BOOM!
As the crimson greatsword collided with the black longsword, the entire old altar shook violently as though two enormous beasts had slammed into it at the same time. The stone slabs, already shattered by the previous fighting, collapsed further as Gabriel's red battle aura collided with the captain's white divinity, sending a shockwave across the ground and tearing away the vines that had only just begun to regrow.
Two black robed captives lying nearest the clash were thrown aside with the broken stones. Their restraints held, and the roots beneath them quickly dragged them away from the collapsing slabs.
This time, Gabriel was the one who retreated.
He glanced down at his slightly numb right hand before raising his head again. Instead of becoming more serious, his expression showed a trace of genuine interest.
The captain had become stronger.
And not by a little.
