Vol 9 Chapter 4 (2/2)

Chamber as Queen of the Earth.” ”

” ”As such, humbly acceptest the curse bestowed by this G.o.ddess. Kindly

turnst into an ice-cold corpse and layst thyself in the Underworld.” ”

” ”As such, humbly acceptest the blessing bestowed by this G.o.ddess.

Kindly turnst into an ice-cold statue and returnst thyself to ash and dust.” ”

The spell words from the two G.o.ddesses attacked Umihotaru.

Athena's [Death]. The grim reaper's curse that dragged everyone towards

the afterlife.

The use of such a contemptible power greatly infuriated G.o.dou. A way

must be found to deal with it. Accelerating the [Sword], he completely

slashed apart the pulse of [Death].

However, the evil gaze of Medusa's [Petrification] could not be eliminated.

No way to defend, no way to counter!

The entire interior and facilities of Umihotaru directly below him were

completely petrified.

Kusanagi G.o.dou was not going to fall to this petrification. Even though it

was a divine authority, as long as he made use of the power flowing

throughout his body, a Campione's body was able to endure.

But what about everything else?

Amongst them were other living things, vehicles, machinery, plant life, as

well as his companions.

With no way to resist.

”Mariya! Liliana! Seishuuin!”

G.o.dou yelled. He yelled as hard as he could. However, before his eyes,

Mariya had been turned into a beautiful stone sculpture.

Liliana had also turned into a fairy-like stone sculpture.

But there was one sole exception.

”Your Majesty, please! That one — to use as Ena's power — !”

In the instant she was turning into stone, Seishuuin Ena shouted and

reached out with her hand.

Towards G.o.dou. Seeking what G.o.dou possessed, her partner.

”Please, Ama no Murak.u.mo! Go protect Seishuuin!”

G.o.dou ordered the divine sword dwelling in his arm. To reach her in time

no matter what.

The one-meter-long sword manifested in Ena's hand. Its blade was black

as the darkest night. This was the divine Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi

that appeared in the form of a sword.

As G.o.dou's partner, the sword was entrusted to its other partner.

Divine possession — the act of bringing down divine might upon one's

body, was an ultimate skill that only Ena could use.

”I shall swing this divine blade like the wind! My body shall be one with the

divine metal of destruction!”

Instantly promoted to a superhuman existence, the Hime-Miko swung Ama

no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi.

The jet-black blade captured the G.o.ddess Medusa's petrification pulse,

absorbing its power, thereby protecting the wielder's body.

”d.a.m.n it, it doesn't help the others!”

”Ah, thou lookest plenty more spirited than before, Kusanagi G.o.dou!”

The beautiful G.o.ddess pounced upon G.o.dou as he gnashed his teeth.

From the road far below, she made a great leap and flew like a bird,

reaching the observation deck in a single bound.

”Thy courageous pupils burn with fury and vengeance. Now that is a true

warrior, forsooth!”

Athena and Medusa were reunited as one again.

The p.u.b.escent girl and the teenager had merged into an eighteen or

nineteen-year-old maiden.

Savagely attacking G.o.dou in this form, she slashed with her hand

repeatedly. Athena's slender hand was deadly as a lance wielded by a

death knight.

”Gwah —ah!”

G.o.dou screamed as the flank of his abdomen was sharply sliced open.

Flesh severed, innards ruptured, blood spewed forth. This was on the level

of incised injuries caused by bladed weapons.

Against such an avatar, the [Sword] was no longer effective. G.o.dou

immediately switched to the [Camel] incarnation, counterattacking Athena

with a sweeping kick!

”Hohoho. Very well, one's blood boileth, burning inexhaustibly!”

Jumping to evade the kick, the G.o.ddess bore a fearless and terrible smile.

With absolute fury, G.o.dou glared severely at that beautiful face.

Part 4

Verethragna's fourth incarnation, the [Camel].

Using this incarnation required severe injuries beyond a certain level.

In return, it conferred b.e.s.t.i.a.l combat abilities, kicking power to send G.o.ds

flying, resilient endurance to pain, and exceptional healing.

G.o.dou felt the pain on his flank subsiding as he prepared to continue the

battle.

”Thou hast been hiding such a power! As expected from the authority

usurped from the warlord of the everchanging forms, how marvelous, a

sight to behold!”

Athena guffawed as she began swinging the giant scythe she had

summoned to use as a close combat weapon.

Swinging the scythe with both hands, the sight was reminiscent of the grim

reaper's signature weapon. The blade was black as the darkest night.

Relying on the [Camel]'s gifts, G.o.dou evaded successfully.

Verethragna's fourth incarnation, the [Camel].

Such combat skills were beyond human ability. Rather, these skills were

swift as a savage beast, controlling his perceptive body, striking out with

kicking attacks.

Kicks that could shatter stone. Nevertheless, Athena managed to block

using the jet-black scythe's shaft.

Was it successful due to being a G.o.d's supernatural weapon, or was it due

to Athena's own divine skills? Struck by the [Camel]'s kick, the wooden

shaft did not shatter but absorbed the impact instead.

”d.a.m.n it, didn't work, huh — !”

G.o.dou endured the pain in his flank as he desperately engaged in close

quarter combat.

Evading Athena's swinging scythe, counterattacking with kicks, avoiding

her counters with beast-like movements, attacking in return.

G.o.dou had no knowledge of martial arts.

But a Campione's warrior instincts told him, the [Camel] was ridiculously

strong. Even someone extremely talented as Lu Yinghua would be

knocked out in one hit. It could gain the upper hand over Doni, and even

fight Luo Cuilian to a standstill. That was how it was.

Perseus was the same. And now Athena too.

Their martial arts could be considered the human pinnacle by default.

Few geniuses could reach that divine realm even if they endured pain and

suffering, madly training themselves until they coughed out blood. Because

the level of the divine was completely ridiculous.

Rather, one should express the highest praise towards Doni and the sworn

elder sister who managed to match G.o.ds with their human bodies.

”Nevertheless, Kusanagi G.o.dou.”

The G.o.ddess swung her scythe with absolute might. Even Verethragna's

[Camel] could not completely stand up to it. Cuts and incisions multiplied

across G.o.dou's body, bleeding away.

As a result, Athena calmly declared:

”Didst thou think that one would compete with thee like a human? Using

mighty authorities to vanquish foes, now that is the way of one's kind!”

G.o.dou trembled. If that was case, he might not last.

He had rushed in for a battle of close combat because the [Camel] was

only suited to an exchange of physical blows.

That was how he managed to maintain an even battle. However, if magic

was mixed into it —

”O Shadow, submergest.”

Athena softly spoke the spell words.

Behind her, a black shadow was squirming like a snake.

”Becomest fangs that tear iron apart, makest haste!”

At the same time, Athena slashed with her scythe from the side!

”Danger, Your Majesty!”

Ena instantly squeezed her way in between.

Ka! The Hime-Miko of the Sword blocked Athena's scythe using Ama no

Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi while G.o.dou desperately lurched sideways to

escape the black fangs.

”...Miko? Dost thou intend to intrude our sacred territory as a lowly

wench?”

The first time —

Athena glanced at Seishuuin Ena for the first time.

She entered the G.o.ddess' view for the first time. However, there was no

acknowledgement.

”Desperately throwing thy human life away, merely relying on divine grace,

this pittance of power cannot compare to one's kind. Knowest thy place.”

”Even if it's a G.o.d's orders... Ena will not listen!”

Ena raised Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi before her.

She had apparently been waiting for an opportunity to intervene.

”Kusanagi G.o.dou is my husband! Seishuuin Ena has decided to guard him

with her life. Even though I know you are the queen of the Mediterranean

— Ena will not back down!”

Muttering softly, the Hime-Miko's body was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with Ama no

Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi's divine power.

Divine possession. Even on a very small scale, it was a mystic technique

that conferred divine might.

”How's that, Your Majesty? Ena can fight by your side. Surely I will prove

my worth!”

”Ah yes. I definitely can't win this G.o.ddess by myself. Thanks.”

G.o.dou immediately answered affirmatively.

Humans who could fight alongside Campiones were virtually nonexistent.

In previous battles against G.o.ds, everyone had been providing support

from the back. The only exception was probably Erica when she was under

Verethragna's protection. However, what about Ena under divine

possession —

”By the blessing of bows and arrows, bestow honor upon this great sword!”

Ena chanted spell words and raised her beloved sword up high.

Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi. The jet-black blade slowly began to curve.

This was a technique for increasing slas.h.i.+ng power.

The heretic divine sword that vanquished foreign invaders since ancient

times.

”Sing of death, guide death, dance to death — Become Athena's servant,

the underworld messengers of death!”

Athena also chanted a song of disaster in turn. Behind her, the black

snake resumed its posture.

There was not only one. Their heads, shaped like scythe blades, rose one

after another.

Two, three, four — a total of nine snakes finally manifested behind

Athena's back. Their bodies were long, reaching 10m or so in length.

These black snakes extended from Athena's back like the petals of a

carnivorous flower, writhing as they moved.

And then the battle resumed. While the G.o.ddess advanced, brandis.h.i.+ng

her other weapon, the iconic grim reaper's scythe, the nine black snakes

also attacked together.

Baring their fangs, lifting their scythe-shaped heads, seeming as if they

would devour everyone on earth.

”Seishuuin! Don't attack recklessly, let's establish a solid defense first!”

”Got it! This situation is becoming really bad.”

Keenly aware of G.o.dou's voice, Ena instantly replied.

As befitted the Hime-Miko of the Sword, she understood his intentions from

a simple instruction.

Since Athena was holding the upper hand, the correct approach would be

to endure the crisis patiently, waiting for the opportunity to reverse the tide

of battle to their favor!

G.o.dou and Ena cooperated, coordinating with each other to face the

G.o.ddess.

Shoulder to shoulder at times, back to back on other occasions —

The [Camel] defended by kicking away Athena's scythe.

Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi slashed apart the gaping jaws of the black

snakes.

Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi deflected Athena's scythe.

G.o.dou used the [Camel] to send a black snake flying with a kick from his

heel.

Even though their teamwork was improvised, they coordinated

extraordinarily well.

Ena did not try to show off and single-mindedly served as a ”s.h.i.+eld.”

Whenever G.o.dou faced an attack he could not handle alone and showed

an opening, the divine sword went to the rescue.

Other than that, it was essentially a defensive battle.

Avoiding overextending themselves to attack Athena. They did not attack

but only took measures relevant for containment.

Ena probably knew very well. Even with divine possession she could not

face Athena in a direct confrontation. But acting as a ”s.h.i.+eld” was perfectly

within her power.

I see — G.o.dou could not help but realize.

Ena was different from Erica who was skilled in weaponry, or Liliana who

always paid close attention to details.

She instinctively understood differences in combat potential between friend

and foe, battle situations, and what measures should be taken, thereby

taking action boldly. This was not conspicuous intelligence but a natural

instinct for victory.

That was Seishuuin Ena's disposition.

Having a similar disposition was likely one of the contributing factors to

Kusanagi G.o.dou slaying a G.o.d. She was a companion with similar

sensitivities. In that case, they could likely succeed in producing amazing

teamwork.

”Glorious I am, victorious I am, Ahura^ grants creation unto me. Chasing

foes as they flee, striking down enemies from the front. Chant my name for

the incantation of victory!”

The tactic of retreating to a temporary defensive formation, then attack and

counterattack.

G.o.dou chanted Verethragna's scripture to raise his magical power. In

order to take back initiative and give Athena a critical blow.

The [White Stallion] would be the most suitable. In their previous battle, the

avatar of fire had been the decisive move that secured victory.

But that too, had been defended last time. Without sufficient preparation,

using it could waste his biggest trump card. Because Verethragna's ten

incarnations became unavailable for a full day after each use.

'Come! Now is the time to make use of the Holy Grail. Please freely

vanquish Athena!'

G.o.dou stared wide in surprise.

He could vaguely hear Guinevere's voice — or rather, sense it.

”Fu! Thou art quite a resilient man! Excellent, Kusanagi G.o.dou. Let one's

authority smasheth apart the fortress thou hast constructed! Miko who

knoweth not her place, if thou fearest divine punishment then begone from

this place!”

Athena called out loudly.

Without their noticing, the battlefield had s.h.i.+fted outside Umihotaru.

Due to the snake G.o.ddess' curse, the ocean had been petrified. Standing

on waves that originally offered no foothold, G.o.dou and Ena, as well as

Athena were engaged in battle.

All three of them possessed supernatural agility. Thanks to leg strength

granted by the [Camel], G.o.dou was able to jump almost 10m without any

running start.

Leaping around as they battled, they had made their way to this location

on the sea.

”Now one composeth the song of winter. All plants shall wither, fruit shall

fall from trees, petals shall scatter. Thus heralds the season of death and

darkness!”

Athena's spell words resounded across the petrified sea.

Ena rubbed Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi against the ground and held it

in a preparatory stance. This divine sword had the ability to absorb and

tear apart all sorts of spells and spirit powers.

No matter what authority the G.o.ddess used, all shall be cleaved for the

sake of G.o.dou's protection —

This determination of hers was readily apparent. Nevertheless, will she be

successful?

A terrifying coldness was emanating from Athena's body. Just the act of

standing near her was chilling to the bone. It was the freezing temperature

of permafrost.

She was the queen of darkness and the underworld. The grim reaper of

grim reapers who disseminated winter and death.

Was Seishuuin Ena capable of subduing such a power with her mortal

body? Could G.o.dou, who was not omnipotent, defend against it?

”As the one who holds all victory in my hands, I am the strongest. Man and

devil — all enemies, all who harbor enmity will be vanquished!”

But still, it had to be done no matter what — !

Steeling his determination, G.o.dou raised his magical power at this time.

'In past days, the White G.o.ddess created a vessel. Sacred amongst the

earth mother G.o.ddesses, immortality, wisdom, all were poured forth into it.

Hence the Holy Grail was born...'

The voice of Guinevere could definitely be heard.

It was not a transmitted sound but a voice that came from within G.o.dou, a

voice from the heart.

The artifact known as the Holy Grail, is the vessel for absorbing life force

from the earth mother G.o.ddesses. Sometimes from the carca.s.ses of dead

earth mother G.o.ddesses, other times from living G.o.ddesses, the Holy Grail

devours their life for nourishment...'

This was the spell taught in the earlier encounter.

The [Spell of the Holy Grail] mentioned by Guinevere, was this it?

'Just by performing a few procedures, no earth mother G.o.ddess can

escape the Holy Grail. Furthermore, this sacred treasure currently lies

dormant within Athena...'

What? G.o.dou stared at Athena in surprise.

The G.o.ddess of darkness was intending to fully unleash her authority. It

could be felt clearly. Perhaps due to activating the [Spell of the Holy Grail],

her actions could be discerned with clarity.

Swallowed within the body of the beautiful G.o.ddess, the object resembling

an urn — that must be the Holy Grail!

How should that divine artifact be revived? It was highly probable that

Athena would attempt countermeasures. All this was clear to G.o.dou.

His mind pondered freely about how he could use that artifact to swing the

battle in his favor.

Why would that kind of object be inside Athena?

Why did Guinevere tell him how to use it?

These questions of doubt swirled into a vortex. However.

The sight of Yuri and Liliana, turned into beautiful statues, surfaced in his

mind. If he did not defeat Athena here they could not be saved. Ena would

likely be sacrificed too.

— Victory must be obtained. For the sake of saving everyone, Athena must

be defeated!

Fighting spirit dispelled all doubts. G.o.dou yelled out at Ena who answered

readily.

'Til sweat the small stuff later! We must end things here. Seishuuin, give

me that thing!”

”Understood, it's ready!”

Seeing G.o.dou rush towards Athena, Ena immediately understood.

Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi. She handed her beloved sword to G.o.dou.

G.o.dou grabbed the Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi he had lent out and

continued running. The G.o.ddess was single-mindedly raising her divine

power. It was like the instant before a dam's rupture.

The nine snakes behind her tried to bite G.o.dou at the same time.

G.o.dou made a forward thrust with Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi.

The divine sword, also known as the ”Kusanagi Sword,” started moving

autonomously, tearing through the black snakes. Watching from the back,

Ena was moving her partner through her thoughts.

”O Messenger of winter! Extendest thy icy-cold hands, and stealest the the

warmth of life!”

In that very instant, Athena also chanted spell words, unleas.h.i.+ng her

authority.

A violent blizzard began to blow with the G.o.ddess at its center.

It was not just a blizzard. It was wild and riotous wind blowing from the

underworld, bringing temperatures colder than ground-level permafrost.

Magical wind that froze everything completely on contact, shattering them

directly. This gust of cold air could very well be equivalent to absolute zero

temperature.

Even the exceptionally resilient Campione would not be able to withstand

it.

”Regrets of the White Queen, become my power now!”

G.o.dou yelled out the spell words without hesitation.

This was the incantation for awakening the Holy Grail. The magical words

for absorbing a mother earth G.o.ddess' life force.

” — !? What, wherefore art thou using this!?”

In the middle of releasing a blizzard, Athena was surprised.

Her whole body began s.h.i.+ning with golden light.

It was like the faint light of dying fireflies on a midsummer's eve. It came

from the sacred urn buried deep within Athena — the Holy Grail.

A demonic icy blizzard was violently blowing, piling a snowy plain upon the

plain of rock.

At the same time, the golden brightness was rising vertically straight up. It

was like an upright pillar of light.

”Ancient Grail, now is the climax of the battle! Knowest thy place!”

Athena commanded the pillar of light that rose into the clouds.

She had to divert her attention to suppress the Holy Grail's action. If this

light continued to s.h.i.+ne, Athena's life force would be rapidly drained.

The height of the pillar of light shrank by half, but this also meant her

attention was diverted away from controlling the blizzard.

”Please, Seishuuin! Ama no Murak.u.mo!”

G.o.dou swiftly called out.

Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi had the ability to absorb spells and spirit

powers, tearing them apart.

It was likely ineffective when Athena was at full power. However, aiming at

Athena whose concentration had been disrupted by the sudden crisis, a

mere window often-odd seconds, the blizzard was sliced apart.

Ena responded appropriately to G.o.dou's orders.

Standing from behind and directing Ama no Murak.u.mo with her thoughts,

Athena's divine power was severed.

”W-What— ?”

Athena was shocked. Successfully cutting apart the blizzard offered some

slight respite.

G.o.dou let go of the divine sword and jumped using the [Camel]'s leg

strength. Leaping high into the air, he unleashed a descending kick. It was

like a shooting star flying down from the heavens —

A full powered kick from up high, it ended up striking Athena in her left

shoulder!

”Ooh — !?”

G.o.dou could feel from beneath his foot the shattering of the G.o.ddess'

shoulder.

Struck by this attack, Athena began spinning like a top and was sent flying.

She must have sustained a fair amount of injury. With that, the tide of

battle should have turned back to G.o.dou's favor!

Determined, G.o.dou made a stance.

The light emitted from Athena's body had almost vanished. The Holy Grail

must have been suppressed once again. In the parlance of sumo

wrestling, this was Nekodamas.h.i.+.^

Simply sleight of hand. G.o.dou did not believe the same tactic could work

again.

Suddenly, Athena's body began to give off light again.

Rising up high as if bursting through the heavens. Such forcefulness

dwarfed the sight just now.

What on earth was happening?

As G.o.dou watched in shock, the radiating brilliance had illuminated the

petrified plains of the sea and Umihotaru with a golden color.

”AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH — !”

Athena screamed out in pain.

Part 5

In terms of human history, the following story happened far in the past.

It must have been over five hundred years since the man known as the

Messiah had died.

In the land now called Europe, there existed a number of Devil Kings.

Those who had slain G.o.d and usurped divine authority. The violent

G.o.d-slaying warriors whose hearts were consumed by battle. From the

perspective of humanity, having just one of these monsters appearing in

an era was a miracle.

But this was a rare moment in history.

An apocalyptic era when several of these rare characters had appeared,

vying for domination.

All sorts of incredible people were drawn to these Devil Kings. They

wors.h.i.+ped the [Kings], hoping to serve them.

A certain [King] commanded equestrian tribes, incessantly invading the

territory of other nations.

A certain [King] was a pure berserker. He was surrounded by ferocious

barbaric tribes who admired him and became his followers.

A certain [King] was completely devoted to researching magic, hoping to

rule over the demonic magi, priests and astrologers who inhabited the filthy

alleyways of the imperial capital, Rome.

A certain [King] could not be bothered with such things, choosing instead

to wander between nations, displaying mindless valor.

Last of all, a certain [King] had turned the island of Britain into his own

hunting grounds.

The island was in a state of chaos at the time. Though the Roman Empire

originally ruled this land, they had abandoned it, leaving it to internal strife

and constant invasion from neighboring barbarians.

Legends told of the island's [King] who was a suzerain Roman general.

Tasked with guarding Britain from barbarian invasions, he was sent there

accompanied by a few troops.

Arriving at the land of his new post, he slew a G.o.d and became a Devil

King —

Whenever outsiders invaded the island, he would immediately intercept

and defeat them. But he never slaughtered his enemies completely, thus

allowing them to encroach again. Whenever internal rebellions occurred,

he suppressed them immediately. But always, he permitted the

mastermind to escape, thus sowing the seeds for new rebellions.

Well, that was basically how things repeated time and again.

The G.o.d-slaying [King] loved hunting more than anything, and his favorite

prey were living humans. For the sake of this hobby, all he cared about

was indulging in his pleasure of the hunt on the lands of Britain.

As a result, ancient Britain was an apocalyptic world. The end of an era.

While the common people were ravaged by incessant warfare, He

appeared.

He challenged the hunt-loving [King] and obtained victory.

A hero indeed. A brave warrior indeed.

The people of Britain wors.h.i.+ped him, calling him ”Artos.”

Furthermore, the other [Kings] on the continent began to direct their

attentions towards the hero who had slain a Devil King. The appearance of

a worthy foe. Perhaps, if one could murder him with one's own hands...

This was the beginning of a series of death matches, not recorded in any

history book.

Eventually, the name of ”Artos” was slightly altered in p.r.o.nunciation to

become ”Arthur,” thus leaving a trail in history and legends.

King who manifests at the end of eras, he was the master of the Witch

Queen Guinevere.

”Guinevere originates from a G.o.ddess who fought alongside Master and

Sir Knight. However, Guinevere no longer retains memories of those times,

and can only learn about Master's great accomplishments through records

of the past.”

A young blonde beauty was standing on a beach in the Far East.

Naturally, this was Divine Ancestor Guinevere.

”Hmm. However, after a long and difficult search, you — or rather, it was

your previous incarnation who finally found Master's avatar, the divine

sword — discovered those remains.”

Standing by Guinevere's side, the knight spoke solemnly.

Lancelot du Lac.

Clad in beautiful white armor, the knight's face was hidden by the helmet's

lowered visor. He held a lance in his hand.

The ancient sword Excalibur which had awakened and was reborn as a

divine lance.

”Furthermore, as the present generation's Guinevere, you have gradually

advanced towards the sacred grounds where Master sleeps. Look!”

Lancelot pointed at the sea surface with the tip of the lance.

This island kingdom of the Far East had engendered all sorts of myths,

mysteries and legends. Standing on the beach, the white war G.o.d pointed

at the sea before him. The sight was as brilliant as the sun rising over the

sea's horizon.

The light from the Holy Grail's absorption of the earth mother G.o.ddess' life

force could be seen.

”The young G.o.d-slayer fell into your trap and awakened the Holy Grail held

by Athena. Of course, she will suppress it once again.”

”Yes. But before that happens, Guinevere will finish the task properly!”

Staring at the golden light, she began to summon magical power.

”Graal of legend, I beseech you to let me hear your voice. The daughter of

the White G.o.ddess ignites seven candlesticks. Recall your past glory.”

The image surfacing in her mind was directly converted into magical

energy.

Guinevere wielded magic naturally. Those known as Divine Ancestors,

were temptresses who were able to use magic as freely as their own limbs.

By the time the spell was complete, the golden light was already quite faint.

Initially it had been tall enough to reach the clouds, like a pillar of light. But

now, the beam of light was gradually weakening, and almost could not be

seen from this beach. Nevertheless, there was still enough time.

Before Athena completely suppressed the Grail, Guinevere seized the

opportunity to ascertain the Holy Grail's existence.

”O White G.o.ddess. As the descendant of your divine self, this girl

beseeches you. Bestow upon the sacred cup and the Divine Sword of

Salvation, the link that connects these two vessels once again!”

The ”pathway” which connected the life-absorbing Holy Grail to the

planet-slicing divine sword.

Through this invisible ”pathway,” the life force absorbed from Athena by

the Holy Grail was being infused into the divine lance Excalibur held in

Lancelot's hand.

Athena's body must now be emitting many times more light than before.

”Hmm. With that, the divine blade can be swung without any hesitation.”

Lancelot pointed the the lance tip towards the heavens.

The platinum-colored blade flashed with a radiant l.u.s.ter.

”Yes. In order to connect the Holy Grail with the divine sword,

Kusanagi-sama's power was used. Things went smoothly as planned, how

rea.s.suring.”

The young Campione had only managed to awaken the Holy Grail for a

brief period.

Seizing that disruption, affirming the Grail's existence and immediately

connecting it to Excalibur. This was a mystical technique only the Witch

Queen could perform. A superlative divine skill.

”Hoo... Now it is clear that your decision was correct.”

Lancelot said rea.s.suringly to the one under his protection.

Were he not wearing a helmet, a smile would likely be seen on the war

G.o.d's face.

”Since these are the ones who can slay this Knight's kin, the G.o.ds, then no

scruples will be spared to make use of all weapons to a.s.sure victory...

Phrasing it that way should be acceptable, right?”

”Yes, it is true. After all, as a G.o.d-slayer, he is a b.a.s.t.a.r.d child of the fool

Epimetheus!”

Guinevere remarked with derision.

However, her young and beautiful face was trembling from fear.

”But then again, the very fact that they are fools is why they pose

unforeseeable threats to our plans, becoming formidable foes. What a

group of shocking people!”

Lancelot listened to the beloved child's sighs as they walked along the

beach.

Waiting ahead was the white divine horse. It was the divine beast that

served him, the friend who galloped with him across battlefields.

”Girl, as a heretic this Knight does not know how much more time can be

spent by your side. However, before the day we part, this Knight swears to

lead you to Master's side!”

The inevitable farewell.

This was exactly Guinevere and Lancelot's worry.

Deviating from their proper divine depiction in the myths, whether due to

confusion, insanity or obsession, [Heretic G.o.ds] were imprisoned on earth.

The war G.o.d had given up being the Witch Queen's guardian for the sake

of liberating all his power.

It was still fine for now. Lancelot had become Guinevere's guardian

through bonds forged over a millennium. Nevertheless, there will come a

day when he will be devoured by the distortions of being a [Heretic G.o.d],

thus beginning a wayward path, leaving the beloved child behind.

Regardless, Lancelot mounted his beloved horse, and began galloping

through the air.

”O Ancient steel, become this Knight's strength. Let one become the blade

that sweeps away the saplings of riotous commotion!”

Spell words were chanted in midair to awaken the divine blade.

The essence of the earth powered this sword. The purer the better the

effects.

For obvious reasons, a vast fertile plain would be filled with greater

quant.i.ties of essence compared to a barren desert. However, the most

ideal source was the life force inhabiting mother earth G.o.ddesses...

”By the hero's honor, this Knight displays d

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