"Trace, on," Emiya drew a longsword from the void.

Filvis placed her hand on the wall of the [Knossos], and the earth and stone cracked, spitting out a twisted blade.

In the next moment, sword shadows intertwined, forming a frenzied storm. The instant the two crossed blades was like thunder colliding. Amidst the flashing sword light and blade shadows, sparks flew in all directions, and the metallic clang rang through the entire passage.

Emiya wielded the [Futsu no Mitama] in his hand, the martial god sword for slaying monsters, its blade faintly flickering with lightning.

Filvis, on the other hand, stared at Emiya with blazing eyes. The sword in her hand was generated by the [Knossos]. The blade was twisted, shaped like the spine of some kind of animal, but in her hands it was used with masterful precision, each strike ferocious.

The two exchanged offense and defense continuously, the impact of their clashes bursting with overwhelming power. With her high Lv.7 ability value, Filvis suppressed Emiya, forcing him to retreat step by step.

Filvis laughed and said, "During [Einsel]'s activation, my ability value is split in two."

Her Einsel did not create illusions, but produced clones with actual bodies and real strength. However, such powerful effects came at a price, that is, her ability value was divided into halves.

Now, with the Einsel dispelled, what was displayed was her true strength.

"How ironic, it seems I really do have 'aptitude'... The current me is stronger than that woman," Filvis's adaptability far surpassed the Lv.6-stagnant Phryne, and even exceeded Lv.7-level Revis.

Although she had not broken through to Lv.8, purely in terms of ability value, she had already reached the limit of Lv.7, and even in some aspects, surpassed the [Braver].

However, despite showing powerful strength in battle as a [Monster Person], Filvis's combat power had a clear shortcoming, weak skills and magic.

As a lifeform that could devour magic stones and rapidly increase ability value, [Monster Persons] did not gain exploits through dangerous adventures, and thus rarely developed powerful skills.

Filvis had at least mastered two spells before becoming a [Monster Person]: the lightning-element attack magic [Dio Thryses] and the defensive magic [Dio Grail].

These two spells were extremely powerful, but beyond that, she had few combat-supporting skills.

On the other hand, Emiya was a completely different existence. He possessed the strongest magic and skills in the city, bar none.

[Oath Under the Snow], [Innocent Monster], [Mind's Eye (True)], [Natural Body], plus the [Futsu no Mitama]-empowered development abilities [Swordsman], [Hunter], [Thunderbreaker], and the skill [Divine Martial Blade].

His magic and skills were born solely for battle. His swordsmanship had been honed on countless battlefields, achieving absolute completion.

As for ability value, frankly, this too far exceeded Filvis's expectations.

"You really... are just Lv.4?"

Filvis felt that, purely in terms of ability value, Emiya was already capable of directly confronting first-tier adventurers, and with the support of his terrifying skills and magic, he truly had the capital to fight her.

Emiya gave no reply. The sword shadows struck again like lightning. Filvis parried, their blades clashing once more, metallic clangs mixing with the crackle of electricity. The tremendous force made her wrist faintly numb.

And at that moment, an accident occurred. The blade in Filvis's hand let out a harsh cracking sound the instant it collided with Emiya's [Futsu no Mitama]. In the next second, the blade snapped cleanly in two, fragments scattering across the ground.

Unlike herself, Filvis's weapon did not have a sufficiently powerful ability value and could not endure the sharpness of [Futsu no Mitama].

Filvis's eyes narrowed. She suddenly leapt backward, trying to reset her stance.

But Emiya didn't let the opportunity slip. He twisted the blade of [Futsu no Mitama] in his hand and without hesitation slashed toward Filvis.

[Futsu no Mitama] descended, the blade cleaving into Filvis's raised arm, embedding directly into the hard bone of her arm. Emiya didn't stop, instead, he immediately let go of the hilt, decisively abandoning [Futsu no Mitama].

Emiya stepped back, and with his movement, the sword embedded in Filvis's arm began to tremble, then suddenly exploded violently, Imaginary Collapse.

BOOM!

A massive explosion resounded. The blade shattered into countless fragments and violent energy, raising clouds of dust and enveloping the entire passage. Thick dust filled with metal shards, firelight and smoke entwined, making the entire scene incomparably chaotic.

As the smoke gradually cleared, Filvis's figure emerged. She showed no pain. On the contrary, she laughed loudly. Her arm was blown to just half, but she seemed not to care at all.

Once again, she drew a newly-generated sword from the [Knossos] wall beside her. The sword remained twisted in form. Filvis looked at Emiya, her tone full of provocation, "You should've aimed for the head... no, the chest."

As she spoke, her lost arm began to regenerate rapidly. Flesh and bone squirmed like living creatures.

"From now on, I'm getting serious," Filvis's eyes gleamed with a cold light, and her presence suddenly changed, becoming even more dangerous and sinister, "You'd better show your true strength too, [Saber]."

Having dispelled her Einsel, Filvis now displayed extraordinary combat ability.

For many years, she had acted under her main god's orders, active on battlefields beneath the surface, only now showing herself fully.

With the varied battlefield experience from her "clones", her combat knowledge was double that of ordinary warriors, her experience rivaling that of any first-tier adventurer.

Although Emiya still crushed her in technique and tactics, that was the limit. Lv.4 and Lv.7, the difference in their latent abilities was like an insurmountable chasm.

Filvis's powerful ability value and her monsterized regeneration gave her a seemingly invincible edge in battle.

More importantly, was the difference in lifeform. Earlier in battle, Emiya's number of attacks was triple Filvis's, yet even strong burst magic like [Imaginary Collapse] only caused temporary wounds that she quickly healed from.

In contrast, every strike Filvis landed on Emiya left a wound, and even now, those wounds continued to bleed.

There was no doubt, Filvis's combat advantage was absolute, as it should be.

Yet at this moment, a strong unease suddenly welled up in her heart.

That unease was like a venomous snake, silently coiling around her core.

And then, Emiya suddenly spoke, "I was thinking... how to save you."

His voice was calm, almost too calm. It was the first time since the battle began that Emiya had spoken, apart from tracing weapons.

Filvis was stunned for a moment, then burst into loud laughter, her voice full of mockery and disdain, "Didn't I already tell you? Kill me, or cooperate with me, make the world into one that accepts me. Or what, did you think of something else?"

Emiya's gaze didn't change. He looked directly at Filvis, "As for a way, yes, I did think of one."

Hearing that, Filvis paused, a flash of confusion in her eyes. She didn't understand what this man was talking about.

Emiya continued, "Your [Falna] came from the god Dionysus, right? Then let's just kill him. That way, your [Falna] will become invalid. As for your monsterification, hard to say, but the mental disorder caused by [Einsel], maybe that can be resolved."

The youth's tone was exceptionally calm. As he spoke, there was no provocation, no attempt to stall.

As he said, since the battle began, he had been seriously thinking about how to save Filvis.

This plan had been thoroughly considered, an option Emiya had deduced through rational analysis.

For this, during the earlier battle, he was even a bit distracted, which is why Filvis had landed a few hits. Fortunately, with [Natural Body], although it couldn't match a [Monster Person], his recovery was still fast enough to keep fighting.

Upon hearing Emiya's proposal, Filvis's face twisted and she began to curse loudly, "That's the method you thought of? You lunatic!"

However, Emiya completely ignored her rage. His expression remained calm as water, unaffected by Filvis's emotions.

That attitude seemed to say to her: no matter how angry or resistant she was, this man would still walk the path he believed was right.

Or perhaps, from the beginning, or at least since the [Einsel] was dispelled, he hadn't been listening to Filvis's words at all, nor taken her thoughts into account.

Only now did Filvis suddenly realize how arrogant this man's essence truly was, "The decision to save you has nothing to do with your will."

"I didn't ask you to meddle in my business!", Filvis roared. Her delicate features were now completely distorted.

"You chose to appear before me today, and agreed to follow me here. That, in itself, is a cry for help," Emiya spoke softly.

Filvis's expression froze.

"Delusional!", After a moment's daze, she bit her silver teeth and spat the words.

Emiya seemed not to hear. He casually wiped blood from his cheek and said, "So, even if I have to break your arms and legs, I'll still take you back."

His tone was so serious, it was terrifying.

"[Holy staff that dispels evil, sweep away my enemies]!"

Filvis chanted furiously, and the magical energy in the air turned violently turbulent from her rage, the heavy pressure suffocating.

A magic circle appeared, which should have radiated holy light, but was now stained with evil darkness. Filvis's eyes burned with fury and distortion as she raised a hand and shouted the spell's name: "[Dio Thryses]!"

World-shattering lightning gathered in her palm, then burst forth like a wild beast unleashed, blanketing the entire space in dazzling light. The black current of thunder raged mercilessly forward, devouring all within its range.

The magic's power far surpassed before, the ferocity of the thunder causing the walls of the cavern to collapse under the impact. With thunderous noise, walls shattered, rubble and dust scattered.

Filvis's magical firepower was astonishing, even rivaling the powerful spells of the "Fairy Clones" Emiya had encountered on the 59th floor.

However, as the smoke cleared, the sight before Filvis left her stunned.

Emiya stood there unscathed. The cataclysmic thunderstorm just now seemed to pose no threat to him.

Before him, a sword stood upright, blocking, absorbing, and devouring all of the raging black thunder.

Because of this sword, Emiya's deployed [Rho Aias] and [Noli me Tangere] had not even needed to act.

That sword was still [Futsu no Mitama], the weapon of the thunder god Takemikazuchi.

"Regrettable," Emiya said, "It seems... fire and lightning attacks are ineffective against me."

"And, as you said, now begins the serious fight," He raised his head, "When this chant ends, it will be the moment everything finishes."

"I am the bone of my sword—"

———

"What are you laughing at?", Finn looked at Thanatos, "Should I call you God Thanatos, or Enyo the City-Wrecker?"

"I'm not Enyo," Thanatos chuckled lightly, a trace of self-mockery in his tone, "I'm laughing because I got outplayed. But I also think... he pulled it off beautifully."

Finn: "Outplayed?"

"Yeah. We originally agreed to commit all our forces to the Knossos, planning to bury your Loki Familia here," Thanatos's eyes glinted strangely, "But it turns out, he secretly transferred three Fairy Clones out."

"But maybe that's fine. If they had been released inside this dungeon, that [Nine Hell] would've picked them off one by one. But now... they might bring even more beautiful deaths," He chuckled lowly, madness in his voice.

However, in the face of a god, Finn remained unmoved.

"You're not Enyo?", Finn asked again.

"No. And I don't even know who he is...", Thanatos tilted his head, "Aren't you worried? About the Fairy Clones on the surface."

Finn sneered, "Why do you think... we waited until today to attack the Knossos?"

"Not because... of war preparations?"

"We were waiting, for the city's [King] to return."

———

"Ottar, Hedin, go. Fallen Spirits... opponents like that are worthy enough, for your first battle after leveling up," Freya said calmly.

"Understood."

Led by the Boaz Warrior and the Elf Magic Swordsman, the mighty warriors surged forth.

At that moment, Heith hurriedly approached and whispered, "Lady Freya, someone requests to see you."

Freya raised an eyebrow in curiosity, "At this time? Who?"

"It's... Aura Moriel."

[T/N: I think it's Freya who returned to heaven.]

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