The Sekirei’s Covenant

"Kid, you're good! You're very good!"

Climbing out of the deep hole, Marquis Voban was covered in dirt and disheveled, with a long bloody gash on his face. Having had his Apollo Authority broken, he had also returned to his human form, but his expression was utterly grim.

Divine power surged, and the wounds on his body healed at a visible speed. Although having one Authority broken wasn't a big deal for Marquis Voban, he was very angry at this moment because he had just been fooled by this junior Campione!

"Heh heh, all's fair in war. Saying all this isn't very useful now, King Voban."

"Say, the first round is over. Let's start the second round!"

"As a friendly reminder, I'll also add that although you're an old man, I still won't hold back as soon as I get a chance!"

He bumped his fists together, a wicked smile on Sora's face.

He wasn't a good person, nor did he care about a king's arrogance and glory. As long as the fight was on, he would use any means necessary to achieve victory!

"Hahaha… Good! Good! Good! King Kusanagi, you are the most interesting and most special Campione this King has ever seen. From now on, this King will treat you as an equal opponent and go all out!"

Although somewhat arrogant and brutal, there was no doubt that Marquis Voban possessed the spirit of a king. He was no longer angry; instead, he burst into laughter.

Although Marquis Voban had always considered Sora one of his own kind, in his view before, Sora was merely a junior who had just embarked on the path of kingship. Subconsciously, there was a hint of disdain and contempt.

But now he knew, this was definitely an opponent and enemy who would require him to handle with caution and fight with all his might!

"You just broke my Authority of Apollo, so what will you do this time? Now, let me see!"

A curve pulled at the corner of his mouth, and Marquis Voban snapped his fingers. Immediately, figures of Undead Servants condensed into existence, one after another.

His fighting spirit soared. Aside from his past battle with that 'demoness', Guru Luo Hao, it had been a long time since he had suffered such a setback. While feeling stifled, Marquis Voban also felt a strange mix of anticipation and excitement.

"Tch, is it that annoying and troublesome Authority again…"

Frowning, Sora muttered to himself. However, just as Sora was still thinking about how to deal with it, he suddenly sensed something—

"Erica, why are you back?"

Looking at Erica, who descended from the sky using Jump Magic and landed beside him, and the knight girl Liliana, who followed closely behind, slowly descending with Yuri, Sora couldn't help but say with a look of surprise.

"Hehe, my King, I am your sword, your shield. When the King is fighting, as your knight, it is only natural for me to return to your side!"

"And not only that, I've also brought you two helpers! Hurry and praise me!"

Although looking a bit disheveled, seeing that Sora seemed alright, a heavy weight was finally lifted from Erica's heart, and she let out a long sigh of relief. She hooked onto one of Sora's arms and said with an intimate and spoiled smile.

"Praise your head! Didn't I tell you to take Yuri to a safe place? Why did you bring her back again?"

"Also, what's going on with Miss Liliana? You didn't do anything strange to threaten her, did you?"

Sora lightly knocked Erica's little head and said with a speechless expression.

Sora had heard a lot about the fated rivalry between Liliana and Erica from Erica herself. Looking at the girl's expression, she had probably been tricked or threatened by this one of his using some naughty methods again.

"Ugh… My Demon King is really heartless. Even though I worked so hard! Yuri's matter has nothing to do with me. As for Lily, hehe, she volunteered to assist us!"

Puffing out her cheeks, Erica put on a wronged expression. But when she spoke of Liliana, the corner of her mouth curved slightly into a vixen-like smile.

"Thank goodness, Sora, you're alright!"

Landing on the ground, released by Liliana, Yuri also ran over with an excited expression.

"Don't blame Erica-san. I asked her to bring me back. I know my request might be selfish, but…"

Like a child who had done something wrong, the Miko-san lowered her head as she spoke.

"Hah… If you're back, you're back. Don't blame yourself anymore, I understand your feelings, Yuri."

"However, during the battle later, you must stay properly behind me. Don't try to be brave."

Sora lightly stroked the girl's forehead and sighed softly. Although she seemed frail on the outside, Sora knew she was a girl with a strong will and a great sense of responsibility; he had known that since the day they met.

"Mm!!!"

She had originally thought she would definitely be scolded. Raising her head, the Miko-san's expression was filled with endless gratitude.

"Liliana Kranjcar, greets King Kusanagi-sama!"

Liliana, who was behind, also walked over. A hint of complexity flashed in her silver eyes as she performed a knight's courtesy towards Sora.

"Miss Liliana, there's no need for that. Rather, we should be thanking you for your assistance. If you don't mind, just treat me as a friend from now on."

Although it wasn't the first time he had seen this girl with a face as beautiful as a fairy's, Sora couldn't help but praise her in his heart and replied with a smile.

As someone recognized by Erica as both a friend and rival, her joining was undoubtedly a great help to him.

"Friend…"

For some reason, upon hearing the word 'friend', strange ripples couldn't help but stir in the girl's heart.

As the genius knight girl of the 'Bronze-Black Cross', Liliana had many opportunities to interact with Kings since she was young. Especially during her time as Marquis Voban's knight, Liliana had deeply felt how willful and tyrannical these so-called Demon Kings were!

They were the rulers of this land, willful, tyrannical, and unrestrained, viewing mortals as ants. There were no laws in this world that could restrain them. Liliana held reverence for such beings, but at the same time, she felt aversion in her heart.

Taking a deep look at Sora, Liliana seemed to understand a little why the proud Erica would acknowledge this person, and why Yuri, who like herself felt both reverence and aversion towards Demon Kings, would trust him.

Perhaps like other Demon Kings, he was also willful, tyrannical, and unrestrained, but he possessed an extra measure of gentleness. He cared for and was considerate of his friends and those around him, and he didn't arrogantly disregard everything just because of his status as a Demon King.

He was a special Demon King…

A strange feeling couldn't help but rise in her heart. Also being a Demon King's knight, the girl found that she was actually a little jealous of Erica.

"Oh my, isn't that Kranjcar? Why does it look like you're standing with the enemy? Are you betraying me?"

Marquis Voban's voice came from the side, carrying a hint of playfulness.

"Liliana Kranjcar, I hereby request to relinquish my duties!"

Although she knew her choice might anger the Demon King and bring unimaginable disaster, Liliana had no retreat now. Moreover, she truly didn't want to stay by the side of this tyrannical and gloomy old Demon King any longer. She stepped forward and spoke calmly to Marquis Voban.

"Heh… King Voban, from now on, Miss Liliana is my comrade. If you want to harm her, I won't be polite either!"

Stepping forward as well, Sora said with a wicked smile.

Although she had the 'Bronze-Black Cross' behind her, Sora knew that if Marquis Voban were to make trouble, that so-called organization and society would absolutely not hesitate to abandon Liliana to appease old Voban's wrath. At this moment, as a Demon King himself, it was only natural for him to step forward and support her.

Seeing Sora, who had stepped forward without hesitation to stand in front of her, a strange light flashed in the girl's silver eyes, and a unique feeling arose in her heart.

"To actually care about these mortals, this is not how a warrior should act when confronting an enemy! King Kusanagi, you are still too immature."

Seeing Sora stand against him for a human girl, Marquis Voban frowned slightly, feeling somewhat displeased, and spoke in a tone of admonishment like an elder.

"Hehe, you don't need to worry about that. I think this is quite good. Someone as mature as King Voban, who is tyrannical and cruel, ends up all alone in the world. I don't see anything great about that!"

With a carefree smile, Sora replied in a sarcastic and teasing tone.

"Hmph, brat, you only know how to win with words. Let's continue fighting!"

"All of you, come at me together! Be prepared to be annihilated by me!"

A trace of anger rose in his heart, gloomy and oppressive. Marquis Voban's aura erupted skyward.

"Ah, then let's continue fighting!"

A strong fighting spirit also erupted from him. Except for Yuri, who Sora had instructed to hide obediently to the side, the two knight girls simultaneously summoned their swords and stood on either side of Sora.

Finally, the battle between King and King began again!