52 Worthy

A golden sword emerged from the pillar of light, trailed by a woman in black armour who floated just behind the holy sword.

The holy radiance of the golden sword gleamed brightly like a golden star, illuminating the entire world.

The golden sword cannot be described as beautiful because the term "beautiful" will only tarnish it. Instead, it is sacred, created from people's imaginations, a legend woven entirely from "Hope." It is the manifestation of the prayer named "Glory".

It's the holy sword wielded by King Arthur, Altria Pendragon!

It was made by the planet as the crystallisation of mankind's wishes, which had been stored and tempered within it.

Excalibur, the Sword of Promised Victory!

With the authority of "Knowledge" and the blessings of Eternal Blazing Sun, Diana Knight visualised this god-forged sword.

But, as the saying goes, nothing is free.

Diana floated in front of the hold sword, a kaleidoscope of emotions flashing across her eyes before settling into determination. She knew what was going to happen next, and it could very well be the end of her, but she didn't back down or hesitate.

She raised her hand and grasped the handle of the holy sword in full view of the entire world.

Hope. Dream. Glory. Wishes.

Diana felt an enormous weight on her shoulders, it was the heaviest thing she had ever felt. It was as if the entire world was pressing down on her shoulders.

She heard the whispers of countless people across various epochs, their wishes and hopes poured into her head like an avalanche completely submerging her.

"Ahhh!" She screamed in agony as her hands, which held the holy sword, erupted in golden flames that began to melt her fingers. Her face twisted in anguish, and blood began to pour from her eyes and nose, while her body trembled.

She managed to regain some of her consciousness, which was still cloudy due to the whispers, through sheer willpower.

She immediately used authority of "Knowledge" to process the wishes and hopes that were filling her mind.

Then, Diana saw countless visions in her mind, ranging from the dark era to the age of the gods.

She witnessed it all, the hopes and dreams of those fallen. Then, she saw the magnificence of human civilization across the eons. Everything was laid out in front of her like a spectacular play.

She witnessed the "Hope" and "Glory" in it.

And now she carries everything on her shoulders!

It wouldn't be wrong to say she's carrying the entire world on her shoulders.

This is the cost of envisioning the holy sword.

She will lose herself, if she cannot bear it, but if she can, she will be worthy to hold the Excalibur.

But, Diana started losing herself gradually as the weight of the world pressed against her shoulders and mind. The only thing keeping her going was her willpower to never give up.

Soon, she couldn't take it any longer, as terrifying whispers tortured her. Even her authority couldn't handle the "Hope" any longer.

But, she still didn't let go of the sword, keeping a firm grip on it. She promised her Lord that everything would be fine, and she will to keep her word, despite his previous warnings about this sword.

No....

I can't...

She desperately thought, as consciousness were fading away.

Diana's body was set ablaze by golden flames that spread from her hands touching the sword in the reality.

Meanwhile, Diana saw nothing but endless darkness through her hazy vision, and the whispers vanished, leaving everything silent. However, this made no difference to her situation at the end.

Then, she saw a river in the darkness, and despite the lack of light around her, she could clearly see the river flowing without beginning or end in sight.

In her vision, she noticed the river growing larger, she realised that she was falling towards it. Her last silver of will was also fading away in the endless darkness.

Suddenly, a cacophony of noises broke through the silence and echoed in her ears.

It wasn't those whispers; she heard everyone's prayers for her, and their concern and worry reached her heart, jolting her awake.

She saw Lucas praying to her, making jokes about the promise they made to each other, and then she saw Blaise admonishing her for being reckless, despite his concern in his voice.

Finally, she realised it...

They were her Anchors!

As she felt her anchors, her consciousness became clearer.

A blinding light erupted in the endless darkness in front of her, morphing into the figure of Aucuses. He sighed as he looked at the tragic figure of Diana.

"Diana, you're still as stubborn as ever. But ironically, it is what got you here, so don't give up "Hope" just yet. I'm watching over you and can't wait for you to show off your prowess. Finally, don't forget to destroy Medici!"

Diana felt a terrifying "Anchor" establish itself to her upon hearing his words. Her lips curved into a smile, and tears streamed down her cheek.

As the weight on her shoulders lightened, she finally declared with clear eyes filled with emotion.

"I will!"

Then her figure was bathed in golden light, full of "Hope" and "Glory," illuminating the entire darkness.

What she didn't realise was that her knowledge emperor potion was digesting at a breakneck pace right now.

________________

Northern Continent, No Man's Land

"Excalibur?"

Medici was taken aback when he saw the sword, which resembled a sword from a legend he had heard from the creator.

At the same time, it felt different, though Medici couldn't pinpoint what the difference was. But he had an instinct that this sword was not the one described in the legend.

This feeling perplexed him!

Medici put his thoughts aside and focused on Diana, whose entire figure was engulfed in golden flames as her screams faded.

"She wasn't worthy?" He laughed aloud as he looked up at the sky. "It's not surprising, given that she's your angel, Aucuces..."

Medici's eyes narrowed suddenly, and he raised his red sword to his side without hesitation.

Clang!

A golden sword blazed towards him and clanged with such force that the everything collapsed, forming the massive carter with them in the centre and disintegrating the nearby mountain range to fine dust.

Boom! Boom!

It didn't stop there, as crakes appeared across the no man's land that streched into nothern continent, with masses of lands lifting up from the ground on one side, filling the entire battlefield in dust and smoke. All of this was caused by a single sword clash.

Medici's face was solemn in the crater, but when he saw the sword vanish and a figure emerge from the dust and smoke, his shining eyes and twisted smile told a different story.

Diana walked out with a terrifying aura erupting from her. She was dressed in silver armour, with a blue cloak fluttering behind her and a purple crown on her head. Her iris were no longer blue, but rather golden with a scorching radiance.

Finally, she took the legendary sword in her hand and casually swung it to her side, causing a slash of light to erupt.

Then, it expanded in its path and went to the mountains that had not been destroyed by their clash.

Boom!

The slash of light split the mountains in half, with the separated half floating above and disintegrating in light.

Diana said as she pointed the Excalibur at Medici.

"It's now my turn, Medici."