Both the Divine Blade and the Goddess of War—two masters of combat—are present, but the unexpected turn of events seems to have made their minds go blank just like mine. They merely stand in mute shock.
Right before the werewolf’s claws pierce my throat, I reflexively shut my eyes. As my vision becomes a world of darkness, I hear a dull sound following an intense impact. I fall to the floor, but it’s strange. It wasn’t my throat but my shoulders and back that were hit. When I timidly open my eyes, I see Seiya on top of me. He was the only one who reacted to the situation. He protected me before the enemy’s sharp claws could slice through my throat.
“Seiya!”
But Seiya continues to limply lie on top of me without even budging.
D-did he let himself get hit by those claws to protect me?!
I take a quick glance but don’t see any blood. I wish I could make sure he’s okay, but there is a coldhearted voice echoing down from above.
“So this is the Hero who was summoned to save Ixphoria?”
The werewolf’s eyes cast an eerie glow, changing his target from me to Seiya. As he lifts an arm into the air, his sharp claws begin emitting a jet-black aura. My instincts deny its existence. It’s the same feeling I got when the emperor used the God Eater against me. There is no way I could ever forget this feeling. It’s…
…Chain Destruction!
“…Die,” the werewolf says in a cold, deep voice as his claws close in on Seiya.
N-no…!
I immediately throw myself on top of Seiya, reversing roles. Watching the werewolf about to strike…
“Eeeeek!”
Cerceus lets out a scream.
I’m prepared to have my soul destroyed—an eternal death…but that’s when I suddenly hear the ear-piercing clang of metal hitting metal. The werewolf’s claws reach neither Seiya nor me. When I look up, I see Adenela blocking the enemy’s claws with a real sword that she had sheathed at her waist. Her eyes open wide as she glares at the werewolf.
“S-stay back, you f-filthy mutt…!”
The werewolf pushes her sword back, creates some distance between them, and licks his claws.
“So you’re a goddess as well…which makes you our enemy.”
The werewolf’s claws extend in the blink of an eye. His nails the length of short swords, the werewolf gets into a battle stance to attack Adenela as she guards Seiya and me.
“Slash Disorder.”
I hear cracking and creaking coming from Adenela, as if she were dislocating her joints.
“U-Ultimate Eternal Sword!”
As Adenela points the tip of her blade at the werewolf, I yell out:
“Adenela, watch out! His claws are imbued with Chain Destruction! If he fatally wounds us, our souls will be destroyed!”
But only Cerceus reacts to my warning.
“What?! If he hits us with those claws, we’re really going to die?! P-please tell me you’re joking! Gods can’t die!”
“I’m only warning you because it can kill gods!”
“Noooooo! This can’t be happening! I don’t wanna die!” cries the Divine Blade, obviously not as tough as he looks. On the other hand, Adenela, the Goddess of War, smirks.