Chapter 630: Hero (1/2)

At one point in the battle between the God Realm and the Human-Demon Allied Forces is raging…… the battle was beginning to head towards a stalemate. Considering the pure power difference, it would have been difficult for this battle to reach a stalemate.

This is because, although they have been fighting well here and there, the God Realm side is still far superior in terms of strength. However, through the effort of the Six Kings and their executives, as well as the reluctance of the God Realm to initiate in fighting, putting emphasis on stalling for time, have come together to gradually bring about a stalemate.

The one who benefits from a stalemate in the war though is the God Realm. The Gods' purpose has always been to buy time so that they won't interfere with Shallow Vernal. Therefore, some of the strongest members of the Human-Demon Allied Forces, who had begun to notice the flow of the war, began moving to somehow break past the flow and bring it to their side.

And taking the lead to change the flow of the battle, wearing a long white  headband on her forehead and a sword in hand was the First Hero…… Neun.

Only a few people knew that she was still alive, so the First Hero's appearance, without her helmet, shook quite a few people in both the Gods and the Human-Demon Allied Forces' side. That's how significant of a being she is to the people of this world.

Not missing their reaction…… Neun ran towards the place where the high-ranking Gods gathered.

Simply speaking, her strength is only around mid-tier Count-ranks…… and in a battle like this, although she may not slow others down, her strength isn't sufficient enough to be counted as a war potential.

However, this isn't the first time that a situation like this happened. She…… Kujou Hikari has never been the strongest. She isn't stronger than anyone else, nor is she smarter than anyone else.

However……

[One-sword flash…… Cherry Blossom!]

There was something different about the way she wielded her blade with her eyes filled with strong determination. Of course, it was currently not possible for her to match the physical abilities of a high-ranking God, as the blade she brandished was blocked and she was struck with a counterattack.

However…… she didn't fall. No matter how many times she was attacked and no matter how many times her attack was blocked, she kicked the ground again and headed towards the Gods.

With each of her failures, little by little, her blade became keener…… and after several attacks, she finally made a faint cut on the cheek of one of the high-ranking Gods.

It was a wound that couldn't even be counted as a damage. But for some reason, the high-ranking God looked slightly flustered as she swung her sword towards Neun.

[Like I'd let you!]

However, her sword was blocked by Laguna, who intervened with her large spear.

[Don't think we'd let you take down our general so easily! Fors!]

[I know.]

Following Laguna's words, Fors activates her magic and restrains the high-ranking God. Strangely enough though, both Laguna and Fors are more powerful than they usually are, and they succeeded in defeating the high-ranking God.

[Hahaha! This really feels great. It's really the best fighting with you, Hikari!]

[Will-power isn't really a word fit for a researcher such as me…… but indeed, well, it isn't that bad.]

It wasn't just the two of them. It was clear that the Human-Demon Allied Forces were beginning to gain momentum. The flow of the battle, which had been on the verge of a stalemate, began to move as if it had come to life again.

Repeating once again, she…… Kujou Hikari wasn't called the Hero because she was strongest. In terms of combat power, there are many who can surpass her.

However, the way she takes on challenges…… gives courage to those who follow her. Her unbreakable back gives people the strength to never give up.

On the path she trodden upon…… many people gathered. As her small, yet extremely great back was burned into their eyes, they roused themselves and with blades in hand, they fought together.

She gives courage to those who follow, energy to those who fight with her, and hope to those who see her.

That is why, yes, that is the reason why…… Even though she isn't a King or a God————- but a Hero, she's the only person in the world who is extolled even up to this day.

Glancing sideways at the Allied Forces that were gaining momentum thanks to Neun, Vier, who had once fought her as the Demon King, slightly smiled.

[……Hikari really is amazing, isn't she……]

[Yes, we can't afford to lose to her now, right?]

Agreeing with Vier's words, Ein glared towards Chronois in front of her. With the assistance of her three family members, they managed to fight with minimal risks.

However, if they didn't manage to defeat the Supreme Gods, which includes the woman in front of them, they would never achieve victory in this battle.

[……Good grief, that's seriously quite the feat. Even against us who have been reinforced by Shallow Vernal-sama's power, you still managed to bring a good enough of a fight. However, I won't let you do as you please any————– What!?]

While giving words of praise to the Human-Demon Allied Forces, Chronois' relaxed expression suddenly changed. And it wasn't just Chronois, as Ein and her team's expression changed as well.

While the girls were facing each other, the thing that suddenly flew in and stopped while half destroying the floating island they were in……

[Impossible…… God of Fate!?]

[……Guh…… Haahhh…… Haahhh……]

When she sees Fate on one knee, breathing hard, with glowing spheres of many colors around her body, Chronois looks disconcerted.

Her reaction isn't really that strange. Fate is the strongest among the Supreme Gods…… That is to say, she should be the greatest asset of the Gods. And yet, not much time has passed, but she clearly looked as if she suffered a great amount of damage.

That means…… There's someone who can overwhelm her who was supposed to be even more powerful than usual.

[Guhh…… Not yet……]

Not reacting to Chronois' disconcerted voice, still sitting on one knee, Fate extended one of her hands forward. And then, as she was attempting to invoke her authority……

[Like I said, you're way too slow!]

[Gafuu!?]

[God of Fate!?]

In the next moment, she was punched away by Alice, who appeared in front of her.

[……Don't think you can catch up with me with that carefree fate manipulation of yours.]

Alice, who has just appeared, doesn't have any noticeable scars, and even her robe was almost spotless. Seeing this proof that she really is overpowering Fate, Chronois immediately stopped time.

(This is unbelievable. I really did assume that Phantasmal King would be the most troublesome. However, my evaluation of her was still naive. For her to be even more powerful than the current God of Fate…… I have to take care of her as soon as possible!)

With the time stopped, Chronois went behind the timestopped Alice and after her fist hit the back of Alice's head, her time stop was released.

The fist, which contains Chronois' intent to kill, ”pierced” the back of Alice's head, ”annihilating” her.

[Wha…… I- It's a clone! This is b——— Gaaahhh!?]

Realizing that Alice had somehow swapped with a clone too late, a sharp kick was slammed to Chronois' side, sending her flying.

Bouncing on the ground a few times, making big craters on the floating island, Chronois regained her stance halfway and landed on both feet, holding onto her side where she was kicked.

(That's ridiculous, what the heck is with that power!? For the current me to take this much damage……)

Strengthened by Shallow Vernal, Chronois has nearly ten times the magic power of her normal self. Her physical power that comes with that magic power is overwhelming, and even if she were to be attacked by a strike that held enough power to wipe out all in this space, she wouldn't take much damage.