Immediately, the Crimson Army, began to move.
In response, Tsukiko also intended to release all the restrictions on Kinraishou (Golden Thunder Spear) and let her magic power flow.
"Tsukiko!"
"Princess!"
Ayaka swung Shinsen, and the seasoned anti-demon officials, whose hearts were stirred by Tsukiko's presence, raised their magic guns once more.
The surging serpent tried to knock down the flying dragons above, and azure bullets were fired at the advancing army.
Golden Thunder Spear created a wind tunnel straight to Crimson Army, and the scattered lightning wreaked havoc as much as it could.
But it wasn't enough.
In the face of overwhelming numbers, Tsukiko and her team were hopelessly outnumbered.
Breathing was painful with each breath as the scorching heat from the ground burned through their skin, lungs, and bodies. The hands of the men who had already been holding magic guns were blistered, and Tsukiko, who should have been protected by Golden Thunder, had red seeping from various parts of her body.
Finally, Shinsen, who had been rampaging, was captured by the giant alligator's jaws. The water instantly dissipated, and Shinsen, reduced to a mere chain, was thrown out onto the molten street.
"Hahaha, look, Sissy! This is how a battle should be! Give it your all! The radiance in your final moments is the most beautiful moment for humanity!"
Flame's voice echoed in Tsukiko's dazed head. It was no longer clear whether it was the sound of burning flames or the discharge sound from her own magic. How much time had passed since the battle began? Her magic power was running out, and the lightning discharged from Kinraishou was weakening.
And finally, that moment arrived.
"Ah..."
Tsukiko's knees gave way with a shudder, and her vision tumbled. The heat of the scorched ground, which pierced through her magical defenses, burned her cheeks.
The consecutive use of reckless magic, the forced movements that exceeded her physical capabilities, had pushed her to the limit.
She had no idea what had happened to Ayaka and the other anti-demon officials. All she knew was that...
"..."
In her blurred field of vision, only the approaching flames were visible. And when she realized that this was the end, Tsukiko's mind was filled with surprisingly happy memories.
The day she first used magic, the days she played with Ayaka, the mornings when they accomplished difficult tasks, and the nights she spent walking with a clumsy but endearing boy who tried to make her smile.
"Yuusuke..."
Even though her body should have been completely dried out, she felt a drop of tears fall from her eyes. The world was hopelessly cruel and heartless. Tsukiko, who constantly fought in life-or-death situations, knew this well. No matter how much she wished, no matter how much she thought, the impending death would not disappear.
However, at the same time, Tsukiko knew something else. In such extreme situations, there could be a moment, even if ever so slight, when the scales tipped due to some factor.
It could be a small change, gradually building up, creating a significant shift in the situation. For instance, perhaps there was a distortion in the barrier Tsukiko and her team had set up due to Flame's increased magic power, or maybe their seemingly futile attacks had extended their time to live, if only by a little.
Such small factors undoubtedly brought about a significant change at this moment.
"..."
Collapsed on the ground, Tsukiko inadvertently let out a voice.
She hadn't felt the expected heat or impact. Instead, a different warmth, gentle and comforting, enveloped her entire body.
Unconsciously, Tsukiko's face turned upwards.
She should have seen nothing but the symbol of despair, the red flames. However, what Tsukiko's eyes beheld now was an unfathomably beautiful night sky and a moon suspended there.
And beyond the moon's radiance, there stood a girl with an otherworldly beauty, and a silver knight emitting an emerald light.
In that instant, Tsukiko forgot everything as she was captivated by the Silver Knight.
In Tsukiko's mind, Ayaka's words came to her recollection. The mysterious knight who had paid no attention even to the fiery demon. The being with an inorganic coldness that showed no regard for human life, the one they should never antagonize.
(That...)
However, for some reason, Tsukiko couldn't see that knight as an entirely heartless entity.
Slowly, the silver knight looked down at Tsukiko. The emerald light swayed, as if trying to convey something.
Though Tsukiko didn't understand what it was trying to communicate, for some reason, a sense of relief enveloped her entire body. In the fading consciousness, Tsukiko, unconsciously, responded to the silver knight's gaze with a smile.
Surely, everything would be alright.
With such a strong conviction.
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