With Verrocchio's Noble Phantasm empowering him, the hardness of the gems wrapped around Lawrence's hands had increased by more than a level, allowing them to barely withstand clashes with Credi's dagger.
But Credi's current strength was far from limited to this.
"I am one who hates beauty, Lawrence. You will never be my match."
A glint of red flashed through Credi's eyes. He gripped the dagger in a reverse hold, his voice icy.
"Hate beauty, deny beauty, kill beauty."
"My first target—was you!"
Whoosh—
Boom!!!
Credi's power surged in an instant. The muscles in his legs exploded with force, and he stomped a crater directly into the hard ground.
Lawrence said nothing. He deftly manipulated the gems covering his hands, their shapes shifting constantly until they finally became two enormous gemstone fists, each the size of a head.
Whatever their reasons, the two of them had already reached a point where only one could survive.
Wordless, boundless fury filled Lawrence's eyes as he charged straight at Credi.
There was only one thought in his mind now—kill Credi!
Make this pureborn villain die here, forever—forever!
—Boom!!!
The mana-wreathed dagger collided with the incomparably hard gemstone gauntlets, throwing off sparks. Both of Lawrence's arms trembled, but he still struggled to hold Credi back.
"Look at you, Lawrence. You're a great artist whose name has been passed down through the ages. Even children know your name."
Credi was somewhat taller than Lawrence. The wind produced by mana lightly stirred the loose strands of hair before his forehead, lending his gaze a chilling coldness.
"And I am merely a despicable man who was hanged for framing others."
"I am indeed guilty, but what was the root cause of that conflict?"
"Fuck you. Shut your filthy mouth!"
Clang—
Several gemstone blades condensed around Lawrence. As