"Phew…"
Coming back to his senses, Sora exhaled deeply. That was close—he almost became a broken stone.
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, or rather, making a metallic scraping sound…
Sora never expected that the big black snake would also have Athena's petrification power. But since it was summoned by Athena, the deep connection between them made it less surprising.
"Roar!!!"
The Divine Dragon howled again. Seeing its attack dodged, it didn't care and compressed a second black petrification energy ball in its mouth.
Perhaps learning from the last time, this time the Divine Dragon didn't shoot the energy ball directly. Instead, it exploded inside its mouth, transforming into countless small black energy pillars that rained down across the entire space.
Seeing the overwhelming petrification beams flying toward him, Sora's scalp tingled. He flapped his dragon wings and activated the "Phoenix" speed power, dodging continuously. These beams had no physical attack power but could petrify anything they touched. Even the supreme defense of "Demon Armor" couldn't block them.
Although these beams of light almost filled the entire sky, there were still gaps to be found. Continuously dodging and weaving through the spaces between these beams was truly thrilling and exciting.
Sora had also considered directly unleashing the power of the Golden Sword to expand his sword domain and stab this giant black serpent to death, but now he was completely alone and simply couldn't activate it.
Last time, during the battle with Athena, Erica had passed on some mythological information and origins about Athena to him. However, the "Professor's" magic could only last for about two or three days, and he had long since forgotten those details.
Moreover, although the Golden Sword could cut through most divine powers and weaken opponents, the ancient dragon summoned by Athena with all her strength was of such a high level that it was unlikely to have much effect on it.
Continuously weaving through the gaps between the petrifying light beams, there was no immediate danger, and Sora even felt somewhat relaxed. But for some reason, he felt like he had forgotten something important.
At one moment, just after dodging a petrifying beam, Sora suddenly paused. The divine power he had usurped from the war god Verethragna automatically activated, unleashing the power of Gale!
The power of Gale, as the name suggests, gave Sora the ability to control the wind. But it also had an important function: when someone important to Sora was in danger and called out to him from the depths of their heart, this power would activate on its own and bring him to their side.
His expression changed involuntarily. Looking at the petrifying beams shooting toward the distant horizon, Sora immediately understood what he had forgotten!
Without hesitation, he used the already activated power of Gale to vanish from where he stood.
Seeing Sora suddenly disappear without a trace, Athena, who was atop the ancient dragon, furrowed her brows but quickly sensed something and turned her gaze toward the direction where the silver-haired knight girl had been.
Slightly angered in her heart, Athena thought, "That damn Kusanagi Sora actually fled in the middle of our holy battle." But at the same time, a strange feeling stirred within her—he did care deeply about those women of hers.
"Ancient Dragon, pursue him!"
A gleam flashed in her eyes as Athena commanded the divine dragon beneath her.
She had bet everything on this battle and would not hold back under any circumstances!
"Roar!!!"
With a long roar, the divine dragon transformed into a black lightning bolt and shot toward the distant horizon…
…
Having been carried far away by the divine-winged white stallion, Liliana could still clearly feel how intense the battle was in the distance. Her delicate hands clenched tightly, sweat already forming in her palms, but she paid no mind to it.
Looking far away at the massive purple-gold greatsword fighting the divine dragon, the girl knew that was the figure of her Demon King battling fiercely!
To be honest, when she saw a black beam of light spewing from the dragon's mouth freeze and petrify the entire sea below, even the usually calm and composed Liliana couldn't help but show an expression of endless shock. This battle had long since ceased to be just between Sora and Athena; it had evolved into a global catastrophe!
Liliana dared not imagine the disaster and destruction that would befall Earth if her King could not defeat Athena and lift the petrification!
But she had no time to think further because she saw the overwhelming petrifying beams shooting toward her and the entire sky…
Whish… whish whish whish…
The divine-winged white stallion also sensed the endless danger, letting out an uneasy neigh. Its fiery red eyes flashed with fierce determination. Suddenly flapping its pure white wings and stomping its four hooves bathed in solar flames, it transformed into a streak of light, carrying Liliana as it dodged through the air.
Although Sora could easily dodge these beams thanks to the dual blessings of the Demon Armor dragon wings and the Phoenix divine speed power, the divine-winged white stallion, despite its speed, found it difficult to avoid the overwhelming petrifying beams.
With nowhere left to dodge, seeing a petrifying beam shooting directly at her and the stallion, the divine-winged white stallion let out a long cry. Divine power surged around it as it compressed a solar fireball in its mouth and without hesitation, unleashed it. A fiery red shockwave tore through the sky, colliding with the petrifying beam.
The shockwave from the divine-winged white stallion was undoubtedly powerful enough to destroy a small town easily, but when it collided with the petrifying beam from the ancient dragon, it too was petrified!
"I'm sorry, my King, I can no longer stay by your side…"
Watching the petrification spreading along the fiery shockwave toward herself and the stallion, Liliana showed a trace of despair and a sorrowful smile.
This battle could only be described as apocalyptic. Those petrifying beams would turn countless lands, seas, forests, and even human towns into lifeless dead zones. Even with the help of divine beasts, she could not resist the aftermath!
Yet, even now, the girl firmly believed that her King would defeat the demon dragon bringing disaster to Earth and claim the final victory!
Her mind once again filled with the image of her King—no fear, no despair, no sorrow—only a blissful smile. Though brief, she had already found the greatest happiness of her life.
That was enough…
…
"Liliana, you are never to leave my side without my permission!"
Just as Liliana closed her eyes, ready to be petrified into a lifeless statue, she suddenly felt herself fall into a warm embrace. At the same time, her Demon King's domineering voice sounded beside her.
"Yes, my King…"
She murmured subconsciously, opening her eyes to see the imposing and majestic figure clad in battle armor. The girl was completely entranced.
Holding Sora tightly without a word, enjoying this moment of peace, it was as if the life-or-death moment just passed could no longer stir any waves in her heart. Between them, no words of thanks were needed. Since her King forbade her from leaving, she would stay by his side forever!
At the last moment before Liliana was petrified, Sora finally arrived using the power of Gale, catching her and dodging away. The divine-winged white stallion was unable to escape and turned into a stone statue, falling to the ground and shattering into countless fragments.
A chill ran through Sora's heart. If he had been a moment later, Liliana might have suffered the same fate. As long as his divine power remained, the divine-winged white stallion could be summoned again, but if Liliana turned to stone, there would be no saving her!
His eyes gleamed coldly. Although this was not Athena's fault and was just an unavoidable accident of battle, Sora was a stubborn man who would not accept any excuses.
Athena was the woman he had chosen. Even if she made mistakes, he would forgive her. But that ancient dragon? Sora was absolutely going to kill it!!!
"Liliana, stay behind me and protect yourself."
Looking at the ancient dragon shooting like a black lightning bolt through the sky, Sora gently released Liliana and instructed her.
"Yes, my King!"
Without hesitation, Liliana used her flying magic to hide behind Sora. Even without the power of their contract, she now blindly obeyed his words!
Even if Sora told her to die, Liliana would not hesitate…
His eyes narrowed, shining with endless coldness, a bloodthirsty smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Sora knew that perhaps today, he would become a dragon-slaying hero…