Sometime before the commotion in the capital city. Inside a building which was the headquarters for the organization, the White Moon. In the capital city, in a certain room, a man was currently kneeling down in reverence.
"My Lady, are you certain about this?"
The young man asked, as he lowered his head.
"Indeed, the fact that this infuriating curse has become more active means that person is likely to return very soon. The moment I've been waiting for isn't that long from becoming reality."
A soft, feminine voice replied back from behind a drawn curtain. Judging by the sound of the voice it was most certainly a youthful woman.
"But… My Lady, wasn't he sealed away by the combined powers of the heroes?"
The young man asked in doubt. During the war three centuries ago the four heroes used their combined powers to create a powerful seal to contain the Demon King and his demonic army.
He was confused why the seal would be weakening now.
"All powers have their limits, even the combined powers of those heroes are no different, I always knew that seal would eventually break one day. However, I had assumed it would take a little longer."
Her beautiful, enchanting voice sounded contemplative. She seemed restless behind the curtain.
"Either way, it matters not, this plague of a curse that man had placed upon me has become an irritating nuisance."
She uttered to herself, annoyance etched in her beautiful, melodious voice.
"I must have that man remove this curse before it eats away any more of my lifespan."
She added further, biting her glossy lips. Like the White Empress, she also held a strong grudge against the Demon God, Lucifer.
During the war three centuries ago, the former Elven Empress, Vaerisse Thalorien, had fought the Demon God briefly, but that battle resulted in her receiving a terrible curse which slowly drains the vitality of those it affected.
Had it been an ordinary human, the curse would've killed them in moments, but Vaerisse was a High Elf, a race which possessed an extraordinary long lifespan.
However, regardless of how long she could live, there was a limit, she had already lost three centuries of her lifespan, it goes without saying how much hatred and resentment she had accumulated over those long years.
"Gather the four shadows and instruct them to check on the seal, I have a feeling someone had tempered with the barrier."
"Understood."
"And also… Informed Mira to stay and protect the capital city."
She instructed, her lips curving into a knowing smile. The youth tilted his head in confusion.
"Hmmm… Is the capital city in some kind of danger?"
He asked, curiosity laced in his voice. He couldn't feel any kind of danger in the surroundings.
"Hehe, little Ezekiel, you are among my strongest followers, however, never forget you are still young, there are many forces even you cannot truly foresee unless they are right before you."
Vaerisse said in a tone filled with motherly affection. The youth who goes by the name Ezekiel blushed as he nodded his head.
"Y-Yes, my Lady."
With those words he vanished into the shadows without making a sound.
"It seems it will take a little longer for me to take action myself."
From behind the flowing curtain, a young woman who seemed to be in her mid twenties spoke up as she took a bite of her cake.
On her soft, slender arms were black veins going across. She seemed to be in terrible pain as the arm trembled faintly as she moved.
Her fair white skin was unusually pale and she had long, silky silver hair and her emerald, green eyes seemed enchanting. Her slightly long elven ears partially peaked out from her long hair.
She was the former Elven Empress, and the current leader of the white Moon organization—Vaerisse Thalorien.
Despite her weakened physique, she seemed adorable as she chewed away.
(Hmmm… How shall I proceed from here, I wonder?)
As she sat in the empty room, her thoughts wandered. The weakening of the seal was good news for her, but at the same time, it also made her wary.
"Just who could be trying to weaken the seal?"
The seal's core was supposed to have been lost centuries ago, otherwise she would've destroyed it herself to take Lucifer's head and relieve herself of the curse.
However, despite searching for a way so many times she had failed to make any progress at the seal's destruction. Those who were foolish enough to attempt such a risky plan would be branded as an enemy of the world.
However, she was resolved to bear such a burden, that was why she discarded her status as empress and had even abandoned her home to keep them from getting involved.
"Well, it is what it is, I should say, I'll definitely be making use of this opportunity. That woman will most certainly also be making her move once the seal has completely lifted. It wouldn't be a bad idea of gaining her assistance while I'm at it."
She licked the cake crumbs off her fingers as she mumbled to herself. Those bewitching gem-like eyes of hers seem to be brewing a devious plan, when her eyes suddenly narrowed.
(Hmmm… There sure are a lot of those things heading this way.)
As though she could see something, she stared up at the ceiling with a serious expression. She could naturally sense the presence of miasma although it was faint.
"Well Mira, I'll be leaving those pesky demon beasts to you. You haven't had many opportunities to remind the world the true terrors of the Heartless Enchantress."
Her voice echoed inside the room.
…
At the same time, elsewhere within the grandiose throne room of the royal palace which boasted its high ceiling and exquisite paintings, a meeting was underway with all the highest-ranked royals and nobles present.
"And so, I believe this is a matter we should not take lightly."
Princess Sofia had just finished reporting what she had learned from the High Priestess Catalina in the holy temple.
"Hmmm… If the contents of her vision are true, then I agree this must become our top priority. But to think the Demon God would return—and at a time like this…"
The king gently rubbed his temple as though warding off a headache. First the looming threat of the Zesriel Kingdom, and now this. One troublesome piece of news after another.
(Catalina's visions have never been wrong before. The fact that the Elemental Goddesses summoned the heroes without any prior warning must mean they already foresaw this situation.)
He furrowed his brow in contemplation. The situation was dire, in order to prevent the worst case scenario a course of action needed to be taken promptly.
"I had a faint suspicion the Elemental Goddesses summoned the heroes for a purpose, but never did I expect it would be for a reason such as this."
A man in his late thirties spoke, flicking his stylish blonde hair back with a sigh of exasperation. He was Duke Julis Valmorren, the one who held the second-highest authority in the kingdom—second only to the royal family.
"Indeed, although three hundred years have already passed, the scars of the Demon Lord had yet to healed."
A beautiful young woman in her early thirties spoke up, her sapphire-like eyes narrowing in thought. She was among the highest-ranked Nobel present, Countess Serenya D'Aurienne.
Despite her words, she had a beautifully bewitching smile that seemed amused about the situation.
"This is no time to be enjoying yourself, Countess Serenya. And the Zestrial Kingdom had just made that bold declaration a few days ago. How utterly concerning."
The captain of the royal knights, Sir Aron spoke with a grave expression on his face. He seemed to be in his mid twenties and had donned a knightly attire.
"Your Majesty, I suggest we inform the neighboring Kingdoms about this situation immediately."
Aron said, his brow furrowing slightly from the urgency.
"Indeed, as matters stand, it's best to inform all neighboring countries. In order to face this threat we need more allies. Perhaps we should also strengthen the royal knights stationed outside."
As demonic beasts and monsters are more likely to appear frequently from now on, it would be best to increase the number of troops to defend the outer gates of the city walls.
"If I may ask, what happened to Sir Nikolaus? Has he not yet returned from his temporary leave?"
Duke Julis inquired curiously.
"Hmmm…. Is he still outside the capital city to take care of his ill wife?"
The King said, bringing a hand to his chin. Nikolaus was also a member of the royal knights squad, and possessed incredible abilities with the sword.
"Yes, we have received letters from him occasionally. His wife seems to have caught mana depletion. And is now bedridden."
"Mana depletion, I see… In that case we are unlikely to receive his assistance anytime soon. I have strengthened our defenses."
Aron said, giving a knightly solut.
"Sofia, I'll leave informing the neighboring kingdom to you."
"Yes, father, I shall see it through."
As the King addressed his daughter, Princess Sofia grasps the hem of her dress daintily as she curtsied gracefully.
"For now we must—!"
It was then that the double doors to the throne room suddenly burst open, and a young blonde-haired man walked in with a pompous air around him.
"Heh, heh, you need not worry, father. I will temporarily take charge of the royal army and do a thorough examination around the outer perimeter."
The First Prince, Tyler Albanian, and Sofia's older brother. He swiped his front bangs to the side as he flashed a confident smile.
(And once I achieve some results, Lady Katsumi will have to acknowledge me. Then I'll get my hands on that Hinata as well.)
His mouth twisted into a confident smirk. The feeling of plucking two beautiful flowers left him elated.
"B-Brother… You are going to lead the army?"
Sofia's smile twitched. It wasn't that she was mocking his confidence, it was just that he had no experience in leadership. Before Katsumi was summoned here her brother was seen as merely a coward who liked to chase pretty girls, in particular Princess Hinata from the Watanabe Kingdom.
It was strange seeing him oozing confidence right now. The King also observed his son with a somewhat dubious gaze. A bit of exasperation could be seen on his face.
"Tyler, this is no game. If you are only interested in participating halfheartedly to play around I'd suggest you stand down."
Tyler flinched from the firm tone of his father, who was exuding the bearing and majesty of a ruler.
"My resolve isn't halfhearted at all! As the first heir, it is beneficial that I gain some experience in this field as well, isn't that right, father?"
He stared up back at the king, undaunted. For a moment, it seems as though there were a clash of wills. Sofia could only sigh where she stood.
"Your Royal Highness, do you really wish to participate? Even if—?"
Before he could finish his sentence the doors to the throne was swung open once again, this time in a frantic manner. A young knight came running in without knocking.
"You dare disrupt this meeting!"
The Kings angry voice erupted within the halls. The knight flinched in fright when he finally noticed his mistake.
"M-My apologies, but there has been disruption in the front gates at both the north and west."
"What?! What kind of disruption?"
Aron asked, his brow furrowing. He was at the gate to the west not that long ago before coming here. He was naturally confused how something could happened after he left.
"B-Beasts! Demonic beasts are trying to forced themselves through the gates! Some of them have already slipped through our guards defense and are currently ramping through the capital city as we speak!"
"What did you say?!"
It wasn't just the king, everyone reguardless of their status, was at a loss for words.
…
Inside the cafe, where both Alya and Katsumi were using for their place of discussion.
"M-Monsters! Quickly defend the front gates! Don't let them enter the city!"
The voice of a flustered young knight resounded.
"Wh-What's going on?!"
Startled by the commotion, Katsumi got to her feet in a fluster. Alya, perhaps noticing something was off frowned.
Her usual playful and mischievous demeanor was replaced with seriousness as she stared out the window.
Several monsters had already managed to slip through the gaps in the knight's defense guarding the gate.
Civilians could be seen running about in a panic as the knights tried to keep them from panicking, which ended in failure.
(This abnormal presence… A mix of dragon and demonic aura?)
Alya furrowed her brow in trapidation as she directed her gaze towards the sky. Dark thunderclouds crackling with arcs of lightning shrouded her vision. But she could feel a strong presence within the clouds.
"Katsumi stay here, I'll go check on the situation."
Alya said in a serious voice. Her beautifully otherworldly face was oddly stern as her gem-like eyes flickered with uncertainty.
"N-No, I'm the hero, so I'm coming too."
"Hmmm… Are you sure? This could be dangerous, and your life could be at risk."
Alya warned, she peered into Katsumi's face as though to see her resolve. Although her expression was rather stiff, Katsumi managed to maintain her composure.
"I'll be fine, among those memories I received were also techniques the previous water hero had developed during her time."
She explained confidently. But that wasn't enough to convince Alya. Katsumi had not trained her physical body to use those techniques at their full potential after all.
"It's fine, just focus on grasping the general situation, we can always retreat if necessary."
"I've already spread out my spiritual senses around the capital city. It seems like the royal knights and the mercenaries are doing their best to defend the city, but there are an overwhelming number of demonic beasts."
Her senses as a spirit and her connection with the wind allowed her to perceive the entire situation of the battlefield outside along with the gates.
In her mind, she could see the knights desperately fending off the demonic beasts.
However, the number of knights was also gradually decreasing as well, in fact their numbers were falling faster than the number of slain beasts.
(Although the seal had weakened and miasma had contaminated the sky earlier, these demonic beasts appeared far sooner than I anticipated.)
Alya's brow furrowed into a slight frown. She was also especially worried about Haruto and Nikita who were still inside the forest at this moment.
(If worst comes to worst, I'll go into my heavenly accession form. Though using it without my contractor nearby will instantly drain my power, but there is no helping it.)
With that thought, Alya prepared herself albeit reluctantly.
"Is something wrong?"
Katsumi grasps her mizukiri no kami as she questions, looking worriedly at Alya who was lost in thought.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
At that Alya placed a single silver coin on the table before rushing out along with Katsumi. They had left the store in a hurry.
Meanwhile, Mira who had also notice the commotion had already left without anyone noticing her absence.
…
"Defend the front gate! We can't let any more of them inside!"
At the outer edges of the forest, a group of knights were currently embroiled in battle.
They were swinging their swords, slashing at several large wolf-like demonic beast coated in dark, murky miasma.
The beast had black fur and it was over ten odd meters. Its glowing red eyes were filled with a sense of madness.
"Guh."
"Gah, it won't stay still!"
"Rear guards, use your magic!"
As the knights attacked, the demonic wolf maneuvered around them with impressive agility, dwindling their numbers gradually.
After becoming a demonic beast the wolf's physical abilities seem to have strengthened significantly, not only was it several times faster and swifter, it also possessed monstrous physical strength.
Although the battle had only just begun, several trained knights had their bodies either crushed or ripped to pieces. As such, taking them head on from a frontal confrontation seems the most risky.
Moreover, the demonic wolves seem used to hunting in large groups, their coordination were in perfect sync, making them incredibly difficult to deal with.
As time passed, the royal knights eventually found themselves outnumbered and surrounded by demonic wolves from all sides.
"Mother of fire blasts my target, fire ball!"
"Mother of wind slash my target, air cutter!"
"Mother of earth crushed my target, earth prison!"
Several magic formations briefly illuminated the night sky, as the royal sorcerers at the rear supported the knights defending in the front line, firing multiple mid tier long ranged magical attacks.
The demonic wolves had their bodies burnt by searing hot flames, cut to pieces by blades of condensed wind, or crushed beneath the weight of layers of earth.
However, despite that, the knights had frowns on their faces. The numbers of demonic beasts were not dwindling as much as they would've liked.
More demonic beasts kept pouring out of the forest continuously like an endless stream. No matter how many they had slain, their numbers weren't decreasing at all. It was a hopeless situation, until—
Awooo!
Suddenly, from the distance came an even louder howl. Another demonic wolf leapt out of the woods. Its body was over three times as large as the other demonic wolf.
"Heh, so this one must be the pack leader."
A young knight said, stepping forward, the blade of his sword catching the light of the silver moon nearly peaking out from the clouds.
His name was Aris, he is the son of the count.
From a young age he was chosen by the royal knight captain for his remarkable talent with the sword.
"I will not allow a single one of you to get past me!"
With his bold declaration, he channels his magical powers into his sword, releasing a slash of light, but the demonic wolf easily evades his attack as it closes in on him with its large snout.
"Guh."
Aris held his sword in a defensive stance as the beast chomped onto the blade. Its physical prowess was far superior to that of a human. Aris desperately rooted his feet into the soil as his body was being dragged around through the ground.
"Mother of fire blasts my target—Fire ball!"
A royal sorcerer cast a mid tier long range attack, flames lit up the night sky as it descended upon the body of the demonic wolf.
Fierce explosions rang out, amidst the dust and dirt that was sent scattering the gleam of a sword tore through the air, stabbing into the neck of the demonic wolf.
Awoooo!
The beast loud howl resounded, Aris grimaces as his ears bled, the howl was so loud that it tore his eardrum.
It felt him momentarily disoriented as his ear stung, and the beast did not let that moment of weakness go, its fur bristled as its glowing red eyes narrowed dangerously and it bit towards his head.
The sight of a large open mouth filled with rows of sharp teeth reflected into his eye. However…
Swish!
Blood spurted through the air as the demonic wolf's head was sent flying. Standing before Aris with her sword held aloft was a young black-haired girl who was endowed with extraordinary beauty—Katsumi.
…
At the same time, within the capital city. Cries echoed through the capital as monsters slipped past the knights at the gates, flooding the streets in chaos. Knights and mercenaries could be seen fending off the flurry of monsters.
In a narrow alleyway, a group of hulking demonic figures loomed over a trembling girl, their massive shadows blotting out the light.
They were humanoid in shapes and had bulging, rugged muscles. Each one of them carried a stone club over ten meters, and they had a single large eye—Cyclops.
"Tch… Mother of fire, burn my target—Inferno!"
A magic circle flared before her hand, releasing a torrent of flame—only for the lead cyclops to spin its stone club, whipping up a gust that snuffed the fire out as if it were candlelight.
"No… way…"
She whispered, her face draining of color. The cyclops' lips curled in a mocking grin, making the young girl flinch fearfully. However—
"…Disgusting. I truly detest the sight of monsters."
Before it could react, a hooded figure slipped silently into its midst. A flash of steel, a spray of crimson—the giant's throat split open. It crumpled with a ground-shaking thud. The newcomer's golden eyes were cold, unblinking.
"Eek!"
The rescued girl flinched as warm blood splattered across her cheek. She stared up at the small, slender back of the hooded figure. With emotionless eyes, the hooded figure flicked her blade, blood dripping onto the cold concrete floor.
"You should leave. It's not safe here,"
The hooded girl said softly, a lock of honey-gold hair escaping from under her hood.
The remaining cyclops roared, stone clubs raised high. The hooded figure—Mira moved before they could bring them down—springing forward, planting a foot on one club to halt her momentum, then driving her knee up into its jaw. The sound of bones breaking resounded.
Without pause, she slid forward, her dagger flashing. Blood sprayed skyward, but Mira was already gone—like a ghost, or perhaps a phantom flickering to the back of another cyclops to slit its throat.
The survivors hesitated now, keeping their distance. Mira's eyes narrowed. Both daggers tightened in her grip.
In the next instant, wind magic surged around her like a raging whirlwind. Using the wind to push herself forward, she accelerated into their midst in a single instant.
She blurred forward, twisting and spinning through the giants' formation, her blades carving flesh and severing heads in a crimson storm.
It was a sight that made even the word violent insufficient to describe. After decapitating another cyclops, she tossed out a throwing knife from under her coat while still twirling midair, gouging out the eye of a giant.
A shadow fell over her—another club swung down—but she twisted away at the last moment, springing up to carve another neck wide open. Her body curbed midair, slashing at another cyclops throats, and severing its head.
Her movements were graceful, it was like a mystical dance. She threw another throwing knife at a cyclops behind her, while twisting her body into a roundhouse kicked to another cyclops head, shattering its skull.
(Seven, eight, eleven, no fifteen. I see… Hmmm.)
After correcting her footing, Mira's eyes flashed coldly as she counted the number of enemies left standing.
"I called upon the power of the wind, skewer my enemies, wind arrows!"
Swish!
Magic formations littered the sky as wind in the form of condensed arrows rained down. The cyclops body was impaled. Their towering figures collapsed with a heavy thud.
"… Th-Thank you, Miss—"
"Why are you still here? Leave."
Mira said indifferently, before turning on her heels to leave, when suddenly—
"So this is where you were, Mira."
Her steps halted as she heard a familiar voice from behind her.
"… Ezekiel, did she send you to find me?"
Mira's icy gaze became even colder. Was it just his imagination? Ezekiel felt as if the temperature in the surroundings had dropped several degrees.
"Haha, no need to look at me like that. Cease your murderous intent. She didn't send me here to restrain you or anything but to pass on a message."
"… A message?"
"Do your best at protecting the city, that's what she said."
Ezekiel informed simply, his lips curving into a slight smile. However, as though she wasn't convinced, Mira narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Mira was naturally the young maid attendant who Alya and Katsumi had met at the cafe before.
There, she had a bright and innocent smile as she took their order. If they had seen her now they would naturally doubt whether or not they were the same people.
But outside of working at her mother's cafe, Mira was also a part of the White Moon organization. She was a deadly assassin who had an infamous reputation.
With her deadly combat abilities and enchanting beauty many referred to her as the Heartless Enchantress.
Vaerisse had recognized Mira's extraordinary latent talent and potential from a young age and had personally trained her.
Unfortunately, Mira wasn't someone who was easy to control, she especially hated being tied down and having her freedom restricted as such she had been extremely difficult for Vaerisse to handle.
"Fine, I will protect the city… However, you protect the common people. I only saved that girl because I hated the disgusting smiles on those creatures' faces."
As she said that, Mira kicked off the ground and started running up the narrow walls of the alley.
…
The body of the demonic wolf beast crumbled to the ground heavily as Katsumi withdrew her sword.
Her breathing was slightly rough, and her hand was still shaking. The sensation of her blade piercing the flesh of the demon beast was clearly transmitted to her, making her freeze up. But—
(No, this is not the time to think about that!)
She shook her head as though scolding herself, tightening her grip on her sword with determination. There were still several demonic beasts left, and the capital city was crawling with demonic monsters.
Compared to the lives of so many innocents, the lives of demonic beasts were no less than garbage.
"G-Great Hero… Wh-Why are you here?"
After coming back to his senses Aris inquired, his brow furrowed in both doubt and confusion.
After all, under normal circumstances there was no way they'd ever let their precious hero who still had not yet undergone proper training fall into danger, and yet she was now on a battlefield.
"It's fine, I came here to lend whatever help I can give."
After taking a deep breath to calm herself Katsumi replied.
"No, I cannot allow you to be put in danger, as the one ranked the highest on this battlefield, I have the responsibility to ensure your safety."
He said in a serious tone, his expression oddly firm. As both a noble and a knight, it was his greatest responsibility to prioritize the hero's safety. Seeing that, Katsumi heaved a gentle sigh.
Next she stabbed the tip of her sword into the ground, several pillars of water jutted out of the ground in a violent stream. They rose to a distance of roughly fifty meters above ground level.
It created a wall which prevented anyone from getting near her, like a barrier of water.
"G-Great hero! Stop this! It's too dangerous! You mustn't go!"
Aris's frantic yelling was drowned out by the loud noise of splashing water; they had failed to reach Katsumi.
(That should do.)
Katsumi thought in satisfaction, then she pulled out her katana—Mizukiri no Kami as she took a stance. Her hands were still trembling, she had never killed a bunny before in her life and now she was actually pointing her blade against wolves.
Honestly, she was scared. Her heart was throbbing loudly in her chest. But she bit her lips, desperately stifling her fears.
"Do not cower before fear. Still your heart, sharpen your mind."
Suddenly, Katsumi gasps, she seems to hear a distant voice. The voice wasn't one she could recognize, but it echoed oddly clear within her mind.
(Those words…)
Strangely enough, those words sounded very familiar to her. It was as though she had heard them from somewhere, which was why—
"I know… Like the stream of water—let your blade curve its path."
Her voice seems to overlap with someone else's voice and all emotions fell from her face. She became as calm as a stilled lake.
In the many memories she had received from the Goddess of water were techniques created by the previous hero from three centuries ago.
Her name was Haruka Shirosawa. She was naturally Japanese like Katsumi. Among the heroes who had existed during her time she was easily the second most talented in swordsmanship, and had crafted the best swordplay for her katana.
Katsumi held her sword at the ready in a natural stance. Was it her imagination? The image of a young black-haired girl dressed in light silver female style armor could be seen beside her, holding her own version of Mizukiri no Kami in a similar stance as if mirroring her movements.
"Secret art—Water's Edge!"
As Katsumi thrust the blade of her Mizukiri no Kami forward, a flowing stream of water sprung from the tip. It consolidated into countless sharp needle size blades, piercing the vital points of the demonic wolves. Blood and flesh fell, scattering as their bodies burst apart.
Without missing a beat, Katsumi lightly kicked off the ground, she closed in on the demonic beast from the front.
With a swift motion she slashed diagonally and horizontally with her sword, carving beautiful arcs through the air and slicing the bodies of the beast apart, ending the battle in an instant.
As she focuses on her breathing, she notices she no longer cared for the sensation of blood and flesh she could vaguely feel each time she killed a demonic beast.
This was also a technique created by Haruka in the past. It was a breathing technique that calmed the mind and allowed her to stay focused.
Four demonic beasts leapt into the air simultaneously, their fangs bared as they slash at her with their claws.
But Katsumi evaded them with light footwork, her long ponytail fluttering as she maneuvered around them, searching for an opening.
Another claw came swinging for her neck, but she lowered her upper body, aiming an upper diagonal slash at its throat from under its charge.
"Secret art—Torrential Water Moon!"
As she maneuvered around them, a gently stream of water followed the path of her sword. A demonic beast leapt from her flank, but its head was instantly severed from its neck with a slash of her sword.
Another demonic beast leapt at her front, bearing its fang, however, Katsumi thrust her blade forward, stabbing its body through her blade. Multiple demonic beasts came charging at her all at once.
However, Katsumi's expression remain unchanging, her bearing giving her the presence of a war goddess as she cut down each demonic beast as they approach. A stream of water continues to follow the path of her blade, it depicted the image of a moon.
"Secret art—Celestial Bloom!"
Droplets and water surges wildly around her, carefully becoming a beautiful rose which remains suspended in midair, each of their flower petals close as they glistened beneath the light of the moon.
As the beast's claws came within reach of her neck, Katsumi used her magical power to enhance her physical body, evading the claws with her increased agility, and followed up with a horizontal swing of her sword, it sliced cleanly through the beast's torso.
The rose petals gradually opened up as she continued to slaughter them, but another beast was biting at her back.
Katsumi naturally noticed it from the corners of her eyes and put strength into her legs as she flipped her body backwards, twisting her body midair while swinging her sword diagonally to decapitate another demonic wolf.
At that moment, another rose petal burst into bloom. The two remaining demonic wolves charge straight at her from left to right in a pincer attack.
"Secret art—Rapid Slash!"
She exclaimed, closing the gap as she swung her sword in rapid continuous swings, each of her strikes became sharp blades of water, tearing and grinding the body of the beast to pieces of flesh.
The remainder of the roses fully bloomed, before they dispersed into a small local size rain. This was Haruka's most beloved technique, sorrowful rain, it symbolizes the sorrow she felt as she cut down her opponents.
"My body feels even lighter now."
Katsumi marveled as she observed the conditions of her body. Indeed, another effect of the 'sorrowful rain' is that it greatly increases the physical condition of the users.
The remaining demonic beast became wary of her, keeping their distance as they growled at her. But Katsumi used her increased agility to close the distance and slipped into their midst, slashing her sword in continuous swings.
At the same time in the skies…
"Hmmm…. Not bad, for someone who has no real experience subjugating monsters, she sure is handling herself quite well."
Alya murmured to herself, eyes widening in a show of surprise. Her long flowing hair billowing messily in the intense wind. She was prepared to assist her with long ranged attacks if needed, but it looks like her worries were all unfounded.
"But still, I never thought I'd see those techniques again after three hundred years."
She couldn't help but recall her meeting with the previous water hero, Haruka. Then she stared up at the sky crackling violently with lightning. Her rosy lips curved upwards.
"How shall I deal with you, I wonder?"
She uttered playfully as she felt the powerful presence of the demonic monster hiding within the eye of the thunderstorm hazy with dense miasma.
She had prioritized dealing with the one above ground as the miasma surrounding it was far denser and heavier when compared to those on the ground.
(But at least here I don't have to worry about causing any unnecessary damage.)
With that thought, she stretched her slender hand outward, as if reaching towards the sky.
"Storm tempest!"
She activated a powerful art right off the bat, in the next instant, wind surges chaotically, massive tornadoes over several hundred meters were formed, and with it, the clouds which completely concealed the night sky were erased, dispersing in an instant.
"Found you."
Alya said with an edge to her voice, her gown ruffled. As the thunderclouds were dispersed, the towering figure of a large serpent-like dragon that had appeared measuring roughly several hundred meters came into view. Its smooth scaly flesh coiling gracefully through the sky like a snake.
Dragons were known to be graceful, majestic creatures. Although they boasted massive bodies, their beauty was undeniable. However, the serpent before her seems more monstrous instead, signs of the miasma's corruption.
"Oh, a greater dragon, huh? Not a true dragon, then?"
She said, sounding slightly disappointed. If someone knowledgeable about dragons were to hear her muttering they would certainly gaze at her while questioning her sanity.
Greater dragons were among the third highest ranked dragons and were below superior and true dragons, while above demi-dragons. Even the bravest warrior would feel despair before a greater dragon.
The progenitor of all dragons, Lyra the Dragon Lord was known as the most powerful dragon. All other dragons regardless of their rank are below her.
She was known as the mother of all other dragons as all draconic species were born directly from her dragon essence.
The dragons ranked, strength and abilities highly depends on how much of her essence they currently have inherited from her.
As true dragons are regarded as her children they have inherited the most of her essence of all other dragon species, while the superior dragons are the descendants of true dragons with a diluted part of her essence.
Similarly, greater dragons also have a more diluted amount of her dragon essence, while demi-Dragons all have merely a small sliver of it left.
The serpent that had appeared was a sky dragon which ruled over both wind and thunder. However, greater dragons were still within the range of natural disasters.
This particular sky dragon has already lived for a long time, it was possible it was capable of using the dragon arts by speaking in the dragon tongue.
Although it was now infected by the miasma, it was doubtful whether it was still capable of communicating in the dragon tongue any more.
"It's a shame you were corrupted by the miasma, if you had another couple centuries you could have evolved into a serpent lord."
Alya said with some pity in her voice.
ROOOOAAAR!
The serpent roared up at the sky. A fierce gale surrounded its massive coiling body as lightning swirled around its opened mouth.
(A breath attack?)
Alya narrowed her eyes. She could see the torso of the serpent swelling and expanding.
And as if responding to the dragon's challenge, Alya's spirit energy surged, light gathered around her hand as she prepared to unleash a destructive tier spirit arts by converting her energy into raw power.
It wasn't a wind art, but something far more powerful. In an instant, green light burst from her palm, and was met from the front by a bolt of lightning.
The attacks from both sides had tremendous destructive power. As they clashed, a blinding light obstructed the vision of Alya and the serpent.
It was truly a remarkable picturesque sight. Something far from the ordinary. However, it was just unfortunate that it was impossible to see the state of the sky from the ground.
The dazzling convergence of heated lights made it seem like a blinding, miniature sun had risen during the curtain of night.
It sent fierce shockwaves rippling from a single point in the sky.
"Ngh…"
Alya gritted her teeth, wind-like blades whipping around her. The fierce gale sends her body flying backwards from the wind pressure generated from the collision of attacks. The heated wind whipped violently in all directions.