Artoria hadn't expected Hinata to react so quickly.
"Artoria-san, if you keep talking, you'll expose all the information."
Treyni appeared beside Artoria, her sudden appearance instantly alerting Hinata and the Saints.
"Another one!"
"When?"
"Who is she?"
"How did she get in?"
"A Demon Lord!"
As expected of Hinata, she immediately judged Treyni's strength.
The opponent, like Artoria, was also a powerful individual who had entered the True Demon Lord realm.
But this was a bit too terrifying.
Two True Demon Lords.
And they were True Demon Lords Hinata had never even heard of, appearing at the same time in the Jura Great Forest.
More importantly, these two seemed to be on the same side.
"My apologies."
Artoria nodded slightly and said, "I unexpectedly met someone interesting and couldn't hold back."
"Did you really not hold back?"
Treyni didn't want to expose Artoria.
She was clearly guiding Hinata, preventing her from making the wrong choice.
Not just now.
Even earlier, when she took the Spirit Collapse head-on with her body, Artoria had used her own method to protect the Holy Knights.
"Aren't you afraid that Rin-sama will be angry if you do this?"
Artoria fell silent for a moment, then said firmly, "I will apologize to him."
"Alright."
Treyni smiled and said, "Then, do you mind if I tell them the second option?"
"Mm."
After receiving Artoria's consent, Treyni scanned everyone present and said, "If you are unwilling to surrender."
"That's fine too."
"Artoria-san will personally beat you to your knees."
To be beaten to their knees—these words were more than just an insult.
It was contempt. They were being completely disregarded.
"Oh, right, what was that sentence Rin-sama said?"
Treyni looked at her good friend, who sighed, "It's very difficult to control the force needed to step over ants without harming them."
Treyni smiled. "So, please be sensible…"
"If you say that,"
Artoria said helplessly, "how could they possibly surrender?"
However, Artoria didn't feel troubled.
She knew very well what Treyni's sudden appearance meant.
This was a reminder from Rin.
Don't hold back anymore. Immediately, right now, take down these invaders.
"Never mind."
Artoria re-gripped the Sword of Promised Victory. "Anyway, the battle will end very soon."
Thus, under Treyni's gaze and Hinata's shocked eyes,
A war of one versus three thousand erupted.
The Saints, allied with Hinata, plus 111 Temple Knights and 3,000 Holy Knights.
Yet, they were forcefully cut through by one person with overwhelming momentum.
They couldn't stop her.
There wasn't even an opponent who could last a single exchange.
The only ones who could trade a few blows with Artoria were Hinata and the Saints.
But even they, facing Artoria's swordsmanship, were forced off the battlefield one by one, frustrated and defeated.
"Litus!"
"Leonard!"
"Bacchus!"
One teammate after another was cut down by Artoria.
They weren't in life-threatening danger, but they had lost all combat ability, lying helplessly on the ground, watching with indignation as Artoria charged toward their remaining companions.
In less than ten minutes, the only one still standing around Artoria was Hinata.
But even Hinata was covered in wounds by now.
If not for her strong will, Hinata's fate would have been no different from the other Saints.
"Monster…"
Hinata had always considered herself exceptionally strong. Even against a True Demon Lord, she wasn't without hope of victory.
But Artoria's appearance was like a slap to the face, ruthlessly waking her up.
Strongest human?
The female knight opposite her hadn't even used her Unique Skill.
Just with her physical abilities and terrifying swordsmanship alone, she had defeated the Holy Knights—including herself.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Artoria walked toward Hinata step by step.
And each of those footsteps was like a hammer, striking heavily on Hinata's heart.
Was this despair?
She thought of what Artoria had said earlier.
"No!"
"It's not over yet!!"
Facing a desperate situation, Hinata didn't give up. Instead, her heart became even more resolute.
"Hm?"
Artoria was a little surprised.
However, this only made her look forward to Hinata's potential even more.
After all, if Rin could subdue Luminous, then Hinata and the Holy Knights under her would very likely become Artoria's subordinates.
For someone who might be her future subordinate, or even her right-hand woman, Artoria naturally hoped she would be as strong as possible.
"By my name, summon, descend, spirits!"
The second power of the Usurper was to summon spirits from the spiritual realm and use their power to fight.
At once, crimson for fire, azure for water, emerald for wind...
Various colors of light emerged around Hinata. Under the girl's control, they transformed into her power, massively increasing her magicules.
[Hinata Sakaguchi]
Magicules: 1.1 million EP → 1.5 million EP
A full increase of 400,000 magicules, enough to rival someone like Clayman.
Looking at Hinata's current appearance,
Her armor had transformed into a sheer, long dress, and three pairs of wing-like light prisms spread out behind her, making the girl look like an elf from another world.
"Spirit Incarnation, huh?"
Treyni was very familiar with this state and immediately understood what Hinata had done.
"Are you still going to resist?"
Artoria shook her head. She had already seen through Hinata.
1.1 million, or 1.5 million.
To her, what difference did it make?
"My dictionary does not contain the word surrender!"
Hinata raised the Seven Luminaries Sword, now imbued with spirit power, surpassing even ordinary divine artifacts.
But it still wasn't enough.
Without the magicules of a Calamity-level existence or an Ultimate Skill, Avalon's defense could not be shaken.
"It seems you still haven't felt despair."
The next moment, the two figures collided.
Hinata unleashed combat power far exceeding her magicule level, giving Artoria a considerable surprise.
The Saints and the Holy Knights who still retained consciousness watched their commander's desperate battle, both moved and frustrated by their own powerlessness.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)