"What is she trying to do?" Nis noticed the direction No. 03 was heading and asked in confusion.
A water wizard suddenly rushed towards the area obscured by the flame magic rune, is she intending to seek her own death?
Or is it that she’s only faking a run and will turn midway?
While everyone was puzzled, No. 03 showed no signs of turning; she plunged directly into the flame magical ground.
As soon as she entered the flame magical ground, No. 03 felt the terror of the surrounding flames, the fierce blaze even scorching the space, repelling all forces.
In the flame magical ground, No. 03 couldn’t even gather the power of water.
Because of this, her crystalline dress, without the protection of water power, instantly turned to ashes.
The flames burned her clothes, invading her fair and flawless skin.
Under the protection of her bloodline, No. 03 could barely maintain a semblance of composure, but her skin started showing a pink hue. Remaining in the flame magical ground for a period of time would surely cause devastating damage.
It could be said that the flame magical ground is a natural fiery cage, most restraining to ocean mages.
However, this restraint isn’t absolute; if the ocean mage also masters the rune power, the result might be different.
Unfortunately, the law of runes itself is extremely rare, and No. 03 hasn’t learned it. Facing such a terrifying flame power, she had almost no way to counteract, unless she left the flame magical ground.
However, No. 03 showed no sign of escape, her target was clear—
"The mechanical head!" Nis: "She’s running towards that mechanical head!"
As those words fell, No. 03 braced herself against the sweeping flames, rushing towards the vicinity of the mechanical head. At this time, under the control and burning of the flame magical ground, the outer shell of the mechanical head had completely melted, exposing all the internal components.
Some large gears and special chains were also burned to the point of merging into a lump, completely unrecognizable as the shape of a "head." In its current state, Ferro’s nickname for it seems more appropriate: "iron lump."
Looking at the almost deformed Surge Alchemist head, No. 03 wasn’t too disappointed; her gaze even carried a hint of relief.
Because in her view, inside this piece of silver, fluid luminous "iron lump," a familiar water vapor oscillation was gently releasing.
"Indeed, the Mechanist Core hasn’t been burned." No. 03 sighed with relief. The reason she rushed into this "absolute dead end" was to bet on the core not being easily destroyed by fire.
The facts proved she won the bet.
"This is the first time I’ve seen someone so eager to throw themselves to death." Ferro’s voice echoed inside: "If you still wish to live, you’d better come out now. Don’t expect me to retract the flame magical ground."
"Actually, this is also quite good..." Nis swallowed: "I haven’t had enough of that white body just now, now it’s a bit pinkish, why do I feel even more excited?"
No. 03’s clothes were all burned to ashes; if not for the concealment of flames, she was truly exposed.
No. 03 snorted coldly, not replying, but rather reaching out to touch the already "iron lump."
Sizzle—
This was the sound of flesh tearing, accompanied by a hint of charred smell.
In such perilous circumstances, No. 03 completely ignored it, even extending her other hand forward.
Both hands slowly fused into the "iron lump"... Eventually, even her whole body embraced it, until she was entirely absorbed inside.
Ferro: "She... merged with the iron lump."
"What do you mean?" Due to the flame’s concealment, Nis didn’t know what was happening inside.
Ferro carefully sensed the situation within the flame magical ground and then said: "She went inside that iron lump herself, now I can’t sense her presence."
"She went into the flame magical ground just to become one with that mechanical head? What a strange hobby." Nis muttered, then told Ferro: "Since she’s in that mechanical head, continue burning."
As long as that mechanical head is thoroughly melted, No. 03 inside would naturally be exposed.
Ferro pondered for a moment and decided to go with Nis’s idea, starting to intensify the burning of the iron lump. Though he found it odd No. 03 went inside the iron lump, having no other strategies now, it seemed burning was a first move.
Initially, it went well; the external mechanical parts of the iron lump were easy to burn.
But once it came to the interior, a surge of water force emerged, resisting the burning of flames.
This puzzled Ferro, knowing that the interior of the flame magical ground repels all non-fire energies. Yet, there was water power inside capable of counterbalancing with the flame magical ground, indicating the energy level of the water power must be high.
Ferro continued to increase intensity, but the internal water power still remained unbreakable, as if a gently resilient force was protecting the core inside.
"Wizard Ferro, although energy is veiled, I know you’re outside."
Suddenly, No. 03’s cold-toned voice came from inside the iron lump.
"If the Mechanist Core isn’t controlled by anyone, it indeed can be easily burned, but I have now taken over it, and as long as my magic power does not deplete, it will exist always."
"Even if you amplify the flame rune, you won’t quickly break through the external defense."
Ferro squinted: "Are you provoking me?"
No. 03: "Not provoking. I’m merely stating a fact."
"I entered the Mechanist internally only for self-preservation. My previous promise stands; when No. 01 and No. 02 return, I’ll explain to them and provide compensation then."
"But now, I won’t leave the Mechanist internally."
No. 03’s stance was clear; she’d rather hide within the Mechanist than be subject to external control.
Since neither side had a foundational trust, even if there was potential communication, lacking mutual trust and caution rendered everything futile.
Ferro kept burning and also tried probing No. 03 with words.
But it was all to no avail.