The fight does not only occur between the leading groups. Those who follow up also have their own battle. After Rin went ahead, three phantom spirits that are haunting Youmu disappear. The white-haired half-ghost gardener muster her courage to continue the race again.
'Dammit. I must make up for the wasted time.' Youmu begins to move her feet but was interrupted by a set of knives.
"Hah." Youmu slashes her sword in high speed and repel all of them.
"You're good with the sword indeed." Sakuya speaks to Youmu as she catches up along with Meiling.
"I don't have time to fight you now. Just go our separate way okay?"
"I can't agree with that. Your speed is not to be overlooked. Once you get out of this forest, I can see no one who will be able to catch up with you." Sakuya ready another set of knives.
"Therefore, I must eliminate you beforehand."
"I see. But I doubt that you can beat me without your ability to manipulate time."
"Why don't you find out by yourselves?" Sakuya calls for the first strike. Her dual knives slash at Youmu like a storm but the half-ghost gardener shows no sign of trouble for defending.
"Ayayaya! Now the servants have begun the fight for their mistresses. Which one will emerge victorious? Please keep a close watch or you'll miss a good shot." Everyone in the manor concentrate on the monitor as Aya suggest. Strange enough, Remilia and Yuyuko seems not that excited compare to the others.
"Well. Not like I am the one fighting." Said Remilia.
"Aw… I wonder if there is anything yummy for me in this place." Said Yuyuko.
"Hey. They're fighting for your sake right? Won't you gonna cheer for them?" Eirin asked the two mistresses.
"Why? It's not like they gonna die. Sakuya knows how to hold back."
"Even if Youmu get killed, she still can live in Hakugyokurou so there's nothing to worry."
It's good that those two competitors don't hear this conversation. They still fight against each other for their mistresses.
'Darn it. These bamboos are getting in my way. I can't swing my sword as I want.'
'Good. My knives are more suits for fighting in this bamboo forest than her sword. If I can get rid of Youmu, then I won't have to worry about anyone.' The fight continues for quite some times and there's still no result.
'Hmph. It should've ended already without these bamboos.'
'If only I can stop time.' Judging from the situation, Youmu recognizes that she is wasting time while the others getting close to the finishing line. She decides to use her spell card.
"Obsessor [Slash of Eternity]" Youmu boosts her speed and attacks her target. Sakuya counters with her high speed attack as well.
"Scarred Soul [Soul Sculpture]"
Their weapons clash against each other countless time producing countless flash. Before long, the blades are stopped by another. Youmu and Sakuya are now testing their strength.
"China! Strike!" Sakuya gives order to Meiling.
"…" No respond from a colorful gatekeeper.
"China!"
"…"
"China!" Sakuya shout out again while turning to see what Meiling is doing.
"Zzz" Meiling sure can't stay still without sleeping no matter where she is. Even now she is leaning against a bamboo, sleeping.
"You sloth! Just strike already!" Sakuya burst out a loudest shout she can. It works this time. Meiling wakes up from her slumber and executes the attack as ordered.
"Strike Sign [Roc's Fist]" Meiling punches out her powerful qi fist. Due to a panic from sudden wake up and because she is not totally awake, her attack result in an indiscriminate punch which send both Youmu and Sakuya flying far away.
"Huh?" Meiling still doesn't know what happened. It takes a couple of minutes before she realizes what she has done.
"Ugh… That China… idiot…" Sakuya tries to recover.
"Hey… Are you alright Sakuya? How do you feel?" Meiling runs up to her fellow servant of Scarlet Devil Mansion. Instead of answer, a knife is sent flying toward Meiling and finds her hat as its sheath.
"You really wanna know how it feels? Come closer then and I'll help you realize how it feels." Sakuya stands up with her knee shakes. Youmu is in no difference condition. The two maids grab their own weapons and ready for another fight.
"Even in that condition, you still want to fight? That vampire's wish must be so grand that you're risking your life for it. What is it that she wants?" Youmu asks Sakuya.
"I… I can't tell you." Sakuya reluctantly replied.
"Why? Is it some special secret or something?"
"That's none of your business. What about you? What is your ghost mistress's wish?" Sakuya asks back. This time, Youmu is the one who is reluctant.
"I… can't say it."
"Hah. Does it have something to do with Saigyoji Ayakashi again?"
"No! Yuyuko-sama has abandoned that dream for so long. Her wish this time is without any malicious intent."
"Really? Why can't you tell me then?"
"Looks who's asking. You refuse to answer me first." The atmosphere falls into a silent.
"Let's make a deal then." Sakuya suggests.
"What is it?"
"I'll count to three and we will say our mistresses' wish out together."
"Fair enough. But promise me that you won't laugh when you hear it."
"You too. Please don't mention anything." When the agreement is met, Sakuya begins to count.
"One, Two, Three."
"(Sakuya) A giant umbrella which can cover all Gensoukyo from the sunlight."
"(Youmu) An unlimited curry every day for the meals."
Upon hearing the other's answer, nobody laugh as they promise. They're more likely surprise and then the tear breaks out from their eyes. Two loyal maids who fought against each other are now holding the other and cry. Birds of a feather. They almost fight to dead, risking their lives for such dreams. Is this a value of their lives?
"Oh my. Youmu-chan, you don't have to cry. It's not like I'm serious with this race or so. It just looks like fun so I have you participate that's all."
"Yeah. Sakuya's taking thing too serious. I'm fine with a parasol now. Really, who should go with that stupid idea?"
It's a good thing that the maids don't hear those words. Who knows how will they gonna react.
"Er… What should I do now?" Meiling who did her job in a carefree way can never understand Youmu's and Sakuya's feeling. The two maids wipe a tear off their faces and walk toward Meiling.
"Oh. You don't have to do anything China." Sakuya said.
"Yeah. We'll do it ourselves." Youmu grabs on Meiling. It's a payback time for Meiling's qi strike. When they're done, Meiling falls into a worse condition than Sakuya and Youmu. Because of the injury they've received before and they're too worked up for their revenge, Youmu and Sakuya finally collapse along with their prey. And thus conclude the end of three servants' journey.