Akka launched the first attack, followed closely by Lustia and Taouon as the three clashed head-on.
"Heh..., two fallen sinners now bound by a mere undead slave to a human. How low you two have become."
Their weapons collided with explosive force. Sparks erupted as blades scraped against one another before the three pushed off simultaneously, creating distance to regain their footing.
Without wasting a second, Lustia and Taouon charged back in together. Their movements were synchronized, complementing one another perfectly despite their vastly different fighting styles.
From the rear, Ashely Burnwill provided support. The massive cannon in her hands thundered repeatedly, each shot forcing Akka to divert her attention. Every blast shook the ruined throne hall of Járnheimr Castle, scattering debris and dust across the battlefield.
At the same time, Kaen darted across the battlefield like a streak of lightning. Her small frame blurred as she attacked from Akka's blind spots, forcing the Commander of Honor to constantly shift her stance.
"Urgh! You feline brat! Tearing off your tail wasn't enough and you still dare go against me?!" Akka roared.
Kaen's ears flattened as rage filled her eyes.
"Kaen is mad. Kaen is furious. Kaen's tail represents the pride of the Sha'karr Clan. And Kaen WILL NOT HOLD BACK, NYAA!!!"
An overwhelming aura exploded from her body.
The signature power of her tribe, Sha'karr Rage, activated instantly. Her muscles tightened, her reflexes sharpened, and her speed increased dramatically.
To the naked eye, Kaen practically vanished.
Only brief flashes of movement could be seen as she darted around Akka, slashing from every direction with swift and nearly silent attacks.
Akka growled as shallow cuts began appearing across her armor.
Meanwhile, Taouon and Lustia fought side by side.
One attacked high while the other attacked low. One pressed forward while the other covered the opening. Their teamwork was flawless, forcing Akka to defend against an endless chain of coordinated strikes.
"Buhahaha! Two sinners fighting together beside one another against me. You undead idiots have truly gone mad after your deaths!" Akka mocked.
"Talk all you want, Akka," Taouon replied as he blocked a heavy strike.
Lustia immediately followed.
"But one thing is certain. When the Demon Clan left us for dead and betrayed us..."
The two exchanged a glance before speaking in perfect unison.
"But our liege gave us freedom, and we shall follow him on our own will!!!"
Their resolve surged.
The battle intensified.
Swords, claws, and steel collided relentlessly throughout the ruined main hall. Every impact echoed against the ancient stone walls.
Cracks spread across pillars while chunks of shattered marble littered the floor. Akka found herself gradually being pushed back as the three warriors refused to give her even a moment to breathe.
Far away from the battle above, deep beneath the heart of the Kingdom of Járnheimr, Dante finally reached the last stairway.
At the bottom stood the seal containing the Almighty Flame.
The immense power radiating from it was enough to make the surrounding air distort. Ancient runes glowed faintly across the chamber walls while waves of heat pulsed outward from the sealed fire.
"Well, that was easy. Here I thought there was gonna be some bullshit puzzles or annoying riddles and shit," Dante said casually as he stared at the seal.
"Don't jinx this, you brat. For now, take out those chain blades of yours. I told you to create a weapon of your liking, but I wasn't expecting you to be mad enough to forge dual chain blades."
Kilamahi's voice echoed within his consciousness.
"Now the slab. Bring it out. I still can't believe you fooled them all. But still, seeing those chain blades... Are you positive this will be your main weapon, Dante?" she asked, wanting confirmation one final time.
Dante smirked.
"Do it, Kilamahi. I choose this weapon style. And they're welcoming me proudly."
Kilamahi gave an accepting hum before manifesting into a physical form from within Dante's body.
"Alright, kid. Remember, once my blood touches the slab, you're on your own. Now forge your blades, Dante. Show me your skills. Show me how much you can satisfy my expectations."
Without hesitation, Kilamahi slit her palm.
Crimson blood dripped onto the Slab of Kalikriktar.
The ancient slab immediately reacted.
The runes engraved upon its surface lit up one after another, bathing the chamber in an eerie glow. Layers of protection surrounding the slab weakened as it temporarily became vulnerable.
"Quickly, child. Begin forging. Use the Flame of the Almighty," said Kilamahi.
Dante immediately summoned his forging equipment.
His tools materialized around him as he stepped toward the Almighty Flame. The moment he reached out to grasp it, unbearable agony surged through his arm.
"FUCK!"
He immediately pulled back.
The skin on his hand was scorched black.
At the same time, he noticed the slab beginning to change.
Its glow was fading.
The vulnerable state wouldn't last forever.
Panic started creeping into his mind.
He was running out of time.
Then an idea suddenly struck him.
"Phew..."
Dante slowly exhaled.
"Breath in and out..."
The next moment, his body transformed.
His skin turned completely white.
Black tendril-like tattoos spread across his body.
A black hole manifested in the center of his chest.
His eyes became completely white, devoid of pupils or retinas.
His hair darkened into a deep black and rapidly grew until it nearly touched the floor.
The atmosphere around him changed instantly.
Even Kilamahi watched silently as Dante stood before the Almighty Flame in his Wargod form.
"Lets begin."
Without hesitation, Dante reached toward the Almighty Flame once more.
This time, the fire did not reject him.
His hand pierced through the blazing inferno and grasped its essence.
The overwhelming heat still burned him, but he endured it.
Finally, he had obtained it.
Dante immediately began forging his weapon.
Dante gathered more of the Almighty Flame and continued working without pause, fully aware that this was no ordinary fire.
The Almighty Flame was the sacred flame of the God Clan itself, a divine fire that had existed long before countless civilizations rose and fell.
Even now, nobody truly knew how the Dwarven Clan had acquired it. The secret had long been buried beneath history, becoming one of the many mysteries of the world.
The white flames danced around Dante as he focused entirely on his craft.
Sweat dripped from his face despite his Wargod form.
The molten metal floated before him as he continuously folded, compressed, and reshaped it. Every strike of his forging hammer sent divine sparks flying throughout the chamber. The weapon gradually took shape under his hands.
Dante carved the molten material with meticulous precision.
He refined every edge.
He sharpened every curve.
He strengthened every layer.
Again and again, he folded the material, condensing its structure until the blades possessed an edge sharp enough to slice through dimensions themselves.
The heat radiating from the unfinished weapons distorted the surrounding air.
Even Kilamahi found herself silently watching.
Then Dante reached into his dimensional storage and pulled out two handles.
The moment they appeared, Kilamahi's eyes widened.
"Kid... these handles are..." she asked.
"A courtesy of the Dragon Clan," Dante replied.
A faint smile appeared on his face as memories resurfaced.
"Lady Xilang asked what I wanted as a gift after the Academy Invasion two years ago. These handles were forged from the remains of an ancient Dragon God's scales and bones. They're strong enough to withstand the power of a Dragon God itself."
Kilamahi examined them closely.
Even she could feel the overwhelming durability hidden within them.
Then Dante reached into his storage once more and retrieved a set of guards.
Unlike the elegant handles, these guards appeared rougher and less refined.
Yet Dante's expression softened the moment he looked at them.
"Zhurong personally tried to forge these."
Kilamahi blinked.
"She did?"
Dante nodded.
"I still remember it. Before the Ruthwilfer Trial, she wanted to learn basic forging. She practiced for weeks and ended up making these. They aren't perfect, but she tried her best and handed them to me herself."
For a brief moment, Dante simply stared at the guards.
Then he carefully attached them to the unfinished blades.
Each piece clicked perfectly into place.
The weapon was slowly becoming complete.
Finally, Dante reached for the chains.
The moment he touched them, Kilamahi's eyes narrowed.
"Woah, ho, ho, ho..." she muttered.
The chains radiated an eerie aura.
Dark.
Heavy.
Sinister.
Unlike anything else in the chamber.
"These chains feel different. Demonic, though..." Kilamahi said before suddenly freezing.
Her eyes widened.
"Dante. Don't tell me..."
"Yes," Dante answered calmly.
A grin appeared on his face.
"I personally hid that spoil of mine and handled the corpse of Domikhael, the Sinner of Pride."
Kilamahi stared at him.
Then she burst out laughing.
"You absolute maniac. You're even crazier than me. But how did you turn a corpse into chains?"
Dante continued working as he explained.
"Ordinary bones can't become metal. But Demons aren't ordinary creatures."
The chains slowly floated around him as he spoke.
"After killing Domikhael, I stripped the flesh from his corpse and extracted every single bone. Then I discovered something interesting."
Kilamahi listened carefully.
"The bones of a Sin Demon contain a material known as Abyssal Marrow."
"Abyssal Marrow?" she repeated.
Dante nodded.
"It's a substance formed from condensed demonic essence. The stronger the demon, the denser it becomes. Domikhael's marrow had existed for thousands of years, absorbing Pride, Sin, and Demonic Energy until it became harder than most metals."
The chains rattled softly.
"I extracted the marrow, melted it using Nether Flames, mixed it with fragments of his bones, and repeatedly compressed the material. The result was something between bone and metal."
Kilamahi's expression slowly changed from amusement to disbelief.
"You forged an entirely new material..."
"Pretty much."
Dante shrugged casually.
"Bone-steel wasn't strong enough, so I kept refining it. Eventually, the marrow and bones fused together into a demonic alloy."
The chains glowed faintly with crimson runes.
"That's why these chains can regenerate, absorb demonic energy, and become stronger when exposed to Sin Energy."
Kilamahi shook her head.
"You truly are insane."
"And yeah," Dante said.
"That's how these bones became chains. Though I still had to personally melt and fuse every link together."
With everything finally assembled, Dante began the final touches.
The Almighty Flame roared.
The twin blades floated before him.
The Dragon Clan handles.
Zhurong's guards.
The chains forged from the remains of Domikhael, the Sinner of Pride.
All of them slowly fused together into a single masterpiece as Dante continued his work.
With the final adjustments complete, Dante raised his hammer one last time. The Almighty Flame roared around him, illuminating the underground chamber in white and crimson light.
The unfinished twin blades floated before the forge, radiating both divine and demonic energy. Every material had already been fused together. The Dragon Clan handles. Zhurong's guards. Domikhael's demonic chains. The Almighty Flame itself.
All that remained was the final step.
Dante inhaled deeply before bringing the hammer down.
CLANG!
The sound echoed throughout the chamber.
Ancient runes ignited across the surface of both blades. Without hesitation, Dante extended a finger and began inscribing words near the base of the weapons.
His signature.
A fundamental lesson taught in every forging class.
Every blacksmith, every weapon crafter, and every master forger engraved their personal signature upon their creations.
It was more than tradition.
It was acknowledgement.
Only after recognizing its creator could a weapon reveal its true potential. Only then could a weapon fully accept the will and soul of the one who forged it.
As the final stroke was completed, the runes glowed brightly. The blades trembled. For a brief moment, it felt as if they had come alive.
Dante picked them up and carefully examined his work. The weapons were magnificent. Powerful. Terrifying. Yet his eyes narrowed.
"Hmm... not yet," Dante muttered.
Kilamahi blinked in confusion.
"What do you mean, kid? Even I, the Goddess of War, can see they're complete. What else is there for you to..."
Her voice suddenly stopped.
Her eyes widened.
A feeling of dread washed over her.
"Oi?"
Dante slowly raised one of the blades.
"Oi, Dante..."
The tip of the weapon shifted toward his own chest.
"Wait..."
Dante's expression remained calm.
"It needs... her warmth."
The moment those words left his mouth, Kilamahi understood.
Her eyes widened in horror.
"OI DANTE, WAIT!!!"
But it was already too late.
Without hesitation, without fear, and without regret, Dante drove both blades directly into his chest.
SCHKKK!
The blades pierced through flesh.
Blood erupted from the wound as the weapons continued deeper, passing through ribs and organs until they reached the source hidden within him.
The Infinity Mana Core.
The final gift left behind by Lytharis.
The Elven girl who had sacrificed everything for him two years ago.
The chamber shook violently.
For a brief moment, silence consumed everything.
Then the blades reacted.
Crimson light erupted from their surface. The glow resembled flowing blood. Runes illuminated one after another as the weapons greedily absorbed the energy radiating from the Infinity Mana Core.
An immense red aura exploded outward.
Countless crimson orbs materialized around Dante. The atmosphere became heavy, ancient, and wrathful, as if a sleeping beast had finally awakened.
"RRRAAAGGGHHHHHH!!!!!"
Dante roared through gritted teeth.
Pain coursed through every nerve in his body. The Infinity Mana Core pulsed violently as the twin blades devoured its energy before synchronizing with it completely.
The Almighty Flame surged.
The demonic chains rattled.
The divine runes glowed.
Everything fused together.
Finally.
Dante ripped the blades free from his chest.
BOOOOM!!!
An overwhelming shockwave erupted from the underground chamber. The roar of the newly forged weapons spread throughout the Kingdom of Járnheimr. It surged through mountains, forests, and skies before continuing beyond the kingdom itself.
For a fleeting moment, countless powerful beings felt it.
The birth cry of a legendary weapon.
Far away, a beautiful silver-haired woman suddenly paused in the middle of her conversation.
"Hmm...?"
Beside her, a young woman tilted her head in confusion.
"Lady Diana, is something the matter?"
Diana remained silent for a moment. A strange sensation had suddenly passed through her heart.
Calm.
Warm.
Yet strangely exciting.
As though something precious had just been born.
"No, Fina."
Diana gently touched her chest.
"I just suddenly felt... calm and excited."
Meanwhile, back within the ruined Throne Hall of Járnheimr Castle, the battle had become increasingly desperate.
The tide had shifted in Akka's favor.
"KYAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Akka's laughter echoed throughout the hall.
"You former Sinners really have lost much of your strength!"
Moments earlier, Kaen had been sent flying.
BOOM!
The feline warrior crashed into a collapsed pillar before being completely buried beneath a mountain of rubble. Her body screamed in pain from countless injuries, but beneath the debris, her eyes still burned with fury.
Not far away, Ashely Burnwill suffered a similar fate.
CRASH!
She smashed through another wall before collapsing onto the floor. Chunks of stone rained down around her as her massive cannon slipped from her grasp.
Blood trickled down her forehead.
She attempted to rise.
Her arms trembled.
Her legs refused to cooperate.
The Commander of Honor was simply too powerful.
At the center of the battlefield, only Lustia and Taouon remained standing.
Their armor was damaged.
Their weapons were chipped.
Their bodies were bever covered in wounds for they are mere shadows of the undead.
Yet neither stepped back.
Neither surrendered.
Their swords clashed against Akka's claws again and again. Sparks erupted with every collision while shockwaves spread across the ruined hall.
The two Shadow Knights had become the final wall standing between Akka and complete victory.
And despite their exhaustion.
Despite their injuries.
Despite the overwhelming odds before them.
They refused to fall.
Dante swung his newly forged chain blades in wide circular arcs. The weapons howled through the air, leaving trails of crimson light behind them. The chains rattled and danced around him like living serpents responding to his every movement.
A wide grin spread across his face as he looked upward toward the ceiling far above.
"Guess it's time to join the fucking party, Kila. Ya ready, lady?!" Dante said excitedly.
Kilamahi laughed from within him.
"Heh, I've been ready for ages. You get first dibs, Dante. After that, tag me in. This Goddess of War is eager to try the blades you forged using Kalikriktar."
Dante's grin widened.
"Then let's fucking go, baby!!!"
The chains accelerated.
Faster.
And faster.
Until the twin blades became blurs of crimson light.
Then Dante launched both weapons straight upward.
The blades shot into the darkness above like twin meteors.
Kilamahi watched them disappear from sight.
"Boy, those chains..." she began.
"Don't worry," Dante replied confidently. "No matter how far I throw them, the chains will keep conjuring. As long as they need to go, they'll keep extending. Say it... infinity."
For a moment, Kilamahi was silent.
Then she burst into laughter.
"KYAHAHAHAHA!!!! And that's why... you really are the one."
Her voice carried pride.
Excitement.
And something deeper.
Something ancient.
"The last bloodline of my House. Rise up, Dante. Rise up!!! Embrace the psychotic blood flowing through your veins and embrace your true House, Dante Alderman!!!!"
Far above, the twin blades finally struck the ceiling of the underground chamber.
BOOM!
The impact shook the entire structure.
The chains immediately tightened.
An overwhelming pull surged through them.
The next moment, Dante launched upward.
Like a cannonball.
Like a meteor.
Like a monster finally unleashed.
The underground cavern exploded behind him.
Layers upon layers of earth shattered apart as Dante shot through them at terrifying speed. The twin blades continued pulling him higher while the Almighty Flame infused within them tore through every obstacle in their path.
Stone melted.
Bedrock cracked.
Entire tunnels collapsed.
A colossal trail of destruction followed Dante as he ascended toward the surface.
Meanwhile, within the ruined Throne Hall of Járnheimr Castle, Akka continued exchanging blows with Lustia and Taouon.
Steel collided.
Claws slashed.
Shockwaves erupted.
Then suddenly—
Both Shadow Knights vanished.
Akka's next strike hit nothing but empty air.
"The fuck?" she muttered.
She glanced around the battlefield.
"Give up?!"
No answer came.
Instead...
She felt it.
An immense pressure.
A suffocating presence.
One that made her instincts scream.
One that reminded her of beings she had not felt in ages.
The God Clan.
"Urk...!"
Akka's eyes widened.
Her body instinctively tensed.
"Don't tell me..."
BOOOOOOMMMMM!!!
The floor beneath her exploded.
A massive crater erupted from the throne hall as stone, rubble, and molten debris blasted into the air.
The entire castle shook.
Dust engulfed the battlefield.
For several moments, nothing could be seen.
Then a figure emerged from the smoke.
Sliding across the ground.
Chains dragging behind him.
Twin crimson blades glowing in his hands.
Dante Ruthwilfer.
He slowly rose to his feet.
His white skin.
His black tendril-like markings.
His pupil-less white eyes.
His long black hair.
Everything about him radiated danger.
A grin appeared on his face.
"Sup, samurai bitch."
The chains rattled.
The blades hummed with power.
"Miss me?!"
Akka stared at him.
For the first time since arriving in Járnheimr, she felt genuine excitement.
Not because of his words.
Not because of his confidence.
But because of what she was seeing.
His Wargod form.
Something entirely new.
Something that even she had never witnessed before.
Then she laughed.
"Heh."
Her grin widened.
"No wonder Domikhael lost to you."
The atmosphere around her began changing.
"He's nothing but a mere Sinner of the Seven Deadly Sins."
Her aura exploded outward.
The throne hall trembled.
"I, however..."
CRACK!
The ground beneath her feet shattered.
"...am a Commandment!!!"
"RRRAAAGGGHHHH!!!"
Akka unleashed her true form.
Two additional arms burst from her hips.
Fresh streams of demonic energy erupted around her body.
New katanas materialized within the newly formed hands.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Four arms.
Four katanas.
Her body became larger.
More imposing.
Her eyes glowed a brilliant yellow.
Her horns extended further.
The pressure radiating from her multiplied several times over.
Even her kimono tore slightly under the strain of her transformation.
This was Akka at her full power.
The Commandment of Honor.
The battlefield fell silent.
The two monsters stared at one another.
Neither willing to look away.
Neither willing to retreat.
Akka slowly raised all four blades.
"Akka, the Commandment of Honor."
The tips of her katanas pointed toward Dante.
"Katana of Wrath is my blade's name."
A smile spread across her face.
"And yours...?"
The chains around Dante rattled softly.
He spun his new weapons once.
Twice.
The crimson glow intensified.
Then he entered his stance.
One blade lowered.
One blade raised.
His gaze locked onto Akka.
"Dante Ruthwilfer."
The chains extended behind him like the tail of a dragon.
"The Bastard Son of House Ruthwilfer."
The atmosphere around him began to change.
The Almighty Flame surged.
The chains vibrated.
The runes engraved across the weapons illuminated one after another.
The very air distorted around him.
Even Akka narrowed her eyes.
Waiting.
Watching.
Listening.
Dante slowly raised one arm and pointed the blade directly at her.
"And my chain blade's name..."
For a moment, the entire battlefield became silent.
Then the crimson flames exploded outward.
The chains roared.
And Dante grinned.
"Vermillion."
Akka's smile widened.
The chains rattled.
The flames surged.
And the battle between two monsters was about to begin.
---
Chapter 57 — End.