The clash happened incredibly fast; in the briefest instant, they had already exchanged several blows—but—
"It's not an unbeatable opponent!"
Retreating, Mash gritted her teeth and triggered the steel spikes on the feet of her Spirit Origin Exoskeleton, pinning herself to the ground. She braced her shield against the floor to absorb the force, then spun around and sent Ortlinde flying with a shield bash. Seizing the opportunity, Napoleon fired a shell straight at Ortlinde.
Brynhildr and Sigurd fought to a standstill. She took half a step back, warily watching the enemy before her.
"You're strong."
"I thought I understood the great hero Sigurd well enough, but it seems my knowledge may still have been too shallow."
Her eyes held nothing but pure battle intent and killing intent.
The Sigurd she usually knew was a mature, steady man with a spirit of adventure. That man would only ever wield his demonic sword against her enemies.
But now—
"Hehe... what a terrifying hero. What a valiant man."
She let out a faintly incomprehensible laugh, then raised her spear and pointed it forward.
"I'm rather curious. If you are such a powerful warrior, one who never hesitates..."
"Then what choice must I make in order to match you?"
Sigurd said nothing. His crimson eyes merely watched the woman standing opposite him with vigilance and faint scrutiny.
He could sense that the woman before him was undergoing some kind of change in her Spirit Origin.
—A blazing, fiery transformation brought about by fighting him.
Bzz—
Bzzzz—
The magical energy surging from Brynhildr's Spirit Origin and body, making even the air tremble, was identical to the magical energy fluctuations from Ortlinde, as well as Thrud and Hildr before her.
Only, its scale was greater, and its intensity was... astounding.
"I should no longer have