It was a dark and windy night, perfect for murder… no, for slaying devils and setting fires.
The moon in the sky was also obscured by clouds.
In a gloomy forest, an atmosphere of terror permeated the air.
A group of people walked towards the depths of the forest.
The rustling of leaves in the wind also painted a terrifying scene.
Suddenly, the branches began to sway, and countless birds soared into the sky.
This startled Yotsuya Miko and Asia, who immediately clung to Ye Xiao's arms, while Kanae, having experience slaying demons, felt nothing.
Ye Xiao looked at the two frightened little ones and felt helpless.
They still needed to toughen up.
"Ma... Master, where are we going?" Yotsuya Miko asked.
Ye Xiao calmly replied, "To slay a Harbingers."
"Harbingers? What's that?"
Yotsuya Miko and the other two looked at Ye Xiao with confusion.
After all, they were all devils, but they didn't know what a Harbingers was.
Looking at the three, Ye Xiao explained.
"A Harbingers is a renegade devil, those who betray and kill their masters for power."
Kanae then asked, "Are all Harbingerss unforgivable traitors?"
Hearing Kanae's words, Ye Xiao remembered that black cat from before; that one was an exception.
He then continued, "Of course, there are also a few who betray and kill their masters to protect their families."
Ye Xiao also thought of Kuroka, the sister of Koneko.
That playful cat should be returning soon.
The group passed through the forest and arrived at an abandoned church. Ye Xiao gave the church a meaningful glance.
"We're here. This is where the Harbingers is hiding," Ye Xiao said, looking at the abandoned church, then addressed the three beside him, "I'll go in with you, but I won't interfere. You must work together to slay the Harbingers inside. This is your mission tonight."
Hearing Ye Xiao's words, Yotsuya Miko and Asia became a little nervous.
But for Kanae, it was fine.
She just wondered which was harder to kill, a devil or a ghost.
Ye Xiao looked at the church before them.
This was a barrier constructed by the Harbingers inside using power that didn't belong to it.
"Go in."
"Mm."
The three looked at each other, then followed Ye Xiao inside.
"Creak~~ Bang."
The heavy door was pushed open, then quickly closed automatically.
The sound of the door closing stirred up a lot of dust.
The four slowly stepped into the church, where a decaying smell permeated the air. The frescoes on the walls were peeling, revealing a hideous base layer.
Everything was so eerie.
Tap, tap, tap~
A crisp sound rang out.
"Look, look, look, I smell a foul odor, hmm~ mixed with many sweet scents."
Around a corner, a man in a suit with gold-rimmed glasses walked out.
Looking at him, Ye Xiao thought of a phrase: a refined scoundrel.
At this moment, Kanae had already drawn her Nichirin Blade, which had been strengthened countless times, and was ready.
Yotsuya Miko was at a loss.
But looking at the Harbingers before her, a magic circle appeared in Yotsuya Miko's hand.
"Oh~ beautiful and lovely ladies, might I have the pleasure of dining with you?"
The Harbingers elegantly bowed to Kanae and the others.
"Sorry, we must decline," Kanae said calmly.
"Is that so? Then I apologize, but allow me to..."
The Harbingers continued talking to itself.
Meanwhile, Kanae spoke to Yotsuya Miko and Asia beside her.
"Miko, you'll stay on the perimeter and attack it with magic. Asia, be careful, and if anyone gets hurt, please heal them. Let's all do our best!"
"Flower Breathing, First Form: Rose Thorn!"
Kanae instantly vanished from her spot. Her speed was many times faster than before.
This was the characteristic of the Knight chess piece, increasing a swordsman's speed.
Kanae's attack, like a rose, carried a dangerous beauty. The blade in her hand transformed into streaks of cold light, piercing towards the Harbingers before her.
"Eh! She's already attacking?"
Yotsuya Miko was stunned and quickly added a speed magic to herself, rushing forward.
She watched as Kanae vanished from her spot and appeared before the Harbingers, swinging her Nichirin Blade.
The Harbingers, seeing Kanae suddenly appear before it, reacted extremely quickly.
It tried to dodge but suddenly found itself unable to move.
"Hehe, Binding Magic!"
Yotsuya Miko stood to the side, controlling the Harbingers with both hands.
The hard-controlled Harbingers looked at Kanae, who had already arrived in front of it, its expression unchanged, revealing a playful smile.
In an instant, blood splattered.
Kanae, holding her Nichirin Blade, directly plunged it into the Harbingers's heart.
"Did we... win?"
Yotsuya Miko looked at the Harbingers, whose heart was pierced, and said with some uncertainty.
Kanae felt the same. Indeed, the blade had truly pierced it, but why did she have a bad feeling?
"Oh, ho~ it's about to begin."
Ye Xiao said, then picked up Asia and immediately left the church.
Soon, the ground shook.
"Brother, wh-what is this?"
"It's the Harbingers's true form."
Asia watched as the original church collapsed, and in its place appeared a giant toad with its mouth wide open.
And what Kanae had pierced was the toad's tongue.
At this moment, Kanae and Yotsuya Miko stood inside the toad's massive mouth. Kanae saw that the Harbingers she had pierced was actually just a tongue.
"Thanks for the meal."
As the voice fell, the toad's mouth directly closed.
But Kanae's rank was Knight, so as the Harbingers closed its mouth, she directly grabbed the back of Yotsuya Miko's neck and appeared outside.
"Ugh~"
Yotsuya Miko felt her stomach uneasy, a little nauseous.
The giant toad, seeing that it hadn't swallowed the two, became somewhat annoyed.
Immediately, its tongue shot out towards the two.
"Flower Breathing, Fifth Form: Peony of Futility."
Kanae's slashes were like peony petals.
And the toad's tongue was cut into pieces of flesh by Kanae.
"So amazing! I can't fall behind either."
"Wind Scythe, Fireball."
Yotsuya Miko also used two basic spells, then threw them at the toad as if they were free.
With the wind fueling the fire, a pillar of fire soared into the sky, and the toad was engulfed in flames.
"Is it resolved?"
Yotsuya Miko stood beside Kanae, muttering to herself.
But at that moment, the ground suddenly shook. The toad broke through the wall of fire and leaped high, pouncing towards Kanae and Yotsuya Miko.
Its massive body created a gust of wind, making the two lose their footing.
Asia was a little worried. Her Sacred Gear activated, and a healing light appeared as she ran towards the two.