"You can't bear to do it?"
In the quiet room, Yukari voice sounded like a demon's whisper in Kaguya ear. But Kaguya reaction was unexpected.
Her expression was part self-mockery, part sadness. She just shook her head.
"I hope Mokou won't hate me in the future..."
"If you don't hurry, that little girl might not even have the chance to hate you."
Yukari words weren't a mere threat. Now that Mokou was away from the "bed" Lancer made, her bloodline was awakening at normal speed. Her skin, glowing with hidden fire, told the story of her internal condition.
Without further thought, Kaguya placed the "Hourai Elixir" into Fujiwara no Mokou mouth.
The seemingly large pill melted instantly upon touching her mouth. Then, Yukari expression changed as she held Mokou.
She threw Mokou into a gap. Another person appeared inside the ice box, but before Yukari could sigh in relief, terrifying flames erupted from Mokou.
Boom!!
Under this explosion, even Lancer container couldn't last. Soon, flames broke free. Yukari frowned, holding her right hand. The burn marks showed she had been a second too slow, and her "gap" had been ignited.
"What is this? What exactly did you give her?"
Yukari wasn't close to Mokou. Though the girl calling her "Sister" was pleasant, that was all. She was angry because she could predict Lancer reaction—the temperature of the flames was already no less than the lava in the volcano. Otherwise, it wouldn't have damaged her gap.
Kaguya, barely enduring the heat thanks to Yukari protection, didn't care. She knew that although her "Hourai Elixir" was slightly different from the normal version, it wasn't a failure. As long as it didn't fail, the girl would "resurrect" even if burned to ash.
The roaring flames were incredible to see. The burning house caused panic in the Fujiwara estate. Soon, a commotion sounded outside, and a group of guards with strange talismans rushed in.
Seeing Kaguya and Yukari, these guards drew their blades and charged without hesitation.
In the past, if humans dared draw blades against her, Yukari wouldn't mind sending them to a "haunted house" in her gaps forever. Even her "contract" with Lancer didn't forbid self-defense. But for some reason, she didn't kill them, merely using gaps to toss them outside.
Kaguya didn't even look outside. She knew the Youkai would handle everything—after all, she knew Yukari was a "Shikigami." As for her own identity being exposed?
It didn't matter anymore. Everything was coming to an end...
Normally, if her Shishō was fighting someone, even her nominal family, she would sincerely hope for her Shishō's victory. But whenever the thought rose, she remembered that broad back shielding her.
Kaguya wasn't stupid. She guessed Lancer mistook her Shishō for an attacker. She knew her Shishō would never harm her—after all, when she made mistakes, Eirin always defended her. But Lancer didn't know that. He was protecting her.
Lancer was strong—she knew about the Tsuchigumo he killed and the Oni King he defeated. But it wasn't enough. Her Shishō was stronger.
The only thing that gave her pause was the "Phoenix Crest Feather" Lancer brought back—something even her Shishō hadn't done. So, she chose to believe Lancer could survive.
Supporting the Shishō who was more family than her own family, or the man who protected her without knowing anything... Kaguya fell into a state of confusion.
Unlike the confused Kaguya, Lancer was firm.
Seeing Kaguya taken away by Yukari, he felt relieved. His only concern in this fight was her. Once she was gone, the woman became truly furious.
Lancer reaffirmed his conviction.
'This woman was definitely ordered to capture Kaguya! It seems Kaguya stayed before because she was being watched...'
Based on gathered info, Lancer filled in the blanks. Because of this, his expression grew even more serious.
To capture a "helpless girl" like Kaguya, they sent such a powerful opponent. Lancer could imagine how Kaguya would be treated if caught—perhaps even executed on the spot.
I cannot let her succeed!
He instinctively lowered his center of gravity, his body coiling, the muscles in his legs tensing.
That first arrow proved her strength. Against such an opponent, his only chance was to close the distance. After all—
Whirr~
The giant tree behind him was instantly pierced. The wind torn by the arrow carved a trench in the ground. And that was just the beginning.
As Eirin tightened her bowstring again, Lancer was finally ready. Wrapped in blood vitality, his original form was invisible—only a massive horned humanoid silhouette could be seen roaring. After the roar—
Bang!!
"Oni Transformation"
A massive explosion sounded from Lancer position. A small crater appeared where he stood, and he turned into a blood-red arrow charging toward Eirin.
His spear, nearly burning, pointed at Eirin heart. Against such a foe, he would show no mercy. If he held back, he would be the one dying.
But as the blade was about to strike—
"It seems you don't intend to let me kill you directly? It would have been easier for both of us."
Accompanied by a cold voice, Lancer saw the bow arm covered in ice-blue mana. His thrusting spear was actually blocked by the bow itself?
This archer is using cheats?!