After the squirrel's words— the entire battlefield once again fell into silence.
Spiritual waves in the sky were colliding against one another. The crimson and pink auras seemed to be fighting an invisible war. The air was heavy… and every breath felt as though it carried the weight of a mountain.
King Omas's eyes were fixed upon the squirrel. He suppressed the fear rising within him.
"You…" his voice was no longer as steady as before, "Do you truly think that merely with your presence you can save them?"
The squirrel tilted her head slightly.
The pink gem on her forehead glimmered softly.
"So much courage?" she giggled, "I have only just arrived. Now after receiving such a grand welcome, should I simply leave? Oh wicked one, use your strength and see for yourself— then the decision will make itself."
Fear and confusion appeared together on the faces of several soldiers.
But hardness returned to Humbha's eyes once again. Her blood-red and black spiritual aura suddenly spread outward.
The sky trembled once more.
"Being a senior is not such a great matter…" Humbha said as she stepped forward, "This is the capital… and here, power is not decided by emotions."
Behind her, Jury, Lith, and Shon also slowly stepped forward. The combined spiritual power of the four Yakshinis began painting the sky crimson once again.
Snehwal witnessed the scene. The pressure within him began rising once more.
But this time— the squirrel sitting upon his shoulder remained completely calm.
As though for her… all of this was merely a quarrel among children.
Master Jins narrowed his eyes. He carefully looked at the squirrel.
"Senior…" he said softly, "Your appearance… does not seem like a coincidence."
The squirrel gave a faint smile.
"Coincidence?" she flicked her tiny tail, "People often mistake fate for coincidence."
Lily stood silently.
Her fire was still flowing slowly within her. But her gaze remained fixed upon Humbha.
Just then— Omas's face hardened.
"Enough of this drama!" his voice echoed throughout the sky.
Golden spiritual seals manifested behind his throne. Thousands of soldiers raised their weapons at once.
"Royal decree!" Omas roared.
"Capture Lily, Master Jins, and their companions!"
In an instant— The battlefield came alive once more. But at that very moment— the squirrel took a deep breath.
The pink gem on her forehead suddenly began pulsing rapidly.
And then— Countless pale pink symbols spread across the entire sky.
The soldiers froze exactly where they stood.
Their bodies trembled. Time itself seemed to slow for a single moment.
Omas's eyes widened.
"This… what—?"
The squirrel looked at him and smiled. Her voice no longer sounded small. It was ancient… heavy.
"Do not be so hasty, king…"
"I am still deciding… whether to teach you… or punish you."
Master Jins stepped toward Omas. The squirrel stopped him with an order and said, "All of you stay behind me."
Hearing this, Master Jins, Lily, and Liora quickly descended from the sky and stood behind Snehwal.
At that very moment, a pink teleportation array suddenly opened behind them.
Seeing this, Humbha shouted— "You want to escape!"
At once, Omas attacked with his royal seal, and Humbha attacked using the combined Yakshini array.
The squirrel smiled faintly and the pink gem on her forehead flashed.
Then all the symbols across the sky burst open, and a massive explosion erupted.
Omas and Humbha, along with their companions and all the soldiers, were injured.
But as soon as the sky cleared— Lily, Liora, Master Jins, Snehwal, and the squirrel were no longer there.
Smoke spread across the sky, and the scattered spiritual waves had not yet completely settled into calmness. King Omas and Humbha were scanning all four directions. Their eyes searched through the sky—as if they wished to seize a fading shadow slipping away from their grasp.
But— there was nothing there.
No pink array. No spiritual trace.
Neither Lily… nor Snehwal… nor even that mysterious squirrel.
Omas's face gradually grew colder.
His fists clenched tightly.
Suppressed anger was clearly visible on Humbha's face as well. Both of them were inwardly cursing themselves. Their schemes—their carefully laid plans—had failed within a single moment.
And perhaps that was the very thing eating at them the most from within.
Their gazes collided for a brief instant. Within that clash existed accusation… and the bitterness of failure.
But— Humbha's host standing below was feeling something entirely different.
He slowly released a breath. A strange sense of relief was rising inside him.
His arrogance… which until now had ruled over his heart… had been shattered badly.
He now understood—
The very Snehwal whom he had considered an easy prey… had become the reason for the collapse of his delusion.
A belief had long existed in his mind—that by killing Snehwal, he would expand his future… gain power… and enjoy a life of luxury and comfort.
But now— reality had struck his face with brutal force.
On the other side— Lith, Jury, and Shon appeared unusually silent.
A faint shadow of fear rested upon their faces. No one said a word.
Just then— Omas's patience finally broke.
His roar echoed throughout the entire region— "They escaped!!!"
On the other side— deep within a dense forest— a pink light suddenly flashed through the air.
A moment later— a massive pink teleportation array appeared, and from within it emerged Snehwal, Lily, Master Jins, and Liora.
The instant they landed upon the ground, a gentle wave of spiritual energy spread outward.
Snehwal steadied himself. His steps staggered slightly, but he quickly stood upright and rapidly looked around.
Dense forest… towering trees… and a strange silence. Confusion surfaced in his eyes.
"Senior…?" he looked around and said,
"Where is Senior?"
Lily, Liora, and Master Jins also swept their gazes across the surroundings.
But— there was no one there. No pink aura. No spiritual pressure.
For several moments, only the wind of the forest continued to blow.
And then— the air before them trembled lightly.
Pink particles slowly began gathering together.
Then— amidst those particles, a small figure gradually started taking shape.
A moment later— that same squirrel appeared before them.
But this time— she was not merely a form of consciousness. Her real body… was now standing before them.