There was something Allen was trying to get from the Divine Arena.
His sword had been broken by Nestiad, and then the Spirit Beast again, so he wanted a stronger one. Now he was wondering if he could get the God of Swords'.
(I'll pray to god as much as I have to for that.)
'H-how dare you! You really think you're worth so much just because you overcame a trial in the Spirit Paradise? God of Swords, please let me-'
'Okay, hold it right there. I believe he addressed me, didn't he?'
The God of Swords raised her hand to stop Querubin, then took a step forward.
(I feel so much pressure coming from her…)
She was around 2 meters tall, standing more than a head taller than Allen.
While she looked like a woman, there was no feminine tenderness present in her.
Her body was clearly muscular, as it showed through her robes and breastplate.
The God of Swords was a very special entity in the human realm.
As monsters appeared, and the Demon King's Army attacked, people started relying on swords and the Skills and Talents granted by the God of Swords, giving her many believers.
She was now a Higher God together with the 3 Combat Sisters, and stood imposing in front of Allen.
"Yes, I'd really like to have it."
'May I ask why you're looking for my sword?'
"Yes. I've already broken 2 orichalcum swords since I came to the divine realm…"
Allen told the story of how he came to desire the God of Swords' sword.
'I see. This blade was forged specifically for me by Gaia. I believe it's quite different from those that Isiris makes.'
The God of Swords unsheathed her orichalcum sword and looked at it.
(Somehow I feel like I'm one step away from being sliced to pieces now.)
Allen felt like he was in danger just by having the God of Swords with an unsheathed blade so close.
"I'd really like to borrow it, maybe as a reward for completing some trial."
Asking to take it would likely anger her, so he simply asked to borrow it to defeat the Demon King.
'I'd have to consider it. Let me ask you something, Allen. What is a sword to you?'
"A tool."
A sword was merely one of the many means to win for Allen. That was why he threw his sword at Murai during their fight without batting an eye.
'Wha-?! Now you've said enough, Allen!!'
Allen replied instantly, and that seemed to anger Querubin again as he unsheathed his sword.
(Oh yeah, Murai also said something about my sword being more valuable than my life and got angry at me.)
He realized that practitioners of Divine Swordsmanship might have a different ideology.
'A tool, hm? That's funny. Alright, if you can leave even a scratch on me, I'll lend you my sword. Just remember that this blade is synonymous with my soul, so I'll use quite a bit of power too.'
"Of course. Thank you very much for this opportunity!!"
(Yayyyyyy! Everything was worth it in the end.)
Allen was happy from the bottom of his heart to hear that response.
The realization that Allen would soon be fighting the God of Swords dawned on everyone.
"Hey, what are you thinking? That's the God of Swords, there's no way you can beat her."
"I agree, you might be flying too close to the sun now."
Cecile and Helmios often voiced their thoughts about Allen's ideas, and this time they were clearly against the fight.
"...Sometimes you have to be a little crazy to get what you want. I don't want my sword to break while I'm fighting the Demon King and not live to regret it."
Allen had been back with his family recently, renewing his desire to protect them.
"That's very true, Allen."
Meanwhile Doberg seemed to agree with Allen.
Doberg had lost his wife Clarissa to the Demon King's Army, so he could relate with Allen's lust for power, even if it meant risking his life.
"She said just a scratch. That might give me a chance to win."
"You should surrender the instant you feel like you could lose though."
(Don't worry so much. You'll end up triggering a bad flag.)
Cecile looked more worried than usual for Allen, though he just grinned as he looked at the God of Swords.
'Are you done saying goodbye?'
"I'm not that pessimistic. Thank you for giving me the chance of sparring with you, but I can surrender if I realize I have no chance, right?"
'Of course. If you manage to get the words out, I mean.'
"Can I use any means necessary?"
'I don't mind. There won't be any starting signal either. Just attack whenever you want.'
She did not have any intention of setting boundaries, getting ready to fight right away instead.
(I still have a lot of time left with Graham's Possession Combination. I just have to leave a scratch, but I'll make sure she can taste my blade properly.)
The match had already started while he thought of that.
Taking a deep breath, he sprang to action.
"Tsubames, surround the God of Swords."
'Pipii!!'
'Pipii!!'
'Pipii!!'
Allen's Bird A summons appeared and quickly flew towards the God of Swords.
They were all Strengthened, and one had Growth at Level 9 and was under Kingship.
With nearly 100000 Agility, they quickly flew in circles around the God of Swords, and the quick flapping of their wings sounded almost like a low rumble, while the wind from them was like a tornado about to blow away the nearby angels.
'Ohh, these are you summons? What do they do?'
The God of Swords was perfectly calm, her body relaxed and her sword pointed down.
"I'll leave a scratch on you!!"
Allen unsheathed his Orichalcum sword and charged straight at the God of Swords.
'He's charging straight on?'
Murai was shocked to see him charge straight ahead, after coming up with an elaborate plan against him. He also thought that trying to attack the God of Swords that way was suicide.
(She wins with stats and Skills, but I just have to get a scratch on her!!)
Once he was 10 meters away, he took a sharp turn and began moving in clockwise circles together with the 10 Bird A summons.
'Oh?'
"Huh? Was it me or did it look like there was two of Allen right now?"
Helmios noticed something odd. There seemed to be 2 figures of Allen running around the God of Swords. The footsteps also came from both, so it was not just an afterimage.
"No way… Ah, that's Nebar… So that's what he's using that summon for."
Cecile had been there when Allen tested out the Stone F summon, so she knew what was happening. He had made that summon shapeshift into himself.
Now it was hard to tell Allen, the Stone F summon, and the Bird A summons apart.
It was a bit shocking to realize that Allen had already figured out how to use his new summons in battle.
"Hoyoyo?! There's more Allens!!"
As a second and third clone appeared, Kurena was also confused as she never saw the Stone F summon before.
Soon there were 10 clones, the same number as Bird A summons.
'If you really think that's enough to leave a scratch on me, go on ahead.'
So far the God of Swords had not moved a single step, and her face was still calm.
'Sure.'
'Sure.'
'Sure.'
Just to be sure, Allen also activated the Bird A summons' Special Skill [Nest Transfer].
<em class="chakra-text css-0">Whoosh
<em class="chakra-text css-0">Whoosh
<em class="chakra-text css-0">Whoosh
As Allen's clones moved in circles, they also began to vanish and appear in different places.
He was appearing in tens of random places almost every instant, and spotting him was like trying to identify one card in a deck being shuffled.
'That's clever.'
'Let's do it then!'
'Let's do it then!'
'Let's do it then!'
'Come!'
As the God of Swords broke into a smile, the Allens began to attack.
The first clone moved in and was instantly sliced in half through the torso.
<em class="chakra-text css-0">Poof
(She barely moved to do that. Just how fast are her reflexes?!!)
'Raaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!! Soul Saberrrrrrrrrrrrr!!'
The God of Swords was right handed, and the first Stone F summon came from the right.
But Allen silently attacked from the opposite side at the same time.
As he brandished a blue sword, the God of Swords turned around a bit more forcefully and swung down on Allen without wasting a moment.
<em class="chakra-text css-0">Poof
'Another fake, huh.'
The Allen using Graham's Special Skill was also a clone, and Allen closed in on her back.
Allen had remained silent since the fight started, and he approached her from behind.
He used his 100000 Agility to rush in.
'Heh, I'll admit you're moving well, with no hesitation!'
(What, her stance is still strong after two attacks?! Something isn't right though, her sword is leading her movements.)
As Allen got closer to her back, she still appeared defenseless, but then Allen felt something strange. His sword was moving in a direct line to her back, but somehow her blade moved horizontally aiming straight for his neck.
It was only a few milliseconds, but that moment alone felt like an eternity to Allen, letting him experience the true meaning of swordsmanship.
Her body was still facing away, but her sword was already getting closer to his neck.
It was a strange mismatch, a movement that seemed impossible, but her wrist, arm, shoulder, and the rest of her body quickly adjusted to it.
The sword was moving straight for Allen's neck, and if it connected then it would leave more than a cut. All hope that she would hold back evaporated that instant.
That reminded Allen that before the match she said she would use some power too, and now he was experiencing what that 'some' meant.
The faces of his family he had visited a few days ago flashed in front of his eyes.
The enemy blade was already so close he could no longer escape by teleporting away.
Seeing that sword so close, Allen could only feel like a fish thrown onto the deck, awaiting its imminent death.
There was something Allen was trying to get from the Divine Arena.
His sword had been broken by Nestiad, and then the Spirit Beast again, so he wanted a stronger one. Now he was wondering if he could get the God of Swords'.
(I'll pray to god as much as I have to for that.)
'H-how dare you! You really think you're worth so much just because you overcame a trial in the Spirit Paradise? God of Swords, please let me-'
'Okay, hold it right there. I believe he addressed me, didn't he?'
The God of Swords raised her hand to stop Querubin, then took a step forward.
(I feel so much pressure coming from her…)
She was around 2 meters tall, standing more than a head taller than Allen.
While she looked like a woman, there was no feminine tenderness present in her.
Her body was clearly muscular, as it showed through her robes and breastplate.
The God of Swords was a very special entity in the human realm.
As monsters appeared, and the Demon King's Army attacked, people started relying on swords and the Skills and Talents granted by the God of Swords, giving her many believers.
She was now a Higher God together with the 3 Combat Sisters, and stood imposing in front of Allen.
"Yes, I'd really like to have it."
'May I ask why you're looking for my sword?'
"Yes. I've already broken 2 orichalcum swords since I came to the divine realm…"
Allen told the story of how he came to desire the God of Swords' sword.
'I see. This blade was forged specifically for me by Gaia. I believe it's quite different from those that Isiris makes.'
The God of Swords unsheathed her orichalcum sword and looked at it.
(Somehow I feel like I'm one step away from being sliced to pieces now.)
Allen felt like he was in danger just by having the God of Swords with an unsheathed blade so close.
"I'd really like to borrow it, maybe as a reward for completing some trial."
Asking to take it would likely anger her, so he simply asked to borrow it to defeat the Demon King.
'I'd have to consider it. Let me ask you something, Allen. What is a sword to you?'
"A tool."
A sword was merely one of the many means to win for Allen. That was why he threw his sword at Murai during their fight without batting an eye.
'Wha-?! Now you've said enough, Allen!!'
Allen replied instantly, and that seemed to anger Querubin again as he unsheathed his sword.
(Oh yeah, Murai also said something about my sword being more valuable than my life and got angry at me.)
He realized that practitioners of Divine Swordsmanship might have a different ideology.
'A tool, hm? That's funny. Alright, if you can leave even a scratch on me, I'll lend you my sword. Just remember that this blade is synonymous with my soul, so I'll use quite a bit of power too.'
"Of course. Thank you very much for this opportunity!!"
(Yayyyyyy! Everything was worth it in the end.)
Allen was happy from the bottom of his heart to hear that response.
The realization that Allen would soon be fighting the God of Swords dawned on everyone.
"Hey, what are you thinking? That's the God of Swords, there's no way you can beat her."
"I agree, you might be flying too close to the sun now."
Cecile and Helmios often voiced their thoughts about Allen's ideas, and this time they were clearly against the fight.
"...Sometimes you have to be a little crazy to get what you want. I don't want my sword to break while I'm fighting the Demon King and not live to regret it."
Allen had been back with his family recently, renewing his desire to protect them.
"That's very true, Allen."
Meanwhile Doberg seemed to agree with Allen.
Doberg had lost his wife Clarissa to the Demon King's Army, so he could relate with Allen's lust for power, even if it meant risking his life.
"She said just a scratch. That might give me a chance to win."
"You should surrender the instant you feel like you could lose though."
(Don't worry so much. You'll end up triggering a bad flag.)
Cecile looked more worried than usual for Allen, though he just grinned as he looked at the God of Swords.
'Are you done saying goodbye?'
"I'm not that pessimistic. Thank you for giving me the chance of sparring with you, but I can surrender if I realize I have no chance, right?"
'Of course. If you manage to get the words out, I mean.'
"Can I use any means necessary?"
'I don't mind. There won't be any starting signal either. Just attack whenever you want.'
She did not have any intention of setting boundaries, getting ready to fight right away instead.
(I still have a lot of time left with Graham's Possession Combination. I just have to leave a scratch, but I'll make sure she can taste my blade properly.)
The match had already started while he thought of that.
Taking a deep breath, he sprang to action.
"Tsubames, surround the God of Swords."
'Pipii!!'
'Pipii!!'
'Pipii!!'
Allen's Bird A summons appeared and quickly flew towards the God of Swords.
They were all Strengthened, and one had Growth at Level 9 and was under Kingship.
With nearly 100000 Agility, they quickly flew in circles around the God of Swords, and the quick flapping of their wings sounded almost like a low rumble, while the wind from them was like a tornado about to blow away the nearby angels.
'Ohh, these are you summons? What do they do?'
The God of Swords was perfectly calm, her body relaxed and her sword pointed down.
"I'll leave a scratch on you!!"
Allen unsheathed his Orichalcum sword and charged straight at the God of Swords.
'He's charging straight on?'
Murai was shocked to see him charge straight ahead, after coming up with an elaborate plan against him. He also thought that trying to attack the God of Swords that way was suicide.
(She wins with stats and Skills, but I just have to get a scratch on her!!)
Once he was 10 meters away, he took a sharp turn and began moving in clockwise circles together with the 10 Bird A summons.
'Oh?'
"Huh? Was it me or did it look like there was two of Allen right now?"
Helmios noticed something odd. There seemed to be 2 figures of Allen running around the God of Swords. The footsteps also came from both, so it was not just an afterimage.
"No way… Ah, that's Nebar… So that's what he's using that summon for."
Cecile had been there when Allen tested out the Stone F summon, so she knew what was happening. He had made that summon shapeshift into himself.
Now it was hard to tell Allen, the Stone F summon, and the Bird A summons apart.
It was a bit shocking to realize that Allen had already figured out how to use his new summons in battle.
"Hoyoyo?! There's more Allens!!"
As a second and third clone appeared, Kurena was also confused as she never saw the Stone F summon before.
Soon there were 10 clones, the same number as Bird A summons.
'If you really think that's enough to leave a scratch on me, go on ahead.'
So far the God of Swords had not moved a single step, and her face was still calm.
'Sure.'
'Sure.'
'Sure.'
Just to be sure, Allen also activated the Bird A summons' Special Skill [Nest Transfer].
<em class="chakra-text css-0">Whoosh
<em class="chakra-text css-0">Whoosh
<em class="chakra-text css-0">Whoosh
As Allen's clones moved in circles, they also began to vanish and appear in different places.
He was appearing in tens of random places almost every instant, and spotting him was like trying to identify one card in a deck being shuffled.
'That's clever.'
'Let's do it then!'
'Let's do it then!'
'Let's do it then!'
'Come!'
As the God of Swords broke into a smile, the Allens began to attack.
The first clone moved in and was instantly sliced in half through the torso.
<em class="chakra-text css-0">Poof
(She barely moved to do that. Just how fast are her reflexes?!!)
'Raaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!! Soul Saberrrrrrrrrrrrr!!'
The God of Swords was right handed, and the first Stone F summon came from the right.
But Allen silently attacked from the opposite side at the same time.
As he brandished a blue sword, the God of Swords turned around a bit more forcefully and swung down on Allen without wasting a moment.
<em class="chakra-text css-0">Poof
'Another fake, huh.'
The Allen using Graham's Special Skill was also a clone, and Allen closed in on her back.
Allen had remained silent since the fight started, and he approached her from behind.
He used his 100000 Agility to rush in.
'Heh, I'll admit you're moving well, with no hesitation!'
(What, her stance is still strong after two attacks?! Something isn't right though, her sword is leading her movements.)
As Allen got closer to her back, she still appeared defenseless, but then Allen felt something strange. His sword was moving in a direct line to her back, but somehow her blade moved horizontally aiming straight for his neck.
It was only a few milliseconds, but that moment alone felt like an eternity to Allen, letting him experience the true meaning of swordsmanship.
Her body was still facing away, but her sword was already getting closer to his neck.
It was a strange mismatch, a movement that seemed impossible, but her wrist, arm, shoulder, and the rest of her body quickly adjusted to it.
The sword was moving straight for Allen's neck, and if it connected then it would leave more than a cut. All hope that she would hold back evaporated that instant.
That reminded Allen that before the match she said she would use some power too, and now he was experiencing what that 'some' meant.
The faces of his family he had visited a few days ago flashed in front of his eyes.
The enemy blade was already so close he could no longer escape by teleporting away.
Seeing that sword so close, Allen could only feel like a fish thrown onto the deck, awaiting its imminent death.
