The game difficulty
is insane.
A Cardinal.
A high-ranking clergyperson who enjoys authority and honor second only to the Pope and the Saint within the Church—one of only three in the Papal State.
Chosen by the Pope, who hears the voice of the Lord God Minos, a Cardinal can be simply described as one of the five most powerful humans in the world.
For the child of a noble family without even a title to request a spar from such a dignified figure would naturally be shocking.
Considering that her position was the head of the Inquisition, depending on the situation, it could even be seen as an act of suicide.
Of course, this bold act—one that could be taken as rude—was the result of Glenn’s thorough consideration.
She likes this kind of thing.
If one were to summarize Cardinal Grazia Deledda in a single sentence, it would be this:
A ferocious beast bound to a chair.
Though she appeared dignified on the outside, among Glenn’s acquaintances she was even more of a battle maniac than Javel, who was already known as a fighter.
Because of her high status as both a Cardinal and the head of the Inquisition, she merely concealed her hot-blooded nature.
Her self-control is excellent, so she doesn’t look as eccentric as Javel, though.
In any case, if Glenn wanted to gain the favor of someone who loved combat, he needed to cross swords with her whenever the chance arose.
And that chance was now.
“That’s an unusual stance.”
Grazia examined Glenn.
“It doesn’t look like something you learned from Sir Henry… Who taught you?”
As an 8-star tactical weapon approaching the 9-star realm, she could tell at a glance that Glenn’s preparatory stance was anything but ordinary.
“I trained by studying sword manuals from various families in my clan’s library.”
Of course, he couldn’t very well say it was the swordsmanship of a lost royal family.
“I see. Swords that aren’t conventional often lack fundamentals, but… well, I’ll look forward to it.”
As she spoke, Grazia lightly activated her holy power to reinforce her body.
Judging by the amount of holy power she emitted, she was using about five rings.
Considering that Glenn’s holy power—without using the gray ring—was at the 5-star level, she was likely matching his level.
A miscalculation.
“Then… I ask for your guidance.”
Suppressing the smile tugging at the corner of his lips, Glenn slowly lowered his stance.
Then he kicked off the ground and closed the distance with Grazia in an instant.
“Hm?”
Grazia raised one eyebrow.
The sword and axe collided.
Kaaang—!
Grazia struck down with her axe using one hand, while Glenn raised his sword with both hands.
Yet Grazia’s axe, favored by its blade, held back Glenn’s sword, which had been elevated in rank by the Blessing of Blades.
Their gazes met.
The sword and axe slid apart.
Sparks flew with a screech of metal.
Kagagagak—!
The two crossed past each other, switching positions as they prepared their second attacks.
Taking advantage of the fact that Grazia was still gauging him with one hand, Glenn tried to finish it quickly.
Whirlik—!
But Grazia immediately grasped the axe with both hands.
Then, aiming to punish Glenn for trying to exploit an opening, the axe came crashing down.
“!”
Kaang!
Glenn hastily raised his sword.
He barely managed to deflect the trajectory of the axe.
She had never tried to assess her opponent, nor had she been careless.
Rather, she had taken advantage of Glenn’s psychology—his belief that she was evaluating him.
She had matched the number of rings with Glenn.
And after that, there was no mercy.
Though she appeared relaxed, Grazia was taking this spar quite seriously.
No—she always approached every fight seriously.
Even if it’s just pre-meal exercise.
Looking at Grazia, whose deep sea–colored eyes were sharply focused, Glenn formed a feral smile.
Chaeng—!
Chaeng! Kaaang—!
A flurry of blows followed.
As axe and sword collided, Glenn exchanged blows with Grazia at close range.
Grazia Deledda was strong.
Had Glenn ever been pushed back while fighting on equal footing?
As far as he could remember—never.
This is the first time. This kind of situation.
Until now, Glenn had easily overwhelmed opponents with the same number of rings as himself.
When he was 3-star, he was the strongest among all 3-stars present.
When he was 5-star, he was the strongest among all 5-stars.
But Grazia Deledda was one of the few people Glenn remembered who possessed strength beyond the rings themselves.
Chaeeaang—!
A sparring sword strengthened by the Blessing of Blades.
The refined swordsmanship of the nameless royal family manifested through a ringless knight.
On top of that, stats that exceeded his original limits gained through various events.
He used everything he had outside of the rings, yet the Cardinal before him did not yield even slightly.
Of course, the one more surprised by the current situation was not Glenn, but Grazia Deledda.
“……”
Every time sword and axe clashed, she looked at Glenn—who was matching her blow for blow—with astonishment.
Before becoming a Cardinal and head of the Inquisition, she had lived a tumultuous youth, accumulating experience.
For someone not yet twenty years old to keep up with over forty years of experience and refinement—it was impossible not to find it fascinating.
Paaang—!
With a powerful swing of her axe, Grazia sent Glenn flying back a fair distance.
“Remarkable.”
“Isn’t it thanks to Your Eminence matching my level?”
“Hmph. Spare me such shallow flattery.”
The Cardinal let out a brief laugh.
Then she looked straight at Glenn.
“The rumors that you made the greatest contribution to the battle at Avenue Fortress don’t seem to be lies.”
“I was simply fortunate.”
“Hah. You’re excessively modest.”
Her smile faded as she raised her axe and pointed it at Glenn.
“Can you keep going?”
Though her words were brief, her eyes spoke volumes.
You’re not serious yet.
You’re still hiding something.
Show it to me.
I like you quite a lot.
“…Of course. I’m only just warming up myself.”
What an arrogant statement to make to the head of the Inquisition and the greatest holy knight of the Papal State.
Yet Grazia valued that arrogance highly.
Her once cold expression was now filled with unmistakable delight.
“I feel the same.”
Glenn let out a light breath, then activated the gray ring.
Uuuuuung—!
To the five resonating holy rings, three demonic rings were added.
The eight rings gradually turned gray, then the gray slowly faded into pure white.
The holy power created by the five holy rings grew denser and denser.
Before long, it changed into a golden color and began to swirl around Glenn.
Grazia Deledda did the same.
As if showing respect to Glenn for revealing his true intent, she matched the number of rings.
