Domain Expansion

The parchment Kaylar had picked up in the ruins read as follows:

“『Blacksmithing Techniques: Overloaded Furnace』. In essence, it is a special spell activated through a sacrifice, which is why it was not monopolized by the dragonkin.

Originally, it was intended only for objects, a method to unleash a weapon's latent potential ahead of time to grant it greater power. Later, however, someone discovered that as long as a human body could withstand the intense heat and tempering of the furnace, they could unleash that same immense power.

Because it is an ability activated through a sacrifice, it is incredibly powerful yet remarkably easy to learn. Given that every blacksmith possesses physical fitness far exceeding that of ordinary people, using this Blacksmithing Technique to reinforce oneself became a mandatory skill that the blacksmiths of the Era of Dragon Sovereignty had to master.

The greater the damage one can endure, the stronger the power reflected back onto oneself. However, the high temperatures and the gases generated within the body will cause the physical form to overload, necessitating its use in conjunction with the Hyperventilation Technique.

The cost of the sacrifice is post-combat overheating and overload. Used within reasonable limits, it merely results in a temporary period of weakness. But if pushed to its absolute limit, it is not impossible for one's body to instantly shatter into pieces once it ends.”

So that's how it is. It can be activated as long as there is a sacrifice.

Then, let's do this.

Boom—

Eladia took small steps backward behind Kaylar, further widening the distance between herself and Landon, who had already retreated several paces.

Esper's footsteps came to a halt.

Kaylar pushed her Overloaded Furnace to its maximum output.

The healing effect of Holy Healing was still active.

Which meant it was time to go all out.

Landon let out a gratified smile.

“Exactly! What's with all the hesitation? Now this is more like it!”

Kaylar closed her eyes.

“...Tch.”

Golden flames erupted.

The sudden, rising blaze engulfed her body, swallowed her lips that seemed as if they still had words left to say, and submerged her closed eyes along with the Authority already branded deep within them.

A chorus of voices rang out.

Intangible Saintesses hovered within the flames, chanting in unison the ballads of the God-Forsaken Era.

Ballads misunderstood by the world, ballads long forgotten, now revealed their true forms.

The flames snatched the surrounding life force, draping themselves over Kaylar's body. They devoured her tattered robes, turning instead into a rust-colored suit of armor.

The two halves of the broken iron hammer lying nearby melted into rust-colored molten iron under the heat of the flames. They flowed into Kaylar's hands, reborn through the forge of the fire, cast by the golden flames into a greatsword carved with the eyes of countless living creatures.

She softly uttered a syllable.

The wind whipped up by her voice was instantly caught by the senses of the man, who was now entirely consumed by joy.

As if catching sight of some delicious delicacy, he lightly ran his tongue over his lips, grinned widely, and spoke the words buried deep in his heart.

At the same time, Esper felt an endless pressure erupting from both of them.

The overwhelming power of their Authorities heralded the true beginning of the battle.

“Very well.”

Eladia silently took several more steps back.

Three Authorities, three auras, three wielders of Authority, three distinct resolves and wills, and three declarations rang out at the exact same instant. They echoed in unison across the clearing, where the trees and dust had been entirely swept away, as if a stage had been cleared specifically for them.

“Authority Manifestation...”

『χωνευτήριον』, named 『Furnace』. It governs the fire that creates and destroys all things.

“『Anvil of the Fire Thief』”

Kaylar softly whispered. Immediately, violent and magnificent golden flames spread from beneath her feet, igniting the area and turning it into a boundless sea of fire.

“Authority Manifestation!”

『πλεονέκτης』, named 『Greed』. It is pure avarice, the yearning to possess and experience everything in the world, a simple pursuit of unattainable satisfaction for no reason at all. It is the purest form of evil, independent of both spirit and flesh.

“『Escape from the Promised Land』”

The world twisted, and light refracted. Countless anomalies occurred around Landon. In this seemingly glitched-out space, only he, laughing uproariously, remained completely unaffected.

“Authority Manifestation.”

『ἐλπίς』, named 『Hope』.

The obsession to save everything, the desire to pursue what was left unpursued, the vision of holding a hand that should have been held. Formed by the amalgamation of all the possibilities that slipped through one's fingers, wanting to turn a future that has yet to arrive into the present—this is what the world calls hope.

————

『Connected to 「World Reconstruction: Re-enactment of All Things」』

————

“『Where Destiny Points: Beast of Blood』”

The Holy Sword reassembled, transforming into a massive sword-spear vastly different from its previous form.

The gryphon born of blood as Esper pulled back the reins sprouted wings, unleashing an earth-shattering roar.

Three Authorities, fully unleashed.

“Now, let us begin.”