The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

A Means to the End

Vanica strides confidently into the chamber, the air chilling with her mere presence. Her twisted smirk deepens as she surveys the room, her eyes glinting with malice.

"Princess Lolopechka. I've been waiting for this. I attacked your precious citizens to motivate you—nothing like a little destruction to bring out your fighting spirit."

Lolopechka's expression hardens, her usual gentle demeanor replaced by steely determination.

"You're cruel to use innocent lives as pawns in your twisted game, Vanica."

Vanica's laughter echoes eerily through the chamber.

"Oh, spare me the morality speech, Princess. If you want to stop me, you're going to have to try harder than that."

Noelle steps forward, her grimoire radiating a fierce light. Her voice cuts through the tension.

"Your Dark Disciples are finished. We've already dealt with them."

Vanica's grin widens, her amusement clear.

"Is that so?"

She gestures lazily toward Robero, slumped in a corner. To everyone's shock, his body begins to twitch, and the grievous wounds Mimosa inflicted on him knit themselves together as if they were never there.

"See? Thanks to the curse I placed on them, my Disciples will keep getting back up. Isn't it delightful? My foolish brother, Zenon should have done that too. Robero, take care of these two little pests for me."

Robero rises, his sneer returning.

"With pleasure."

The clash of magic reverberates through the sanctuary as Vanica turns her attention back to Lolopechka.

"Now, Princess. Let's have some real fun."

Lolopechka doesn't flinch. Her mana pulses as she raises her hand, a shimmering array of water magic coalescing around her.

"You will not harm anyone else, Vanica."

Noelle doesn't waste a moment. With a fierce cry, she summons her spell.

"Water Magic: Sea Dragon's Roar!"

A colossal torrent of water in the shape of a roaring dragon barrels toward Vanica. The Red Beast materializes in response, its blood-red form absorbing and dissipating the attack.

Vanica tilts her head mockingly.

"Is that all, little princess? I expected more from royalty."

Noelle's grip tightens on her lance.

"I'm not done yet!"

Vanica lunges, her Red Beast clawing and slashing through the water barriers Noelle erects. The chamber shakes with each impact, and Mimosa's voice rings out.

"Noelle! Stay focused! Lolopechka needs time!"

Vanica presses forward, her attacks relentless. Amid the chaos, she smirks darkly.

"Oh, by the way, Dante's been busy collecting some... special guests. A little reunion, you might say."

"What are you planning?!"

Lolopechka glares at her,

Vanica shrugs.

"Oh, you know, just a little kidnapping spree. Dark Magic, World Tree Magic—they're all the rage now. Speaking of which, where's that cosmic mage of yours? She seems to be hiding."

Lolopechka's eyes harden, her mana surging.

"You won't reach her."

The sanctuary floods with mana as Lolopechka unleashes her full power. Towering waves crash down, encasing Vanica in a sphere of compressed water. The Red Beast dissolves into crimson wisps, unable to withstand the intensity.