A pain that vibrated through his entire body, as if his bones would shatter, was transmitted. He involuntarily clenched his teeth, and strength surged into his closed eyes.

Although he had some expectations, the power was beyond imagination. Because of this, cracks appeared above his eyebrows.

Yustia, who confirmed his condition up close, regained the smile she had momentarily lost.

“To think a young one like you would exert all your strength for such a petty attack, daring to insult my lord with a measly tongue. How audacious.”

Her mocking words were filled with a chilling laughter. For a moment, the Caliph felt chills down his spine, but he regained his composure, strengthened his grip on the sword, and then forcefully pushed Yustia away.

Yustia, who seemed to be pushed away by the momentary force, stepped back a few steps and stood firmly a couple of strides away. It felt more like a gentle step back for a breath rather than a movement forced by power.

Although his pride was somewhat hurt, the Caliph corrected his posture and stared fiercely at Yustia. However, Yustia still regarded him with a look of disdain.

“Did my lord kneel helplessly before you?”

“…….”.

“If so, eventually, you will have to kneel before me as well.”

“…….”.

“Did my lord beg for mercy in front of you, becoming a crawling beggar?”

“…….”.

“In that case, you will also have to beg for your life, crawling before me.”

Yustia’s mouth still had a slight upward curve. However, the voice that flowed through the bright red lips was heavily suppressed by indescribable anger.

As if she couldn’t bear the surging anger, Yustia once again emitted a strong purple energy. Only then did she, with a somewhat lightened tone, retort.

“Only then, I will also grant you the mercy of ending your breath with a single blow, just as you did to my lord.”
At the end of her words, Yustia’s mouth curled up in an eerie manner. However, even for a moment, she quickly composed herself and once again charged vigorously towards the Caliph.

The Caliph demonstrated momentary agility, leaping high. He then landed far away from Yustia.

As Yustia’s sword slammed into the ground in his place, a tremendous noise accompanied by swirling dust filled the air.

The Caliph felt chills running down his body for a moment. The power he had just felt throughout his body now seemed like nothing.

It couldn’t be described with any other word but tremendous. What exactly was that evil aura that seemed to have taken a hold of her…?

A premonition struck him that the fight would be even more challenging than he had thought. He even entertained the idea that he might not be able to defeat her.

His thoughts became complicated. He needed Felix’s help. Even teaming up with him might not be enough to beat the current Yustia.

But he couldn’t just surrender his life into her hands. So, he needed to come up with a plan. A way to conserve his strength as much as possible and diminish her power.

Before he could think of a proper plan, Yustia emerged from the thick dust.

It was clear she would attack again soon. Just the thought made the Caliph’s mind go blank.

Avoiding it wouldn’t be enough.

With a tightly clenched lower lip in perplexity, he focused on Yustia, who was closing the distance.

She, who had been walking slowly, frighteningly rushed out of the swirling dust at a rapid pace. Then, as she did moments ago, she fiercely charged towards the Caliph.

The moment she leaped from her position, it was the instant she descended towards the Caliph with her sword.

Suddenly, a glowing blue light enveloped the area around the Caliph at an incredible speed.