"If Ritou is this endangered, then the other villages are even worse off."
Kamisato Ayato shook his head and sighed.
"Elder Brother, what should we do now?"
Kamisato Ayaka's expression became incredibly serious after hearing Kamisato Ayato's words, and she hurriedly asked.
"Facing a disaster of this magnitude, I don't have a very good solution either... Aoba, what do you think?"
Kamisato Ayato suddenly turned his gaze to Aoba, and at the same time, the others also looked over, their eyes filled with a glimmer of hope.
"Ah, well..."
Aoba scratched his head, then looked at Lumine.
After Lumine felt Aoba's gaze, she hurriedly shook her head like a rattle.
This time it's really impossible!
If you wanted her to fight, that would be fine, but asking her to protect so many people was truly something she couldn't do. After all, none of her skills involved a shield!
A smaller area would be fine, but a massive tsunami capable of sweeping across all of Narukami Island? How was she supposed to block that with her head!
"Alright, it seems the Head of the Kamisato Clan has given me a difficult problem."
Aoba thought for a moment before speaking.
"As for evacuating the masses, that shouldn't be too difficult."
"Although we can no longer command the Tri-Commission, as long as the Traveler creates enough of a commotion along the coastline, she can force the vast majority of ordinary people to stay away from that area."
"The bigger the commotion we create, the further back they'll retreat. We can even hang back and chase them as they evacuate."
"However, based on the Head of the Kamisato Clan's assessment, this tsunami will likely sweep across all of Narukami Island. If that's the case, there will be too few safe places on the island."
"Therefore, we not only need to get everyone as far from the coastline as possible, but we also need to find a way to reduce the scale of this tsunami."
"This part will have to be left to the Traveler."
Hearing Aoba's words, Lumine shook her head again, but Aoba spoke up.
"Traveler, you don't need to block this tsunami. You just need to create another tsunami."
"When two tsunamis from different directions collide, their forces will cancel each other out, and the final impact will be greatly reduced."
"I believe you should have the strength to do this."
"Will that work?"
Paimon looked at Lumine with some hesitation.
"At this point, there's no better solution. Let's just do our best."
Hearing Aoba's words, Kamisato Ayato nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let's do our best."
"Traveler, we're counting on you."
Lumine nodded seriously, deciding to give it a try.
"And there is another benefit to doing this," Aoba said again.
"The Fatui will definitely show up once they know the Traveler is at the coastline. They'll serve as our second line of defense."
"They might not be much use, but it's better than nothing."
"Aoba, your plan is brilliant!"
Lumine and Paimon couldn't help but smile. Just thinking about the Fatui, who usually caused trouble everywhere, being forced to use all their strength to block the tsunami to save their own lives was amusing.
What do you call striking the heart of the enemy with words alone? This is it!
The only remaining variables were Rosalyne and Scaramouche. However, those two had just been driven off and were lying low. They wouldn't appear in person this time, sending only some cannon fodder to make things difficult for them.
"Let's go with that plan," Kamisato Ayato said with a smile, then turned to the others.
"Time is short, so we probably won't have any time to rest."
"The Raiden Shogun's battlefield should be on Yashiori Island, which means if the tsunami comes, we only have a dozen or so hours left."
Hearing the remaining time, a sense of urgency filled everyone's hearts.
"Alright, no time to waste, let's set off immediately!" Paimon announced, waving her little fist full of energy.
Lumine gave her a look of pure disdain. It could be said that almost everyone present had to put in effort, but Paimon was the only one slacking off.
"What's wrong? Cheering you guys on is also hard work!"
Feeling Lumine's gaze, Paimon spoke up aggrievedly.
"Actually, there are things Paimon can do too," Aoba suddenly spoke up from the side.
"What? I can do something useful too?!"
After hearing these words, Paimon's eyes immediately lit up.
"Exactly. The Fatui were probably scared to death after being killed last time, so they might not show up this time. That's why we need you to step up," Aoba said with a smile, looking at Paimon.
At first, Paimon didn't quite understand what Aoba meant, but not long after, her body shivered.
"I'm going to be the bait?!"
"Good, I think this method will work!"
This time it was Enjou's turn to have his eyes light up, and he quickly agreed.
"I don't think so!"
Paimon let out a cry of alarm, then flew to Lumine's side and looked at her with a pitiful expression.
"Traveler, you definitely won't let me do something so dangerous, right!"
Lumine smiled at Paimon and even gave her an encouraging look.
Seeing this, Paimon immediately prepared to slip away, but Lumine, who had already anticipated this, grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.
Looking at the smiles on everyone's faces around her, Paimon wanted to cry.
-
Several hours later, Paimon, who had attracted a huge swarm of Fatui, was running away, screaming all the while.
"This is too much bullying!"
"If you don't treat me to a big meal this time, I absolutely won't talk to you anymore!"
Hiding in a spatial rift and observing everything, Enjou felt today was truly a wonderful day. He then sent a signal to the other side.
Upon receiving the signal, everyone immediately organized the villagers from each village to evacuate. To prevent spies from among them, this evacuation was mandatory. Of course, the vast majority were very cooperative, as both Kamisato Ayaka and Kujou Sara had very high reputations among the people. The small minority who were uncooperative were closely watched.
Once the other operations formally began, Lumine, standing by the seaside and gazing at the endless ocean, was also ready to strike.
Lumine stomped her foot hard on the ground. Subsequently, a ten-thousand-meter-long rock formation continuously rose from beneath her feet, quickly bringing her to a height of one hundred meters. Then, Electro Elemental Power surged.
Because the thunderclouds in the sky today had never dissipated, Lumine could feel that her own Electro Elemental Power was also significantly amplified.
However, Lumine used Electro Elemental Power only to create a spectacle. Under Lumine's guidance, bolts of lightning fell from the high heavens, and the deafening thunder rolled, quickly drawing the attention of the people of Ritou.
"Everyone, look! What is that?"
"Could it be the Almighty Shogun?"
"Could it be that one of us has offended the Almighty Shogun and drawn Divine Punishment upon us?"
"No, the Almighty Shogun left Narukami Island and hasn't returned. She is the enemy!"
Someone who had received news from Inazuma City or had just returned from there immediately changed his expression upon seeing the scene.
"Besides, the Almighty Shogun cannot manipulate Geo Elemental Power."
"Isn't she trying to completely bury Ritou?"
At this moment, the sleeper agents hidden within Ritou exerted their influence and began guiding the people of Ritou to evacuate.
"Everyone, run quickly! If you don't run now, it will be too late!"
"The Almighty Shogun is not here, no one can save us, we can only save ourselves!"
Someone took the lead in fleeing, the timid followed, and those who realized danger had descended also fled. Shortly after, the few remaining people who were still confused also panicked and caught up with the main evacuation force.
When Hiiragi Kōchū received the news, almost everyone on Ritou fled in terror toward the island's exits.
"Damn it, it must be those fugitives!"
Hiiragi Kōchū cursed furiously and immediately issued an order.
"Everyone, disperse! Block all the exits! Not a single person is allowed to leave!"
Hiiragi Kōchū did not believe those people would cause a massacre on Ritou. They must have other motives. In any case, he would just oppose them.
"My Lord, we can't! There are too many people. They have already broken through our blockade!"
"And there are enemies hidden among the crowd. These people are powerful and are launching sneak attacks. Most of the Tri-Commission soldiers responsible for blocking the exits have been ambushed. We simply cannot stop them."
"Useless! A bunch of useless fools!"
"Go! Report this to the Head of the Kujou Clan and the Head of the Kamisato Clan."
"And the Fatui too. This time, they must give it their all. Otherwise, who will sell their lives to them?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Everyone else, follow me! I want to see what's going on!"
Hiiragi Kōchū led the group straight toward the source of the commotion.
Meanwhile, Lumine had sensed the unrest on Ritou. She maintained the lightning strikes in the sky, waiting for a moment longer before finally letting out a soft sigh and turning her gaze back to the endless sea.
Suddenly, a gray-white light coated Lumine's eyes, and an ambiguous aura gradually emanated from her.
This tsunami was caused by the Raiden Shogun's battle; she had to take it seriously.
This was her first time attempting to cause such a drastic change in the natural environment using her own power.
Only at this moment did Lumine realize how far she had come.
The days when she could be knocked unconscious by a Debt Collector were long gone; she could now hold her own against a God using her own strength alone.
Lumine took a deep breath and then gripped the Dull Blade tightly in her hand. A colorful elemental glow circulated on the blade, but it was soon overwhelmed by a layer of gray-white light. Suddenly, an unparalleled aura erupted from Lumine, as if she did not exist at all, yet as if she were the sole ruler of this heaven and earth!
With a single strike, all the gazes focused on this side were now completely fixed on this one sword swing. The gray-white sword aura arrived instantly, and the seawater was split in two by this strike.
After a brief pause, the seawater surged back, and the sound of the surging waves was like a water dragon roaring. Then, a terrifying whirlpool appeared on the surface of the sea, completely swallowing everything in its vicinity.
At the same time, wave after wave of tsunamis nearly a hundred meters high swept toward Narukami Island, then crashed against the Rock wall Lumine had already prepared, creating an ear-splitting boom.
Seeing that terrifying sword strike, as well as the commotion coming from behind the Rock wall, Hiiragi Kōchū stopped in his tracks and spoke to the others.
"You all follow my plan to capture her. I suddenly remembered that I still have to take down the boiled tea water from my house. I will go back once, then come over right away."
Looking at Hiiragi Kōchū's fleeing figure, the soldiers of the Tri-Commission looked at each other, unable to react for a long time.
Meanwhile, Lumine swung her sword several more times to break the sweeping waves, continuously using Geo Elemental Power to further reinforce the wall beneath her feet, and even used Dendro Elemental Power to strengthen it further, while others stepped in to block the smaller waves.
"Boom!"
Successive explosions echoed in the distance, followed by the continuous flashing of colorful lights.
That was not the light generated by Elemental Power, but... fireworks!
"The fireworks are here!"
The fiery Yoimiya was again secretly using her father's fireworks to save Inazuma.
Fearing a shortage of manpower, they had found some helpers. Yoimiya, who was on close terms with everyone, immediately agreed after hearing their invitation.
The Fatui, who had been deliberately lured to a specific location, saw the towering waves crashing down on them and immediately used all their strength to resist, unable to continue chasing Paimon.
At this moment, the roar of cannon fire also came from Inazuma City. A purple barrier was inverted over the entire city, resisting the impact of the waves.
Inazuma City itself was located on high ground and had complete defensive forces, so there was no need to worry at all.
The commotion created by just one person alone required so many people on Narukami Island to mobilize. No wonder human survival was so difficult during the Archon War.
And this was only the appetizer. The commotion created by the Raiden Shogun's battle would still take several hours to arrive. Although Lumine had already used her own power to offset a portion of it, she felt that the remaining force would likely still be astonishing.
She hoped Narukami Island would be alright!
Lumine had already done all she could; all that remained was to wait for the result.
That last strike had nearly drained Lumine completely. She began to focus all her efforts on regulating her breathing, hoping to recover as much strength as possible before the commotion created by the Raiden Shogun arrived.
Stray arrows shot up from below, but Lumine paid them no mind. Such attacks posed no threat to her at all.
Lumine seized the time to restore her strength, but the roar that echoed from the distance once again caught her attention.
Lumine frowned, finding it strange that the waves were gradually subsiding, yet a commotion even greater than before was now erupting.
However, when Lumine opened her eyes, she was completely stunned.
The waves swept in once more, and this time, their height had clearly surpassed one hundred meters. A layer of black shadow enveloped her body.
The tsunami she had predicted had already arrived!
And yet, after colliding with the waves she had created, it still possessed such terrifying power. This left Lumine in disbelief.
Could the gap between her strength and Raiden Ei's truly be this vast?!
However, after carefully sensing its power, Lumine's expression changed drastically.
That aura of destruction, which looked down upon all creation, was far too familiar to her.
Back then, a single punch from that person had nearly sent her to Heaven.
Persephone!
She really was in Inazuma!
And their previous deduction had been wrong. This commotion wasn't created by the Raiden Shogun at all, but by that terrifying woman!
And the timing had also been calculated incorrectly.
Crap, everyone else is in danger!
Thinking of this, Lumine's legs suddenly exerted full force as she charged without hesitation into the terrifying wave that seemed poised to destroy everything. The Power of Void erupted at full strength, and a black sun floated at the very top of the wave, looking like a black ball being toyed with.