Soluntum was a town constructed in the fourth century BCE by the Phoenicians in the mountains along the shore. It fell into decline after coming under Greek and Roman rule, and was eventually destroyed by Islamic Arabs. In modern times, the site was being run as the Soluntum Archaeological Park and Museum.

Thanks to some organization's preparations, the park and the museum were immediately shut down as part of emergency measures. But under such weather conditions of roaring wind and torrential rain along with lightning descending from dark clouds, it was unlikely there would be any visitors to the museum anyway.

Nevertheless, Liliana was gratified to know that park staff were helping with evacuating visitors. If people were caught in the rampage that was happening, there's a high possibility that they will be a part of the collateral damage.

Liliana watched as the two columns erected like deer or goat horns were destroyed when the two clubs hit them with full force. The clubs that were flying in insane speed were chasing a whte figure whose speed was greatly surpassing them.

'Hahaha! Are you gonna keep running, good-slayer?' the mighty voice literally shook the ruins, 'But that's good! What good is a hunt of your prey stays still?'

Her body trembled from the voice alone, it was the voice of the powerful deity that has been residing in this country for a while now. The one causing the storms and have sunk some cities on mere hours, and he was currently fighting the god-slayer.

The white god-slayer created magic circles and attacked the tall figure. Even now, Liliana has no idea of what kind of magic he was using. They were to advance and still relatively unknown to other magi.

'Ha! Demonic powers? Do remember that I am also known as Beelzebub, a devil whose power is close to Satan!' Melqart thundered as he countered the attacks by using his own version of demonic magic, effectively blocking them.

[Half-Dimension!]

The power of the storm was reduced in half along with the size, strength and speed of the two clubs that was chasing Vali. However, when Melqart chanted a spell, the two clubs returned back into their normal state.

'Most troublesome power, but it's not enough! Chaser and Driver, come forth! O Yagrush! O Ayamur! Go and strike down the god-slayer!'

The first club Yagrush became surrounded by wind while the second club Ayamur was strengthened by thunderclouds. The former was a symbol of the wind while the latter was a symbol of lightning. That was what Liliana thought.

Like a swallow riding upon a cyclone, Yagrush flew with nimble agility. On the other hand, Ayamur flew in straight lines like lightning. Furthermore, unlike earlier both clubs possessed speed that rivaled the Hakuryuukou. No doubt that their power became even greater when Melqart reinforced them with his divinity.

Noticing that he cannot escape, Vali intercepted Yagrush with his his fists. It resulted in his gauntlets being destroyed and blood gushing out from his directly, Vali flew high into the air. Aiming at him in a straight line, Ayamur struck for a second direct blow. This time, the back part of his armor was destroyed.

Without an unnaturally sturdy body like his, an ordinary human would probably be smashed apart to leave no trace behind if struck by such destructive power.

Vali felt intense pain all over his body.

As befitted weapons of the gods. The man-eating Divine Beasts were nothing in comparison. Vali could feel his muscles torn, skeleton shattered, flesh scorching and bones dissolving.

Compared to the level of a mage, a Campione's body seemed immortal. But faced with the equal or superior levels of Heretic Gods, it was nothing special. Vali learned this painful lesson through the suffering of his body.

Furthermore, both Yagrush and Ayamur were weapons imbued with dragon-slaying powers, adding salt to the injury.

Nevertheless - he still did not die instantly. His body was truly beyond common logic. Not to mention that he had experienced worse when facing the King of Swords, Salvatore Doni with his magic sword that can cut through anything.

[Invoke: Goat!]

In an instant, the white armor he was wearing turned into lightning. He countered the lightning from the new storm and attacked both of the clubs using purple lightning that can melt steel with a single strike.

'Finally using an authority of Verethragna?' Melqart mocked, 'Good! Let me enjoy a good hunt, dragon!'

Flying at a speed amplified by lightning, Vali dived at Melqart and shoot bullets of powerful lightning imbued with demonic power. Melqart countered them with his lightning and laughed as he lunged at Vali with his huge body. The armor that Melqart touched were destroyed leaving no trace.

Facing this kind of strength, Vali once again changed his armor. "I am the strongest, holding all victory in my hands...All evil-doers, tremble before me. The powerful but unjust cannot vanquish me!"

[Invoke: Bull!]

The armor changed once again and became denser. With a cry, Vali matched Melqart's strength, this invoke gives Vali the power that rivals that of Heracles. In terms of strength, he was equal with Melqart, who was the prototype for the hero of Greece.

The two powerful beings wrestled each other, attempting to crush one another with their raw strength. Both were equal and none of them were winning... or that's what it supposed to be.

"Kuh!"

Vali grunted in pain as he was struck by the two clubs from his back, throwing him in the air. The attack didn't stop as Yagrush and Ayamur flew in the sky and continued assaulting him in every direction possible. Vali defended himself, but it was not enough to completely fend off the weapons.

"For victory, hasten forth before me... O Immortal Sun, I beseech thee to grant radiance to the stallion. O Stallion that moveth godlike with wondrous grace, bringest forth the halo of thy master...!"

[Invoke: Stallion!]

This time, his armor changed into a flame type. The armor's structure was replaced by bright flames that threaten to burn anything that it touches.

He released powerful flames to burn the clubs and to attack Melqart with a gigantic spear of flame that can incinirate almost everything once hit. He gathered his power and strengthened his invoke even more.

'Nugaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!'

Melqart yelled in agony as he received the powerful flames that Vali released. Although damaged, it wasn't enough to kill the god of storms whose power can rival Verethragna's. Once again, he recreated the two clubs and tried to attack Vali, this time, with even greater power and speed.

Releasing the power of the Stallion, Vali flew in the sky and stretched both of his hands, directing them towards Yagrush and Ayamur.

[Divide Divide Divide Divide Divide Divide Divide Divide!]

He destroyed both of the clubs and the lightning that was targeting him from the skies. After doing that, he created over a hundred magic circles and aimed the at Melqart. Each of those circles were capable of destroying small villages, and once combined with other runes they can effectively destroy large areas.

The land shook as an earthquake of a high magnitude destroyed all of the surroundings. Melqart naturally survived, but not unscathed.

[Invoke: Gale!]

The armor changed into transparent wind this time, and Vali created strong tornadoes. What countered it was a violent windstorm blowing forth in front of his summoned tornadoes. Melqart was also a god of storms, even for a powerful summoned tornado that could blow away cities where humans lived, he can match it with his own.

The two attacks resulted in a draw: wind was unable to blow apart wind.

'Beings that I once slew, I call upon you! As the Demon Beelzebub, I shall grant thee the pleasure of battle in exchange for thy service!'

The power of the demon the controls the insects to bring destruction, it also has the power to raise the dead and use them in however he likes. From the wet ground, skeletal warriors armed with rusty weapons made their way into the surface, intending to destroy the white dragon.

"King Melqart, do you think that these army can help you stop me?"

Releasing demonic powers from his outstretched hand, the entire dead army was completely annihilated.

'Of course not! You are a god-slayer! Mere guards like them are no match to someone who slays gods! But nevertheless, I must enjoy this hunt, so amuse me for a while, dragon!' This was Melqart's instant reply.

'I decree my name as Baal, the god of storms! I reign over the rain and skies, so obey me!'

Water that came from the sea and rain started to attack Vali and thousand of thunderstrikes that flew like spears in the sky descended while aiming at him. The land and shy shook as the god of storms used a power that can sink a country and destroy it multiple times.

[Half-Dimension!]

Releasing the invocation of the Gale, Vali returned to his balance-breaker and halved the power of the storm, flood, lightning, tornado and the building energy.

[Divide Divide Divide Divide Divide Divide Divide!]

Next, he destroyed the flying Yagrush and Ayamur that was aiming at him. The stolen power was added into his own, but it make little to no change. After all, the enemy is a god, making storms that powerful was as easy as breathing for them.

"Although all odds are against me... I couldn't help bu have fun!" Vali muttered as he lunged at Melqart at insane speed.

'Hohoho I feel the same god-slayer! That's why, allow me to go all out in this hunt!' Melqart declared as he too, charged at Vali. 'By Melqart's true name of Baal Hadad, I summon! O Storm, listen to the calls of the cloud rider, make haste and come!'

Like the ones used by Vali, what Melqart chanted were words carrying power.

Melqart's muscular body dissociated to become violent wind. Furthermore, hundreds of flashes of lightning were fired in all directions, but in truth, they were being absorbed by Melqart's body, making his figure change.

The strongly built man was covered with bulging musculature and overflowing with an air of wild roughness. His tousled hair always left a strong impression on others. His attire consisted of a tattered mantle of grubby cloth, leather breastplate and sandals. Nevertheless, in contrast to his coarse attire, his entire body emanated a King's terrifying splendor.

And he was very huge. Melqart's height stood at 15m or so.

The giant dragon-hunter stood at Vali with eyes showing hunger for battle, his power increased by several folds due to his new form.

But nevertheless, Vali was not intimidated in the slightest. Instead, a wide smile can be seen in his face that wasn't wearing any armor. His eyes were full of the desire to battle, despite the battered state of his body, he still wanted to battle and satisfy himself, what a greedy and selfish man, Liliana thought in awe.

"The one unblunted and unapproachable! Oath-breaking sinners be purged by the iron hammer of justice!"

In response to Vali's chant, his armor changed into a wild and rough color also changed into jet-black and the jewels became nonexistent. The invocation of the Boar gives him destructive power in exchange for his senses for other's existence.

He charged with great speed and power towards the gigantic figure of Melqart, who changed his stance into someone that was about to catch a charging bull... or boar.

Vali violently tackled him, but Melqart caught him with his two hands. He struggled and broke free before charging at him once again, in this kind of attack, Vali remembered that white knight, Lancelot du Lac whose charge was able to pierce his armor.

In the end, their battle continued like there's no tomorrow, but there was still no victor.

Stallion, Gale, Boar, Camel, Goat, Bull, and even Raptor. Seven of his authorities were used just to fight one god. Even for Salvatore Doni and Marquis Voban, he hadn't used so many. The problem was because he couldn't use the Warrior that can severe Melqart's powers. Because of that, he was having a hard time to battle a god whose compatibility with him was bad.

Liliana watched the whole fight from afar, cursing that she didn't think about providing the knowledge about the god, even though she knows that it was Kusanagi Vali's greatest power.

The truth was she deliberately didn't mention it because if she did that, it means that he first kiss would be taken away. But now she realized that without the Warrior, the seventh Campione will have a hard time to win against a god whose powers can counter his.

"I the one to awaken in supreme justice— am the Hakuryuukou who will take the law down to the darkness."

Liliana gasped as her enhanced senses heard what Vali was chanting. It was the same technique that he was still developing.

"I walk the road of domination with infinite destruction."

Bells rang in her head, she remembered him saying that it was still imperfect and weak, but he's gonna use it as a last resort! Although its power is great, last time he used it for only some odd seconds he became dead exhausted.

"I shall surpass the Infinite and defeat the Dream."

What would happen should he fail? He will be so exhausted and Melqart could use that to defeat him!

"I will become the True-God Emperor of White Dragon and I shall have you obey the silver-white illusions!"

Liliana was tempted to bang her head in the nearest wall. The defeat of the seventh Campione was now sealed!

[Empireo Juggernaut Overdrive!]

The white armor turned into a pure silver color. His aura alone was enough to crash his surroundings, leaving no trace that they once existed. Boulders were crushed into mere sands, the water evaporated even when not near him, the area around him became nothing and only a large crater was left. He was surrounded by an insane amount of power that threatened to explode and incinirate everything should he desire it.

Hovering the the middle of the storm was a white death.

'Hahaha! That's more like it, god-slayer!' Melqart roared, 'Let us have another round!'

Vali didn't utter a word as he dive towards Melqart at godspeed. A single punch was all that he needed to do what he needed. This was a last resort because he wasn't prepared for Melqart to be this troublesome to handle.

He ignored as the two clubs attacked him continuously, even threatening to end his life.

His attack connected and Melqart was thrown by a few meters, but that's what all he needed.

"Compress."

[Compression Divider!]

[Divide Divide Divide Divide Divide Divide!]

He halved Melqarts power and size by a few times before stopping, should he force himself, he will face his death. Thus, without even taking this advantage, Vali flew in the skies and escaped in in lights peed, leaving his words behind.

"I apologize King Melqart. Although I had fun, I will choose this time to retreat. Next time, I shall thoroughly defeat you, so wait for that time."

In response, Melqart laughed. 'Hahaha! Escaping?! Very well, I shall chase for thee! What fun is a hunt if it ends in a direct confrontation? I, the god-slaying hunter will pursue you even in the ends of the world!'

Liliana saw the white light coming towards in her direction in an insane speed. So that's his plan she thought as Vali landed in front of her.

"No time to waste. Let's hurry, my body won't last..." through heavy breathes, the seventh Campione muttered. Liliana haven't seen his wounds, but she knew that it was more severe than she originally thought. Blood was escaping even when he was covered by the armor, he was also exhausted from fighting and using the flawed technique while his energy was almost depleted.

She didn't waste any time and got a hold of his arm.

With the last of his consciousness, Vali flew as far as he can with his half dead body.

Their landing in Liliana's mansion was very harsh. Vali lost control mid air and continued to crash in the ground while making sure that his body was covering Liliana's.

The white armor disappeared and it revealed his battered body, full of wounds and burn areas. His breathing was ragged and Liliana feared that it would stop any time, but the problem is that his magic was almost depleted.

'Damn it,' she gritted her teeth. If only she had cast the spell of instruction, he wouldn't be in this kind of state.

Draping his arm around her shoulder, Liliana carried the half-dead body of the seventh Campione. She needs to apologize to him when he wakes up, because it was her fault why he was defeated in the first place. Had she not been so selfish, Melqart should've been in disadvantage.

'Damn it'

She laid him down in a bed and examined the wounds that was covering his body. Burn marks, open wounds, broken bones, torn muscles, lost of blood, so many injuries that could kill even the strongest magi was on his body. Even with a Campione's ridiculous vitality, this level of wounds can still take his life.

Damn it.

It was just a kiss! Why didn't she do it when she knows that the seventh can defeat Melqart with it? Because of her selfishness, many people will suffer, and Kusanagi Vali will suffer even more.

Damn it.

Why didn't she contacted Erica? Surely with her, Vali wouldn't be suffering like this. If his lover was here instead of her, he wouldn't be in this state.

Damn it.

Yes, if her childhood rival was here, this wouldn't happen. In the end, she was better than her. Her talents in commanding, her blacksmithing abilities, her ability to make the best decision, her straight forwardness. If she was here in her place, everything would be over now.

Tears escaped from Liliana's eyes. In the end, it would be better if Erica was here, she would know what to do.

Maybe her grandfather was right all along. Maybe she's nothing compared to her rival. Maybe it would be better to serve the old Campione to match her.

Realizing that she was thinking about negative thoughts, Liliana shook her head.

She won't lose, not to Erica, not to her grandfather, not to her depression.

"Ah! Vali-chan, welcome back!" The familiar purple-haired girl greeted with a big smile as she continued to dance around the white space. "It's been a while! No, not really because it's only been less than a month, but forget about that. Welcome back, favorite son!" She declared happily, clinging on Vali's waist.

"Hello mother." Vali greeted. "I'm here again, which means that I almost died. The Ram did its work perfectly, and this is the second time I almost died..."

"Uh-huh!" Pandora agreed. "You rushed into the battle without the right preparations and it lead to your defeat! You should've researched a little since the Divine-King-sama has the same origins as you!"

Vali sighed. "Yes, he was also the demon Beelzebub, the god of storms Baal, the prototype of Heracles, and Melqart at the same time. Baal is a sky god with very ancient origins, and he also appeared in the old testament of the bible, he was considered the greatest enemy of the God of Judaism and Christianity." He explained.

"I managed to learn so many things about him during our fight. I originally thought that it was enough to use the Warrior." Vali shook his head. "But I guess that I need to learn more than just their identities and origins. I rushed in battle thinking of that, but in the end I was unable to seal or even steal his power."

Pandora nodded. "Yup! Your authority is a bit unreliable. It might be a little dangerous if you try to do things alone. It seems like you need the assistance of friends in order to satisfy certain activation conditions. That war god sure gave a troublesome power."

"It's still useful nonetheless." Vali muttered. "Stealing power is my specialty after all. I feel that this power compliments my ability perfectly."

"Yup! Authorities adjust themselves to the users personality after all!" Pandora nodded her head. "That's why you must not lose! You already said that your authority compliments your skills, you should prove it!"

Vali smiled as he ruffled the hair of his 'mother'. He already felt the tug from the real world.

"Yes. See you later when I defeat him, mother."

"Yeah! I'm rooting for you Vali-chan! MYMP, make your mama proud!" She cheered.

The awakened Vali raised his upper body.

He was on a bed. Though the room was small, it was kept very clean. The scent from this room was pleasant in the nose, furthermore, there were the scent of magic in the air.

Even though he used the power of Ram to revive himself, he could still feel the pain from the after-effects of the dragon-slayer magic that Melqart used. Even the invocation of resurrection wasn't able to remove the effects of weapons that carries dragon-slaying magic.

He tried to stand up but immediately collapsed in the floor. He can feel the poison of dragon-slayer coursing within his body. The pain he was experiencing was on a whole new level, even if he kept Gram as a way to lessen the burden of dragon-slayer, it didn't help that much.

[Glad to see you back, Vali. This is the third time you died in the span of one month. That is what I would say if not for the dragon-slaying magic. It is so powerful that it even reaches my soul here.]

From the depths of his soul, the voice of the Vanishing Dragon said. He rarely talked, but when he does, it involved things about women that Vali doesn't understand most of the time. He was also his lifeline when it comes to girls' attitude and behavior.

"Albion... are you also affected by the poison?" Through gasps of pain, Vali asked.

[Yeah... I lose my consciousness sometimes, but I'm more worried about you. The poison is coursing inside your body, even the resurrection added with regeneration wasn't able to remove all of it. You will most likely suffer from pain, unless a strong healing magic is poured to drive away the poison.]

Albion explained.

Vali grimaced in pain as he tried to stand up, failing. The pain from the poison was comparable to the cut he received from the King of Swords, Salvatore Doni. But instead of the sensation of burning, he feels that his insides were being ripped apart over and over again. It was simply mind breaking, something that he couldn't ignore.

As he was curling in the ground from agony, the door opened. The one who appeared was a familiar girl. However, she was not the beautiful girl with the reddish golden hair nor the gentle girl with the coffee brown hair. She was just as beautiful though, the fairy-like knight.

"Kusanagi Vali!"

Liliana dropped the things that she was holding and rushed into his side, helping him to stand and lay in the bed.

"It seems that I showed you something unpleasant. I came to take down Melqart. But I ended up like this." He muttered with a bitter tone as he rested his back against the wall. "Ah, seems like I will lose consciousness...Guha!" At the end of his sentence, he vomited blood in the floor.

"W, wha, what is the problem Kusanagi Vali?!" Panicked, Liliana asked in a loud tone holding his body, but Vali didn't respond, he was already unconscious.

[Vali is suffering from the effects of dragon-slaying magic from Melqart. His body is receiving intense pain due to the poison inside him... He won't wake up for a while...]

A voice resounded inside the room. Although it came from Vali, it wasn't his voice.

Liliana look around and summoned her sword in alarm. "Who are you?! Reveal yourself!"

[Kukuku a mortal ordering me, how amusing. Liliana is your name correct? You may call me Albion, as for my location, I am residing inside Vali's soul...]

Liliana then turned at the body of the unconscious Campione. Certainly the voice was coming from him, not directly from his mouth, but it was coming for him nonetheless. She took a few steps back before asking a question.

"Wh, what are you? A deity? Are you planning to murder the seventh King?!"

[Not even close... I may be eligible as his guardian, after all I watched over him ever since he was born. But enough about me, as I said before, Vali is suffering from the poison of dragon-slaying magic.]

"Impossible... is it a curse?" Liliana asked. Although she wants to know more about the being called Albion, the safety of the King comes first.

[No, for someone such as Vali who has the traits of a dragon, dragon-slayer magic is a curse that will eat away his power. It will slowly weaken him before killing him. Although most of the poison was removed when he resurrected himself, some still lingers inside him. The amount will not kill him easily, but he will feel unbearable pain...]

"I, if that's the case, how can I help? Surely there must be something that can remove the poison in his body...!"

[Yes there is a way. He needs a powerful healing magic that can drive away the lingering poison in his body...]

Liliana stopped her thoughts when she heard the answer. Healing magic? There's no way that a magic will affect a Campione... unless the magic is poured directly in their body, there is no other way... But to do that, one must ki, kiss to inject the magic directly through their body via saliva.

"Do, does that mean that I need to kiss him...?" Liliana said her thoughts loudly.

[Yeah, kissing is inevitable. However, even with you, the magic will not be strong enough to drive away the lingering poison. In fact, even a strong mage cannot do it...]

"T, then how can I help him?!" Frustrated, Liliana asked loudly, tears streaming down in her eyes. The seventh Campione was experiencing pain that she couldn't imagine, all because of her failure...!

[There is a way... but for that to happen, Vali needs to use divine protection to enhance your power. Once that is complete, your magic will be strong enough to take effect... Although using the protection requires Vali to kiss the target...]

Liliana could've sworn that there was a hint of mischief in Albion's voice, but she couldn't complain. Kiss was needed to grant her protection, kiss was also needed to inject healing magic, another kiss was also needed to use instruction magic...

[How about it girl? Will you do something like that...?]

Albion asked. Liliana remained silent for a few seconds before answering. "Yes! I will do it! ... However, how can Kusanagi Vali use protection when he's unconscious?"

[Hehe, no problem. I will force him to wake up. But because of the remaining poison making him weak and the agonizing pain he's receiving, he can only stay awake for ten minutes... use the time wisely...]

"I understand. I am ready to do it so please wake him up." She stated. although hesitations were still in her mind.

[Good luck then...]

Liliana waited for a few moments, she looked at the unconscious figure of Vali and saw that even in his sleep, he was eduring unimaginable pain from the poison. His normal poker face was now changed into one of agony. Once again, tears streamed from her face, it was because of her why he was experiencing such pain.

"...Lil...iana...Kranjcar... why are you...crying...?"

A hand went near in her face and wiped the tears that were escaping from her eyes. She raised her eyes and saw Vali, still enduring pain, looking at her directly with his weak eyes. Seeing him do that, more tears escaped from her eyes.

"I, I, I'm sorry... It's because of me that you're experiencing such pain..." She muttered while clenching her hands so tight that it was able to draw blood.

"...If I... forgive you... will you... stop...crying?" He asked.

Liliana stared at him for a moment, her heart began to pound for a moment and all that she could say was. "Why?"

"Ah... you are... more beautiful... when not crying..."

Her heart pounded even faster. She shouldn't be feeling this! The seventh Campione was experiencing agony in front of her! So why was she being happy that he praised her her?! Why was her heart pounding like crazy at this kind of situation?!

"Someone... as beautiful... as you... shouldn't cry... for reasons like this... you know?"

At this moment, even though he was feeling such an intensity of pain, Vali smiled at her. It was not one of his wry or battle freal smile, it was a smile that was saying "Everything will work out."

Seeing this, Liliana's hesitations disappeared. The King had already spoken, as a Knight, she should believe in him and hope for the best. Thinking this, she gathered her resolve and stared at Vali with eyes of determination.

"I have decided, I will remove all of the hesitation in my heart... so please, grant me your protection, I promise that I will remove the pain that you're experiencing. Please, as a Knight, let me remove your burden!"

Vali stared at her for a moment. "Are... you... sure?"

Without a moment of hesitation, Liliana nodded. "I am. So please..."

Seeing her resolve, Vali leaned his face closer and pressed his lips upon hers. Although her skin was cold, her lips were surprisingly warm and soft. The sensation was able to make him in peace despite experiencing the pain from the poison. But from the kiss, even if a little, he was able to ignore that pain coursing through his body.

Very soon, he extended his tongue and inserted it in her mouth. There was no resistance, she received it carefully, entangling her own around it. She could taste the copper, most likely from blood, but Liliana didn't care. Her heart was beating more crazily, she was feeling a pain in her chest, but there was also the feeling of sweetness.

She couldn't believe it, all it took was some praise from him to actually make her hesitation of kissing go away. Just a few words were able to struck and grasp her heart, such a terrifying ability! But she was happy, because he praised her. Although it was a simple reason, she was still happy. He didn't want to see her cry, he even ignored his own pain just to comfort her, isn't that enough reason to make her feel this sensation?

She caressed his tongue with her own, exchanging saliva at the process. She could already feel it, the power from him was slowly entering her body; with this, she can help him! She can remove his pain!

She was surprised that he was clumsy when it comes to kissing. It was the same when he was doing it with Erica and Mariya Yuri, both of them controlled the flow, most likely because he was clueless in things like this. Liliana pushed her lips even more and savored the feeling in her chest, excitement coursing through her body. Is this what Erica feels whenever she kiss this boy? Liliana couldn't get enough of it.

She became more forceful, but it seems that the other party didn't mind it, or maybe he was too weak to fight back. Their teeth clashed, and some parts of their faces became wet from the intensity of their kissing. They didn't even need to pull back just for air, they can just breathe air even though they're kissing. That's right, there's no need to stop this wonderful feeling.

This intense action lasted for another minute of two before Liliana stopped and parted with him, blushing adorably. "Th, this time, I will use healing magic to drive away the curse... so please... let's do it again..."

Vali was surprised to see this side of her, but he nodded and allowed her to take his lips for the second time.

[Kukuku... I can't believe you conquered her with just some words...!]

After what happened, Vali took another nap while Liliana waited beside him.

It took another two hours before Vali woke up, only to see that Liliana was watching over him with a content expression on her face.

"Are you feeling better now, Kusanagi Vali?" She asked, although her voice as of now carried gentleness.

"What time is it now?" He asked.

"Right now is almost evening." She replied, her voice still calm and there was even a smile in her face,

He had slept for more than five hours in this day, but his body was now healed and back to normal. There were even no signs of the wounds that he acquired from the brawl with the heretic god just earlier. Verethragna's seventh form was the Ram, it allowed him to resurrect from death. Furthermore, the poison from Melqart's dragon-slaying magic has been removed.

"Then, Kusanagi Vali, please let me take this time to apologize." Liliana knelt on the floor, bowing her head.

"Hm? What did you do wrong? I was the one who was almost defeated you know?"

Hearing Vali say that, Liliana immediately raised her face.

"N, no, that's not it. Your defeat was my failure... If that time, I had ki, kissed you, the ending would have turned out differently, wouldn't it?"

Vali sighed as he discovered where she's getting at.

"No, that's not your fault, it was mine." He said as Liliana stopped her sentence. "I thought that I could use the Warrior because I learned so many things about him during our battle, but it seems that it wasn't enough. I don't just need to understand his power, I need to understand his origins, nature, and process of development. That is what I need to seal his power and steal it." He explained.

"I was unable to do all of them, thus resulting to this. It was my fault to not plan ahead, I just rushed into battle and this is what I got for arrogance and relying on impulse. Truly an amateur's mistake almost took my life."

It already did. Liliana thought but remained silent, seeing him in a whole new light. Instead of placing the blame in her, he understood his own mistake and accepted them without any shame, he admitted that it was the result of his own failure to see ahead.

"But nevertheless, that battle was awesome." Vali added with his trademark smile. From the looks of it, he didn't even care that he almost died and suffered agonizing pain, instead he was happy that he fought someone that was able to turn him into that state. Is he a masochist? Nodding to himself, he added. "As expected of someone who could stand against the warlord of victory."

He's a lost cause... Liliana thought with half closed eyes.

"About that." She said as she once again turn to Vali. "The technique you used to escape. You said just a few days ago that it was still imperfect, why did you used it against Melqart? You could've died for real you know!" She yelled.

When they landed, Liliana felt Vali's power almost depleted. If that happened while Melqart was still close, there's no doubt that he'll be dead for real. Running out of power in the middle of a battle against a strong enemy is the worst situation possible.

"Ah. It just came to my mind." Vali said, looking away at Liliana who was gazing at him with eyes of reproach.

"Anyway, we need a plan now. Soluntum has been sunk when you were sleeping. Should the rain continue, many other parts of this country will be possibly erased on the map." She said, but she suddenly frowned. "About this... aren't you going to call Erica?"

"Erica...?" Vali scratched his cheek. "Not possible. Connections are cut and I have no idea where she is currently as of now. I doubt that she will remain in the same place during in this kind of time. Besides, I'm sure that she's looking after Arianna Arialdi." He sighed. "Also, if she learned of what I did, I have a feeling that she will scold me. It would be probably better if I contact her after this."

"I, I see." Liliana looked happy for some reason. But then she coughed and said. "Th, then, this time... I won't hesitate to use the instruction magic... Certainly, I will use it this time..." She muttered to herself.

"Liliana Kranjcar..." Vali spoke, earning the Knight's attention. "I would like to thank you for removing the poison of the dragon-slayer. Had it not been for you, I would still experience the pain until now. Also. I would like to apologize for the trouble I caused and for taking your first kiss."

"N, no... it is my duty as a knight... Although I feel that you're a lost cause... I don't regret giving my first kiss to you..." Liliana said with a complicated expression, adding. "Y, you are a helpless battle freak who would not say that you have an ability to resurrect and make the people around you worried, but I, I somehow feel that I would not regret it if I stay by your side... S, so, Kusanagi Vali... I, if you wouldn't mind... I, Liliana Kranjcar... would like to serve you..."

Vali tilted his head, he doesn't really need a knight... but, maybe he can accept Liliana.

"I, I understand. I shall take care of you as a lord that... Albion, am I really supposed to be saying this? Didn't I did the same with Erica...?" He tried to question, but the Heavenly Dragon has his own plans for him...

"Th, then..." Liliana, still blushing from what Vali said, stuttered. "Is this not a good time to use the instruction magic?"

For the third time that day, their lips encompassed, and another weird oath was given thanks to the white dragon.

AN: I would like to use this space to say 'OhmigodFengLengshunisagenius!' he was the one who suggested about the kissing part to remove the effect of the dragon-slaying magic, although it was me who inserted the kissing using the protection to enhance magic. But the point is, because of Feng Bro's idea, I was able to make Liliana fall in love much faster. I am not good with romance, and I think that this is the first time I wrote about a girl falling in love with mere words... it's impossible in the real life so don't do it for your heart's sake.

If you're not satisfied with the romance, then I suggest you read other romance fiction, then just imagine that what happened there is the same as what happened here. That way, no one will be sad, right?

Anyway, this is the first time that Vali felt defeat. He retreated but is still defeated, but he's dead so that makes him dead and defeated... does this makes any sense?

Anyway, I will say that I've had troubles writing this story because of the romance, and Feng Bro's tip really helped quite a lot. He's like a person that has all the answers in story related problems! I suggest voting him as president.

By the way, I think it's time for me to look for beta readers that can fix my future works and the earlier chapters. If you're confident in your fixing skill, then PM me and I will soar through the skies, and catch a meteor, and make you a beta-reader! Sorry, I'm quite tired after writing anf not to mention that it's 2:47 A.M in the morning, nah it's already 2:48 ...

Damn it! Anyway you get the point, Feng is a bro and is a genius, and I'm... feeling sleepy.

So yeah, bye-bye, see ya next chapter, or in the AN of my story that will be updated next.