Vol 10 Chapter 7 (1/2)

Chapter 7 - Journey's End

Part 1

Transformed into a white dragon, Guinevere was facing Alexandre

Gascoigne.

The two had been engaged in a covert struggle all this time. Nevertheless,

a direct confrontation never occurred because Guinevere always avoided

such a situation. After all, it was impossible to face a Campione in a duel

without turning into a dragon, an act equivalent to choosing ”death.”

Hence, this was the first and last battle.

Guinevere spread her white dragon wings and began to flap. However, this

did not cause the dragon's ma.s.sive body to take flight. Flapping her wings

was for some other purpose rather than flying.

What the vibrating dragon wings produced was wind.

With a great noisy racket, a vortex of wind was forming around Guinevere's

white dragon body.

The vortex immediately turned into a cyclone, as violent winds swept

across the forty-thousand-square-meter artificial island. Alec was almost

blown away.

”Sealing my movements in your territory?!”

'Correct! Alexandre-sama, Your Highness may possess the speed of

lightning. Nevertheless, as long as you are immobilized, it poses no threat

at all!'

The magical wind caused by the Divine Ancestor was not simply strong

wind.

The cyclone even formed ma.s.ses of air to strike at Alec with ferocity, trying

to send him flying. Furthermore, there was a curse which wrapped around

his tall, thin physique like a snake, sealing all movement.

Trapped within the confines of this magical wind, even a giant creature

would probably be unable to move an inch.

It would not be an exaggeration to say his immobility was like being bound

by metal restraints, for this was a type of bondage spell. The only one left

untouched was the white dragon transformed from Guinevere, able to

move freely while her opponent was left with no choice but to stand still.

Standing inside this cyclone that conferred an absolute advantage, the

white dragon bellowed.

GaaaaaaaaaaaaaahM

'Alexandre-sama, Your Highness should prepare yourself!'

Guinevere's adorable voice was heard from the white dragon's jaws

simultaneously with the roar.

Next came the frontal attack. Swinging the dragon's ma.s.sive front limbs,

those sword-rivaling sharp claws were going to rip him apart. An ordinary

person would probably be torn to pieces helplessly.

But Alec was a Campione, and thus possessed absolute resistance

against magic. Even against the curse cast by a divine cla.s.s sacred

dragon-

”Be thou faithful unto death! And I will give thee a crown of life!”^

Chanting scripture, he raised the magical power residing in his body.

This in turn increased his magical resistance. Just as he finished raising

his magical power, the wind's curse pressing on his body disappeared.

Recovering his freedom, Alec instantly used G.o.d speed.

A bystander would probably think he teleported.

In an instant, Alec charged behind the white dragon and leaped lightly,

touching the dragon's back with his hand. Of course, it was no mere touch.

Turning his right hand into plasma, he released an electrical attack.

Zap! Sparks flew.

'Guh... Truly a nimble one!'

A sound came from the dragon as if Guinevere was smacking her lips. As

befitted the gigantic dragon G.o.d which surpa.s.sed divine beasts, the

electric shock did not seem to have done any damage.

Furthermore, the magical wind was increasing in momentum.

Guinevere once again poured divine power into the wind.

The wind roared, bellowed and moaned. This rampaging wind's purpose

was entanglement in addition to blown attacks. Alec's slender body was

once again constricted by the magical wind, unable to lift a single finger let

alone make use of G.o.d speed.

”Tsk!”

Suddenly restrained tightly, Alec found his legs tied together.

He was caught in a difficult situation of falling over as he smacked his lips.

Taking advantage of this, Guinevere swung the white dragon's ma.s.sive tail

with a swish. Being struck by that object would be no different from being

pummeled by a steel beam from a building construction site.

Alec raised his magical power once again and managed to struggle free of

the magical wind's curse. Activating G.o.d speed when the tail was mere

centimeters from his body, he dodged. However, Guinevere infused the

wind with divine power once more-

This was essentially an endless self-defeating cycle.

Using the instant when the wind restrained Alec, Guinevere used the

dragon's body to attack.

Swinging those sharp claws on her front and back limbs. Biting down with

those jaws, filled with rows of sharp and deadly teeth. Charging with that

ma.s.sive body as a weapon. Swiping with that unexpectedly troublesome

weapon of a tail.

And more terrifying than any of those attacks, the breath from the dragon's

mouth.

The dragon's breath instantly turned into a tempest mixed with shards of

ice. This sharp onslaught displayed merciless ferocity, seeking to send the

living flying, slicing them apart, freezing them.

Whenever any of these attacks approached, Alec struggled free from his

bonds.

Using divine speed to jump backwards, he repeatedly evaded the dragon's

attacks in the last second before being struck. Nevertheless, he could not

counterattack in any effective way. Not due to Alec's manipulative

personality, but because Alec's authorities were not very offense-oriented

in nature.

”Oh well, the labyrinth creation authority was never one to be used for

offense in the first place.”

Alec muttered as he continued to endure the dragon's fierce attacks.

”Though talented, the bashful servant is unsuited for direct confrontations.

The magical sphere of avarice is currently in use. And if I used that

thunderstrike, I will lose the ability to escape from the palm of your hand.

What a predicament!”

The authority of divine speed actually had an attack mode called [Black

Thunder] which could incinerate everything on the ground.

However, using it meant that he could no longer use divine speed for half a

day. Alec had no wish to use it in this situation.

”But anyway, Guinevere. There's not much time remaining before

checkmate. Have you prepared a way to seal that move?”

Guinevere did not have the leisure to respond to Alec's question.

The ferocious dragon was using her gigantic body to fan the magical wind.

--This could be described as the battle between a lion and a cat. No matter

how agile Alec was, suffering a single strike from the dragon would result

in instant death. Hence for Guinevere, as long as she cautiously kept up

her pursuit of her prey and delivered a decisive blow once sufficient

damage had been caused, things were set.

That said, Alec was actually the one with effort to spare.

”Clearly you could have stalled for time while waiting for Lancelot's rescue,

but you didn't. That means that knight must be suffering from some kind of

inconvenience. For example, maybe something like insufficient stamina for

continuous battle.”

'Gun!'

Guinevere answered Alec's mutterings with a new wave of furious attacks.

Clearly she was feeling anxious. The hunch was correct. Furthermore, she

must be aware that little time remained until the fulfillment of the conditions

Alec needed to reverse his unfavorable situation.

He continued to evade the raging attacks of the white dragon -- until finally,

the time had come.

Once Alec was certain enough power had been stored from Guinevere's

attacks, he chanted the spell words.

”Hear me, daughters of the endless night, daughters of the earth and

shadow!”

Even though the magical wind sealed his body's movements, Alec no

longer cared.

In response to the chanted verse, three beautiful infernal G.o.ddesses

manifested.

Standing guard above him and to his left and right were Megaera,

Tisiphone and Alecto. These were the Erinyes, the three G.o.ddesses of

vengeance.

”Fighting evil with evil, repaying crime with crime, shedding blood for blood,

knocking out a tooth for a tooth, thus vengeance begins. By the blood of

the slain mother, tragic death denies all future attempts at filial piety!”

Raven-black wings sprouted from their backs, while every strand of hair

was a ”snake.”

Using their feathered wings, they completely deflected the razor claws,

sharp teeth and deadly breath from Guinevere's dragon form.

”Megaera the demon, Tisiphone the avenger, Alecto the relentless, retrieve

the curse and execute vengeance! Now is the time for revenge!”

This was the second authority Alec had usurped, the authority of

vengeance.

Summoning the three infernal G.o.ddesses required spending a substantial

amount of time on meditation and a ritual. Hence it was impossible to use

in immediate battles. On the other hand, if the enemy could be lured where

preparations had been made beforehand to summon the Erinyes, Alec

would gain an astounding advantage.

Because all damage and destruction performed before them was reflected

back to the perpetrator.

Responding to Alec's chant, vicious countenances appeared on the

snake-haired Erinyes. Spreading their black wings, they attacked the white

dragon.

The G.o.ddess in dragon form was tragically clobbered and sliced open-

Guinevere's entire body suffered the full force of the attacks she had

unleashed on Alec earlier. Like living prey tossed high into the air to be

shredded by the sharp beaks of gathering ferocious birds of prey.

A complete ma.s.sacre.

Even though he had successfully sent his enemy to the grave, Alec was

not moved the slightest. The problems of Lancelot and Kusanagi G.o.dou

still remained. As he thought of them, a familiar voice was heard.

”So things seem to have concluded.”

”You came. What a keen sense of smell you have.”

Turning his head back, he found Princess Alice's spirit body there.

Knowing she came to catch the show, Alec went ”Hmph” at her and said:

”Just as you see, Guinevere has reached her end. Though Lancelot

remains as an enemy... Perhaps there is no further need to fight him.”

”Once the one he protected is gone, Sir Lancelot loses his original reason

to fight.”

Sharp as ever, Alice immediately concurred.

”Ah yes. Normally, this would const.i.tute a motive for revenge, but that guy

is a [Heretic G.o.d] after all. He has acted as Guinevere's knight for over a

thousand years. If this lone constraint disappears, it would not be

surprising for him to start wandering the earth.”

This was precisely the reason why Alec targeted the Witch Queen first.

However, immediate objections were raised against his statement. It was

the hoa.r.s.e voice of Guinevere on the verge of death.

'No! Even though Sir Knight has indeed become a [Heretic G.o.d], his loyalty

towards our sworn master has never been lost! Now that the land of

Avalon has appeared, he will not succ.u.mb to his heretical tendencies!'

She must be dying. The dragon's body had begun to petrify. The

silver-white dragon scales covering her body were losing their l.u.s.ter and

turning into milky-white stone.

'Guinevere believes in Sir Knight's heroism and devotion. He will surely

take the place of us Divine Ancestors, going forth to serve under the

banner of the ”King of the End,” pledging his allegiance as the premier

knight!'

The Divine Ancestor's soul still appeared to be intact. Alec replied to her

voice:

”If that island were the true Avalon, perhaps things might proceed in that

fas.h.i.+on.”

Neither merciless nor hateful, he simply responded without emotion.

As if mechanically pointing out errors in an experiment.

”The Heavenly Reverse Halberd is simply a divine artifact for building

countries, and is affiliated with Izanagi and Izanami, the parents of j.a.pan's

islands. Their creations were not limited to intact land but also included the

so-called 'Leech Child,' an amorphous fluidic object that was exiled to the

ocean according to the myths.”

Having severed Guinevere's tragic hopes, revenge was complete. As a

result, Alec spoke coldly without emotion:

”The Heavenly Reverse Halberd happens to be the divine artifact that

imitates this legend, allowing it to produce both dry land and Leech

Children. Approximately a thousand years ago, the 'King of the End' had

revived for the sake of exterminating the Campiones active at the time.

Completing his mission as usual, he went to sleep on a certain island in

j.a.pan.”

Through the experiment at Los Angeles, Alec understood the properties of

the Heavenly Reverse Halberd. After a.s.sociating it with the strongest

[Steel], he came up with a certain hypothesis.

”The island where the 'King of the End' sleeps, was converted into a Leech

Child using the Heavenly Reverse Halberd. You should have figured it out

by now, that is the Floating Island I revived... The island you call Avalon.

Here comes the mystery, who did it and why?”

Alice made an expression as if she realized something. She must have

figured out the mechanism behind the trap.

”Apparently the masterminds are the elders who viewed the 'King of the

End' as a threat. Turning the island where the troublesome tiger slept into

a Leech Child, they sank it to the bottom of the sea to conceal it. And truly

what a brilliant method of concealment. Nevertheless, there still remained

existences like you Divine Ancestors. Since they were going to hide the

island, the elders thought they might as well use an even more

well-thought out method to be safe.”

This was one of several possible developments that Alec had deduced.

”A week earlier, I tried using the Heavenly Reverse Halberd to reconstruct

the Floating Island. What this verified was the absence of something that

should exist. On that island there was no decrepit divine sword -- the

remains of the 'King of the End.' After careful consideration, the elders

must have changed the king's sleeping location beforehand.”

In any case, there was no sword anywhere on the Floating Island.

Consequently, the Heavenly Reverse Halberd was simply a red herring -- a

diversion to trick seekers of the king.

Although Alec had a hunch about where the King of the End was truly

located, there was no need to reveal it at this time.

”Ultimately, the Floating Island is not Avalon. Even so, it was sufficient for

my purpose of baiting you. Hence I used the labyrinth authority to lock it

up, to act as the crucial element of the trap.”

'The divine sword's aura that could be sensed from the island -- could that

actually be!?'

Without answering Guinevere's sobbing voice, Alec shrugged.

Sardinia's Lucretia Zola had once mentioned. The ”King of the End” was

much more ancient than Arthur and a hero spanning continents, both

oriental and occidental.

Alec believed her statement and had been performing field research in

various lands. What this achieved was the discovery of a decrepit Divine

Sword of Salvation in Indonesia. This was the item he had ordered Cecilia

Cheung to retrieve and bring over to j.a.pan.

”Even though I was worrying how things would turn out when Kusanagi

G.o.dou appeared, in the end the plan continued smoothly without a hitch.

Guinevere, this is the truth of the matter, which cannot be changed no

matter what. As the Witch Queen, it is only fitting for you to pa.s.s away with

dignity, is it not?”

'No! Even like this, Guinevere still has things to do!'

The white dragon's body had completely petrified. Turned into a

milky-white statue, it was lying on the ground. However, this statue

collapsed all of a sudden.

As if eroded by the long and merciless pa.s.sage of time, it lost shape and

became sand with a rustling sound.

The grains of sand, which had been part of a dragon G.o.d only moments

earlier, scattered noisily across the ground. Carried by the blowing wind, a

large clump of sand scattered and flew towards the sea.

”I can sense Guinevere-sama's consciousness in that clump of sand!”

”How resilient. As befits one who carries immortal divinity!”

Alec exclaimed in response to Alice's observation. What was Guinevere

planning to do in that state?

Despite his curiosity, Alec turned himself into lightning. His destination was

the Floating Island. By this time, Lancelot should have already landed.

Alec wanted to find out what the knight would do after witnessing

Guinevere's demise.

Part 2

That ”island” Alec had caused to surface in Tokyo Bay was still several

kilometers away.

Even so, Lancelot du Lac was stuck in midair, unable to advance.

Imprisoned by the gravitational pulse emitted from the black sphere hidden

in the sea, it was impossible to budge an inch.

Nevertheless, the dark clouds covering the sky above continued to release

flashes of lightning.

The purpose of these electrical strikes was to replenish the essence of

[Thunder] for the flying knight and divine horse.

”In order to reach the island of destiny which finally appeared, this Knight

and steed shall go full speed at maximum power. This Knight's ally, turn

into lightning together with one in a display of valor. Go forth!”

Recharging was complete for the secondary effects of lightning speed and

meteoric impact.

Whispering to the beloved white horse softly, Lancelot leaned forward

against the horse's back. In that instant, rider and partner became a white

meteor. Turning themselves into a dragon-slaying snake-slaughtering

divine sword, it was a charge which could tear apart heaven and earth.

Now they needed no longer fear the gravitational pulse.

Focusing purely on flying, they broke free from the restraints of gravity,

thereby traversing the Devil's Sea. From high up in the air, Lancelot looked

down at the island of destiny she had finally reached. A little island which

contained nothing but rock.

Covered entirely by conspicuous strangely shaped rocks, there were no

other distinct landforms or structures.

Ordering the divine horse to circle the island from the air, Lancelot caught

sight of something s.h.i.+ny on the ground below. It appeared to be metal

reflecting sunlight.

Descending instantly, they landed on the peak of the strange rocks.

Embedded there was a rusted decrepit iron sword.

It was once a broad and mighty sword. Lancelot recognized it as one of

many identical swords. Namely, the Divine Sword of Salvation which had

been used as the material for the divine lance Excalibur.

The decrepit sword was the hero's remains. He was supposed to be

sleeping in the land where this sword was embedded.

However, Lancelot could not sense from anywhere on this island the

presence of his kin - [Steel]. The warrior who should be lying in slumber

with the decrepit divine sword. That lethargic presence, similar to a rusted

sword blade, was nowhere to be felt.

”This place is not Avalon either... Is that the situation now?”

Then the white war G.o.d became aware.

The final death roars of the [Dragon] not far away. Unmistakable.

Furthermore, the presence of the girl Lancelot was supposed to protect

could no longer be felt.

It must be Guinevere who had been abducted by Alexandre Gascoigne.

Even in a battle against the Black Prince, Guinevere should have been

able to seek protection by sending out her thoughts. Had she been able to

escape successfully, she would have delivered thoughts to report her

safety...

”Has the beloved child fallen before her grand aspirations could be

realized? Looks like our journey is coming to an end.”

Notions of resignation surfaced. What should she do from here onwards?

A duel with the Black Prince to avenge Guinevere? Or to finally indulge her

long time wish, to begin a journey of wandering and battle -- No.

From atop the castle of strange rock, Lancelot could see the sailing s.h.i.+p

approaching the island.

The ”enemy” should be there. Questions along the likes of how she should

survive henceforth, shall be considered after the battle's conclusion.

Due to the full powered charge at maximum speed just now, Lancelot and

her beloved steed were exhausted. Nevertheless, now that the beloved

child was gone, she was free to rampage without reservation.

Feeling the duel approaching, Lancelot smiled under her helmet and tightly

gripped the reins once more.

The castle of strange rock that Amakasu had described.

The s.h.i.+p sailed smoothly and approached this island of conspicuous and

strangely shaped rock. The labyrinth authority had already vanished.

Fortunately, Guinevere had magically enchanted the s.h.i.+p to move in

response to Kusanagi G.o.dou's orders.

Not only G.o.dou but Erica, Yuri and Liliana were all on the deck.

”Sir Lancelot is now approaching. Alone.”

Liliana reported. With Ena absent, she was the one with the best eyesight.

G.o.dou focused his eyes and was able to make out the figure of the white

knight. Rather than flying like lightning as usual, Lancelot flew in a straight

line no faster than a normal horse's trot.

Lancelot appeared in the usual full armor, with no skin exposed.

However, the knight seemed to be giving off an impression of exhaustion,

and the divine horse's footsteps felt heavy and dulled.

”You look really tired?”

G.o.dou asked out loud as he walked to the edge of the deck.

The three girls retreated to the back, as if trying not to disrupt his dialogue

with a G.o.d. It was not yet their time to enter the stage.

”Hmm. In order to struggle free from the Black Prince's minion, one

resorted to a galloping charge. Furthermore, the beloved child who had to

face that man alone, turned into a dragon and was defeated. In the end, all

this sacrifice achieved was reaching a fake Avalon.”

Ordering her beloved horse to hover motionless in the air, Lancelot spoke

in low spirits. Apparently, reaching the Floating Island was a trap.

G.o.dou was horrified by what Alec had done.

He was not sure what kind of relations he would develop with that man in

the future, but if that guy prepares for a fight it would be unavoidable. It felt

like no amount of struggling could get out of those multi-layered traps, and

falling into them meant ”checkmate.”

”Were this Knight a sage with a keen mind, perhaps Gascoigne's scheming

could have been thwarted. But unfortunately, one is merely a warrior who

only knows how to charge forward. Thus, this Knight failed the beloved

child.”

”Are you going to seek Gascoigne for revenge?”

”One considered it. Nevertheless, incredible as it may sound, one's heart

did not get fired up at the prospects.”

With a metallic scratching sound, Lancelot lifted the visor of her helmet.

The white war G.o.d's beautiful face -- the un.o.bscured face of a woman was

revealed.

”Now that the fetters of the protector knight's duties have been lost, this

Knight wonders. Henceforth, one only needs to journey as one desires,

fighting only those enemies whom this Knight deems worthy.”

With the helmet opened, Lancelot used a female voice.

”Gascoigne is indeed a formidable foe. And the beloved child's enemy as

well. However, this deviates from one's preference. Hohoho, this Knight's

true wish is to charge like an arrow that has been shot, swinging a lance

ferociously. Were one not this foolishly straightforward, this Knight would

not have gotten involved with that certain man.”

Even though the girl under her protection had just been lost, the beautiful

war G.o.d was smiling instead.

Once heroes suffered loss, they did not wallow in nostalgic attachment.

This twisted sense of compet.i.tiveness, truly belonged to a [Heretic G.o.d].

Exactly the same as when G.o.dou had befriended the war G.o.d

Verethragna.

”So, what are your plans now?”

”No further words are necessary. There is no lack of familiarity between

dear sir and this Knight. Surely dear sir's purpose is the same? In order to

play the symphony of an intense duel, to mourn the G.o.ddess Athena!”

Lancelot smiled delightfully as she spoke.

She was already completely certain. G.o.dou nodded silently.

”Naturally, this Knight would never be so rude as to challenge dear sir with

an exhausted body! This Knight shall curse oneself, for the sake of

vanquis.h.i.+ng Kusanagi G.o.dou, one shall risk all with this body!”

In the instant she called out, Lancelot's immense divine power was

restored.

These were words of magic. The curse of [Insane Rush] which had been

applied to G.o.dou previously. In the same manner that it had replenished

G.o.dou's power after the battle against Alec, the white war G.o.d now used it

to recover herself!

Then the familiar lance descended from the heavens.

This was the ultimate weapon that created the white star which had made

G.o.dou and Athena suffer so much. Gripping it tightly in her hand, Lancelot

announced as if chanting:

”Come, Excalibur... The sacred lance born from the Divine Sword of

Salvation! Now then, Kusanagi G.o.dou, this Knight has already shown dear

sir one's true face. In that case, there is no point in hiding the remainder!”

Lancelot's white armor flew apart.

That honey-colored hair was most suited to her cool and refres.h.i.+ng facial

beauty.

Fully exposed was her tall and slender physique, with an astoundingly

voluptuous bosom and exceptionally mesmerizing hips. As the body of a

mature woman, it was completely flawless.

In addition, her attire changed.

Chain mail protected her upper torso. The helmet no longer had a visor to

obscure her beautiful face. The divine lance Excalibur was wielded in her

right hand, while an iron bow was strapped to her back. The saddle of the

white divine horse now carried a quiver of arrows.

Furthermore, the armor which had been protecting Lancelot till now-

The white steel that flew apart now shattered and scattered noisily, turning

into countless pieces. These pieces further fragmented, expanding and

transforming as they scattered. Unbelievably, each fragment became a

knight and horse combination.

The style of each knight's armor, was very similar to what Lancelot used to

wear.

On the other hand, the color of their steel was a deep gray like an overcast

sky. With the same majestic appearance of the white knight, they lined

themselves up in a row.

Numbering roughly three hundred or so, the knights were all flying on their

horses in midair, rapidly gathering around Lancelot. They were like a

perfectly disciplined flock of birds.

When birds of prey gathered to hunt collectively, they most likely moved in

such a fas.h.i.+on.

A squadron of heavy cavalry had appeared to guard the beautiful war

deity.

”Hohoho, it has been so long since this Knight last commanded these

subordinates. This Knight shall lead these soldiers into battle as their

monarch, to fight as a simple warrior to settle the duel with dear sir. To

decide the victor through ordinary battle!”

This was Lancelot du Lac's completed state.

He was still in an abnormal state last time -- Recalling Athena's warning,

G.o.dou was terrified.

In that case, he could not hold back any more.

”As the one who ought to be the knight amongst knights, why are you

female!? The greatest clue to unraveling this mystery, lies in Greek

mythology!”

Erica, Yuri and Liliana -- the knowledge they taught was being yelled out.

G.o.dou activated Verethragna's final incarnation, the [Warrior], and

summoned the sword of spell words.

”You are no ordinary [Steel]. As sword G.o.ds born as heroes of steel, all

were male warriors who shared intimate symbiotic relations.h.i.+ps with

mother earth G.o.ddesses. Nevertheless, you exist within the realm of the

heroes of steel as a female instead. An extremely rare existence with dual

ident.i.ties as both a G.o.ddess and a member of steel.”

”Oh? You intend to direct that weapon at this Knight? The spell words for

slicing G.o.ds apart!”

Lancelot smiled with relaxed composure. If she had been watching his

battle against Athena, it was only natural for her to know about the

[Sword]. G.o.dou continued unfazed:

”Rare, but not nonexistent. One of them was Hippolyta, the queen of the

Amazons. Widely known in Greek mythology as the daughter of the war

G.o.d Ares. The queen of the female warrior tribe! The prototype for the war

G.o.d Lancelot is either her or a G.o.ddess corresponding to one of her

sisters. Am I right!?”

Appearing in the sunny and clear sky above G.o.dou's head were the spell

words of the [Sword].

Tiny spheres flas.h.i.+ng with golden brilliance. With dozens of them twinkling,

they were reminiscent of the stars in the sky. Each sphere of light was a

weapon for severing Lancelot's divinity.

”Hohoho. You have mentioned a nostalgic name!”

”The Amazons were a ferocious all-female equestrian tribe descending

from the war G.o.d Ares and a naiad. Inhabiting the coastal areas of the

Black Sea, they were ruled by two queens. One who administered internal

rule while the other commanded in battle. Amongst them were queens,

such as Hippolyta, who were also daughters of their ancestor Ares!”

The formation of s.h.i.+ning swords of light was being arranged in the air

above G.o.dou's s.h.i.+p.

Immediately in front, the ”Squadron of Dark Gray Knights” lay in wait, with

Lancelot in the center of their formation. Every one of them were pointing

their lance tips at the spell words of the [Sword].

Then a frontal conflict commenced-

”The reason why Hippolyta and her sisters are [Steel], originates from their

father Ares. For he is a corner of the most primitive source -- the purest

incarnation of the sword which fights in total compliance with its duty.

Hence, he is violent and inconsiderate, a war G.o.d symbolized by a sword

stabbed into the earth!”

G.o.dou was stunned as he continued to compose the spell words.

The squadron of knights, roughly three hundred of them, had deployed half

their numbers as a vanguard and charged into the [Sword].

Was Lancelot really choosing her own defeat!?

”If the battle ends with dear sir as the only one swinging your weapon, it

would be this Knight's dishonor as a warrior. So let one's subordinates

raise some havoc!”

In spite of the situation, the beautiful war G.o.d was truly feeling joyous. Was

there some kind of trick?

It was like sending birds of prey into a net. These s.h.i.+ning golden spheres

of light were the blades for slicing Lancelot apart. The dark gray knights

should also be valid targets as well--

G.o.dou puzzled as he continued chanting spell words. His first priority was

to increase combat potential!

”The ancient historian Herodotus recorded in his narrative, The Histories,

that the equestrian Scythians wors.h.i.+ped a divinity equivalent to Ares from

Greek mythology and even treated him as a special deity. But unlike other

G.o.ds for whom they built altars, the Scythians wors.h.i.+ped Ares through his

symbol -- the sword stabbed into the earth!”

The golden sword easily slashed the dark gray knights to pieces.

The spell words' blades sliced helmets in half and pierced chain mail as

the knights and their horses were noisily shattered into fragments as easily

as gla.s.s sculptures.

The fragments disappeared in an instant. In the blink of an eye, the

squadron of knights had its numbers thinned out by half.

Nevertheless, G.o.dou did not feel a sense of victory. Instead, it was

anything but rea.s.suring.

”In addition, Herodotus also recorded this: intermarriage between the

equestrian Scythians and the female warrior tribe gave rise to equestrian

Sarmatia. This nation is precisely the key to how the Black Sea's G.o.ddess

and queen of war took on the appearance of Lancelot the knight!”

”No truer words than that! This Knight was once wors.h.i.+ped by the people

as the queen of war!”

Lancelot's forthright admission only served to bring bone-chilling terror. But

G.o.dou could not stop now.

Spreading out the [Sword] in a giant ring shape, G.o.dou surrounded the

remaining half of the knight squadron.