Manager, give me a membership card too!

Yes, my master.

In mid-air above Haiming City, Fate, now dressed in his black tight-fitting combat suit, frowned as he looked at the enormous tree-man beneath him, which seemed to have stepped out of mythology. For a moment, he was at a loss as to what to do.

Unlike the previous enemies who were of average size and had no special abilities, the target of the Holy Stone Seed this time not only possessed a terrifying size comparable to a skyscraper, but also had the special ability to drive primal magic and construct a defensive barrier around itself.

Most importantly, due to the treants' enormous size and terrifying strength, the damage they caused was greater than all the previous incidents combined. In just a few minutes, the number of buildings and houses that had been demolished reached three digits, and the number of injured was countless.

"Mami-senpai has already gone to rescue the wounded. I must seal this thing away as soon as possible before it causes more innocent casualties."

Looking at the giant treant still rampaging through the city, and its thick roots writhing like twisted snakes beneath the ground, Fate, flying in mid-air, gritted her teeth and raised her lightning battle axe high.

First, the roots that keep spreading must be cut off to stop the tree people from destroying the surrounding buildings, so as to reduce the rescue burden on Mami.

[Scythe Form]

"Arc Light Flying Blade!"

The arc-shaped light blade, formed from highly concentrated magic power, was swung out by Fate like a boomerang. After drawing an arc in mid-air, the light blade, under the girl's mental control, cut towards the roots exposed on the ground.

Just like a red-hot knife cutting butter, the light blade, specially enhanced by the girl, easily severed and shredded the tree roots entangled around the nearby buildings, seemingly indicating a promising outcome. However, before Fate's smile could fully bloom, a verdant barrier suddenly appeared before the light blade, like a solid mountain, firmly blocking its path and rendering it powerless.

"Not only the main body, but even these tentacles can release barriers? This is a bit troublesome."

Her gaze flickered discreetly at the yellow ribbons that were spreading through the ruins, unearthing one survivor after another. Fate gripped her magical artifact tightly and charged towards the towering treant.

We must draw the monster's attention to prevent it from harming civilians again.

"Speed ​​on, Howe, pierce through my enemies!"

Thunder Smasher

A magnificent magic circle coiled and swirled around the girl, and a vast amount of magic power surged from within her body. After being purified and amplified by the Thunder Axe, it transformed into a dazzling pillar of lightning that burst forth.

'Aww~~~~~'

The giant tree-man, which was destroying the city, seemed to sense the danger. It opened a pair of hideous, blackish-green eyes on its ravine-covered trunk and looked maliciously in Fate's direction.

A series of emerald green barriers of various colors appeared almost instantly in front of the thunderous beam attack. After several defenses were breached, they steadily withstood the girl's all-out attack.

"How could this be? My Thunderous Shattering Magic Attack should have reached A+ level, so why couldn't it break through its defense? Could the legendary Holy Stone Seed be this powerful?"

Fate dodged a vibrant green tentacle that shot out from the ground, her expression turning extremely grave. She had assumed that even with her opponent's increased size, the battle would end quickly, as had been before. Now, it seemed likely to devolve into a stalemate.

No, we can't afford to engage in a war of attrition. The aftermath of the battle will harm the civilians. It seems we have to take some risks.

"Barudishu, hold it back!"

【Yes, my master. Photon Spirit Gun - Rapid Fire Mode】

Like machine gun fire, a continuous barrage of orange-yellow lightning bolts shot from the top of the lightning battle axe, relentlessly bombarding the giant treant's defensive barrier. The towering treant, following its biological instincts, subconsciously piled up defensive walls towards Fate's position, eventually forming a wall of dark green magic.

The lightning bolts, like raindrops, struck the thick city wall, much like raindrops falling on glass, causing no additional impact beyond creating splashes.

What Fitow wanted was precisely these 'splashes'.

The high-speed lightning grenades exploded upon impact, kicking up a thick cloud of smoke and dust. The result of a series of lightning grenades exploding was a dense fog that obscured a large part of the sky. The girl who had been soaring through the sky was now hidden within the fog, preparing her decisive blow.

“Arcas, Clotus, Elias, radiant gods, answer the call and descend!”

A dark cloud had gathered over Haiming City, which had been under a clear blue sky, and muffled thunder rumbled from within it, slowly sinking towards the ground.

“‘Balkiel,’ ‘Zarugel,’ ‘Bruzel,’ ancient gods of thunder, grant me the holy blade to judge evil!”

Gusts of wind swept in from all directions, billowing and whipping the girl's clothes and hair, and dispersing the mist that concealed her figure. But it didn't matter anymore; preparations for the ritual were nearing completion, and even if the giant tree-man on the ground discovered her, it wouldn't be able to stop it in time.

"Ride, lightning! Roar, thunder!"

The girl raised her lightning battle axe high, and countless bright yellow electric snakes emerged from the dark clouds, flowing into Fate's body through the magic device, forming a huge golden magic circle beneath her feet that almost covered the entire surrounding sky.

As the magic circle slowly took shape amidst countless bolts of lightning, Fate, who had kept her eyes closed since she began chanting the spell, slowly opened her pair of red eyes flashing with lightning. Directly above the girl's head, a pair of golden vertical pupils made of lightning, containing endless anger and destructive desire, also slowly opened at this moment.

The girl, her body crackling with lightning and her eyes gradually turning golden with the light, coldly swung her lightning battle axe at the treant. The next second, the entire sky above Haiming City was illuminated by howling lightning, the light strong enough to burn the eyes of anyone who looked directly at it.

Thunder Fall - A Raging Thunderstorm

Chapter 309 Entanglement

Chapter 309 Entanglement

The howling lightning ravaged the sky and the earth, indiscriminately annihilating everything within its range. Leaping electric snakes, like sharp saw blades, sliced ​​through the giant tree-man's body, causing the behemoth to roar in pain.

“Very good, it’s a success. But this is not enough. I still need to remove the Seed of the Holy Stone, otherwise the power of the ancient legacy will cause it to keep regenerating.”

Seeing the giant treant slowly straightening its body amidst the swirling lightning on the ground, Fate's tired face revealed a determined expression. She gripped the lightning battle axe in her hands and flashed downwards.

"Let's go, Baldish, let's defeat it together!"

[Your will, Master.]

Weaving through the lightning, Fate, who was known for his speed, was almost lightning fast in this environment, which was like his home turf. In just a few seconds, he had already traversed a large distance and arrived in front of the giant tree man.

Looking at the giant treant in front of him, who seemed still in shock from the girl's sudden appearance, Fate silently raised the scythe-shaped lightning battle axe in her hand, and then swung it down without hesitation.

【Scythe Slash - Light Scythe Cleave】

At the moment of contact with the target, she unleashes a massive surge of magic power at the tip of her scythe, using this instantaneous flow to destroy the opponent's shields and barriers, thereby breaking through their defenses and directly killing them. This move is Fate's most powerful defense-breaking technique among all her skills, and it's also the key to securing victory for her.

With a crisp sound like shattering glass, the last barrier between Fate and the giant tree man was pierced by the girl's dazzling scythe.

Seeing the defensive barrier in front of her rapidly regenerating at a visible speed, the blonde girl didn't hesitate and flashed into the barrier. At the same time, the lightning battle axe in her hand transformed into the shape of a spear in a mechanical transformation.

[Sealed Mode]

'For my mother's smiling face, for Lord Rorschach's approving gaze, this time, I must win!'

The blonde girl gripped a spear crackling with lightning tightly in her hand. With the force of her accelerated flight and her unwavering determination, she slammed it into the 'forehead' of the towering tree-man like a cannonball, causing the monster to roar and let out a scream even more painful than being struck by 'Raging Thunder.'

Because at this moment, Fate had already plunged the lightning battle axe in her hand into the treant's forehead, and right below the lightning battle axe, an indigo gem buried deep in countless plant tissues was shining brightly.

"Seal it with all your might! Baldish!"

【clear】

Dazzling lightning continuously seeped from the tip of the lightning battle axe into the treant's body, weaving mysterious runes around the Seed of Sacred Stone, slowly pulling it out of the enormous monster's body. This act was tantamount to tearing flesh and scraping bones from the treant, a process meant to kill it.

Whether driven by the instinct for survival or by a deep-seated resistance to reverting to being an ordinary plant, the giant tree-man had no choice but to prioritize dealing with Fate, who was stubbornly blocking his way.

The immense magical power originating from the Seed of the Holy Stone no longer resisted the thunder and lightning that continued to fall from above, but instead, under the will of the Treant, it was transferred to the control of his body.

Countless tentacles, covered in sharp spikes and constantly secreting a suspicious liquid, emerged from all parts of the tree-man's body, like venomous snakes with independent consciousness, rushing straight towards Fate, who was still perched on the tree-man's forehead.

The whistling sound of wind breaking and the undisguised malice immediately alerted Fate to the swarm of tentacles attacking from behind. The girl turned around, glanced at the lightning battle axe that was working on deciphering and sealing, gritted her teeth, and opened a dazzling golden magic shield.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The tentacles, carrying immense force, lashed relentlessly at the magical shield Fate had erected. Despite their apparent flexibility and agility, they produced a series of crisp, metallic clanging sounds upon contact with the shield. It was unimaginable how cruel such attacks would be when they struck the girl's slender body.

Oh no, my magic... is almost gone.

Looking at the magic shield in front of him that began to flicker under the bombardment of the tentacles, Fate gave a bitter smile.

The ritual magic of "Raging Thunder" that can manipulate local weather consumes an enormous amount of magic power. Although it can be released for a long time after being successfully cast and is extremely powerful, it also depletes most of the magic power in one's body.

Having unleashed several high-cost skills in succession, maintaining both the seal on the Sacred Stone Seed and the shield capable of withstanding intense attacks is proving to be a significant challenge for Fate. She must choose between these two options.

'I cannot disappoint my mother, nor can I betray Lord Rorschach's expectations placed upon me.'

Glancing at the Lightning Battle Axe, which was already halfway through the sealing process, the blonde girl pursed her lips, poured the last bit of magic power into the Lightning Battle Axe without hesitation, and then leaped downwards.

Fate is using himself as bait to buy time for Lightning Axe.

And those relentlessly pursuing vines and tendrils followed her just as Fate had expected. Their menacing, clawing appearance seemed to suggest they wanted nothing more than to devour her alive.

"Don't stop, Baldish!"

"...Yes, my master...Please be careful."

Freed from the Lightning Battle Axe, Fate actively released magical energy fluctuations to attract the tentacles' attention while dodging the emerald green tentacles attacking from all directions. Without the Lightning Battle Axe as a magical device to amplify her internal magic, the girl was unable to use many of her techniques and could only rely on basic defensive and movement magic to barely buy time.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Five seconds, eight seconds, ten seconds...

Every second that passed was the most difficult performance for Fate right now. Her magic was depleted, her stamina was exhausted, and even her protective suit was on the verge of collapse. But looking at the Lightning Battle Axe in the distance, which was nearing the completion of its sealing process, Fate felt she could hold on a little longer.

Finally, as the tree-man let out a long, unwilling roar, the tentacles that had been chasing Fate fell from mid-air as if a machine had been de-energized, their slender bodies kicking up clouds of dust on the ground.

It wasn't until Fate had instinctively dashed away a distance again that she realized the battle was over.

The blonde girl stared blankly at the giant tree-man that was slowly disintegrating into dust with the breeze, and suddenly felt a sense of unreality, as if she were in another world.

However, the girl quickly regained her composure, because a dark battle axe was slowly floating down from the sky to her side.

[Mission complete, my master, the Sacred Stone Seed has been sealed.]

"Thank you for your hard work, Baldish."

Helping you is my mission.

Gently taking the lightning battle axe floating before her eyes, and feeling the magic power slowly flowing back into her body from the magic device in her palm, a gentle smile appeared on the girl's face.

"Then, the next step is to retrieve the Seed of the Holy Stone."

Feeling the portion of magic power within her body being actively withdrawn by the Lightning Battle Axe, Fate slowly raised her head, looked at the indigo gem that was quietly floating in front of her, and slowly raised the weapon in her hand.

"Ancient Heritage - Seed of the Sacred Stone, No. Seven, Sealed..."

"Fate-chan, watch out!"

Chapter 310 Unexpected Reinforcements

Chapter 310 Unexpected Reinforcements

"Fate-chan, watch out!"

That voice... it's Nanoha?! What's she doing here?

Just as Fate was about to use the Lightning Battle Axe to seal the Holy Stone Seed, a voice that sounded very familiar rang out behind her. At the same time, a boy wearing a gray protective suit and wielding a magical device suddenly appeared in front of Fate.

Teleportation magic?! Oh no, that outfit... belongs to the Time and Space Administration! His goal is the Seed of the Holy Stone!

Almost instantly, Fate remembered seeing clothes similar to those worn by the boy before her somewhere. It was something her mother, Precia, had warned her about before a mission: if you encounter an enemy, try not to fight them, and ideally, don't even see them.

However, the Seed of the Holy Stone...

Fate glanced at the Seed of the Holy Stone not far in front of her, then at the unfamiliar boy standing beside it. She gritted her teeth, about to reach for her hard-earned spoils. However, before her fingers could even touch the Seed of the Holy Stone, an uninvited guest blocked her path.

"I am Chrono Harlowen, Executive Officer of the Time and Space Administration! I am now, in the name of the Time and Space Administration, seizing this dangerous ancient relic. Do not approach any further, unknown mage. Otherwise, I will arrest you for obstructing official business and attempting to illegally possess an ancient relic."

Looking at the so-called Time and Space Administration executive officer who stood silently in front of him, weapons raised high, Fate remained silent and did not say a word, but showed his attitude through his actions.

[Staff Form: Photon Spirit Gun]

A small, golden orb, perhaps no bigger than a ping-pong ball, shot out from the top of the Thunder Axe, wobbling and flickering as it flew toward the location of the executor.

With a wave of his hand, he deflected Fate's weak and feeble attack. The executive officer from the Time and Space Administration frowned deeply and warned in an unpleasant tone:

"Mage, leave this place immediately and do not attempt to seize the ancient legacy again. This is not something you can possess. If you obediently retreat now, I can forgive your previous attack. Otherwise, you will likely be charged with attacking an executive officer of the Time and Space Administration."

Pointing his staff at the girl before him, who seemed barely able to straighten her back, the executor was unwilling to attack a woman, especially one whose magic was depleted. However, if she persisted, he would have no choice but to fulfill his duty.

"This...is mine...you...can't take it. Bardish!"

Photon Spirit Gun

"Hmph, stubborn as a mule. Since you're so ungrateful, then don't let the monsters do anything."

Looking at the girl in front of him who couldn't even condense a basic magic bullet, the executor snorted coldly and raised his magic device.

【Stinger Ray】

With a mechanical sound emanating from the executor's magical device, more than a dozen blue magical beams shot out like arrows, heading straight for Fate.

As the attack was about to strike, the girl, panting, raised her magical artifact and conjured a flickering magical shield. Looking at this shield, which seemed like a candle in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment, both the executor and Fate herself knew perfectly well that it could not withstand the impending attack.

'Bang bang bang bang~ bang!'

A deafening roar, like a cannonball firing, echoed all around, the smoke and dust from the exploding magic bullet shooting straight into the sky. However, the executor who unleashed this attack did not look pleased. Because, right in front of him, the girl who should have collapsed and fainted from his attack was unharmed, but remained perfectly still in place—or rather, lay perfectly still in the arms of another girl holding up a pink and white spear-shaped magic device.

"Nai... Ye?"

Fate stared blankly at the brown-haired girl who was holding her tightly in her arms. Before, she thought that the call was a hallucination caused by her exhaustion, but now the real soft touch around her body and the anxious expression on Nanoha's face told her that she was not hallucinating. Nanoha was really beside her and had saved her.

"Fate-chan, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"