He stood on the borderlands of the Twelfth District, a nameless tide of emotion surging within his chest.

This land had once been a thorn in his heart—the root of past humiliations and bitter regrets. Now, every inch of soil beneath his feet seemed to whisper those painful memories.

His eyes burned with resolve, as if to incinerate every trace of shame. He drew a sharp breath, filling his lungs with frigid air, then thrust his arm skyward and roared:

“I’m back!”

Behind him stretched an army: robed believers, two girls encased in cold machinery, soldiers of the Guardian of the Seventh District woven through the ranks, and the Blood lurking silently within the crowd.

He had returned to flatten the Twelfth District—to repay every humiliation a hundredfold, a thousandfold. Especially that Magic Maiden named Night Frost. He would flay her alive and make her taste his might.

He swung his command blade. A razor-sharp gleam flashed under the sun. At his signal, the army advanced in perfect unison—steps synchronized like a moving mountain, a relentless tide surging toward the Twelfth District.

Yet the district stood ready. Trenches, barricades, barbed wire—all laid to block his path. He didn’t even glance at them.

He signaled the two mechanical girls. Two searing beams of Magic Cannon fire tore across the sky, crashing into the obstacles with thunderous force.

The earth trembled. Brilliant flames bloomed at the blast’s heart, lighting the heavens. Dust and debris spiraled upward in majestic plumes.

The barriers vanished. The path lay bare.

“How did I never see it before? The Twelfth District is so pathetically weak.”

Below, mercenary ranks descended into chaos. Sun Xiao didn’t hear Kapus’s furious shouts over the explosion—and even if he had, he wouldn’t care. He was no longer on their level.

“Believers, lead. You two, hold position airborne. Army, advance behind. Move out.”

Ten messengers darted across the field, relaying orders. Positions shifted: believers forward, army rear. Sun Xiao melted into the shadows.

From the Twelfth District, two figures shot forth—one in black, one in white. Lu Jin and Lu Shi raced across the battlefield, a trace of hesitation flickering in their eyes.

“Sis, just like Blade suspected—they’re using manipulated civilians as shields.”

“Take out the two in the air first. No killing. Capture only.”

Lu Shi scanned the field once. In an instant, they surged upward toward the metal-clad girls.

The girls sensed the approach. They requested counterattack permission. Sun Xiao granted it—he wanted to see how they measured against the district’s Magic Maidens.

“Mana extraction. Saturation bombardment ready.”

Though their builds and voices differed, their motions were perfectly synchronized. From the alley behind, Magic Stones shattered. Invisible mana coalesced into searing light within the cannon barrels on their forearms.

This Azure technology required only minimal mana aptitude. These two were ideal vessels.

Lu Jin gripped her Rosefire Pistol, gaze locked on the jetpacks. She knew—they weren’t just flight aids. They were the core power source. Pierce them, and the girls would fall.

She synced her breath to the pistol’s rhythm, crouching slightly like a poised leopard.

*Bang!*

The shot cracked. A fiery trail whistled—a blooming rose of flame striking the thick metal plate on one girl’s back.

Pierced?

No.

Only the outer layer. Something lay beneath.

Almost instantly, her position was exposed. Two Magic Cannon blasts—each rivaling her full power—hurtled toward her.

Lu Jin’s heart clenched. She rolled forward, twisting her body to minimize impact.

No escape!

The blasts struck—but no pain came. Darkness enveloped her. *Lu Shi.*

“Be more careful, got it?” Lu Shi scolded. Lu Jin nodded meekly. Lu Shi sighed, shifting her gaze upward.

“Their defense and firepower are top-tier. They follow orders rigidly. Splitting up gets us flanked. Either could likely beat a Cantata Two solo… Focus fire. Take one down first.”

Lu Jin agreed. Shadows coiled beneath one girl. Lu Jin raised her pistol, aiming at the jetpack.

The girl scanned frantically—saw nothing. *Bang!* The bullet struck the exact prior mark.

“Just as I thought—a barrier underneath.”

The girl followed the trajectory. Empty air. Then—the darkness below bloomed. Black and white wove into elegant wings. Lu Jin and Lu Shi merged, surging upward.

In a flash, they ripped the jetpack clean off.

“Turns out this gear only works on Cantata Twos. Pathetic against Cantata Threes.”

Neither had individually reached Cantata Three—but together, after weeks of training, they’d barely unlocked the binding Magic Spell. Enough to count.

The second cannon was dismantled in moments.

Dawnlight, Qiu Sheng, Chen Xiaoyin, and the others arrived late, watching with quiet envy.

“You handle the rest. Commander’s further back. We’ll take these two.”

Lu Jin and Lu Shi tapped the girls’ visors. The thick metal shattered. After a double check, they stepped into a spatial rift.

“Leaving the messy part to us, huh?” Chen Xiaoyin shrugged. Qianchun’s voice crackled in her ear—suit-up failed again, directing only via drone.

“Lu Jin and Lu Shi confirmed: commander’s rear. Split into three. Find him!”

Blade’s voice cut in. Then arguing—Qianchun and Blade clashing over sectors.

“This is *my* battlefield! You handle the next zone!”

“Nope, nope~”

“You start. I’ll… reason with her.”

Comms cut. The three exchanged glances.

“Anyway—cut the head, the snake dies. Take him out, we win.”

Chen Xiaoyin moved first, Dawnlight and Qiu Sheng close behind. Splitting up felt wrong. Safety lay in unity.

Rear forces opened fire—but ordinary bullets. Thickened mana shields held firm.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

Gunfire ceased. Soldiers parted, clearing a path. At the end, Sun Xiao lounged on a hastily placed chair, spinning an Arcane Firearm. He aimed—and fired.

The trio dodged. The believers ahead did not. Two skulls shattered—red and white spraying. Cheers erupted from the crowd behind.

“Surrender now. Or I start shooting these ignorant civilians. Your choice?”

Chen Xiaoyin froze, fist slamming into the dirt.

“You’re a monster.”

“All units—aim!”

Guns clicked. Barrels leveled at the civilians. One move from the Maidens, and the crowd would fall like wheat.

Most Twelfth District Magic Maidens shared one weakness: soft hearts. Preach protection? Then *live* it. Right?

“No more words,” Qiu Sheng said, eyes sharp. “He came here—he should be ready to die.”

“Sanctum of purification! Thunder rend the heavens! Restless dust, chaos reborn! Descend guidance upon storm-shrouded lands! Echo through sealed depths! Deliver judgment upon this troubled realm!”

A barrel-thick lightning bolt crashed down—pinpoint accuracy. Through Thunder Slash’s hellish training, Qiu Sheng’s mana control had reached new heights.

Lightning faded.

Sun Xiao stood untouched.

“Pity about the chair. I *did* give you a chance.”