Vol 13 Chapter 7 (2/2)

possessions.

Normally, G.o.dou was not capable of sensing that vague and ambiguous

presence. Just as Erica described, he was a man with zero talent in magic.

However —

It was a completely different matter when he used Verethragna's [Warrior]

and [Goat] incarnations.

Whenever either of these incarnations was active, G.o.dou was imbued with

magical control surpa.s.sing all magi in order to manipulate spell words and

lightning. Hence he was surely capable of seeing —

The pulsation of power. The divine power woven by the G.o.ddess Circe.

The telltale signs of an authority in use, one that concealed fire attributes.

”That's it!”

The instant he perceived it, G.o.dou opened his eyes wide.

Although the [White Stallion] overhead was falling like a burning meteor,

G.o.dou remained motionless. Instead, he gave orders to attack.

Under his directions, two beams of light flew towards separate directions.

One beam targeted the head of the [White Stallion] charging at G.o.dou.

The other flew towards the back of the [Boar], Circe's current mount.

The two lights of the [Sword] splendidly severed what G.o.dou had seen.

These were the magically woven links that connected the incarnations to

the G.o.ddess. At the same time, the [White Stallion] collided directly with

G.o.dou's body. However, he was completely unharmed.

The [White Stallion] was reabsorbed into G.o.dou's body. Furthermore, the

violently howling [Boar] also vanished and returned to within G.o.dou as

well.

Originally riding on the black divine beast's head, Circe was tossed into the

air by the loss of her mount.

G.o.dou ordered five [Swords] to fly towards the falling witch like a meteor

shower. This was in order to sever Circe's magic of [Hero Confinement],

the secret art used to steal Verethragna's incarnations.

— Slice. G.o.dou could feel slicing on target.

The five [Swords] pierced Circe's body one after another. At the same

time, G.o.dou recovered what had been stolen from him. The incarnations of

the [Wind], the [Bull], the [Raptor], the [Ram] and the [Goat]—

Although he could live without these powers, they were comrades who had

accompanied him through situations of life and death after all.

For this once, G.o.dou nodded strongly to acknowledge the feeling of the

incarnations' return.

”Gun! Then I call upon the wheel of dawn!”

Despite losing Verethragna's incarnations, Circe remained standing in the

sky. Pointing her finger at the eastern sky, she chanted spell words.

”I implore you to become my spear for piercing the ground, incinerating all

existence!”

Many stars were scattered over the South Seas' sky.

During this inappropriate time, the sun rose from the east. Circe was

probably planning on unleas.h.i.+ng her strongest fire attack on the same

level as Verethragna's [White Stallion].

The glow of dawn illuminated the South Seas and the uninhabited island

with a rosy tint.

Released by this sun, golden brilliance flew towards G.o.dou on the ground.

Nevertheless, G.o.dou gave instructions to the remaining [Swords] in the air

to intercept.

Several hundred spheres of light sliced apart the golden flashes,

destroying them before they could reach the ground.

Even if the sun's strongest light was used as an attack, so long as it was

Circe's authority, the [Sword] could cut it. That said, the blades of spell

words were also diminis.h.i.+ng in number through use.

The [Swords] G.o.dou created were almost entirely used up for intercepting

sunlight.

There were only about a hundred left — the ones G.o.dou had ordered to

form a defensive formation around Yuri. G.o.dou turned his gaze over there

and exchanged nods with Yuri.

Now was the time for switching the remaining weapons from defense to

offense. G.o.dou and Yuri were thinking the same thing simultaneously.

”Evil-doers, tremble before me! Hindrances, begone from my sight!”

G.o.dou accelerated all the remaining [Swords] and sent them flying towards

Circe. The swarm of [Swords] proceeded to mercilessly slice through her

as she stood in the air.

”Kyaaaaah!?”

Circe screamed as she crashed down to earth.

Her bra.s.s prostheses also gave off breaking noises. Nevertheless,

G.o.dou's enemy was a G.o.ddess. This fall could not have caused any

significant damage to her.

On the other hand, G.o.dou had felt clearly the slicing sensation from the

sword.

He had cut rather deeply into Circe's divinity. She was already carrying a

half-dead and battered body. It would come as no surprise if she

consumed all her strength and collapsed on the spot.

But despite this being the reasonable outcome —

”Gun...”

The G.o.ddess made herself hover using magic again.

Circe's left prosthetic arm was already lost from launching the earlier

attack. Due to the damage caused by G.o.dou's [Sword], her left prosthetic

leg was greatly twisted out of shape while her waist area was also cracked

severely.

Panting heavily, she no longer displayed the elegance of a beautiful girl

from fantasy.

She was literally covered with wounds. Nevertheless, Circe still floated up

into midair, casting her haughty gaze down at the G.o.d-slayer who had

pushed her this far. Her beautiful face and sharp glare exuded unyielding

vigor.

She still intended to fight, resolved to defeat G.o.dou by any means

necessary, so as to treasure him like a toy in the exact manner she had

declared.

However, perhaps due to a Campione's animal-like instincts regarding

battle...

G.o.dou still sensed that Circe was lying on death's door. She was currently

about to collapse. Victory would be obtained simply by landing a blow or

two on her — G.o.dou was convinced.

But in the face of imminent defeat, Circe smiled instead.

”Fufufu. As expected, this body prevented the situation from developing

favorably. In that case, I have no choice but to risk all on a gamble.”

A blue shadow manifested behind her, floating in midair.

It was an ambiguous humanoid silhouette with a poorly defined outline.

Clad in armor, an angular impression was exuded all over. Standing

roughly five meters tall, its height was not impressive enough to call it a

giant.

Then there were the steel bow and arrows — Familiar weapons G.o.dou had

seen before.

This was the being that Circe had called the ”divine spirit of the bow.”

Using the [Warrior]'s ability to obtain deep understanding of target deities,

G.o.dou was able to see past his true nature.

”This guy is the power you stole from Odysseus, right?”

G.o.dou spoke as he looked up at the figure and Circe.

The authority to ”strip hero's of their power using beauty and magic.”

Odysseus was the hero who possessed this power of bow and arrows and

was also intimately linked to the G.o.ddess.

Her ability to use a portion of his powers was not surprising. However.

”Although probably stronger than divine beasts, I can't see him as a match

for us.”

G.o.dou spoke as he cast his eyes of the [Warrior] at the bow-wielding

figure.

Ultimately, this ”divine spirit of the bow” was merely an imitation of

Odysseus. An existence possessing an ego on the level of a divine beast

but lacking a human's mind and intelligence.

G.o.dou did not think he could become Circe's trump card in her desperate

situation —

”Yes, it is exactly as you say. Please feel free to mock the superficiality of

a desperate woman. I plan on using this to cast my final magic.”

Final? Just as G.o.dou frowned in response to these dangerous words —

Circe suddenly stabbed her remaining right arm prosthesis into her left

breast. The sharp fingertips of bra.s.s dug into white and tender flesh,

resulting in a spurt of fresh blood!

While G.o.dou watched dumbfounded, Yuri also gasped and went ”Hmm!?”

in the distance.

The beautiful G.o.ddess' fingertips were stabbed where a human's heart

would be located. Blood gushed out like a geyser but the flow soon

stopped. This was a most bizarre move on her part.

”By this crimson blood I swear upon heaven and earth. Should I fail to

vanquish Kusanagi G.o.dou in this trial of magic, I shall personally put an

end to my immortal life!”

What!? G.o.dou was rendered speechless. Circe's declaration was filled

with spell words.

This was a curse. A coersive curse the G.o.ddess had cast upon herself.

She had no choice but to do this in order to realize her goal —

What a truly absurd curse this was!?

But in the next instant, Circe's magical power expanded several fold!

This level of power was comparable to that of G.o.dou's past enemy, the

Great Sage Equaling Heaven, when he summoned Zhu Ganglie and

Vaisravana. G.o.dou was reminded of what his beautiful sworn sister, Luo

Cuilian, had informed him before.

A deity's strength was directly proportional to the intensity of their ego,

obsessions and sense of ident.i.ty!

”I see... Swearing to defeat me with your last and only magic, even going

as far as to bind yourself with a curse — you have elevated the motivating

element of 'defeating me' to the maximum!”

G.o.dou trembled in response to his beautiful foe's cunning plan.

He now realized clearly what prompted his sense of unease before the

battle. The reason why he did not find this G.o.ddess, on the very verge of

death, ”weak” at all. It now made perfect sense logically, she was terrifying

precisely because she was wounded.

Because she was so close to death, Circe did not cherish life.

Hence, she was able to lay everything on the line for the sake of defeating

Kusanagi G.o.dou, converting her life into a weapon even if the price was its

forfeit. She even went as far as to make this task her greatest and only

ident.i.ty!

...The G.o.ddess of dawn, Circe, began to chant loudly.

Using her immortal life as a price to obtain magical power, her goal was to

release her final magic.

”Tell me, O Muse, of the man of many devices, who wandered full many

ways after he had sacked the sacred citadel of Troy.”

G.o.dou realized the true nature of Circe's magic. Indeed, it was that poem!

”His guile and brilliance recognized by the people on earth, his renown

even reached the heavens. His name is — ”

Odysseus!

While the G.o.ddess chanted and G.o.dou nodded, in that very instant —

The bow-wielding figure — the ”divine spirit of the bow” which was only a

black shadowy ma.s.s, suddenly obtained a material body. A warrior fully

armed with bronze armor, a steel bow and steel arrows.

He stood five meters tall or so. Circe landed lightly on his left shoulder.

”A subordinate G.o.d huh...”

The hero Odysseus was definitely not the G.o.ddess Circe's subordinate...

Perhaps he should be more aptly called an allied G.o.d.'

Yuri whispered in G.o.dou's ear using psychic sensing.

Then accompanied by a ma.s.sive crash that shook the earth, Odysseus

landed on the ground.

His left shoulder carried Circe while he wielded in his right hand the

weapon of the ”Pan-Eurasian hero,” the bow of steel. The helmet's face

was pulled down deeply, obscuring his true face.

Nevertheless, G.o.dou was certain that Odysseus was glaring at him with

great hostility.

”Is this guy the strongest steel? The one who manifests at the end of

eras?”

' — No, the hero Odysseus does not appear to carry the traits of the [War

G.o.ds of Steel]. Nevertheless, I can sense astounding power coming from

that bow. Please be careful, G.o.dou-san!'

Perhaps because spirit vision showed her the formidable abilities of this

user of the blue bow, Yuri's voice seemed to be trembling slightly.

But then again, since he was not a member of [Steel], Odysseus likely did

not possess their troublesome abilities of ”indestructibility.”

G.o.dou took delight in this particular point then turned his glare towards the

wandering hero.

Part 4

”As the descendant of the great G.o.d Zeus, the indomitable hero Odysseus

hereby arrives unannounced! I beseech the G.o.ds to hear me and bear

witness! Please carefully observe my wit and guile, that which descends

upon the earth again after eons of absence!”

A deep, sonorous voice was heard from the bronze helmet.

A rich desire to show off combined with a talkative manner of speech.

Nevertheless, his words were not objectionable.

Odysseus was famous for coming up with the ”Trojan Horse” ploy. He was

the wandering hero, not only valorous and cunning but also an eloquent

orator. This sort of man would not give others an impression of boring

rigidity.

However, the summoner Circe proclaimed to the talkative giant soldier of

bronze.

”Your Highness Odysseus. Our reunion greatly pleases me... But please

wait a while, for this place is my battlefield!”

This announcement's effect was akin to inserting a key into Odysseus'

vocal cords.

In the next instant, out from the bronze helmet came nothing but groans

rather than human speech.

Goooohhhhhhhhhhg!

This resembled a monster's howls more than a hero's cries. Listening to

this howl with a satisfied expression as she sat on Odysseus' left shoulder,

Circe nodded with a smile on her face.

She probably believed that so long as a hero was valorous, wit and

eloquence were redundant.

”Well, I guess men pretty much all look like that in front of women...”

Feeling slightly sympathetic for the hero, G.o.dou could not help but let his

true feelings escape.

But of course, he still remained highly vigilant. Since Odysseus was giving

off an exceptionally strong aura of killing intent, there was no room for

carelessness.

”Your Highness, please use your bow to annihilate Kusanagi-sama!”

Goooohhhhhhhhhhg !

In response to Circe's command, Odysseus began to shoot.

Nocking a steel arrow onto the steel bow, he drew the bowstring to its

maximum limit. But instead of G.o.dou, the arrowhead was aimed at the

South Seas' starry sky.

Whoos.h.!.+ The steel arrow was shot, accompanied by the bowstring's

sound, disappearing into the darkness of the night sky.

Then a rain of arrows immediately descended from the sky above!

Numerous arrows of blue-white light rained down upon the island like a

meteor shower. The arrows most likely numbered in the tens of thousands.

The ma.s.sive number of arrows fell down upon every corner of the island.

This was literally a rain of arrows. There was no place to run at all. If one

were to stand there helplessly, dozens of arrows would pierce the body

instantly —

”d.a.m.n it!”

Cursing away, G.o.dou invoked the [Raptor] incarnation.

This was the ability of divine speed only available when confronted with a

high speed attack. From G.o.dou's perspective, the pouring rain of arrows

moved as if under slow motion playback. Meanwhile, he could travel at

lightning speed.

In order to evade all the arrows, this was the only incarnation he could use.

There was no other choice.

Running with divine speed, G.o.dou picked up Yuri in his arms while she

gazed speechlessly at the sky and cautiously dodged each arrow of light

falling from the sky, one at a time.

Not only for himself, but also for the sake of protecting Yuri.

After all the arrows were finally evaded did he switch off divine speed.

”G-G.o.dou-san. Thank you!”

”It's coming again. Although I will be swinging you around for a while,

please endure for now.”

Just as Yuri answered ”Very well!”, Odysseus had already moved on to his

next shot.

Shot from the steel bow this time was not an arrow but a beam of

blue-white light. G.o.dou switched on divine speed once more and jumped

to evade the light flying towards him like a laser.

However, the bombardment of light did not end there.

The blue hero s.h.i.+fted horizontally the light coming from the steel bow as

one would sweep a spear.

Then Odysseus yelled. Goooohhhhhhhhhhg!

”In that case, I'll have to go up!”

G.o.dou jumped up to evade the horizontally sweeping spear of light.

This was all thanks to the exceptionally light and agile body conferred by

the [Raptor]. Feeling weightless even when carrying a load, G.o.dou was

able to dodge the light beam even when carrying Yuri.

However, Odysseus then turned the steel bow towards G.o.dou and Yuri

who were high up in the air.

In turn, the spear of light jumped up accordingly!

G.o.dou and Yuri were now transitioning to freefall after the jump. Since one

must eventually fall after leaping upwards, there would be no way of

evading the spear. Nevertheless, G.o.dou ”decelerated” his rate of descent.

Slowly, slowly, they fell at a rate of roughly one millimeter per second.

This rate of descent was almost like hovering motionless in midair. The

[Raptor] was not only capable of acceleration but also unprecedented

deceleration of this sort.

During this time, the spear of light below them had already swept past and

missed.

After evading the spear, G.o.dou accelerated again, bringing Yuri with him

to land on the ground.

Turning off divine speed, G.o.dou breathed heavily. As expected of the

bow-wielding hero, it was clear that subsequent arrows could not be

dodged so easily. G.o.dou was convinced that although he could rely on

divine speed to evade, sooner or later he would be hit.

Furthermore, prolonged use of the [Raptor] would produce severe pain in

his heart, followed swiftly by immobilization of the body through paralysis.

G.o.dou and Yuri were fast approaching the time limit.

”In the end, we still can't proactively decide the battle...”

G.o.dou's lips twisted involuntarily. Although grotesque in form, he was still

smiling.

Although G.o.dou had cursed ”d.a.m.n it!” just before using the [Raptor], he

already expected this eventual development. He had to perform an attack

to defeat Odysseus and Circe together while using the [Raptor] at the

same time.

In that case, there was only one choice. But this required his companion's

a.s.sistance —

”I have no objections, G.o.dou-san.”

”Excellent intuition. Did you see it through spirit vision?”

”No, but it occurred to me as soon as I saw your expression, G.o.dou-san.

Fortunately, there are no others on this island to cause trouble to, so let me

a.s.sist you!”

Once again, the two of them were going to unsheathe the uncontrollable

”black blade”—

With a stern expression, the Hime-Miko consented to G.o.dou's

spontaneous and reckless plan.

'But wouldn't it cause great trouble to you?'

G.o.dou refrained from asking this question. Instead, he released Yuri from

his arms and set her down.

”If I accidentally blow this island away like last time, we'll just have to

continue drifting on the sea without a boat, let's go!”

”Very well. And just like Odysseus, we will surely return to our homeland!”

Having obtained Yuri's support, G.o.dou summoned Ama no Murak.u.mo no

Tsurugi.

The three-foot-three-inch, grand, black sword suddenly manifested in his

hand. After being used as the medium for the ”black blade,” G.o.dou's

”partner” had succ.u.mbed to a ”fragile” state. That was how intensely

draining the technique was.

Since a while earlier, G.o.dou had started pouring magical power into the

divine sword.

In preparation for this situation, he had already begun doing so before the

battle. Now he intended to activate the divine sword temporarily. Feeling

that it was about time, he drew out the sword from his right arm and —

'Wait, king. Rather than attempting that troublesome magical technique,

why don't you choose a different method? The tides of battle will turn

favorable very shortly.'

The divine sword's sudden advice gave G.o.dou quite a surprise.

But he instantly understood the message. Beside him, Yuri was gazing up

into the night sky with a delighted expression. Blue light was flying towards

the island — Indeed, it was Liliana's flight magic.

Several seconds later, Liliana, Erica and Ena finally landed before G.o.dou

and Yuri.

”Looks like we are just in time for the most spectacular scene!”

Naturally, this relaxed tone of voice belonged to Erica. As G.o.dou figured

the reason why they came to meet up at this particular moment, Ena

nodded with a smile.

”Ena sensed Ama no Murak.u.mo recover its consciousness earlier. Feeling

a presence that seemed to be traceable, Ena asked Liliana-san to explore

the direction indicated.”

”Luckily, we were already nearby, out at sea exploring the surrounding

waters.”

Liliana explained. G.o.dou was glad to see her usual, serious att.i.tude again.

The silver-haired knight stared at the bow-wielding archer of bronze.

”The hero Odysseus... And the lovely-haired Circe? This is the G.o.ddess'

true ident.i.ty!?”

Inspired with spirit vision, Liliana murmured the G.o.ddess' name.

Erica and Ena tensed their expression as a result. Although the trio had

just arrived, they were already prepared to battle at any moment. Truly

quick on the uptake.

...Or rather, this was apparently the result of undergoing many trials in the

company of Kusanagi G.o.dou.

In any case, the arrival of these reinforcements was more uplifting than

anything. Since his companions were here, G.o.dou did not need to risk

drifting away anymore —

G.o.dou instantly cast his gaze down to turn his attention to the issue of his

heart.

His usage time of divine speed had clearly increased substantially

compared to before. Although it was not his intention, this apparently stood

as evidence of his growth and development as a Campione.

Furthermore, G.o.dou was struck by a firm belief regarding the [Raptor]

incarnation.

The pain and paralyzing stiffness could be eliminated if he switched

incarnations at this juncture — !

Nodding to Yuri, G.o.dou halted the spell of the blade.

”Everyone, can I rely on you all to handle Odysseus' arrows briefly? Even a

minute would be good enough. I will snipe the G.o.ddess during this time!”

G.o.dou stabbed Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi into the ground as he

spoke.

Ena immediately pulled out the divine sword and caressed the blade's

body with her hand. The red and blue knights also summoned their favorite

magic swords immediately.

All preparations were complete. G.o.dou chanted spell words with nothing to

fear.

”For victory, hasten forth before me. O immortal sun, I beseech thee to

grant radiance to the stallion!”

Circe had defended against and even made full use of the [White Stallion]

incarnation before.

However, the G.o.ddess was currently all covered in wounds and had little

excess magical power. The situation was different from last time!

”O stallion that moveth G.o.dlike with wondrous grace, bringest forth the halo

of thy master — ”

”Guh... Your Highness Odysseus, please grant me your protection!”

The sun rose in the eastern sky once again.

This time it was G.o.dou using the flames of the rising sun as a weapon.

The spear of flas.h.i.+ng white light approached.

The target being sniped was Circe, the G.o.ddess on the verge of death,

sitting on the left shoulder of the archer clad in bronze armor. But this time,

she did not have the vortex of light she used for absorbing the [White

Stallion] in the past.

As the price for summoning the hero, Circe was no longer able to use

magic.

Instead, she had to let Odysseus, the shooter of magical projectiles,

intercept the approaching [White Stallion] with his steel bow.

Goooohhhhhhhhhhg!

Odysseus held steel bow before him as a s.h.i.+eld, treating it as the sacrifice

for the [White Stallion].

A frontal clash between the hero with the steel bow and the heavenly

horse that transported the sun —

G.o.dou infused his remaining magical power into the [White Stallion], trying

to overwhelm his opponent. Odysseus in turn focused his magical power

into his left hand and the steel bow to withstand the attack.

Nevertheless, G.o.dou sensed through his instincts that he would prevail in

this frontal clash.

Odysseus was a heroic G.o.d, but unlike Circe, he was not a sun G.o.d. Under

the super high temperatures of the sun, his steel weapon and bronze

armor were already melting gradually into a viscous state.

G.o.dou was going to win provided he continued to sustain the [White

Stallion] like this. However, the hero of the bow made another move.

Goooohhhhhhhhhhg!

Odysseus opened his right hand and pointed it at G.o.dou.

Then from each of his five fingertips, a ma.s.sive steel arrow shot out — a

total five arrows all at the same time. It was like firing bullets using the

fingertips as gun barrels.

Five steel arrows. Normally, these would have pierced five holes in

G.o.dou's body. However.

”Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the

city!” [1]

”And they warred against the Midianites, as the Lord commanded

Moses!” [2]

The red and blue knights used the smiting spell words to defend.

Erica used her barb lance while Liliana used her sacred sword of

extermination that had taken the form of a naginata. Together, the two

weapons formed an X-shape and generated a magical s.h.i.+eld in front of

G.o.dou and his companions. The power that protected the two sacred

exterminators had now become a barrier for protecting the five of them!

This protective s.h.i.+eld managed to just barely deflect Odysseus' five

arrows.

The two knights' skills were astounding. However, the arrows shooting

from the hero's right hand were not finished.

Like a machine gun, Odysseus' five fingers shot arrows of steel

continuously.

More accurately this was not a hail of bullets but a second ”rain of arrows.”

G.o.dou decided he must defeat Circe before the knights' defenses gave

way —

Just as G.o.dou turned his attention towards the [White Stallion] —

Ena suddenly charged forward, taking Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi with

her and leaving Erica and Liliana's magical s.h.i.+eld. Lowering her center of

gravity, Ena rushed towards Odysseus like a wolf.

”Leave it to us, Your Majesty!”

The Hime-Miko of the Sword hollered as she ran. In addition, G.o.dou

received the thoughts of the partner, Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi.

By the time G.o.dou found out what the divine sword and its user were

intending, Ena had already rushed towards the rain of arrows as quickly as

if she were flying.

...Just several days ago, she had used divine possession to the maximum

limit without regard for her body.

Even if she had already rested and saved up her energy, the time she

could fight at maximum strength should be quite short. However, G.o.dou

already knew the strategy these ”two partners” were using to overcome

this disadvantage.

Then just as Odysseus' arrows were about to pierce Ena in multiple

places —

Ena called out loudly.

”I call upon you whose interests I shoulder, the name of Kusanagi G.o.dou!

Let us guide the summons of wind into the secret sword, for I shall turn it

into Your Highness' blade!”

The calling of his name by someone facing a deadly crisis. This was the

condition for using Verethragna's first incarnation, the [Wind], thereby

allowing Kusanagi G.o.dou to fly to the caller's location.

And now, Ena and Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi intended to summon this

incarnation.

But now was not the time for G.o.dou to stop the [White Stallion]. For the

second time after the battle against the Great Sage Equaling Heaven,

G.o.dou employed two incarnations simultaneously again after so long.

While using the sun's s.h.i.+ning light to pin down Circe and Odysseus, he

used another incarnation at the same time.

Rather than for flying instantly to Ena's side, this was for letting Ama no

Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi absorb the [Wind] incarnation!

”Gun— !”

G.o.dou gritted his teeth from the splitting headache.

But it no longer hurt as much as last time. This also testified to G.o.dou's

growth as a Campione, gradually mastering Verethragna's authority bit by

bit, strengthening his power.

After obtaining the [Wind]'s power, Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi and Ena

turned into a storm in the shape of a human and a sword.

Boom!

With a vortex of wind swirling around her, Ena rushed forward just as the

pouring rain of arrows were about to pierce her body.

By the next instant, she had already reached the side of Odysseus who

was engaging the [White Stallion].

Her speed was truly like the wind — Her running speed could already be

described as instantaneous teleportation.

Then Ena swung Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi and attacked twice.

First she severed Odysseus' right arm at the elbow, eliminating the hand

that kept shooting rains of arrows continuously. Then in her follow through,

Ena amputated the left arm at the shoulder, the one holding the gradually

melting steel bow that was blocking the [White Stallion]'s flames.

Conserving her momentum, Ena continued to run forward, pa.s.sing

Odysseus from the side.

Were she to stop moving, the [White Stallion]'s flames would surely devour

her as well.

Having absorbed the [Wind], Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi granted its

user, Ena, speed like the wind and destructive power like a hurricane.

This was the very instant when Ena obtained the [Sword of Wind] that even

surpa.s.sed divine possession, the trump card of the Hime-Miko of the

Sword.

As for Odysseus, who had lost both arms —

He was helplessly pierced by the [White Stallion] in the left shoulder and

blown away strongly.

Then Circe screamed from her seat on his shoulder.

”Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?”

The G.o.ddess of dawn finally suffered the [White Stallion]'s direct hit.

Part 5

The wandering hero, Odysseus.

Just as Yuri pointed out, he was not supposed to be a member of

indestructible [Steel].

But perhaps he really was as ”indomitable” as he claimed. Despite having

lost both arms and even part of his left shoulder, Odysseus still struggled

desperately to stand up.

Nevertheless, this action was interrupted halfway.

The heroic figure, clad in bronze armor, gradually rarefied, finally turning

transparent and disappeared.

Rather than dying, his body could no longer be maintained on earth

because his summoner's strength and magic were depleted.

But this might actually be quite an astounding feat.

Odysseus was able to exist on his last breath until just now, probably

because Circe remained barely alive.

”I'm sorry... This counts as my win, right?”

G.o.dou turned his gaze downwards towards the dying G.o.ddess.

He had not let victory go to his head but was simply speaking intentionally

in a calm tone of voice.

Circe's bra.s.s prosthetics were all smashed beyond recognition, incinerated

into pitch-black charcoal. An incomparably tragic sight.

Yet Circe's own body of flesh remained so pristinely white and beautiful.

She was lying on the ground, breathing heavily. Large beads of sweat

were flowing down her dream-like, beautiful face that displayed clear signs

of pain. Rather than falling in battle, her appearance was better described

by a.n.a.logy to a tragic young beauty who had succ.u.mbed to fatal illness.

Even when lying on death's door, she still exhibited her beauty in a manner

most suited to her.

G.o.dou was astounded by this truly witch-like mystery and miracle. But

perhaps it was related to the [White Stallion] that was used as the decisive

blow. It was only natural that the attack from the horse responsible for

carrying the sun would have limited effects on a sun G.o.ddess.

Nevertheless, this damage should be enough to bring about the G.o.ddess'

complete death.

”G.o.dou, please note that giving her a quick end at this time would be

considered a form of mercy.”

Watching quietly behind him, Erica interjected.

Yuri, Liliana and Ena were standing slightly further away, watching the end

of the battle as a trio.

G.o.dou felt that Erica's suggestion did not carry her usual nuance of t

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