Chapter 22

Naya’s eyes brimmed with tears as she collapsed to her knees beside Leon. "I’m sorry! I’ve tried so many times!"

Stripped of Aio’s power, she was just a helpless girl again.

"It’s fine. Healing me can wait," Leon said, though a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth—the dagger was poisoned!?

This was an unprecedented crisis. But Leon couldn’t let Naya know. It would only deepen her guilt. Thankfully, it wasn’t a fast-acting toxin. He felt numbness, pain—clearly, Scissor Man had planned to torture him slowly. Who’d have thought he’d be taken out in seconds?

Their blades clashed again, locked in stalemate.

"Foolish apprentice," Vanessa said gravely. "If you truly wish to conquer Eilant, bring seasoned warriors. A girl like her will only drag down your dreams." ...She’d worried herself sick over him.

Leon’s words pierced Naya’s heart like a knife. She’d heard this before… and now, her uselessness stung sharper than ever.

"I want her by my side. That’s none of your concern," Leon retorted, shoving Vanessa’s sword away with all his strength. "Besides, Naya’s the best support I’ve ever had. If not for healing those five earlier, we wouldn’t be in this mess!"

His words soothed Naya’s heart—but she still couldn’t forgive herself. She’d endangered him to save others.

Vanessa’s sword stabbed toward his shoulder. Leon blocked it sideways, sparks flying between their blades—even bracing hard only deflected her strike slightly! Her speed was overwhelming. Leon twisted aside at the last second; Vanessa’s blade grazed him. Their swords met again—instantly repelled—then clashed four rapid times! Neither landed a hit.

But Vanessa could go faster. Both ended the exchange with identical flurry strikes—how many cuts? Too fast for Naya to count.

"Had your leg not been injured, this wouldn’t have happened," Vanessa remarked, clutching a bleeding gash on her collarbone. Leon, meanwhile, bled from at least three wounds.

The poison surged. Leon leaned on his sword, spitting blood. Naya tried to cast Healing Art again—but Aio still ignored her!? True despair crashed over her. What use was a Priestess who couldn’t heal? She couldn’t even wield a sword.

In desperation, Naya threw herself over Leon. Vanessa watched.

"Trying to take a blade for my foolish apprentice?"

"Get behind me." Leon yanked her back. Naya could only stare, lost.

"Why?" Leon spat blood, glaring at Vanessa. "Why did a villain like you save me back then?"

Vanessa fell silent for a moment.

"Call it my last shred of conscience," she said flatly.

"Then… fine." Leon gripped the Light Roar Sword. Since defeating the Obsidian Armor, its blade had been stained black by dark flames.

"Sorry, Naya."

"!?"

"You once told me good metal absorbs what benefits it. These past days… I’ve learned how to use it."

Black flames erupted from the blade, engulfing Leon’s body—

Before Naya’s eyes, he transformed into the Obsidian Armor!!

"What… is this?!" Unfathomable shock flashed across Vanessa’s face.

The Obsidian Armor charged at impossible speed—punching Vanessa square in the face! Before she could react, another fist slammed into her other cheek! Pain exploded—she tumbled across the ground, scrambling up only to be floored again by a third blow!

What was happening—? Before Vanessa could grasp it, the Obsidian Armor pummeled her relentlessly. Panicked, she ripped the Dragon-Slaying Sword from the earth and unleashed Greatsword Skill: Aurora!

The colossal blade cleaved through everything—even collapsing nearby houses! Smoke cleared to reveal the Obsidian Armor, arms crossed, having weathered the entire assault.

Now it was Vanessa’s turn to stare in shock. The armor lunged, striking her elbow joint—*crack!*—dislocating it! Her sword flew away. In one motion, it wrenched her other arm behind her back—another *crack!*—that joint gave way too.

Vanessa crumpled, defenseless. The Obsidian Armor’s final punch halted inches from her face.

"Why stop?" Vanessa whispered to the fist hovering before her eyes. "Kill me. Become the continent’s strongest swordsman."

The armor ignored her, turning toward Naya instead.

"Are… are you Leon?" Naya trembled as the Obsidian Armor advanced, her fading fear surging back.

"No…! Don’t… come closer…"

"It’s me, Naya…"

Leon’s voice reached her. The armor dissolving like vapor. Tears streaming, Naya rushed to his side…

"I… I thought the Obsidian Armor had taken you over…!" She buried her face in his chest.

"Sorry for bringing back bad memories," Leon said wearily. "I’d never use this power… if not for facing you, Master."

"*I’m* the one who owes you an apology…" She gently wiped the blood from his lips. Every trace of exhaustion, every wound, every drop of blood carved deeper into her guilt. "I couldn’t heal you when you needed me most."

"It’s not your fault."

"I… can’t forgive myself."

Finally, Leon turned to his master. "I suggest you turn yourself in."

"When did you master this power?" she asked. "Take my sword. Inherit everything I have left."

"No need." Leon walked away, back turned. "You taught me all I needed to inherit… three years ago. And I’ll care for Ruri now. I’ll mend the harm you’ve done to her."

Vanessa let out a cold laugh, tinged with sorrow.