Chapter 235.1

Two pillars of light rose high into the sky from the Enchanted Forest.

Drawing a magic circle, Lay summoned the Sword of Three Races into his right hand.

Back when I fought Ahid, it had once transformed into the Sword of the Almighty Leviangilma, but Arcana had restored it to its original form and returned it to Lay.

The Sword of Three Races was coated in the spell, which transformed the love between Lay and Misa into magic power, turning it into a long blade.

Lay took a few steps forward.

“Misa,” he said with a gentle smile to her as she watched him from behind.

“I want to hear your words.” (Lay)

“…Uh, um… well…” Misa said, looking down shyly and glancing upward.

“…I… I want to see my beloved Lay win…” (Misa)

In an instant, the light swelled up like an explosion, and the Sword of Three Races clad in shone brighter than ever before.

Their love now shone the brightest. More than when he fought Avos Dilhevia, and more than when he defeated the Royal Dragon.

And that was only natural, as standing before them were none other than Shin and I.

Even if they were to lose in a contest of magic or swords, they couldn’t afford to lose in a contest of . And that was why Lay and Misa’s bond, their love, burned so pa.s.sionately.

However, there was one man who glared at that dazzling crystal of love as if it were the nemesis of all parents.

He, too, stepped forward alone to confront Lay.

“I beseech you, My Lord. First, I wish to show them the true meaning of love.” (Shin)

“Very well. Show them to your heart’s content.” (Anos)

I handed Shin an iron sword.

A shining light gathered around the blade. I converted that love into magic power, activating the spell.

“How many times have we faced each other now, Lay Grandsley?” (Shin)

“Who knows. I’ve lost count.” (Lay)

Both of them stepped forward a few paces, quietly brandishing their light swords, their gazes locking.

“Ever since that swordsmanship training session, I’ve been thinking about something. I made a vow in my heart.” (Lay)

Lay always had a smile on his face, but today, even before they’d even crossed swords, he looked more serious than usual.

It was the same, or rather, even more intense resolve than back when he said he wouldn’t let me pa.s.s to protect me.

So he probably had something he desperately wanted to convey.

“This time, when I face you, I will definitely score one hit.” (Lay)

“Quite a bold claim. But I will score ten hits before that happens.” (Shin)

Shin’s eyes were cold, sharpened like a blade.

He had the same raw murderous intent as when I first met him.

And yet, conflicting feelings also swirled within him, like back when he faced me inside the s.p.a.ce of the Wolf of Hiding Gennul and wished for death.

He, too, was getting serious.

Neither two thousand years ago nor since then had they faced off with such intense feelings.

Lay was the challenger, and Shin was the defender.

Both imbued their swords with an unyielding determination to win and immense love.

“Here I come.” (Lay)

“I shall beat you at your own game.” (Shin)

Both Lay and Shin held their swords of love high in the air.

There would be no tricks, nor any evasion technique.

This was a duel of love against love, feelings against feelings.

Even the slightest retreat would mean defeat for them.

“…Humph!” (Lay)

With a short sigh, Lay was the first to move.

He brandished his long sword of light and charged head-on at Shin.

“Haaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….!!” (Lay)

His feelings, his love, radiated from his entire body, scattering particles of light around him.

If one focused their Magic Eyes on him, they could discern his intentions clearly.

—If I win, there’s something I want you to hear, Father-in-law!— (Lay)

“Shouting will not make your love grow any stronger…!!!” (Shin)

As if to reject Lay’s feelings head-on, Shin kicked off the ground and raised his exploding sword of light high.

—You can spout your nonsense after you’ve scored one point, boy!— (Shin)

With a loud clash, the swords of light collided, love fiercely contending with love.

—I will make you hear me out!— (Lay)

—Never!— (Shin)

—No! You will. This is important. It’s about your daughter!— (Lay)

A deafening explosion of light went off.

Shin was blown away by the blast of the swords, with his feet sc.r.a.ping against the ground.

“Dad…!” Misa screamed anxiously.

This was the result of honing the spell to the extreme.

It was a plea in the form of a powerful strike against the stubborn father who wouldn’t listen to the words of his daughter’s lover, forcing the latter to persistently pressure him and demonstrate the magnitude of his own love.

Perhaps thinking that even Shin would not escape unscathed, Misa worriedly focused her Magic Eyes on the center of the explosion.

The explosion of light slowly subsided, revealing a human figure.

Shin was alive.

Or rather, he had completely blocked all of Lay’s full-powered with his own sword of love.

“Is that the extent of the love between you two?” (Shin)

“I’m not done yet…!!” (Lay)

Raising his feelings and swinging his love down, Lay repeatedly struck Shin’s sword with .

But Shin continued to take every blow head-on.

—This is an important matter. I will make you listen. I swear it on this love of ours!!— (Lay)

—I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t listen! Is that all you’ve got, boy?!— (Shin)

It seemed as if he wasn’t listening at all, and that he was unaffected.

“…Haa… Haa…” (Lay)

Once again, they were locked in a fierce struggle, with Ray’s breathing becoming heavy.

Their blades clashed violently, and sparks flew between their eyes.

“Do you understand, Ray? Do you know why your is being completely blocked by Shin’s sword? Because this is one form of love…” (Anos)

As if persistently waiting under the eaves of their house while waiting for his girlfriend’s stubborn father to hear him out, Lay continued to unleash a barrage of over and over.

Each of his slashes was like a grovel of love, which he repeated again and again through the snow and everything.

However, Shin’s sword smashed them down head-on.