For those unfamiliar, it might seem strange—where did Ishtar find the courage to plan the downfall of the Freya Familia?
Setting aside elite members like the "Chariot of the Goddess" and the "Four Warriors of Flamegold," Ottar alone could have effortlessly annihilated the entire Ishtar Familia.
Even if Ishtar had successfully completed the Killing Stone ritual, it would have changed nothing.
What she had prepared for Ottar was none other than the mature-form corrupted spirit clone currently standing before the Loki Familia.
Unlike the previous corrupted spirit clones they had encountered—which had a female form—this time, the monster's upper body was still a beautiful girl, but the lower half was a massive bull.
This was Ishtar's greatest secret weapon. She had funded the Dark Factions, and in return, she received the corrupted spirit "Heavenly Bull" clone.
In the mythology of Charles's previous life, Ishtar had sent the Heavenly Bull to punish Gilgamesh after he rejected her love. That immensely powerful creature became one of the king's most glorious feats.
In another world, even the chains that bound the Heavenly Bull had become a renowned Noble Phantasm.
No doubt about it, the DanMachi world was deeply rooted in mythology.
The projected danger level of the Heavenly Bull was at least Level 7. Combined with the Killing Stone, it might have truly posed a threat to Ottar.
Though the Dark Factions never managed to obtain the Killing Stone, even a single corrupted spirit clone was a fearsome foe.
The entire Loki Familia now engaged in a fierce battle against the Heavenly Bull.
Meanwhile, Charles's battle with Filvis was heating up.
Filvis's rapier was incredibly fast—as expected from someone with upper-tier Level 7 power.
Unfortunately, her elven-style swordplay was far too flashy and impractical in Charles's eyes.
Summoning the Evil Dragon and Dragon Slayer blades, Charles used both hands to completely shut down all of Filvis's attack angles.
He had fought many opponents before, and had overwhelmed quite a few. Most of them, once suppressed, would begin to show fear, desperation, or panic.
Filvis, however, was different. There was no fear, no frustration, not even the slightest flicker of emotion. It was as if he were fighting a lifeless doll. Which made sense—for someone whose heart had already died and who no longer cared about her own life, what emotions were left?
The Banshee Fairy—that wasn't just a nickname given to her by other adventurers. Even Filvis herself seemed to accept it as a symbol of her cursed fate.
Even when she tried to take her own life to end it all, her monstrous body denied her that final choice.
Her tragic fate hadn't begun when she became a monster, but from the moment she chose to obey Dionysus and assist him in his deranged plan.
Charles felt no sympathy for her. The only thing he could offer was purification by fire.
His eyes burned like twin flames, and fire flared on his fists.
With a single knifehand strike, he snapped her rapier in half. The broken edge glowed red-hot, molten steel dripping to the ground.
Even as her weapon was destroyed and Charles closed in, Filvis remained calm.
"Raise the chalice as shield, shatter evil—Divine Savior's Grail!"
Filvis raised a short wand and chanted an ultra-short spell. A magical barrier appeared in front of Charles. His fiery Dragon Fist failed to break through.
Before becoming a monster, Filvis had awakened both offensive and defensive magic, making her one of Orario's rising stars.
Her spell, Divine Savior's Grail, could block both physical and magical attacks, and its ultra-short chant made it highly versatile.
She had once taught this spell to Lefiya of the Loki Familia, who, with her Elf Ring, could also use it. Lefiya had since used it many times to protect her allies in battle.
Charles had never seen Lefiya use it, but in Filvis's hands, it displayed terrifying defensive power—even causing a rebound that forced Charles to retreat a few steps.
Stabilizing himself, Charles looked at the emotionless Filvis and said, "That's quite the spell. I wonder what kind of wish it took to awaken something like that."
In the system of Falna, alongside training and learning, prayer also played a crucial role.
Skills and magic appeared in adventurers' status based on those prayers and desires.
Just like Bell, who longed to be faster and stronger, awakened Firebolt. Or Ais, who sought the power to avenge herself against monsters, gained Ariel.
What kind of feelings had Filvis harbored when she awakened a spell meant to protect her comrades?
Finally, Filvis's expression changed—especially when she looked at her short wand, her gaze filled with regret and sorrow.
She could never forget the moment her comrades had gifted her that wand after she awakened Divine Savior's Grail.
Back then, she had sworn to protect her allies with this magic. So why was she the only one left now, bearing everything alone?
Charles could sense a shift in her aura. Alongside sorrow came a creeping madness.
Like a drop of ink falling into a clear glass of water, her spirit turned pitch-black in an instant.
Filvis's magic Ansel was inspired by the elven tale "Myself."
In the story, an elf tells a boy that her name is "Myself." The boy, also calling himself "Myself," accidentally burns the elf with hot ashes. When the elf's mother asks who hurt her, she answers, "Myself."
Someone else had hurt her, but she bore the blame. That twisted irony was a perfect metaphor for Filvis.
Having undone her split-form magic, Filvis now carried all of her darkness again—and thus bore the pain of "Myself."
That pain had turned to madness and malice.
"You bastard… you deserve to die!" Filvis's tone changed as she drew a dagger from behind her.
She lunged, the blade aimed viciously at Charles's throat.
Charles reached for it, but Filvis—already familiar with the melting power of his fire—didn't repeat her mistake.
With a light step, she leapt into the air, avoiding the molten fate of her weapon.
In the structure of Falna, there were no fixed classes. An adventurer could wield a shield and tank, or don light armor and scout.
But some roles required specific conditions—like a magic-user needing to awaken actual magic.
Within the mage category, beyond stationary bombardment mages, there was another even more demanding specialization.
The magic swordsman.
To take on this role, one had to master the technique of Concurrent Chanting while also possessing exceptional close-combat skills.
Casting spells while maintaining composure in combat took intense training.
Someone like Bell didn't count—he had fast-casting magic and main-character plot armor.
Filvis, clearly, was a true magic swordsman. While midair, she began chanting seamlessly.
"Purge the wicked, sacred rod—Divine Bacchus's Staff!"
A bolt of lightning crashed down, aiming straight for Charles's face.
Charles simply raised an arm and shattered the lightning with a swipe.
"Living like this must be hell. Don't worry—I'll set you free."
With those words, Charles entered Dragonblood Mode.
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