A wavering heart inevitably creates an opening.

“Ribbon Rope, bind the duke!”

“...This foolish trickery!”

Sha-la-la-la-rak—!

The ribbons from the magical girl’s outfit unraveled and multiplied into dozens of strands. The duke swiftly swung his sword, slicing half of them apart, but the remaining ribbons struck true.

The Prophetic Lantern was no longer working. In magical girl form, Loderus had completely escaped its influence.

Whoosh!

His limbs were bound. The taut ropes restricted the duke’s movement. From above, Namgung Chung-hwi’s attack descended.

“Cheonma Dominion Steps!”

Boom!

He concentrated the Sovereign Sword Form into a single point, exerting immense pressure in …