It really didn't take too long.
It was less than five minutes in total.
Alfia was called a genius not because of her nearly flawless magic that was both offensive and defensive, but because of her ultimate talent to replicate any action she had seen!
All the techniques that the heroes of the Zeus and Hera Familia had painstakingly perfected over their lifetimes could be effortlessly wielded by her.
Unarmed combat, sword fighting, magic incantations...
She alone almost recreated the brilliance of all the top heroes of that bygone era!
In terms of technique alone, no one in this world could rival her; she was undeniably the absolute first, truly the pinnacle of talent in this world!
But...
She just happened to encounter Rhode, a monster beyond all norms.
The Sharingan's copying ability, while still far from the level of Mimicry, and even slightly inferior to Alfia's talent.
However, combined with Rhode's current physique, which far surpassed Alfia's attributes, he could gradually digest and devour all her techniques through continuous combat!
He, who was once crushed by others' physical attributes, was now in turn crushing others.
Although she longed to beat up this smooth-talking guy who spoke so casually of her precious person, Alfia felt a sense of admiration and respect for a man for the first time in her life.
From an initial complete dominance in technique, to an even match later on, and then finally being suppressed in return.
The speed of this process was so fast that she even felt a momentary daze.
Genius?
Who... who is the real genius?
For the first time since birth, she doubted her own talent.
Alfia, with a long-lost competitive spirit, cast aside all distractions and engaged in battle with this opponent she recognized, using every means and strategy at her disposal.
To cope with his attributes, which far surpassed hers.
Alfia even gritted her teeth and used the skill [Calamity's Price].
This was a forbidden skill that allowed all her abilities to be in a state of extreme release at all times.
In return, when activated during combat, it would inflict her with abnormal status effects such as poison, paralysis, organ dysfunction, and shock, semi-permanently reducing her ability values, stamina, and mental power.
This was a hateful skill whose cost was far worse than any curse.
Because of this, her already broken body endured unimaginable pain, but a smile, which she herself did not notice, appeared at the corner of her lips.
Ah... this is the opponent I longed for!
Possessing unparalleled talent that matched or even far surpassed mine!
If I had a healthy body, perhaps I could have become a lifelong rival with this guy...
The truth of the calamity monster that instantly annihilated enemies was the [Witch Incapable of Prolonged Combat] who had to eliminate enemies instantly.
Even though she vaguely sensed that Rhode was fighting with values as matched to hers as possible, her pride still made her unable to tolerate a battle where he held back.
So Alfia deactivated [Garden of Silence].
This armor, which could completely nullify magic, was actually just a seal that locked "noise" within her body.
With the seal broken, she laughed and chanted an extremely long incantation.
In the entire night sky, an enormous bell made of pure magic appeared!
Sacred, destructive, arrogant, twisted... its despairing sound, unable to protect anyone or save anyone, symbolized the end of all things!
This was a sure-kill strike with a range exceeding one hundred meters.
It was the decisive move used during the past Leviathan subjugation!
With the thought of at least startling that guy, she struggled to look at him, but still saw him smiling, without a single scratch on his entire body.
It was as if the previous attack was merely a gentle breeze, as if the earlier battle wasn't even a warm-up... Turns out I was the challenger...
In the center of the ravaged wasteland, as if struck by countless meteorites.
The grey-haired witch lay quietly in Rhode's arms, her black gown stained vivid red with blood, her expression filled with despondency and unwillingness.
Her patient-like pale, transparent skin looked as if it were adorned with blood makeup.
"You won…"
Rhode wiped the blood from her lips with his thumb, a little helpless.
"You really played with your life, didn't you…"
Alfia felt a little uncomfortable nestled in a man's arms.
Even in her most painful moments, she had never shown weakness in front of any man.
But to die in the arms of this monster, it feels like a blessing to me…
"Cough, cough, cough… I cannot tolerate a battle where one holds back."
"So, you plan to hold back for others in the future?"
"Don't look at me with such pity. If this broken body can become a stepping stone for a hero's growth, then it's the last contribution I can make."
Alfia looked at the young man's somewhat childish face.
"How old are you?"
Rhode thought for a moment, a little unsure.
"Twenty-four."
"…I meant your age!"
"Oh, then nineteen."
Alfia forced a smile.
"So young… If you were active in that era, you would definitely be stronger than those guys."
Is she feeling crushed and now wants to see her companions thoroughly trampled too?
This Witch is truly devious.
Alfia lay in Rhode's arms, looking at the silent night sky, a look of relief and liberation on her face.
"The static is gone… I'm finally going to find peace, aren't I…"
Rhode raised an eyebrow.
"What's with that expression, as if you're ready to embrace death? Did you forget our agreement?"
Alfia glanced at Rhode, speaking weakly.
"Can't you see my hopeless state? Even with every method, I can only live for less than an hour…"
"If, even so, you still want to take me as your subordinate, then I will keep my promise."
Rhode was overjoyed.
"Then call me Master first, let's hear it?"
"You bastard… Cough, cough, cough…"
Rhode's words almost made the dying Witch come back to life from sheer anger.
But it also reminded her.
"By the way, I'm about to die, so now can you tell me about Metria, whom you mentioned earlier… what happened?"
"About that…"
He looked at Alfia, who was casting a questioning gaze, and showed a pleased smile.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?"
Rhode ordered the System in his mind,
—System, remove all negative traits from her.
[Deletion requires 1.5 times the Prayer Points. This operation will consume 18,000 points.]
[Continue operation?]
Tsk, that's really expensive.
But I have plenty of points now!
Proceed with the operation!
…
A moment later.
Alfia, standing vibrantly in front of Rhode, wore a stunned expression.
"…Huh?"
She lowered her head, clenching her pale fists, feeling an unprecedented, incredibly light sensation throughout her body, still unable to believe what had just happened.
The static that always entanglement in her ears was gone, replaced by an unimaginable surge of power.
"You… How did you do that?"
Alfia looked at the relaxed Rhode with complex emotions.
Rhode didn't answer, only countered with a question.
"Is that what you should be saying right now?"
Alfia closed her eyes, silent for a moment.
Finally, when she opened her eyes again, a resolute look filled her heterochromatic gaze.
She lifted her tattered skirt and knelt on one knee.
On this wasteland, which she had personally destroyed, before Rhode, she lowered her proud head, which had never bowed to anyone.
Even her former chief god had never received such a gesture.
"From this day forward, this body fights only for you."
Rhode blinked.
Uh, I meant, shouldn't you say thank you?
Unexpectedly, she surrendered so directly and decisively.
Rhode was too lazy to explain and simply snapped his fingers, having Alfia formally sign the contract.
She was only slightly surprised by this, then signed her name without any hesitation.
From then on, the strongest genius in the entire Danmachi World, the top-tier card in the gacha pool, in her most perfect form, was completely taken into his possession.
Having done all this, Rhode stretched contentedly.
"Get up, change your clothes, and then we'll go see your beloved sister."
Alfia nodded instinctively after getting up.
"Okay… Huh?!"
She suddenly looked up, her eyes wide.
"Wait, you mean… Metria is really not dead?!"
Rhode glanced at her, speechless.
"Didn't I say that from the very beginning?"
Alfia's face instantly became a little awkward, and she stammered,
"I, I thought you were talking trash to mess with my mind…"
Rhode placed his right hand on her shoulder.
"Don't use additional magic, I'll teleport you to change clothes first."
Alfia excitedly hugged Rhode's arm, her two large marshmallows pressed tightly against him.
"Okay…! I'll listen to you!"
Meanwhile, another battlefield had just concluded.
But one of the combatants was even more miserable than Alfia.
Black armor lay shattered on the ground.
A tall body was severely damaged.
If not for the rise and fall of his chest, he would likely have been mistaken for dead.
"How pathetic… Have you fallen to this state, Chardo?"
Standing before that broken body, looking down at him from above, was a tall Amazon woman.
Her long black hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, and her features were as if carved, exquisite enough to rival a goddess.
Her entire being exuded an untamed, domineering aura of absolute supremacy.
Chardo, the Gluttony, gritted his teeth, looking incredulously at the person before him, who looked almost identical to the Hera goddess.
"Impossible… You're still alive? Empress!"
Regina looked up at the sky, her golden eyes filled with complex and unreadable emotions.
"Yes, I, like a stray dog, survived… saved by the great power of that Lord."
Chardo struggled to sit up, his expression agitated, and he eagerly asked,
"Who is that Lord… What about the others?!"
Regina withdrew her gaze, cruelly shattering Chardo's fantasy.
"Most of the Hera Familia were saved, but they can't wake up yet. I didn't see anyone from the Zeus Familia…"
A look of dejection appeared on Chardo's resolute face.
"Why…"
Regina shrugged her shoulders.
"Maybe because we, the Hera Familia, are all women, who knows. In fact, I don't know how he did it either."
Chardo was only lost for a moment before quickly regaining his composure.
After all, death and separation could no longer shake his tempered heart.
"Who is he? Is he a god?"
"Heh heh, I'm also curious about that question, but I think he's more powerful than a god."
Chardo wanted to press further, but Regina raised a hand.
"Before I answer more questions, I need to complete the task that Lord gave me."
Chardo's pupils suddenly constricted.
"Are you?!"
"That's right, I am now that Lord's subordinate, at his beck and call. No matter what he does to me, I cannot resist him~"
Chardo originally wanted to ask if she was forced, but seeing the excitement and anticipation shimmering in her eyes, he wisely swallowed the question.
"What task did he give you?"
"Oh, he asked me if you still want to live and see more of the world?"
"…As expected."
Regina glanced at Chardo, who was looking solemn and lost in thought, then unhappily kicked him, sending him flying.
Chardo spat blood, like a cannonball, and was violently thrown back!
His massive body shattered a corner of the building, bathing in countless rubble.
"Useless. Since you're dying and don't want to pledge allegiance to him, I'll just kill you now and completely wipe out the Zeus Familia."
"Anyway, even if Hera knew, she would definitely applaud me."
Chardo shakily crawled out of the ruins, his eyelids twitching at her words, and quickly shouted,
"Wait… It wouldn't come to that, given our relationship!"
Regina crossed her arms, a look of disdain on her face.
"Your talent is nothing special. With me, a Level 9, why would I keep an eyesore like you around?"
"It's just that he's kind-hearted and considered Alfia's friendship with you, so he thought of having me recruit you."
Chardo cursed inwardly.
You shrew! Do you call beating me half to death 'recruiting'?
Regina's sharp gaze fixed on him.
"Are you cursing me in your mind?"
Facing the strongest woman in the world, Chardo immediately jolted, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and quickly shook his head.
"N-no!"
Regina sneered, not caring what he was thinking.
"He told me about the plan you guys intend to execute, and he also told me that you, of all people, plan to put on a big show in front of that powerhouse."
"A mere Level 7 junior, trying to put on airs in front of your elders? It just annoys me! Do you have a problem with me beating you up?"
Damn it, when I wanted to show off, who knew you were still alive?!
What else could Chardo say? He forced himself to stand up, walked over to Regina, and chuckled awkwardly.
"Of course not. Besides, I'm used to being beaten up in the Familia anyway."
Regina tossed her long, dark hair.
"Hmph, since we remnants of the old era aren't all dead yet, then scrap your plan."
Chardo was a little worried.
"But... the Black Dragon."
A hint of apprehension and lingering fear flashed in Regina's eyes. She was silent for a long time.
"...That guy is indeed terrifying, but with that Lord, it's not a problem."
Chardo couldn't help but ask directly.
"This is the first time I've seen you so submissive and reverent towards a man. Not even Maxim received such treatment. Who exactly is that guy?"
"Enough with the idle chatter. Once you become his subordinate, you'll naturally know everything you need to know."
Regina looked at Chardo, her unfriendly gaze conveying the message, "Refuse quickly, and I'll kill you on the spot."
Chardo's expression became serious, and he said without hesitation.
"Actually, I've admired that Lord for a long time!"
"..."
Regina snorted in annoyance and turned to leave.
"Follow me."
Chardo felt his body about to fall apart. He gave a wry smile, leaned against the wall, and stumbled after Regina.
The back garden of the Hearth Mansion.
Under the moonlight, a slender girl, her beautiful, snow-white hair swaying, had a gentle smile on her face.
"Metria, I'm back, oh ~"
That pleasant, bell-like voice was exactly the same as it was ten years ago.
Alfia bit her lower lip, staring at the seemingly illusory scene before her. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, and she choked out.
"Metria... welcome back..."