Just like the other two, the third item was equally special.
The halo now protecting Cecilia, its true na was Aegis. It was an item created for defense using the most unique materials from the universe and possessed two states.
The first state, the one currently floating above Cecilia’s head, the Halo Form.
In this state, the halo suspends itself above the user’s head, automatically responding to external threats.
In this state, its defense was the weakest, but it could respond to any attack almost instantly.
What’s more, it required no conscious effort. It was like a silent guardian, protecting you 24/7.
That was just its passive state. The real use of the item lay in its second transformation.
That’s right, transformation. In the second state, it changes into a different form entirely.
The Divine Shield Form.
When commanded by the Divine Paladin, the halo expands and transforms into a massive radiant shield forged from concentrated divine essence.
An armant crafted in the celestial forges of the gods themselves.
A shield capable of withstanding forces far beyond comprehension.
The defense offered by the shield was so absurd that Reinhardt reckoned that it could even tank one of his Ultimate Abilities [Spear of the Last Judgent] and co out relatively unscathed.
It sounded absurd, but the capability of the shield was without doubt.
Of course, a situation where his own ability was pointed at him would never co to pass and was only hypothetical.
Since arriving in this world, Reinhardt had yet to encounter an enemy capable of even breaching his natural defenses, let alone forcing him to rely on the shield’s full power.
Between his overwhelming attributes, his divine armor, and his countless protective abilities, there had simply never been a need.
And so, for the vast majority of his ti, the item had been simply sitting in his [Dinsional Storage] without seeing the light of day.
However, today he brought it out not because he thought Giacomo could hurt him but because he was afraid that Cecilia would get caught in the middle of their fight or the nest would try to kill her.
The Aegis, standing up to its na, did a splendid job of protecting Cecilia.
.
.
anwhile... outside, the atmosphere had grown increasingly tense.
Inside a command tent, commanders of the various knight orders of the seven kingdoms and smaller nations stood around a table.
Not long after Reinhardt led his order into the mouth of the Nest, the knight orders from the other countries arrived at the scene.
And just like everyone, the mont they saw the colossal nest and recognized what it was, they were equally surprised and anxious.
Thus, they set up a camp nearby, and all the commanders participated in the eting.
"The longer we wait, the worse it gets."
"Our scouts confird that the demonic density inside is increasing."
"We cannot allow a fully mature nest to exist this close to our borders."
At the head of the table, Erza Crimsonstar crossed her arms and glanced at the other knight commanders with discontent.
Her expression was visibly irritated.
She already knew where this conversation was going.
A Commander from the Kingdom of Paradoxis spoke.
"The Divine Paladin’s request was unreasonable. We cannot gamble the safety of our nations on the possibility of survivors. We need to destroy the nest before it matures."
As expected, it finally ca to that.
Erza clicked her tongue. Although it annoyed her, she still acted as per Reinhardt’s request.
For the past several hours, she had been stalling and delaying them. However, this ti, even she could not help Reinhardt even if she wanted to.
The nest was showing unsettling signs.
Tendrils sprouted from its body, and it was growing faster and faster.
The change made the commanders anxious.
Thus, they called a vote.
The result was unanimous. The Abyss Nest would be destroyed.
Erza stared at them for a mont before waving her hand dismissively.
"Do whatever you all want."
After saying that, she turned around and walked out of the tent.
"Why do I have to listen to that annoying man anyway..." she muttered to herself with a frustrated sigh.
That damn man acted as if he owned the battlefield. Leading his n into the mouth of danger and leaving her here with that ridiculous request.
Grumbling to herself, she walked over to the edge of a tall cliff overlooking the capital of Lunaris or what remained of it.
The dark do of the Abyss Nest swallowed the skyline, pulsating slowly like the heart of so colossal beast.
Just looking at it made the air feel heavy.
"Tsk... this feeling... It’s annoying."
Erza crossed her arms.
"You better not die in there, Reinhardt."
Her voice carried a faint irritation. But there was also a trace of sothing else, sothing that even she herself was unaware of.
It was then, from the corner of her eyes, she caught a movent.
GURGLE... GURGLE...
The fleshy surface of the Abyss Nest shifted, revealing a tear.
And through the tear, figures erged outside.
Decked in platinum armor from head to toe and carrying the signia of a hallowed temple, the figures were none other than mbers of the Temple of Light.
mbers of Reinhardt’s order were coming out of the nest.
Seeing this, Erza jumped off the cliff and landed before the knights.
Looking at their battered bodies but still courageous spirits, as a knight, Erza couldn’t help but feel impressed.
They all managed to co out of the stomach of the nest alive without a single casualty.
"Wait."
She was just feeling impressed by their performance when suddenly she noticed sothing.
The knights of the Temple of Light went in to rescue the survivors. However, they ca back without any.
What’s more, there was even soone missing.
She looked at one of the Elite Knights of the Temple of Light and questioned.
"Oi... where is your commander?"
Among all the knights erging from the Abyss Nest, the one man she expected to see the most...
Was nowhere in sight.
.
.
Inside the nest, unaware of the stirrings outside, the two heroes fought fiercely until the entire map of the city was changed.
The extensive damage from their battle tore open the flesh of the nest, leading it to hasten its transformation.
Sowhere within the city now little more than a crater carved into the flesh-covered city—the battle had finally co to an end.
And at the center of the devastation, the figures of two knights could be seen.
One remained standing while the other lay on the ground in a pool of his own blood.
Needless to say, the one lying defeated was none other than Sir Giacomo.
One of his arms had been severed completely, and a deep gash had torn through his armor and chest, exposing the demon heart within.
Of course, the man wasn’t dead yet.
Standing across from him, Reinhardt did not attack imdiately. Instead, he calmly rested his sword at his side and carefully observed his opponent.
Even after a battle that had obliterated the royal palace and half the surrounding district, Reinhardt stood as steady as a mountain.
There was no sign of exhaustion in his posture.
It was like from starting to end, he did not exert much strength.
That said, even after the victory, his face showed no triumph.
There was no satisfaction or joy in his heart.
If there was any emotion, it would be cold composure and confusion.
That’s right, Reinhardt was confused because sothing about this fight did not make sense.
From the very start, he had been testing his opponent, gradually pressuring them to the point where they had no choice but to unleash their demonic abilities.
After all, the evidence was undeniable.
Giacomo’s transformation was a result of him accepting a demon heart. And not just any demon heart.
Reinhardt could sense the terrifying demonic energy contained within the heart.
It was ancient and vast, similar to the feeling the upper echelons of demonkind gave.
Reinhardt fought with the intention of uncovering which demon’s heart it was.
After all, it was common knowledge among knights that the more powerful the demon, the greater the power one can get after implanting their heart.
Had Giacomo used that power, then even if the result wouldn’t have changed, he would not have pushed Reinhardt to beco a little bit serious.
Yet from the beginning of the duel until now, Giacomo had never used it.
Not even once.
No, far from using it, he had done the opposite and had been suppressing it.
This entire battle, he had fought Reinhardt with the power and techniques of a knight.
"...Is this what you wanted?"
Reinhardt looked at the fallen hero and ca to a realization.
"You wanted to die like a knight until the very end."
The words evoked a reaction from the knight.
At first, he was silent, then Giacomo suddenly started laughing.
"Ha... haha... so my intentions were seen through huh..." Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth as his shoulders shook.
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