Sylvia and Anastasia exchanged blows several times with a sharp, high-pitched metallic sound, but Sylvia was deflected by Anastasia's powerfully swung magic sword.

Sylvia flipped in mid-air, regained her footing, and landed a few meters behind.

"...Get out of her body, monster! Release Anastasia!"

At Sylvia's stern voice, a twisted expression of pleasure returned to Anastasia's face. Something flickered in the depths of her eyes, as if mocking.

"No way. This girl's body is quite comfortable to use, you know."

With a boast in the monster's voice, Anastasia lightly swung the magic sword she held in her hand.

In response, from the shadows of the walls and floor of the grand hall, a vast number of monsters, as if summoned, begin to reveal their hideous forms one after another.

"Could these monsters have been summoned by this guy?!"

One of the members of "Wings of Flash" speaks up. The shock is momentary. Although surprised, everyone's expression is calm.

Anastasia's expression contorted. Her face was no longer that of a beautiful young lady, but had transformed into that of someone filled with malice.

"Hahaha, now, you lot! Kill these guys!"

With a high-pitched laugh, Anastasia sees the horde of monsters that appeared behind her begin to move.

"I will handle Anastasia. You take care of everything else."

"Yes!"

With Sylvia's short command, she kicked off the ground. The other adventurers also charged towards the monsters, and a large-scale battle began.

A large number of monsters are attacking the adventurers of 'Wings of Flash' and 'Rosenritter'.

Christophe, too, observed the situation, his hand reaching for his sword, ready to move at any moment.

The tank accurately absorbs the monster's attacks, while the swordsmen work together to finish it off.

The monsters aren't that strong. There are many of them, but they were handling them without any problems, just like before.

The wizards' supporting fire accurately hit the weak points, and the members of the 'Rosenritter' were also fighting valiantly without any problems.

Rufrey also drew their short dagger from their waist and was cautiously circling around Christophe.

Meanwhile, Sylvia was facing Anastasia one-on-one.

It's a battle between an S-rank adventurer and an A-rank adventurer.

Anastasia is an A+ ranked adventurer, very close to S rank. That seems to be true, as she's not at all outmatched in her fight with Sylvia.

Whether it was due to the boost from the demon sword or her desperate resolve, Anastasia's swordsmanship was able to match Sylvia's head-on, not giving an inch.

If Sylvia's sword aimed for Anastasia's joints, Anastasia would deflect it with her demon sword and, in the same motion, slash at Sylvia's torso.

A high-pitched sound of metal clashing violently echoed through the hall, and sparks scattered into the darkness. It was a back-and-forth battle.

Sylvia's sword is truly a classic, backed by refined technique and experience.

In contrast, Anastasia's magic sword follows an unpredictable trajectory, a fusion of the monster's instinctive sharpness and Anastasia's skill.

As Sylvia unleashed a series of thrusts, Anastasia parried them by sliding them along the belly of her magic sword and, in turn, attempted to disrupt Sylvia's stance.

Sylvia immediately took a step back to create distance and regain her stance, simultaneously unleashing another slash. However, Anastasia, as if she had read the move, raised her magic sword and blocked it with a black aura.

As each battle intensifies,

"...!"

Lillie cast a healing spell. Her target was Anastasia.

Released at bullet-like speed, the recovery magic was cast at the very moment they were locked in a stalemate.

She turned towards Anastasia and pierced her body, which was enveloped in a black aura.

For a moment, Anastasia's movements seemed to stop. But it was only for a moment. As if deflecting Sylvia's sword upwards, Anastasia was wearing a mocking smile.

"Kukuku... It's useless!"

A terrifying, monstrous voice echoed from Anastasia's mouth. It was definitely Anastasia's voice, but it had a distorted timbre that was grating and made the listener feel uneasy.

"This little girl's body is mine now! No matter what tricks you try now, it's not going back to the way it was!"

The monster's mocking laughter echoed through the hall. Lillie bit her lip, glaring at Anastasia with frustration.

Once again, the battle between Sylvia and Anastasia begins, intensifying.

(...If Lillie's magic didn't work, then it's my turn next, right?)

Around them, the members of "Wings of Flash" and "Rosenritter" are engaged in a fierce battle with the horde of monsters summoned by Anastasia.

Rufrey lets out a small shout.

"Christophe-san, are you ready for the operation?"

"Of course. I can go anytime."

Christophe quietly nodded back to Rufrey and fixed his gaze on Sylvia and the others.

Chapter 36