When the battered, bloodied human raised his head, Iver sensed a vigorous vitality from his bare chest, heavy breathing, countless wounds, and bulging muscles.
A pure sense of "strength."
—It was the "valor" that had completely vanished in Iver's era. The severed inheritance of power.
But just then, the man suddenly pitched forward, about to hit the ground headfirst.
Iver was startled and immediately urged the Heavenly Sin beneath him into motion.
The Heavenly Sin swept across the sky in a brilliant golden arc, carrying Iver to the man's side and catching him as he fell through the air.
"Are you all right?"
Iver asked with concern, "What's your name?"
"I'm fine..."
The man's voice was exceptionally dry and hoarse, as though he had just suffered a serious illness and could barely speak. "I'm Arthur."
The Sin Thorns on his body had withered as well, turning into black smoke and dispersing. Only a short section of Sin Thorn remained connected to his right arm, the one gripping the Holy Lance.
—It really was Arthur.
Iver thought.
Back when he had participated in this ritual, the Giant Chieftain had called out the name Arthur. Judging from how young Arthur's body looked, this must have been an adventure from before he made a name for himself. It was during this adventure that Arthur gained the Holy Lance's recognition.
The Silver Crowned Dragon's human incarnation truly was extraordinarily valiant.
His mouth was certainly hard as well.
"Judging by your voice, I really can't tell how you're fine..."
Iver casually remarked, then instinctively reached out and pressed a hand against the other man's chest.
He suddenly froze, only then realizing that the power of his Dedication Path—and even the Paradox Flame Butterfly—had been sealed away.
During the Promotion Ritual of the Dedication Path, he