Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter8 (section)

===Part 4===

The strongest elemental waffe with the flame attribute&mdash;Laevateinn.

Rubia casually swung the sword and the erupting flames instantly consumed the surrounding space.

(...What heat.)

Evading the flames through instinct, Kamito could not dodge the heat.

Ordinary flames could not compare to this astounding heat.

The floor became red and broken like lava.

Considering this Lost Cathedral was built using spirit crystals that resisted the five great attributes, it was even easier to comprehend the overwhelming power of these flames.

These flames seemed as though they embodied the Fire Elemental Lord's wrath.

Wherever the flames burned, the floor was turned into lava that dripped down into the floor below.

"...Without adjusting its power, even the user could be turned into charcoal."

On the other side of the swaying smoke, Rubia spoke.

Her red hair waved in the air as if assimilated with the surrounding flames.

Kamito's entire body broke out in cold sweat.

(...Truly monsters. Whether that spirit there or Rubia commanding it.)

The archdemon of flame that singlehandedly destroyed the Instructional School.

Even if Kamito had the legendary Demon Slayer, it was doubtful whether it could match up at only one-tenth of its original state.

As if sensing his worries&mdash;

&mdash;Don't worry, Kamito.

"...!"

He heard Est's voice in his mind.

&mdash;So long as you believe in me, Kamito, I shall never break.

"Est..."

Kamito muttered to himself, then&mdash;

"That's right..."

He gripped the sword in his hand tightly.

"Est, you are the best partner."

&mdash;Yes, Kamito.

Terminus Est's blade gave off silver-white brilliance.

Amidst the swirling flames, Rubia's figure appeared, wielding the crimson sword.

The scorching blade heated the surrounding air, causing the entire floor's temperature to rise gradually.

"Careful you don't turn the Lost Cathedral into a block of charcoal too, okay?"

"This is already restrained to some degree. Because I cannot fully control ''this''."

As Rubia swung the crimson demon sword, roaring flames instantly flew towards Kamito.

Kamito stepped on the wall and jumped up. The flames he dodged instantly destroyed the wall, creating a massive hole.

Even without a direct hit, the released heat was probably enough to instantly vaporize a human body.

"Aren't you planning on making me the Demon King?"

"If you're going to die to something of this level, you won't be able to kill the Elemental Lords anyway."

"...Tsk, stop deciding things on your own!"

Kamito stepped on the ceiling and turned around, charging at Rubia from above.

Rubia held Laevateinn with a reverse grip and blocked his full powered attack.

Using the reverse grip, Rubia swung the crimson sword. As sword struck sword, intense sparks were scattered.

Perhaps because activation of the flames at such close range would affect her as well, the flames remained silent.

The crimson and white blades clashed.

Terminus Est barely managed to resist Laevateinn.

However&mdash;

(...If this continues, I'm gonna lose.)

Compared to Rubia the former Queen, Kamito's total divine power was simply not on the same level.

Sooner or later, his divine power would be depleted first.

"How ironic, for your weapon to be that Demon Slayer."

During the intense clash, Rubia murmured.

"Oh well, assuming I really am the reincarnation of that Demon King guy&mdash;"

"Wrong. I am referring to the sacred sword that once fought alongside the Sacred Maiden, that now battles against me."

"&mdash;What?"

Taking advantage of Kamito's momentary lapse in focus, Rubia suddenly applied greater strength.

A sharp attack strong enough to numb the arms caused Kamito to enter a defensive situation.

"Hasn't the question ever crossed your mind? For a princess maiden like myself who was only responsible for rituals, how could I engage you, the Strongest Blade Dancer, in blade dance as equals?"

"...!?"

A crimson slash flashed across Kamito's neck.

Feeling the heat wave scorch his skin, Kamito lamented.

(...Yeah right, it'd be strange if that question never crossed my mind.)

&mdash;After fighting her seriously, that sense of doubt deepened.

Talent, training&mdash;or the use of Cursed Armament Seals to strengthen the body.

None of these were sufficiently convincing.

"A thousand years ago, there was a girl who tended sheep on the edge of the continent. She obtained a sacred sword that was embedded in a rock."

"...?"

Rubia's sudden recounting of the past caused Kamito to stare at her in surprise.

(...What the heck? What is she talking about?)

"How could a mere girl who tended sheep prevail against the Demon King who ruled over powerful spirits?"

Continuing the clash of blades&mdash;Kamito finally realized.

"This is the story of Areishia Idriss?"

The Sacred Queen who destroyed the Demon King a thousand years ago.

The past contractor of the sword spirit Terminus Est.

"&mdash;Right. The Sacred Maiden is the opposing existence that awakens in response to the Demon King's awakening. A seed created by the Five Great Elemental Lords who feared the Darkness Elemental Lord, Ren Ashdoll's resurrection."

"Could it be&mdash;You are...!"

With an acute sound, the crimson demon blade and the silver-white sacred sword crossed.

"Indeed, I am the existence that opposes the Demon King&mdash;the reincarnation of the Sacred Maiden."

"...!"

(To think she is the Sacred Maiden's reincarnation?)

Completely ridiculous hogwash&mdash;dismissing her claim was all too easy.

However, Rubia Elstein's power was the undeniable truth.

"Speaking of irony, my existence itself is the most ironic. With the Demon King's resurrection as my goal, intending to destroy the Elemental Lords, for me to carry the power left behind by the Elemental Lords. Or perhaps&mdash;"

&mdash;It was already decided by fate long ago perhaps.

Rubia murmured the last sentence to herself in self-mockery.

Blocking Laevateinn's blade, Terminus Est's brightness rapidly flashed.

Was it because Kamito's divine power was about to run out, or&mdash;

(...Est, are you okay!?)

Infusing as much divine power into the sword as he could, Kamito yelled inside his mind.

Rubia Elstein was the one who inherited the Sacred Maiden's power. The legitimate successor of Areishia Idriss, Est's past contractor. It was not surprising for Est to waver.

However&mdash;

&mdash;It does not matter, Kamito.

A voice sounded in his mind to refute the idea.

&mdash;I am a separate existence from the past Terminus Est. Even if she is the successor of the past master, it does not matter.

&mdash;Because I am your sword.

Instantly, the Demon Slayer gave off dazzling brightness.

"Est...!"

(...Right. I have the best partner.)

Even if the opponent was the legendary Sacred Maiden&mdash;

"I cannot lose!"

Using his entire strength, Kamito pushed Laevateinn and blew Rubia away.

"I see. That sacred sword is one of the reasons why the Demon King's awakening process has been delayed."

Icy flames lit up in Rubia's eyes.

"Well then, I shall shatter that sacred sword&mdash;to impart upon you true despair!"

God-slaying flames&mdash;Laevateinn spewed forth a crimson blaze.

(&mdash;Now is the moment!)

Kamito had been waiting for this opportunity.

Waiting for Rubia to release her strongest attack.

This opportunity only presented itself for this one instant. Failure was absolutely not allowed.

"Experience for yourself the flames of purgatory, Strongest Blade Dancer, Ren Ashbell!"

As Laevateinn's slash traveled, in that instant&mdash;

Kamito used his explosive leg power to leap forward.

Discerning the root of divine power, he aimed the secret technique at that very point.

"Absolute Blade Arts, Final Form&mdash;Last Strike!"

The super high speed slash passed through Laevateinn's blade&mdash;

In the next instant, ''the Demon Slayer shattered''.

"Est&mdash;!"

"Very well, now awaken&mdash;Demon King."

Then the scorching hot demon blade pierced Kamito's chest.