The atmosphere within the moonlit palace snapped taut in an instant. Clashing auras and crushing pressure threatened to shatter the fragile hall apart.

“Hey, human. What’s your name?”

“My name?”

“Since I honor you as a formal opponent, I must know your name. It is the etiquette of war.”

“Fate Saint Lune,” the knight declared solemnly.

“Fate, huh? … Very well. Human Fate—you have challenged the Divine Race. I trust you are prepared to face its wrath.”

“This shall be a battle to the death. I will not suffer any presence within my sight that dares question my authority. Are you ready?” Perched atop the scythe’s shaft, the girl gazed down at Fate like a sovereign whose silence commanded reverence.

“I have long accepted this path.” The knight pressed his blade against his shoulder blade. “Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty.”

“Understanding? No. I merely follow Divine Race custom—to crush you, a brazen, arrogant insect.” Her voice icy, she leaped down, lifted her skirts with both hands, heels back, offering a slight bow.

“I am sovereign of the Crimson Earth, monarch of eternal night, Empress of the Bloodkin—Christine Lasambo.”

“Fate Saint Lune. It is an honor to stand against you.” The knight bowed deeply, then gripped his sword hilt with both hands, whispering a prayer.

“I swear upon the heavens: this battle shall not stain the name of justice!” His voice, low at first, swelled with conviction.

A cold laugh escaped her lips. Countless crimson-black bats swirled around her, blotting out the sky.

“In the name of knighthood! In the name of justice! In the name of Saint Lune!” Fate advanced step by step toward Christine—fearless, unwavering.

A pure soul forged an unbreakable knight’s path.

Howling winds surged; oppressive force crashed against him like a tidal wave of legions.

No fear flickered in the knight’s eyes.

He had always been this way.

Drifting with the current or swimming against it—he would press forward even if ten thousand stood in his way.

“Unyielding justice! My body becomes the blade!” His voice soared as he swung his sword toward the final opponent of his life.

【Blood Awakening: Armor of Nocturnal Radiance】

Fate knelt on one knee, shattered iron armor falling away. Light coalesced around him, solidifying.

In its place rose pitch-black plate armor of regal craftsmanship. Behind him, a multi-tailed cloak—like fox tails—rippled in the gale.

Wind whipped Christine’s silver hair and the knight’s azure plume alike.

“I am impartial judgment! I am the Dawnbreaker Knight!” A deep, resonant voice boomed from the helmet’s slit, clanking armor accompanying his slow rise. The gaze piercing through the visor seemed to see straight into the soul.

Divine might roared like a tsunami. Yet amid the bat swarm, the knight stood firm—an unwavering iron tower.

Halos of light swirled beneath his holy sword. With swift strokes, luminous chains wove a tightening net around the bats.

【Sacred Lune Sword Style: Sin-Devouring Baptism】

【Sacred Lune Sword Style: Nocturnal Symphony】

*Crack! Crack!* The shrinking net exploded the crimson bats into dust.

His holy sword blazed with brilliant radiance—a final, glorious bloom of his life!

【Sacred Lune Sword Style: Purge the Eight Wastes】

*BOOM! BOOM!* A tilted pillar of light slammed toward Christine.

A massive skeletal claw intercepted it. The explosive radiance shattered against bone—leaving the claw utterly unscathed.

The knight’s head snapped upward.

The sky fractured. A black-cloaked reaper, towering as the heavens, cold flames burning in its sockets, gazed down with chilling authority.

*So this is the power of the Divine Race.*

Such a chasm would break any soul.

But not this knight. Not Saint Lune.

Amid the roaring storm, Fate felt exhilaration surge.

At last—an opponent worthy of his lifetime’s mastery.

“Come then. Bring it on.”

The reaper raised its colossal scythe and brought it crashing down upon the ant-like knight.

Unflinching, the knight gripped his sword and roared like thunder.

【Sacred Lune Sword Style: Cosmic Devourer】

*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!* A vortex tore the scythe from the reaper’s grasp. It spiraled into the knight’s blade, transformed into pure energy, and hurled back.

*BOOM! BOOM!* Cosmic Devourer detonated across the skull’s face. The sky-high titan lurched sideways.

With the reaper gone, Fate leveled his sword at Christine.

【Sacred Lune Sword Style: Purge the Eight Wastes】

The heaven-rending beam struck her—shattering throne and city walls behind her.

Christine staggered back. Her dress and black stockings torn, silken silver hair tangled.

But only for a heartbeat.

In less than a second, her wounds sealed shut, flawless once more.

She lifted her head. Crimson eyes gleamed with matching excitement.

Centuries… no one had wounded her in centuries. Carelessness aside—he was merely human.

Fascinating. Truly.

Christine resolved: no more restraint.

It had been far too long since she last reveled in a battle like this.

Crimson cards etched with bat-and-rose patterns swirled around her. She crushed one beneath her scythe.

【Heretic’s Hand: Shattered Card】

The bone-white scythe crystallized in blood-red sheen. Wings spread, she soared skyward, hefting the impossibly massive scythe with both hands, swinging it down.

Somehow, the knight felt locked—inescapable. He could only brace his sword horizontally.

【Capricorn Parry Gauntlet】

*CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!!!* Deafening metal roared. Sparks erupted where holy steel met scythe.

*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!* The sword flew from his grip. Fate crashed through multiple walls.

He struggled up from rubble. Armor and blade had absorbed most damage—but barely.

Old wounds from the Demon Dragon flared. His aging body screamed. This was his limit.

Heart fractured. Organs displaced. Blood spilled freely from his lips.

“If you flee for help now, you might still live. Wait longer… who knows?” Christine hovered above him, voice calm.

*Surely this will show him the gap… or wake him up.*

“Thank you for the reminder.” The knight retrieved his sword, face unreadable. “You are a worthy opponent.”

“Me? *Worthy?* Pfft…” Christine let out a rare chuckle.

*Since when did I hold back after battle began… even offer retreat? Is it… my own will refusing to end him?*

“But the arrow is loosed. Forgive me—I cannot accept your suggestion.”

“Hm?”