Himekaidou, were already spreading the news throughout Gensokyo. The Hakurei Shrine's group of five sat by the shrine gate, sipping tea, chatting, and calmly observing the unfolding situation.

And just then, the Scarlet Devil Mansion faced an unprecedented, formidable enemy—less than five minutes after receiving Aya’s news!

“Kanya, you need to hide.” Inside the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Remilia sat upright on her imposing chair, her expression grave. She didn't look at the maid beside her, nor at her younger sister or friend. Her gaze was fixed straight ahead, piercing through the hallway toward the courtyard—both distant and intimately close—a faint smirk playing on her lips.

“Mistress!” Kanya froze instantly.

“It is as I say.” Remilia raised a hand, holding a fresh newspaper between her fingers, still not looking at Kanya. “The enemy is after you, so your disappearance from here is the wisest choice. Patchouli’s barrier can hold for another ten seconds; that should be enough time for you to leave… Yes, this is an order.”

Remilia held the power over fate. Although she couldn't directly control this ability, only subtly influence it, this power occasionally granted her brief glimpses of the future.

Just five minutes ago, when she received Aya’s news, she had glimpsed a future devastating to the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Because of this, she immediately ordered all non-combat personnel to hide in the deepest recesses of the basement, recalled Hong Meiling from the gate guard, and instructed Patchouli to erect the highest defenses within the Mansion. She concentrated all the Mansion's fighting strength here, sacrificing nearly nine-tenths of the Scarlet Devil Mansion’s territory.

Originally, she didn't have to do this. She could have sought aid elsewhere, perhaps the Hakurei Shrine; the distance was so short a few minutes would suffice for a return trip. Moreover, utilizing Kanya's ability would take practically no time at all. However… the Crimson Devil was not one to succumb to cowardice; the arrogant Night Queen would never beg humans for help. Her domain had to be protected by her own strength!

“If you’re leaving, hurry up. The barrier only has eight seconds left,” Patchouli reminded them.

“…………” Kanya was momentarily speechless, hearing both of them urge her departure. Indeed, given the situation, leaving seemed best for both herself and the Scarlet Devil Mansion. But was that truly enough? Abandoning her mistress to flee in disgrace?

Clearly not. The demon’s attendant was not so eager to cling to life!

With that realization, Kanya gave a slight, dismissive smile, her anxiety replaced by a touch of nonchalance. She bowed slightly. “I apologize, Mistress, but I cannot accept this order.”

“Hmph.” Remilia snorted, seemingly unsurprised, as if she had already anticipated this outcome. “If you die, I won’t miss you.”

Kanya smiled faintly. “I will have your tea perfectly brewed for you.”

Others might not grasp the hidden meaning in their exchange, but Patchouli and the others could discern the implication: even a sliver of emotion meant that if one died, the other would feel the loss; only the dead would be truly unmissed… Though, they wondered if there was even tea in Hell after death.

CRASH!!!

With a colossal sound, the entire Scarlet Devil Mansion shuddered. The defensive barrier shattered. Beyond the vast, plain-like room, the five inhabitants of the Mansion saw the endless, surging tide of enemies… youkai, humans, skeletons, and strange beasts—tens of thousands strong!

“Charge! The magnificent army of the Age of Evil!” Someone shouted the command, and the composite army, composed of countless races, surged forward with a ferocious roar that shook the entirety of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

“This number—it rivals the very yokai population of Gensokyo, doesn't it? Haha.” Remilia rose from her seat, licking her lips, her eyes glowing with bloodlust. “Today promises to be a cruel and beautiful day.”

As she spoke, Gungnir materialized in her hand, and she charged into the slaughter. Like a tiger among sheep, a burst of crimson light erupted. Her hands danced, and blood gushed forth like a spring, drenching her—the one called the Crimson Devil.

“My name is Hong Meiling!”

A beam of rainbow light streaked across the air, instantly blasting countless skeletal soldiers into fragments. A red-haired girl in a qipao stood firm, a powerful surge of energy rising from her body.

“Your time… I shall take it!” Kanya’s eyes flashed with stern resolve. Holding nothing back, her Moon Clock activated, causing countless grey clocks to appear in the air of the room. Every enemy frozen by a clock was instantaneously pierced by throwing knives.

“These are mere cannon fodder. Don’t reveal too much of your true abilities; focus your attacks on their weaknesses!” Patchouli held her grimoire aloft. As she chanted, elemental and spell magic followed in rapid succession with virtually no pause: the roar of wind, the fervor of fire, the purification of water, the brilliance of light… With her asthma cured, her power was displayed in its most perfect form.

In the fray, the only one not yet fighting was Flandre. She stood rooted to the spot, watching silently. Even when enemies lunged at her, others quickly dealt with them. It wasn't that she lacked the ability to fight… it was because the current enemies were only dregs; the trump card must be saved for last!

Yet, just by watching, Flandre’s innocent gaze began to shift toward something cruel and bloodthirsty. The innumerable ‘eyes’ flickering before her stirred the most intense desire for destruction deep within her heart.

“Well, it’s fine to just smash them, isn’t it…? So, hurry up then.” Flandre raised her hand, looking at the dense clusters of ‘eyes’ on it, a savage, violent smile spreading across her lips.

Hakurei Shrine.

“Something has happened at the Scarlet Devil Mansion.” Reimu stood before the shrine entrance, gazing toward the distant Mansion. Although nothing seemed amiss outwardly, her intuition told her that the interior of the Scarlet Devil Mansion had fundamentally changed.

“Yukari, when can we leave?” Reimu turned back, her seemingly relaxed face holding a trace of tension, and looked at Yakumo Yukari, speaking gravely.

“Not right now,” Yukari shook her head. “This shrine has been sealed off by the enemy. No one can leave here at the moment.”

“Even your power can’t manage it?” Marisa asked in surprise.

“It’s not that I can’t, but that I shouldn’t,” Yukari shook her head again. Sensing the confused looks from everyone, she explained, “The entity sealing this shrine right now is a five-dimensional barrier. While I can freely traverse the second and third dimensions, the power of the fifth dimension is somewhat troublesome. Of course, if I were to use my boundary power to forcibly break it, I could manage. But…” Here, Yukari’s expression grew serious. “Forcibly destroying a five-dimensional barrier would trigger unimaginable dimensional rifts, potentially even affecting my gaps. If that happens, not only will the Great Barrier be destroyed, but Gensokyo itself will face catastrophe!”

“How can this be? Did the enemy intentionally trap us here so we couldn’t provide aid elsewhere?” Sanae frowned deeply.

“I don’t think that’s the case,” Yukari denied. “The Hakurei Shrine is the most crucial location in Gensokyo, perhaps its central sanctuary. If the enemy intends a full-scale invasion of Gensokyo, taking this place would be a natural objective.”

“So, the enemy’s target is only the Hakurei Shrine, which is why they placed the five-dimensional barrier here? And the fact that we happen to be at the shrine is just a bonus—they managed to scoop us all up in one go, is that right?” Suika asked.

Yukari nodded.

“To think it’s come to this! Does this mean we walked right into a death trap by gathering here?” Sanae’s brow furrowed further. “But when was this barrier erected? We didn't sense anything when we first arrived.”

“Right. A barrier this powerful—how strong must the enemy be? Could they be stronger than you?” Marisa also looked towards Yukari for answers.

Yukari replied, “The barrier was set the instant the enemy officially invaded, about two minutes ago. It was so sudden that I didn't have time to counter. However, the enemy’s strength likely doesn't surpass mine, because this barrier was established using an item, and its effective duration is only one day and one night.”

“To seal the center of this world for a full day and night while launching a full-scale offensive—what is the purpose of doing this?” Reimu couldn't quite grasp it.

“It’s simple: seizing momentum,” Yukari stated.

“Momentum?” Not only Reimu but the other three looked puzzled.

Yukari nodded. “Heaven’s timing, Earth’s advantage, and Man’s unity—these are the three major momenta. Originally, all three were on our side, but once the enemy seals the Hakurei Shrine, Heaven’s timing and Earth’s advantage are pulled to a level of equality with them; we lose any inherent advantage. Lacking the initiative, we become passive. Right now, I suspect not only the Scarlet Devil Mansion but all surface forces in Gensokyo are under attack.”

Hearing this, even Reimu felt a chill. “What should we do?”

“It’s fine; we still have Man’s unity,” Yukari chuckled softly, then addressed the group. “I will find a way to break this five-dimensional space in the shortest possible time, and then I will send the three of you out. Suika, I will need your power then.”

“No problem. Actually, I’ve already started gathering everyone,” Suika replied, patting her chest with a laugh.

“Then, prepare yourselves well. Give me ten minutes,” Yukari stated gravely, her tone full of confidence. “I will definitely send you out of this five-dimensional space. Reimu, this incident is yours to handle!”

“I will resolve it. It is my responsibility,” Reimu nodded, then closed her eyes.