In the Holy Grail War, if a Master’s strength is too weak and they have no intention of entering the battle themselves, their Servant is forbidden from attacking them. If the Master is powerful and shows signs of personal combat, the primary objective should be to defeat them, not kill them.

These were the rules Lin Luo established for this Holy Grail War. Consequently, when facing the Two Forms of Shiki, Youmu would exert her full strength. Although Shiki was not a Master, she was treated as one since she was an ally to other Masters. However, even at her full combat strength, it was only the limit of a fight, not the limit of desperation, or else she would already be unleashing a barrage of Noble Phantasms.

No matter how formidable Shiki’s Mystic Eyes of Death Perception were, facing an overwhelming, map-clearing attack, she, constrained by her physical body, might not be able to slay every single threat. No one could guarantee survival against a Noble Phantasm capable of such widespread destruction.

Meanwhile, the three Masters on the other side—Kohaku, Hisui, and Kiritouka—were all weaker than average magi; perhaps even someone slightly proficient in martial arts might not lose to them. In the eyes of Youmu and the others, they were merely ordinary people, making them unsuitable targets for attack naturally.

Everyone adhered to this rule; even the imposing Marisa dared not defy it, lest Lin Luo, that unscrupulous man, strip her bare and hang her up to do that and the other thing… That would be disastrous.

So, after taking down Suzuna, Marisa completely ignored Kiritouka.

Kiritouka, having witnessed Suzuna’s death firsthand, felt her grief surge like a great river.

Watching Suzuna’s body finally dissolve into dust—coming quickly and leaving just as fast—the pang of heartache could never truly fade. But she had already declared she would not give up; this time, she would fight for Suzuna. Thus, Kiritouka firmly suppressed the sorrow within her heart. She gently wiped away the tears streaming down her face, then fixed her gaze on the distant battlefield, an unyielding resolve glowing in her dark eyes.

At that moment, a cool breeze swept in from afar. It lifted Kiritouka’s flowing black hair, causing her skirt and locks to sway gently in the zephyr, emanating a faint aura of sorrow and desolation.

“I can do this. As long as my life remains, as long as my fighting spirit does not die, I can continue to fight… Suzuna, please watch over me from heaven. I will definitely win this war!”

Kiritouka spoke in a low voice. The next instant, she raised her right hand, placing her left palm over the Command Seal on the back of her right hand. She closed her eyes lightly, her cherry lips parting slightly, and sang with profound emotion:

“Can I walk with you, since you say you can’t keep you here, the road back is a little dark. Worried that you walk alone… I suppose it’s because I’m not gentle enough, unable to share your sorrow. If I can’t say it out loud, I’ll keep the regret in my heart… Keep my sadness for myself, let your beauty be taken away, from now on I will have no reason to be happy again… Keep my sadness for myself, let your beauty be taken away. I think I can endure the sadness, but can you also remember me…”

The melodious music, drifting from an unknown source, paired with Kiritouka’s deeply felt performance and the unerasable tragic resolve etched on her face—at this very moment, Kiritouka was transforming!

Those deeply engaged in combat in the distance suddenly heard this singing. As if struck by an attack from a Reality Marble, they all froze, turning their gaze, staring dumbfounded at Kiritouka, the shock in their eyes reaching an absolute peak.

Meanwhile, Lin Luo, reclining on a sofa in a luxurious private room, enjoying the gentle massages from two beautiful girls, finally turned his attention to the battle the moment Suzuna died. Hearing Kiritouka’s song now, even he jolted, leaping to his feet, unable to help but exclaim, “That was sung with such feeling! Fūka, you’re on your way to saving the entire Floral Language music scene!”

“Suzuna, stop being sad over there, come listen! Come listen!” Lin Luo waved his hand carelessly toward the side, his voice full of excitement. In the corner he pointed to, a girl was squatting with her back turned, drawing circles on the ground while muttering incoherently, exuding the dark, terrifying aura of an evil old witch brewing poison.

Faintly audible were phrases like: “Marisa, die! Marisa, die! Marisa, I will never let you off! Marisa, I must make you take the flat-chested medicine… Marisa, if you take the flat-chested medicine, you’ll only ever be a horizon line… Marisa, just wait for me… Hahahaha… Hehehe…”

Lin Luo noticed she paid him no mind and sighed inwardly: Ah, what a pity. Such a heartfelt confession song from Fūka, and the person concerned didn't even hear it. What profound sorrow!

“Oh, right, Kogasa, did you record that song just now?” Lin Luo quickly asked Kourindou Satori, thinking such a sensational moment deserved eternal preservation; it would be a shame to miss recording it.

Kourindou Satori chuckled proudly and replied, “I not only recorded the audio, I even kept the video. And the background music? That was my doing.”

“Truly understanding! From now on, you are the number one wife in Gensokyo!” Lin Luo exclaimed, greatly approving as he patted Kourindou Satori’s shoulder. Then he looked toward Kochiya Sanae on the other side. “Sanae, you truly disappoint me. Doing nothing at a moment like this. You’re officially removed from the 'wife' profession.”

Sanae’s face twisted in rage. “Go die, you scumbag! I was never a wife to begin with!”

“Thank you for the compliment. I am proud to be a scumbag,” Lin Luo nodded readily.

Sanae burst into tears… Heavens, someone save her!

Setting aside the situation with Lin Luo, at the edge of the battlefield, once Kiritouka finished singing, the melodious music faded. Simultaneously, two massive magic circles materialized to her left and right. As the dazzling light dispersed, two petite figures stood beside her… “Servant, Hourai-no-Nue reporting.” A girl standing to Kiritouka’s left, clad in a black dress and thigh-high stockings, wielding a trident, with three blue arrow-like wings and three red metallic wings sprouting from her back—one on each side… As the saying goes, red and blue always make a pair. This girl, bearing both red and blue, capable of both offense and defense against herself, is one of the three most sadistic girls of Gensokyo, the mysterious youkai known as the ‘Unidentified Flying Projectile Girl’—Hourai-no-Nue… Servant. “Servant, Komeiji Koishi reporting.” The girl to Kiritouka’s right wore a pale yellow top and a long green skirt, topped with a cute denim hat, with a large, closed eye dangling from her chest… She was none other than the younger sister of Kourindou Satori, who also possessed mind-reading abilities but sealed them away, gaining the power to manipulate the unconscious instead. She is also one of the three most sadistic girls of Gensokyo—Komeiji Koishi!

Ancient wisdom states that obtaining just one of the three most sadistic girls is enough to stabilize the realm. Now, Kiritouka had Hourai-no-Nue on her left and Koishi on her right, standing firm on the earth under the vast sky. Having secured two of the three most sadistic girls, the world was within easy reach!

Kiritouka showed no surprise at suddenly gaining the assistance of two heroic spirits. In fact, having grasped her sorrow, her heart was as calm as the water in an ancient well; no matter what happened now, she would not startle easily.

Sensing the faint connection between herself and the two Servants beside her, Kiritouka pointed forward without hesitation… “Lancer, take down that ominous black and white one! And the arrogant little child, I entrust her to you!”

“Hehe, Marisa.”

“Understood!”

Komeiji Koishi and Hourai-no-Nue immediately charged forward upon receiving Kiritouka’s command. The former lunged toward Marisa, while the latter flew into the air to engage Remilia.

“Whoa, the second young lady of the Earth Spirit House!” Upon Kiritouka issuing the attack order, everyone’s temporary frozen state ended. Marisa cried out in shock when she saw Komeiji Koishi approaching her. She immediately flicked her broom and soared into the sky.

Although every girl in Gensokyo possessed the ability to fly, to emphasize differences in combat power and perhaps to blend in, those Servants without wings or flight paraphernalia lost the ability to fly upon being summoned. For example, Komeiji Koishi, Suzuna, and Youmu could no longer take to the skies.

Remilia and Hourai-no-Nue both had wings, and even Mokou could manifest wings of fire. Marisa had her broom for flight. All retained the ability to fly.

Thus, once Marisa took to the air, Komeiji Koishi could not attack her at close range. But!

Komeiji Koishi was a manipulator of the unconscious. She could render not only her own existence zero, but her attacks were also soundless. It was precisely this ability that meant—even though Marisa held the advantage in the air—it was no different for Koishi than fighting on flat ground.

Without conscious thought or judgment, the moment Marisa took flight, Komeiji Koishi, acting purely on instinct, suddenly raised her hand. Then, countless danmaku erupted from beneath the ground—all heart-shaped, colorful projectiles that swarmed toward the airborne Marisa like a plague of locusts.

Anti-Army Noble Phantasm—Buried Fire of Love!

“Damn it! Using such a big move right off the bat, you pest!” Marisa was instantly startled, her face changing drastically. Instinctively, she drove her broom toward the distant horizon.

She had expended a considerable amount of her Noble Phantasms during the battle with Suzuna. While she was far from empty, she certainly couldn't clash head-on with Koishi’s Anti-Army Noble Phantasm and could only dodge.

But was Komeiji Koishi’s Anti-Army Noble Phantasm truly that easy to evade?

Of course not! Because of Koishi’s unconscious ability, not only enemies but even she herself had no idea what she would do next. The danmaku emerging from the ground was merely the beginning of this Anti-Army Noble Phantasm. As long as she didn’t consciously stop it, more danmaku would appear from anywhere.

Theoretically, this Anti-Army Noble Phantasm had no range restrictions, with near-infinite capture targets. Of course, this depended on her having infinite magical energy, but every Heroic Spirit’s reserves are finite. Even so… in terms of attack range, hers was still the greatest among all Heroic Spirits. Even the Loli Archer was far behind.

“That’s why I didn’t want to fight someone like this!” Although Marisa dodged the first wave of danmaku, the following barrage was impossible to track, instantly plunging her into extreme danger, leaving her looking utterly pathetic.

Fortunately, the Rider class granted her greater mobility, coupled with her body’s instinctual reaction to danger, she managed to narrowly avoid fatal strikes… She somewhat regretted not conserving more magical energy earlier, as she wouldn't be this passive now.

While Marisa was practically being chased down by Komeiji Koishi on one side, on the other side… Remilia’s fight with Mokou was something ordinary individuals couldn't interrupt, but Hourai-no-Nue was qualified and strong enough. As soon as she joined the fray, she launched a fierce assault on Remilia with her trident.

Just dealing with Mokou alone hadn’t given Remilia an advantage; now, with Hourai-no-Nue stirring things up, she quickly became flustered, encountering danger repeatedly.

Damn it, suddenly having two more enemies, and at this level too… Although Remilia was arrogant, she wasn't so conceited as to be blind to reality. In peak condition, she wouldn't fear facing both Hourai-no-Nue and Mokou simultaneously, but currently, her magical energy was also depleted. Continuing the fight would be disastrous.

I probably can’t win. Youmu will also have a hard time defeating the bearer of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. As for Marisa… she’s no match for Koishi at all. Forget it, we should retreat!

“The air is thin, let’s pull out!”

After assessing the current situation, Remilia shouted, unleashing the full power of her Anti-Personnel Noble Phantasm, Gungnir, simultaneously forcing back Hourai-no-Nue and Mokou, then using the opportunity to swiftly exit the melee. Next, she shot Gungnir toward Komeiji Koishi, instantly resolving Marisa’s crisis.

Afterward, without waiting for anyone to react, Remilia displayed her supreme speed, swiftly grabbing Kohaku and Hisui standing nearby, flying away while simultaneously cutting off the battle between Shiki and Youmu, taking Youmu with her toward Tohno Akiha.

Although Caster (Soujuurou Kanzaki/Touko Aozaki) was still fighting Tohno Akiha, she was forced to retreat by this sudden turn of events. Thus, in less than a few seconds, all six members of the Akiha faction had regrouped.

In that fleeting moment, Remilia had dismantled four separate combat zones and diffused all crises for her side, while the enemy couldn't even manage a slight delay… The strongest in the field was undoubtedly established!

“Huh? Retreating already?” Marisa asked after regaining her footing.

Remilia replied as a matter of course, “The enemy force is too strong; we shall fight another day!”

“Hmph, coming and going as you please, are you looking down on us too much!” Just then, before Remilia and the others could retreat, Hourai-no-Nue let out a cold snort. Then, her trident and the six wings on her back stabbed forward simultaneously.

Instantly, an endless starry universe seemed to flash behind Hourai-no-Nue, followed by the roars of dragons and tigers. Countless sounds and countless illusions, existing as if they were tangible objects, bombarded Remilia’s group of six with thunderous force.

Anti-Army Noble Phantasm—Horror Assault of Unnamed True Form!

“Youmu!” Remilia’s expression changed instantly, and she shouted, “At this rate, if we are attacked again, it will be troublesome,” even though she possessed the magical energy for her own Anti-Army Noble Phantasm.

However, Youmu’s magical energy reserves were still almost full.

The moment Remilia’s voice fell, Youmu had already positioned herself in front of the group, crossing her twin swords…

“Six Paths Sword! First Realm: Unthought Calamity!”

The same Anti-Army Noble Phantasm shot forth. Endless sword light surged forward, immediately colliding with Hourai-no-Nue’s Anti-Army Noble Phantasm. A massive shockwave scattered outward in both directions, using the force of the impact, Remilia’s group of six rapidly retreated, instantly reaching a safe distance.

Then the six hurried to withdraw.

But!

“Ahhh, I just arrived, and you’re already leaving?” Just as Remilia and the others turned back, a crisp voice suddenly rang out. Instinctively looking forward, they saw two tall girls dressed in black standing gracefully not far ahead.

Aozaki Aoko and Kuonji Arisu!

“Oh, they really are here,” Aoko remarked, then swept her gaze across the entire field, immediately spotting Caster (Touko Aozaki). A subtle, half-smile played on her lips.

At the same time, Caster certainly saw them too, and her expression instantly changed drastically.

Because of the sudden appearance of Aozaki Aoko and Kuonji Arisu, Remilia’s retreat plan was naturally stalled. After all, while Heroic Spirits could dissipate their physical forms and flee, Akiha and the others could not. Leaving the Masters behind to escape was something even Remilia would not do.

On the other hand, Caster’s group did not press their pursuit, because all of them sensed the powerful auras of those two girls… Especially Aozaki Aoko; even the powerful Mokou and Hourai-no-Nue felt a subtle threat from her.

“It’s quite lively, what is everyone doing?” The air fell silent with Aoko’s arrival, but that silence was soon broken by a sudden voice.

Who is it now?

Everyone couldn't help but inwardly grumble, instinctively looking toward the source of the sound. They saw a girl in a formal gown and a petite girl slowly emerging from the darkness.

“Flandre!”

“Fujino-san!”

Seeing these two, Remilia and Kiritouka exclaimed simultaneously, for they were Asagami Fujino and Flandre Scarlet—the ‘Mishandled Group’!

“Big Sister, it’s been a long time,” Flandre Scarlet smiled faintly at Remilia, but then she stuck out her tongue and licked her lips, revealing a cruel smile.

Seeing that flicker of a grin, not only Remilia but everyone felt their hearts tighten. Even Hourai-no-Nue, one of the three sadistic trio, felt a pang of apprehension.

This was not surprising; although they were ranked as the three most sadistic girls of Gensokyo, the most terrifying among them was undoubtedly Flandre Scarlet—no one was more sadistic, more terrifying than her!

“Hahaha, now this is getting interesting. All the right people have gathered,” Lin Luo said excitedly in the luxurious private room, watching the scene unfold on the opposing screen, chuckling.

What an unscrupulous character!

Sanae couldn't help but roll her eyes. (To be continued) RQ