The Sekirei’s Covenant

"Hey… you must be Salvatore Doni, right? As agreed, I'm here to beat you up!"

Standing on the wild boar's tall back, looking at the finally appeared young man below with blond hair, blue eyes, and a sword case on his back, Sora smiled slyly.

Though they had never met, Sora recognized him at a glance. That kind of kinship aura was unmistakable, instantly putting Sora's body on high alert, automatically entering combat mode.

"Yeah, yeah, I am Salvatore Doni, Kusanagi Sora. Is this one of your abilities? How interesting. But is it okay for you to use it right now?"

With a composed face but a cheerful expression, Salvatore Doni spoke to Sora in a friendly manner.

"He looks like a straightforward Latin gentleman, but he smiles while swinging his sword at you. A guy unworthy of being called human, yet surprisingly tactful in dealing with others."

Recalling the ruthless witch Zola's evaluation of this guy when she introduced him, Sora already felt somewhat sympathetic.

"Hmph, don't worry. My ability is different from yours. As long as my power isn't exhausted, I can use it as many times as I want. There are no such restrictions."

Since they were now opponents, Sora didn't bother to be modest. Crossing his arms over his chest, he said proudly.

"Wow… that sounds amazing. Aren't you being a bit unfair?!"

Usually, the stronger the ability, the greater the usage restrictions. Whether it was intentional by Pandora, the woman who granted the Godslayer powers, no one knew, but this was common knowledge throughout the magical world.

So when Doni heard that Sora's ability had no limits, he immediately exclaimed in envy.

"Hey, hey, do you have to be so cooperative? We're enemies now, and you're making me feel no tension at all!"

"Well, whatever. Everyone says you're a carefree guy, so I won't waste words with you. Boar, crush him for me!"

Feeling that continuing to chat with this guy was pointless, Sora lazily ordered the boar to charge.

Roar!!!

With an excited roar, the boar pawed the ground and charged at Doni.

Those two sharp, huge tusks combined with the massive body made even Sora unwilling to take the boar's charge head-on.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Dust and smoke billowed everywhere, the ground trembled, and under Sora's watchful eyes, Salvatore Doni didn't even dodge but took the boar's frontal charge directly, being pushed back continuously, crashing through layer after layer of rock walls.

Normally, landing a hit like that should be a cause for celebration, but Sora frowned deeply, his expression grave.

Because in his sight, there was no scene of Doni being crushed into a meat paste.

Instead, mysterious runes surrounded Salvatore Doni, spinning continuously, and the man leaned forward, grabbing one of the boar's tusks with both hands, forcibly blocking the incredibly heavy blow!

"Heh heh, I'm fine!"

Looking up, Doni smiled brightly at Sora, sunny and radiant.

This was the legendary power of the Dragon, which the Sword King Salvatore Doni had stolen from the Norse mythic hero Siegfried, transforming himself into a half-undead being harder than steel — the Man of Steel!

"Fear of winged beings, evil people, and the strong all dread me who bears wings. My wings shall bring you curse and retribution!"

Seeing Doni's proud look, Sora's face darkened. He immediately activated the Phoenix's Divine Speed ability, turning into a fiery red afterimage and instantly appearing behind Doni. Without hesitation, he drew his longsword and slashed at him.

Clang! Clang clang!! Clang clang clang clang!!!

In the blink of an eye, Sora had struck hundreds of times on Doni.

However, not a single drop of blood appeared; instead, a shower of sparks flew!

"Tch, what an annoying ability. Boar, suppress him for me!"

Leaping aside, Sora spat and ordered the boar again.

Roar!!!

The boar seemed dissatisfied that its heavy charge was blocked. With an angry roar, it jumped high, its huge body almost covering the sky, then crashed straight down!

Boom!!!

The entire ground shook, the thick earth was crushed into a pit hundreds of meters wide by the boar's massive body, and Doni was pinned underneath!

"Hey, you're not dying now!"

Even a block of iron would be crushed under such pressure. Sora didn't believe Doni could still be fine!

Well, although Sora's thought was correct, it was his first time fighting another Godslayer, and he had underestimated them!

"With a single swing, a sword that pierces the enemy! To strip away all life, I shall be filled with radiance!"

Doni's voice echoed from beneath the ground!

Roar…

A painful scream sounded, and to Sora's astonishment, a giant sword as large as dozens of meters, shining like mercury, pierced through the boar's back!

Boom boom boom!!!

The boar's body, pierced and slain, turned to yellow earth, shattering and falling to the ground.

As the dust settled, Sora finally saw the Sword King Salvatore Doni still standing!

At some point, Doni's right hand was no longer a human arm of flesh and bone but a shining silver metallic arm!

Like a masterpiece crafted by a genius artisan, the silver arm wielded a weapon that could cut through anything on the ground. This was the "Ripping Arm of Silver," a power Doni had stolen from the Celtic god Nuadha!

Under Sora's gaze, the giant sword in Doni's hand gradually melted into a mercury-like substance and returned to his right hand, eventually shrinking back to the size of an ordinary sword.

"You're quite capable, huh!"

Taking a deep breath, Sora sincerely admired him.

This guy was an opponent worthy of his full effort!

"Heh heh heh… such a heavy attack, even I almost couldn't withstand it."

"I only wanted to duel you because you are a Campione. But now, I understand things have changed. Kusanagi Sora — you are a man I recognize as worthy of being a 'friend.' I understand this clearly."

With an extremely excited smile, Doni's battle spirit exploded.

He was a warrior born for battle, and only a strong opponent could earn his respect.

"So that's what you call a 'friend'? I'm not worthy of that!"

Watching Doni smile broadly and swing his sword at him, Sora twitched at the corner of his mouth and met the attack…