In the valley, the fierce battle continued.
The Steel Lion, formed from the Heart of the Demon Sword Cuore di Leone, and the giant monster formed from the Divine Sword Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi, tore and bit at each other, clashing and striking, repeatedly creating deafening shockwaves in the air—a strange duel of sword against sword.
Although empowered by divine strength, the demon sword was still just a demon sword and could not compare to the divine sword, which already possessed an independent divine status.
Compared to its previously imposing giant form, the Steel Lion's body was now much smaller, and its steel body was covered with numerous fierce sword scars. Although the scars were healing with the flow of divine power, it was clearly struggling.
The monster formed by the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi sword also looked somewhat battered but was clearly in better shape than the Steel Lion.
"Hah… hah… this is getting a bit bad now…"
Erica's face paled as she bent over, panting and muttering with a hint of self-mockery.
To control the Steel Lion, the divine power left by the king inside her was nearly depleted. Without divine protection, breathing was difficult in this special space of the Netherworld.
She had thought her current strength was enough to handle an unmanned divine weapon, but she had underestimated the power of the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi sword. Unlike ordinary divine weapons, Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi was itself a heretic god with divine status!
If this were the human world, she could have held out longer, but in the Netherworld, which was disadvantageous to her, the situation was even more severe!
Run away? That might be a good choice. Though her remaining strength was low, if she focused on escape, she might still have a chance.
If she were the old Erica, she might have chosen that, but now, she dismissed that option in an instant.
Why?
"Steel Lion, charge!"
Her cyan eyes flashed with a strange light, and Erica regained a determined expression.
Looking at Ena, who was already showing a pained expression even in sleep, the girl desperately summoned her last strength. The sword scars on the Steel Lion instantly healed, and it howled to the sky before lunging at the monster formed by the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi sword.
"Knight of the God-Slayer, to fight me with a mere mortal body until now, I respect your bravery."
"But this is where it ends for you!"
Seeing Erica's last desperate move, the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi sword's tone was both admiring and disdainful. Divine power surged around it, and huge whirlwinds spread out.
Two giant sword-shaped arms raised to the sky, as if brewing a billion storms. The monster didn't hesitate to slash at the charging Steel Lion.
Puff puff puff…
As the two sword arms struck down, two huge storm spheres shot toward the Steel Lion with incredible speed. Countless sharp wind blades shot out from the spheres, cutting everything in their path!
As the subordinate god and divine weapon of the Storm God Susanoo, the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi sword possessed the power of [Storm]. Its unleashed might was terrifying, as if it would tear the entire space apart!
Boom!!!
Without a doubt, when the two storm spheres collided with the Steel Lion, a deafening explosion rang out.
"Roar…"
The already exhausted Steel Lion could not withstand the attack. Countless sharp wind blades cut its back. With a miserable cry, it could no longer maintain its form and reverted to its original shape, being swept into the sky by the storm.
"Ah!!!"
Erica was also caught in the storm's impact, crying out in pain as her body was thrown dozens of meters before falling again.
Stomp stomp stomp…
The giant monster formed by the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi sword walked toward Erica, shaking the ground with each step.
"Knight girl, it's over!"
In the eyes of these so-called gods, there was no such thing as mercy. Once a battle broke out, it was a fight to the death. Even though Erica was a delicate and beautiful girl, to the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi sword, she was just a dying person!
"Hah… hah… ah, it really seems to be over now!"
Getting up, Erica wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, giving a pitifully beautiful impression that evoked sympathy.
But there was no fear or despair in her expression—only a strange, stubborn smile!
Seeing this, the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi sword felt something was off but was too lazy to think much and swung one of its sword-shaped arms to strike Erica down.
There was no intention to dodge or avoid at all. Erica opened her arms wide, as if wanting to embrace something, but it was definitely not because of death!
"My king, your knight Erica Blandelli is right here. Your lover Erica Blandelli is right here. If you can hear my voice, come to my side!"
Boom!!!
The great sword fell with a tremendous sound, the ground cracked open, and the figure of the girl disappeared into the endless dust and smoke…
…
"Who goes there?!"
There was no victorious expression after missing the target. Looking ahead, Ame no Murakumo Sword shouted loudly, and immediately a storm formed, blowing away the flying dust and smoke, revealing the figures of Sora and Erica.
"Foolish woman, why didn't you run away? Why did you make yourself so battered and bruised?!"
Looking at Erica, whose strength was already exhausted and who was covered in wounds, Sora held the King's Sword with one hand to block the great sword, asking angrily yet with concern.
With the power he had left for Erica, she definitely shouldn't be in such a sorry state, yet she…
"Because I knew you would definitely come to my side."
"Besides, I've wanted to see the king show this expression for me alone for a long time…"
Her two jade-like hands gently caressed Sora's cheeks. Erica's face was full of charm and intoxication, her eyes unblinking, as if wanting to forever imprint the expression Sora showed her at this moment in her heart.
"Erica, you've become a foolish woman now."
Just for this reason alone, Sora could only sigh helplessly.
"Ah, it's all because of you, Sora, that I've become like this…"
Smiling foolishly, Erica knew she seemed very silly now, but she was incredibly happy and content.
"Hah… truly a hopeless woman. But—"
"I really like it!"
Without hesitation, Sora kissed the girl's cherry lips. While tasting her sweetness, he once again cast a blessing, channeling his divine power into her body.
"So, you are the God Slayer. To be so careless and negligent before me, then you shall pay the price!"
Seeing Sora and Erica kissing right in front of him, Ame no Murakumo Sword immediately became furious and without hesitation swung his giant sword-like arm down at the two.
"Are you satisfied now, foolish woman?"
Releasing Erica, letting the long silk thread connect at the corners of their mouths, Sora asked Erica mischievously.
"Ah, even if I die for you, I have no regrets, my Demon King."
Her strength restored, her previously pale face now flushed again, Erica gave a stunningly charming smile.
Shaking his head, tired of dealing with this possessed girl, Sora turned his gaze to the giant sword descending toward them and to Ena, who was not far away with a pained expression. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes.
"All evil doers, fear my power! Now I shall gain the strength of ten mountains, the force of a hundred rivers, the might of a thousand camels! The fierce mark of the camel grants me this indomitable body!"
This was the incantation used to activate the "Camel" ability. It was Sora's first time using this power.
The "Camel" ability explosively increases the power of kicks. Besides dulling pain, it also stops bleeding from severe wounds. In the original story, Kusanagi Godou had to be seriously injured to activate this ability, but for Sora, those restrictions did not apply.
Boom!!!
A loud explosion, but it was not the sound of Ame no Murakumo Sword striking the ground.
Before the giant sword fell, Sora had already embraced Erica and dodged to the monster's abdomen formed by Ame no Murakumo Sword. Without mercy, Sora delivered a side kick.
The immense force caused the air to explode, and the monster howled miserably, shooting backward like a cannonball.
But it was not over yet. With another flash, Sora and Erica appeared above the flying Ame no Murakumo Sword and stomped down.
Boom!!!
The huge body crashed into the ground, causing the earth to collapse. Even the tough and resilient body of the monster formed by Ame no Murakumo Sword showed cracks.
"Hey, Ena, wake up, the sun's shining on your butt."
Sora and Erica flashed to Ena's side, who was still bound, and patted the girl's cheek. Sora spoke in a morning wake-up tone.
"Uu… Erica-san, Your Majesty…"
Because Ame no Murakumo Sword was injured by Sora, its control over Ena weakened considerably. Hearing this, the girl slowly opened her eyes and woke up.
"Ah? So Ena was swallowed by Ame no Murakumo Sword? Erica-san, Your Majesty, did you come to save Ena?"
Looking around, Ena seemed to realize what happened and raised her little head, innocently speaking to the two.
Judging by her expression, she clearly didn't care at all about being swallowed or her body being corroded by divine power and severely injured!
Tsk tsk, such mental toughness is truly impressive!
"Hehe… don't worry, my cute little Ena, I will save you."
"But be prepared to face my punishment and wrath!"
Looking at Ena, who had caused such trouble and left both him and Erica battered without any awareness, Sora gave a grim smile and said fiercely to the girl.
"Uh…"
Sora's expression made Ena suddenly feel a bit panicked and uneasy. Seeing the king really angry, the girl's mind raced, her big eyes darting around.
Then, without warning, Ena's little head drooped weakly.
Hmm, she seemed to have fainted…
"You brat, don't you dare play dead on me!!!"
With a furrowed brow, Sora grabbed Ena's body and pulled her out, then gave her a hard slap on her delicate buttocks, shouting in endless fury…