"I'm sorry."
With that, Yae Sakura swung Sakura Blizzard toward Himeko's neck, her movement swift and light, as if she did not want to cause Himeko too much pain.
"You don't need to apologize!"
The moment Yae Sakura swung her blade, Himeko, who had long since prepared herself on the ground, sprang away like a coiled spring just before the edge could touch her, dodging the strike.
Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, Yae Sakura froze for a brief moment.
And in that brief instant, a small metal sphere appeared in Himeko's hand and transformed into a greatsword nearly as tall as she was. As Himeko twisted through the air, the greatsword severed Yae God Master's arm.
If Yae God Master had not evaded slightly, there was no doubt that Himeko would have split him in two.
"How is that possible?!"
Yae God Master's—Higu Maru's—expression twisted viciously. "You were pretending?! Impossible! I had someone cut your wrist and ankle tendons! How could you still move?!"
"Hmph." Himeko had no intention of answering Higu Maru's question.
Instead, she gripped her greatsword and warily watched Yae Sakura and the enormous fox.
"Damn it... Damn it!"
Higu Maru roared furiously, "It must be that old bastard's doing again! Do you think a little trick like this will help you?!"
Yae God Master's body, currently inhabited by Higu Maru, gradually began turning into clusters of black mist. Even his severed arm did the same.
All of that black mist began gathering toward the enormous fox before flowing into its body.
Yet a small portion of the black mist drifted toward Yae Sakura.
"The battle is about to begin..."
Himeko tightened her grip on the greatsword.
The next moment, Higu Maru let out an enraged roar. "You're just a Valkyrie! Without all