He moved with a speed that bypassed the divine—Super-Godspeed. He didn't even seem to swing, but the sheer air pressure from his blade cleaved the surrounding forest in two. Behind a row of falling giant trees, an Evil Dragon that had been trying to sneak up on us was split perfectly down the middle.
"They either knew we were coming or just got lucky," Maurice mused, cleaning his blade. "Either way, they're no problem."
Kiba watched them with a strained expression. "I'm starting to feel like those two could handle this whole mission on their own."
"Right?" Rayna agreed, looking slightly overwhelmed.
We began our sprint toward the central government building where Rizevim was likely holed up. Rias and Ravel led the way, knowing the city layout from previous games. We stayed low to avoid being swarmed by the thousands—maybe tens of thousands—of mass-produced Evil Dragons circling the skies like vultures.
"There's so many..." Alice muttered, glancing up. "There must be tens of thousands."
"It's Qlippoth's heart," Miwa said, her face grim. "I bet there's a hundred thousand if you count the ones in the hangars."
We reached the edge of the park. Beyond lay the urban district, a maze of skyscrapers and shops. Rizevim was just on the other side.
But someone was waiting for us.
Two benches sat right at the park's exit. Four figures were lounging there as if they were waiting for a bus. One of them—a mountain of a man—waved at us.
"Oh, you finally made it. Yo, Hero-dono."
It was Razul of the 'Hagun.' Beside him sat Valus, Vika, and Bel. Assem's elite were all present.
We skidded to a halt, our weapons ready. I stepped forward. "Razul. I figured you guys would be around."
"Well, we're technically 'allies' with Qlippoth," Razul said, though he didn't sound happy about it. "But honestly? I hate that old geezer. I never planned on helping him for real."
"I figured as much," I said. Razul's pride didn't seem to mesh with Rizevim's cowardice. "So? Are you going to get in our way? Because I don't have time to play games with you today!"
My killing intent flared. The ground beneath my feet cracked, and the trees groaned as a sudden wind whipped the leaves into a frenzy.
Razul grinned. "Tense, aren't you? I heard your parents were attacked."
"They were. That bastard hurt my family. So I'm going to cave his head in. That's the only reason I'm here."
The rage was still there, burning like a furnace in my chest. I wasn't letting it blind me, but I wasn't letting it go until Rizevim was ash.
"Move," I growled. "Or I'll go through you."
"Hah! I like that! I'd love to see you try... is what I'd like to say," Razul said, but then he actually stepped aside. "Go ahead. Pass."
We all blinked. He gave up the path that easily?
"We have no intention of laying a hand on the 'Hero' today," Valus added, stepping forward. "This is a score you and Rizevim must settle yourselves."
He was right. This was my fight. And Vali's.
But then Valus turned his gaze toward Maurice-san. "However... Sword Saint-dono. I would very much like to cross blades with you again."
Maurice-san let out a low chuckle. "You think I have time for this? ...is what I should say. But when a man challenges me so boldly, it would be rude to refuse."
Maurice drew his blade and stepped in front of Valus.
The air between them vanished. The pressure they radiated was so intense it felt like the world itself was shrinking. They stepped toward each other, inch by inch, until they were within striking distance.
"AAAAAAH!"
They exploded into motion. The sound of clashing steel became a continuous, high-pitched scream. Sparks flew like fireworks in the narrow space between them.
Neither of them moved their feet. They simply stood their ground, a whirlwind of parries and thrusts. At first, I could see the blades. Then, as they shifted gears, the swords became nothing more than a silver blur.
After a few seconds of intense clashing, they broke apart. Maurice whistled, impressed. "You've improved quite a bit in such a short time."
"Heh... if that surprises you, you're in trouble," Valus replied. "I haven't even begun to get serious."
"Good. Neither have I. That was just a warm-up. Let's start the real dance."
In a flash, the two of them bolted into the trees to our right, clashing at god-speed as they went. The forest groaned and collapsed as the sheer pressure of their blades leveled everything in their path.
"Hahahaha!" Maurice laughed, drawing his second sword. He unleashed a wave of black sword-pressure that sliced through the landscape.
Valus twisted mid-air to dodge and fired back a wave of his own. He wasn't just using his sword; he began weaving magic into the fray. He leaped back and summoned a magic circle.
"FLAME LION!"
A massive lion made of roaring fire erupted from the circle, lunging at Maurice with enough heat to melt stone.
Maurice didn't even raise his sword. He just stood his ground and filled his lungs.
"KATSU!"
A spiritual shout ripped through the air. The sheer force of his will vibrated through the atmosphere, hitting the Flame Lion like a physical wall. The magic shattered, the flames dissipating into harmless mist.
We all stood there, speechless. He had extinguished a high-level fire spell with nothing but a shout.
Valus looked just as stunned, a wry smile touching his lips. "Good grief... is there no bottom to your strength?"
The true power of the Sword Saint was a depth that even we, his allies, couldn't begin to measure.
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