Akashic Records of the Bastard Child Engaged to a Goddess



Holy Sword Tournament Arc II

---

(POV: Akashic Records)

Standing atop the dark flyers were four formidable individuals - Gallus, Esta, Kana, and Drome.

The two demon knights, Kana and Drome, exuded an aura of darkness and malevolence, while the battle gods, Gallus and Esta, radiated power and confidence.

Their presence alone sent shivers down the spines of those unfortunate enough to witness their descent.

With a thunderous landing, they touched the ground, causing a shockwave that reverberated throughout the capital city.

Spectators were blown away, unable to withstand the force of their impact.

The city, already in disarray, crumbled further under their weight, a chaotic symphony of crumbling buildings and terrified cries.

Amidst the chaos, Sir Reginald and Galtar, the royal guards, frantically worked to protect the royal families. With their swords raised and their eyes filled with determination, they drove their way through the tumultuous streets, urging the Kings and their kins to safety. Other knights surrounded them, forming a protective barrier against the encroaching darkness.

Fanatio, one of the knights, spotted a group of vulnerable children amidst the chaos.

She turned to Ress, "Get them to safety, now!"

"You got it little lady!" Without hesitation, Ress scooped up the children and charged through the panicked crowd, his broad shoulders shielding them from harm.

As the chaos continued to unfold, Lirien, the mysterious figure cloaked in black, calmly navigated through the debris and turmoil. Her robe billowed in the wind, betraying no sign of fear or apprehension.

In her usual dull voice, she muttered to herself.

"...this isn't fun, I won't be able to find Isadora now..."

Meanwhile, Velzar, in the midst of the running crowd, marveled at the audacity of their attackers. Whistling nonchalantly, he remarked, "These people certainly know how to make an entrance."

However, before he could finish his thought, Esta, the white-haired battle god, darted towards him with incredible speed, her sword aimed directly at his chest.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Velzar parried Esta's attack, their clash creating a destructive shockwave that ripped through the surroundings. As the dust settled, Esta smiled at Velzar, expressing recognition.

"Ah, the legendary third seat, Velzar," she said with a smirk.

Raising an eyebrow, Velzar questioned her, "And you're?"

"Esta Rendera," she smiled. "The battle gods' fifth seat."

A young woman of slim build, with gray hair that swept over the right side of her face and tied into a ponytail at the back.

"Ah, so a lower number," said Velzar underwhelmed.

In a blink of an eye, Esta unleashed a barrage of sword strokes, each strike slicing through the air with blinding speed. Her movements were a blur, her hands a whirlwind of deadly precision. But Velzar proved himself to be an elusive target. With incredible agility, he deftly maneuvered through the narrow gaps between Esta's slashes, his sword fending off incoming attacks.

"You're strong!" Velzar grinned.

Sensing an opportunity, Velzar activated his the skill, [Enchanted Blade], infusing his weapon with a surge of mana. With every swing that Esta parried, his strikes grew more devastating, causing the ground beneath them to crack and shatter under the force of their clash.

The impacts created a massive crater.

Caught off guard by Velzar's display of power, Esta smirked, her eyes glinting with excitement.

"Is that the best you can do, third seat?" she taunted, her voice filled with confidence. In a swift motion, she delivered a knee strike to Velzar's abdomen, sending him hurtling three meters backward.

"( Why does this bitch feel stronger than she should... )" (Velzar)

Adjusting her light armor with a casual flicker of her hand, Esta smirked at Velzar, her eyes fixated on him with a hunger for bloodshed. "I can't wait to taste your blood on my blade," she declared, her voice dripping with sadistic delight.

Meanwhile...

"This is bad.."

Lumiere, via [Summoning Magic] used his remaining mana points to execute a daring move.

He initiated a reverse summon, calling forth Serena, Stellaria, and Isadora to aid him.

The spell consumed a hefty amount of mana.

「Lumiere's MP: 7,000」

It was a risky move, however, a pragmatic choice.

As Stellaria, Serena, and Isadora materialized before Lumiere, their eyes widened in shock at the scene that unfolded before them.

The once majestic coliseum now lay in ruins, crumbling in on itself as if the very foundations of their world were being torn apart.

Serena's voice trembled with concern as she asked, "Lord Lumiere, what's going on?"

Adjusting his sleek white mask, Lumiere's voice remained calm and composed as he explained, "We were attacked by an unknown group of assailants."

Isadora's gaze shifted upwards, towards the monsters soaring through the skies. Her brows furrowed in both confusion and recognition. "Are those dark flyers?" she questioned, her tone hinting at a deep-rooted unease.

Stellaria, with a nonchalant shrug, replied with a yawn, "How would I know? They could just be oversized pigeons for all I care."

Isadora shook her head, dismissing the thought as absurd.

"No, they couldn't possibly be... But what is going on?" Her sentence was abruptly cut short as a deafening explosion ripped through the air, nearly knocking them off their feet.

Lumiere quickly regained his balance and turned towards Serena. "Keep a vigilant eye on the skies," he commanded, his voice filled with unwavering determination.

Serena clenched her fists and nodded, her eyes gleaming with fierce determination. "I'll take down the monsters in the sky while I'm at it."

Lumiere then turned his attention to Stellaria, his voice filled with urgency.

"With your [Spatial Magic], hasten the evacuation process. We need to get the civilians to safety as swiftly as possible." (Lumiere)

Stellaria, seemingly unfazed, lazily shrugged her shoulders and smirked.

"Why not? I'm always up for some fun." (Stellaria)

With those words, ebony-colored, bat-like wings sprouted from her back, allowing her to take to the skies with a newfound agility. Serena followed suit, soaring higher into the atmosphere to keep a vigilant watch over the unfolding chaos.

With them gone, Isadora faced Lumiere.

"So, what's our next move?" she asked, awfully calm.

"Well, we--"

His words were suddenly halted by the haunting voice of Lirien.

Isadora's heart skipped a beat having seen the figure draped in a black robe. She did her best to maintain composure, her hand instinctively waving at Lirien amidst the swirling turmoil. "How are you doing today?" Isadora questioned with a warm smile.

"( It's her again... )"

Lumiere recognized her as the one who claimed to be Isadora's sister.

A sense of foreboding washed over him, and his hand subtly reached for the hilt of his tsurugi tucked behind his waist.

Gallus, a wise old man with flowing white hair and adorned in a long white garment, stepped forward and addressed Lirien.

There was a scar on his closed right eye.

"Shall I handle Isadora?" he asked.

Lirien's reply was swift and decisive. "No," she uttered, her tone firm as she shook her head.

Gallus nodded obediently, falling back into silence.

Behind Lirien were Gallus, Kana, and Drome.

"( This guy... )"

Lumiere's keen intuition sensed an unsettling energy radiating from Gallus, it was unsettling.

"....I am here to bring you back home, sister...."

Lirien stated plainly, her voice plain.

Isadora sighed, exasperated.

"Once again, no." She declared, her gaze unwavering.

Lirien took a step forward, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"But I'm your big sister," she stated simply.

Isadora's frustration grew, evident in her voice as she responded, "Honestly, sometimes I don't get you."

"....Sorry...." said Lirien.

Momentarily shifting her gaze to Lumiere, she told him, "Master, I promise I'll explain everything la--"

"You don't have to." Lumiere simply told her. "All you have to do... is let me help you."

These words made Isadoraʼs eyes glisten momentarily.