The Sekirei’s Covenant

On Sardinia Island, dark clouds gathered, and wind and rain raged. The legendary King of the Gods, Lord of the Sky, Melqart, stood on the earth like a towering giant.

In each of Melqart's hands was a huge staff, divine artifacts that summoned violent storms and thunder.

Compared to Melqart's massive body, his opponent appeared much smaller, floating in midair — the robed youth Sora and Erica had encountered earlier!

In midair, the fierce wind whipped the youth's robe loudly, but the raindrops strangely parted before touching him.

"Long time no see, Melqart."

With one hand on his hip, the youth greeted like an old friend in a good mood.

"I have grown impatient waiting, Verethragna!"

Melqart's voice thundered, as immense as his body.

Though his opponent seemed small, the legendary King of the Gods showed no contempt, only seriousness.

"Hahaha… The wounds you left when we were enemies before still haven't healed, right?"

Facing the strongest dragon slayer hunter, called Verethragna, the youth showed no fear, his body brimming with battle intent and a confident, arrogant smile.

"Your arrogance in awakening me just to fight a strong opponent cannot be ignored!"

Melqart's body radiated an overwhelming aura of dominance.

"Hehehe, this is truly exciting…"

As if he had been waiting a long time, the youth's lips curled into an extremely excited smile. Raising his right hand to the sky, a massive whirlwind formed, expanding around him and tearing a hole in the dark clouds above!

Thud thud thud…

Walking on air, a giant goat descended from the sky, dragging storm and rain behind it, transforming into a divine rune that merged into the youth's body.

Chirp…

A golden phoenix arrived from the sky, also transforming into a divine rune and merging with the youth.

"That leaves only one more incarnation, but it's enough."

"Saa, Melqart, let us fully enjoy this battle!"

The whirlwind dissipated, and the youth declared excitedly.

"Ah!!!"

A thunderous roar erupted just as Melqart prepared to launch the first attack—

"Please stop!"

Suddenly, a huge magic circle appeared before Melqart and the youth, and a girl's voice came from below — it was Erica, rushing over!

"Two gods, I have a bold request: please stop fighting!"

Seeing the two gods glare at her with anger, Erica felt nervous but, thinking of the islanders' safety, she mustered courage to speak.

Though she might be a willful and arrogant young lady, she was also a true knight!

"Hmph, this place has become the battleground for our decisive duel. Give up, human!"

Though only a snort, it felt like eardrums would burst. Melqart replied to Erica without mercy.

He was the supreme god; how could an ant-like human obstruct his will?!

"Gods, please show mercy!"

Her expression changed. Though she had heard countless times that gods and Demon Kings were tyrannical and unreasonable, Erica did not want to give up hope.

"Witch, your courage to defy the gods is commendable. However, you should still weigh your own strength and the current situation!"

Although the young man still wore a gentle and faint smile, his expression revealed unmistakable contempt. He activated his power, and several bolts of lightning descended directly from the sky, striking toward Erica.

Seeing the lightning rushing at her, Erica's face instantly showed shock. She kept leaping and dodging, while transforming her sword into a shield to block the attacks in front of her.

"Ah…"

A cry escaped her lips as the lightning struck the shield, shattering it and causing her to lose grip. The girl herself was thrown to the ground by the tremendous impact.

"It's over…"

Seeing another bolt of lightning coming straight at her, Erica's face was filled with despair. Although the opponent had not even unleashed one percent of his power, being hit would definitely mean death!

Closing her eyes, she could already imagine her impending fate. For some reason, the only thought that remained in her mind was the silhouette of the one who had once stood in front of her in her moment of despair.

Would he come to save her again this time?

"I'm sorry… for saying such harsh things to you…"

A bitter, desperate smile tugged at her lips. Erica knew she would never have the chance to apologize to him in person again.

But after waiting for a long time, the imagined pain of being struck by lightning did not come.

"Idiot woman, I've already taught you a lesson, yet you keep doing the same thing over and over!"

That hateful yet familiar voice suddenly sounded in her ear. Although it was scolding her, it stirred endless emotions in the girl's heart…

"Hmph, you! I never asked you to save me!"

"And don't think I'll forgive you just because of this…"

Opening her eyes, Erica saw Sora, who had appeared at some unknown time and saved her from the lightning attack. At first, she was full of defiance, but her voice gradually softened, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks like a little girl.

Sora twitched his mouth, feeling speechless at this proud knight lady still trying to act tough.

"Young man, are you going to interfere with my battle as well? If so…"

From the sky came the voice of the young man's true form, Verethragna. Seeing Sora rescue Erica from his lightning attack surprised him somewhat. A smirk appeared on his lips as several bolts of lightning descended again, targeting both Sora and Erica.

"Dodge on your own!"

Throwing Erica aside, Sora quickly dodged. Having witnessed the terror of lightning, he was not about to foolishly endure it like Erica.

Seemingly uninterested in Erica, all the lightning struck toward Sora. With a playful expression, this young man had once given him a small surprise. Now, Verethragna wondered how far he could go this time.

Before the official battle with Melqart, Verethragna decided to have a little fun with Sora.

However—

"Hahaha… Verethragna, when did your lightning become so clumsy that you can't even hit a mere human boy? Watch this!"

Melqart had no interest in watching Verethragna toy with a human boy and took the opportunity to mock him. She raised her left hand, summoning her divine lightning weapon and activated her power. Instantly, a massive thunder pillar descended from the sky with incredible speed, striking toward Sora!

"Melqart, damn you!!!"

Boom!!!

Under Sora's extremely frustrated curse, the thunder pillar crashed onto the ground, engulfing Sora's figure…

"Melqart, that boy is someone I have chosen. Why do you want to kill him?"

Seeing Melqart ruthlessly attack Sora, Verethragna frowned deeply, his expression darkening as he spoke to Melqart.

"Hmph, delaying our battle for a trivial human is a crime worthy of death."

Melqart snorted coldly in reply.

Verethragna's expression softened slightly. Although he felt some regret, he said nothing further, clearly accepting Melqart's reasoning.

Although the boy was impressive, to these supreme gods, he was nothing but an insignificant ant…

Unlike the disdainful Melqart and the slightly regretful Verethragna, Erica, who had just gotten up, was completely stunned.

"Lies… lies…"

Looking at Sora lying on the ground, his body blackened and still crackling with residual lightning, Erica seemed to have lost her mind. She staggered forward.

Unable to hold back any longer, tears streamed down the girl's face…