Western Europe – The Cathedral of the Fallen

(Henry's POV)

The moment I teleported, the world around me shifted.

Gone was the metallic stench of Fenrir's ruined facility.

Now, I stood in the middle of a ruined cathedral, its towering stone pillars cracked, its stained glass windows shattered.

The air was thick with divine corruption, the once-holy ground now nothing more than a graveyard of forgotten faith.

I stepped forward, my boots echoing against the broken marble floor.

And then, I saw him.

At the far end of the cathedral, standing before a shattered altar, was Valerian.

Once a legendary paladin of the Holy Order, now a cursed warrior consumed by darkness.

His armor was blackened, tainted by centuries of corruption. His long silver hair hung loosely, his once-radiant golden eyes now dim and hollow.

A massive greatsword rested in his hand, its blade cracked but still brimming with divine energy.

He didn't move as I approached.

"You must be Valerian." I smirked, resting my hand on my sword. "Heard you were a big deal. Now, you're just another relic of the past."

His head slowly tilted toward me, his voice low and hollow.

"Another executioner… another fool come to strike me down."

His grip on his sword tightened.

"How many of you must die before they realize? I do not wish to be saved."

I scoffed. "Good. Because I'm not here to save you."

I unsheathed my blade, golden energy flaring around me.

"I'm here to bury you."

His dim eyes flickered with something—recognition? Or was it amusement?

"Then come, Executioner."

He raised his greatsword, the air shaking under the weight of his corrupted power.

"Let us see whose faith is stronger."

And then, he vanished.

BOOM!

He was on me in an instant, his greatsword swinging down with terrifying force.

I barely had time to react, crossing my sword just in time to block his strike.

CRACK!

The impact sent shockwaves through the cathedral, the ground beneath me splintering from the sheer force.

I gritted my teeth. "Not bad."

He didn't reply.

Instead, he twisted his sword, pushing me back before slashing again.

I teleported—just barely.

Celestial Blink, right behind him—

I swung my blade, aiming for his exposed side—

But he spun mid-air, parrying my attack with inhuman precision.

"Too slow."

His knee slammed into my chest, sending me crashing into a pillar.

BANG!

Dust and debris rained down, but I didn't stay down for long.

I pushed myself up, cracking my neck. "Alright. That actually hurt a little."

Valerian landed gracefully, his grip firm on his greatsword.

"This is your last chance, Executioner." His voice was distant, cold. "Turn back, or I will end you."

I chuckled, rolling my shoulders.

"Yeah… I don't do mercy."

My Titan Heart surged, golden energy crackling around me.

"Let's see if your legend holds up."

We clashed again.

This time, I didn't just block—I countered.

His sword came down—

I parried, twisting my body and driving my fist into his ribs.

CRACK!

He staggered, but only for a second.

He retaliated instantly—his sword bursting with corrupted holy energy.

"Judgment Slash!"

A massive arc of divine energy shot toward me, aiming to cut me in half—

I vanished.

Celestial Blink—above him.

I swung my sword downward, aiming for his shoulder joint—

CLANG!

He blocked at the last second, but I felt his arm shudder under the force.

He gritted his teeth, pushing me back.

"You fight like a demon."

I smirked. "And you fight like a relic."

Valerian exhaled slowly, his eyes darkening.

"Then let me show you why relics are feared."

He drove his greatsword into the ground.

And suddenly—the entire cathedral trembled.

Step Four – The Paladin's True Power

A pulse of divine corruption erupted from him, his body glowing with a sickly golden light.

His armor repaired itself, his greatsword now radiating raw celestial power.

My eyes narrowed. "Tch. Great. A second phase."

Valerian lifted his sword, his voice now layered with something inhuman.

"Fallen Sanctum."

The entire battlefield changed.

The ruined cathedral around us reconstructed itself, the broken pillars reforming, the shattered stained glass returning to its rightful place.

The air became heavier, the pressure of his divine presence now far stronger.

I cracked my knuckles. "Alright, old man. Let's finish this."

We charged at each other one last time.

He swung his sword down—

I met him head-on.

His blade collided with mine, divine and titan energy clashing violently.

The entire cathedral trembled, the walls cracking under the force of our final exchange.

I felt my Titan Heart thundering, raw power flooding my body.

I pushed forward—harder, stronger, faster.

And then—

I won.

CRACK!

His sword snapped in half.

His eyes widened in shock.

"Impossible—!"

I didn't hesitate.

I drove my blade straight through his chest.

Valerian gasped, blood dripping from his lips.

His strength left him.

His body trembled.

He looked up at me, his dim golden eyes flickering.

"…I see now."

A long silence.

Then—

A small smile.

"You… were the stronger one after all."

His body disintegrated into golden dust, fading into the repaired cathedral.

And just like that—

He was gone.

A system notification appeared before me.

---

[SYSTEM UPDATE]

Quest Completed: Cursed Knight – The Fallen Paladin, Valerian

Level Up: 97 → 100

Strength: +15

Endurance: +12

New Ability Unlocked: Titan's Dominion – In prolonged battles, all stats increase the longer you fight.

---

I exhaled slowly, watching the dust fade into the wind.

I sheathed my sword, stepping out of the cathedral ruins.

Only five more levels to go.

Then, Samuel and I would be ready for Project Hades.

I smirked, stretching my arms.

"Alright… Who's next?"