It did not make any sense.
Why would she heal her enemies?
The soldiers around her all seemed stunned, as well.
The white radiance reflected in their eyes, filling them with wondrous light.
Finally, the Blood Sister stirred weakly, moving her hands to rest them where the fatal cut had been just a few moments ago. Letting out a sigh, Changing Star lingered for several seconds, then rose to her feet and looked down at the kneeling Ascended of the Sword Army.
Raising her brow, she asked:
"What are you waiting for? Fall back."
Then, looking around, she raised her voice and gave the order to every soldier of the Sword Army that was still alive.
"All of you, fall back! Leave the rest to me."
Rain just stared in disbelief.
The battle was over... would be over, just like that?
She shifted her gaze and glanced at the Feather Knight, who had been listening to Nephis was rapt attention.
Now, relief was written on the young woman's face, as well.
The golden-haired girl exhaled slowly, then strained to rise to her feet. Turning around, she took the first unsteady step away.
Their gazes met for a moment.
The Feather Knight lingered, looking at Rain somberly.
Then, she nodded slightly, placed the blade of her sword on her shoulder, and continued walking.
All around, the Sword Army was receding like a sea.
Leaving only Changing Star behind.
Dazed and struggling to contain her excitement, Rain crawled to where Tamar was still laying on the ground and helped the young Legacy sit.
Making sure that Tamar was okay, she looked around once more.
The soldiers of the Sword Army were leaving, but her fellow warriors of Song still remained motionless, looking at Nephis with an array of different expressions.
Some seemed grateful. Some were amazed.
Most, however, were shaking and slowly backing off in terror.
Because now that the initial amazement was gone, they realized that they were left face-to-face with a wrathful demigod… alone.
Or so it seemed.
Rain did not notice when it happened, but at some point, the rows of soldiers parted, and a graceful figure appeared from behind them.
It was Princess Seishan, walking across the blood-soaked battlefield with light steps.
Suddenly, the air grew heavy, as if two enormous wills were clashing all around them, unseen by human eyes.
'Crap…'
Rain gripped Tamar's shoulders tighter, unsure what to do.
The Lost Princess, meanwhile, reached Nephis and stopped a dozen meters away from her, an enchanting smile playing on her crimson lips.
"Lady Nephis... what a pleasure. I did not expect to meet you today."
Her gaze shifted downward, falling on the Blood Sister laying at Changing Star's feet.
Princess Seishan's gaze changed subtly, for a moment, betraying a deep emotion. However, she managed to contain it swiftly, preventing anything from reflecting on her face.
She lingered a little, and then continued:
"...Still, I must express my gratitude. Thank you for saving one of my Handmaidens. It was… gracious of you, to show my soldier mercy."
Nephis simply looked at her, white flames dancing in her eyes.
After a few moments of silence, she said:
"She was my soldier once, too."
Seishan smiled.
"Indeed. However, Lady Nephis, please satiate my curiosity. I can't help but wonder… why are you here?"
Changing Star stared at her coldly for a bit.
Then, a corner of her mouth lifted slightly, and she answered with a hint of bittersweet amusement in her tone:
"...Because I want to."
Seishan seemed quite surprised by the answer — enough so that a melodious chuckle escaped from her lips.
Nephis inhaled deeply, then looked the princess of Song right in the eyes.
"Let us decide the outcome of this battle with our own hands. You and I… and all the other Saints, if they dare. Why should our soldiers continue to die in our place?"
Seishan tilted her head lightly and remained silent for a while.
Eventually, she said in a calm tone:
"That does sound like an attractive proposition, I admit. However, Lady Nephis… both you and I are forbidden from participating in this battle, are we not?"
Changing Star studied the Lost Princess of Song for a while, then smiled faintly.
"We are not allowed to enter battle, that is true. But I do decide to enter it…"
She raised her head slightly, and her incandescent eyes suddenly flashed with dancing white flames.
"...Who will stop me?"