He attempted to shake Claudio, a formidable enemy, mentally.
The heavy blade cut towards Philiana, gouging the ground. She received it and slid her sword upwards, as if to disperse the impact. Claudio forcefully countered, averting his heavy sword which had begun to fall. Black flames swirled, attacking Philiana from below.
In the instant her arms were raised, Nina inserted her dagger into a wound on Claudio’s armored flank. She quickly spun her body away, as if to escape the descending sword. The dagger remained stuck in the wound Cecilia had made. However, it hadn’t pierced the thick armor. It was only slightly caught.
Claudio reached for it. The moment he touched the hilt, the dagger exploded. His body swayed slightly. Was this Piyo’s enchantment too?
“—!!”
Philiana swung her sword. Its tip aimed directly for the dragon’s eye. She intended to pierce its head. My breath caught, and I strained my eyelids.
But that blow was a failure. For some reason, Philiana suddenly slipped. She immediately pulled back.
“Wh—”
Everyone looked at Philiana, wondering why. It was unlike her to make such a mistake at a crucial moment.
“It seems that half-breed fellow wasn’t a cheat after all.”
“A fortune teller, you say?”
“His fortunes always seemed dubious, but they seem to be useful after all. As time passes, their power increases, and you’re swallowed by the vortex.”
It was Anakura’s fortune-telling. Had it been affecting her all along? It was a troublesome spell; at first glance, it appeared to be mere coincidence. Since I couldn’t even make out the patterns, predicting what would happen next was impossible.
The swords of both combatants struck with a dull metallic sound. Black flames seemed to lick out, trying to engulf Philiana. They were already singeing her hair. She was trying to shift sideways, but Claudio’s brute strength wouldn’t allow it.
Even a slight shift would have been enough to dig into Philiana’s bones.
“What’s wrong? Can’t push me back? Why did you let go of your strength? It’s because your heart was too weak to accept it.”
“Ghh…”
Philiana’s sword vibrated tremulously, as if in pain.
“While you were wallowing in your lukewarm companions, I grew stronger.”
With a loud clash, Philiana’s sword was pushed back. Her hooves stumbled, searching for the ground.
“Open your eyes wide and burn it in, my strength!”
Claudio suddenly dropped the armor he was wearing. The dull sound spoke of its weight. Then he tore his undershirt and unwound the bandages around his chest. I involuntarily covered my mouth, not my eyes. Everyone else, just as he said, had their eyes wide open.
A massive scar was there. It looked as if it had been gouged by a bear, or more accurately, as if a meat hook had ripped flesh away. It was the kind of scar that made you want to ask what kind of sinner had committed such an act.
“Y-you, what is that?”
Philiana pointed at it with trembling fingers. Seeing her reaction, Claudio seemed satisfied.
“Lost your nerve? I discarded my womanhood with my own hands. This isn’t like your childish pretend play.”
No, no one here thinks you’re amazing. They’re just shocked by the sheer stupidity. To cut it off because you didn’t like it. There were better ways to do things. This could even damage his muscles.
There are rare diseases where people feel a part of their body isn’t their own, but this doesn’t seem like it. It’s more like getting piercings—enduring the pain and considering it a badge of honor.
“What have you done?”
” I can defeat you now without this armor. It’s time for you to die, farewell Philiana Granim.”
Black flames trailed behind, drawing a circle. He was about to unleash a shockwave of fire. Cecilia, sensing it, rushed to Philiana’s side.
“Disappear!!”
The full-powered slash was the same as when Lord Nephilim was shot down. Waves of jet black shattered the ground, whipping up the wind. The waves of fury, destroying everything in their path, swirled to engulf Philiana.
Even Cecilia’s light magic couldn’t defend against that. Sweat poured from my entire body. I could only pray that she would be alright.
Amidst the jet-black slash, a faint light was visible. Philiana, holding a glowing sword, was trying to cut through the darkness. Was that Cecilia’s technique? Alright, cut your way through!
Meanwhile, looking at Claudio, I could faintly see a satisfied expression under his helmet. It was as if he were saying, “That’s who you are.”
“However, I surpass that.”
Claudio ignited his sword again, layering flames onto the jet-black wave as a follow-up attack.
