Ice

Since they intentionally drove us in this direction, it means that their target is in the opposite direction.

Opposite direction... Right! That's the place!

There?

There are three places I've seen that have recorded abnormal Echo Crystal growths. One of them is close to the border city that is behind us.

According to Captain Stara's information, and combined with what we know, that border city is their destination!

Okay! Now we know where they're going, so our plan is clearer.

Now, listen to my commands. Divide our troops in two, one will act as decoy, and the other will go to Rasparta's destination!

Why are the rats not struggling anymore? Keep running!

I haven't had enough fun.

I don't want to play your childish game!

Childish, huh? I think it's pretty fun!

Is that all you got?

She's coming after me... Did we become bait?

I think your sharp tongue takes at least half the credit for that, Captain.

That line you said is pretty cutting too.

Keep running. We can't get captured by them before they find out what we're up to!

You said it was childish earlier, didn't you? Why are you running non-stop now then?

Do you want to keep playing, little rat?

Hm? Something's not right. Where's the other team of rats?

Oh no! This woman has quick reflexes!

Ah, over there.

What a clever group of rats.

Leave them to me, Celestial.

It's more comfortable to fight this one.

Stop that Celestial!

Understood!

Stop right there!

Ugh, I really should've brought more people.

She stopped?

There is a game that requires many people to work together to defeat a boss, and in that game, players need to divide the work and take turns drawing the boss's fire.

Your plan's not bad, but I'm tired of playing the role of boss.

Niko! Get back here!!!

Game over.

Niko!!!

(Cough)... Niko, are you okay?

Captain... Save...

Don't worry, we can be saved. This is Bifrost territory. Those invaders will...

Help!

She... let us go...

Don't worry about me, go save... Sova...

...

Help has arrived.

Captain Stara, I'm a medic from the reinforcement...

Quick, save Niko!

The medical devices are being transported by Lieutenant Fenriru and will arrive shortly.

Please allow us to do the emergency treatment for you and Niko first.

Well. Thank you.

Niko, you need immediate treatment!

What in the world happened, Stara?

It was Rasparta. They sent two official members, and one of them is the Nebu Celestial, Wadjet.

Lieutenant! Gather the troops and save Sova! They can't hang on for much longer!

Calm down, Stara.

Sova's contacted me. Wadjet didn't go after them.

She didn't go after Sova?

The Bifrost troops have completed preparations and are starting to move to the border area. Rasparta's target has not been found yet.

The ones who should be panicking are them, not us.

The most important thing now is to heal Niko, and you.

Me?

Who do you think the enemy you faced is? She's the most dangerous Celestial in Nebu!

Your current state is like a final flash of lucidity before dying. You will have a horrible death before long.

But I wasn't really injured...

I said you're injured, so you are.

Wadjet likes to watch her enemies struggle. Some of her attacks inject her enemies with stimulants mixed with Echo Particulates.

The greater the change in mood, the faster your blood flows, and the quicker the Echo Particulates spread. Once they enter your heart or your brain, you're on the verge of death.

You must undergo surgery immediately.

I'm ready.

Stay still. Here I go.

Phew, it's over.

Lieutenant, what is the situation?

You just got out of surgery. Go back and rest.

I want to know what's going on now, or I won't be able to rest.

...Judging by the results, we won.

How's Sova and the others?

They're fine too.

And what did you mean by ''judging from the results''...?

Come with me.

Is that...?

I don't recall that thing being here before.

That Echo Crystal contains the target of Rasparta's operation. They did not manage to take it, so they obviously failed.

And if Rasparta failed, we won, of course.

But eight border cities were attacked, and five were nearly destroyed. The most serious destruction is the one you see here...

This border city has no chance of being rebuilt.

Now, do you still feel like we succeeded?

...

Go back. We repelled Rasparta, but this is far from over.

Rasparta must pay for this.