Yi Cheng was inwardly impressed by the fact that Yuto had gotten up quickly while confronting Mizushige.

(Ho........can you move already?)

　In fact, even though Julian's impact was greater, Julian, who had turned into a demon, had not yet regained his freedom.
　Yi Cheng's lightning strike could cause serious damage even without a direct hit. Of course, it was different from normal lightning. It was due to the spirit arts embodied by the spirits that were meticulously controlled by Yi Cheng and controlled by Yi Cheng.

(Tame but........what is this boy? Is he resistant to lightning strikes?)

　The reason why I intervened in the fight with Julian earlier was because I didn't know what kind of serious damage this boy would also suffer if Julian and this boy named Du Du Yuto clashed with each other like that.
　The desire to save this boy was not that strong.
　It was only until he thought about the fact that this boy had accepted Zhu Yin's request and was stepping up here, and now that he was out here, there was no need for this boy to fight.
　But........right now, Yuto wasn't interested in Yi Cheng's thoughts.
　What's more, he was still focused on Julian and the others and was not even slightly aware of Yi Cheng.
　He was only checking the condition of his own body while staring in the direction of Mizushige.
　It's more of a cautionary note against Mizushige than anything else.
　The participation of this substandard spirit user who suddenly appeared and even intervened was unexpected, and the attack that involved him earlier was surprising, but he decided that it was a higher priority than thinking about it right now.

　The battle is not over in Yuto's mind.
　He thinks that Julian must be defeated here.
　And that's what Mizushige defended.
　For what reason?　However, protecting Julian, an executive of an organization that is connected to the demon world and planning something here, is just evil to Yuto.
　It is common knowledge that the battlefield is changing in a thousand ways. In the midst of battle, it is common for allies to become enemies and enemies to become allies, and this is something that Yuto has learned in the magical world.
　The only thing you should care about now is whether the people here are enemies or allies. That's the only thing that matters. That's what the front lines of the battlefield are like. I'm just a warrior now. It's up to the commander to figure out the overall flow of the battle.
　On top of that, the spirit user who just appeared is an ally, and Mizushige is an enemy, and they are relative to each other.

(More than I thought.......your body is light. This should be no problem... no.)

　As Yuto was surprised at his unexpected physical condition, he met eyes with Obe and Tita, who were now several inches in size, peeking out from between the collars of his shirt.

'Huh?　You guys are....

This is Obe and Tita. Are you okay, Yuto?　Yuto-san's action development was so fast that we couldn't support him in time. From now on, please tell me before you move.

'Lord Yuto, we have added our blessings to your body. Your physical endurance, mental strength and stamina recovery should be greatly improved. Also, our blessing is very strong against the spirit art. We're very close to the spirits.

(Wow ... and that's why I'm in such good shape...)

Thank you, both of you. Stay out of here. It's not safe.

　When Yuto thanked them in a whisper, Obe and Tita showed a graceful bow and disappeared.
　After confirming this, Masato turned forward with a sharp look in his eyes and prepared for a posture.
　In other words, he was ready for battle.
　Doberk saw that and took it and held Darin Slave on his shoulder while holding Julian.
　Then Yi Cheng and Mizushige, with cool expressions on their faces, raised their right hands to their sides to restrain each other.

　At the attitude of these two spirit masters, Yuto and Doberk raised their eyebrows slightly.
　At the same time, these two spirit users began to walk towards each other.
　Mizushige's expression was as if he was receiving a gentle breeze from Yi Cheng with his arms crossed.
　He didn't know what he was going to do, but when Yuto raised his sacred ki and released his spirit to attack now, a martial hand was on Yuto's shoulder.

'Wait, Yuto-kun.'

Mr. Alfred.

(You know my face and my name... which is not surprising if you're meeting me at my rookie exam.)

　Alfred's eyes light up at Yuto's reaction, but he turns his head to the strongest class of spirit user in this world.

''Let's leave this place in the hands of Yi Cheng-san, shall we?

''........Yi Cheng-san?　Then, that guy is Shitenji's!

Ah, that's the head of Shitenji, Shitenji Takishige, that's the man.

　It was only when he heard the name of the person who stopped him that Yuto, who had been focusing all of his attention on his enemies, Julian and the others, was surprised.
　Thinking about it, he had intervened in the blow that had tried to fight for his own life and Julian's.
　It's between his serious self and Julian, who is turning into a demon.

(This is........rank SS)

　A shiver ran across Yuto's face after all this time.

''Yuto!''

　Then Mizuho and the others appeared from behind and ran up to Masato.

''Yuto-san, are you okay!

　On their way towards us, they saw that they had been blown away by Yi Cheng's lightning strike, so Mizuho and Marion peeked in from both sides as if they were worried about Yuto's body.
　However, Yuto didn't answer them and just stared forward. Taking a look at it, Mizuho and Marion immediately followed suit in a state of wariness.

''That guy is........Sanzenin Mizushige.

　Looking forward, Mizuho opened her eyes and then murmured with a complicated expression.
　Marion also saw Mizushige's figure up close and personal as she spoke to her during the battle, and her eyes were filled with strength.
　Mizushige didn't show any movement of emotion at the appearance of Mizuho and Marion, and Mizushige was still staring at Yi Cheng alone with a cool expression.
　As Yi Cheng and Mizushige started to get closer to each other, the space between them started to bee and light started to pop out of the space between them.

''That's...!

　When Marion blurted out the words at the unseen scene, Mizuho widened her eyes wide and then gritted her teeth in frustration.

''This is.......the spirits aren't sure which spirit user to follow.

...What?

　That said, this is the first time I've seen Mizuho say that too.
　I've only heard of the phenomenon that occurs when two high-ranking spirit masters are competing against each other, that's all I've ever heard of. However, when this happens, it's also a sign that the abilities of the two spirit masters are at odds with each other.
　In other words, it means that Sanzenin Mizushige is stepping into the realm where his father, the rank SS Yitenji Takishige, lives.
　And........it could be said that they recognize each other as enemies.
　Furthermore, the two of them, who emit small flashes of light around them with a bee, close the distance between them.

"You are the late son of Sanzenin what do you want from me? What do you have in mind?

''Yes I actually wanted to ask Yi Cheng-sama a question, so I've been asked to participate in this grand festival.''

'If you wish to speak with me, you can formally visit the Shitenji Temple. This festival is a ritual to find Mizuho's mate. You're on the wrong side of the line, my dear.

''No, even if I asked for a meeting with you, you would be refused. The leaders of the Shitennji temple are overly cautious of me. But I thought that since the festival is open to everyone, I could not refuse you.

'Hmph, you talk in a languid manner without ever offering to visit me. You never went out and never learned the ropes.

'Worldly wisdom is worldly. It's not going to apply to me or you. I just know it will be, and that's not a disrespectful thing to do.

　The number of flashes around Yi Cheng and Suishige increased.

''So what do you want to ask me?''

What I want to hear is just one thing.

　As dozens of small lightning bolts appeared and disappeared as they clung to Yi Cheng's body, a white mist-like substance slowly drifted across Shui Chong's body as it swirled around.

''You........saw the four heavens?''

"...and...?

　A ray of lightning emanating from Yi Cheng's body struck Suishige and the fog around Suishige prevented it.

''You........''

You have that look.....

　Yuto had no idea what they were talking about. Even Mizuho didn't seem to understand.
　Here, Mizushige showed a big smile on his face.
　It was the first time Mizushige's smile that Mizuho had also seen. He had shared time with Mizushige several times in the past, but this was the first time he had seen it other than Mizushige's clear expression.
　 It's not unlike a smile.

''Then is that where you arrived alone?　Or was it still ... the presence of the priestess that led you there?

　Yi Cheng and Suishige's steps came to a halt.
　A tremendous spiritual power from Yi Cheng turned into a fierce wind and blew around them.
　At the same time, the fog covering Suijuana dispersed and transformed into a disk, and several disks of fog protected Suijuana from the fierce wind of spiritual power from Yi Cheng.

''........''

　Just as Yi Cheng thought he had moved his little finger, a large, sharp-edged rock appeared from the ground on either side of Suijuige, pinning him down.
　The dozens of disks around Suijuige instantly prevented it and stopped moving as if they were comparing forces with each other.

''What do you know?''

No, sir. I just want to know.

　The large rocks that were currently being held down where Mizushige was collided and shattered as Mizushige rode the disc and moved into the sky.
　As soon as Yi Cheng raised his head to chase after Mizushige, dozens of spears shaped by flames attacked him from above him like rain.
　Mizushige looked down at Yi Cheng while bouncing himself off the flaming spears with the discs. During this time, he was also protecting Dobelk and the others with the discs.
　Yuto and the others could not help but watch the power of close combat between high ranking spirit users, which was rarely seen. Also, they don't know what the words they exchange with each other mean.
　However, the power in Yi Cheng's eyes tells them that he is beginning to see Mizushige as dangerous.

''Spirits are the breath of the world, it is the spirits that make this world, and who are the spirit users that control this power? I'm beginning to understand that. Aren't you, too?

I don't know of any such thing!

　So when Yi Cheng responded, the rain of the flame spear did not stop falling, furthermore, the dizzy people arose around Mizushige and attacked him from all directions. Mizushige laughed with a huff and created an atmospheric fault line around him and prevented the daisies.

''Oh, father........''

　Mizuho had never seen her own father in such a rough form.
　It may have been because they had never worked together in battle, but it was something she couldn't imagine on a regular basis.

''Once again, the Grand Festival of the Entry Family is a Shinto ritual of the Shitennji. It is to see if there is a suitable partner for my daughter. You are just an intruder who has no intention of participating in it. And more importantly, what have you blown in to cover for the attackers there?

I didn't get blown into you. But I hope you won't make a fool of yourself at this time of the year. Your daughter's consort is not as important as the importance of this story.

Mmm....

　For the first time, Yi Cheng raised one eyebrow at this phrase from Mizushige.
　Yi Cheng made a right fist........at the same time a lightning (ikazuchi) fell on Mizushige from far above his head.

''.........!

　The water-heavy smile disappeared, and strength caged in his eyes. In an instant, all the mist discs were spread out like multiple umbrellas above his own head.
　Immediately afterwards, lightning struck Mizuhige as if the wrath of the heavens was embodied, and the surrounding area was white-out with lightning.
　At this time, Mizuho was startled by her father's great technique without warning, but thanks to the experience of training with Yi Cheng from a young age, she was able to deploy a spirit barrier to protect her companions from the aftermath of the lightning at the very last moment.
　Then, in his usual tone, he said, "Hey, father, you're in danger! He tries to say, "I'm sorry," but he keeps his mouth shut.

(What?　Huh?　(What?)



(Father angry?　(What's going on?)

　When his vision was restored, almost all of Mizushige's fog discs had been erased, but he had managed to dissipate the lightning.
　Mizushige blocked Yi Cheng's attack and stood quietly on the disc and looked down at Yi Cheng and the others.
　Just as he opened his mouth to say something more, Mizushige cringed.
　The one person who should have been there was not there.
　Suddenly, a boy appeared right beside him, raising his sword.

''Mu!

　The boy's eyes were tainted with anger, and he wore an aura of what this must be like if a killing spirit was visible.
　The last remaining disc of fog around Mizushige gathered at the tip of the sword that was swung down in triplicate and tried to protect his master.
　But.........
　The sword sliced through the disk and approached Mizushige without losing speed.
　Quickly, Mizushige bent his body at an angle.

''.........''

　The tip of the cut snatched Mizushige's cheek and passed by, and soon after, he retreated backwards.
　The boy who attacked Mizushige landed quietly in front of Yi Cheng.

''Hi, Yuto...?''

　Mizuho looked dumbfounded at Yuto, who just now was supposed to be beside her, emitting a war god-like spirit.

''All of them........''

　Standing up and looking back, Yuto turned his body to Yi Cheng.

''Mizuho-san's father, this grand festival is a failure. All the people gathered for this grand festival are idiots who are not worthy of Ruiho!　Let's get these guys to leave now. I'll help you with that.

...What?

(What?　What's going on?　(Until Yujin)

　For a moment, Mizuho didn't understand the meaning of Yuto's words, but she gradually understood and felt her core heat up.

''Ha-ha-ha.''

'Mizuho-san please calm down. It's not that I said in the slightest that you like Mizuho-san or that she's the cutest. Instead, I'll cover for you, Masato.

　For some reason, Rafael's vestments shine more brightly when Marion says with a twitch of her lips.

''Marion...!　Wow, I'm calm, I'm always calm.

　Yuto turned his sharp gaze on Mizushige.
　The reason why Yuto recognized Mizushige as an enemy in the first place was because he covered Julian and the others. This is never acceptable to Yuto. As Du Du, Suiju, together with Julian and the others, were going to attack without hesitation.
　So the line he would say to Mizushige would go like this.

'Mr. Mizushige, I'm not interested in what you think. However, if you try to let those Julians escape I will never forgive you. I won't even relent.

　But in the end........it was Mizushige's words, which can be taken as a verbal attack on Mizuho, that made Masato angry.
　He treated Mizuho as if she was a prize, as if she were an insignificant object.
　This is unacceptable to Yuto.
　He doesn't lose sight of his purpose as a Dou Dou Dou, but a fierce anger washes over Yuto.
　Upon receiving the killing intent from Yujin, Suiju lightly widened his eyes and immediately returned to his guanxi expression.



　At this time, in the command room in Shitenji, Mari, who was unconscious, was placed on a cot, while Nina, Ichigo, and Shizuka were glued to a monitor that showed the grounds that had been turned into a battlefield.
　Then.........Mari, who was lying down, smiled.

''Well that's fine, Yuto. If you're angry, you can use your friend as a reason. We'll be angry for Yuto too, so........

Yeah?

　Shizuka, who was standing beside Mari, turns her head to face Mari and drops her eyes.
　Mari is quietly breathing in her sleep, no different than when she saw her earlier. Shizuka tilted her head to see if it was her imagination and turned her face to the monitor again.