The shrine that enshrined the Sacred Sword stood quietly in a clearing within the forest.
Although there seemed to be nothing unusual around, Elise could sense a barrier blocking the way forward.
But such a barrier was hardly strong. With a flick of her finger, Elise shattered it with ease.
Yes—she shattered the barrier!
Other elementalers who came here would merely break through the barrier to enter, and under the influence of the surrounding energy, it would repair itself over time.
But Elise destroyed its ability to ever repair again. The shock from the barrier's collapse was far beyond imagination, and a beam of light shot instantly into the sky.
Elise stepped into the shrine with a single stride, heading straight toward where the Sacred Sword rested.
Sacred Speech!
"Radiance!"
In an instant, dazzling light illuminated the shrine's interior. The stalactite-like walls reflected the glow, and the place brightened considerably.
"So this is the Sacred Sword in which Est resides?"
Elise gazed at the sword embedded in a massive boulder. It looked like an antique from centuries ago, yet the blade showed no trace of rust or damage.
Intricate designs were etched into its body—likely ancient motifs of this world.
And faint blue light pulsed from it continuously!
Standing before the Sacred Sword, Elise tried pulling it from the stone, but it would not budge.
"Looks like I'll have to form a contract after all."
Taking a deep breath, Elise began to murmur incantations.
—O spirit sealed within the ancient sacred sword!
—Thou shalt take me as thy master, forge a contract, and I shall be thy scabbard!
But even after she recited the contract words from the original story, the Sacred Sword showed no reaction.
"What… is going on?"
Puzzled, Elise repeated the incantation several more times, yet still nothing happened.
Suddenly, realization struck her, and her face changed instantly.
"Damn! I forgot something important!"
Though Blade Dance was an old series, she had remembered most of the plot, yet overlooked such a minor detail!
To contract with a spirit… one needed Spirit Language and Divine Power, didn't they?
Elise knew no Spirit Language, and she had no Divine Power!
In the anime it was shown in Japanese, but the original work specified Spirit Language!
"No helping it then—I'll just use Voice Transmission and Simulation. Hopefully it works. If not…"
She would have to resort to another method of forming the contract!
Sacred Speech!
"Voice Transmission!"
"Simulation!"
She directly transmitted her voice and its meaning into the target's mind!
Judging from the energy floating in the air and emanating from the sword, this world's unique power—Divine Power—was present!
Once more, Elise gripped the hilt, ready to pull the Sacred Sword free.
Shhh—
The seemingly ancient sword slid out from the stone!
Success!
Elise knew the first step was complete. Next, the true Sacred Sword would emerge!
Crack—
The old-looking sword in her hand shattered into powder and dispersed, and just then, light radiated from above the shrine.
A sword floated in midair, swinging continuously.
Its blade was formed of blue, gold, and silver hues, radiating a divine aura.
Worthy indeed of being called the Sacred Sword!
The more Elise looked, the more satisfied she became. But apparently, the other side did not feel the same.
The floating sword turned downward, its tip aimed at Elise, then stopped.
That was…
The signal to attack!
The Sacred Sword shot straight at Elise's heart at tremendous speed, but she evaded even faster.
Boom—
Fragments of stone rained down from the shrine as the ceiling was cleaved apart.
And it showed no sign of stopping!
"Looks like I'll have to give a little lesson to a disobedient child."
Seeing the spirit's resistance, Elise couldn't help but recall Fan Xinglou—and a smile curled on her lips.
Training? How could a saintess possibly do something so improper?
She was merely helping this little spirit recognize her rightful place, haha.
The Sacred Sword's tip once again aimed at Elise, this time wreathed in an even greater radiance than before!
Its offensive power had clearly risen!
Boom!
With Divine Power now bolstering it, the Sacred Sword launched an attack at a speed far beyond what it had shown earlier!
Its target—her heart!
"I won't let you succeed!"
Power gathered at Elise's fingertip. By her design, her finger met the sword's tip head-on!
A fierce cyclone burst forth from the clash between girl and sword, blasting the surrounding walls into rubble! Several support pillars shattered!
From Elise's fingertip flowed crimson blood tinged with a trace of gold, staining the Sacred Sword.
"Still not willing to form a contract with me, Est?"
Elise slowly spoke her name. The Sacred Sword's attack faltered for just a moment, as though puzzled by how Elise could know her name.
Yet the attack did not stop. Clearly, Est still harbored doubts about her.
"I came here for you alone, Est!"
Elise's voice rang firm. She knew why Est refused to contract with anyone—but she had a way to overcome it.
For she possessed the Strega ability of Purification, gained back in Asterisk, capable of cleansing all abnormal states and harmful effects!
"I have a special power, called Purification. Curses, abnormal conditions—none of them can touch me. That is why I came to form a contract with you, Est."
"I know your story, Est. I came here just for you!"
Elise's earnest words echoed through the shrine. For the first time, the sword floating in the air began to tremble.
Even the surrounding space quivered with it!
She understood—this was Est's emotions beginning to stir!
Yet the Sacred Sword had not fully accepted Elise's words. Once more, it rushed toward her.
No!
This time was different!
Elise released all defenses, spreading her arms wide. Facing the Sacred Sword's assault, she chose to accept it head-on!
Pssh—
The sound of blade piercing flesh resounded. The Sacred Sword's tip drove through the middle of Elise's chest, emerging from her back!
Blood gushed forth from the wound, splattering across the ground.
But strangely, this blood did not scatter randomly like water. Instead, it formed a strange pattern on the floor.
Sacred Speech!
"Blood Contract!"
This was the covenant that bound two souls together!