What Is My Strength Now?

As time passed, the apocalyptic scene within the basement intensified, causing the barrier isolating the inside from the outside world to become precarious, looking as if it could collapse at any moment.

The power Leo was unleashing had gradually exceeded the limits of what the barrier could withstand.

Yet, as Leo continued to release such power, his expression grew increasingly grave, and the way he looked at Miyamoto Musashi below him changed.

At first glance, the entire battlefield seemed to have become his domain, filled with the power he unleashed and creating scene after scene of natural disasters. However, these disasters, which were capable of causing terrifying destruction to the outside world, were unable to harm the Flower of Tengen that continued to bloom in the center of the arena in the slightest.

The female swordsman named Miyamoto Musashi simply swung her blades wantonly amidst the disasters, unleashing her swordsmanship to her heart's content. The disasters constantly attacking her were sliced open time and time again by those seemingly plain and unadorned dual blades, and not once could they touch her body.

Surging flames were cut in two...

Raging torrents were cut in two...

Thunder descending from the heavens was cut in two...

Gales capable of blowing everything away were cut in two...

Even the sand and soil constantly rising from the ground and the glaciers attacking from all directions were sliced apart by Miyamoto Musashi, one strike after another. None were spared.

Even though her opponent appeared to be an extremely delicate female swordsman, and the swordsman's opponent was the forces of nature transformed into natural disasters, this lopsided battle—which anyone would think proved that human strength has its limits and that humans could not challenge nature—was completely overturned by the sword in the female swordsman's hand. It was as if she were vividly telling everyone that humans could also conquer nature and overcome natural disasters.

For a moment, the sword light gradually overshadowed the scenes of natural disasters, as if it could even slice through the apocalypse itself, leaving one in awe.

"As expected, being able to become a peerage of a maou, no matter how unreliable they may seem, they cannot be weak."

Leo had basically confirmed that Miyamoto Musashi's strength could be considered top-tier even among ultimate-class devils; she was a genuine ten-winged devil, ten-winged angel, and ten-winged fallen angel level combatant!

Ten-winged devils, ten-winged angels, and ten-winged fallen angels were already at the cadre level within the three factions and could completely be considered high-end combat power for each faction!

Furthermore, Miyamoto Musashi was likely at the pinnacle among them, a being only one step away from the maou-class!

He himself might very well be no match for his opponent at all!

Upon realizing this, Leo let out a heavy sigh.

"The final strike—"

Leo's voice resonated throughout the entire arena.

"The next strike will be the strongest one I can currently muster!"

If he could not secure victory with this strike, then for Leo, this battle would be no different from defeat.

"Take this!"

Without waiting for Miyamoto Musashi to respond, Leo mobilized all of his demonic power, pouring it into the upcoming strike, causing the power of Zenith Tempest to erupt instantly.

In an instant, the dark clouds in the sky slowly pressed downward. Countless bolts of lightning erupted within them, gathering alongside flames converging from all directions toward Leo.

The earth began to heave, and the atmosphere hummed incessantly, causing a succession of anomalous natural phenomena to manifest.

Thunderstorms, storms, floods, sandstorms, blizzards, and falling meteor fire—various extreme weather conditions appeared one after another within this basement, transforming into terrifying, grotesque entities under Leo's control.

The falling meteor fire turned into a screeching phoenix wreathed in flames; the flood transformed into a roaring water dragon; the storm, thunderstorm, sandstorm, and blizzard each took the form of a ferocious beast, letting out frantic howls that shook the entire manor.

The nightmarish spectacle left Asuna Yuuki stunned, while Miyamoto Musashi narrowed her eyes and smiled enchantingly.

"In that case, I shall bring out my strongest blade as well!"

The astonishing momentum that had been gathering around Miyamoto Musashi from the very beginning erupted.

She slowly raised her sword, radiating a terrifying pressure, as a massive statue of nio appeared behind her, standing tall with a thunderous presence.

It was a manifestation formed from pure sword pressure.

Historically, after achieving fame and success, Miyamoto Musashi chose to convert to Tenman Daijizai Tenjin. Thus, that statue of nio could be considered Miyamoto Musashi's guardian deity, a symbol that formed naturally once her kendo reached its zenith.

"One blade three bows, breaking through the infinite to reach zero—"

Astonishing demonic power gathered on the blade Miyamoto Musashi held aloft, causing the sword itself to transform into a beam of light that extended endlessly.

"This blade is my void way, my entire life!"

Miyamoto Musashi's declaration easily drowned out the roars of the disaster-level beasts surrounding Leo, echoing throughout the entire space.

"Sword roar draw, go!"

As her voice fell, Miyamoto Musashi swung her blade down, causing the statue of nio behind her to also strike with a sharp edge, slashing toward Leo.

It was a strike that seemed capable of cleaving the world, reducing everything in existence to zero.

When the blade descended, neither Leo nor Asuna Yuuki could see anything but a single streak of light dividing the two ends of the world, causing the two halves of reality to begin shifting out of alignment.

The disaster-level beasts that had been roaring as they charged toward Leo suddenly touched that boundary line of the world. In the end, they failed to cause even the slightest ripple; they were simply split apart one after another as the world shifted, vanishing without a trace.

"----"

Time seemed to stop at that moment, silencing the roars and thunderous crashes that had been echoing throughout the basement just a moment before.

Leo and Miyamoto Musashi remained as they were—one in the air, one on the ground; one soaring with wings spread, one standing tall with sword raised. They stared at each other, one in silence, the other maintaining a constant smile.

Leo lifted his gaze, shifting his eyes away from Miyamoto Musashi to look at the basement as a whole.

He saw that the basement, which had been ravaged beyond recognition by various natural disasters, now featured an abyss-like trench in the center, bottomless and dark, having nearly split the entire basement in two.

The barrier that had enveloped the entire basement had vanished without a sound, as if it had been severed in two long ago, without causing even the slightest disturbance.

"...Alright."

Leo let out a wry smile, retracted the wings on his back, and landed on the ground.

"I lost."

As soon as the concession was declared, time seemed to resume its flow, causing the tension that had filled the basement to vanish into thin air.

"You were gracious, young master Leo."

Miyamoto Musashi sheathed her two swords and walked toward Leo with a refreshed expression.

"My, it's been a long time since I've had such a satisfying fight. I really didn't misjudge you, young master; you are truly an opponent worth fighting."

The martial artist Miyamoto Musashi seemed thoroughly satisfied.

"You two were both amazing!" Asuna Yuuki approached them, a rare look of excitement on her face as she said, "I never realized devil power could reach such a level! That was incredible!"

Asuna Yuuki was not someone who worshipped power, but after seeing the performance of Leo and Miyamoto Musashi, she couldn't suppress the excitement in her heart, making her wonder if there was some unknown violent streak hidden deep within her.

In reality, it was just human nature.

Just as people feel an involuntary thrill when seeing towering mountains or an boundless ocean, Asuna Yuuki's feelings at this moment were much the same.

After all, she had been an ordinary human until recently. She had lost consciousness after being attacked by a stray devil, and upon waking up, she was told she had become a devil. She hadn't really seen much of devil power, so this was the first time Asuna Yuuki had witnessed such a supernatural battle scene; it was inevitable that her emotions would be stirred.

"This is nothing. As long as you work hard, it's not impossible for you to step into this realm in the future."

Miyamoto Musashi smiled and encouraged Asuna Yuuki. Judging by her tone, she wasn't just being polite.

At the very least, in Miyamoto Musashi's eyes, Asuna Yuuki had the potential to reach her level.

As for whether that potential could be realized, that would depend on Asuna Yuuki's own efforts.

"And as for young master Leo, you should be able to easily surpass me in the future, right?" Miyamoto Musashi looked at Leo with eyes full of brilliance, sighing sincerely, "I never expected that the legendary Zenith Tempest would be with you, young master. If Serafall-sama... my master, knew about this, she would surely be shocked."

Not to mention Miyamoto Musashi's master; if the devils of the underworld found out about this, it would likely cause a total sensation.

The second strongest Longinus in the world had appeared in the hands of the heir to the long-extinct Eligos clan. If this news were to spread, the upper echelons of the three factions would surely be stirred into action.

To put it bluntly, possessing this Longinus meant that Leo already had the ability to influence the future balance of power between all factions.

Once exposed, every faction might take action, including the devils themselves.

"Please keep this a secret for me for the time being," Leo said to Miyamoto Musashi. "I don't want to be exposed just yet."

"Understood, understood. I will certainly keep this secret," Miyamoto Musashi agreed without hesitation. "As long as I am enjoying the hospitality of this manor, I will not take the initiative to reveal this."

In other words, once she left this manor, finished this mission, and returned to the underworld, Miyamoto Musashi would likely be unable to keep the secret for Leo.

After returning, she couldn't exactly avoid reporting to her master about everything she had experienced during this trip, could she?

Therefore, Miyamoto Musashi could only help Leo keep the secret until that time came.

"This is enough."

Leo didn't intend to keep it hidden forever; he just wanted as much time as possible to grow stronger, so that he could have more initiative when the truth was eventually exposed.

Under these circumstances, Leo asked Miyamoto Musashi a question.

"In your opinion, how is my current strength?"