Booming shockwaves rippled across the sky.
Purple Ship Qi clashed violently, tearing apart clouds as two figures blurred in and out of existence. Each reappearance was followed by a deafening clash of steel, sparks exploding like falling stars.
From the ground, the Admirals could barely follow their movements.
"So fast…" someone whispered. "I can't even track them."
High above, Dido and Königsberg separated once more, hovering tens of meters apart. Königsberg's breathing was noticeably heavier now, her purple Ship Qi fluctuating violently. In contrast, Dido's aura remained steady—cold, sharp, and terrifyingly composed.
Königsberg clenched her jaw.
Damn it…
She had expected resistance—but not this much.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Königsberg snarled. "Looking down on me like I'm some amateur."
Dido didn't deny it.
"You started this," she replied calmly. "I merely ended your illusion."
With a sudden burst, Königsberg vanished again.
Precognition Ship Qi flared.
Dido turned—
Too late.
Königsberg appeared beneath her, longsword thrusting upward in a vicious arc aimed straight at her torso. The timing was perfect, the angle ruthless.
But instead of retreating, Dido descended.
Their blades met at point-blank range.
Clang—!
The impact detonated like thunder, forcing both Ship Girls apart. Dido flipped gracefully through the air before stabilizing, while Königsberg skidded backward, boots scraping against invisible resistance.
Blood trickled from Königsberg's lips.
She wiped it away, eyes burning brighter than ever.
"So that's it," she muttered. "You really think strength alone decides who deserves to stand above others?"
Dido's gaze flickered—briefly—toward the ground.
Toward a golden-haired girl standing frozen among the observers.
Illustrious.
Still wiping tears from her eyes. Still surrounded by uncertainty. Still burdened with expectations she never asked for.
"No," Dido said quietly.
"Strength reveals intent."
Her greatsword lowered slightly.
"And yours," she continued, eyes snapping back to Königsberg, "is ugly."
Königsberg roared.
Her Ship Qi surged wildly, far more violently than before. The sea below responded, waves churning as if sensing her rage.
"If brute force is ugly," she shouted, "then I'll drown you in it!"
She raised her longsword high.
Purple light condensed, distorting the air itself.
From afar, several Admirals stiffened.
"…She's serious."
Illustrious felt her heart sink.
This is going too far…
But before anyone could intervene, Dido moved first.
Her aura changed.
The purple Ship Qi surrounding her didn't expand—it collapsed inward, compressing until it clung tightly to her body like a second skin. The air around her darkened, growing unnaturally cold.
A strange pressure spread across the battlefield.
"What… is that?" someone whispered.
Dido closed her eyes.
For the first time, her expression wasn't disdainful or calm.
It was solemn.
"Königsberg," she said softly, "you should have stopped."
Her eyes opened.
Black light flickered beneath her skin.
The temperature dropped sharply, frost forming on the edges of the Admirals' shields. Even those far from the battlefield felt a chill creep into their bones.
Illustrious gasped.
That feeling…
Even without understanding it, she knew—
Whatever Dido was about to unleash…
…it wasn't something meant for spectacle.
And as Königsberg lunged forward in rage, sword blazing—
Dido raised her greatsword.
And the sky itself seemed to recoil.
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