"Hah… hah…"
Pale as paper, Ichibei was already exhausted from the previous strike. Half-kneeling on the ground, the girl gasped for breath.
Though they had been told many times about the strength of gods and demon kings, only now did the girls truly experience it firsthand. The opponent might not have even used one ten-thousandth of their power, yet they had already given their all!
"Big sister!"
The other eight Secret Sword Maidens quickly appeared beside Ichibei, helping her up and protecting her in the center.
Though relieved to survive, the fact that their strongest big sister had already exhausted her strength in one strike made the girls feel extremely heavy-hearted.
This fight could not continue!
Seeing Ichibei withstand Metis's attack, Liliana and the other two girls on the side secretly breathed a sigh of relief. But their expressions soon darkened again—
"Humans, you don't think it's over just like that, do you?"
Metis's voice came faintly from the sky. The girls looked toward the sound and saw the evil goddess wearing a sinister, strange smile.
She activated the Earth Serpent power again. To the girls' horror, one terrifying giant python after another raised their heads…
"Die!!!"
No longer interested in playing, Metis coldly uttered two words. Instantly, the divine beast pythons howled and lunged at the girls!
It's over…
With no strength left to resist, despair rose in the hearts of the girls.
Enjoying the terrified and desperate expressions of these human girls, Metis licked her lips with a devilish smile.
She was really looking forward to seeing how amusing it would be when the God Slayer returned and found his women all killed by her…
However, things did not develop as Metis imagined.
Because at the next moment, a sudden anomaly occurred!
The void twisted and suddenly tore open. Three figures flashed out from within, then—
Shlaa…
One of the figures slashed with a sword, and countless sharp energy blades shot out, covering the sky and earth, slashing toward the giant python horde!
"Roar!!!"
With cries of pain, unsurprisingly, the divine beast pythons summoned by Metis were all cut down, turning into endless dust and vanishing into the world.
Staring blankly at the familiar figure, Arianna and Yuri, who were taking care of Shizuka, exchanged a glance. They dispelled their divine power barrier and collapsed to the ground, feeling utterly exhausted.
"Thank goodness, Lord Sora is back…"
Their hearts, which had been hanging in suspense, finally relaxed. This was a subconscious thought that Arianna, Yuri, and the other girls had long held deep inside.
As long as Sora was here, no matter how great the crisis, they would be fine.
"Master!"
Seeing Sora, Erica, and Ena suddenly return and save them, the Secret Sword Maidens were filled with excitement and saluted Sora.
"Well done, well done, you all performed well."
Turning around, Sora smiled and patted Ichibei's little head in front of him with an approving expression.
With the power of Gale, one of the Ten Incarnations of the War God, Sora could sense whenever someone important to him called out from their hearts.
Originally, he could have returned earlier with Erica and Ena, but after seeing the situation here, Sora decided to wait a bit. Although fighting gods was dangerous, it was undoubtedly an excellent training opportunity for the girls, so he hid nearby and watched the show for a while.
Besides, heroes always appear at the most critical moments, right?
Walking to the center of the nine Secret Sword Maidens, Sora suddenly pulled Ichibei, who looked extremely weak after exhausting all her strength to protect everyone, into his arms.
"Ichibei, this is a reward from your master."
Whispering softly into Ichibei's ear, Sora then dominantly pressed his lips against the girl's.
While savoring the sweetness of the maiden's lips, he cast a protective spell, channeling his divine power into the girl's body. The girl's beautiful eyes, like clear springs, were filled with endless shyness. Her originally pale face flushed with a faint blush—whether from the restoration of strength or embarrassment, no one could tell.
Seeing their wicked master doing such naughty things to the eldest sister as soon as he returned, the other eight Secret Sword Maidens all shyly lowered their heads, unable to look. Their expressions flickered with a mixture of shyness and envy, but there was no trace of jealousy.
"Alright, the rest will have to wait until after the battle."
After finishing the protective spell, Sora released the girl, lightly touching his lips with a mischievous smile full of lingering desire.
"Yes, Master."
Naturally, the girl understood what the "rest" meant in the master's words. Her cheeks were flushed, but she felt no resistance.
Sora was very satisfied with these nine precious treasures gifted by the Seishuuin clan. He resolved to train them well in the future. Before long, he would have another batch of female warrior gods.
While Sora was casting the protective spell on Ichibei, Erica and Ena acted together and quickly rescued the three girls—Liliana and two others—who were still trapped in a difficult fight. Looking at these disheveled girls, Sora felt a bit embarrassed. If he had appeared earlier, perhaps they wouldn't have suffered so much.
But to help them grow stronger, these hardships were necessary. Although it pained him deeply, Sora had to steel his heart.
Though a bit macho, Sora was different from those who always said they would protect their women forever and never let them be harmed. Rather than empty promises, Sora preferred to give his women power so they could protect themselves.
"Ugh… little devil brother, big sister's strength is all used up too. Hurry and replenish me as well."
Clinging shamelessly to Sora was a certain unscrupulous great witch.
"You demoness, do you really think I'm your personal charging station?!"
"Not now, after the battle."
Sora patted the great witch's pert butt, making her get off. He felt speechless.
There was still a big fight with Metis coming up. If he used up all his reserves now, what would he do?!
"Hehehe…"
A coquettish laugh. Although unscrupulous, Zola was sensible and was just habitually acting spoiled.
Yes, just acting spoiled…
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry. Liliana has disappointed you. I failed to protect everyone."
Liliana stepped forward, bowed to Sora, her face full of sadness and guilt.
The girl felt deeply guilty, thinking she hadn't protected everyone well. If Sora and Erica hadn't rushed back, some sisters might have been injured or killed.
If that had happened, Liliana would never forgive herself for the rest of her life!
"Ah, since you failed to protect everyone, you must fight alongside me now, and accept my punishment afterward!"
Holding the girl's chin, Sora spoke coldly.
Seeing Liliana's disappointed and guilty expression, Erica, standing nearby, brushed her slightly messy hair and smiled strangely, but had no intention of comforting her.
Both Erica and Sora understood very well that for this girl with strong pride and sense of responsibility, comforting words now would only insult her and deepen her guilt.
"Yes, Liliana obeys!"
As expected, Liliana showed no grievance, only a sense of relief. Her expression regained firmness as she stood beside Sora.
"Yuri, why did you come here?"
Seeing Yuri still tending to Shizuka, who had been knocked unconscious by Liliana, Sora asked curiously.
"Kaoru received intelligence that the whole world is undergoing anomalies, so she sent me to inform you."
Yuri stood up and answered Sora's question.
"I see…"
Sora nodded, understanding. Miss Kaoru was now avoiding him like the plague, so if anything happened, he would only dare to send Yuri to find her.
"Yuri isn't good at fighting, so just stay quietly in the back. But if needed, you must step up and help!"
Patting the girl's head, Sora smiled mischievously with a knowing look.
"Okay…"
Understanding her wicked demon king's meaning, the innocent Yuri blushed faintly but replied softly.
Looking at Shizuka still unconscious, Sora had no intention of waking her immediately. Let the little girl stay knocked out a bit longer—sweat…
After calming the girls, Sora turned and looked up into the sky not far away.
"Godslayer, have you finished your final arrangements? I'm getting impatient."
Seeing Sora finally look at her, Metis was furious, her expression cold and dark.
That hateful Godslayer—Metis had wanted to kill him for a long time!
"Ah, yes, all done."
"Then now, it's time for the purge!"
Looking at this evil goddess who looked exactly like her three-in-one form with the Bearhug Athena, Sora's eyes flashed with a strange light, a wicked smile curling his lips.
Metis, since you dared to come to me yourself, I, Sora, will be merciless…