I am Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes.

The next moment, a head suddenly flew up and rolled down next to the soldier who had grabbed the mechanism.

"...Enemy attack!" With this loud roar and the piercing alarm, the night in the entire city of Longyan was awakened.

Only then did the moon slowly peek out from behind the dark clouds, shining its light on the figure standing on the bridge.

A gray-haired girl holding a blood-red magic sword stood at the head of the bridge.

The blood-red demonic sword was wreathed in an ominous and sharp divine power, making it seem like a longsword wielded by a demon.

At that moment, a person jumped down from the sky, and then the giant dragon spirit transformed into a huge longsword, pointing it at the girl.

"Who are you?!" the black-haired girl demanded in a stern tone.

The black-haired girl is Leora Lancaster, the leader of the Dragon King Knights. She is holding the elven magic armor called "Nidhogg," which is the incarnation of a dragon spirit, and stares intently at the gray-haired girl, demanding an answer in a stern voice.

A massive and astonishing killing intent erupted from Leora, its target being only the girl before her—

The gray-haired girl—no, the Twilight Witch—took a step forward expressionlessly.

"I have come for the Dragon King's head."

"I see. It seems you're quite an upright assassin." Leora's killing intent intensified. "No matter who comes, I won't let them cross the line."

"It doesn't matter, I was planning to force my way in anyway—" The witch smiled faintly and raised her magic sword.

The next moment, a violent wind pressure erupted between the two of them.

……

The sound of a large number of guards running echoed through the valleys of Longyan City.

Without pausing for a moment, the black-haired girl, wielding a jet-black demonic sword, hurried toward the valley.

Lian happened to be in the throne room today to talk with the Dragon King.

Ever since he first met Lian, the Dragon King had developed a great fondness for this successor to the Dark Elf King...

After that, Lian became a regular visitor here.

Lian, who heard the alarm at that moment, naturally couldn't just sit idly by.

"What... happened?!" Lian, clutching the demonic sword that pierced through reality, ran wildly forward down the corridor.

Who on earth... could possibly breach the defenses of Longyan City?

Moreover, there was only one person—

If it were an army, it would be extremely difficult to even cross Longyan City, let alone reach it, because there is a very reliable person stationed there.

"Hurry up...!" Lian thought to herself, quickening her pace once again.

The city gates were wide open, and squads of dragon knights wielding [elven magic armor] were constantly advancing to block the invaders' attacks.

They are knights of the military nation of Doragonia, and each of them must be exceptionally skilled in martial arts.

However, the sounds of clashing swords showed no sign of abating. Despite the intruder being only one person, the renowned Dragon Kingdom Knights were unable to stop him.

Chapter Sixty-Six: My sword is wielded for this very reason!

Under the moonlight, although everything was somewhat dim, it was still possible to see.

And on a bridge spanning the valley.

She was right in the middle of the bridge.

She was a gray-haired girl who made blood flowers bloom all over the ground, her sword-wielding skills were like those of a ghost or god.

Beneath her feet lay a small hill made up of numerous headless dragon corpses.

The girl was covered in splashed blood as she cut down the attacking dragons one by one.

Every time the sword's edge arcs through the darkness, a dragon's head is severed and plunges into the bottomless abyss—

The scene was so horrifying that Lian gasped for breath, forgetting the situation at hand.

The dragon knights of Doragonia, soaring through the air, all kept their distance from her. Weapons in hand, they froze in fear.

When Lian saw that figure, her body froze.

“...How could this be...!” A bitter voice slowly rose.

At this moment, Lian's mind was in complete chaos.

Because the person standing there was someone she disliked but also respected.

No... I wouldn't say I dislike it...

That strict witch, who can still care for people at times...

“Grevas…” Lian gritted her teeth and uttered the name.

Grevas, the Twilight Witch.

According to legend, she single-handedly destroyed a small country during the war.

To be honest, Lian really hoped it was just an exaggerated legend—

Although her current strength is no less than Grevas's, her wavering mind can affect her combat performance the moment she sees her opponent.

……

“Remember, Lian, when you wield your sword, your sword is actually bound to your heart.”

When Gil was still a boy, he taught Lian this: "The more steadfast your heart is, the more invincible your sword will be; but the less steadfast your heart is, the more it wavers... then your sword will surely become weak."

Practicing swordsmanship is also about training your mind. Only with a strong mind can you wield a powerful sword built upon that foundation.

……

"Ah, no, I have to protect Leora...!" Ren turned her gaze to the arena.

"Not enough. That girl from before was definitely the most delicious—" Grevas mercilessly smashed the roaring dragon head beneath her feet to pieces—

The girl stuck out her tongue and licked the blood-stained blade of the demonic sword.

At that moment, a sense of foreboding suddenly rose in Lian's heart.

She said—the girl from earlier.

That wouldn't mean—

The next instant, the worst scene came into the girl's view.

Beside the mountain of dragon corpses, Leora lay there, covered in blood.

"Leora!" Ren roared, rushing out with astonishing momentum.

Grevas, standing atop the mountain of corpses, saw Lian but did not stop her; she simply watched as Lian ran to Leora's side.

Ignoring Grevas, Lian ran to Leora's side.

"Leora! Cheer up, Leora!"

"...Lotus...?" Her blood-stained lips moved slightly at this moment.

He looks to be alive, but his life is in danger!

Lian picked up Leora, who had collapsed to the ground, and infused her with Kamui. Although this would only enhance her self-healing abilities at best, it was better than doing nothing.

She was slashed diagonally from her right shoulder to her chest, leaving a rather deep wound.

This sword strike was quite deadly. The reason she was still conscious was definitely because of the protective effect of her "Dragon Spirit"—which enhanced the physical strength of the contractor.

"...How embarrassing...I am clearly a...Dragon Knight of Doragonia..."

"That's enough, stop talking—" Lian carefully hugged her and then whispered.

However, Leora still desperately tried to speak, continuing in a voice barely audible, "...Lian...I want, please, do me a favor...okay..."

"Go ahead and say it," Lian nodded vigorously.

"...Then, I beg you...protect the Dragon King, and Doragonia—at least, hold out until that lord arrives..."

Regarding the words Leora uttered with all her might—

"—Okay, it's settled then," Lian replied simply and sincerely.

Leora gave a slight smile and then quietly closed her eyes.

Lian picked up Leora and laid her down on the ground behind her.

"That girl's still alive? She's got pretty strong vitality, huh?"

Grevas, standing atop the dragon corpse, looked down at Lian and spoke.

Lian gripped the Demon Sword that pierced through reality tightly, glaring at Grevas, whose body was splattered with blood.

"You've come to kill the Dragon King?"

"Yes."

She openly affirmed Lian's words.

"...Well, there's nothing more to say." Lian slowly raised the [Demon Sword that Pierces Reality] in her hand and aimed it at Grevas.

The dark divine power was completely poured into the [True-Piercing Demon Sword] in his hand, and a dark light burst forth instantly.

"Come on, Grevas, I won't let you hurt the Dragon King! Because Doragonia is my ally, someone I must protect!" Lian roared. "Therefore, I will not back down here, for this is why I wield my sword!"

"—That's how it should be. But the thought of our upcoming sword dance always inexplicably gets my blood boiling," Grevas sneered.

Her aura changed instantly. It was neither murderous nor domineering.

It was an eerie aura that sent chills down one's spine—

It felt like my heart was being squeezed by a cold hand—

Lian's expression didn't change much. Instead, she gripped her longsword tightly with both hands and assumed the starting stance for Soul Flash.

"Lian, be careful, this witch is even stronger than before!" Restia reminded Lian.

Lian naturally knew what Restia was talking about. Grevas was even stronger now than when she was teaching her the ultimate sword technique!

Grevas casually raised the Crimson Demon Sword and jumped down from the mountain of dragon corpses.

The blood-stained blade of the demonic sword pulsated like a living being.