By now, essentially all the chosen ones representing the Bright Side in this Holy Grail War have arrived.

On the far right stood the Kūkyō Group: Shiki Ryougi, Touko Aozaki, and Satsuki Kurogiri, along with their three Servants: Mokou Fujiwara, Satori Komeiji, and Nurarihyon. More than a hundred meters across from them was the Magic Group: Aoko Aozaki and Mayu Kuonji, accompanied by Mayu’s Servants, Patchouli Knowledge and Alice Margatroid.

Sandwiched between these two factions were the Shingetsu Group: Akiha Tohno and Kohaku/Hisui, along with their Servants, Remilia Scarlet, Marisa Kirisame, and Youmu Konpaku.

Finally, the 'Broken Play' Group—Flandre Scarlet and Fujino Asagami—existed independently, not belonging to any specific faction, standing apart as mere observers.

Judging purely by combat power, the Kūkyō, Magic, and Shingetsu Groups were roughly equal. While the Kūkyō Group had six members, Satsuki Kurogiri possessed no real combat ability; only the other five were truly useful. Similarly, with the Shingetsu Group, Kohaku/Hisui was relatively weak, though Remilia, as their strongest asset, could single-handedly contend with two opponents.

The Magic Group, despite having only four members, was formidable because every single person was a genuine combatant; there were no weak links. Aoko Aozaki’s inherent strength was enough to challenge an Heroic Spirit, and as a Master, although she hadn’t formally acted yet, one could easily surmise her power was utterly devastating.

As for the final 'Broken Play' Group, their strength should theoretically be the weakest, with only two members. However, Flandre was no ordinary Servant; possessing the Reality-Marble-level Noble Phantasm, ‘Fourfold Existence,’ she could instantly split into four identical entities, each possessing full combat capability. Her mere presence was equivalent to four frontline fighters. Furthermore, as one of only two Heroic Spirits from Gensokyo present, Flandre could activate a state beyond even a Noble Phantasm—her ‘Rampage’ mode. In this state, all reason vanished, but her offense, defense, and speed would reach unprecedented heights.

What kind of scenario would unfold if she activated her Rampage state concurrently with her Fourfold Existence Noble Phantasm? How many could withstand her furious assault? No one knew.

Moreover, Fujino Asagami was no weak link either. While perhaps not capable of battling a Servant head-on, her existing abilities allowed her to survive against them with relative ease.

Overall, determining which of these four factions was superior would require actual confrontation.

However, this assessment only covered raw strength. Beyond that, their interpersonal relationships were equally chaotic. Only the three members of the Shingetsu Group formed a tight unit. The other three groups were interconnected, albeit complexly. For instance, Touko Aozaki was Aoko Aozaki’s older sister and a decade-long acquaintance of Mayu Kuonji, yet their relationship was far from close; in fact, they were bitter enemies, unable to tolerate one another.

Next, Satsuki Kurogiri and Fujino Asagami were schoolmates and friends, maintaining a good rapport at school. Satsuki was one of the few friends Fujino had, but this didn't guarantee an alliance between their two parties, due to the presence of Shiki Ryougi.

Though Shiki and Fujino had met for the first time, a single glance had ignited mutual antagonism. Their instincts rejected the other; friendship was impossible!

In short, the Kūkyō Group could not ally with the 'Broken Play' Group; they were likely to fight each other. The Magic Group certainly wouldn't align with the Kūkyō Group, as they were inherently adversaries. As for the Shingetsu Group and the Kūkyō Group, Satsuki Kurogiri currently prioritized killing Marisa to avenge Reisen; the relationship between these two sides needed no further explanation.

This meant the Kūkyō Group was destined to stand alone.

Could the other three groups possibly form an alliance?

If any two factions formed an alliance, it would be a fatal blow to the remaining two. But regrettably, the likelihood of alliance among the other three groups was shrouded in mist.

First, the 'Broken Play' Group. Fujino Asagami was no ordinary person; her constitution and personality were inherently erratic. For her, besides Rin—no one in this world could earn her genuine obedience, nor was there anyone she valued, let alone someone she would willingly draw close to besides Rin. If Satsuki Kurogiri were introduced alone, Fujino might cooperate, but under the current circumstances, that scenario was null.

Therefore, toward the strangers Aoko Aozaki and Akiha Tohno, Fujino had only two choices: part ways or clash violently.

Next, the Magic Group and the Shingetsu Group. Theoretically, they had the highest probability of alliance due to their shared enemy, the Kūkyō Group. Yet, in reality, just as Akiha Tohno and Satsuki Kurogiri couldn't stand each other, Akiha Tohno and Aoko Aozaki instantly sparked intense friction upon meeting due to their similar appearances—a feeling akin to encountering a destined rival.

The final conclusion, therefore, was that none of these four groups could ally. For any single group, the other three were potential enemies!

Rin instantly perceived this situation and applauded. If two groups had joined forces, the war wouldn't be exciting; it would be a one-sided massacre. This current standoff, balanced in strength, was far more interesting.

If Illya could appear now, and Cirno had successfully awakened, it might be even more engaging, Rin mused privately. Yet, even without these contingencies, the situation on the field was already incredibly tense.

Those present sensed the bizarre, gunpowder-laced atmosphere. Everyone stood still, watching the others’ movements in silence. Everyone knew that the first to strike risked becoming the target of all others. The Kūkyō and Shingetsu Groups had already expended considerable magical energy in their prior conflict; being ambushed now by another faction would be disastrous, so they would certainly not initiate action.

Although Aoko Aozaki preferred acting impulsively, those who attain the rank of Mage are not brainless. As the saying went: A hooligan is not frightening; what’s frightening is a learned hooligan. Mages were those learned hooligans, figures possessing both power and wisdom. No matter how erratically they behaved normally, when faced with a critical juncture, they would be calmer than anyone. Thus, even the willful Aoko would not presume she could act freely amidst so many Heroic Spirits; why would she volunteer to be the first bird?

But if everyone refused to strike, maintaining this tense standoff, would they wait until the world ended in 2012 before making a move?

The answer was no.

Because among those present was someone more willful than Aoko, more domineering than Marisa, more unpredictable than Satori, and more self-centered than Remilia. Unafraid of any enemy, unconcerned with danger, treating everything as a game—Flandre!

"Hee hee, it's wonderful that everyone is here! I’ve been looking for you all… Let’s all play together!" Just as everyone was warily guarding their positions, Flandre suddenly burst into loud laughter, her burning battle intent instantly soaring into the heavens.

Then, a bizarre longsword wreathed in ferocious flames appeared in Flandre’s hand—her anti-personnel Noble Phantasm, the Demonic Sword Laevateinn.

“Let’s play together!” Wielding the flaming demonic sword with both hands amidst her maddened laughter, Flandre charged forward with a sudden whoosh. The ground within a ten-meter radius where she had just stood immediately cratered inward.

The expressions of everyone present instantly changed.

Originally, Satori Komeiji might have pulled off such an unconventional act, but Satori’s Master, Satsuki Kurogiri, was quite sensible, thus restraining Satori to some degree, preventing her from acting as casually as Flandre.

However, Fujino Asagami, that anomaly, never considered such things. Nor did she place any restrictions on Flandre… In other words, apart from a slight reduction in raw power, Flandre as a Heroic Spirit was no different from her time in Gensokyo!

“Big Sister, I love you!”

Perhaps due to proximity, Flandre’s first target was Remilia. With words that sounded like a confession, she leaped high into the air, wielding the flaming demonic sword, bringing it down with immense force upon Remilia’s head.

Was this the legendary 'slaying the one you love'?

Witnessing Flandre’s actions, which directly contradicted her sweet words, everyone present broke into a cold sweat. Though they didn't know the exact nature of the relationship between the sisters, such 'love' felt terribly heavy!

Among them, Remilia’s face contorted in alarm. No one understood Flandre’s power and temperament better than she did. Flandre lacked any true combat awareness and didn't understand restraint; for her, fighting was merely a delightful game that would only cease when she grew tired or the opponent was utterly broken. Back in Gensokyo, it was manageable because the patterned bullet hell battles followed rules that even a nonsensical person like Flandre would respect. But now… in a fight without rules, who could stop her?!

“Fall back!” Without hesitation, the moment Flandre attacked, Remilia roared the command and immediately snatched Akiha, flying rapidly toward the sky. Simultaneously, Youmu and Marisa swiftly retreated with their respective Masters in tow. As old acquaintances of Flandre, they understood her terror almost as well as Remilia did.

Remilia and her group retreated far and fast. Flandre, however, had no intention of pursuing them stubbornly; her standard for choosing a playmate was singular: proximity! Whoever was closest, she would play with. Thus, Flandre immediately spun around and shot like lightning toward the Magic Group on her left.

“Patchy, Alice, come play with Furan!” If one only heard the voice and not the speaker, many might excitedly accept the invitation to play. But seeing the cruel, bloodthirsty smile on her face would likely send most people fleeing in terror.

Patchouli and Alice certainly didn't flee screaming, but it would be nonsensical to suggest they dared to play with Flandre in this state. They clearly understood that Flandre, influenced by the Mad Enhancement inherent to her Class, retained some rationality, but if provoked, the consequences would be disastrous. Their choice mirrored Remilia’s.

“Don’t confront her directly, retreat quickly!” Alice cried out, immediately flashing backward with Patchouli. Mayu Kuonji followed suit. She inherently disliked combat, and Flandre in this state radiated extreme danger; why would she engage?

But!

“What’s there to retreat from? If the opponent dares to attack, defeat her head-on!” Aoko Aozaki declared loudly. This Mage, possessing both the wisdom of a Sage and the nature of a brute, could not tolerate provocation or challenge. Facing an immature civilian, she might act like a Sage and offer guidance. But when confronted by a powerful entity that directly challenged her, the violent side would erupt, turning her into a genuine human rocket launcher!

Thus, facing Flandre’s attack, Aoko responded without hesitation.

To the stunned gazes of Patchouli and the others, Aoko did not retreat but advanced. She stomped her feet, and with a sudden, powerful boom, the ground cracked beneath her. She charged forward, her speed and force akin to a rocket’s thrust.

“You’re a stranger, but Furan is so happy you want to play with her!” Seeing Aoko rush in, Flandre licked her lips, her mouth pulled wide in an ecstatic, cruel, and bloodthirsty grin capable of striking fear into anyone. Then, amidst the searing flames, the Demonic Sword descended heavily toward Aoko.

Aoko met the blow without fear, raising her right arm. Substantial magical energy surged from her elbow. With a mighty shout, she drove her right fist fiercely toward the opponent.

BOOM!!!

Though it was a clash between fist and sword, Aoko’s fist, tightly encased in magic, could not budge the Demonic Sword Laevateinn. An earth-shattering explosion erupted instantly, comparable to two nuclear warheads colliding. A terrifying shockwave spread in all directions—the ground was pulverized, the air displaced, and even the very sound of the world seemed extinguished in the blast.

When the shockwave dissipated, both combatants had been thrown dozens of meters apart. The immense impact sent them flying. While Flandre possessed the ability to destroy everything before her, she gained no advantage against Aoko. This was only logical, as Aoko, the Fifth Mage, specialized in destruction—whether point-break or area-break, she was the peerless Witch of Ruin in this world! Theoretically, she was of the same type as Flandre, just less ridiculously powerful.

What are those two doing?!

The surrounding onlookers couldn't help but stare. A single casual exchange possessed power nearing that of an anti-army Noble Phantasm; few would believe it if told. The Type-Moon contingent was shocked by Flandre’s terrifying destructive power, while the Gensokyo contingent was equally stunned by Aoko’s frightening strength. To withstand a direct clash with Furan while in a seemingly human form—few beings in Gensokyo could manage that!

“Hahaha! Fun! This is so much fun!”

At this moment, Flandre erupted in loud, wild laughter. Standing at the center, she surveyed the crowd, unable to suppress the violent impulse surging within her. She threw her head back and roared skyward, “Furan is so happy! So many people are here to play with Furan today! Not just Big Sister, Marisa, and Patchy, but so many new friends are willing to play with Furan! Furan is truly so, so happy… Furan hasn't been this happy in so long! So, Furan wants to share this happiness with everyone! Furan… Aaaahhhhhh!!!”

As the demonic roar echoed, an overwhelmingly heavy aura dispersed outward. The earth began to crack, the space trembled, and even the sky seemed to respond to Furan with lightning and thunder.

At this moment, even Aoko sensed impending doom.

BOOM!!!

Finally, with a massive sound, the land within a hundred meters centered on Furan shattered completely and rose toward the sky.

Rampage!

Flandre, already prone to instability, coupled with the instigation of Mad Enhancement brought by her Class, fully unleashed her Rampage state under the influence of her extreme excitement.

But it wasn't over!

The moment Rampage activated, Flandre flickered, and then… four identical figures materialized where she stood.

Reality Marble—Fourfold Existence!

Rampage plus Fourfold Existence: The strongest Flandre had arrived!

“Hahahaha! Destroy… destroy… destroy everything!”

Reason vanished. Flandre’s consciousness was left with nothing but the desire for destruction.

The instant the words fell, the four figures charged simultaneously toward the crowd.

Boom!

The first to make contact was Aoko again, but this time she gained no advantage and was sent flying backward. Next were the Kūkyō Group. Nurarihyon and Mokou resisted in time, but even together, they couldn't stop the rampaging Flandre; a single impact sent them both flying.

The other two figures charged toward Remilia and Patchouli, respectively.

Their overbearing and absolute power instantly scattered their formations. Youmu’s anti-personnel Noble Phantasm was torn apart, Marisa’s magic cannon shattered, Remilia’s Gungnir was knocked away, Patchouli’s spells were reflected, Alice’s puppet formation collapsed, and Mayu Kuonji’s curses proved useless.

In a single instant, Flandre, through sheer force of will, suppressed all three factions!

Rampaging Flandre! Rampaging Fourfold Existence! Invincible, unstoppable!

The strongest demon had descended! (To be continued)RQ