"Clorinde has left. Let's proceed with the plan."
Navia watched Clorinde's figure disappear into the distance, wiped the tears from her face, and addressed the group solemnly.
Clorinde's sudden appearance had montarily unsettled everyone, but they quickly regained their composure and silently nodded to Navia.
The group divided tasks and began burying the corpses they had moved.
They were well aware of the danger involved, but this was also their best opportunity to strike back. Clorinde's presence would only introduce unpredictable variables.
Before they set out, Lofan had warned them about the enemies they might encounter: the Gardek, the nobles' private thugs, and the Marechaussee Hunters.
Although the number of enemies they faced this ti was fewer than before, the battle promised to be even more challenging.
The main reason was the lack of terrain for cover, forcing them into a direct confrontation. Moreover, the presence of the ruthless Marechaussee Hunters, notorious for their dirty work, significantly increased the risks of this mission.
Yet, fully aware of these dangers, each mber of the team had resolutely chosen to join, trusting implicitly in Lofan's ticulous plans.
As for whether the nobles would dare to strike, they harbored no doubts whatsoever. Having already committed such unspeakable atrocities, what wouldn't they do? Achieving a decisive end was undoubtedly their current goal.
Therefore, even after thoroughly burying the bodies and erecting a stone marker, the group felt no urgency. They continued toward Fontaine at a asured pace, and as expected, soon sensed an anomaly, imdiately shifting into combat readiness.
Navia swung her claymore, shattering an incoming missile mid-air with a resounding crack. She bellowed, "Enemies!"
No sooner had her warning rung out than the shadows of nurous Clockwork kas materialized from all directions.
Undeterred, the group swiftly tore off the white cloth covering the cart, grabbed their weapons, and charged directly at the Clockwork kas.
"Damn it! I'll fight you all to the death!"
The ferocity of their counterattack clearly exceeded the expectations of the hidden observers, forcing them to reveal themselves and join the fray.
A group of thugs in uniform black outfits materialized behind the Clockwork kas, unleashing a barrage of attacks with their weapons. These elite fighters, secretly trained and lavishly funded by the nobles, each possessed combat prowess comparable to multiple Clockwork kas. Their sudden entry into the battle imdiately intensified the pressure on the group.
The arrival of the Marechaussee Hunters further compounded their predicant.
Navia swung her claymore, sending one of the Marechaussee Hunters flying. Despite this, she felt the Hunter's considerable strength and realized her attack had been completely absorbed. lus and Silver imdiately followed up, barely managing to restrain another Hunter through their combined efforts.
The presence of ten Marechaussee Hunters in this battle underscored the mastermind's determination to eliminate them completely.
The mont the Hunters entered the fray, the battle quickly spiraled into a disastrous disadvantage. Navia, wielding her elental power, managed to steadily suppress one Hunter, but everyone else needed at least two or even three allies to hold their own.
Just then, a dazzling bolt of Electro energy tore across the battlefield with lightning speed, sweeping through a vast area and annihilating all enemies in its path before materializing before Navia.
"Clorinde?"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't stay away. I couldn't shake my unease."
Navia was montarily stunned by Clorinde's words. She didn't know how to face the Champion Duelist who had killed her father, yet remained soone she couldn't bring herself to hate.
After a mont, Navia's grip on her claymore tightened with renewed resolve. "We can discuss this later, after it's over."
Clorinde's expression softened slightly at Navia's words. She nodded, then turned her icy gaze back to the surrounding enemies, her eyes filled with an ice-cold glare.
The nobles' audacity and recklessness far exceeded Clorinde's expectations. After the previous incident, she had assud they would at least show so restraint. She had followed Navia purely as a precaution, but now she realized she had underestimated the depths of their madness.
The Marechaussee Hunters naturally recognized Clorinde. After exchanging glances, they dispatched six mbers to intercept her, clearing the way for the others to attack.
Just then, an exhilarating guitar riff pierced the air, and a crimson glow enveloped everyone. Instantly, their physical and ntal capabilities surged, lifting their spirits!
"Wonderful! Monsieur Grett has arrived!"
"Comrades, charge! Let's not disappoint Monsieur Grett!"
The guitar's rousing lody ignited their courage, unleashing unimaginable combat prowess.
"Monsieur Grett..." Clorinde murmured softly, intrigued by the mysterious figure with such charismatic power.
But the battle still raged, and Clorinde swiftly refocused her attention on the fray.
Clorinde had also received a power boost during the battle. Previously, the six Marechaussee Hunters had been able to suppress her, but the situation had now completely reversed.
Navia had just blocked an attack from one of the Marechaussee Hunters for her companions when she saw a flaming guitar crash down on the hunter's head with a resounding "Duang!"
Recognizing the familiar face, Navia exclaid with delight, "Teacher!"
"Don't get distracted! Focus on the fight!" Lofan barked. "I've brought reinforcents. This is a special situation—try to take prisoners if possible."
Navia stared blankly at the Marechaussee Hunter, who had been sent flying dozens of ters away, his slumbering mind forcibly jolted awake by the impact. She nodded slowly, struggling to process what had happened.
At that mont, Lofan noticed a Gardek nearby, its machine gun trained on him. He imdiately flipped his guitar around and aid it back. A hail of tal bullets tore the Gardek to shreds.
"Think you're the only one who can shoot?" Lofan muttered dryly. "Turns out this thing's way more useful than I thought."
With a dismissive shrug, he turned to deal with the remaining Clockwork kas closing in.
As a fresh wave of battle cries echoed in the distance, the tide of battle finally turned decisively in their favor.
With the outco increasingly certain, everyone's spirits gradually relaxed, Navia included. The relentless exertion and elental control had left her exhausted.
"Watch out!"
A sudden shout pierced Navia's ears, followed by a forceful shove that sent her stumbling backward.
"Monsieur Grett!"
As Navia fell away, she saw a Hydro Elent arrow pierce Lofan's chest.
A crimson bloom erupted, and Navia's pupils constricted sharply.
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