“I’ll do whatever it takes to save you.”

Aria’s expression turned to one of confusion as she seemed unable to believe my words.

Well, I guess it’s not entirely weird to think that way.

After all, I had tried curing her once before and failed.

Twisted divine power.

Even the Emperor’s authority had forged an impregnable fortress.

It thoroughly blocked external interference and prevented divine power from coming in.

Given who I was up against, it’s no surprise they made sure to prevent any crazy outbursts or enemy takedowns.

But there’s always a workaround.

If they’re blocking me with abnormal strength, wouldn’t it make sense to counter with some abnormal strength of my own?

While my divine power from that earlier strike has yet to recover, I had another method.

I returned to gaze at the fragmented piece of the holy sword.

“It’s kind of awkward to use this piece on the holy sword now anyway.”

The weapon’s repair was complete.

Being a fragment of the holy sword, its value undoubtedly surpassed any treasure. But the practicality of its use was indeed questionable.

So, I gave it some thought.

Should I make the ultimate shield or armor to be used alongside the best sword? That was the first idea that popped into my head, but…

That would just be a waste.

This isn’t a game; if I die, it’s game over. So while armor or shields to keep me safe are undeniably important…

“I can’t die anyway, right?”

Thanks to my abnormal body, that kind of importance dwindles. I can regenerate even if my heart is ripped out, so my defensive capabilities outstrip even the best armor.

I couldn’t find any reason to deck myself out in armor under these circumstances.

Which led me to the idea of enhancing my body instead. Rather than creating a cumbersome piece of defense, why not just strengthen my very being?

Using the holy sword’s fragment like an elixir.

In my mind, that was the most efficient choice.

Not only would I enhance my strength, but I might even be able to heal Aria in front of me.

Of course, it’s an obvious fact that the fragment of the holy sword isn’t just an elixir.

It surely overflowed with divine power and contained blessings, so if I played my cards right, it might just have enough power to heal Aria.

But it wasn’t exactly meant to be consumed.

Just like consuming a rose knife won’t sharpen your punches.

But… maybe I can make it work.

My wretched status window still showed no signs of fixing, so I couldn’t look into it closely.

However, I had absorbed “all” the traits of the World Tree.

Among those traits, there definitely existed one.

The ability to absorb nutrients.

The power to suck up energy and grow even stronger.

I placed my hand on the holy sword’s fragment sitting on the used magic circle. I could feel the sensations flowing through my fingertips.

Energy was pouring into me.

…Faster than I thought.

I had expected it to take a few hours. Is it because the holy sword’s power resonates well with me?

[The curse of ■■■ absorbs.]

It felt like it was sucking in even the curse itself way too quickly. But well, the curse didn’t affect me, so I didn’t care much.

After finishing that intense process, I took a deep breath.

As I cycled my energy for a test, I felt my divine power increase.

Originally, my divine power was so excessive it felt like a bug, so even if it increased, I thought I wouldn’t feel much of a difference.

But is this what being a holy sword means?

Not just the divine power, but my body felt enhanced too. The results were incredibly satisfying.

…With this, I was ready.

I approached her again, who lay powerless before me.

Aria’s face was colored with even more confusion than before. Given her state, it was impossible for her to say anything, but I could guess what she was thinking.

The holy sword, forged by the god.

A seriously cursed object, no less.

Seeing me handle it like this, it would have been weirder if she didn’t look surprised.

I teasingly approached her saying, “Guess you finally realized I wasn’t just blowing smoke earlier.”

This is where the main event begins.

As soon as my hand touched her, I was met with a fierce sense of rejection.

The overflowing powers of dominion and twisted divine power felt like they would flow through me any moment.

Despite Aria looking at me with a worried gaze…

There was no need for her to be concerned.

All the energy that flowed towards me lost its power. No matter how formidable, it couldn’t affect my mind.

So this was, in fact, a cause for celebration.

With the energy pouring into me to keep an eye on me, the force preventing her treatment had likely weakened to some extent.

“Sihel, think you can interpret this?”

At my words, Sihel thought for a moment and shook her head.

Well, if it had just been constructed with divine power, I could have understood.

This being is an amalgamation of altered human physiology.

With twisted divine power breathed into that altered physiology.

And on top of that, infused with powers of dominion to create what she is now.

With such a complicated mix of forces, no matter how brilliant Sihel is, finding a way to reverse this process would be far-fetched.

But… this was still within the realm of possibility.

“If the entanglements are too complex to untangle individually… I can just burn them all away.”

With overwhelming firepower.

Those powers of dominion and twisted divine power.

I would lay over her with strength mighty enough to erase their influence in an instant.

There was no other way to resolve this.

…Gritting my teeth, my fingertips touched her back. I concentrated all my divine power and the life force of the World Tree into that point.

It felt like it would burst forth at any moment…

No, my hand was actually already bursting due to strain. Yet, I hesitated not.

What I needed was maximum output.

Even just once, I had to pour enough power to wipe away the forces binding her.

So I gathered my strength to the limit…

And poured everything I had into that fleeting moment.

Light erupted and colored the world.

The brilliance was blinding. Feathers began to scatter from wings that had unfurled.

At the same time, it felt like all the energy I had sensed from her disappeared in an instant.

The malicious dominion power that had disoriented her memories, impeded her thoughts, and rendered her a puppet was eradicated without a trace.

But…

“……Ian.”

“…I’m fine, Sihel. Just a bit tired.”

I didn’t have enough power left.

I had indeed succeeded in incinerating the energy that hindered her healing.

However, the cure itself didn’t happen.

The nature that had lingered and nestled in her body for so long.

While I expelled the energy, her very being was still weakening the divine power.

Though I had exhausted my strength to the point of dizziness, I had only managed emergency care.

I leaned against the holy sword, letting out a sigh as I felt my body wobbling, as if about to collapse.

‘Is this my limit…?’

I managed to save Aria.

While I couldn’t grow her lost limbs back, at least I averted any life-threatening injuries.

But… complete healing seemed impossible.

Even with all the energy I poured in, it would take at least months to regenerate the severed parts. Restoring the magical circuits would take decades.

Time wasn’t exactly on my side.

And I couldn’t pour divine power into her every day; it would be impossible to restore her strength.

‘…I guess I have to settle for this.’

Though it was disappointing.

This is the best I could do for now.

At least it wasn’t a total failure.

I’d gained much in terms of her unique knowledge, martial arts, and much more.

Having the teachings of one known as a Weapon Master was a monumental benefit.

…It’s just a shame that she was too powerful for me to absorb that much strength.

But I had to concede defeat.

There was no way something that would completely heal her would suddenly appear right here. Accepting things at this point…

‘…Wait a second.’

I paused for a moment, reflecting on such thoughts.

Thinking back…

There’s still one thing left, isn’t there?

A method that could completely heal her.

*

The sharp stench of blood pierced my nose.

A horrifyingly gruesome scene smeared with blood and flesh.

Amidst that dreadful space, white feathers fell like they were out of place.

So proud.

Even when contacting that red blood, its pure color remained intact—you couldn’t describe it any better than that.

And with it, a brilliant light emanated.

Naturally, everyone present shifted their gazes toward the source of that light.

And facing the perpetrators of that horrendous scene—namely, the clergy still torturing the prince.

They were met with the sight of a noble boy, his splendid wings spread open, hands clasped in prayer.

Silence enveloped the crowd.

None dared to utter a word before him.

In that atmosphere, the boy slowly approached them and opened his mouth.

“There’s someone in need of help. Would you graciously lend your strength?”

In this situation, there was only one possible reaction from them.

The bloody sinners wept tears of joy, offering their prayers. Among them, Cardinal Dominic shouted with a maniacal grin.

“The Saint has called upon us!!”