Historically, the Hakurei Maidens followed one after another, generation succeeding generation; never had two Maidens existed concurrently. One plus one equals two—everyone knew this, save for Cirno—but what fighting power would manifest from one Hakurei Maiden combined with another? Forget Cirno; no one, in heaven or on earth, had the answer.

Faced with the combined assault of the First and Second Generation Maidens, Yukari Yakumo felt immense pressure. Though these two Maidens were cooperating for the first time, their explosive synergy suggested centuries of shared battle; there were no gaps, no weaknesses. A mere fraction of their strength, in their hands, would instantly inflate to thirty, forty, fifty percent... a terrifying prospect that inspired dread.

The advantage Yukari Yakumo had just regained vanished without a trace under this coordination.

She steeled herself to deliver a fatal blow, yet looking at those familiar faces, she ultimately could not bring herself to do it. She knew perfectly well this was a conspiracy, yet she lacked the courage to unravel it... Yukari Yakumo deeply resented her own impotence, her own cowardice.

What should she do?

While simultaneously defending against the coordinated attacks of the First and Second Generations, Yukari Yakumo questioned herself, but found no answer, for as she pondered, another familiar figure materialized beside Rinato... hair tied in twin tails, clad in the standard Shrine Maiden uniform, a scarlet bandana tied across her forehead, giving her an exceptionally crisp and competent air. She held a curved bow in her hands, and merely the act of drawing the string suggested she could shoot down the stars and the moon.

Seeing her, Yukari Yakumo’s heart sank instantly.

The Third Generation! The Archer Maiden of Paradise!

In a mere span of ten minutes, Rinato had managed to project the Second and Third Generations consecutively—this was entirely beyond her imagination. Dealing with just two Maidens was already taxing; now there was one more...

Yukari Yakumo's confidence began to waver.

The Third Generation did not immediately enter the fray upon appearing; instead, she stood rooted, drawing her bow and aiming the sharp arrow squarely at Yukari Yakumo. As Yukari Yakumo moved, the hand holding the bow tracked her, never letting the target escape the line of sight, yet the arrow was never loosed.

But Yukari Yakumo dared not let her guard down. She knew the Third Generation was a unique Maiden; among all the Hakurei Maidens, she ranked lowest in both comprehension and spiritual power. However, she possessed an ability utterly unique to the others: mastery over the flow of battle.

No matter the conflict, with just one glance, she could instantly gauge the situation. Simultaneously, she could find the means to steer the course of the fight. Thus, despite insufficient spiritual power and poor close-combat skills, she chose the bow as her weapon.

The one capable of directing the battle, with a mere glance and a single bow, was unrivaled in Gensokyo.

At this moment, simply standing there, her threat to Yukari Yakumo was no less than that of the First and Second Generations combined.

Swish!

Less than two minutes after the Third Generation appeared, another figure descended from the sky—a Maiden with a delicate countenance, a petite frame, and a lively disposition, wearing a childlike, innocent smile that nonetheless hinted at an underlying madness, creating a wild juxtaposition of charm.

The moment Yukari Yakumo saw her, her expression shifted again.

The Fourth Generation! The Breaker Maiden of Paradise!

The Fourth Generation Maiden, though possessing a loli physique, fought like an unmatched warrior on the battlefield; //Fastest text update from Book Fan Tower How could this be? How could it be so fast?

Yukari Yakumo could scarcely believe it. Starting from the Second Generation, the Third and Fourth appeared with increasing speed, one after the other, as if they had entered an acceleration phase. She could not possibly comprehend how Rinato was achieving this.

And now there were already four Maidens. If she delayed any further...

Swish!

Just as Yukari Yakumo reached this thought, a faint sound echoed through the air.

Another Maiden refreshed?

Yukari Yakumo instinctively thought, turning toward the source of the sound. Indeed... a Maiden with a refined appearance stood nearby, several talismans pinched between each of her fingers, seemingly ready to be unleashed.

Possessing the strongest spiritual power among all Hakurei Maidens—the Fifth Generation! The Talisman Striker Maiden of Paradise!

Though the Fourth and Fifth Generations had appeared, neither had joined the fray. Apart from standing and observing, they made no other move. This wasn't because they believed three Maidens could suppress Yukari Yakumo, but because... it was no longer necessary.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Six successive beams of light flashed across the ground. As the light faded, six Maidens stood in their place.

Yukari Yakumo's gaze swept over them, her face a mask of pure shock.

The Sixth Generation, possessing absolute air superiority—the Sky Maiden of Paradise! The Seventh Generation, with transcendental swordsmanship—the Supreme Sword Maiden of Paradise! The Eighth Generation, capable of seeing through hearts at a glance—the True Sight Maiden of Paradise! The Ninth Generation, able to effortlessly alter fortune—the Domain Maiden of Paradise! The Tenth Generation, specializing in defensive counter-attacks—the Guardian Maiden of Paradise! And... possessing ultimate close-combat capabilities, virtually invincible in melee—the Predecessor, the Pounce Maiden of Paradise!

...Looking upon these familiar faces, Yukari Yakumo was completely speechless. At this point, she had ceased fighting, for her confidence had utterly collapsed. Though she still did not understand how Rinato managed to project all eleven Maidens in such a short time, the spectacle before her confirmed that Rinato had successfully acquired the souls of every Maiden. Whether the Great Barrier existed or not now rested solely on his will.

And she, Yukari Yakumo, had no choice but to concede.

"Yukari, you have lost now." The moment the Maidens were fully manifested, Rinato had withdrawn from the world of the Great Barrier, bringing Merii and Renko out with him. He looked at Yukari Yakumo and spoke thus.

Yukari Yakumo's gaze swept over the figures before her, one by one. She knew that whether they were the Maidens or the two girls, they all stood on the same side as Rinato... While she understood that the Maidens supported Rinato because they were mere soul projections, their existence defined by Rinato’s consciousness, even so, she felt an overwhelming sense of abandonment.

"Why? Why? Why must you all oppose me? I only wanted to protect everyone's dreams... I only wanted to watch over everyone's existence... Why? Why?"

Yukari Yakumo said, her hands drooping, her voice trembling. All her conviction shattered in this moment. Despair filled her heart; she was no longer the sagacious strategist in control, but just a helpless little girl.

"Because the view over there is not beautiful enough," Rinato stepped forward, speaking softly. "The dreams you wish to protect, the existence you wish to safeguard—we all share those same desires. But continuing down the old path will only perpetuate sorrow and pain forever. Happiness bought with sacrifice is not true happiness, so... come! Join our side!"

As he spoke, Rinato smiled and extended his hand toward Yukari Yakumo...

...

Upon the beast path connecting the Scarlet Devil Mansion and the Hakurei Shrine, a shadow was stretched long under the moonlight. The shadow's owner was none other than Reimu Hakurei.

The banquet had concluded at three in the morning, and most people had retired, but Reimu could not sleep. For some reason, a profound disquiet settled over her spirit. After lying restlessly in bed for a long time, she decided to take a stroll outside, eventually finding herself walking this beast path.

"Have I developed an illness where I can't sleep unless I'm at the Shrine?" Reimu muttered to herself with a self-deprecating tone. Shaking her head, she continued to wander aimlessly along the path.

Swish!

Suddenly, a dark figure darted out from the side, attacking Reimu with lightning speed.

Though Reimu was distracted, her vigilance against danger never lapsed. Her excellent combat intuition immediately registered the enemy's attack, and with almost no hesitation, she lashed out with a punch toward the assailant.

Boom!

The two attacks collided head-on. Reimu remained rooted to the spot; conversely, the shadowy attacker was repelled by the impact, flying back over ten meters before landing hard.

"Hey, who are you? Don't you know the consequences of making me angry are severe?" Reimu looked at the figure opposite her, her arrogant tone laced with a hint of languor.

"Heh heh, there really has been a big change," the shadowy figure laughed, the voice distinctly female.

A woman's voice was not unusual; after all, Gensokyo was overwhelmingly Yin. Reimu hadn't expected the attacker to be male, but upon hearing the voice, Reimu’s expression abruptly changed, her lazy demeanor vanishing instantly, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"You... who are you?" The question was the same, but this time her voice trembled slightly.

"Truly unfilial. It's only been ten-odd years, and you've forgotten even me?" The shadowy figure spoke with a touch of disappointment, then with a whoosh, tore off the black cloak covering her.

Under the moonlight stood an exquisitely beautiful Maiden—none other than the Predecessor Maiden.

"Ah... Ah... Ah..." Reimu stared blankly, utterly speechless before the Maiden opposite her.

The Predecessor smiled faintly, took one step, and instantly appeared before Reimu.

Pocket Dimension!

This was one of the Predecessor's most favored techniques, and Reimu certainly recognized it. But looking at the Maiden before her, Reimu had no idea how to react, simply staring dumbly.

"You don't recognize me anymore, Reimu?" the Predecessor said.

"Is... is it really you?" Reimu hesitantly reached out a hand, wanting to confirm this was not a dream, but stopped midway, afraid it was merely an illusion.

The Predecessor caught her retracting wrist and gently pressed it against her own face, murmuring, "Of course. I have returned."

The familiar features, the familiar scent, the familiar touch, and the gentleness exactly as remembered... In that moment, Reimu knew. The person before her was her...

"Mom!"

Tears of joy streamed from her eyes. With that single cry, Reimu flung herself into the Predecessor's embrace.

In that long-awaited hug, Reimu remembered... Because she loved, she felt grief upon losing someone. But if she hadn't loved in the first place, then no matter who died, even if they died before her eyes, there would be no sorrow.

So, that day, she decided never to love anyone again, maintaining a distance from everyone—neither close nor distant. Only this way could she avoid being hurt again.

To protect her heart, forever and ever! (To be continued...)RX