A steam explosion.
It was an explosive phenomenon caused when water was instantaneously heated and vaporized. When water transitions from a liquid to a gas, its volume expands nearly seventeen hundred times. When a large quantity of water boils in a single moment—such as during a volcanic eruption—it triggers a massive blast that inflicts damage over a vast area.
The red-robed figure with the inverted pentagram had achieved something very similar. Using her ability to manipulate water, she had hurled a mass of compressed water at Rest, transforming it into steam to trigger the same mechanics as a steam explosion.
The steam enveloped the area, thickening into a dense mist. The battle had reached its conclusion, and the red-robed mage stood victorious. From beneath her hood, she stared out at the riverbank where Rest had vanished.
She scanned the area, but the boy was nowhere to be found. In his place lay a massive crater. Rest’s body was not at the bottom; whether he had been buried under the shifting earth or vaporized without a trace remained a mystery.
"Are you not coming out?"
Certain that there would be no further retaliation from Rest, she turned her gaze toward the forest adjacent to the river. She tossed the question toward the Sky-Demon she assumed was lurking there, but no answer came.
"Shoot through."
The surrounding mist condensed into water bullets. A volley of projectiles streaked toward the forest, splintering the trees. There was no reaction from the Sky-Demon; the mage could not tell if the agent had fled or fallen to her attack.
"If you’re still alive, stay hidden. Step out, and I will kill you," she declared coldly.
She turned her back to the forest and faced the river once more. Though she appeared to be full of openings, several water spheres floated around her, ready to intercept and counter any ambush the Sky-Demon might attempt.
"I’m freezing the river. Cross now."
Her command was directed at the Geisel soldiers on the far bank. At this rate, the river would be sealed in ice once again, allowing the enemy army to invade the kingdom.
A massive surge of mana radiated from the woman’s body. Slowly, the water began to freeze from the western bank toward the eastern side, forming a bridge. She had clearly consumed a significant portion of her mana during the fight with Rest, yet she still possessed enough strength to forge a path for the troops.
"You finally finished him off, did you? You certainly kept us waiting."
Once the bridge was complete, nearly five hundred Geisel soldiers marched into the Aiwood Kingdom. Their representative—a man who appeared to be their commander—approached the woman.
"Over fifty of my men drowned because of your incompetence. How do you intend to make up for this loss?"
"It was not my fault."
"Don't you dare talk back to me, you mere hired mage! It was your mistake for failing to notice the ambushers waiting for us!"
The red-robed figure fell silent under the middle-aged commander’s verbal assault. It was clear there was no trust between them, only a palpable, mutual disdain.
"Hmph. I’ll be reporting this to my superiors to ensure your reward is docked. Expect a formal punishment as well."
"I don't care. It’s all going to be..."
"Did you say something?"
"It’s nothing," she replied, shaking her head. "More importantly, weren’t you going to overrun this country? You should hurry—"
She cut herself short. With a look of sudden suspicion, she turned her face toward the heavens, peering through the gaps in the mist.
"What is it now, mage?"
"Something... something is coming," she whispered.
She felt something approaching—something falling. The ambient temperature began to plummet, far colder than the frigid air caused by her own ice bridge. Their breath turned white in the sudden, biting frost.
"It’s here!"
"What are you—?"
The commander began to snap at her, but in that same heartbeat, the red-robed mage braced herself.
A wind of impossible strength roared from the sky, and a torrent of glacial air descended upon them like a freezing waterfall.