Stepping over the collapsed city walls, dust and frozen snow splattered onto their iron boots. With Astrid's permission, every defending soldier immediately withdrew, leaving the shattered ruins of the Holy Radiant City Light to the approaching Church Knights.
Lyra flapped her semi-transparent light wings, quickly diving to Astrid's side. She stood beside Elise, the ever-vigilant head maid, both gripping their swords, ready to parry any incoming attacks.
A glimpse of the girl's cherry-pink long hair caught the corner of Astrid's vision. A fragrance unlike anything on the battlefield drifted into her nostrils. Astrid continued chanting her spell. Instantly, the lead knights felt their bodies stiffen. Thick layers of ice formed in the gaps between their armor plates, making even bending their knee joints abnormally difficult.
