High above Inazuma City.
The Raiden Shogun, in her eternal form, stood face to face with Luo Qing’s Susanoo-like transformation. The sheer force of their presence seemed to split the sky in two.
On one side was the Raiden Shogun, ruler of Inazuma since time immemorial. Thunder roared behind her, and lightning in the clouds illuminated the Tenshukaku’s rooftops in stark white.
On the other side was an enormous armored warrior, a figure never before seen in Inazuma. Lightly clad yet wielding dual blades, the giant resembled an ancient swordsman from local legend.
The Resistance forces, having stormed the Tenshukaku, looked up at the scene in awe. Uncertainty flickered in their hearts as they debated whether to consider the giant warrior an ally.
Yet one thing was clear—they could not let this moment slip by.
“This is our chance! Storm the Tenshukaku!”
Gorou rallied the Resistance, leading the charge to seize control of the stronghold.
Meanwhile, the Shogunate forces under the Tenryou Commission finally regrouped, countering with an assault of their own to halt the Resistance’s advance.
Thunder cracked across the sky as the two armies clashed, throwing themselves into a chaotic melee.
Above the battlefield, the Raiden Shogun raised the Musou Isshin high. Behind her, an immense arm of lightning mimicked her movements, lifting its blade as well.
In a flash, she surged toward Luo Qing like a bolt of lightning.
Luo Qing crossed his dual blades to block the attack.
Boom!
The clash unleashed a massive shockwave, scattering tiles from the Tenshukaku’s roof like leaves in the wind.
“You… how did you manage this…?”
Feeling the numbing vibration from the impact, Luo Qing’s thoughts grew heavy.
Even with just one strike, he could tell—her eternal form far surpassed him in strength.
If this fight dragged on, he would surely lose.
“Hmph…”
The Raiden Shogun let out a cold snort, giving Luo Qing no time to recover.
Her form flickered like lightning as she darted around his Susanoo-like entity, each pass leaving a deep cut on its ethereal armor.
Though the wounds regenerated swiftly, thanks to the energy sustaining Susanoo, Luo Qing knew it wouldn’t last.
His stamina was finite, while she could battle for centuries. If this continued, he would burn out long before she did.
“Damn it…”
Finally spotting a small opening, Luo Qing slashed at her.
But her reaction was too fast—she adjusted her stance effortlessly and deflected his strike.
“Foolish mortal, daring to oppose eternity?”
The Raiden Shogun raised the Musou Isshin above her head, her eyes glowing with deep violet light.
She gazed down, godlike and indifferent, at Luo Qing and the Resistance soldiers fighting valiantly below.
“You’ve lost your mind!”
Luo Qing shouted, alarm surging through him.
She’s planning to use the Musou no Hitotachi?!
He stared at the ground below.
This was Inazuma City!
If she unleashed that technique here, the entire city would be split in two, just like the severed land at Musoujin Gorge.
What the hell happened to her? Why has she gone completely mad?!
In a desperate move, Luo Qing used his will to activate multiple emotion cards, throwing them at the Raiden Shogun.
The energy visibly wavered in her raised arm, and the build-up for the Musou no Hitotachi dissipated.
“You can influence my will?”
Her gaze darkened with murderous intent as she locked eyes with Luo Qing.
“I see now. No wonder I’ve felt an unrelenting urge to erase you. To manipulate eternity itself… You are the enemy of eternity!”
With those words, lightning surged around her, and she became a blur of motion, encircling Luo Qing.
Her speed was overwhelming.
Trapped in the Susanoo-like state, Luo Qing couldn’t use his spoken-word powers. All he could do was endure her relentless attacks.
Thankfully, the Susanoo’s armor held firm, and his regenerative abilities kept mending the damage. Otherwise, he’d have been cut down long ago.
“This isn’t working…”
Luo Qing gritted his teeth, fending off her strikes while frantically searching for a way out.
Her focus was entirely on him now. As long as she wanted him dead, she wouldn’t relent.
Yet escaping outright wasn’t an option. The Susanoo lacked the speed to match her lightning-quick movements.
There was only one way forward—endure her onslaught until Lumine could convince Ei to stop the war.
If that happened, the Raiden Shogun would no longer view the Resistance as enemies. Even if he fled, she wouldn’t redirect her blade at the rebels.
But if he faked his death and fled now, the Resistance wouldn’t stand a chance. They’d be lucky if their bodies remained intact.
“…This is the plan.”
Resolving himself, Luo Qing switched to a purely defensive strategy. The blade in his right hand dissipated, reforming into a shield.
Using his emotion cards and the Susanoo’s armor, he braced against her relentless assault.
Above, a battle of gods raged.
Below, the Resistance and Shogunate forces fought bitterly, blood staining the earth.
Within Inazuma City, civilians cowered inside their homes, peeking nervously through cracks in their windows at the distant clash around the Tenshukaku.
All they could do was pray for the conflict to end.
On the roof of the Komore Teahouse, Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma watched the battle from afar.
Though Ayaka supported the repeal of the Vision Hunt Decree, as the daughter of the Kamisato Clan and a representative of the Yashiro Commission, she couldn’t risk her family’s position by joining the Resistance openly.
“Luo Qing… So you’re also…”
With the heightened vision granted by her Vision, Ayaka recognized the violet warrior’s form from its silhouette and attire.
It’s him.
He stood alone against a god.
“Luo Qing… Please, come back safely…” Ayaka whispered her prayer.
Though she didn’t understand why Luo Qing, who had seemed on good terms with the Raiden Shogun, would oppose her now, her heart yearned for his safe return.
Elsewhere, Luo Qing’s subordinates dressed Rosalyne in simple clothes and carried her through the shadowed alleys of Inazuma City, heading toward the cave where the samurai had been held.
The sounds of battle from the Tenshukaku grew louder with every moment. From afar, they could see the city’s skyline shattered by the fight between their master and the Raiden Shogun.
While they doubted their master could truly defeat the Raiden Shogun, they remained loyal. Completing his orders came first.
Finally, they reached the city’s outskirts.
Teresa paused, glancing back at the distant Tenshukaku.
“Do you think Master will be okay?”
Natalia placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“You know him better than that. He never acts without a plan. Let’s focus on our mission.”
“…You’re right.”
Teresa exhaled slowly, easing her nerves. But before she could turn away, a deafening crash echoed from the Tenshukaku.
They all turned to look.
The towering ethereal giant that was their master’s Susanoo suddenly dissipated.
In its place, the Raiden Shogun held Luo Qing by the throat, lifting him high into the air.
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