"Heretic… a heretic like you is unworthy of believing in our Lord!" Xenovia said angrily, watching Valper's self-righteous pronouncements. "
"Heretic… a heretic like you is unworthy of believing in our Lord!" Xenovia said angrily, watching Valper's self-righteous pronouncements.
"Hahaha, you don't understand. The Holy Sword Project was perfect. If it weren't for your interference, I would have already restored Excalibur's glory!" Valper raged, brandishing Excalibur.
"Valper Galilei. I am a survivor—no, a victim—of the 'Holy Sword Project.' I survived by being reborn as a devil." Yuuto declared coldly, his hate-filled eyes fixed on Valper.
"Oh, a survivor. Unfortunate. Meeting here in the Far East. Fate, wouldn't you say? Hehehe."
"I loved holy swords. I dreamt of them. As a child, the legends of Excalibur captivated me. So, when I learned I lacked the aptitude to become a Sword Empress, I despaired." Valper spoke suddenly, his voice tender and wistful.
"Because I couldn't use one, I yearned for those who could. That yearning escalated, leading me to research artificial Sword Empresses. And I succeeded, thanks to you." Valper looked at Yuuto, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
"What? Succeeded? Weren't we deemed failures and disposed of?" Yuuto raised an eyebrow, surprised.
According to Yuuto, Rias, and Xenovia, he and his companions were considered failed subjects and subsequently executed.
But Valper shook his head, speaking cruelly.
"I noticed that using Excalibur requires specific factors, so I investigated the numerical compatibility of those factors. Almost all the test subjects—boys and girls—possessed the factors, meeting the numerical requirements to wield Excalibur. I reached a conclusion: 'Could we extract those factors and concentrate them in one person?' And then…"
"I see. I understand. When a Sword Empress receives the blessing, what's implanted is…" Xenovia seemed to grasp the truth, grinding her teeth.
"That's right, the holy factor extracted from those with the aptitude, formed into a crystal. Like this." Valper produced a glowing orb from his pocket—incredibly bright, radiating holy energy.
"Thanks to this, research on Sword Empresses made a breakthrough. But the Church deemed me a heretic. My research data was stolen. Seeing you, my research must have been inherited by someone. Damn Michael. He tried to condemn me, but it turned out like this. Oh well, that angel is just like that. Extracting the factor without killing the subject… that's much more humane than I am."
Valper laughed maniacally, ignoring the enraged Yuuto and Xenovia.
He looked at Yuuto cheerfully.
"Thanks to you, I fulfilled my dream of wielding Excalibur."
"You killed my companions, just to extract the holy sword aptitude factor?" Yuuto asked, killing intent radiating from him.
"That's right. This orb is the result. It's incredible; even devils can use holy swords because of it! Hahaha."
"Though their bodies were ravaged by the clash of extreme power, that child was quite happy. A good test subject, a pity they were killed." Valper shook his head, sighing. He was referring to Genshirou, killed by Arthas.
"Valper Galilei. For your research, your desires, you sacrificed so many lives…" Yuuto's hands trembled; the magic born of his rage enveloped him, radiating immense power.
"Hmph. Since you say that, I'll give you this factor crystal. The research is at a stage where mass production is possible with the right environment. First, we destroy this city with Kokabiel. Then, we collect the legendary holy swords kept around the world. Then mass-produce Sword Empresses, use the unified Excalibur, and declare war on Michael and the Vatican. Let those foolish angels who condemned me see the results of my research!" Valper said fervently.
Then, as if losing interest, Valper tossed the crystal. It rolled to Yuuto's feet.
Yuuto knelt, picking up the crystal.
He touched it with sadness, affection, and longing.
"Everyone…"
Tears flowed down Yuuto's face. His expression was filled with sorrow and rage. At that moment, the crystal in his hand began to glow faintly.
The light expanded, enveloping the entire courtyard.
Orbs of light appeared and formed on the ground.
They were humanoid shapes.
Surrounding Yuuto were translucent figures of young men and women, emitting a pale blue light.
Yuuto looked at them with a sorrowful yet nostalgic expression.
"Everyone! I… I…"
"Always… always, I wondered… was it right that only I survived…? There were those who valued their dreams more. Those who wanted to live more than I did. Was it really right for me to live peacefully alone?"
One of the spirits smiled, speaking to Yuuto.
His mouth moved, but no sound was heard, only a faint, mournful song lingered.
Don't worry about us. Just live well!
Understanding this, tears welled in Yuuto's eyes.
The spirits' mouths moved in unison, creating a rhythm.
"It's a hymn."
Asia whispered.
They were singing a hymn… Yuuto wept, joining their song.
It was their only hope and dream during the grueling human experiments.
It was the only sustenance that kept them alive through hardship.
Singing the hymn, they and Yuuto wore the pure smiles of children.
Their spirits emitted a pale blue light, growing brighter, centered on Yuuto.
"Thank you…" Yuuto whispered.
"He's achieved it…" Rias smiled, relieved.
Divine artifacts evolve and strengthen using the wielder's thoughts and feelings.
But there's another level. When the wielder's thoughts and desires become intense enough to potentially reverse the world, the artifact reaches its peak.
That's called a Forbidden Art!
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