The slash of the Rose Crystal not only severed her own left arm and the contractual vines binding her, but it also cleaved out her resolve and will, carving a source of immense power that surpassed the strength of the contract, and crucially, it shattered Suiseiseki's confidence.

Suiseiseki had originally believed that stopping the Rose Crystal, or even Barasuishou, with her contract power would be effortless. But watching the Rose Crystal tear free from the binding vines, she realized how utterly naive she had been... The power of the contract offered two choices: acceptance or refusal, making her strength almost absolute. Yet, within the heart of the Rose Crystal, only one thought existed: to become Alice and fulfill Father's desire.

This was an utterly unique conviction, unshakable by any force.

Therefore, even the power of the contract could not hold her.

Thus, when the Rose Crystal brought her sword down upon her, the already stunned Suiseiseki was too shocked to evade or counter. Instinctively, she blocked with the Gardener's Watering Pot, and in the ensuing clash of metal against metal, Suiseiseki was violently thrown back.

Lying on the ground, unable to rise, Suiseiseki watched the Rose Crystal approach step by step. Though she clenched her teeth, desperate to regain her footing, her body refused to obey, leaving her to stare down the approach of death.

If... if she had just been given another half-day, to master the contract power more thoroughly, perhaps victory would have been possible. But now... Suiseiseki thought, regretting only that in this world, there are no 'ifs.'

"I will take your Rozen Maiden... Rozenkavalier."

The pain of the lost arm did not register in the Rose Crystal's expression; she was like an unfeeling machine. Speaking the cold words with a blank face, the Crystal Sword lunged straight toward Suiseiseki's chest.

"Whirrrrrr~~~"

However, at that critical juncture, the sound of a violin suddenly swelled once more. Visible sound waves surged past Suiseiseki, directly throwing the Rose Crystal backward.

Suiseiseki instinctively turned toward the source of the music.

"Suiseiseki. Let me save you this time?" Not far behind her, Kanaria stood playing her violin, a smile on her face as she addressed her.

"Idiot! I told you to hide! Get out of here now!" But Suiseiseki felt no joy at being saved; instead, she shouted in agitation. She knew clearly that the Rose Crystal was not an enemy that could be easily repelled. If even her own contract power was useless, what hope did Kanaria have? If Kanaria had hidden and fled just now, she might have saved her life. Now... she would not only offer no help but would cost them another life.

"Eh? You don't have to say that, do you?" Kanaria seemed deeply wounded.

"Good. Since both must be dealt with, I shall take both at once." On the other side, the Rose Crystal, repelled by the sound wave, returned completely unharmed. As she spoke, a cruel smile flickered across her face, and a massive block of freezing crystal rushed to envelop both Suiseiseki and Kanaria.

Finally, the sound of freezing echoed. A gigantic amethyst appeared on the ground, inside which was Suiseiseki's motionless body, completely encased as if preserved in amber. As for Kanaria, who had also been within the attack radius, she now sat nearby, watching the lifeless Suiseiseki with trembling eyes... Just moments before, Suiseiseki's self-sacrifice had bought her a momentary reprieve.

The instant she was sealed in the amethyst, Suiseiseki died. Naturally, her Rozenkavalier drifted out from her body... The Rose Crystal calmly walked forward, showing no concern that the Rozenkavalier might be stolen.

However, just as she reached out to take Suiseiseki's Rozenkavalier, Kanaria snatched it first. Holding it preciously in both hands, like a small animal whose home was destroyed and facing danger, she stared at the enemy before her, gathering courage despite her fear. "No! This belongs to Suiseiseki, I won't give it to you... right?"

"You intend to steal it? Give me back Suiseiseki's Rozenkavalier," the Rose Crystal commanded, pointing her Crystal Sword at Kanaria.

"N-No, I won't give it back... right?" Kanaria shivered, instinctively backing away, but she clutched the Rozenkavalier tighter, bravely confronting the Rose Crystal. "I will protect Suiseiseki's Rozenkavalier, I... Little Kan can do it too, right? I must protect it!"

Suiseiseki, please lend your strength to Little Kan! This time, let Little Kan guard everyone!

Kanaria made her silent vow, and at that very moment, Suiseiseki’s Rozenkavalier voluntarily merged into her body, causing Kanaria’s form to instantly erupt in dazzling light. Even the Rose Crystal had to shield her eyes against the brilliance, involuntarily stepping back.

And Kanaria, her eyes now sharp and determined, raised her violin to her shoulder once more.

"Requiem for the Lost Hour!"

The moment the music struck, colossal wind elements gathered around Kanaria, causing her body to slowly ascend. Finally, a terrifying momentum burst forth—several gigantic tornadoes swept outward from her center... No, perhaps they shouldn't be called mere tornadoes, for within the raging currents mingled white flames and black lightning, weaving and entwining together with the gale... This was a Wind-Fire-Lightning Tornado!

The earth was torn open, the sky ripped apart; before this terrifying vortex, everything else seemed insignificant.

Not only did the Rose Crystal's expression drastically change, prompting her swift retreat, but even Barasuishou, locked in combat with Shinku, shifted his gaze and instinctively maintained a safe distance from the Wind-Fire-Lightning Tornado.

"Haha! It has appeared, it's finally here!" In the distant castle, Laplace's Demon abandoned his former composure, pressing both hands against the window glass, watching the scene on the battlefield with utter excitement. "The Fifth Wave! This is the Fifth Wave! Whether it was Suiseiseki's contract power earlier or Kanaria's Fifth Wave now, these are powers that should never exist in this world... No, they should be powers of uncertain existence. But! My prediction was correct after all. I've finally reached what I've yearned for across countless years. Come now, continue! As long as all seven powers manifest, I shall..."

Laplace's Demon's intense reaction startled the blond youth resting in the lounge chair. The Fifth Wave? As both an animator and an alchemist, he understood perfectly that according to alchemical principles, all things in the world were composed of the four elements: earth, water, fire, and air. No matter how harmonized, they could not exceed this limit.

However, beyond these four elements, there existed something irregular: the Fifth Element. Yet, no one had ever seen what the Fifth Element was, nor did anyone know its nature; many even doubted its existence, considering it mere legend.

But now, Laplace's Demon had uttered the term 'Fifth Wave.' Could it be... that what Kanaria was producing now was an attack of the Fifth Element? No, it wasn't just Kanaria; Suiseiseki's power earlier also surpassed the four major elements. So... if Laplace's Demon was correct, would the Fifth Element appear if all seven powers manifested?

The blond youth pondered this, his mind stirring. If things truly unfolded this way, it was certainly something to anticipate. Yet, for the current moment, he was more eager to see the Rose Crystal's fight.

So, after a brief moment of surprise, he regained his composure, acting as if he hadn't heard Laplace's Demon's words.

"Kanaria, where did this power come from?" Meanwhile, Shinku was also shocked by the strength Kanaria currently displayed. She knew very well that while Kanaria wasn't exactly weak, her personality usually kept her on par with Hinaichigo.

But why had she become so strong now? Even Shinku felt a significant degree of danger.

'My prediction was correct after all; there is a new power emerging...' Barasuishou observed Kanaria with his peripheral vision while continuing his fight with Shinku, nodding inwardly.

The reason for Kanaria's surge in power was actually quite simple. First, her kindness and her fierce determination to protect others. She was not one to consider herself; she was constantly thinking of those around her. Thus, when she single-mindedly sought to protect Suiseiseki, she unleashed power far exceeding her normal limits. Second, the possession of Suiseiseki's Rozenkavalier. Having two Rozenkavaliers naturally increased her combat prowess. And third, and most crucially: under the guidance of Suiseiseki's contract power, her true strength awakened—the Fifth Wave!

As the tornadoes swept, black currents and white flames converged, forming rings of annihilation that struck the Rose Crystal with terrifying momentum.

Although the Rose Crystal was incredibly powerful, having defeated Suiseiseki even after she had awakened her contract power, she now faced the combined might of Suiseiseki's power and Kanaria's awakened strength. Facing two at once, she was clearly overmatched... Forget attacking, even mere defense became a struggle; she could only continually dodge.

'I will protect Suiseiseki! I will...' Seeing her attacks having an effect, Kanaria's confidence soared. And at that very moment...

Pffft!

With the sound of something being pierced, a small silver crystal sword suddenly punched through Kanaria's chest, causing her expression to freeze. Her violin clattered to the ground, and the attack of the Fifth Wave ceased abruptly.

Turning her head in agony, Kanaria stared in disbelief at the person holding the other end of the silver sword—it was... Hinaichigo!

"Little Hina... Why... what...?"

Shhh-laa!

The faint words had barely left her lips before Kanaria fell weakly downward.