At this moment, Yuiri had no idea what her words truly signified.
Because anyone who knew Yuiri would understand that she originally did not qualify to wield the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven.
The Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven was no ordinary weapon. At its core, the Spear was a relic of an ancient civilization, one that only the Devas could forge, with only three such weapons existing in the entire world. Moreover, only those with extraordinary compatibility—adapters—could unleash its power.
This was a weapon capable of severing all barriers, nullifying all forms of magic, and fundamentally converting the wielder's spiritual energy into divine energy to achieve its demon-slaying purpose.
In other words, it was a power that touched upon the authority of the gods.
Those capable of adapting to such power were likely fewer than ten in the entire world. The Lion King Agency had long been nurturing suitable candidates, and Himeragi Yukina was one of their chosen.
Thus, Kuraki Shirona knew very well that the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven was destined to be wielded by Yukina.
As for Yuiri, she lacked the compatibility for it—not just for the Mark Seven, but even for the Heavy Demon-Purging Bow Mark Six. In the end, she had to settle for the mass-produced Modified Demon-Purging Sword Mark Six for combat. Though her achievements at the High God Forest were notable, her potential had always been destined to pale in comparison to Yukina's—in fact, they were incomparable.
Yet now, this same Yuiri could wield the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven. What did this imply?
It pointed to a terrifying possibility.
That perhaps Rozen had not only succeeded in forging the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven, but had also overcome its usage conditions, significantly lowering the compatibility requirements and making its widespread use a real possibility.
If this were true, the implications would be enormous.
After all, to enable the use of the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven, the Lion King Agency had spent generations searching for suitable candidates, investing immense effort in their training, and even sacrificing much in the process.
If Rozen had truly solved the issue of compatibility requirements, it would be an immense boon for the Lion King Agency.
At the very least, they would no longer need to agonize over finding suitable wielders for the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven.
"And what of this spear's power?"
Shirona couldn't help but ask.
"How does its performance compare to Sekkaro? Are there any differences?"
Shirona wondered if Rozen had compromised the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven's power to lower its usage difficulty—perhaps by following the example of how the Heavy Demon-Purging Bow Mark Six was split into the Modified Demon-Purging Sword Mark Six and the Modified Demon-Purging Bow Mark Six.
Unfortunately...
"I... I don't know how Tenyuryo compares to Sekkaro in terms of power, since I haven't seen Sekkaro in action much," Yuiri hesitated. "But, based on my own feelings—just my own opinion—I feel like Tenyuryo is much stronger than Sekkaro, and by a significant margin."
Hearing this, Shirona fell silent.
Not only had the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven's power not been diminished to lower usage conditions, but it had instead been enhanced?
To increase its power while lowering the usage requirements—such a perfect outcome made Shirona, for a brief moment, suspect that Yuiri might be joking or simply mistaken.
But Yuiri was, after all, a Sword Shaman. Even if she couldn't compare to Yukina, her qualifications as a shrine maiden were still high, and her spiritual perception was beyond reproach. If she felt this way, then Tenyuryo being stronger than Sekkaro was likely accurate.
At this point, Shirona truly felt the urge to extract from Rozen the method to solve the compatibility issue and enhance the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven's power.
Yet, upon further reflection, she had to suppress this impulse.
There were two reasons.
First, even if the adapter issue was resolved, the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven could not be mass-produced—with only three in existence worldwide—making widespread deployment impossible. Thus, solving this problem would not allow the weapon to become standard equipment for the Lion King Agency's Attack Mages.
Second, the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven was not a weapon to be used lightly. Even for those with compatibility, overuse of its power would lead to a dire fate.
Recalling that fate, Shirona couldn't help but look at Yuiri with solemnity.
"After using the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven, have you experienced any discomfort?"
Shirona asked an unexpected question.
"Discomfort...?" Yuiri looked puzzled. "No, I haven't felt anything like that. If anything, wielding this spear feels... pleasant."
That sensation of unity between wielder and weapon, of perfect harmony, left Yuiri feeling nothing but comfort, without the slightest abnormality.
"...Is that so?"
Shirona fell silent for a long moment before murmuring softly and saying no more.
Akatsuki Hisano watched this scene unfold without interjecting, silently observing.
In the end, it was Hikawa Shio who couldn't suppress her unease.
"Um, Lady Kuraki... Could something happen to Yuiri?"
Unable to hold back her worry, Shio voiced the question.
To this, Shirona shook her head.
"I don't know," Shirona admitted. "This spear was forged by His Highness, and it clearly differs from the Lion King Agency's Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven. Whether using it will cause any problems... even I cannot say."
Perhaps Rozen had already resolved that issue.
As someone capable of forging the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven single-handedly, Rozen must have already identified its flaws.
And if he had so confidently entrusted his creation to Yuiri, he must have been certain it would not harm her.
Of course, this assumed Rozen bore no ill will toward Yuiri.
If he cared nothing for the life of an unfamiliar Sword Shaman from the Lion King Agency, then Shirona could do nothing.
Still...
"If he has truly resolved that issue, then perhaps Himeragi Yukina's future could be changed because of him."
Shirona quietly contemplated this possibility.