Clang—!
Amid the clash of steel on steel, the Holy Banner and the Cross Spear were knocked apart along with a spray of sparks, sending shockwaves rippling out from the point of impact.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Achilles lunged before Jeanne as though he himself had become a spear. His gaze remained locked tightly on her as the Cross Spear in his hand thrust out in rapid succession, its tip becoming a blurred afterimage that darted toward Jeanne.
Clang, clang, clang!
The sound of steel striking steel rang out incessantly like a blacksmith at work, as the Holy Banner deflected each incoming spear tip and sent clusters of sparks flying.
"Ha! You're pretty capable, Saintess!"
As the battle continued, Achilles seemed to have completely cast off his earlier complicated emotions and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the fierce fight. A battle-hungry smile appeared on his handsome face as he nimbly spun the Cross Spear and pressed toward Jeanne again.
"Mm..."
Jeanne immediately kicked off the ground and retreated like the wind. While continually widening the distance between herself and Achilles, she swung the Holy Banner and deflected every sharp spear tip that came at her.
For a time, Jeanne and Achilles were like two Meteors chasing one another, flashing at high speed and clashing fiercely through an endless expanse of space. Sparks burst forth in succession, while powerful gusts swept through the area.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Just then, the sound of arrows tearing through the air abruptly came from above.
Three arrows, wrapped in fierce winds of magical energy, ripped through the air at astonishing speed. As they tore apart the poisonous mist around them, they shot toward Jeanne like frigid flashes of light.
"...!"
Jeanne's vigilance was immediately roused. Without hesitation, she circulated Star Pulse Energy through her body, reinforcing her