Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

[…Phew, don't think too much. Just cross these steps leading down to the shore, then sneak a little further, and you'll arrive.]

Shaking her head, Lingyi looked around at the pitch blackness, where she could barely make out the direction of the steps, and walked forward.

One step, two steps, one floor, two floors, the downward steps were always so easy and pleasant. Following the spiral staircase, despite her slow pace, the staggering girl still pushed open the door.

This is the place.

A cool breeze blew across my face as I pushed open the door; indeed, such a cool breeze is common along the coast.

As you continue forward, all you can see is a neatly laid-out ground in front of a dark cliff where only starlight can be seen.

[Ha, next, I remember there are ropes on this cliff. We can rappel down the ropes, dive into the sea, and get into the [Hercules Base].]

At this point, Lingyi could finally relax; having escaped to this point, it was impossible for anyone to catch up with her anymore.

Reassured, she went to the edge of the cliff and looked down.

The sea was calm and still, as quiet and dark as ever, reflecting the countless stars and the bright moon.

Before she could appreciate the view, Lingyi's gaze slowly moved, searching for the ropes that she had instructed to hang there.

Strangely, she did not find the rope in the darkness.

What happened? Did it get swept away by the sea? Never mind, even though it's dangerous, rock climbing isn't out of the question.

The plan had gone wrong, but it wasn't impossible to continue. With that thought in mind, Lingyi placed her hand on the edge of the cliff.

[Does the cliff face feel too smooth?]

The sensation came from his fingers, and a question arose from the bottom of his heart. Ling Yi Bu Qiu Qi Ba S〖〩iShi Wu Lu understood why the wind-blown and sun-exposed cliff had a neat, cement-like texture.

No, that's not right. Ultimately, is this really a cliff?

Suddenly, Lingyi herself didn't know why she had such a question.

Don't overthink it, you mustn't overthink it. Don't let your thoughts drift to that worst-case scenario; instead, turn your gaze to the safe, deep, dark surface of the sea.

I forcibly interrupted my unfounded suspicions and forced my gaze to that dark place that symbolized safety.

Then, under Lingyi's gaze, in that dark place that symbolized safety, a dazzling firework exploded uneasily.

......

Silently waiting, on the rooftop where we had once made our promise, silently waiting.

Despite doing this, Chris didn't actually know if Zero would come.

Even if you are 99% certain that the other person truly values ​​the time you spent together in the past, you will still have a 1% doubt that they might throw away those gems now.

However, there was no other way. At this moment, all Chris could do was do everything she could and then leave the rest to fate.

She prayed, praying for the opportunity to convey her longing.

She was anxious, worried that the other person might leave her alone here after weighing the options.

There's only one minute left until the fireworks display starts. Will she really come?

I squatted down by the wall, took out my phone, checked the time, and gradually became more and more anxious.

If she didn't see that beautiful figure in platinum blonde hair before the fireworks display started, then it was likely that the other party really didn't intend to accept the invitation.

【…】

The turmoil grew within Chris as time slowly passed.

Just as she was about to suffocate, the sound of a long-neglected door being pushed open reached her ears.

Looking up expectantly, Chris's eyes reflected a familiar figure, a staggering gait as he walked towards the edge of the rooftop—a figure she would never forget.

P.S. Good evening.

Chapter Fifty-Four: Pitch Black

Fireworks exploded in the sky, illuminating my face, a dazzling, colorful, artistic spectacle, yet leaving my soul gradually growing cold in the silent darkness.

[Saying you'll remain clear-headed is simply impossible.]

Having understood the present moment and gained enlightenment, a bitter smile crept onto his lips.

Lingyi fully understood that everything she had thought and seen before was not real.

Although she believed she was steadily moving in the right direction, her actual actions were completely contrary to her beliefs.

The emotions that had been suppressed by reason all along, like a dormant volcano that had been sealed for a long time, launched a magnificent rebellion against it at this most vulnerable moment.

The result is that I have now found myself in a place I cherish, and have encountered the most terrible crisis since I made this decision.

Turning around, with her back to the fireworks against the dark sky, she saw a white-haired figure in red walking towards her.

【really.]

Without the slightest surprise, Lingyi was not astonished by the other party's appearance; it was something she had already anticipated.

Furthermore, she can anticipate even more things in her mind.

Since Chris is here, SONG must have made the necessary preparations.

Now that SONG is ready, the performers must be on their way.

In this situation, without sufficient weapons, one would inevitably fall into a complete and inescapable defeat, entering a state beyond one's control.

"An undeniable dead end."

He murmured to himself, the cold spreading from his spine to his whole body. He was overwhelmed by fear, his heart pounding violently, and a silent wail echoed in his heart.

Thoughts began to race wildly toward a deeper and more profound direction.

The taut threads that had been forcibly controlling his already broken body and mind snapped under this immense pressure.

...moon* ripples long ling walk IV tumor chess dad ba

"Zero Clothes... Whew—"

Looking at the girl who had come to her, Chris felt a surge of joy, so much so that she had to take a deep breath to calm her excited heart.

"I'm sorry to do it this way, but I think it's better for our relationship to end this way."

Chris took out the letter from her bosom and approached Zero as she spoke.

"Don't be wary. I didn't bring the uncle or anyone else here. It's just you and me."

He continued speaking, slowly moving closer to the other person.

Perhaps it's because nowadays she only needs to perform a very simple action, without having to think about various combat-related matters.

Chris felt more relaxed than ever before.

"I came here only to personally convey what I want to say to you. Um... from now on, I won't bother you anymore. What you want to do is none of my business, understand?"

Walking forward until they were only a few meters apart, Chris, illuminated by the fireworks, revealed her long-buried plan.

However, in the end, she couldn't quite control her emotions, and her final words were tinged with a sob.

Perhaps sensing that something was wrong with her emotions, Chris no longer wanted to stay there. She took a few steps forward to shove the piece of paper in her hand into the other person's arms, and then walked away.

"...Huh?"

However, at that very moment, something happened that puzzled and unsettled Chris.

All he saw was Lingyi, who was facing him, seemingly having lost all her strength. She knelt on the ground like a puppet, her head drooping.

"Wait, Lingyi, what's wrong? Don't scare me!"

Before she could think of anything else, her first emotion took over, and Chris rushed forward anxiously.

He supported Lingyi's body, gently swaying her, anxiously checking on her condition.

Then, she realized that although Lingyi's eyes were still open, she had lost consciousness and was like a doll that had lost its owner, without any response.

"What on earth happened... Damn it, I need to tell Uncle and the others right away, oh no—"

Helpless, Chris wanted to ask her companions for help, but then she remembered that she had left her communicator at home so as not to disturb her relationship with Zero.

"Damn it, we can't just leave her like this. We need to go find our seniors or that Baka; they should have backups!"

Without a second thought, Chris looked down at the girl who appeared to have lost consciousness, and grabbed her body urgently, preparing to pick her up and take her away.

However, at that moment, she stopped moving.

Because, the moment she picked up Lingyi and raised her head, she saw black smoke appear and dissipate in front of her, and the red and black blades were reflected in her pupils.

..........

"The first, second, and third binding devices have all failed. The energy is expanding violently—it's an awakening waveform. Without relying on any external force, this complete relic is autonomously emitting an awakening waveform!"

Shortly after Chris and Zero met, SONG's temporary headquarters, which was used to store the complete holy relic, Sky Blade, was in a state of chaos and was almost instantly overwhelmed.

The originally stable black and red blade suddenly erupted with powerful force a few seconds ago, and the bindings and phosphorus on it were almost instantly destroyed.

"Really?!"

This situation was completely beyond Kazanari Genjuro's comprehension.

He knew this complete relic possessed a certain degree of autonomy, but he hadn't expected or anticipated that its autonomy would unleash such powerful energy.

"This is terrible! The protective equipment has reached 1000% overload and is out of control. If this continues, an explosion will occur that will destroy the entire area!"

The personnel in charge of the observation instruments quickly and sternly warned everyone present about the current situation.

"Everyone, abandon your work, prepare for the impact, and hide behind me!"

Without a moment to think, Kazanari Genjuro immediately gave orders to everyone present, and almost the instant everyone took action, he slammed his fist hard into the ground.

boom

The explosion spread violently from the Flashblade, turning the newly established headquarters, equipped with numerous expensive instruments, into meaningless ruins.

The only area that remained undamaged was the area where the SONG members were located, protected by the steel and concrete blocks that had been blasted out by Kazanari Genjuro's heavy punch.

"Just how powerful is it...? Wait, what is this relic doing?"

After stopping the explosion, Kazanari Genjuro rushed to check on the status of the Sky Blade. He then saw black smoke rising around the Sky Blade, obscuring its blade.

As the black smoke dissipated, the entire blade vanished right before everyone's eyes.

"Disappeared? Where did it go? Wait, could it be because of its owner... Oh no, Yukine!"

,,,,,,,,

"Why is Zero's weapon here? Wasn't it already being guarded by the old man and the others?"

Confusion arose in Chris's mind. She couldn't understand why this complete relic, which was supposedly under the strict guard and protection of Kazanari Genjuro and the others, would appear here.

Before she could figure out what was going on, a huge energy surge struck her body.

The precise force not only made her release her grip on Lingyi's hand, but also sent her flying several meters away.

"Ugh... Damn it, one confusing situation after another is happening. The key now is to bring Lingyi back..."

Clutching her stomach, Chris, who had just barely recovered after vomiting some abdominal fluid, refocused her gaze on Zero, wanting to continue with her previous idea.

"Hey, wait a minute, what are you doing?!"

However, she soon realized that her thoughts were unlikely to continue, and exclaimed in surprise at the situation unfolding before her.

The black and red blade that had just knocked her away floated up to Zero, who was lying on the ground like a doll, and circled around her a few times, seemingly expressing its sorrow.

Then, black smoke billowed from the blade, and dark mist enveloped Lingyi's body, slowly flowing into the other's body.

The next moment, change occurred.

Lingyi, who had previously lost her vitality, slowly and contortedly rose from the ground in a bizarre posture after the smoke entered her body, much like a zombie who had not controlled her body for a long time.

"Hey, this feeling... could it be that the relic is controlling its master's body?"

Chris immediately realized the truth behind this bizarre phenomenon and was instantly astonished.

But her surprise did not affect Flashblade's actions. The floating Flashblade obediently placed its body in front of Zero, who had stood up.

Immediately, Lingyi opened her tightly closed eyes, and crimson light flowed from her pupils. Then, her drooping hand rose up and grasped the blade of the Flash Blade.

"Flash Blade Activation? Flash Interruption."

A hoarse voice came from her mouth, and a crimson and black light enveloped her entire body.

Chris knew that it was Zero's order to put on the armor, and the scene in front of her also told her that what Zero was to put on now was definitely not the safe and stable bright white armor she had seen before.

Soon, a scarlet light burst forth from the black smoke and dust, energy converged, and a black and red armor covered the girl's figure.