The Sekirei’s Covenant

"Godslayer, witch, have you finished speaking?"

"Knowing you have no chance of winning but still choosing to fight me, I respect your resolve as warriors."

"Hah, I won't hold back. Take this!"

Perseus, riding the white-winged Pegasus, transformed his sword into a bow, condensed his power into an arrow, and shot it directly at the two below.

Clang!!! Boom!!!

Sora swiftly moved to block in front of Liliana, swinging his longsword to deflect the divine arrow, which struck the ground nearby, creating a deep hole several meters wide.

"Heh… interesting. My divine power should have been sealed and suppressed, yet you deflected my divine arrow with mere human strength. Godslayer, you are indeed a remarkable warrior!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Perseus's eyes, followed by admiration.

"Hmph, even with just human strength, today I will cut you down!"

A wicked smile curled Sora's lips as he said coldly.

Well, though his words sounded confident, Sora knew he was barely holding on. His entire right hand was numb from the shock of deflecting Perseus's arrow. If not for gripping his sword tightly with his left hand, it would be trembling uncontrollably.

But Sora also knew that at this point, even if it meant pushing himself to the limit, he had to endure!

He exchanged a glance with Liliana, and both nodded simultaneously.

"Fly, Hermes' Boots!"

Using the jump magic he learned from Erica, empowered by the fiery magic circle beneath his feet, Sora's body shot like a cannonball toward Perseus in the sky.

"Witch's wings, pierce the night, grant me the privilege to soar the heavenly path!"

Liliana was not to be outdone. She used her specialty flying magic, her figure light and agile like a swallow, following closely…

…

Clang clang!! Boom boom boom!!!

In the sky, Sora and Liliana fought together against the legendary dragon-slaying hero Perseus.

Sora continuously stepped on jumping magic circles to attack Perseus. Unable to use divine powers or other magic, he could only rely on his sword to fight honestly.

Liliana, using her flying skills, was like a fish in water in the air, graceful and agile. Her fighting style was naturally more refined than Sora's rough approach, casting one dazzling spell after another at Perseus.

Moreover, Liliana knew the gap between herself and the god Perseus, so she never allowed him to get too close.

Seeing Sora, who had lost his divine power but still fiercely fighting Perseus, Liliana was deeply shocked. After all, few knew about Sora's past before becoming Demon King, except Lady Kaoru and Erica.

Although her organization, the Bronze-Black Cross, had tried to investigate the Demon King's past, they were secretly obstructed—perhaps by Erica's Copper-Black Cross or other forces.

Liliana felt she understood this youngest Demon King a little better, and a strange joy rose in her heart. They might both die here today, but somehow it didn't seem so important anymore…

Not far above, Athena stared unblinkingly at the battlefield. Watching Sora, battered but repeatedly charging at Perseus, the goddess's expression remained calm and indifferent, neither happy nor sad.

Though she appeared unconcerned about Sora's fate, Athena herself felt a strange unease she couldn't explain…

Speaking of which, the annoying Kusanagi Sora, besides treating her like a teddy bear, asking her to help with homework, massaging his legs when idle, and punishing her by withholding offerings when she misbehaved, wasn't so hateful.

Seeing him bullied so badly by Perseus, should she go save him?

Suddenly realizing her thoughts, Athena was shocked!

What was she thinking? Kusanagi Sora had brought her so much humiliation. She had sworn to curse and take revenge on him—absolutely, absolutely, absolutely!

Regaining her resolute expression, Athena's nickname "Goddess of Vengeance" was not for nothing. She would never give up so easily!

Deciding to act soon, Kusanagi Sora was her prey, and no one would snatch him from her hands!

…

"Hah… hah… Liliana, are you alright?"

Landing on the ground, Sora knelt on one knee, supporting himself with his longsword, panting heavily as he spoke to Liliana beside him.

"Hah… hah… I'm fine, Lord Kusanagi."

Also panting heavily, Liliana replied.

Though her magic power was nearly depleted, she was in much better condition than Sora. Apart from being a bit disheveled, she had no injuries, unlike Sora, who was covered in blood from close combat with Perseus.

"Godslayer, witch, is this where you stop? I've had enough fun. Now I will end this battle and go face the goddess Athena!"

Perseus, riding the winged Pegasus, landed above them, his voice reaching Sora and Liliana.

Though he admired and respected them, an enemy was an enemy to be destroyed. Perseus showed no mercy. His longsword transformed into a bow again, condensing power into arrows, shooting down at Sora and Liliana.

Seeing the divine arrows coming, Sora and Liliana instinctively prepared to dodge. But when the arrows split into two, then four, then eight, and soon became a dense barrage covering the sky, their expressions changed drastically.

"Tch!"

Knowing they couldn't dodge, a ruthless look flashed in Sora's eyes. He swung his longsword, creating afterimages, continuously deflecting arrow after arrow.

Clang clang clang clang clang…

Watching the arrows being deflected, Sora secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Though the number of arrows increased, their power was much weaker, and he could barely hold on.

But it was precisely at this moment—

"Ah!!!"

A girl's painful scream rang out. It was none other than the knight girl Liliana, not far from Sora.

Liliana was originally known for her speed and agility. She did not have Sora's strength to split divine arrows; she could only protect herself with a magical barrier. However, as more and more divine arrows rained down, her magical barrier kept breaking, on the verge of complete collapse!

A trace of despair flashed across her expression. At the moment the barrier shattered, the girl instinctively closed her eyes.

Everything was over…

But after a while, the expected pain did not come, and the surrounding sounds fell silent. Feeling uncertain and confused about what had happened, Liliana slowly opened her eyes.

The next moment, she saw a figure standing in front of her—it was Sora.

Having survived the ordeal, Liliana let out a long sigh of relief. She was saved this time, and she vowed to remember this kindness forever.

"Liliana-san, the situation is really bad right now. If you get the chance, you should escape quickly."

"Well, if possible, you might as well take me with you."

Sora gently touched the girl's forehead and smiled carefree.

Then, as if he had lost all his strength, Sora collapsed straight into Liliana's arms.

Instinctively opening her arms to catch him, Liliana was momentarily stunned, unable to understand what had suddenly happened.

But when she saw the divine arrow piercing Sora's back, stabbing through his entire heart, the girl immediately understood everything…

"Kusanagi… Sora…"

Stunned, tears streamed down the girl's face like crystal beads…