“Ugh, argh…”
About an hour passed since the battle with Surt began.
Lucia let out a rough breath, her face weary.
Her stance was defensive, a style that didn’t match her fighting technique.
It was because Evan was collapsed behind her, having taken a direct hit from Surt’s earlier attack.
‘Damn…’
Even if she aimed for an aggressive style, it was impossible.
Surt wouldn’t hold back on attacking as long as Evan was there, worrying about what might happen to him if he double-teamed.
She had no choice but to endure with every ounce of strength for defense.
Clang!
The sound of their swords clashing was becoming hard to count.
Lucia felt her grip weakening more and more.
It was only natural.
Every defense consumed magical power, and in her current state, she couldn’t replenish it.
Moreover, the difference in physical strength didn’t help at all.
Everything was against her.
Clang!
The swords clashed again, emitting a metallic sound.
Lucia sensed her own limits, yet the fallen sword came back down for another swing, aiming to kill her.
Finally.
Crack!
As the sword struck, a chilling sound echoed as Lucia’s wrist twisted backward.
The bone had completely shattered.
“Gah!”
A painful sensation enveloped her body, but there was no time to stay still.
Another sword came flying at her.
She re-gripped her sword with her other hand and took a defensive stance.
Creeeak!
A discordant sound rang.
The pain that overwhelmed her as she forced her grip on the sword made her defense preparation inadequate.
Ultimately, another chilling sound filled the air.
Her other wrist broke as well.
“Ugh…!”
With no strength in her hands, Lucia lost her grip on the sword.
The blade fell and rolled away.
Surt looked down at her, a disturbing grin on his face.
Like a predatory creature enjoying a hunt in front of a fragile prey.
That sight twisted Lucia’s face in rage.
But there was nothing she could do right now.
Both wrists that needed to grip the sword were already shattered, and she had little magical power left to attack.
Woosh…
Surt’s sword echoed ominously.
It was raised toward the sky, targeting Lucia and Terra.
The red-hot sword was preparing to swing down and obliterate an entire world.
If things continued like this, Terra would forever be engulfed in the flames inscribed in the books.
Every being that existed in Terra would vanish into ashes.
‘…Honestly, I don’t care about that.’
She had no interest in saving the world.
That kind of holy duty didn’t suit her, who had longed for the world’s end since the past.
And yet…
And yet…
She didn’t want that sword to fall.
At this point, her wish to see him alive outweighed the impending destruction of the world.
She raised her arms.
Woosh…
With a flash, power blossomed from her fingertips.
The Power of Doom.
A skill not meant for defense, yet she poured her magic into it, twisting the power to create a barrier.
“Gah?!”
Pain wracked her body, twisting Lucia as if it were being crushed.
The reaction caused by pouring nearly all her magic into the power.
The pain felt like it could knock her unconscious at any moment, yet she thought of Evan behind her and continued to create the barrier, fingers trembling.
“Cough…”
Red blood spewed from her mouth.
It felt like her organs were malfunctioning, working improperly.
It was as if she was moving towards death in real-time.
But it was fine.
Since she had long desired death, as long as she could keep him alive, that was enough.
KAAAAAH!
Just as Lucia thought that and completed the barrier around Evan…
Surt’s massive sword began to descend like a meteor toward Terra.
Lucia felt death approaching and quietly closed her eyes.
‘Evan.’
The sword approached.
‘I hope you survive…’
*
“……”
A thunderous sound tore through her ears, and after a moment, Lucia, who expected a continuation of pain, was bewildered when she felt nothing at all.
There was a barrier standing firm against Surt’s sword.
And there was a woman, shield in hand, slowly approaching her.
“I’m late, Chloe.”
Her feminine voice contrasted with the stern tone.
Lucia realized who she was as soon as she saw the shield and heard her words, even though it was the first time she’d seen the woman.
“…Minerva?”
“That’s right. My usual armor melted in the molten metal, so it seems I’m showing off this appearance. Is it strange?”
It was a strange appearance, one that could be considered strange indeed.
Having only seen other magical machines until now, it was startling to see someone so human-like.
However, Lucia shook her head and replied.
“It’s not strange. It actually suits you well.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Minerva gave a small smile and pulled something from her body, handing it to Lucia.
“This is…”
“A healing potion and a magic recovery potion. You look pretty injured, so…”
“Thanks. Just what I needed.”
Lucia downed the magic recovery potion and fed some to Evan.
But despite getting him to drink quite a bit, Evan remained motionless.
“Is there some problem…?”
Minerva approached Lucia, who wore a worried expression.
“Don’t worry. I can see his pulse, so he isn’t dead.”
“Then why is he still out?”
“He took quite a considerable shock and fainted. He should wake up naturally if left alone for a while.”
With Minerva’s reassurance that Evan was safe, Lucia let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness.”
“So stop worrying, and let’s prepare for the danger in front of us.”
Minerva’s gaze shifted to Surt.
There he was, raising his sword high again with a furious expression.
“That bastard keeps regenerating no matter how many times I slice him. I don’t have confidence in defeating him with just my sword.”
“Killing isn’t the only way to win.”
“Is there another method?”
“Yes.”
Minerva opened her palm in front of Lucia.
Then a barrier sprang into existence above her hand.
“My power has aspects of sealing within my protection abilities. If Chloe can restrain that giant, I can use my power to seal him in the meantime.”
Lucia understood and nodded.
“Subduing instead of killing… sounds good.”
“However, it will take some time to establish the sealing barrier.”
“How long?”
“Twenty minutes should be enough.”
“If that’s the case…”
Lucia picked up the sword that had fallen to the ground and aimed it at Surt.
“I’ll support you. Thanks to Aegis, the barrier won’t break, so you can fight comfortably.”
As Minerva said, barriers surrounded Lucia.
Due to Aegis, the barrier emanated several times stronger magical power than before.
“Endurance won’t be an issue.”
Lucia smiled with satisfaction as she surveyed the barrier.
She slowly stepped beyond the barrier enveloping Efran, emerging into the open where Surt awaited.
Surt locked his furious gaze upon her.
“You’re not the only one angry.”
Lucia glared at Surt with blood-red eyes, as if stained with fury.
“You’ve crossed a line you shouldn’t have.”
Woosh…
The sword began to wail.
Black magic overlaid on the white blade as it vibrated ominously.
“You’ll pay the price for that.”
With those words, Lucia took a step forward.
Simultaneously, the world turned to black and white.
Lucia readied herself for the coming sword that flew towards her slowly.
‘With a barrier in place, I have time to recover my magic…’
With all her might.
Woosh!
The sword resonated with her magic, roaring fiercely.
Pouring power into the roaring sword.
Lucia focused all her mental energy on the enemy before her, swinging her sword, the only shining blade in the black-and-white world.
For the sole purpose of annihilating the foe.
<Power of Doom - The One Who Cuts Through the Illusory Surface>
Multiple lines carved towards Surt.
As Lucia sheathed her sword, the drawn lines began to cleave into the giant’s massive form.
[GRAAAAAHHH!!]
Surt let out a pained groan.
Regeneration began immediately, but Lucia, who had consumed the magic recovery potion, rushed at Surt to prevent him.
“Where do you think you’re going to recover?”
Once more, her sword cleaved through Surt’s body, splitting it in half.
“I was low on magic before, but not anymore after receiving Minerva’s recovery. So…”
Lucia plunged her sword into Surt’s head.
“Let’s make sure you’re subdued properly.”
With a wicked smile on her face.
