Her eyes held a smile, but beneath it lurked a faint glow Shiayar could not quite discern.
"Many True Gods from the distant Astral Realm perished completely in the war of the Second Era, forced to await an eternity for their return. However, the Crimson Moon managed to retain part of Its power and consciousness precisely because of Its immortality, which places It among the strongest echelons, even among True Gods."
"This, then, is the cause of the anomalies in your 4th Soul Pact, and the origin of your immortality."
Augutina averted her gaze slightly, her eyes cast downward.
"Since you obtained immortality through the pact and shared a portion of the Crimson Moon's Divinity and Authority... naturally, you entered Its field of vision, becoming one of the chosen vessels."
"And because of this initial bond, you will collaborate with me to combat the Crimson Red Moon."
What they saw was a bustling scene, countless artisans working with fervent enthusiasm, a picture of vibrant activity.
But within the 'Astral Vision' Shiayar achieved by utilizing his spiritual power in the Astral Realm,
despite it being high noon, the grand and holy Empire Capital lay enveloped in a blood-red night.
A crimson moon hung at the zenith of the sky.
The blood-red moonlight cascaded down, illuminating a slender, detached, and cold figure. This Isadella was utterly different from the one Shiayar remembered.
She was no longer the Princess who, despite her stern and imposing demeanor, occasionally revealed glimpses of a young girl's heart. Instead, she was the 'Scarlet Queen,' possessing only Divinity.
Augutina was not mistaken.
The Imaginary Zone, carved out by the Sacred Sword, had already become independent of the river of time.
Therefore, even though they had returned to the First Year of the Holy Calendar, the situation was irreparable.
Shiayar was not to face the familiar Knight King Artorigus, but the King of the Imaginary Zone—a being who, through a millennium of obsession and the Crimson Moon's corrupting influence, had become estranged, fanatical, and loathsome, no longer recognizable as the girl he once knew.
"In pursuit of eternal life, to await your return in the Hall of Heroic Spirits... Isadella chose to ally with the Crimson Moon."
"She willingly accepted the Crimson Moon's Divinity, becoming Its vessel. In exchange, she obtained a lifespan nearly as infinite as that of a True God."
"However, the price for this was that her humanity would be gradually devoured by the Crimson Moon's Divinity, until she completely deified, becoming—"
"A new Deity: the 'Crimson Red Moon.'"
...
After Augutina finished speaking, she looked at Shiayar.
Shiayar lifted his head slightly and smiled faintly.
"If that's the case, then what we need to do is actually much simpler."
He pointed towards the Sacred City shrouded by the blood moon, and then towards the central throne room.
"There are merely two enemies."
"One is the Crimson Moon, and the other is Her Royal Highness the Princess... Oh, no, wait. Here, I should address her as Her Majesty the Empress."
"Since It's an old crone of a True God, crippled back in the Second Era, It should have the decency to make Its exit, quietly perish, and 'scram' back to the Astral Realm to wait for Its resurrection timer to finish."
"As for Her Royal Highness the Princess, it would be best if she could regain her senses. If she still can't, then I'll just have to use the 'Fist of Friendship' to punch her awake."
Shiayar smiled slightly and spread his hands. "Such a simple matter. See? The formula for victory is already set."
"Of course, two fists are no match for four hands. Her Highness Augutina, you will help me, won't you? After all, we'd be fighting your enemy too."
"I can... Although the Crimson Moon has now chosen another vessel, if It truly acquires a new body and descends upon the world again, that is something I absolutely cannot tolerate."
Augutina nodded, but then her gaze fixed on Shiayar.
"However, do you truly understand what you are doing?"
"I know that as Cain, you previously accomplished many astounding feats, like the battle in the Valley of the End, and always managed to emerge unscathed."
"But you should be aware that you accomplished those things by relying on the Crimson Moon's immortality."
Augutina's gaze was deep and solemn.
"However, once you become an enemy of the Crimson Moon, regardless of success or failure... it means you will lose the protection of your undying body."
The Queen of the Night's gaze swept across Shiayar's face. "Your true self is merely 6-Ring. Even if the enhancements from that magictech equipment allow you to rival a Legendary, remember that even a scoundrel like Crown Prince Flandre possesses a special ability to strike the heart directly. And other Legendaries naturally have their own methods to breach external defenses and attack one's core."