"What are you laughing at? Laughing so wildly, as if you've won."
However, Oroshius seemed not to hear, still smiling, but pointing at the ship below.
Although not quite understanding, Raiden Ei still looked over. To her surprise, she gasped.
How did everyone on this ship faint? Ah, no, there was still one person standing, but it seemed they weren't standing, but sitting, appearing as if they were about to fall asleep.
"...What did you do? Our duel, why drag ordinary people into it? You... are you trying to die?"
Seeing her own people harmed, Raiden Ei felt a surge of anger from somewhere, making her want to kill the woman before her uncontrollably.
"What did I do? Think carefully, a hundred years ago, in the duel between us, what did I use?"
Oroshius crossed her arms, a sly smile on her face, like the smile of a victor.
"A hundred years ago? Weren't you using... the same as now? It was always water. Wait a moment... your water is poisoned!"
Only now did Raiden Ei recall that in the battle back then, her opponent had poisoned the water. Every time water droplets were scattered, nearby plants would wither.
"I... how could I forget something so important? You mean, your water has always been poisonous, but I kept cutting it, and some water droplets spilled onto the ship, causing transmission?"
Thinking of the toxicity of the water's poison, Raiden Ei became flustered. After all, it could instantly wither plants. While its effect on Archons might be negligible, for humans, it was likely extremely potent.
"You only remember now. This means you personally caused all the people you brought... no, only one is left. The others have all died without exception."
Oroshius watched the other's expression, a sudden thrill coursing through her. Wasn't this the victory she craved? To see that look on the other's face again.
Anxiety, worry, fear, terror... it was too beautiful, truly too beautiful!
"The antidote! Tell me quickly! Where is the antidote?!"
Raiden Ei seemed to remember something and instantly grabbed the other's collar, lifting her into the air and shaking her wildly. If she had been any later... they might have all truly perished.
"You want the antidote? It's very simple! Kneel before me, kowtow, kiss the top of my foot, and then... beg me! This poison... only I can cure it. Heh heh... if you don't comply, your subordinates will likely be done for."
Looking at the arrogant Oroshius, Raiden Ei felt a burning rage but knew she couldn't act on it, as the antidote was in the other's hands.
"I... I..."
She no longer wanted anyone else to die because of her. If not for her, those people wouldn't have died.
If not for her, her sister, Sasa Yuri, Tora Chiyo, Kitsune Saiguu... these people wouldn't have died...
Just as Raiden Ei was about to give up struggling and prepare to fulfill the other's demands, a voice called out.
"You don't need to kneel, and you cannot kneel. You are the God of Inazuma, and every word and action you take represents Inazuma. If you kneel, it means the nation of Inazuma has knelt... Then, what is the meaning of the country you cherish? Living under the shadow of others, such a country... what future can it possibly have?"
Lu Ze had, at some point, escaped his half-asleep state. The main reason was that it was too noisy. That so-called Oroshius talked too much. Did she want to be chopped up and fed to the fish?
"Lu Ze..."
That's right. She was the God of Inazuma. If she knelt and did as demanded, Inazuma would never be able to hold its head high again, forever living in Oroshius's shadow. Such a country, how could it ever speak of eternity?
"Who are you? Do you have any right to speak here? It's a miracle you're not dead, yet you dare to loiter in front of me. Then you shall die here."
A water sphere shot out instantly, but Lu Ze merely tilted his head slightly. The water sphere grazed his face and slammed directly into the sea.
"Who am I? It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is... you've pissed me off. Also, you don't really think your poison works, do you? There's a saying, what you see isn't always real... and what you hear isn't always false."
He clapped his hands together rapidly, and the light blue protective shield dissipated. The people who had been lying on the ground all disappeared, replaced by figures standing on the deck. Everything that had just happened seemed unreal.
"How is this possible?! This is impossible! Weren't they all collapsed on the ship? How are they all standing?"
She rubbed her eyes vigorously, but no matter what she did, nothing changed. It was as if what she had just seen was truly false.
"A simple little trick, and you're completely lost. Someone like you would probably be sold without even realizing it. It's best you go home and farm! But before that, I'll beat you up first."
He instantly teleported in front of her and punched her chest. However, her extremely strong defense bounced his fist away.
"Ah!"
Oroshius flushed slightly, feeling the faint aftershock. What terrifying power was this? It even...
Meanwhile, Lu Ze felt what his fist had encountered and awkwardly scratched his head. He had forgotten she was a woman, which was a bit impolite.
"Ahem... accident, accident. I'm not some pervert, don't misunderstand, okay?"
He wasn't sure if he was speaking to Raiden Ei beside him or the people below, but he said it quite loudly.
"You!"
Oroshius was so embarrassed she couldn't speak. This scoundrel, taking advantage and then acting innocent, was truly outrageous.
The next second, while she was dazed, Lu Ze appeared behind her and punched her back, followed by a kick that sent her flying.
Oroshius shot out like a cannonball, crashing heavily into the sea and creating waves. As the water subsided, Lu Ze squinted.
"Hey, why are you blushing like that? It's as if I did something. Why are you so red?"
Lu Ze was somewhat bewildered. What was going on? She was blushing after being hit, and she looked like she was enjoying it... Doesn't this woman have a few screws loose? Could she be a...