[112]

Rodrico collapsed, his body weakened and wounded in the face of Abe Koso's overwhelming power. As a purification specialist, Rodrico wasn't a frontline fighter; his expertise lay in support, not combat. Abe Koso, a master of direct confrontation, outclassed him in every aspect, both in experience and strength. It didn't take long for Koso to dominate the battle, leaving Rodrico sprawled on the floor, helpless.

Outside the mansion, Kaoru continued his fierce battle against Shuten Douji. Yet amid the explosions of energy and swings of his blade, he sensed the escalating crisis within the mansion. Out of the corner of his eye, Kaoru glimpsed Reika through a window, slowly regaining her senses after the horrifying illusion she had endured. Seeing her weakened state, struggling to fully awaken, Kaoru felt a powerful urge to help her.

With a quiet whisper, Kaoru gripped his sword, Dainsleif, and spoke to it. "Help that girl," he murmured, his tone low but filled with resolve. As if understanding its master's intent, Dainsleif gleamed with a bright blue light that cut through the darkness of the night.

In a single motion, Kaoru threw Dainsleif into the air. The legendary sword spun, leaving a trail of blue light as it flew through the library window, landing beside Reika. It quivered briefly before settling, waiting for her to take hold of it.

Reika slowly opened her eyes, her consciousness beginning to return, though her body still felt weak. But when she saw the mighty sword beside her, emanating a powerful aura, a spark of determination reignited within her. As a close-combat specialist, the sight of the blade became a trigger, awakening her spirit and giving her the strength to fight back.

Swiftly, Reika reached for Dainsleif's hilt, feeling the surge of energy flow through her, flooding every cell in her body with incredible strength. The dark purple aura surrounding the sword merged with her spiritual energy, unleashing the hidden power of Ashura within her. Reika summoned her unique ability, Ashura's Twin Hands—two spiritual arms appeared beside her, taking a combat-ready stance.

Abe Koso turned, his expression stunned as he saw Reika now standing firm, filled with fury and newfound power. Reika's spiritual aura radiated around her, creating a pressure in the room that even made Koso flinch.

"You may have defeated me for a moment, Koso-sama," Reika said, her voice low but brimming with anger. "But don't think I'll let this insult go unanswered."

Koso smirked, though a hint of worry flickered in his gaze. "Interesting. So, you're willing to try your luck against someone you know you can never defeat?"

Without responding, Reika lunged forward, swinging Dainsleif with all her strength. The sword, infused with spiritual energy and an ancient curse, created a streak of light as it sliced through the air, forcing Koso back a few steps. Dainsleif was no ordinary weapon, and in Reika's grasp, it emitted a power that even Koso had to admit was dangerous.

Using her Ashura technique, Reika moved with swift precision, her two spiritual arms wielding purification talismans as they hovered beside her, launching a deadly combination of close-combat strikes and spells. The arms slashed through the air, drawing seals that encircled Koso, trapping him within the battleground Reika had created.

Koso tried to defend himself, but Reika's relentless assault with Dainsleif and her spiritual hands quickly overwhelmed him. Each strike of Dainsleif neared his body with precision and formidable force, and every time he attempted to dodge, the Ashura hands following him forced him further into a corner.

Koso's smile twisted bitterly, though a hint of panic began to creep into his heart. "This girl... where did she get such power?"

But Reika gave him no time to ponder. With a final blow, she leapt high, swinging Dainsleif down with all her might. The sword slashed downward, releasing a blinding light that struck Koso with full force. In an instant, the surrounding area erupted with spiritual energy.

Koso was thrown backward, crashing into a bookshelf and the wall behind him, sending dust and splinters flying. He slumped to the ground, breathing heavily, his expression a mix of anger and shock.

Reika stood firm, her breathing labored but her gaze resolute as she faced Abe Koso, who now began to reveal the full extent of his power. Koso smirked confidently, his energy radiating dark and oppressive, filling the room with a chilling, deadly aura.

In a heartbeat, Koso activated his Doppelganger ability, conjuring a terrifying spectral figure beside him. A monstrous demon materialized—an entity said to mimic one of the nobles of Hell. The sheer darkness emanating from it saturated the air, creating a pressure so intense that Reika instinctively took a step back.

But it didn't end there. Koso transformed his own body—his skin now gleaming like metal, solid and resilient. The metallic surface gleamed coldly under the dim library lights, occasionally sizzling and melting like a liquid, ready to reshape itself at any moment.

Reika tightened her grip on Dainsleif, her body still fueled by the powerful Ashura energy coursing through her. Yet, the formidable demon summoned by Koso made her realize this battle couldn't be won with ordinary strength alone. She sensed a call to summon something greater.

In the quiet, controlled panic within her, Reika recalled a branch of her Ashura abilities—a special technique that temporarily sacrificed her spirit to empower her weapon. Without hesitation, she focused her entire spiritual energy, chanting a spell within her heart, and infused her soul into Dainsleif.

Instantly, Reika found herself transported into Dainsleif's inner realm, standing in a dark corridor that ended with a towering, armored figure. The figure was clad in shimmering silver armor, a sharp-helmeted visage with glowing eyes peering from behind its mask.

This was the legendary knight of Charlemagne, Dainsleif's original wielder.

Reika looked up at the figure, awed yet intimidated by its presence. The knight stood tall, his body radiating an aura of greatness and power, yet his face conveyed a deep calm and wisdom.

"I... I need your strength," Reika said, forcing herself to steady her voice. "There's an enemy before me, a traitor who threatens my family and honor. I can't afford to lose here."

The knight offered a faint smile beneath his helmet, the aura around him brightening with newfound power. Without a word, he extended his hand toward Reika, acknowledging her determination and courage.

"Dainsleif is no ordinary sword," the knight spoke in a deep voice that resonated like an echo. "This blade serves only those who swear to protect honor above their lives. It seems you are ready for that, young lady."

Without hesitation, Reika grasped the knight's hand, and in an instant, a surge of immense power flooded into her. Her body glowed brightly, and a profound sense of valor and courage filled her spirit. Now, Reika was no longer just herself; she stood as part of the legendary strength that had forged Dainsleif through the ages.

In the physical world, Reika opened her eyes with a new light. Her aura was now far more powerful, radiating a majestic force that caused Koso and the demon beside him to flinch.

Koso narrowed his eyes, sensing the change within Reika. "So, you've finally unlocked that power," he sneered with a mix of disgust and caution. Yet, the sinister smile on his face did not fade. "Unfortunately, that won't be enough."