'Hmm. The Matriarchs know something about their goddess that this lass doesn't,' Eren came to a quick conclusion.
Understanding their stance, Eren came to a decision. They would not intervene in this duel, which provided him with the assurance he needed to respond to Callista's request with a simple word.
"No," he stated firmly, refusing to yield to her demands. With a snap of his fingers, he swiftly fixed his wounded left arm. Extending the revitalized limb, the weapon that had been wrenched from his grasp by Callista's surprise attack flew back into his waiting hand.
"Callista, I mean no disrespect," Eren remarked, his voice tinged with determination. "But if you truly wish to put a stopper on my powers, the simplest way for you to achieve that is to defeat me in this duel. Let us see how you compel me to abandon that which I refuse to relinquish.
Because I believe that death is also a part of nature."
After saying that, Eren charged his nameless swords with the death-element mana, his eyes turning cold and his aura assuming a bloodthirsty quality. Sensing his predatory gaze fixed upon her, Callista felt a shiver coursing through her body.
However, for the sake of her Goddess, Callista steeled herself to meet the challenge– determined to launch an assault against Eren with unwavering resolve– determined to make him capitulate to her demands.
The clash between Eren and Callista intensified, their weapons and mana intertwining in a deadly ballet. Eren wielded his dual swords with exceptional finesse and precision, demonstrating his profound understanding of weaponry.
Each strike released a storm of flying slashes that cut through anything in their path, empowered by the Death mana coursing through Eren's weapons. This allowed him to overpower Callista's attacks infused with Nature mana.
The battlefield became a dynamic stage as Eren and Callista swiftly changed positions, utilizing the entire area to their advantage. Their clashes generated powerful mana pulses as if the personifications of Nature mana and Death mana were engaged in a fierce struggle for dominance.
Amidst the chaos, a cry of pain and agony escaped Callista's lips as Eren's relentless weapon slashes breached her supposedly impregnable defense. His blades landed on her Treant-like limbs, inflicting deep wounds.
A mix of red and green blood flowed from Callista's fresh flesh, evidence of her transformation. Meanwhile, Eren's army of the dead mirrored his ferocity, charging at their enemies with ruthless efficiency. The plant monsters and earth-element moles stood no chance, obliterated without mercy.
Without the interference of her summoned creatures and with the nature of Death mana on his side, Eren swiftly overwhelmed Callista. The battle transcended mere sparring as Eren's attacks chipped away at her skin. Since she had transformed into a plant monster, Eren chose to weaken her using the only method he knew best: a relentless physical and psychological assault by acting as the butcher he was.
Callista's monster transformation began to unravel under the onslaught of Eren's brutal attacks. His strikes focused near her vital spots, while the Death mana contaminated her body, impeding her ability to channel Nature mana effectively. Her recovery speed waned, and her offensive and defensive capabilities eroded with each passing moment.
Eren attacked Callista with an expressionless face, his actions driven by an instinct honed through countless battles. He realized that winning over Callista held no special meaning for him; it was simply another step in his journey. His swords danced around him, cutting through the air with lethal precision, while Callista's attacks struggled to find their mark.
For Callista, time seemed to stretch on as she fought desperately against the overwhelming tide. However, the second round of their duel concluded swiftly, lasting a mere two minutes. She found herself hurtling through the air, wounds covering her body. Depleted of energy, she landed in front of the four Matriarchs, her condition dire and in urgent need of medical attention.
The Matriarchs, witnessing Callista's defeated form, exchanged worried glances. They knew the extent of her injuries and the toll it had taken on her. The battle had been fierce, and Eren had emerged as the victor. With urgency in her eyes, Evelina rushed to attend to Callista's wounds, her concern evident as she worked to heal the fallen Amazonian warrior.
As the duel reached its conclusion, the weapons in Eren's hands vanished into thin air. Callista lay unconscious, her mana circuits overwhelmed by the threatening influence of the Death mana. The signs of contamination were evident on her body—pale skin and dark red, clotting blood.
In stark contrast, Eren appeared unscathed, save for the damage inflicted upon his clothes and armor during the battle. The vibrant greenery surrounding him withered under the consuming force of his Death mana, transforming the once-lush land into a desolate wasteland. With a simple wave of his hand, he dispersed his army of the dead, causing them to lose their forms and vanish into the ether.
Valeria, one of the Matriarchs, sighed and cast a concerned gaze upon Callista. She knew that although Evelina attended to her physical wounds, Callista would be deeply affected mentally. It was a blow to her pride to be defeated in the sacred ground of the Great Mother by a man devoid of blessings, wielding unfamiliar nameless weapons.
"Couldn't you have shown more mercy toward Callista, Eren?" Valeria asked, her voice laced with genuine concern. She understood the toll this defeat would take on Callista's psyche. After all, she had witnessed a man, untethered by divine favor, overcome a talented Evoker of her generation in a place of utmost reverence.
"Believe it or not, Matriarch Valeria, I did show restraint," Eren responded humbly, his words brimming with sincerity. He possessed far deadlier means to deal with Callista, particularly after realizing her true potential as an Evoker.
However, his focus had been on showcasing the capabilities of his nameless weapons throughout the entire battle. The summoning of his undead army and the utilization of Death mana to counter Nature mana had simply provided a convenient way for him to secure victory without subjecting Callista to mortal peril.
