Chapter 52

Silver magic surged around Hera and Bahamut, swelling as it eroded the jet-black magic.
Eventually, it coalesced, and a dragon, now about twice the size it had been, transformed from its fully jet-black form into a majestic silvery-white one.

『…It’s been a while since I’ve had to get serious. Even so… you endured my power well, master.』

“—Of course I did. Who do you think I am?”

Hera’s glowing, silver hair fluttered as she grinned confidently, her silver eyes gleaming brightly.
Her overwhelming presence captivated everyone who laid eyes on her.

Even Satan was no exception. Faced with this opponent who could easily destroy him, he held off on attacking.
But inside, Hera cursed to herself.

(Ugh… This is still tough… I can probably only hold this form for two minutes. But—I’ll end this in two minutes…!!)

“《White Dragon Blade》”

As Hera spoke, her words manifested into a blade made of magic, materializing before her.
She grabbed it, and both she and Bahamut moved at once.

“Bahamut!”
『Leave it to me, master. —Gaaaaaaaah!!』

『Wha…!?』

Bahamut’s roar resonated through the space, causing Satan’s body to freeze momentarily.
Satan quickly broke free from the binding and tried to retreat, but Hera was already in front of him, bringing her sword down.

『…Tch, how insolent!!』

However, Satan hardened his entire body using red-black magic. Though his movement slowed for a moment, he managed to block the sword by punching it.
Although the attack lacked much force, Hera was merely knocked upward.

『—Don’t let your guard down, Satan.』
『Tch… How dare a dragon impostor…—Don’t touch me!!』

Satan tried to pursue Hera to deliver the final blow, but again his movements were briefly slowed.
In that moment, Bahamut’s massive form intervened, its meter-long claws piercing Satan’s magical armor and reaching his body, sending blood flying through the air.
Yet Satan, showing no concern for his wound, grabbed Bahamut’s arm and, with his immense strength, hurled the dragon’s huge body effortlessly.

『That brute strength of yours never ceases to amaze…』

Bahamut stopped himself in midair, muttering in exasperation at Satan’s monstrous strength, capable of tossing even his multi-ton body.
However, in the next instant, Bahamut opened his mouth wide and unleashed a black destructive breath.

The breath shot straight toward Satan, but it was stopped by the impenetrable magical barrier Satan had created—far more durable than anything he’d conjured before—and exploded futilely.

But as the smoke cleared, one figure—Hera, her eyes gleaming—rushed forward, slicing at Satan with her sword.

In that instant, a deafening clash like metal striking metal resounded.
It was the sound of Hera’s sword colliding with Satan’s magical barrier.

『For a human, you’re not bad… But that won’t be enough to defeat me!!』
“Ugh…”

Satan released his magic in all directions, sending Hera flying.
But Bahamut caught her in midair.

『Are you alright, master? I’ll be reverting back to my original form soon.』
“There’s one way…”

Hera looked toward the sky for some reason and spoke as if addressing someone.

“…Shin, you’re already here, aren’t you?”

At Hera’s confident words, Bahamut gave her a puzzled look, as if to say, “That’s impossible.”

But—

“—You noticed, huh?”

Suddenly, a voice rang out, and a bolt of lightning shot down from the distant sky.
In front of Hera, Shin appeared, his entire body transformed into lightning.

『H-how did you know…?』

Bahamut’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Hera.
Hera, with a smug expression, puffed out her chest and said confidently, “Didn’t you notice? Starting midway, Shin was releasing killing intent towards Satan, slowing his attacks. I realized right away that it was thanks to him.”

『…Now that you mention it, there were moments when he seemed to struggle moving… I see, that was thanks to Lord Shin.』

Bahamut nodded in understanding.

『So, why did you call upon Lord Shin?』
“I needed him to buy me some time.”
“Leave it to me. I’ll buy as much time as you need.”

Still glaring at Satan, Hera asked Shin for help.
Excited to be relied upon by his crush, Shin immediately agreed.

After Shin flew toward Satan, Hera landed on the ground and said, “Bahamut, become a sword.”
『…I see. Understood.』

In an instant, Bahamut’s body began to shrink, glowing brilliantly, and he transformed into a sword bathed in divine light.
The sword’s name was—『Divine Blade: White Dragon』.

Hera grasped the divine blade, created a simple silver scabbard, and sheathed the sword.
She fixed the scabbard at her waist with her left hand and dropped into an Iai stance.

In truth, Hera had seen Shin, during club activities, practicing with an unfamiliar stance, wielding a sword she had never seen before.
Though Shin himself gave up early, saying, “I’m not cut out for Iai,” Hera had watched his incomplete Iai slashes just a few times and not only mimicked them, but perfected the technique.

It was truly a testament to her innate talent, honed through countless battles.

Her stance was impeccable, radiating an intense sense of tension.
Not only that, but all the surrounding magic began converging into the blade.

The sheer volume of magic was so overwhelming that even while Satan was dealing with Shin, he had to spare some attention toward it.

『What is that technique…?』
“It’s the culmination of Hera’s effort. The technique that best represents her brilliance.”
『I have no idea what you’re talking about…』
“Well, I doubt you’d understand.”
『To think she wouldn’t even draw her sword against me… how disrespectful!!』
“Don’t insult Hera’s hard work, you idiot.”

Just as Shin narrowly dodged Satan’s blow, he gathered lightning from his entire body into his fist and struck Satan, sending him flying—then he shouted.

“—Now, Hera!!”

At Shin’s signal, Hera focused on Satan, placing her right hand on the hilt of her sword.
However—

『Gahahaha! Fool! You’re giving me an opening to attack!!』

Satan twisted his body midair, kicked off the air, and charged toward Hera.

『Dieeeeee!!』

As Satan closed in, swinging his fist, in that split second, Hera unsheathed her sword at a speed no one could follow, slashing horizontally.

“No—this is your loss.”

Ching.

『Gah…!?』

At the same moment the sound of the sword being sheathed echoed, blood spurted horizontally from Satan’s chest.
Everyone who witnessed the scene stared in disbelief.
Satan was no exception.

『I-impossible… I couldn’t even see it…!?』

With those stunned words, Satan collapsed to the ground.