-1269- Secret Sword

"With my greatest weakness, I'll defeat your greatest strength!"

When Ikki made this declaration, he no longer solely focused on defense and began his counterattack.

"Boom!"

With an explosive sound, Ikki's tremendous power shattered the ground, and he shot forward amidst the rubble and a thunderous roar.

In that instant, his figure disappeared.

However...

"Clang!"

Amid the crisp singing of swords, a slash like lightning tore through the air, slicing through space like a fleeting arc of light.

"Seventh Secret Sword—Raikou!"

This was a unique secret sword created by Ikki from his own swordsmanship.

While all of Ikki's sword techniques were derived from "Blade Steal" to replicate others' skills, the seven secret swords were his own creations, combining the best aspects of countless schools.

The Seventh Secret Sword, Raikou, allowed him to swing his sword at lightning speed, so fast that it reached a level beyond the human eye's ability to track. Combined with the Blazer Technique "Ittou Shura," by the time an enemy saw the lightning, they would already be cleaved in two, defeated on the spot.

As such, when Raikou flashed, the slash had already reached Altera, aimed mercilessly at her slender body.

The speed of the slash was such that Altera's ruby-like eyes could only reflect a glint of the arc.

Unfortunately, Ikki was unaware.

Most Servants don't rely on their vision to detect attacks.

As heroes from myth and legend, they rely more on their battle intuition than their five senses.

If Ikki broke through his survival instinct to unleash his true potential, then Servants infinitely enhance their instincts, letting instinct dominate their five senses and control the battle.

While not all Servants were like this, Altera undoubtedly was one of them.

Moreover, Artilla possessed her own unique skills.

Crest of the Star: EX

A unique pattern engraved on her body, not a Hunnic tribal marking, but Altera's personal, mysterious emblem.

The higher the rank, the more powerful it becomes. Consuming magical power through the emblem enhances any body part's ability. Although it doesn't offer the explosive increase of "Mana Burst," it has low mana consumption and high cost-effectiveness, while also providing the effects of the "Instinct".

This was one of Artilla's unique skills, combining the effects of "Mana Burst" and "Instinct," with an extraordinary EX rank that defied expectations.

Typically, an A-rank "Instinct" skill would nearly predict the future, and Artilla's "Crest of the Star," even just incorporating "Instinct," would not fall short of an A-rank "Instinct."

Thus...

"Swoosh!"

With an electric-like effect, Altera's Sword of the War God transformed into a rainbow light, slicing through like lightning, like a whip.

"Clang!"

With a loud clash and sparks flying, the lightning-fast slash was effortlessly deflected by the rainbow light.

"What...!?"

Ikki's expression changed drastically.

But now was not the time for shock.

"Clang!"

The crisp singing of swords sounded again.

But this time, it wasn't Ikki's slash; it was Altera's.

The three-colored light on the Sword of the War God drew three different colored flashes as Altera coldly swung her sword down.

To Altera, this was just an ordinary slash, yet its speed matched, or even exceeded, Ikki's "Raikou" after activating "Ittou Shura."

"Splush!"

The sound of tearing flesh echoed.

The slash of rainbow light fell mercilessly, coldly, cruelly, mechanically, cleaving the off-balance Ikki in two.

"Onii-sama!"

Shizuku cried out in shock.

However, it was too early to cry out.

"That is not Kurogane Ikki!"

Stella sharply observed.

The Ikki who was ruthlessly cleaved in half by Altera maintained a shocked expression, and like a severed shadow, wavered for a moment before vanishing into thin air.

Ikki disappeared like a mirage.

However, behind the disappearing Ikki, the real Ikki suddenly appeared.

"Fourth Secret Sword—Shinkirou!"

This was the Fourth Secret Sword created by Kurogane Ikki, renowned alongside the Seventh Secret Sword. It used sudden changes in the speed of his steps while running to create an afterimage.

With this move, Ikki narrowly escaped Artilla's lethal strike.

Next...

"First Secret Sword—Saigeki!"

Ikki transformed his entire body into a bullet, charging towards Artilla, who was right in front of him, with a sharp tearing sound.

This was a secret sword that utilized Ikki's superhuman control over his body to focus all his strength into a single point, unleashing his most powerful attack.

Among Ikki's seven secret swords, this one was known for its highest attack power, specializing in destroying objects.

Now, Ikki aimed this blow, powerful enough to shatter massive rocks, at Artilla's fragile human body. The tip of "Intetsu" turned into a flash of light, striking towards Altera.

This strike finally elicited some reaction from Altera.

"An impressive strike."

Facing this destructive blow, as the King of Destruction, Altera acknowledged it.

But...

"It's still too weak."

Altera did not dodge or avoid it. She swung her sword in an ordinary yet impeccable slash towards the flashing blade tip.

No special techniques were needed, nor any sophisticated moves. Altera, as if following her instincts, swung down the rainbow light from the shortest distance, at the fastest speed, and from the most unavoidable angle.

"Clang!"

Another loud sound like metal colliding rang out.

Altera's slash struck the flashing blade head-on, causing the blade to veer off course, stabbing towards the ground under an unstoppable force.

"Boom!"

Ikki's strike landed heavily on the ground, shattering it with its immense power, sending countless fragments flying.

"Even Saigeki won't work...!?"

Ikki's expression changed again and again. He wanted to retreat but it was already too late.

"Swoosh!"

With an electric-like sound, Artilla's slash descended again.

Still so ordinary, yet still so powerful.

"Splush!"

The sound of flesh tearing finally, truly appeared.

Blood splattered all over the ground.