Mistress Isolde looked at them with relief and concern. "She's okay, but we need to get her to a healer as soon as possible," she said, her voice tinged with urgency.
Nonetheless, her words made them sigh in relief and nod, but they could do nothing now.
Mistress Isolde anxiously refocused her gaze skywards at the silhouette of the being amidst the thunderous stormy clouds. She swiftly grabbed her communication device and screamed, "WHAT IS TAKING YOU ALL LONG TO ACTIVATE THE SHELL'S DEFENSE MODE?"
"We've exhausted too much power trying to keep up with the Sleeping Fox Runaway City, Mistress! We're doing everything we can!" An anxious voice resonated from the other side of the communication device.
"USELESS! USELESS!!" Mistress Isolde smashed her communicator against the ground and could only raise her head to look at the sky in fright.
The same was true for the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City leaders, who had heard the words from the communicator, including Captain Freya, who was still on the side.
Commander Sy'ra's weapon had already landed by her side, but she didn't even glance at it. Instead, her fist clenched, her eyes were fixed on the mysterious being controlling the weather above their Runaway City.
As the lightning forged, it was the biggest and fiercest lightning she had ever seen.
Captain Freya prayed for a miracle for the first time as a god's chosen who wielded the devourer's bracelet.
Above the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City, Orion unleashed charged thunderstorms forward.
CRACCCKKLLEE! CRAACCKLLEEE!
However, just as the lightning storm loomed above the Citadel, a thick grey barrier appeared over the Runaway City, halting its advances. The barrier began slowly expanding as if possessing its own will, stretching its edges into the distance until it covered the entire Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City.
Captain Freya, Queen Eleanora, Mistress Isolde, and the other leaders were astounded by what had occurred. Witnessing Commander Sy'ra's defeat, they realized they couldn't challenge their assailant. So, when the enigmatic barrier appeared to halt the lightning's descent, they were dumbfounded, unsure of its origin.
Above, Orion observed the scene with furrowed brows. His judgment had proven correct; a god was protecting the Runaway City. Orion dispelled the gathered lightning and thunder, causing them to dissipate into the air.
Although the barrier didn't evoke the same sense of oppression and power as Aegis of the Arctic Deity's barrier, which made him doubt the owner's identity, he hesitated to flee. Running away would be akin to admitting weakness and giving their adversaries a mental advantage if they chose to stay and search for them.
Confronting the other Runaway City to check for divine protection would be even more foolish.
"There's no use turning back now that I've come this far," Orion muttered. He summoned the Crimson greatsword, its gleaming form materializing in his grasp, and Aerialia appeared beside him.
"This is not the aura of a god," Aerialia immediately spoke, surprising Orion.
She was already aware of Orion's plan to leave the floating island, so although she was surprised at how quickly he had located other races in the world and a moving creature like the City, which seemed to match some descriptions she had heard, her attention was drawn by the enigmatic grey barrier below her.
"What is it then?" Orion asked curiously. He suspected Aerialia might hold important information, so he wanted to know what it was.
"The divine energy does not give off the same feeling as if created by a god; instead, it feels unstable and less potent, as though it could lose its divinity at any moment like it was created by a lesser divine being," Aerialia replied.
She shifted her attention towards Orion. "I have a few guesses, which might be a demigod or an unknown divine creature. But regardless, you are obviously no match for whoever it is yet, so you should retreat for now."
"If we leave now, they will think we are afraid of their strength and choose to hunt us down for attacking their Runaway City. Besides, we've already advanced this far, and retreating would stunt our exploration into the world," Orion replied.
Aerialia furrowed her brows in response, a frown appearing on her face. "So, how do you plan to face the one responsible for this?"
"It's simple. Since they haven't yet shown themselves, it's best to say they also think we are protected by a god stronger than them, so they have chosen to confront us cautiously. I'll be alright if I don't apply too much pressure on them, so you don't have to worry about my safety," Orion replied.
"Fine, do whatever you want, but don't say that I didn't warn you. If anything happens, I won't sacrifice my life to save you. I'll simply take my sword and return to Aurora, bond with her, and find her a new husband," Aerialia responded before vanishing into a stream of light that reappeared inside the small crimson mark.
Orion shook his head, a sigh escaping as he understood she was only looking out for him. He coated the Crimson greatsword in lightning and descended until above the barrier.
With brilliant bluish bolts of lightning streaking around him and the already gloomy sky dimming the environment, gradually submerging it into darkness, Orion's actions were seen by all.
Unfazed, Orion planted the Crimson Greatsword against the barrier. Feeling its resistance, he pushed harder, piercing through and ripping a section apart before the barrier could repair itself. His sudden intrusion startled those within, already apprehensive about their situation.
"For trespassing into our territory, this Runaway City will now fall under the control of Paradise. Whoever you are, you have a chance to flee and never return. As for the leaders, gather your forces and head towards the immense crater formed by our god. Any attempts to escape will be met with Paradise's full force, seizing it from your bloody, weakened hands!" Orion's voice thundered through the atmosphere, echoing in the ears of every inhabitant of the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City.