Foxes Are the Most Untrustworthy Creatures

Samael looked around. Seeing that the dust had settled, he let out a relieved sigh. Beside him, Scathach and Skadi's chests rose and fell as well.

Clearly, after successive high-intensity battles and the unforeseen loss of control over the Flame Demon Sword, even the Queen of the Shadow Realm and Jotunheim's Goddess of Winter were feeling the strain.

"How's your hand?"

"It still feels a little stiff when I move it, but it shouldn't affect our sparring in the future."

The ancient serpent flexed his arm, blinked, and smiled faintly.

"You bastard..."

Scathach caught the old friend's teasing and could not help choking on her anger, letting out a muffled snort.

"I've got immortality backing me up, and I'm tough enough. But you—since when did you become so ruled by your feelings?"

At some point, Samael had taken hold of the Queen of the Shadow Realm's arm. Looking at the wounds where her flesh had split from the burns of demonic flames and the strain of forcibly exerting herself, he sighed helplessly. Then he took out a Magic Potion prepared by the God of Medicine, poured it over the wounds, and carefully bandaged them.

"You are my opponent. Even if I am to take your life, it should be my spear that defeats you, not some mere magic sword!"

Scathach turned her head away and replied coolly. Her tone was proud and resolute, yet the corner of her lips unconsciously curled upward.

"I only beat you once in a spar. Do you really have to keep hounding me over it?"

Samael's hands paused, and he could not help frowning as he complained.

The Queen of the Shadow Realm's brow twitched. Just as she was about to speak, the person bandaging her wounds increased the force of his hands, making Scathach's