Vol 13 Chapter 7 (1/2)

Chapter 7 - Farewell, Witch

Part 1

”Fu... How long has it been since my true visage was last exposed to a

man's gaze?”

The G.o.ddess Circe spoke sonorously.

In full display, her true appearance was gorgeous beyond description.

It was not simply a matter of beauty. G.o.dou found his gaze drawn

involuntarily to her every move. Subtle changes in expression, s.h.i.+fts in her

gaze. He felt attracted to these tiny details as if she exuded a movie star's

dazzling charisma.

Holding universal attraction, she displayed everything enthralling about a

young beauty's charm.

”Furthermore, even my battered body is now exposed — ”

Attached to Circe's body were prosthetic arms, legs and a lower torso, all

crafted from bra.s.s.

These body parts made metallic screeches as they moved.

With a slow yet flowing motion, the G.o.ddess turned as if dancing.

But G.o.dou found himself involuntarily staring at the way she moved her

body like a pure and innocent young girl.

Transcending simple outward beauty, the sight was mesmerizing. G.o.dou

was treated to a sight of the G.o.ddess Circe's intoxicating qualities as a

femme fatale.

”Your body's condition... Is it really Gascoigne's doing?”

”On the verge of His Highness' departure, we had a little altercation and

this was the result... Fufu, I stand as the immortal G.o.ddess of dawn. To

think my body could be pushed to this extent, how truly befitting of one

bearing the t.i.tle of a G.o.d-slaying warrior.”

The sun's divinity also carried immortal qualities. G.o.dou recalled this fact.

Despite her condition, she did not express any resentment towards Alec

and even praised him with a smile. Such composure and resilience was

truly befitting for a G.o.ddess.

Nevertheless, her prostheses moved quite sluggishly as if they were very

heavy.

Was it because she became wary of approaching the enemy after Ena

sliced her? But why? G.o.dou felt a strange sense of certainty.

He kept getting the feeling that this G.o.ddess, despite being sluggish in

movement and on the verge of death, was not ”weak.”

”Kusanagi-sama. I have revealed my true visage in order to make you my

captive. This battered body is on display so that these cold arms may

embrace you.”

The G.o.ddess' eyes were bright violet in color. G.o.dou felt his spine shudder

violently in response to her beautiful gaze.

Rather than fear, he was reacting to the attraction of Circe's mysterious

charm.

”Fufu. Let me repeat myself once again. Please abandon that girl and

choose me instead. Then I shall offer you love that is worthy of this wise

decision!”

Courts.h.i.+p coming from a G.o.ddess. Unlike last time, to think it would

become such a troubling situation.

G.o.dou felt himself almost instantly captivated by Circe's irresistible

charms.

Compared to this G.o.ddess of dawn, Yuri in his embrace was ultimately just

an ordinary human. No matter how cute and beautiful she was, everything

paled in comparison to a G.o.ddess...

However, G.o.dou frowned, remaining unmoved.

”So this is the G.o.ddess Circe's true visage...”

Yuri whispered from within G.o.dou's embrace. Gazing at the G.o.ddess, her

face displayed unease.

Simply by feeling the warmth of Yuri's body, G.o.dou felt his fighting spirit

rise naturally.

Regardless, he felt incensed by the G.o.ddess' conspiracy to separate Yuri

from him. He was also greatly displeased by her intention to defang him in

this manner.

”The splendor of my true visage can be considered one of my weapons...

To think you are capable of suppressing those raging feelings, how truly

befitting of the G.o.d-slaying monarch.”

Circe spoke cheerfully. She gave off a sense of cla.s.sic elegance as suited

to a transcendent G.o.ddess.

Despite the rejection of her courts.h.i.+p, she continued to display such

composure. The feeling she gave off was clearly different from before.

”According to my initial plan, I was going to twist off an arm and a leg of

yours, adding to my treasured collection. Fufu, now in compensation for all

the trouble you have caused me, let me offer you even more tender loving

care. I shall have all four limbs removed, eyes destroyed and your throat

incinerated. Then crawling on the ground like a worm, you shall receive a

G.o.ddess' loving affection!”

At the same time as her terrible declaration escaped from her adorable

lips —

G.o.dou felt a gust of wind blowing. Thanks to staying on alert, his senses

was able to give an ominous warning slightly beforehand.

”G.o.dou-san! This is the magic for stealing Verethragna's incarnations!”

Yuri also gave warning. She was probably paying attention too.

G.o.dou raised his magical power immediately and held his breath, trying to

counter the magic by preventing himself from breathing the wind. Then a

dramatic change occurred immediately.

A nude girl, her body white and transparent, appeared out from the wind!

”O girl of Harpyia. Please blow into Kusanagi-sama the G.o.ddess'

incantation!”

Circe commanded the semi-transparent girl floating in midair.

In response to these orders, the ”girl” twisted its body nimbly in the air. Her

lips were approaching G.o.dou's face and was probably planning to blow

magic into him through a kiss.

Just as G.o.dou was about to react while protecting Yuri, a helping hand of

salvation was offered.

”O Eight G.o.ds of the Mikannagi. In accordance to the protection of

harmony, manifest tranquility!”

These were Yuri's spell words. White light emanated from the Hime-Miko's

body.

This was a spell for radiating a Hime-Miko's heart of harmony by raising

psychic sensing powers to the maximum. G.o.dou had seen this technique

of [Spirit Pacification] last used at Cape Inubou recently.

Bathed in the sacred light, the girl of the wind was dyed white and then

vanished.

Rather than defeated, it would be more apt to say she was a.s.similated by

Yuri's light.

”Thanks a lot, Mariya!”

”N-Not at all. Please do not mind me. Go ahead and fight as you wish.”

The Hime-Miko replied to G.o.dou's thanks, but she began to pant heavily.

The [Spirit Pacification] apparently drained her stamina drastically.

Using it to suppress a wind spirit — a G.o.ddess' minion, took quite a

substantial toll. Judging from the situation, Yuri would probably exhaust her

stamina and magical power in one or two more uses.

Furthermore, the Hime-Miko's trump card elicted an unexpected response

from the enemy.

”A maidservant capable of suppressing me, I see... This girl seems to be

quite an excellent miko. Fufu, a miko's true path lies in serving the G.o.ds

after all. Then I shall make use of you a little.”

The G.o.ddess Circe murmured these strange words.

Accompanied by a metallic screech, she raised her left prostheic arm and

pointed a finger at Yuri.

Then her finger shot out. The index finger of bra.s.s flew straight at the

Hime-Miko's throat. Leaving the G.o.ddess' hand, the finger flew like an

arrow. Were it to strike on target, results would surely be fatal — !

G.o.dou instantly sprang into action.

Turning his back towards the finger arrow, he s.h.i.+elded Yuri behind him.

As a result, the bra.s.s fingertip pierced him near the shoulder blade. But a

Campione's body possessed excessive vitality with abnormal tenacity,

which meant that he could not possibly be so fragile as to die from this

level of attack — Or at least, that was how things were supposed to be.

G.o.dou felt intense pain from his back.

This level of pain was comparable to getting stuck by Salvatore Doni's

magic sword.

”What... is this?”

Furthermore, the wound felt exceptionally cold.

The inside of his body was frozen. The severe cold felt like frostbite.

Only his head felt inexorably hot, as if his brain was suffering from some

giant burden, causing a thermal runaway. Strength drained from his entire

body.

”G-G.o.dou-san!? Pull yourself together, will you!?”

Come to think of it — This greatly resembled the time when Athena had

blown [Death] into him.

Recalling the past battle, G.o.dou was shocked. Why would this be similar!?

”The curse of the poisonfeather bird's toxins... Given these delicate arms of

mine, I could not possibly inject this curse directly into the G.o.d-slaying

monarch's body of the ancient warrior. Thus, I made use of that miko

there.”

I see. She must have targeted the fact that I would protect Yuri as soon as

she was attacked.

G.o.dou understood. As expected of the witch G.o.ddess, utterly ruthless and

unscrupulous in her methods. Unlike G.o.dou's past enemies which included

war G.o.ds and the divine king, she used completely different tactics. Truly

difficult to handle indeed.

”T-To think that making enemies out of women would be this

troublesome...”

G.o.dou could not help but mutter.

This was a comment that would probably bring about intense protests from

all the girls and G.o.ddesses with whom he had ever a.s.sociated. However,

based on this particular aspect, the ”woman” named Circe was the most

challenging.

d.a.m.n it. G.o.dou cursed in his dizziness and gritted his teeth.

Putting forth all his strength to move his icy-cold body, he strove to ignore

the pain but still he could not stop his knees from collapsing. However, Yuri

caught him in her arms.

She should be quite tired herself. Nevertheless, she gave G.o.dou support

the instant he was about to fall down.

G.o.dou was the one holding Yuri earlier but now it was Yuri's turn to hold

him in her arms.

”...I am very sorry. This all because of me. However, please be patient for

a little while.”

Supporting G.o.dou from falling, the Hime-Miko displayed a stern expression

full of resolve.

”Very soon, I shall enable you — G.o.dou-san — to fight with full readiness. I

will surely help your body recover and prepare for you the [Sword] to slice

this G.o.ddess apart!”

”M-Mariya...”

”Please allow me to address the G.o.ddess of dawn with fearful reverence.

Indeed you are the divinity that embodies womanly wisdom and femininity.

However.”

Comporting herself with an air of n.o.bility as befitted one bearing the ”Hime”

t.i.tle, Yuri glared at the G.o.ddess.

”Starting from this moment, I will protect this man for now. Even if you

attempt any sort of spell, G.o.ddess, I will surely repel them. I will not allow

you to harm a single hair on G.o.dou-san's head!”

Part 2

”Fufu. A girl making cute little chirps... Ahah, I am inspired with a wonderful

idea. Let me transform you into a bird, to be kept lovingly in a cage.”

Circe smiled leisurely in response to Yuri's declaration.

It was only natural. The difference in power level between a miko and a

G.o.ddess was akin to the separation of heaven from earth.

”Come. Until you welcome death's arrival, pray entertain my aural and

visual senses.”

These spell words, chanted like a song, transformed into glittering sunlight

akin to radiance streaming through gaps in dense foliage.

Carried by the wind, these spell words flew with s.h.i.+ning splendor. The

target in their path was obviously Yuri who was supporting the collapsed

G.o.dou.

However, the Hime-Miko's body glowed with sacred light once more. [Spirit

Pacification] was the technique.

Blocked by the white light, the curse for turning humans into birds was

unable to reach Yuri's body. She had barely managed to defend against

the G.o.ddess Circe's magic.

However, unlike earlier, she did not succeed in dispelling the G.o.ddess'

spell completely.

Glittering like scattered sunlight, the dots of light gradually surrounded

G.o.dou and Yuri, pressing closer and closer to them progressively. The

only thing s.h.i.+elding them was Yuri's [Spirit Pacification].

However, the white glow was gradually weakening. Humans were not

supposed to be able to defend against the magic of G.o.ds. Most probably,

Yuri's magical power was going to be depleted in a matter of ten-odd

seconds and the light of pacification would vanish along with it.

Nevertheless —

Despite the poison corroding him from within, G.o.dou did not feel anxious.

He was currently under the gaze of Yuri's eyes of sagacity. She should

have known from the very start that buying ten-odd seconds of time was

enough.

This was evidenced by the fact of the Hime-Miko calmly proceeding to the

next action.

In G.o.dou's weakened state, she held his face gently in her hands, brought

it close to her and kissed him.

”G.o.dou-san... I will convey to you everything about the G.o.ddess Circe,

everything I have seen. The witch who made the hero Odysseus her lover

and captive — Please turn this knowledge into the [Sword] for slicing apart

Circe, the G.o.ddess of dawn!”

Embracing G.o.dou tightly, Yuri pressed her lips down as she whispered.

As the images seen by the Hime-Miko began to enter G.o.dou's mind, a vast

amount of knowledge and words rushed about inside his head.

”Oooh... What utter depravity!”

Circe raised her left arm of bra.s.s towards G.o.dou and Yuri.

Rather than a finger, she shot her entire arm from the elbow this time.

Carrying the potent poison like just now, or perhaps an even more vicious

attack, the arm of bra.s.s was flying towards them!

Yuri did not have any method to counter a physical attack of this sort. Just

as G.o.dou became startled...

”Also, please lend your strength to me... Please share your power with me,

the one protecting you! I will show you I can become even more powerful!”

Yuri was sucking his lips forcefully.

Although the act was slightly clumsy, it allowed G.o.dou to feel intensely

Yuri's entire heart and soul that she was pouring into her kiss of love.

The Hime-Miko even inserted her tongue, contrary to previous kisses,

going as far as to stir G.o.dou's tongue vigorously, entangling the two

tongues together. In that very instant —

The white glow of [Spirit Pacification] enveloping Yuri's body, on the very

verge of vanis.h.i.+ng...

The light strengthened all at once, brightly illuminating the surroundings

and covering everything in a layer of pure whiteness. This intense light was

several times more powerful than when she first used it.

Furthermore, this pure white light destroyed the bra.s.s arm released by the

G.o.ddess.

In the instant before calamity would befall G.o.dou and Yuri, just before it hit,

the arm completely vanished completely.

G.o.dou was dumbstruck. The technique of [Spirit Pacification] not only

suppressed a G.o.ddess' authority but even a physical attack launched by

her as well!

Naturally, this ultimate skill could not have been achieved by Yuri alone.

She was currently sucking G.o.dou's mouth and tongue in pitiful

desperation. By casting a new spell, she was able to absorb from inside

G.o.dou's body.

What she absorbed was the vast reserves of magical power that only

existed in the bodies of G.o.ds and Devil King Campiones —

Yuri's absorption of magical power was now reaching quite a dangerous

level. Even for a premier Hime-Miko, storing this ma.s.sive amount of

magical power in her body would immediately cause ill effects.

No, this amount was enough to endanger her life and cause inexorable

pain.

Nevertheless, absorbing for the sake of strengthening herself, she

switched to using a Campione's magical power to sustain the [Spirit

Pacification] spell, forcibly enduring the pain.

Even so, her body must be suffering from immense strain...

”O carriage of dawn, now is the time to descend from the heavens, to

incinerate the Devil King to oblivion!”

Scorching flames of conflagration suddenly spread out, engulfing the

G.o.ddess' historic ruins.

Circe released a spell, possibly because she predicted dire consequences

if Yuri was left to do as she wished. The princess femme fatale hovered

into the air and looked down at the burning ruins from the sky.

However, even when standing in a vortex of flames —

G.o.dou and Yuri's immediate surroundings remained calm and peaceful,

protected by the white light.

Yuri was breathing hard but in spite of that, G.o.dou could still clearly hear

the suction noises coming from her repeated kisses on his lips in

desperation.

She was most likely in great pain already. Large sweat drops beaded on

her forehead while her gaze began to lose focus.

But even so, she did not seek respite, continuing to offer herself for

Kusanagi G.o.dou's sake —

Yuri performed a great number of difficult spells in rapid succession. Her

energy, stamina and concentration were all approaching their limits, most

likely.

This was evidenced by the change in her way of kissing. Up until this point,

she had kissed pa.s.sionately again and again, sustained by heightened

emotions.

But now, Yuri's kisses merely sucked at G.o.dou's lips slowly with a series of

”smooch, smooch” sounds. Despite the loss of her vigor, Yuri continued to

kiss him nonstop, cautiously and attentively.

With deep loving affection and earnest sincerity, she kissed G.o.dou's lips,

stirring his tongue repeatedly.

”G.o.dou-san... This is all I can do... But I do all this for your sake...

So — so...”

Gazing at G.o.dou with her moistened eyes, she offered her lips to him as

she whispered.

She looked as though she could hardly stand and finally collapsed. This

time, it was G.o.dou's turn to catch her.

The poison's effects had disappeared, thanks to Yuri's healing magic.

Furthermore, the forging of the [Sword] within G.o.dou's body was complete.

It could be drawn at any time now. Although they were currently

surrounded by a burning inferno, there was no feeling of heat and not even

a spark drifted over.

These were all part of Yuri's accomplishments. G.o.dou hugged her delicate

body tightly.

”Mari... Yuri. I am fine now, so please rest for now.”

Embracing her, he whispered in her ear.

Yuri had challenged her limits in order to help G.o.dou recover to his current

state. Furthermore, he was the reason for this frail girl's currently dire

condition and could do nothing but accept her offerings.

Filled with self-loathing for his uselessness, G.o.dou hugged Yuri even

tighter.

”Fufu... Do not worry. I only do this because I like it.”

Yuri whispered as if she had read G.o.dou's mind.

In addition, she was smiling blissfully, taking the crisis in stride with such

an expression. G.o.dou instantly took on Verethragna's final incarnation, the

[Warrior], and chanted the spell words.

”I am the strongest, the one smas.h.i.+ng through all enemies in my way!”

Spheres of light — the [Sword]'s spell words manifested in continuous

succession in G.o.dou and Yuri's surroundings.

Dozens, hundreds, thousands of lights floated in midair, spreading out like

a sparkling galaxy. The flames of conflagration instantly disappeared with

the manifestation of these spheres of light.

Still hovering in the air, Circe murmured with a stunned expression in

response:

”Severing divine power...”

Then she immediately switched to a sharp expression and landed on the

ground.

Her grim countenance was now unbecoming of her dream-like maidenly

beauty. The G.o.ddess, who used magic as her greatest weapon,

understood that the [Sword]'s arrival was quite unfavorable for her.

The witch G.o.ddess Circe from ancient Greece had deep connections with

the hero Odysseus.

The spheres of light manifested here were all blades for slicing her apart —

Meanwhile, G.o.dou had helped Yuri to sit down on the ground for she no

longer had the strength to stand.

He nodded. Although she was completely exhausted, the Hime-Miko

responded with a dazzling smile. G.o.dou called out to this girl who

supported him so resolutely:

”I could only get here all thanks to you. I will absolutely obtain victory, so

please wait a while!”

”Yes!”

This was a rare promise of victory that G.o.dou rarely made. Grat.i.tude and

apologies for her should be saved until after victory. G.o.dou arranged

roughly a thousand individual [Swords] around Yuri in a defensive

formation before turning his gaze towards Circe.

”O scorching lightning, become the G.o.ddess' spear!”

The G.o.ddess released lightning from her hand. However, a sphere of light

flew into the path of the incoming lightning and instantly dispelled it.

Seeing this, Circe frowned and glared at the many spheres of light filling

the air like a galaxy.

”Using the Trojan Horse to capture the city of Troy, the hero Odysseus

subsequently wandered for ten years... Along the way, he reached the

island of the sun G.o.d Helios' daughter Circe. She is the terrifying witch who

casts magic on those who visit her island, turning them into wild beasts!”

The golden spheres shone radiantly like a galaxy. Several thousands of

light raced through the air, flying to Circe's surroundings, preparing to slice

apart their target.

Unintimidated by this sword formation, Circe invoked new magic.

”O thorned one, flouris.h.i.+ng in lush greenery!”

Thorned ivies with roses growing on them began to creep out of the

ground.

Within the blink of an eye, they formed a small rose garden as Circe's

protective barrier. Nevertheless, this was probably unable to stop

Verethragna's [Sword].

Unfazed, G.o.dou continued chanting spell words.

”Of course, Circe also used magic on Odysseus, intending to transform

him into a beast. However, her magic did not affect the hero who was

under the protection of the G.o.ds. Instead, Circe fell in love with him and

became his lover!”

The [Sword] sped up and advanced towards Circe and the barrier of thorns

and roses. By attacking from all directions, the thorns and roses protecting

the G.o.ddess should be easily eliminated. The [Spell Words of the Sword]

were blades capable of slicing through an enemy's divine power and

divinity. Even things like protective powers and magic could be cut and

destroyed.

”Sons of magic, soar through the sky to become my army!”

Finding the thorns ineffective, Circe used new magic.

Sliced by the [Sword] and scattered in the air, the thorned vines of ivy and

the flowers of roses transformed, from long and slender plants into bra.s.s

dolls equipped with spears and armor.

These bra.s.s soldiers were roughly the same size as G.o.dou's individual

[Swords]. Whizzing through the air, they flew to attack the dancing storm of

[Swords].

— However.

”Ultimately, Odysseus was still enthralled by Circe's beauty and remained

on her island to live there indefinitely. Having forgotten about his

homeland, he was delayed by a whole year. Using her beauty and magic

to conquer heroes, weakening their power, obstructing their goals — these

are the qualities of the witch G.o.ddess Circe!”

Verethragna's [Sword] sliced apart all the little soldiers, pulverizing them.

Conversely, none of the bra.s.s dolls were able to defeat a single [Sword].

Just like all past deities who had fought G.o.dou in various ways, simply

using divine power was not enough to defend against the [Sword].

However, Circe seemed clearly aware of this fact.

Suddenly, immense magical power burst forth from her body.

Compared to the amount residing in her body until now, her magical power

had roughly doubled. Apparently, she had summoned the thorns and the

bra.s.s dolls in order to buy enough time for acc.u.mulating this magical

power.

Then Circe poured this enormous amount of magical power into spell

words.

”O beast that stands as the Persian Warlord's manifestation. By the bonds

of wizardry, heed my call now and come forth!”

As expected, she used it. Circe used the trump card of the ”incarnations”

she had stolen from G.o.dou.

In the next instant, the ground behind Circe erupted. A certain gigantic

ent.i.ty blew away the stone steps of the ruins and rushed onto ground level

from down below.

To G.o.dou, this was a very familiar creature — the [Boar].

The black divine beast, twenty meters long. Due to the long summoning

time required, Circe must have hidden it underground ahead of time.

Circe floated up into the air again and landed lightly on the [Boar]'s head.

G.o.dou frowned because he understood the problematic situation.

The [Sword] for slicing through the G.o.ddess of dawn was unable to cut

Verethragna's incarnation!

Part 3

”Come, divine child of the sacred warlord. Exhibit your raging spirit!”

Responding to Circe's orders, the [Boar] opened its jaws wide.

Then the familiar rumbling roars came.

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

As usual, the roars were accompanied by Shockwaves. Consequently,

dozens of the wildly dancing spheres of light were blown away in the air.

Perhaps due to the sacred powers residing in the roars, the spheres of

light were not simply sent flying.

The [Boar]'s attack caused roughly 30% of the [Swords] that were struck to

pop like soap bubbles, disappearing in succession!

” — Manifesting justice in this world through these spell words of mine!”

G.o.dou transmitted his thoughts to the [Sword], ordering it to attack Circe.

The cl.u.s.ter of golden stars, glittering in the sky, responded to his thoughts

and accelerated, beginning to dance wildly.

ROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

The [Boar] emitted a thunderous roar again and blew away the [Swords] as

one would scatter tiny spiders. Just as before, roughly 30% of the [Swords]

were destroyed.

Yet G.o.dou found it strange.

Carrying Circe on its head, the [Boar] displayed no intention to move.

G.o.dou had expected it to charge ferociously as always — while feeling

surprised, G.o.dou sent a portion of the [Sword] to accelerate towards Circe.

Dozens of bright lights rushed towards the beautiful witch like a meteor

shower. However, at this moment —

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAR!

The [Boar] roared again and blew away all the [Swords] flying towards its

mistress. And again, a fraction of the [Swords] were destroyed.

I see. G.o.dou understood now. The [Boar] could be thought of as Circe's

castle.

Castle walls for defending her from the sword formation of spell words.

Equipped with these roars, not only was the enemy in a securely fortified

position, but the [Sword] could very well be destroyed completely as well.

Furthermore, all Circe needed to do was focus on defense rather than

have the [Boar] attack.

”In that case, I'll have to besiege the castle for real — ”

Just as G.o.dou turned his attention to the [Sword] to launch a concentrated

attack for knocking open the [Boar]'s castle gates, Circe's chanting could

be heard.

”One who enacts justice, please direct me towards the light and the

righteous path!”

Immediately, the black goat suddenly manifested high above G.o.dou's

head. Back to its normal size, it was hovering leisurely in the air.

Then from its body lightning was released, cras.h.i.+ng down violently on the

human directly below!

”Ahhhhhhhhhh!”

Screams of pain escaped G.o.dou's mouth. The strike was powerful enough

to penetrate the magical resistance that resiliently defended against even

divine powers. G.o.dou had already tasted this lightning a few days ago at

the island in the demonic realm. She was using the [Goat] incarnation

again!

Just like last time, the black goat exhausted its power with one lightning

strike and disappeared quickly.

”She's able to use two incarnations at once huh...”

G.o.dou had also attempted it once before, the technique of using two

incarnations simultaneously.

Realizing his opponent was using that ability, G.o.dou groaned in shock.

Although the lightning left no visible injuries on the surface of his body,

pain and paralysis was spreading throughout.

Even if he used the [Camel] like last time, it still would not have much of an

effect.

Also, Circe continued to chant:

”Evil ones, tremble before me, the one possessing wings... My wings shall

bring cursed retribution to you all!”

Despite G.o.dou's determined intention to attack the latest incarnation using

the [Sword] with reckless abandon, he was too late.

Although he could sense something flying towards him with lightning

speed, G.o.dou was neither able to dodge nor block its path using the

[Sword].

His vision could not capture that level of speed —

By the time he noticed, G.o.dou's left shoulder was already sliced open by

something akin to a sharp blade.

Blood spurted out. Then an onslaught of pain arrived.

”Gu... Uh!?”

Enduring the pain, G.o.dou looked up high to see a bird of prey resembling

an eagle or a falcon, flying majestically amidst the [Sword]'s spheres of

light that filled the sky.

The instant G.o.dou discovered the bird of prey, it instantly vanished.

G.o.dou could feel the Shockwave caused by the lightning speed of its

descent. Immediately, a crack suddenly appeared on a stone step in the

ruins three meters away from G.o.dou. It was a mark left behind as if dug by

some sharp object.

— Divine speed!?

Seeing the bird of prey appearing in the sky again, G.o.dou realized it was

the [Raptor] incarnation.

The bird of prey had apparently used its sharp beak or claws to slice open

his left shoulder just now. But just like G.o.dou in the past, it was incapable

of controlling its own excessive speed. This resulted in the poor accuracy

of its attacks.

Who knew if Circe realized the same thing, for she chanted new spell

words.

”O immortal sun, I beseech you to send forth dawn's horse-drawn

carriage!”

Gliding in the air, the bird of prey transformed into a bronco.

Its fur was pure white. Enveloped in golden flames, this time it was the

[White Stallion].

Furthermore, while all this was happening —

ROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

ROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

ROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

ROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

The tusked, black divine beast kept producing roars with Shockwaves,

vigorously trying to sweep the air clean of spell words. If this continued, the

[Sword]'s total destruction would only be a matter of time.

Then there was the [White Stallion] manifested in the air.

The golden flames all over its body were burning much stronger than last

seen before.

The [Stallion] looked as if it had resolved itself to ignite all kindling for the

purpose of incinerating Kusanagi G.o.dou together with itself to the bitter

end.

Feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, G.o.dou knew that if

he was struck by this attack, he could very well die for real —

Since the [Camel] incarnation was not currently active, G.o.dou did not have

the same resilient vitality as last time.

What should he do!? How could he fight his way out of this crisis!?

Just as G.o.dou gnashed his teeth in the face of this challenge —

'G.o.dou-san. Even if the [Sword] cannot slice through Verethragna's

incarnations, it can still sever their connections to the G.o.ddess!'

A sudden lesson. These were thoughts transmitted through psychic

sensing.

G.o.dou glanced at the user of psychic sensing for an instant. Surrounded

by the [Swords] left behind by G.o.dou, Yuri was nodding emphatically at

him from afar while she sat collapsed on the ground out of exhaustion.

Having received a spirit vision, the Hime-Miko promptly transmitted the

knowledge to him.

Moreover, G.o.dou had wielded this weapon — the [Sword]'s spell words

numerous times already. He was convinced he knew very clearly how to

use it to realize Yuri's suggestion.

G.o.dou deliberately closed his eyes.

Whether the [Boar] which kept destroying [Swords] with its roars or the

[White Stallion] charging towards him from the air, G.o.dou no longer looked

at them.

Compared to these two beasts, G.o.dou had more important things to

capture.

Namely, the magic itself that had turned these incarnations into Circe's