It seemed that to become a compatible wielder of a Holy Sword, one's soul had to contain some kind of unique factor, and Valper had just happened to discover this existence.
Using certain technological means, he extracted this factor while simultaneously stripping away human souls!
Back in that fallen angel's dimensional space, No. 2 had likely been No. 1's previous experimental subject, while the current No. 1 was clearly an upgraded version.
Even the incomplete attack from No. 2 had forced Ryuya to use the absolute defense of the Divine Shield. And now, that very shield was still supporting Rias and the others.
Through the shared perception with his clone, Ryuya clearly knew that the three of them were struggling to hold on. If he were to recklessly withdraw the clone and the Divine Shield, Rias and the others would likely suffer severe injuries.
After all, even Koneko, enhanced with the power of a Rook, wouldn't be able to withstand a direct attack from Kokabiel!
If the Divine Shield couldn't be withdrawn, then things on this side would become troublesome…
Ryuya inwardly cursed his bad luck, his thoughts racing as he searched for a solution.
Xenovia wielded the Holy Sword Durandal, clashing head-on with No. 1 for several exchanges. Facing an opponent whose strength had been greatly enhanced by burning her soul, even she found herself locked in a brief stalemate.
Seeing that No. 1's power was still steadily rising and that she was about to unleash her final strike, Ryuya continued attacking her with everything he had to disrupt her while thinking rapidly.
Something's off… Even after being hit by the Aegiron, she's still this strong?
Ryuya's gaze locked onto the Fusion Holy Sword. He had no idea what kind of method Valper had used to make that sword unleash such overwhelming power.
Then suddenly, something clicked in his mind, and his eyes lit up.
If that's the case… wouldn't destroying the Holy Sword solve everything?
"Xenovia, how was the Excalibur destroyed back then? Can it be done again now?"
The valiant Holy Swordswoman immediately understood Ryuya's intent.
"As long as the power is sufficient, it can be done. And conveniently, my Durandal is exactly that kind of tyrant, overflowing with destructive force."
"Good."
Ryuya tightened his grip on the Sword of the King. "I'll take the lead and suppress her. You find an opportunity to destroy that sword with Durandal."
"Got it!"
Ryuya moved first, and Xenovia smoothly withdrew, executing a perfect handoff.
Even though it was their first time fighting side by side, their coordination was surprisingly seamless. Perhaps it was simply a matter of natural compatibility. The two of them launched their assault in tandem, one in front and one behind.
Clang!
The Sacred Gear Sword of the King collided with the Fusion Holy Sword, as demonic power and holy energy clashed violently.
Ryuya silently increased his magical output, his figure turning into a streak of lightning, moving so fast that he became almost a blur.
Empowered by the effects of burning her soul and enhanced by the "Sword of Fusion," No. 1 was no slower than Ryuya. The two engaged in a fierce clash, exchanging blows wildly across the field.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of blazing explosions erupted, waves of fire formed from the violent collision of demonic and divine energies. Their speed was so great that they fought while constantly moving, leaving afterimages all across the field, reducing everything in their path to ruin.
Though Xenovia was slightly slower, her grasp of timing was exceptional. She always managed to support Ryuya at critical moments, causing considerable trouble for No. 1.
The magical power within Ryuya surged higher and higher. At this moment, he pushed the enhancement of the Sword of the King to its absolute limit!
Boom!!
With a powerful downward slash, No. 1 raised her sword to block the attack. The sheer force of Ryuya's strike blasted a massive crater into the ground beneath her!
For a brief moment, the two were locked in a stalemate!
Xenovia saw it clearly.
The opportunity had arrived!
A cold gleam flickered across Durandal's blade as Xenovia leapt forward in an instant, closing the distance and appearing right in front of No. 1!
She struck!
With perfect timing, Ryuya withdrew, and with her momentum not yet recovered, No. 1 could only raise the Fusion Holy Sword to barely block Durandal.
Crack!!
Xenovia's long-prepared strike shattered the Fusion Holy Sword in one blow, the blade bursting apart into fragments amid blue-white flames!
"Ahhh!!"
For the first time, the girl known as No. 1 let out a cry of pain. Her long hair whipped wildly as the power within her instantly fell into chaos!
Her bare body erupted with countless wounds. At that moment, Ryuya returned in a flash, thrusting forward with the Sword of the King and piercing straight through the girl's heart.
Her body froze.
Ryuya's dark eyes met hers, and he saw clarity gradually return to her gaze. A trace of relief flickered within them.
She smiled faintly at him. Just as she seemed about to say something, blood welled up from her lips, and her eyes quickly dimmed.
Ryuya remained silent.
Slowly, he pulled the Sword of the King from her body. The blade was stained with the girl's crimson blood.
The sword trembled faintly, as if grieving.
She had been an innocent girl. And the Sword of the King had once been a blade meant to protect its people…
The Benevolent King's Sword and Shield were Sacred Gears born for protection, yet now they had been forced to stain themselves with the blood of the innocent.
Ryuya gently laid No. 1's body into the crater. With a single swing of his sword, the earth surged upward, burying the girl beneath the soil.
Then, he turned his gaze toward Valper.
That bastard… was the true culprit.
His figure vanished in an instant. Ryuya reappeared beside Valper, and without hesitation, drove his sword through the old man's chest, lifting him into the air.
"You really believe the soul can live forever?"
He asked coldly. This man's manipulation of human souls was utterly despicable.
Even devils like them treated the power of the soul with respect.
"Ah… I-I beg you… spare me… I only sought knowledge! This was all for the advancement of humanity! I created Holy Sword wielders, gave power to humans who couldn't control Holy Swords before… is that wrong?!"
The intense pain drained all color from Valper's face. He could feel his life slipping away.
Unlike the mad scientist Ryuya had encountered before, Valper clearly valued his own life much more.
Listening to his words, Ryuya fell silent for a moment.
"…Beyond saving."
The Sword of the King twisted slightly in his hand as Ryuya prepared to end Valper's life.
But in the very next instant, he decisively pulled the sword free and vanished from where he stood.
Boom!!
A spear of light struck the spot he had just occupied. Ryuya had already moved, but Valper was instantly reduced to ashes under the terrifying divine power.
Ryuya calmly raised his head and looked toward Kokabiel in the sky.
"You think the same sneak attack will work on me twice?"
The last time, in that dimensional space, he had been caught off guard and injured. But this time, he had been keeping watch through his clone the entire time.
Kokabiel chuckled.
"Interesting. I never expected you to reach this level. Lady Rias, it seems you've found yourself quite an excellent servant."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Rias Gremory's expression was ice-cold.
With all obstacles now cleared by Ryuya, everyone understood what came next.
It was finally time to face Kokabiel himself,
...
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