"We can't hold on, we have to leave!"
Looking at the ever-increasing swarm of insects, Thomas frowned. Prolonged defense inevitably leads to weakness, and he narrowly avoided a line collapse due to the soldiers' frantic movements moments ago.
Although the breach was later sealed, this hidden danger could not be ignored. They had to concentrate their resources and carve out a path to survival.
"But if we split our forces, we'll be picked off one by one. This is a gamble..."
Kokomi chimed in, reminding them that it was only with everyone's combined effort that they could barely hold their ground. If half their strength were gone, the defense line might collapse the next second, and they'd be devoured by the swarm.
The risk factor was simply too great.
"But our manpower is limited. If this continues, we'll be worn down and die here. At least sending someone out for reinforcements will give the rest of us a glimmer of hope for survival..."
Thomas said grimly. He had keenly observed that despair was spreading among the troops, negatively impacting their defense.
If it wasn't controlled in time, the defense line would inevitably collapse.
"Then I shall go for reinforcements. Among us, my individual combat ability is the strongest, and I should be able to last longer in the insect tide..."
Kujou Sara volunteered, as she seemed to be the most suitable candidate at the moment.
If an ordinary soldier were sent out for help, they might be swallowed by the surging insect swarm within a few steps.
In other words, the person sent for reinforcements must possess extremely strong self-preservation capabilities.
Kujou Sara gently brushed her chest. Tucked within her inner lining, she kept the golden paper that Feng Yi had given her.
With the golden paper, she could last an additional ten seconds...
"Yes, that's good. Lady Kujou Sara, please take care. Just break through to the edge of the island. There are elite patrol squads responsible for guarding there..."
Thomas nodded in agreement. Sangonomiya Kokomi was more adept at strategy, her combat prowess not outstanding. He, on the other hand, was more familiar with the combat methods of the Yashiro Commission soldiers and needed to stay to coordinate the defense line...
Considering everything, Kujou Sara was indeed the most suitable choice at this moment.
"Are you ready, Lady Kujou Sara? I will carve a path for your breakthrough..."
"Shinreikan: Crimson Blaze!"
Thomas roared, wielding his spear. Instantly, fierce flames erupted, forming a scorching banner that danced with the spear's movements.
The blazing spear was hurled, exploding amidst the swarm and creating a three-meter radius fiery domain.
Within the domain, flames surged, incinerating all the beetles into charcoal, creating a relatively safe zone free of insects.
The domain was ten meters from the defense line, providing a temporary resting place for Kujou Sara.
"Everyone, wait here for a moment, I'll be back soon!"
Kujou Sara left these words, then leaped, her Tengu wings unfurling behind her, allowing her to glide a long distance.
The insects on the ground, realizing someone was trying to escape, immediately spread their elytra and pounced.
Kujou Sara was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected these beetles to be able to fly, which meant her plan to glide through the swarm was foiled.
"Tendou: Tenka Tensei!"
Kujou Sara summoned lightning, striking down all the pouncing beetles.
But the swarm was simply too numerous, impossible to kill. Kujou Sara had no choice but to land in Thomas's fiery domain to rest.
Her fingers delved into her black stockings, retrieving the still-warm golden paper. Kujou Sara silently uttered a prayer, her gaze growing increasingly resolute...
"Crow Feather Tengu: Thunderclap Incantation!"
Kujou Sara's roar echoed in everyone's ears. They then saw Kujou Sara leap out of the fiery domain, her movements rapid, following the path carved by the thunderbolts.
Seeing Lady Kujou Sara's extraordinary bravery, the defenders rejoiced, knowing that Lady Kujou Sara would not disappoint them.
Those troublesome beetles were struck down by a single bolt of lightning before Lady Kujou Sara, as easily as crushing ants.
Lady Kujou Sara would surely break through the insect tide and send the signal for reinforcements.
The light of hope shone in their hearts, dispelling the haze of despair.
However, this hope did not last long before they saw Lady Kujou Sara being surrounded and engulfed by the swarm from afar.
The swarm, layered three deep on all sides, formed a massive, cocoon-like structure. This plunged everyone into an icy abyss, and despair once again began to spread.
Even Lady Kujou Sara couldn't break through the insect tide's encirclement?
Indeed, would they all die here today?
Affected by the negative emotions, the soldiers' defensive movements became stiff and sluggish, leading to a few soldiers being bitten on the thigh by airborne beetles.
"Everyone, please do not give up until the very last moment!"
Thomas unleashed his fire gun, picking off the beetles that breached the defensive line one by one, and offered encouragement.
"That's right. Look, Lady Kujou Sara hasn't given up, so what reason do you have to give up?"
Kokomi pointed towards the purple lightning that occasionally erupted from within the swarm, and while casting healing spells, guided the disheartened soldiers to pull themselves together.
The soldiers looked in the direction of Lady Kujou Sara and indeed saw arcs of purple electricity breaking through the swarm's enclosure and bursting forth.
Suddenly, streaks of brilliant golden light pierced through the gaps of the insect cocoon. Against the backdrop of dark clouds, they appeared exceptionally dazzling.
Three streaks!
Nine streaks!
...
One hundred and twenty-seven streaks!
Within two breaths, dense beams of light were projected. The swarm could no longer conceal them, and a figure radiating golden light smashed through the cocoon and sped towards the distance...
"It's Lady Kujou Sara!"
"Lady Kujou Sara is out! We are saved now!"
"Long live Lady Kujou Sara!"
"..."
Cheers erupted from the crowd, one after another. That dazzling golden light brought immense encouragement to everyone.
Although they didn't know what this technique of Lady Kujou Sara was, it was undoubtedly incredible!
Her entire body ablaze with golden light, like a divine being descending, she charged unimpeded through the insect tide and disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye.
Half a minute after Kujou Sara vanished from their sight, the insect swarm's offensive suddenly faltered, and they rapidly retreated like a receding tide.
"Did Lady Kujou Sara go to get reinforcements and come back?"
"Are the insects scared?"
"Are we saved?"
Everyone stood there, bewildered, watching the retreating swarm, unable to react for a long time.
After a while, Kujou Sara returned with reinforcements...
"I'm glad you're all alright."
Kujou Sara stepped forward to greet them.
"We're fine, Lady Kujou Sara. We were able to escape this time thanks to you going out for reinforcements, which repelled the insect swarm!"
"Uh, actually, we didn't repel the insect tide..."