Roar------
Accompanied by a sky-shaking roar, a crimson glow appeared beneath the radiant colossal sword.
"That's it! Block it together with its magical energy! As long as we can hold it back now—"
It was the voice of the goddess Sitonai.
There was lingering fear in her voice—the Flame Sword falling from the sky had been mere inches away from truly inflicting damage.
But—
It had been stopped.
Stopped by that figure, which was by no means large compared to the colossal sword.
"Roar—ROAR------!!!"
The enormous guardian let out a hoarse, desperate bellow. Red Lightning burst from the weapon in his hand—something that could not be clearly called either sword or axe—as he resisted the Flame Sword's power. His hair whipped wildly behind him, and Village No. 23 stood at his back.
"I'm telling you—hurry up and think of something!"
The enormous guardian called Berserker could not possibly have stood there and blocked the Flame Sword through his own power alone. Sitonai, along with the Authority of the other two goddesses within her Saint Graph, were all operating beyond their limits.
Sitonai raised both hands as she stood behind the enormous guardian, gritting her teeth.
"Berserker and I can't hold on much longer! The backlash from the spell is too strong—someone, please help me!"
The people she requested aid from were very clear.
"Stepmother, Ortlinde!"
Ortlinde glanced at Scathach-Skadi, only to see Skadi sigh. She understood at once.
"Swan Dress, activate."
"A shadow brought forth by a Heroic Spirit whose actions assist humanity."
The final Valkyrie of the Lostbelt walked to the guardian's side, closed her eyes, and raised her left hand—and the shield upon it.
"...Go on."
Scathach-Skadi gently shook her head as well, waving the staff in her hand.
"In the current situation, my best option is to