Tsukuko dodged the attack, but the dizziness and pounding headache slammed into her midair. She crashed to the ground, barely managing to throw up her black barrier. It flickered weakly, running on fumes. The heat scorched her hands, flames licking at her skin. She hissed, shaking them out.
"Phew… seriously? You trying to burn down someone's property?"
She glared at Ema. "You really don't make this easy."
A sudden thought stabbed through her mind.
This body… it's rejecting me.
The white screen cracked and flickered.
SYSTEM: WARNING. WARNING. ENDANGERING THE BODY WILL RESULT IN YOUR ERASURE ALONGSIDE ASHEL.
"Tch… annoying system," Tsukuko muttered, lifting her eyes to Ema.
"Hello, Ema Winston. A bit impatient, aren't we?"
Ema froze.
Tsukuko tilted her head, taking in her appearance.
"A pretty blond girl… oh, cut your hair? Bob in the front, long in the back? Cute. And dressed all beautifully seductive, too. Those emerald eyes, that delicate 'saint' face… yeah, checks out."
Ema stiffened, raising her guard.
"How do you know my name? And stop analyzing me."
"Well, you know Ema—"
Another wave of dizziness hit. Tsukuko stumbled, clutching her head, vision blurring. She stared at Ema, barely standing.
"I don't want a demon speaking my name," Ema said, her expression dark, voice filled with a grudge she shouldn't even have.
"Why not?" Tsukuko asked casually, shrugging. "Do I look like a demon to you?"
"Yes… You already killed an innocent person" Ema muttered under her breath.
Tsukuko's grin widened.
"Guess the saint isn't as pure as everyone believes."
"Shut up, demon!"
A flare of light burst from Ema, a burning aura snapping to life around her.
"What are you yelling for?" Tsukuko taunted. "Aren't saints supposed to be pretty, calm, gentle, and overflowing with hope? Because none of that is showing right now. Kind of ruins the brand, huh?"
Ema's expression darkened even further. She clenched her hands into fists, gripping her wand so tightly it trembled.
"It's getting hot in here," Tsukuko said, smiling. "Looks like someone's turning red. Oh… isn't that you, Ema?" She pointed at her, the other hand covering her mouth in mock surprise.
"Stop it…" Ema whispered.
"Huh? Angry now?" Tsukuko tilted her head. "And what's the point of saving these people? You showed up ridiculously late. Just look around you. I'm telling you, there's no hope."
"Enough!" Ema snapped. "Enough of your nonsense, you little bi—"
She bit into the word but it still tore out of her.
"What do you think people's lives are?!" she shouted. "I've seen enough of their agony… enough of their cries!"
"Yeah, yeah, utter nonsense," Tsukuko said, waving her hand lazily. "But did I hear that right?" She leaned forward, cupping her ear dramatically. "A saint… cursing?"
She flashed a calm, amused smile.
"They live, they die. Peace is boring. Sometimes I just want to have fun, you know?"
She switched into a fake-cute act, biting her hand until blood welled up.
Ema's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I mean exactly what I said." Tsukuko blinked slowly. "And don't act too naive. You clearly reacted."
The flames around Ema flared violently, her aura burning hotter and hotter.
"You really crossed the line, demon."
"By the way," Tsukuko said softly, "the name is Tsukuko. Use it properly. And don't lump me in with those low-level demons you talk about."
"Shut up! Demons don't need names!" Ema shouted. "You monsters only know how to take innocent lives like it's some kind of game. Now you'll burn in hell."
"You're talking about hell?" Tsukuko grinned. "I'd rather show you what real hell looks like. You only talk, don't you? No action. Just the way a coward pretends to sound brave."
"I've had enough of you." Ema raised her blazing wand. "It's time for you to burn."
A roaring wave of fire burst toward Tsukuko like a miniature tsunami. Tsukuko leaped high, shooting straight toward Ema. Ema didn't move, simply watching her approach.
As Tsukuko raised her hands, a sword larger than her own body materialized, slamming downward toward Ema. Ema poured all her strength into a defensive fire barrier, but the blade shattered through it instantly. At the last moment, Ema managed to block it using her wand, sparks and flames exploding around them.
"You think you can beat me?" Tsukuko pushed down with brute force, her grin widening. Then she suddenly let go, jumping back. Ema staggered under the weight of the massive sword, struggling to keep it from crushing her.
Tsukuko grit her teeth.
This body is really weak… I can't keep up like this.
Ema stared in shock as the massive sword hovered in the air, fully controlled by Tsukuko without her even touching it. Tsukuko only grinned, watching Ema struggle beneath the pressure. Ema's wand began to crack under the weight. She kicked the sword away, and it spun through the air before snapping right back into Tsukuko's hand.
Ema tried to retreat, but Tsukuko's pressure slammed into her, forcing her backward.
"Not good at combat, huh?" Tsukuko said, glancing down at her sword. Then she flicked her eyes toward Ema.
Ema hurled a burst of flame at her.
Tsukuko's sword shot forward on its own and sliced the fire cleanly in half in a single motion.
"What… what sorcery is this?" Ema whispered, eyes wide. "No… this can't be. I'm the most powerful Saint… how can a mere demon overpower me?"
Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground.
Tsukuko lifted her hand, pointing toward Ema. Above her head, the blade began to split into multiple swords, floating in a deadly circle. She brought her hands together, eyes closing for a brief moment.
"The Eternal Crisis… repent within you."
Tsukuko opened her eyes again and grinned.
"No… no, this can't be," Ema whispered. "That's not how you use a Saint's power…"
She fell onto her back, staring up at Tsukuko's small silhouette.
"You don't know how long I've waited for this moment."
The floating swords shot downward.
One blade slammed through her leg, pinning her to the ground.
"Aah!" Ema screamed, agony ripping through her voice.
Tsukuko stepped forward.
Ema tried to crawl away, but another sword descended slowly and stabbed through her hand, nailing it to the dirt.
"Ahh!" Her eyes blurred with tears.
With every step Tsukuko took, more swords pinned down Ema's limbs. Her body was forced apart, bones and flesh splitting under the pressure of each piercing blade.
Tsukuko reached her and simply watched.
"Seriously? You're this weak? I thought I'd have a little more fun. This is boring."
Tsukuko bent down to look at Ema's face.
"Are you dead already?"
"You think this is fun?" Ema whispered, trembling. "You think you can kill me with a mere kitchen knife…?"
Tsukuko raised an eyebrow.
Ema sucked in a sharp breath and, with a sickening sound, ripped herself free—tearing her own flesh and crushed bones apart to escape the swords. She pushed herself to her feet, swaying.
"Ghh… arh…"
She endured the pain as flames bloomed across her wounded body. The fire began stitching her back together, burning through her injuries and healing them.
Ema glared down at Tsukuko.
"I am the people's last hope. I will never let a demon triumph over the good. And I will never let innocent people suffer."
"Oh?" Tsukuko began clapping. "Wow. Inspirational speech."
She smirked.
"But you're already too late. Look around. Do you see any people here?"
She laughed softly.
"It's hopeless. Time moves differently inside my barrier. Everyone's already gone."
Ema gripped her wand tightly. She didn't dare look around. She only stared at the ground beneath her feet.
"Oh? What happened, Ema?" Tsukuko tilted her head, smiling sweetly. "Are you gonna cry?"
"I've failed…"
Tears slipped down Ema's cheeks.
"Modanea… Jonny Mae… Sunny… I'm sorry…"
She pressed a trembling hand to her chest, her fist tightening until her knuckles whitened.
Her teeth clenched. Her whole body trembled.
"It's all your fault…" she whispered, voice cracking.
Then she looked up at Tsukuko, anger blazing in her eyes.
"It's all your fault!"
Tsukuko shrugged.
"Then cry harder. It still won't change anything."
Dizziness struck Tsukuko again.
I need to end her quickly while she's letting her guard down…
Ema collapsed to her knees, crying.
"Am I even worthy of being a Saint…?"
She hid her face in her hands.
"Was I late…? Why couldn't I save them…?"
Tears dripped to the ground.
My time, Tsukuko thought. She grabbed one of the floating swords and swung it downward toward Ema's neck.
Before the blade could touch her, another sword collided with it, knocking Tsukuko's strike away.
"What…?"
It was Noah, the blind knight. His long white hair flowed behind him, silver armor gleaming, and his stance sharp despite his sightless eyes.
"Oh great," Tsukuko muttered. "Another one. So now it's two against one?"
"Ema, we need to get out of here. You're still not used to your powers," Noah warned, rushing to her.
"Huh…?"
Ema looked up as Noah pulled her into a protective hold.
"There's no time. The people need you!" Noah yelled.
"You're our last hope!"
Something clicked inside Ema.
"The people… need me," she whispered.
"No, no, no. You're not going anywhere."
Tsukuko snatched her sword back and lunged toward them.
She sensed something rushing toward her from the side.
"Tch. Why are you so annoying all the time…" Tsukuko snapped, glancing toward the dark alley.
She leaped back, avoiding the attack.
Noah stepped forward, sword raised.
"Leave Ema. I'll handle this demon."
"The people need you," he repeated firmly.
"But Noah—"
"No buts. Just go."
Ema hesitated, but finally nodded. The blood on her torn white clothes dried, then burned away as purification flames washed over her. In seconds, her outfit looked clean again, as if she were wearing brand-new robes.
Tsukuko rushed toward Ema.
"Running away already?"
She raised her sword and leapt, aiming straight for Ema—
—but Noah intercepted the blow, his blade clashing against hers.
Ema burst into flames, her body shifting into a phoenix form. With a piercing cry, she ascended into the sky, trailing radiant fire.
Tsukuko saw her and froze, watching the blazing figure rising above them.
"Ema… wow. So marvelous it makes me want to—"
Before Tsukuko could finish, Noah cut her off sharply.
"I don't want a demon speaking her holy name."
His expression hardened as he glared at her.
Tsukuko leaped back again.
A slow, rhythmic click… Click… echoed from within the flames.
"Well, well. Look who's here… dear sister."
A figure stepped out of the fire, his outline sharpening with each step.
Tsukuko's face twisted in irritation.
"Don't tell me…"
"I missed you. Don't you miss me back?"
It was Astharoth. He opened his arms as if welcoming her home.
"You've changed, you know. I mean, you're different. But how could a brother not recognize his own little sister?"
In a blink, he vanished—
—and reappeared right in front of Tsukuko, reaching out for her in a suffocating, deadly embrace.
Tsukuko dodged instantly.
"Oh, come on. Why run away from your brother?"
Astharoth sighed dramatically, scanning the area as Tsukuko's presence flickered out of sight.
"How long can you hide from your big brother, little sister?"
A grin spread across his face.
His attention shifted to the blind knight.
"Oh? A knight who's blind? Shouldn't you… I don't know… retire?"
Noah didn't move from his stance.
"Don't judge ability by my disability."
Astharoth burst into laughter.
"That's actually a great line, man. You're hilarious. And honestly? I respect that."
Without turning fully, he glanced toward the shadows behind him.
"Rosella. Take care of him. I need to find that little girl."
Then, like a fading shadow, Astharoth vanished.
Rosella bowed.
"Yes, my lord."
And she stepped forward as Noah tightened his grip on his sword.