Part 4[แก้ไข]
In an instant—
An azure glowing wind was whipped up from the ground.
Kasukabe Yō who had rapidly entered her battle state had immediately assessed the phenomenon to be the wind released by Willa.
Her spirit name being the [Demon of Azure Flames] was partially due to the ability to call out flammable phosphorus gas from fossils. If it were that only, Yō only needed to whip up a whirlwind to dodge it.
But to be famed as the strongest flames of the North, it should not be only at the level of a natural phenomenon.
“—Summon, [Ignis Fatuus].”
“……!?”
A wave of heat was carried within those azure blue winds and the atmosphere was awash with a roasting sensation that was subtly hidden from the senses.
Although the color of the flames were different, but Yō was very clear of the dangers that such a flame posed. For she could sense that this was the same feeling as the other time when Jack had released the intense flames during their time in [Underwood].
The Wind of Purgatory Flames that have been summoned from Hell.
The Gift that just required a mere seven lanterns full to destroy an entire city with its flames.
(What….What’s wrong with this person?! Is she trying to summon the Purgatory flames in the arena……?!)
The Game had just started and Willa was already planning to use the strongest firepower. The first move was planned to be such a large scale attack on a wide area and such a bold move was unimaginable coming from one who had such a cute look.
Willa was planning to use the first strike to defeat the both of them right from the get-go.
(Change of plans……! Since she’s using the Purgatory Flames of Hell, Asuka will also be in danger!!!)
Less than a second into the Game, Yō had already shifted her target to be focused on Willa. The situation was already one that forced her to abandon her strategies.
Clutching her [Genome Tree], Yō materialized the shimmering plate leggings of the [Pegasus] while whipping up a dazzling wind to charge towards Willa. And just when she was skiing on the wind and about to land her kick—
The figure of Willa suddenly disappeared.
“This is bad—!”
Instantaneous teleportation—Only those who controlled the portals between worlds would be able to open that [Astral Gate].
This sort of unique portal activation method was fundamentally different from that of Jack’s ability to appear from flames.
Jack was able to move from flame to flame, a movement of point to point in a linear fashion, but her sort of teleportation was one that was instantaneous and without any forewarning or relation to any objects or obstacles in the path.
The previous encounter was also similar to this and Yō hadn’t been able to see through this teleportation trick of hers.
—Though it was heard of, but it sure is a Gift that exceeded the comprehension of the mind.
That sort of power was impossible to be matched by the speed and power of the five senses. To confront such a power would require a Gift of a completely different nature but now wasn’t the time for her to experiment around for the crafting of the new Gift.
(The Azure winds have not stopped……If this continues……)
Yō whipped her head to shout at the top of her lungs.
“Asuka!! Quick! Escape out of the playing field! “
“Eh—“Asuka’s face was one of surprise and shock and it was clear that she really didn’t understand the nature of the threat that was the wave of azure winds.
However, it was clear that there wasn’t enough time for Yō to rush to her rescue.
This was merely just two seconds after the start of the Game.
Willa the Ignis Fatuus had summoned [Ignis Fatuus] and caused an azure wind to whip across the arena grounds. Ayesha who had been nominated as the judge had also ran ashen faced towards the outside of the playing field, but was blown into the spectator stands as a wave of hot wind blasted her from behind.
“Oi, Willa-nee, that’s really too exaggerati……Yaaaaaaah!”
Her twintails were emitting green smoke as Ayesha fell into the spectator stands.
The spectator stands were replete with defensive Gifts to protect the audience and so her losses were only up till that point, whereas the centre of the arena had transformed into a gruesome sight.
Exceeding the Purgatory Flames that were summoned by Jack, these hungry flames lit up every single thing that existed in the natural world. The whole combatant area was alight with azure flames and instantaneously reduced the stage to crisp.
And the Azure pillar of flames extended up to the Veil of Little Garden.
The searing heat waves released at the peak were strong enough to scatter the sea of clouds in the sky.
The demon that existent in the cleft between life and death—Willa, had shown a power that was able to devastate everything within the pillar. Of which the spectators had gone silent at that performance.[9]
“How….How can……”
Kuro Usagi’s hands shook as she moaned mournfully.
Willa’s true strength had exceeded her predictions.
Precisely because Kuro Usagi knew what had been released by Willa, she was quivering from the brutal scene displayed before her. If Kuro Usagi’s guess is spot on, Asuka and Yō wouldn’t be a match for her.
Summoning the Purgatory Flames from Hell wasn’t a simple feat.
Willa had connected Hell to this world in that instant—This is not a figure of speech.
Just as how Shiroyasha is able to summon the Game board of [White Night Plateau], Willa had released her spiritual powers to destroy the portal between reality and the furnace of Hell to scorch the arena.
“How dare she…… to those two…… Kuro Usagi’s comrades……”
Kuro Usagi, who had already abandoned most of her logic due to rage, had already transformed to her fiery peach colored hair.
“Kuro Usagi-san, don’t worry. Look closely, those two aren’t hurt at all oh~!”
Jack used a cheerful tone to advise Kuro Usagi who was emitting red lightning while on the verge of rushing in in with that murderous look.
“—EH?” Kuro Usagi gave a stupid cry.
That sound might just have been the signal for a counter attack, or perhaps it was just a pure coincidence.
*Ding Ling* The scorching azure pillar of flames—shattered under the sound of the melodious flute and chime of the bells.