Under Luna’s adjusted fighting style, which balanced firepower with personal safety, and with Hestia’s timely light purification and auxiliary support, the Crystal Husk Legion invading the urban area was quickly suppressed, split, and eliminated one by one.
Intertwined pink energy beams and golden rain of purification formed an inescapable net that offered both destruction and salvation. Finally, only a few stray survivors remained on the ground, hiding in the shadows of building ruins or shielded by the mangled remains of their companions.
Luna’s eyes were sharp, her pale gold pupils quickly locking onto the targets. The two standby Floating Turrets beside her turned instantly. With several soft hisses, precisely aimed beams sliced through the air, completely piercing and shattering the remaining Crystal Husks, turning them into piles of smoldering crystal shards.
Thus, all the Crystal Husks that had poured from the Space Rift were completely wiped out.
Seeing the battle conclude, Hestia let out a soft breath. She slowly spread her hands in front of her chest, and the slender staff condensed from pure light floated automatically before her, its body flowing with a warm and holy glow.
She softly chanted a short purification incantation that sounded like a nursery rhyme, the light reflected in her crimson eyes. According to her will, the tip of the staff suddenly burst with a soft golden holy light, brighter and wider than before. Like a pouring waterfall of light, it descended slowly, enveloping the entire neighborhood that had just experienced combat.
Wherever the light reached, the broken remains of the Crystal Husks on the ground, the scattered crystal shards, and the residual chaotic and corrosive energy in the air all faded and decomposed under the purification of the holy light, like melting ice and snow. Eventually, they turned into harmless microscopic specks of light and dissipated completely into the air.
Even the surfaces of buildings and the ground, which had been contaminated by the energy of the Crystal Husks and started to grow dark crystal clusters, stopped corroding under the solace of the holy light. They regained their original colors, leaving behind only the physical scars of battle.
This sudden Crystal Husk invasion was successfully quelled thanks to the high efficiency of the Eden security forces, who moved immediately to intercept and delay the spread, gaining precious time for civilian evacuation. This, combined with the timely arrival and powerful cleanup by the Goddess Angels Luna and Hestia, led to the final resolution. No civilians or security members died; only a few people suffered minor injuries during the evacuation, and they had already recovered quickly under Hestia’s holy light healing.
The aftermath work began in an orderly fashion under the command of the security force captain. Clearing street debris, assessing building damage, comforting frightened citizens, gradually lifting the alarm, and guiding people back in an organized manner… The entire process was practiced and efficient.
In fact, for the humans living in the Defense City today, although the invasion of Crystal Husks remained a threat, after 100 years of struggle and adaptation, it was no longer an insurmountable disaster.
From early warnings, evacuations, and interception to support from Goddess Angels and post-war purification… this entire sequence had become a routine part of the city’s defense system, repeatedly practiced like responses to severe weather or fire drills.
From its scale, today’s incident was nothing more than an ordinary “daily” interlude.
Based on the final analysis, this Crystal Husk invasion was likely just a “random event” triggered by accidental fluctuations in a Space Rift. There were no traces of the Eternal Night Gospel Church’s leadership or manipulation behind it. Compared to yesterday’s clearly targeted attack that nearly led to Luna’s capture, this situation was much milder and simpler.
With the mission complete, Luna and Hestia withdrew from their combat stances and flew back to the roof platform of the Twin Bell Towers, their rendezvous point.
Luna landed lightly on the metal platform, her high-heeled boots making a crisp sound. She let out a long sigh of relief, stretched her arms, straightened her back, and gave a satisfyingly large stretch. Her pink high ponytail danced freely in the cool afternoon breeze, its tips tracing a bright arc.
“Phew — !”
The pink-haired girl let out a satisfied sigh, a relaxed and bright smile appearing on her face. She turned to Hestia and said, “It’s finally… over!”
Hestia stood quietly on the bell tower platform, her long golden hair fluttering gently in the breeze. Her crimson eyes watched the relaxed Luna with warmth, but her mind still circled the anomalies she had observed during the battle.
‘Judging by Luna’s starkly different fighting style — abandoning her previous extreme outpouring of firepower in favor of more cautious maneuvers and leaving a margin for defense — this sister, who usually has a cheerful personality but is often “reckless” and “impulsive” in battle, seems to have undergone a subtle yet significant change.’
‘Many seniors had warned her before to protect herself and not rely too much on offensive suppression, but she never really improved, or rather, she hadn’t taken it to heart. How did she suddenly see the light after just one day?’
‘Was it because… she encountered something special while handling yesterday’s Crystal Husk invasion alone? Or did she experience some lesson that left a deep impression on her?’
Hestia was filled with curiosity. As Goddess Angels permanently stationed in Eden, they had cooperated many times and were close, so she could naturally detect such an obvious change.
However, despite the questions lingering in her mind, Hestia ultimately chose silence and did not ask directly. From the results alone, this change was undoubtedly a good thing. Luna becoming more cautious and prioritizing her own safety was exactly what her companions wanted to see most.
The blonde girl did not want to make Luna recall potentially unpleasant or dangerous experiences or feel offended by her questioning. So, she temporarily suppressed her curiosity, a gentle smile appearing on her face as she spoke softly to Luna. “Good work, Artemis. You did very well today.”
Hearing Hestia’s affirmation, Luna’s smile grew even more radiant. She turned around and gave Hestia a warm, grateful hug, pink and golden strands of hair intertwining.
“Hestia is the one who worked hard! It’s all thanks to your support and purification!”
Luna spoke into Hestia’s ear in a clear voice. After the hug, she stepped back and clapped her hands, her tone very light. “Alright! This incident is perfectly resolved! So… shall we part ways here? I have to hurry back to class, or the teacher will nag me again.”
As the pink-haired girl spoke, she made a move to activate her teleportation magic to leave.
“Wait, Artemis,” Hestia suddenly called out to her.
“Hmm? Is there something else?” Luna stopped and turned her head in confusion.
“I was thinking… Artemis, should we… meet using our real identities?”
Hestia clasped her hands in front of her, looking at Luna with a trace of expectation and sincerity.