"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
"Explode!"
"Boom!"
As Ember's countdown ended, a deafening explosion echoed through the cracks in the cliffs.
The exposed mountain range could not withstand the immense internal pressure and instantly disintegrated into flying debris.
Countless scorching lava burst forth from the shattered mountain cracks, illuminating a corner of the gloomy island as bright as day.
Scorching Lava—one of Rykard's lava spells. It releases compressed lava spheres that explode after a delay upon impact. The power can be strengthened and the explosion time delayed by charging it.
Rykard, the offspring of Queen Rennala, successfully brought Rykard's ancient sorcery back into the light as a spell.
"What did you do? This is almost like a volcanic eruption in Natlan!" Shikanoin Heizou exclaimed, seeing the crimson lava flowing from the mountain, almost dropping his jaw.
When Ember had run out earlier, carrying large bags, Shikanoin Heizou suspected he would destroy the place, but he never imagined Ember would cause such a commotion!
"Volcanic eruption? Something like that," Ember said, smacking his lips as he looked at the scene of lava everywhere.
He had only intended to test how much magma was under the earth's crust; who would have thought it would erupt directly?
It was Rykard's lava spell that was too powerful; it had nothing to do with him.
"Besides, this way it's a clean sweep. Those Delusions are quite tough; if I had to crush each one, my hands would get worn out," Ember thought of the Delusions piled up in the Evil Eye Factory, and immediately felt that the firepower was not enough; it needed more!
Shikanoin Heizou was shocked and turned to look at Ember. Crush Delusions? How could this guy's strength be as powerful as his fire magic?
Seeing Ember's body shrouded in armor, Shikanoin Heizou couldn't help but ponder.
He heard there was an organization called Hexenzirkel in this world. Could this Ember fellow be... Shikanoin Heizou's gaze towards Ember grew even stranger.
Shikanoin Heizou's "eager" gaze was naturally noticed by Ember, but all he got in return was a flick on the forehead from Ember.
"Instead of thinking so much, you should keep an eye on that large group of cattle and horses behind us... oh no, I mean, Fatui," Ember turned and pointed at a group of trembling Fatui.
"Cattle and horses? What are cattle and horses?" Shikanoin Heizou scratched his head. As a detective, he was extremely sensitive to anything he hadn't heard of.
"This is what they are," Ember whistled, summoning Torrent.
"Th-there really is such a thing as cattle and horses?!" Shikanoin Heizou exclaimed in surprise, seeing Torrent with two horns on its head.
Watching Shikanoin Heizou curiously circle Torrent, Ember promptly recalled Torrent.
It wasn't that he treasured Torrent; it was mainly because, from the look of Torrent, if Shikanoin Heizou circled a few more times, Torrent would start kicking people.
If Shikanoin Heizou got kicked, he could return to Narukami Island early.
As for whether he would fly back or be carried back, that depended on Torrent's strength.
"After seeing the cattle and horses, it's time to get to work! Xiao Lu, find an open space! I'm going to properly reform these Fatui!"
"No problem!"
...After a flurry of activity, a wooden platform, neither too big nor too small, was erected in a desolate corner of Yashiori Island.
Ember stood on the newly built wooden platform. Below him was a bewildered group of Fatui; behind him, Shikanoin Heizou was putting up a banner.
"Is this really useful?" Shikanoin Heizou finished putting up the banner. He stepped back a few paces and saw the words "Inazuma Fatui First Reform Conference" written squarely on it!
Shikanoin Heizou felt his scalp tingle. He didn't know why he was helping Ember with this kind of thing; it just somehow ended up in his hands.
It was like seeing a ghost!
"Ahem! Quiet down, I have a few words to say!" Ember turned and saw the banner was up, so he began to "reform" the Fatui.
"You people, you do no good deeds, but a whole basket of bad ones. If this continues..."
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
A cough interrupted Ember's speech. He didn't mind and continued speaking.
"Fortunately, you've met me, giving you a chance to turn over a new leaf..."
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
The coughing grew more intense, even overpowering Ember's shouting.
"Oh no, someone fainted!"
After a startled cry, several of the Fatui squatting on the ground below fell backward, hitting their heads, and passed out.
Seeing this, Ember raised an eyebrow. He pulled out a few bright, warm stones and threw them at the unconscious crowd.
"See, this is the karma you've created."
Ember took a deep breath; the smell of tatarigami was excellent!
The unconscious Fatui below regained consciousness, but no one spoke. They either stared blankly at Ember or gazed at the ground, vividly demonstrating to Ember what it meant for words to go in one ear and out the other.
"This is so troublesome," Ember felt the situation had reached a dead end. Could it be... "Why don't you ask their leader to come up and say a few words? The Fatui are a military organization, so an officer's words will surely be effective," Shikanoin Heizou said, leaning close to Ember's ear, seeing his distressed expression.
"Good idea!" Ember nodded and gave Shikanoin Heizou a thumbs up.
As expected of a detective, his mind worked faster than others.
Pulling out the personnel list he had found in the Evil Eye Factory, Ember began calling out names.
"That... Natashka, the Palace Supervisor, come up here and say a few words."
After speaking, Ember's gaze fixed on the Mirror Maiden below, who was a full head taller than the others.
"Stare..."
The two engaged in a staring contest. Clearly, Ember won. Under Ember's gaze, Natashka felt as if a million ants were crawling on her. Left with no choice, she stepped forward from below.
"What are you waiting for? Applaud!" Ember said, leading the applause.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Shikanoin Heizou's words were true; seeing Natashka on stage, the daydreaming Fatui below actually joined in the applause.
Natashka went on stage and glanced at Ember, who had moved to the side. Ember thought she wasn't ready, so he whispered to her:
"Just talk about the things you've done, criticize yourselves!"
Natashka's mouth twitched upon hearing Ember's words. She turned to face the vast crowd of Fatui before her and took a deep breath.
It was laughable; such a large Evil Eye Factory was flattened by mere two people. Not only that, but all the defending soldiers were captured.
Regardless, this was a severe defeat for the Fatui in another nation.
Having composed herself, Natashka shouted, "For Her Majesty's glory, we..."
"Get out of here!"
Seeing that things were going awry, Ember delivered a flying kick that sent Natashka tumbling off the wooden platform.
The Fatui below instantly became agitated at the sight.
"For Her Majesty's glory!"
"Snezhnaya's warriors never fear death!"
"Brothers, sacrifice yourselves for the Tsaritsa!"
...The slogans surged, one after another. Even disarmed of their weapons and Delusions, the Fatui below showed no fear.
"Alright, alright! I wanted to try a soft approach for the first time, but it seems it won't work."
"In that case, let's use the old method!"
An invisible pressure instantly enveloped everyone. The agitated Fatui seemed to have their throats choked, only mumbling incoherently, unable to do anything.
"It's just a scar the size of a wrist, it'll be quick," Ember said, holding his straight sword, as he jumped off the wooden platform.
The blade was raised high but did not descend.
Because he saw a turning point.
"Let's go, Xiao Lu, come with me to greet our esteemed guest!" Ember exclaimed excitedly, throwing his straight sword away and rubbing his hands together.
Because on the distant horizon, a swaying small boat was approaching the shore.
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