The enemy was troublesome, and more importantly, time was running out!
The Maou had ordered them to hold out for an hour, but the reality was that in just twenty minutes, the entire city would be reduced to nothing by the power of the magic circle!
While Rias and the others might be able to protect themselves from such an attack, the city itself would undoubtedly be completely destroyed.
Ryuya had no intention of letting that happen. After all, his loved ones and friends were still in this city.
With the Sword of the King clashing against the Fusion Holy Sword, Ryuya engaged No. 1 in a rapid exchange of blows. His clone continuously moved around, searching for openings. Although he barely managed to suppress her overall, defeating her quickly was far from easy!
The power of the four Holy Swords was immense, granting No. 1 overwhelming combat strength. Even after his evolution, Ryuya still couldn't defeat her in a short time.
At that moment, two muffled groans echoed from the sky.
They were Rias Gremory and Akeno Himejima.
The two had attempted to intercept Kokabiel, but his strength far exceeded theirs. After a relentless barrage of attacks, they were the ones who ended up injured instead, while Kokabiel remained completely unaffected.
Seeing the two of them coughing up blood as they were blasted backward, Asia hurriedly activated her Sacred Gear to heal them.
Ryuya frowned deeply at the sight.
Should I use the Endless Twilight Citadel…?
If he wanted to defeat No. 1 quickly, activating that move would certainly do the trick. But afterward, he would have no means left to contend against Kokabiel…
No. I can't use Endless Twilight Citadel.
I need to defeat her relying solely on the amplification of the Sword of the King!
With that decision made, Ryuya ordered his clone to carry the Divine Shield and go support Rias and the others.
Seeing Ryuya step in front of Rias and the others, Kokabiel let out a faint chuckle.
"Your current state is quite interesting. And that Sacred Gear of yours seems to be usable separately? If Azazel were to see this, he'd probably take quite an interest in it."
As soon as he finished speaking, he flicked out a wave of divine power.
It was merely a casual flick of his finger, yet a terrifying burst of divine light erupted forth, reaching Ryuya's clone in the blink of an eye.
Even though it was a clone, its combat power had not diminished in the slightest. Controlling the Divine Shield, Ryuya swiftly blocked the attack.
A violent force surged through the barrier, crashing into him. Ryuya felt his body being pushed back uncontrollably. Seeing this, Rias and Akeno quickly moved to assist, flying up and supporting him, finally bringing him to a stop.
Ryuya let out a quiet sigh.
The gap in strength was simply too great.
"I can only handle defense for you. The offense is up to you."
Controlling the Divine Shield, Ryuya spoke softly, "Once I deal with No. 1 over there, I'll come help you."
"Got it. You be careful too!"
With a slight nod of understanding, the Divine Shield went to support Rias and the others, leaving Ryuya alone with his main body to face No. 1.
With the enhancement from the Sword of the King, his combat power had risen dramatically, but defeating No. 1 would still take time. After all, her Fusion Holy Sword was no joke.
She definitely possessed strength at the level of a High-Class Devil!
"I'll help you!"
Xenovia arrived at that moment. She stabbed the Holy Sword of Destruction into the ground, then raised her hand and waved it. An interdimensional gate opened beside her right hand!
From within, a blue-and-gold greatsword slowly emerged. Its blade was tightly bound by chains, as if it possessed a will of its own.
"Saint Peter, Saint Basil, Saint Denis, and Holy Mother Mary, hear my voice!
In the name of the saints residing within this blade, I hereby release it—Holy Sword Durandal!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A series of metallic snapping sounds rang out as the chains binding the Holy Sword shattered one after another. The sword was completely unleashed!
"Durandal? The legendary Holy Sword on par with the Excalibur? Why is it in your hands?!"
Valper was utterly shocked, and even Kokabiel in the sky couldn't hide his astonishment!
The Fusion Holy Sword in No. 1's possession consisted of four out of seven fragments, but the Holy Sword in Xenovia's hands was an existence on the same level as the Excalibur itself!
In terms of rank alone, it far surpassed the Fusion Holy Sword!
Ryuya raised an eyebrow slightly.
Now he finally understood what that faint sense of danger he had always felt from Xenovia truly was.
Earlier, he had already felt that this girl must have some kind of trump card, but he never expected it to be this outrageous. She actually possessed a complete legendary Holy Sword…
Where on earth did these people get so many Holy Swords from…
Ryuya muttered to himself inwardly, though he wasn't envious.
It's just the Excalibur. I've got one too and better at that…
Valper, on the other hand, was practically losing his mind.
"How is this possible?! Even my research hasn't reached the level of being able to wield Durandal…!"
"Of course, even the Vatican cannot artificially cultivate a user of Durandal."
"Then what are you…?" Valper stood there dumbfounded.
Ryuya was also slightly taken aback.
If it couldn't be artificially cultivated, then didn't that mean Xenovia was a natural-born wielder of Holy Swords?
Sure enough, Xenovia spoke the truth in a completely nonchalant tone:
"That's why I'm different from Irina and the others. I'm one of the rare natural-born Holy Swordswomen."
"…"
Valper was rendered speechless, utterly stifled.
After all, he had painstakingly researched compatible subjects capable of wielding Holy Swords, and even went to great lengths to create the Fusion Holy Sword. Yet out of nowhere appeared Xenovia, a natural-born Holy Sword user, and on top of that, she possessed the legendary Holy Sword Durandal…
It was like getting slapped in the face repeatedly.
Ryuya, however, was delighted by the arrival of this new ally. With a slight smile, he said:
"You take the lead, I'll cover you?"
He had no intention of competing for credit. After all, Durandal was undeniably powerful.
"Alright."
Without another word, Xenovia swung Durandal and charged straight at No. 1.
No. 1's long hair fluttered as she, clad in a tight white lab coat, swiftly exchanged several blows with Xenovia.
Finally getting his chance, Ryuya flipped his hand and summoned the Aegiron, which he hadn't had the opportunity to use earlier.
"Seal her for me."
A forbidden magic field spread out as the Aegiron shot toward No. 1. With a smack, it stamped directly onto her chest.
Rip!
Clothes torn apart successfully…
"Huh?" Xenovia froze for a moment.
No. 1, however, remained expressionless, completely unaffected, and raised her sword to strike at Xenovia once more.
The seal didn't work?
Ryuya was slightly surprised, but soon realized that it was the power of the Holy Sword sustaining No. 1's actions.
So this was what they meant by the sword controlling the wielder…
No. 1, as the one holding the sword, was nothing more than its puppet.
"What a pitiful existence."
Xenovia spoke softly as surging sword light carved numerous wounds across No. 1's body.
Yet she seemed completely unaware, continuing to resist the combined assault of the Holy Swordswoman and Ryuya without uttering a single word.
At that moment, Valper shouted:
"Use your ultimate move! Burn all those factors!!"
No. 1 obeyed, and immediately, a power Ryuya was all too familiar with surfaced once again.
Burning the soul… once more!
…
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