In just an instant, Roy should have been reduced to ashes by the power of Water Moon, skipping even the cremation process to be buried instantly.
That's how it should have been.
Yet Roy remained standing there, alive and kicking—not just unharmed, but even his clothes remained intact.
"How is this possible?!"
Faceless's expression twisted dramatically, his face filled with disbelief.
His eyes widened as if trying to see through everything, glaring at Roy like sharp needles.
Only then did he notice that Roy was covered in a thin, film-like layer.
This film, resembling a spacesuit, enveloped his entire body without leaving the slightest gap. The Arachne spider silk hadn't adhered to him at all—it was tangled around the film instead!
What in the world was going on?
Was he some kind of magician?
But hadn't he gained the recognition of the Sword of the Black Furnace?
Historically, there had been witches or magicians who managed to earn the recognition of an Orga Lux, but the Orga Lux they obtained were always those with extremely low thresholds for recognition. A solitary and eccentric demonic sword like the Sword of the Black Furnace had exceedingly high conditions for choosing a master—it would absolutely never accept a magician!
How had he done it?!
"What's this? So Water Moon can't break down energy constructs?"
Roy laughed heartily as he swung the Sword of the Black Furnace with all his might, burning through the tangled web of threads before him.
The threads in front of him had already been partially severed earlier. After another forceful slash, a gap immediately opened up before him.
He had assumed Water Moon could decompose energy constructs as well, so he had prepared a stack of automatic defense-type talismans, planning to buy time through sheer numbers if necessary.
But since Faceless had already used Water Moon, and the simple barrier around him hadn't dissipated, it seemed Water Moon couldn't break down energy constructs—only physical matter.
That made sense. Otherwise, Water Moon would be far too overpowered.
Roy took a step forward and leaped through the gap.
The Arachne spider silk, with its extraordinary adhesiveness, was impossible to escape from once stuck. But it seemed to share the same flaw as Water Moon—it could only adhere to physical matter, not energy constructs.
"You've had your turn. Now it's time to die!"
Roy glanced at Faceless, who stood not far away with an expression of utter disbelief, and smiled faintly before moving.
Shukuchi activated once more—in an instant, he closed the distance, the glowing blade descending.
Faceless's face darkened as he swiftly shook the Savage Bell of Yalos in his right hand, the deep, air-shaking chime resounding again.
But this time, luck wasn't on his side. Roy's blade flashed, and the Savage Bell of Yalos let out a shrill, almost mournful sound before its radiance instantly faded.
Faced with the imminent threat of death, Faceless involuntarily took a step back.
Roy pursued, swinging his blade once more.
A flash of light.
Then, time seemed to freeze.
Faceless's head toppled from his shoulders, thudding to the ground.
The severed neck was charred black, not a single drop of blood spilling, only emitting a faint, burnt odor.
"Whew."
Roy exhaled softly, finally relaxing.
Although this Faceless was a complete tool-user, each of his gadgets was truly troublesome, forcing Roy to even use his runes. Fortunately, no one saw him use them, so his identity shouldn't be exposed.
"Are you really completely unharmed?"
Only after the battle ended did Sylvia approach with an expression of amazement, her crystal-clear eyes scanning Roy up and down with a mix of concern and disbelief.
Even she didn't understand how Roy had broken through that seemingly hopeless situation earlier.
"Not a single hair out of place."
Roy stretched slightly, feeling better than ever.
Though the fight had been full of frights, he'd only suffered from not knowing the functions of these Orga Luxes initially. Once on guard, they became easy to defend against. The only direct hit he'd taken was Savage Bell of Yalos at point-blank range, but his physique was extraordinarily strong—such attacks couldn't harm his bones or muscles.
"Truly incredible."
Sylvia walked up to Roy with admiration, carefully examining him before confirming his words were true—not a single wound marred his body.
"It seems you weren't going all out during the Phoenix Festa!"
Now that she thought about it, during his decisive battle with Souji, he must have given her plenty of face.
Sylvia relaxed slightly inwardly. By showing Souji respect and letting her lose with dignity, Roy had demonstrated true gentlemanly conduct, which raised her opinion of him somewhat.
The moment after battle ends is when one is most relaxed.
This was the dark thought in Faceless's mind as he lay on the ground.
Though already decapitated, his head separated from his body, his corpse remained standing upright.
Just as Roy and Sylvia were laughing and chatting—
Faceless's headless body raised Water Moon, the Orga Lux with decomposition abilities in its left hand, and ruthlessly thrust toward Roy!
Or so it should have been.
Faceless's headless body raised Water Moon—but instead of attacking the nearest Roy, it stabbed toward Sylvia beside him!
What's happening?!
Faceless was momentarily struck with horror.
He clearly wanted to kill Roy—why wouldn't his body obey?!
"Sylvia!"
Mid-conversation, Roy's expression suddenly changed.
"Get back!"
Sylvia's mind had already relaxed completely. She never expected the already-dead Faceless would attack her, leaving her momentarily frozen.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Faceless's headless body raise its club—Water Moon, hailed as the most vicious Orga Lux in history—thrusting straight toward her!
In that instant, her heart leaped into her throat.
But she had no time to dodge. She could only watch, her thoughts nearly paralyzed, as death approached—
Clang!
In her daze, a flash of light suddenly cut across her vision.
A snow-white blade struck Water Moon like lightning.
The club wasn't damaged, but it was knocked from its wielder's grasp, flying dozens of meters away.
Roy, who'd never deactivated his Perception, had detected Faceless's attack on Sylvia first. With a flash of the Sword of the Black Furnace, he sent Water Moon flying.
Immediately after, his face twisted with ferocity as he turned around. The blade flashed like lightning, slicing through the waist of the Faceless, headless body, sending it flying backward. He then swiftly retrieved the storage pouch at its waist and several of the Orga Luxes attached to its body.
Only after completing these actions did he finally let out a slow sigh of relief.
"Are you alright?"
Roy turned to Sylvia, his gaze carrying a hint of concern.
"...I-I'm fine."
Sylvia finally snapped back to full awareness, gasping for breath, her eyes filled with panic and uncertainty. Her palms were icy cold, and the thought of nearly being disintegrated moments ago sent waves of stinging pain across her skin, her entire body drenched in sweat.
This was the closest she had ever come to death!
Even during her decisive battle with Ereshkigal last time, she had never felt such an overwhelming sense of mortal peril!
"What a pity, what a pity. That strike just now still wasn't enough to destroy you, was it?"
At that moment, a voice brimming with eerie unpredictability rose from the ground.
Right before their eyes, Faceless's corpse—severed into several pieces—reassembled itself as though time had reversed, standing back up from the ground.
Yet his expression was utterly distorted, filled with panic and rage, his words dripping with insincerity.