Swoosh!
Boom!
Crackle!
Sword energy, flames, and lightning streaked across the sky one after another, lighting up the heavens in a dazzling display of color.
Brain looked toward the source of the sword energy. He knew that was where the Mithril Rank Adventurer Momon and the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth were fighting.
"Honestly, monsters just keep appearing one after another."
Gripping his sword, he forced a bitter smile and looked at the white figure standing on a nearby rooftop, his steps steady and resolute.
"But if I want to overcome the fear in my heart, I still have to draw my blade against you!"
Shalltear wore a mask and a pure white dress. Her golden hair fell to her waist, and she stood gracefully atop the roof like a noble lady.
The light from the sword sparks, lightning, and flames flashing across the sky from time to time reflected upon her, making her appear somewhat listless.
Ah~ I want to go to Lord Helant's side too.
At the same time, a surge of resentment rose within her whenever she thought of Albedo's smug expression.
What do you mean, my ambition is too big? I just want to be the main wife. Why can you be the main wife, Albedo, but I can't?
Noticing the hidden recording device nearby, she immediately straightened her posture and restrained her negative emotions.
Lord Helant wants to watch the recording of us carrying out the mission, so I must not lose my composure.
She stood upright, drew in her waist, lifted her chest, and slightly tilted her hips, finding the perfect angle in front of the recording device to display her graceful figure.
She wanted to show her charm from every angle. Otherwise, with Albedo constantly whispering in his ear, who knew how long she would have to wait?
Just as Shalltear was striking a pose, Brain climbed onto the roof and spoke in a relaxed tone. "Shalltear, what are you doing in the Royal Capital?"
Shalltear glanced at him sideways and tilted her head. "Who are you?"
How does he know my name?
"Ah... so you've forgotten me." Brain shook his head with a bitter smile, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.
It makes sense. For someone like her, remembering an ant like me would be difficult.
Clang!
He swiftly drew his sword, pointing the blade at Shalltear. In that instant, his heart pounded wildly, sending a surge of heat throughout his body.
His fighting spirit was ignited.
In Shalltear's eyes, that fighting spirit was like a fallen leaf touching the surface of water, causing only the faintest ripple.
"Oh, an enemy?" She instinctively tilted her head. Recalling how many times Demiurge had lectured her to think carefully and act only after deliberation, she forced herself to think.
He knows my name, yet he is an enemy… so who is he?
Could he be part of an arrangement by Lord Helant or Demiurge?
Ah… I can't figure it out. Forget it. To be safe, I won't kill him for now. If there is some plan I don't know about, killing him might ruin everything.
However, although she would not kill him, she could not allow herself to appear weak.
Her aura suddenly changed. A thick, blood-like killing intent belonging to a Vampire surged forth, lifting the hem of her dress and extending outward like tentacles, probing toward Brain.
Brain's pupils instantly constricted, and goosebumps covered his body. The sword he gripped tightly began to tremble again.
The demon-god-like presence Shalltear had displayed that night in the cave was now fully revealed once more.
Brain felt as if a massive boulder weighing ten thousand tons was pressing down on his chest, making each breath extremely difficult.
"Calm down. This is the fear in my heart. I must face her!"
Face the strongest, and glimpse a fragment of the world's peak.
Having made up his mind, his heartbeat gradually slowed, and his consciousness became focused.
"Martial Art: Field."
He lowered his stance and held the sword in a reverse grip at his side. A faint red field with a radius of three meters spread out from beneath his feet, reaching Shalltear's toes.
Once someone entered the field, his sword would never miss.
At this moment, Brain's heart was completely calm. Mind, body, and technique seemed to merge into a single, certain strike.
"Tch, you still can't grasp the gap between us?" Shalltear casually raised her delicate hand, revealing her long, manicured nails.
She had thought that releasing her killing intent would make this man retreat.
Looking at the so-called "Field," she sneered inwardly. "So what if it guarantees a hit? If it can't deal damage, it's still meaningless."
She stepped lightly into the field, making no attempt to defend herself, too lazy even to react.
At that very instant, Brain shouted in a low voice:
"Fourfold Slash of Light!"
In the blink of an eye, the blade struck four times. Four flashes of light condensed into substance, leaving the blade and slashing toward Shalltear's fingernail.
All power focused on a single point.
A full-force explosion.
Snap.
The faint sound of a fingernail breaking was strangely satisfying at that moment.
"It broke! Hahaha, it broke!"
Brain dismissed his field and stood there, leaning on his sword as he laughed wildly. An uncontrollable sense of joy and accomplishment surged through his chest.
Last time, even when he gave it his all, Shalltear had effortlessly blocked him with her fingernail.
This time, at least, her fingernail could no longer stop his sword.
"Hmm?" Shalltear glanced at her broken nail, then looked at Brain in confusion. "Did you aim for it on purpose?"
In a fight, shouldn't one aim for hands or other vital points?
"Yeah. I focused everything on a single point on the nail. I've been preparing this move for a long time." Brain laughed until tears filled his eyes.
Shalltear could not understand it at all, and in the end could only sigh. "As a nail clipper, you are barely qualified."
This guy is definitely an idiot.
"Thank you. My sword, my life has meaning! I can still grow, and I dare to swing my blade at the strong!"
Brain raised his sword, laughing manically.
"He really is an idiot." Shalltear turned to look at the recording device, carefully considering how to let him leave.
She was now certain that someone this foolish who also knew her name must be a pawn of Lord Helant or Demiurge.
"Hey... where did he go?"
As soon as she turned her head, she saw Brain's figure fleeing frantically. She could not help but twitch her lips beneath the mask. "How rude..."
"Sister Shalltear, good evening."
Mare suddenly appeared beside Shalltear, tilting his head thoughtfully.
"Oh, Mare. Aren't you with Demiurge? I remember you were responsible for the earthquake in the Royal Capital." Shalltear continued striking poses in front of the recording device.
"I was just about to head over when Sister Albedo gave me a small temporary task." Mare looked up timidly toward a certain street in the Royal Capital.
Shalltear followed his gaze curiously.
She saw a blond man limping as he ran toward the Royal Palace.
Holding his staff, Mare chuckled shyly. "Crippling someone without killing them is a real test of control. Fortunately, I'm not that strong, and I have experience in breaking legs."
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