Underneath the dusk-like sky over Salisbury, violent flames burst forth like an exploding sun, spreading out and churning, scrambling the Magic Power in the atmosphere.
"Could it be a ’calamity’ has erupted...!?"
The fairies in the midst of Salisbury were thrown into a frantic state by this sudden phenomenon, some looking panic-stricken, while others lit up with excitement, their expressions alight with thrill.
At that moment, the distinction between fairy and human became apparent.
If it were humans witnessing such a spectacle, such noise, they would surely be fleeing in terror by now, not lingering in the dangerous downtown area.
But fairies were different.
The abrupt anomaly caused panic among some fairies at the thought of a ’calamity,’ yet others, as if watching the beginning of a spectacular show, were not frightened but rather filled with intense curiosity as they gazed at the flames bursting open in the sky.
In such a situation, two figures shot out from the fiery explosion high above.
These figures were naturally Reiger and his sudden assailant.
At that moment, Reiger held a black sword wrapped in flames, his body emitting heat intense enough to warp the air around him, surrounded by a pale blue magic power glow as he hung in midair, flying backward for some distance.
Opposite Reiger, the attacker who had transformed into a white comet now revealed her full appearance.
A petite girl, appearing even younger in age than Altoria, perhaps not even fifteen years old.
She had long silver-white hair that fell to her waist, wore armor—more mechanical in design than actual armor—on her body, a pair of goggles-like visor on her face, and armguards resembling sheaths on her slender arms, distinctly fully armed.
Looking at such a small and delicate girl, no one would want to believe that the meteoric speed and the destructive power capable of shattering a clock tower had come from her.
"...Are you the child of prophecy?"
The girl, like Reiger, hovered in midair, issuing a cold voice like a Sky Knight spreading her wings.
"I see, completely unscathed by my full-power Acceleration-assisted aerial assault. It seems the so-called prophecy is not entirely false."
The girl’s voice carried little emotion, as if she herself were a machine, lacking in vitality.
Reiger watched the girl without any intention to converse, instead first glancing towards the direction of the partially destroyed clock tower to check on Altoria’s condition
From his angle and distance, Reiger could still make out what was happening near the damaged clock tower.
And so, Reiger faintly saw that Altoria had already escaped the collapsing clock tower and was now fighting against soldiers blocking her path.
This Fairy Country’s bell-ringing fairy girl appeared to possess remarkable strength, able to repel soldiers one by one using just her staff skills, even forcing several of the Wind Clan fairies to fall back without resorting to magic.
This level of strength, compared to the previously seen Altoria, was like heaven and earth.
"Truly befitting a Paradise Fairy."
With the situation looking stable for Altoria, Reiger put his heart at ease.
Suddenly, Reiger’s intuition sparked, and without hesitation, he raised his black sword again to block a sword thrust at an astonishing speed.
Amidst the clear clang of metal, Reiger’s black sword, covered in red patterns, collided with the incoming light sword, sparking violently.
"...To be so daringly distracted while fighting me, you’re the first ever."
The silver-haired Elf Knight, who seemed to attack out of nowhere, had a light sword pop out from the sword-shaped armguard on one arm and slashed at Reiger’s timely raised black sword.
Reiger could feel that the light sword was made on the spot, amassed with incredible Magic Power, and its effectiveness was formidable.
Blocking this surprisingly hefty blow from a girl with such slender arms, Reiger finally lifted his gaze to look at the Elf Knight before him.
"Elf Knight Lancelot?"
The other acknowledged solemnly.
Elf Knight Lancelot, the most powerful and beautiful being in the Fairy Country of Britain, now stood before Reiger.
"It’s a pity, child of prophecy," Lancelot’s cool voice rose again. "I am not without interest in you, but since Her Majesty has already issued her command, the only thing I can do now is one."
"What’s that?" Reiger still spoke indifferently, "To kill me?"
"No," Lancelot said unemotionally. "It’s to capture you alive."
As she spoke, Lancelot raised her other hand, and the armguard on her arm shot out a solidified light sword, which, wielded by the girl, whistled through the air to cleave at Reiger.
Reiger lifted his sword to block, only to feel an incredible force that sent him hurtling away, distancing him considerably.
"This arm strength could rival a dragon’s."