Erza's expression was grave as twin blades appeared in her hands. This concerned her comrades' lives; failure was absolutely not an option.
"Let's fight!"
Her figure shot out in an instant, the dual swords unleashing rapid slashes that severed every vine in their path.
"Sword of Leaves!"
Aznain dared not be negligent. With a fierce wave of his hand, the sky filled with dancing leaves that whipped like lashes, yet carried the keenness of blades.
Erza's swords whirled into a storm of blades. Countless flashes of sword light shredded all the leaves. Just as she prepared to charge at Aznain, the ground suddenly surged, and a massive tree erupted, instantly smashing her away.
"Requip! Soaring Sky!"
A flash of light, and Erza's speed maxed out. She transformed into a streak of light, piercing nimbly through the forest, dodging all pursuing vines.
"So fast!"
Aznain was inwardly shocked. This speed almost exceeded his visual tracking. Before he could react, several wounds were instantly carved onto his body.
However, his recovery ability was strong enough. The wounds on his back rapidly healed, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Erza, you are too merciful towards your enemies. You should have aimed for my head just now."
"Now, you've lost your chance!"
Aznain's body merged into the great tree and vanished. Immediately after, the tree's vines danced and snaked, all converging to strangle Erza.
"Adamantine Armor!"
Erza instantly requipped into heavy defensive armor. Her arms came together, transforming into a shield that blocked all attacks.
However, she could no longer find Aznain's trace and could only endure the attacks continuously.
If she couldn't completely destroy this forest, she would be worn down to death by Aznain.
Erza was extremely anxious. Her comrades were in a state of no magic power. Every minute of delay meant more danger.
Yet, the more anxious she became, the less opportunity she found.
Suddenly, she heard her dad's voice. He and her mom were providing magic power for everyone.
Erza's face lit up with pleasant surprise. As expected of the world-ending dragon king and scarlet despair who ended the Human-Dragon War—truly reliable!
Actually, she should have thought of it sooner. With her dad and mom present, any enemy was nothing to fear.
However, with everyone receiving magic power from Mom and Dad, she had to finish this battle quickly.
"Such a thing is even possible?"
Aznain was also listening, utterly shocked. For two people to provide magic power for everyone, and to have it continuously drained away by the Tenrou Tree... just how unfathomably deep was their magic power?
At this moment, he began to doubt whether Master Hades's plan could succeed.
Aznain suddenly laughed. "No matter. What I want most right now is to fight a powerful foe."
He materialized his figure, standing on a great tree, and said calmly, "Erza, those two cannot sustain the battle with their magic power forever. So your time is still limited. You must defeat me before their magic power is exhausted. Bring out your full power!"
Erza took a deep breath and hesitated no longer, instantly requipping into her strongest armament.
"Requip! Dragon Knight!"
Boom!
A tall mechanical dragon appeared. Everything before it seemed minuscule. Its terrifying aura instantly blew the surrounding trees into disarray.
Aznain looked up, completely unprepared for Erza to unleash such monstrous power. His face was full of shock. "This is a dragon..."
"Roar!"
The mechanical dragon let out a Roar. A terrifying shockwave instantly pulverized the trees ahead, clearing a path straight to the sea.
"Aznain, this is my strongest power. Try it!"
Erza was brimming with confidence. In this form, she was invincible.
After his initial astonishment, Aznain revealed an excited expression. "As expected of the Fairy Queen. You are indeed strong. But I won't lose to you easily either!"
"Arc of the Great Tree: Tree Giant!"
His magic activated. A massive magic circle expanded, and all the trees on the ground grew once more, entangling and merging in the sky.
Soon, the trees and vines transformed into a giant even taller than the mechanical dragon. Aznain himself had already merged into it, enhancing the Tree Giant's inherent power.
"With the endless magic power supply from Tenrou Island, the Tree Giant, though not highly durable, possesses immense strength and can recover from any damage."
"Let us decide the victor!"
Aznain manipulated the Tree Giant to charge. In an instant, it collided with the mechanical dragon. The earth shook and mountains trembled; a terrifying storm raged, its aura even spreading across Tenrou Island.
"The Dragon Knight is Erza, and that Tree Giant is Aznain?"
"Those two are too strong. The shockwaves of their battle have reached here."
"Erza has the upper hand. Although the Tree Giant is taller, it can't inflict much damage."
Everyone looked up at the battle between the two colossal beings, their hearts pounding with fear.
"Roar!"
The mechanical dragon pounced. Its terrifying force directly pressed the Tree Giant down, and its heavy claws smashed the Tree Giant's head to pieces.
"Erza!"
Aznain roared in anger. Countless thick vines shot out from the ground like giant pythons, tightly entangling the mechanical dragon.
The Tree Giant leaped up, mounting the mechanical dragon's back. Its massive fists pounded its head blow after blow. Simultaneously, many large boulders on the ground were wrapped in vines like meteor hammers, continuously attacking the mechanical dragon.
Erza was furious. Passively enduring attacks was not her style.
The mechanical dragon erupted with magic power. Its body shook violently, tearing the vines entangling it. Then, it bit the Tree Giant's hand and flung it away fiercely.
Rumble!
The Tree Giant's massive body crashed to the ground, flattening swathes of trees and raising clouds of dust.
Aznain manipulated the Tree Giant to stand up, standing ready. "All damage is ineffective against me. No matter the injury, I can recover!"
Erza's face was full of confidence. "You are indeed a troublesome enemy. But hand-to-hand combat is only the Dragon Knight's most basic ability."
"Let me show you the Dragon Knight's magic power!"
The mechanical dragon raised its head, gathering magic power. A terrifying purple light compressed and condensed in its maw. The destructive fluctuations cast a pall of dark clouds over the sky.
"Destruction Roar!"
With a furious Roar, magic power surged from the mechanical dragon's mouth. A massive destructive pillar of light shot through the air.
"Not good!"
Aznain's pupils contracted. He hastily defended, erecting a barrier of condensed wood in front. However, it couldn't withstand the attack in the slightest.
The wooden barrier was utterly shattered by the Roar. Immediately after, the entire Tree Giant was pulverized. After a mushroom-cloud explosion, the forest was transformed into a plain of scorched earth.
"What a terrifying blow..."
Aznain looked at the scene of destruction, lying on the ground, barely alive. If he hadn't hastily detached from the Tree Giant just now, he might have been utterly annihilated.
"Erza, you've won..."
He wore a relieved expression. His body began to sprout, transforming into intertwining vines.
Erza withdrew the Dragon Knight, and exhaustion instantly washed over her. "What's happening to your body?"
Aznain revealed a helpless smile. "It's the side effect of Lost Magic. Next, I will return your magic power. Being able to fight a strong opponent like you, I have no more regrets."
After speaking, his entire body transformed into a green, vine-covered tree.
Erza said softly, "You were also a respectable opponent. I will remember you."
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