Why must the devil be Defeated?

"Clang..."

A trace of weak radiance flowed on the imitation Holy Sword, even extending to William who held it, causing his aura to surge dramatically.

William gripped the imitation Holy Sword tightly, pointing at Thielle, his face brimming with frantic obsession.

Both Thielle and Cappelen's pupils shrank, filled with shock.

"This...how is this possible...!?"

Cappelen exclaimed in disbelief.

Not because the imitation Holy Sword had appeared in William's hands.

After all, the imitation Holy Sword had been stolen by Moro, and it was apparent that William was working for Moro; thus, Moro giving the imitation Holy Sword to William was not something surprising.

But, while the appearance of the imitation Holy Sword wasn't strange, the fact that William could use this sword was another matter.

This was a weapon created from the ashes of a Hero as the main material, supplemented with a variety of precious materials from three great worlds, and the craft of over a hundred top-level forging masters from the Dwarf Clan.

Though the conditions to wield it were not as strict as the real Holy Sword, one still needed to have the legitimate lineage of a Hero.

Now, William was showing signs of being able to use the imitation Holy Sword. What did this imply?

Did it mean he was a Descendant of the Brave?

No! Impossible!

"Could it be..."

Thielle thought of a possibility and stared intensely at William.

Seeing this, William realized that Thielle had seen through his ruse.

"Stop doubting, your thoughts are correct," William revealed a broad grin, laughing loudly, "My 'actual body' and 'tentacles' can exchange with each other, changing the 'actual body's' position at will."

This meant that William could freely define which part was his 'actual body'.

He could designate his original body as the 'actual body,' with the other parts born from his Unique Skill's power as 'tentacles'.

But he could also make one of his 'tentacles' the 'actual body,' turning the 'actual body' into a 'tentacle'.

This was why William had become the adopted son of the Leferut Family.

Not only because William was the most excellent assassin, but also because he had used his Unique Skill to devour one of Dilequis's discarded sons, transforming that son into one of his 'tentacles,' then setting that 'tentacle' as his actual body, thus acquiring the Leferut Family's bloodline.

As mentioned before, the Leferut Family had a few marriages with the Imperial Family throughout history; strictly speaking, some descendants also had the Hero's lineage.

By possessing the Leferut Family's bloodline, William effectively obtained the Hero's lineage, naturally meeting the conditions to wield the imitation Holy Sword.

That is to say...

"Right now, you are facing a genuine Descendant of the Brave holding the imitation Holy Sword, Thielle Elbein!"

With that, William charged towards Thielle.

Sensing the rising formidable aura from William and recognizing the threat he posed, Thielle's face turned solemn as she raised her Dual Blades.

She knew that this battle had become difficult.

William's Level had already been higher than hers, and now empowered with the imitation Holy Sword's strength, he was not someone she could handle casually.

But Thielle still faced him without hesitation.

The reason was simple.

Because this battle was an obstacle she must overcome.

"The opponent is the only remaining bloodline of the Leferut Family..."

Her fate with the Leferut Family, perhaps, had come to the point where it had to be settled at this moment.

Therefore, no matter what, she must defeat this formidable adversary.

"Come!"

Thielle readied herself for a desperate fight and swung out her blade imbued with the power of the [Magical Sword].

...

"Damn!"

Elsewhere, seeing Thielle begin her battle with William, Cappelen also wanted to rush forward to aid her.

Not for anything else but for the imitation Holy Sword in William's hands.

The once-lost imitation Holy Sword had reemerged in such a manner and became a threat to their side, something Cappelen could not tolerate.

Moreover, she could see that Thielle was at too great a disadvantage against William, who wielded the imitation Holy Sword.

The likelihood of her defeating William was probably less than ten percent.

This sense of urgency left Cappelen no choice but to want to rush over to help.

However, she failed.

Because another opponent had also appeared before her.

"Sss!"

Like the sound of thunder rumbling across the sky, a figure accompanied by a multitude of electric arcs materialized in front of Cappelen.

"Clang——!"

A Greatsword also carrying a heavy load of electric arcs suddenly descended from above, striking fiercely against Cappelen's hastily raised Knight Sword, making it quiver uncontrollably.

"What...!?"

Cappelen's form shook. She retreated uncontrollably in mid-air, almost colliding with a stone pillar behind her.

But when she saw who her opponent was, her expression drastically changed.

"Brother...!?"

Cappelen cried out in shock.

Yes.

The figure that appeared before Cappelen was none other than Harvis.

At that moment, Harvis was entirely wrapped in electrical arcs, floating in the air like her, gently rising and falling.

As Harvis's sister, Cappelen naturally knew that this was the effect of Harvis's Unique Skill

It was a skill capable of transforming the very concept of one's being, converting flesh, organs, and blood entirely into the element of "thunder," and thereby attaining the speed of the lightning and a formless body state. It rendered all physical attacks ineffective—this Unique Skill was called [Thunderclap Entanglement].

It was precisely because of this Unique Skill that Harvis had such fondness for Thunder Magic and had acquired the "Thunderstorm," a Magic Weapon in the Empire second only to the replica of the Holy Sword.

In the Human Realm, Cappelen was known as the Valkyrie, while Harvis was known as the Thunder Prince.

At Level Eighty, once he wielded Thunderstorm and activated the power of [Thunderclap Entanglement], his prowess would rank among the top five in the entire Empire.

Now, her brother, whom even Cappelen herself respected, stood before her wielding the Thunderstorm Greatsword, wrapped in thunderous power, and launched an attack on her.

"Brother, you..."

Cappelen was about to speak when she noticed something off about Harvis.

His expression was calm, or rather, utterly devoid of emotion.

His eyes were no longer their usual color but a heart-palpitating ghastly green.

Cappelen understood immediately.

"That Poisonous Consort has used Death Magic to turn Brother into a half-living, half-dead Puppet...!"

In the secret bases in the wilderness, there were many such beings.

Those knights who had submitted to the High Priest's command and served him had mostly been transformed into monstrous half-living, half-dead creatures.

They were not yet fully Resentful Spirits, the dead, or corpses, but they were not far off.

Strictly speaking, the bearers of the[Death Spirit] altered by [Spirit Essence] could also be considered as such beings.

But the Great Spirit Body was a transcendent existence, beyond the concept of "life," not a monstrous half-living, half-dead being.

Harvis had been transformed into one of these monsters, under the control of Moro.

"Despicable Poisonous Consort...!"

The rage in Cappelen's heart could no longer be quelled.

At this moment, Harvis, like a heartless assassin, turned into lightning and furiously charged at her.

Cappelen could not help but flap her White Wings vigorously, retreating at top speed.

But Harvis, turned into lightning, was undoubtedly faster and caught up to Cappelen in an instant.

"Clang——!"

The Thunderstorm Greatsword, charged with electrical arcs, slashed down again on Cappelen's raised Knight Sword.

"Crack...!"

The Knight Sword emitted a cracking sound and developed a fissure.

Cappelen's complexion was incredibly grim.

In the past, wielding a top-tier Empire weapon like the replica of the Holy Sword, Cappelen would naturally not be afraid of Harvis.

But now, the weapon in Cappelen's hand was merely an expensive Magic Weapon, not nearly on par with the Holy Sword replica, nor with Harvis's Thunderstorm Greatsword.

Meanwhile, Cappelen's Level was also lower than Harvis's, and although she had higher growth potential, it was not significantly higher and insufficient to close the gap in Levels.

As for Unique Skills, Harvis's [Thunderclap Entanglement] was one that could completely nullify physical attacks and terrifyingly enhance Attack Power, explosive force, and speed.

In contrast, Cappelen's Unique Skill [White Wings], although excellent in integrating attack, defense, acceleration, and support, still did not widen the gap significantly from [Thunderclap Entanglement].

In short, without the Holy Sword replica, Cappelen had no advantage over Harvis, even falling into a deficit as severe as Thielle Elbe.

"This is troublesome..."

Bitterness finally surfaced on Cappelen's face.

Harvis, expressionless, transformed into myriad thunders and once again assaulted Cappelen.

...

"Boom——!"

In the Royal Hall, on the fiercest battlefield, two figures were blasted away by an explosion-like shockwave, creating an enormous distance between them.

"[Terrifying Duke (Grand Astarte)]!"

With a slender hand, Moro's nails elongated into Sharp Claws, and with a wave, the Death Qi around her went berserk, roaring towards Shane like countless Ghosts charging out of the Gate of Hell.

"[Grant·Dispel]."

While casting this Grant Magic effectively countering his opponent's magic, Shane, carrying heavy ripples of Magic Power, rushed forward, plunging straight into the Resentful Spirit Group.

"Boom——!"

All Resentful Spirits that touched Shane seemed to burst apart, vanishing without a trace like melting first snow.

"Whoosh!"

In the next instant, Shane used Instant Movement, reappearing before Moro, the Holy Sword in his hand slashing swiftly towards Moro's head like lightning.

"Clang——!"

With a sudden swipe, Moro's Sharp Claws deflected Shane's incoming Slashing attack.

Shane, relentless in his advantage, unleashed the Holy Sword like a thousand White Thunders, cascading down to pierce Moro's body.

Moro spread her hands, and the surrounding Death Qi surged, turning swamp-like and viscous, causing Shane's thrust Holy Sword to stick as if mired, barely able to advance.

Shane's brows lifted.

"Hum!"

The next second, a boundless light burst forth from the Holy Sword.