Within the Kaslana Stigma space.
After fifty thousand years, another [Palatinus] had finally been born into this world. The Dea Anchora armor on Durandal dissolved, and a brand-new power enveloped her entire body.
"The path of [Palatinus]—here and now—open!!"
The power of Schariac transformed into a soft white-gold battle attire. A gleaming white feather adorned the girl's left shoulder, and two wing-like cloaks unfurled behind her, making her appear like a true Valkyrie from myth.
But that softness did not mean weakness. It was precisely this power that now commanded the black warhorse beneath her.
"Raaagh—!!"
A wild roar resounded as a horse-shaped Honkai Beast clad in black armor emerged.
From its head extended a deep-blue sword-like horn. A pair of black wings grew from its sides, and its tail burned like blue flame.
Unlike before, when it could only gallop across the earth, this Honkai Beast warhorse named Krishna had now transformed into a pegasus, gaining strength that surpassed its original fate.
"Hyah!"
Durandal gave a light shout. Krishna responded instantly, sprinting wildly across the ground before its hooves lifted and its wings beat powerfully, carrying it straight into the sky.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap—!
Elias generously offered thunderous applause.
At this moment, Durandal bore both the black power of "beastification" and the white power of "purification." Yet her inner self remained as pure and flawless as a radiant gemstone—steadfast and unwavering.
"Congratulations, Durandal. With this, you too have stepped into [Palatinus] and gained infinite possibilities."
"Thank you, Elias. From now on, I will use this power well—to protect you... and all the beauty in this world!"
After circling once through the air and returning, Durandal looked at the white-haired youth with blazing eyes. She clenched her right fist and struck it against her proud chest, like a noble knight princess making her vow.
There was no need for her to dismount, because Krishna could transform into armor and weapon whenever necessary.
Just like Elias' Heaven Devourer Chimera.
At this moment, the black warhorse transformed into a jet-black beastly armor that clad Durandal's body. At the same time, a massive blue-black knight's lance named "Midnight Ataegina" appeared in her grasp.
"How do you feel now? We put in a lot of effort for this, so show me something more impressive. This level alone won't satisfy me, Durandal."
Elias sized her up from head to toe. To match her, he summoned his own Chimera armor as well.
Though their styles differed—Elias' Chimera armor resembling an exquisite work of art, while Durandal's [Palatinus] beast armor carried a hint of wildness—there was no doubt they were the same type of armament. In terms of defense alone, it even surpassed Dea Anchora.
"Haaah!"
Durandal tightened her grip on the lance and swung it forcefully through the air. Instantly, a terrifying power surged forth, as though it might shatter the entire Kaslana Stigma space.
Elias narrowed his eyes slightly. That single strike alone would be enough to kill eighty percent of the Judgment-class Honkai Beasts he knew.
Although stepping into [Palatinus] greatly increased one's strength, for it to rise to such an exaggerated degree could only mean that Durandal's talent was even more monstrous than he had imagined.
At the very least, she far surpassed Kevin.
If Durandal had been born fifty thousand years ago, Elias might no longer have felt that "being invincible is so, so lonely."
"Mm... aside from the Knight Form just now and the Guardian Form now, it seems I... have also gained a Honkai Form that completely fuses with Krishna."
Durandal closed her eyes to sense the changes within herself. At the same time, she subconsciously touched her abdomen. That burning warmth still churned within her stomach.
Elias' Holy Blood had temporarily become her power.
"Oh? Now that's a pleasant surprise. From your description, it sounds similar to my [Reverse God]—an Artificial Cascade. Hurry and show me. It must look amazing!"
"Alright! I'll show you right now."
Durandal nodded and, guided by instinct, unleashed this powerful form that did not exist in her original fate.
A pair of magnificent white-gold horns grew from the top of her head. A pair of white beastly wings spread from her back, and a black tail extended behind her.
Black-and-white interwoven Honkai Beast armor also covered her body. She appeared graceful and elegant—like a beautiful female beast.
At this moment, Durandal stood between angelic sanctity and demonic allure, possessing an indescribable beauty.
It was neither Elias' [Reverse God] nor Kevin's [Diabolic], but Durandal's own yet-unnamed Artificial Cascade.
"Throw a punch at me."
"Alright!"
After entering Artificial Cascade, Durandal nodded and unleashed a punch that tore through the air with a sonic boom. Though she used her full strength, she naturally harbored no killing intent.
Elias felt as if that punch were a falling meteor. Without the slightest carelessness, he raised his palm to receive it—and then...
Screeeech—!
His body was forced backward. Though he remained uninjured and his feet never left the ground, two deep trenches were carved into the earth beneath him.
"That strong?!"
Misteln's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Durandal, who had driven Elias back several meters with a single punch.
Although Elias had not used Artificial Cascade and had dismissed his Chimera armor, the mere fact that Durandal could push him back at all was already astonishing.
"Not bad! Excellent! You're stronger than Kevin was back then!"
Elias was thoroughly delighted. Kevin's [Diabolic] quality did not compare to Durandal's current state, and her Artificial Cascade possessed traits distinct from both Chimeras.
One must remember that Durandal was still fundamentally a pure human—not a MANTIS. The mere fact that she could unleash Artificial Cascade at all was already a miraculous feat.
If Mobius were here, she would likely be panting heavily with a soulium scalpel in hand, burning with curiosity to dissect this silly goose for research.
Unlike the hexagonal balanced development of [Reverse God] and [Diabolic], Durandal's Artificial Cascade could not utilize the tens of thousands of unique abilities belonging to those Honkai Beasts. However...
All of her potential had been poured directly into her body.
Simply put, she was on the verge of achieving sainthood through sheer flesh alone. Strength, defense, agility—every attribute had been maxed out. In the future, she might even become a one-punch goose.
"Ahem! Please don't celebrate too early. In fact, Miss Durandal still has a problem," the Kaslana Stigma Will spoke up.
"Hm? What problem?"
Elias froze for a moment before quickly asking.
"The reason she can currently control this power is actually because Lord Elias' Holy Blood remains within her body. Once the effects of that Holy Blood fade, she will once again be unable to maintain the balance of power."
"That's true. I can already feel that the Holy Blood Elias... transferred to me has diminished slightly. It seems to be maintaining this form for me. But my own Holy Blood also feels somewhat strengthened," Durandal said, examining her hands.
"Is there a solution? Surely it can't be that Elias has to periodically give me his blood, right?"
"...Durandal, why are you licking your lips?"
"Ah, sorry. Instinctive reaction. Because, Elias, your blood really is delicious."
Durandal answered with complete sincerity. She savored the memory slightly. It was Holy Blood more delicious than any drink she had ever tasted, and it carried a strangely intoxicating, addictive sensation.
"Delicious? You're not a vampire."
Elias lightly chopped her on the head with his hand.
At the same time, his fingers unconsciously climbed up to the pair of horns atop her head. His master-level technique startled the silly goose, causing her legs to tense instinctively.
Yet Durandal did not resist or dodge. After all, they had already kissed. At this point, what did a little horn-touching matter? Especially when it felt this comfortable.
(Wow~ This feels incredible! Compared to Mei's oni horns, it's no less impressive. And white-gold horns give off such a luxurious vibe.)
(Mmnh! What's going on? Elias is way too skilled... It feels so good. I kind of want him to keep touching them...)
The moment that thought formed, Durandal jolted and shook her head vigorously. When she looked at the white-haired youth again, there was a hint of vigilance in her eyes. This was too dangerous.
Every time she relaxed her guard even slightly, she felt an urge to slack off. All pressure vanished, her entire body loosened, and her motivation faded. Durandal had no intention of falling into decadence.
"Ahem! If vampires truly existed in this world, Elias, you should be careful. One would definitely latch onto you just because your blood tastes too good."
She deliberately changed the topic.
"Heh~ Let them come. I'm not afraid. I haven't exactly 'eaten' a vampire before either. But let's return to the main issue. How do we solve Durandal's problem?"
Elias turned his gaze toward the Kaslana Stigma Will, who promptly gave an answer.
"Very simple. For the time being, Lord Elias, you must remain by her side at all times. Please keep your distance within five meters."
"In that way, the Honkai Beast genes within Bianka Durandal Ataegina's body will be suppressed by the aura of your Holy Blood and will not spiral out of control."
As soon as those words were spoken, the silly goose's cheeks reddened slightly. The sensation of that earlier kiss still lingered in her mind.
"Um... it won't have to be like this for a lifetime, right?"
"Of course not. Due to the stimulation just now, Durandal's Holy Blood is resonating with yours and undergoing further self-purification. You only need to maintain this arrangement until the purification is complete," Misteln added, privately thinking that if it were lifelong, the two of them might as well head straight to the civil registry office.
"How long will the purification take?"
"Approximately thirty days."
...
"So that's the situation. For the next thirty days, I'll be eating, living, and traveling together with Durandal. Sorry, everyone. Our daily dates will be temporarily canceled."
"W-What?!" xN
Inside the Valkyrie dormitory, the girls' wails echoed.
Their resentful gazes immediately locked onto Durandal. Never in their wildest dreams had they expected this honest, airheaded knight—second only to the so-called Flat Immortal—to suddenly play such a devastating trump card.
Monopolizing Elias for thirty whole days? Durandal, as expected of the strongest Valkyrie in history—when you make a move, it's an instant checkmate!
Pfft—!
Siegfried spat out a mouthful of blood.
This old father had just returned from a mission only to hear such explosive news. He could not help but sigh in disbelief. The Honkai Beasts hadn't killed him—but one sentence from Elias nearly did.
"What exactly happened between you two in such a short time? Weren't you just going to recover your memories? How did it turn into this?! Elias, explain yourself honestly!!"
"Dad, please don't be like this."
"..."
Siegfried stared at his daughter standing in front of Elias like a loyal knight princess shielding her lord. His heart shattered all over again, and he nearly spat out another mouthful of blood.
He could clearly sense something was wrong. Durandal's affection toward that certain someone seemed to have multiplied several times since he left.
"Sweetheart, tell Dad what happened. He didn't do anything to you, right?"
"Uh... well..."
"That reaction!!"
Seeing Durandal shyly avert her gaze, Siegfried sucked in a sharp breath. Rita's eyes widened in shock.
Heavens—had this silly goose really fallen?!
"Ahem! It's actually nothing serious. I just went with Elias into the Stigma space to recover my memories from before I was seven. Then I awakened the power of [Palatinus]. There was a small accident due to my insufficient strength, but Elias resolved the crisis by transferring Schariac Holy Blood to me... orally."
Durandal summoned Krishna and demonstrated her three new forms—Knight Form, Guardian Form, and Artificial Cascade—along with her dramatically increased strength.
While Siegfried, being somewhat thickheaded, failed to catch it, the perceptive Rita narrowed her eyes and seized upon the key detail.
"Lady Durandal, could you kindly elaborate on what you mean by 'orally' transferred?"
"Um, that is..."
"Literally. I kissed her."
Elias turned his head and confessed directly.
The moment those words fell, Siegfried exploded on the spot, grabbing Judgment of Shamash and charging forward.
The blade was caught barehanded by Durandal.
"Dad, Elias was saving me!"
"Alright, alright, I know. Don't worry. I'm not angry. Not angry at all. In fact, I'm extremely grateful to Elias for saving you. So... just let me punch him once. Please, Bianka. Just one punch!"
Siegfried felt his rage meter max out. What had he said before leaving? No hugging, no kissing, no doing that kind of thing!
"No. I won't let you hurt him."
Durandal shook her head firmly.
One hand pressed down on Siegfried's shoulder. With her current strength, his attempt to break free was nothing but wishful thinking.
Elias, without even turning around, flashed a peace sign.
"Father-in-law, don't worry. I'll take good care of the silly goose—ah, I mean, Durandal."
"Elias, I'll fight you! I challenge you to a duel! Dare to sign a life-and-death contract?!"
"Uh... I dare."
"Siegfried, are you trying to get yourself killed?" xN