The last time Ryuichi had encountered anyone wielding a Holy Sword was that chaotic battle inside the dimensional rift—the Fallen Angels' experimental squad.
That clash had left a mark on him. The raw, transcendent power he witnessed back then—something beyond even a High-Class Devil—he had never forgotten.
"Oh? You actually recognized it's a Holy Sword?" Irina Shidou's lips curled into a self-satisfied grin, a playful glint in her eyes. A single sharp canine peeked out when she spoke.
"Pretty sharp, aren't you? You'd better be careful. My baby here is a Mimicry-type Holy Sword, specially made to counter you Devils. And Xenovia's,"—she tipped her head toward her partner—"is the Sword of Destruction. Either one of these will make a Devil like you scream in pain."
Her tone carried that air of childish pride that fit her perfectly.
Ryuichi wasn't intimidated. He had already experienced what a Holy Sword could do, and the memory no longer rattled him.
"Thanks for the warning," he said coolly. "But maybe you should be worrying about yourselves."
Before his words had even finished echoing, he moved—fast. Lightning-fast. Facing two opponents didn't seem to faze him at all.
"Irina," called Xenovia, stepping forward, "I'll handle him first."
She wasn't one to gang up on a single opponent. Drawing her Holy Sword, she launched herself forward, her entire posture filled with ferocious intent.
Clang!
The moment their swords met, a shrill metallic crack split the air. The King's Blade in Ryuichi's hand crashed directly against Xenovia's Holy Sword, the force rippling outward like a shockwave.
The impact hurled both back, their feet skidding across the ground.
"Huh? That weapon…" Irina's eyes widened as she focused on the silver sword gleaming in Ryuichi's grip. She could feel something emanating from it—a majesty so immense it was like standing before a ruler of kings.
Xenovia steadied herself and lunged again. Ryuichi met her strike head-on; their auras clashed violently, neither yielding an inch. The intensity of his magic power and his sword's resonance matched her sacred weapon perfectly.
She narrowed her eyes, curiosity flashing across her face.
Her Sword of Destruction—a defective copy of an ancient relic—was nowhere near complete. Yet, the young Devil's weapon was clearly on par with a genuine Holy Sword.
"What are you?" Xenovia muttered under her breath.
Ryuichi knew well the legends of the Holy Swords, thanks to his time with Rias Gremory.
Once, there had been a single divine weapon—the King's Sword, belonging to a ruler blessed by the gods. In one terrible battle, that sword had been shattered. The Church had salvaged its fragments and reforged them into seven separate Holy Swords.
But the truth was—they could never compare to the original.
And now Ryuichi held a true King's Blade, not a replica.
Its spirit resonated with that of a sacred monarch—a benevolent ruler who had dedicated his life to protecting countless souls, earning the reverence of all who lived under his reign. His sword and shield had been forged through divine blessing itself.
A weapon forged by such a legend could never be inferior.
"I underestimated you," Xenovia admitted quietly.
Ryuichi stood motionless, his silver blade glowing as if alive. Though calm, the aura surrounding him soared higher and higher—a silent storm of resolve and spirit.
He looked every bit the image of a ruler standing atop a battlefield, commanding legions unseen, his presence charged with faith and will.
As Ryuichi's control over the King's Sword and Shield deepened alongside his own growing power, he felt the artifact's true might awakening—bit by bit.
"You should come at me together," he said evenly.
The instant he stepped forward, he vanished.
Xenovia reacted instantly—she could still track him. Her strength was exceptional, enough to rival most Mid-Class Devils. But Ryuichi wasn't an ordinary Mid-Class Devil. For now, he wasn't even fighting seriously.
Still, his next strike came like a thunderclap.
Without warning, the King's Blade flared with magic power—its aura amplifying severalfold in an instant.
"What—?!" Irina gasped. She didn't have time to think. She leapt in, drawing her Mimicry Blade to join Xenovia in blocking the incoming strike.
A wise move—because facing that attack alone would have been suicide.
The King's Blade descended in a blazing arc.
The Mimicry Holy Sword and the Sword of Destruction screamed under the impact—then were both flung aside, sparks scattering into the wind.
They weren't weak weapons. The girls had simply been too slow to react to Ryuichi's sudden power surge.
All three blades had collided—but only one had prevailed.
The explosion of energy blasted a vicious gale across the plaza. A swirl of violet-black wind ripped apart storefront signs and sent small objects flying.
Thankfully, Ryuichi's reality-altering power had already cleared the area of bystanders. Otherwise, the destruction would have caused chaos.
When the shockwave finally subsided, both Xenovia and Irina were flung several meters back, tumbling across the ground.
Ryuichi didn't chase them. The King's Blade shimmered and dissolved into silver light.
The two girls coughed as they rose unsteadily, divine energy fluctuating in their bodies.
His attack had been merciless—and even though they'd blocked it, the recoil was punishing.
"What was that power?" Xenovia demanded, staring at him. "Your attack suddenly multiplied in strength!"
"It's the ability of my Sacred Gear," Ryuichi explained simply.
After mastering Eternal Twilight Citadel during the Rating Game, he'd discovered that the King's Blade also had a hidden, unique ability.
He used to think the King's Sword and Shield drew all its power from the divine shield, Weeping Shield of the Gods. He'd been wrong. The sword itself possessed its own domain of strength.
And through experimentation, he had awakened it—an independent power-amplification effect.
Just as Eternal Twilight Citadel made the divine shield invincible in defense, the King's Blade could amplify its wielder's might.
That surge earlier—was the sword responding to him, boosting his strength beyond natural limits.
Ryuichi looked at them calmly. "That was just a warning. Asia's a Devil now. She no longer belongs to your Church. She has her own life—don't disturb her again."
His voice was quiet, but final.
He turned, walked back to Asia, and took her hand. Together, they left without another word.
Only after Ryuichi disappeared from sight did Xenovia and Irina release the breath they'd been holding. Both coughed up blood at the same time, slumping down to one knee.
"Ugh… we really got our butts kicked…" Irina whimpered, tears welling in her eyes.