Vol 15 Chapter 4 (2/2)

However, raising it to maximum power required too much time. Using it to

annihilate a group was relatively easy but sniping individual targets was

much harder. G.o.dou had come to understand these traits during his fight

against Uldin.

— Hence, timing was the most important.

During the instant of returning to the ground from the corridor's alternate

s.p.a.ce...

At the same time, he sent the black star, having raised it to full power,

towards the hill where the hero's faction waited!

”I'm relying on you, Ama no Murak.u.mo!”

'Affirmative!'

Residing in his right arm, Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi responded to

G.o.dou's command.

Two Campiones returned to the ground simultaneously. They found a

crater behind them, sixty meters in diameter, so deep it seemed

bottomless.

Before them was the hill where the pale-haired hero and the bear G.o.ddess

were waiting.

G.o.dou, Doni and Madame Aisha had returned to the hill. Furthermore,

above the trio was a ma.s.sive black star that was almost twice as large as

the hole behind them.

'O steel that breaks a thousand blades, trample the enemy with a rampage

of divine wind!'

The instant Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi issued the order, the dark star

began to descend rapidly.

Its target was the hill where the G.o.ds stood, of course. At the same time, a

rumbling storm began to blow violently.

This dark star was manifestation of supergravity capable of sucking in

everything on the ground. Soil, vegetation, the stone circle on the hill,

everything was being devoured by the black sphere together with the wind

and the atmosphere.

Indeed, this was the gravitational storm of the ”black blade.”

”Hahaha! To think you'd obtain this kind of authority! As expected of

G.o.dou!”

”J-Just watching from afar, I never expected it to be so amazing!”

Doni was laughing with delight while Madame Aisha used her hands to

hold down her overcoat, billowing in the wind.

The three Campiones were just short of being sucked in because, holding

Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi up high, G.o.dou did now give the black star

permission to do so.

There were others who had escaped the gravitational attraction. Namely,

the G.o.ddess Artio and the 'King of the End.'

”I call upon my avatar, the earth! The one turned into a mother!”

As a mother earth G.o.ddess, Artio chanted spell words.

The wound from Doni's sword was still carved on her abdomen as a

red-black trail.

”By all means necessary, keep my son and I on the ground!”

Those without wings were not permitted to leave the earth.

Was this divine power invoked in adherence to this principle? Despite the

pulls of the gravitational storm, Artio and the 'King of the End' remained

firmly standing on the earth.

However, this type of resistance probably placed great strain on her. Artio's

face was showing desperation.

Next, G.o.dou's dark star rapidly descended on the fake duo of mother and

son.

Probably at a speed of hundreds of kilometers per hour. However, just at

this moment, the pale-haired hero swiftly drew the Divine Sword of

Salvation, thrusting the platinum blade towards the rapidly approaching

black sphere.

Immediately, a gigantic sphere of platinum light blocked the dark star head

on!

Still silent, the pale-haired hero injected a vast amount of magical power

into the divine sword.

The Divine Sword of Salvation produced light that was as bright as the sun.

The ball of light was just as large as the dark star controlled by Ama no

Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi.

The white sun and black giant star proceeded to clash violently in midair.

For G.o.dou, this was a scene he had not witnessed for a long time, ever

since the battle against Lancelot. The white sun shot out hundreds of

lightning flashes. A gravitational storm raged violently in the surroundings

of the dark star.

Indeed, it was a clash between equals. This was exactly the same as that

time with Lancelot — !

”...Well, that should be about right.”

However, G.o.dou still poured the majority of his magical power into Ama no

Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi which he was raising up towards the sky. At the

same time, he commented indifferently.

G.o.dou muttered quietly then threw a glance at Doni behind him.

”Indeed, perhaps there are some slight differences.”

”I knew it, your view does agree with mine. As expected of my dear friend.”

”There must be something we still don't understand yet. That said, the

other side's power is supposed to be much stronger than ours.”

G.o.dou spoke quietly while ignoring Doni's words of friends.h.i.+p.

”I think we can take advantage of this opening.”

”Agreed. Then I'm on it!”

Giggling, Doni rushed out.

He ran from the foot of the hill towards the peak, unsheathing his

longsword as he ascended.

Watching him from behind, G.o.dou could not help but click his tongue in

annoyance. Who could have expected he would be so in sync with Doni?

Clearly it was their first time being stuck in the same boat!

Completely unaware of G.o.dou's frustrations, the G.o.dslayer of the sword

raced effortlessly up the hill.

A slender figure blocked his path ahead. Wrapped in white cloth all over,

the warrior was also wearing leather armor with a mask.

This red mask covered the face completely.

On the other hand, the positions corresponding to the eyes were painted

black in color.

Due to the mask and the white cloth wrapped all over the body, none of the

enemy's skin could be seen. The unidentified figure was wielding in one

hand a ma.s.sive sword that was almost his own height.

”Ehe. This means you won't let me advance further, right?”

With a toothy grin, Doni slashed downwards vertically with his longsword.

The masked warrior blocked the attack calmly. With extreme speed, he

had raised the giant sword to block the longsword.

However, in blocking Doni's longsword, the great blade was severed.

Indeed, Salvatore Doni's magic sword was an authority capable of slicing

anything into two. Let alone the opponent's body, even armor, s.h.i.+elds and

weapons were easily sliced through.

Doni's sword did not stop the attack's momentum and sliced at the

enemy's mask at lightning speed.

However, just three centimeters before cutting the enemy's face open,

surprisingly, the masked warrior effortlessly evaded the sword, jumping

sideways rapidly at the same time.

This speed was like a gale's, whistling like the sound of blowing wind.

Then the masked warrior began to take further action. His movements

resembled rapid punches. Currently, the black blade's gravitational storm

was still blowing at ground level, but he was still able to ignore it with ease.

Every time he took a step with extreme speed, a whirlwind would result

underfoot. He — or she — was probably a war G.o.d of gales, unaffected by

the restraints of gravity.

”I guess you're the wind G.o.d from just now.”

”I see you're trying to be a mute like your master. Hohoho, I don't really

dislike this kind of preference.”

The red-masked war G.o.d. A being that Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi

exposed as a wind G.o.d and a sword.

A subordinate G.o.d of the ”King of the End”? No. G.o.dou shook his head.

There was the example of Lancelot already. This G.o.d could very well have

encountered the ”King of the End” while wandering the earth and became

allies. One could not jump to conclusions recklessly.

Meanwhile, confronted with the smiling Doni, the unidentified war G.o.d

summoned a giant sword again.

II

!”

Holding a ma.s.sive sword almost as long as he was tall, he charged Doni

head on.

This speed was not simply gale speed. Rather, it was the speed of

lightning. The same speed as Verethragna's incarnation of the [Raptor] or

Alexandre Gascoigne's [Black Lightning] — divine speed!

Using divine speed, the masked war G.o.d kept making terrifying attacks.

To this point, he had been swinging his giant sword one-handed.

Suddenly, it seemed as though he had increased to having twelve arms

and twelve blades, attacking Doni's body from all directions.

As a result of divine speed, it looked like all twelve attacks were happening

at the same time.

Nevertheless, Doni saw through all these attacks. Although it looked like

twelve ma.s.sive blades were slicing through the blond Campione, Doni's

body simply flickered once like a mirage. Completely unharmed.

Salvatore Doni was a user of the mind's eye, capable of seeing through

attacks even conducted with divine speed.

Finally, Doni made a rather casual forward thrust with his longsword,

aiming to pierce the war G.o.d's mask.

It was a low-speed and leisurely thrust that did not seem like it belonged in

a battle. Yet for some reason, the user of divine speed only barely

managed to evade Doni's sword — No.

Seeing through Doni's swordsmans.h.i.+p was an exceedingly difficult task.

That was why the reaction was delayed. Just as the sword's blade was

approaching right in front of his face, the war G.o.d barely managed to turn

and evade successfully. This was Doni's divine skill that G.o.dou had

experienced before.

”You get it now, don't you? You're no match for me if you rely on speed

alone.”

The war G.o.d was probably making a terrible expression behind the mask.

In contrast, Doni was flippant as usual and went as far as to say the

following:

”Maybe your usual weapon is not a sword? Not to say something bad, but

it doesn't matter even if you fought using your most skilled weapon.”

In merely a brief exchange, he had already caught a glimpse of the

enemy's martial arts.

After displaying what could be called the wise judgment of a martial genius,

Doni laughed fearlessly.

”If you're only going to fight like this, I'm probably much stronger than you

think.”

The masked war G.o.d had apparently sealed off his best weapon on

purpose.

Could it be that showing his appearance and weapon would be equivalent

to exposing his true ident.i.ty? G.o.dou's curiosity spurred him to gaze intently

at the war G.o.d.

But at the same time, he continued to hold Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi

up high, pouring ma.s.sive amounts of magical power into it.

Naturally, this was for maintaining the ”black blade” and the gravitational

storm. Overhead, the white sun of salvation was colliding with the dark

star, resisting each other in a fight to annihilate the other.

Furthermore, the ”King of the End” on the hill was doing the same as

G.o.dou — Or not, actually.

The pale-haired hero was running down the hill. Wielding the Divine Sword

of Salvation, he slashed at G.o.dou.

”Ack... He's not as strained as me!?”

In order to maintain the dark star, G.o.dou was standing still, focusing his

attention.

In contrast, the ”King of the End” was running rapidly, finally arriving before

G.o.dou's eyes. Up above, the white star remained bright and dazzling. As

expected, his latent ability was enough to surpa.s.s G.o.dou's faction!

Then the Devil King-slaying hero swung his oft-used sword.

A diagonal slash, from shoulder to hip, was aimed at Devil King Kusanagi

G.o.dou.

Refined swordsmans.h.i.+p, fitting for a war G.o.d. Even though G.o.dou's

dynamic vision and concentration was able to see through a fastball

traveling at a hundred miles per hour, he was still unable to evade a slash

from the Divine Sword of Salvation.

Blood splattered everywhere. Rather than pain, G.o.dou felt a scorching

sensation spreading throughout his body.

A very severe injury. Nevertheless, as long as it was not fatal — even

though failing to evade, G.o.dou had still jumped backwards instantly using

beast-like reflexes.

Moreover, a Campione's st.u.r.dy body, with bones harder than steel,

displayed its true worth at times like these.

Still silent, the ”King of the End” coldly faced off against the injured

G.o.dslayer, readying his divine sword again.

With the sword's hilt raised up to shoulder height, this stance prepared an

upper strike.

”Kusanagi-san! I shall heal your wound right now!”

”Don't come over! Aisha-san, you should retreat to a safe place — where

Erica and Seishuuin are located!”

From behind came the worried voice of the one bearing miraculous hands

of healing.

However, G.o.dou commanded her in a gruff tone of voice. Frankly

speaking, he had no confidence in blocking this formidable foe.

Presumably sensing G.o.dou's intentions, Madame Aisha surprisingly gave

an instant nod and departed rapidly. Quite amazing of her in such areas. A

keen nose for survival.

G.o.dou glared viciously at the ”King of the End.”

In response, the pale-haired hero remained utterly cold and

expressionless — Completely unmoved.

This was the reason why G.o.dou had not sensed any threat from this guy

just now! Feeling the rising emotions of battle and the excitement produced

from the search for victory, G.o.dou began to curl his lips in a savage grin.

”All evildoers, tremble before my strength... Upon my mighty self, I shall

bear the symbol of the raging camel!”

G.o.dou invoked Verethragna's fourth incarnation, the [Camel], whose

activation required severe injuries. Using this incarnation, Kusanagi G.o.dou

was able to obtain superhuman combat ability, kicking strength and

resilience!

The [Camelj's blessings also helped relieve the intense pain. G.o.dou

instantly shouted:

”Ama no Murak.u.mo! Can I leave things on that side to you for now!?”

'Affirmative!'

Hearing this promise, delivered full of spirit, G.o.dou stabbed the divine

sword into the ground.

For brief periods of time, Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi's own magical

power could probably sustain the ”black blade.” While throwing down his

weapon, G.o.dou also made his move.

With great speed, he slid towards the legs of the ”King of the End.”

Extending his heel along the way, G.o.dou aimed a strike to shatter the

hero's kneecaps. Even in the human world, there existed martial arts and

combat skills that involved surprise attacks aimed at the enemy's legs

while attacking from the ground. However, divine sword in hand, the hero

simply took a slight step backwards, easily escaping the range of the kick.

Due to this being the smallest necessary backstep, he was able to switch

to offense immediately without the slightest instant of delay.

Beneath the s.h.i.+ning sword, G.o.dou was still on the ground after his sliding

attack failed.

The movements of ordinary combat skills would be unable to evade the

Divine Sword of Salvation. In an unsightly manner, G.o.dou rolled on the

ground, escaping from under the s.h.i.+ning divine sword.

Then immediately, he used the [Camelj's leg strength to stand up.

At this moment, the opponent caught up. The King of the End' made

straight thrust with the divine sword's blade. Rather than a single strike,

there were one, two, three... four thrusts.

In this brief instant, this divine technqiue aimed four thrusts at G.o.dou's

forehead, throat, heart and chest.

G.o.dou kept turning his and swaying his body from side to side, barely

managing to evade the four thrusts. However, unlike the ”King of the End,”

he did not switch to offense. After exhibiting divine skills, the enemy

entered another stance for an upper strike, readying himself to engage any

incoming attack.

Not a single movement was redundant. His body's central axis did not

deviate.

Perhaps that was why he was able to attack and defend without delay,

able to instantly switch to the next movement.

Even as a swordsman, the ”King of the End” was quite outstanding.

As expected of the strongest war G.o.d. Very likely, even when faced against

Salvatore Doni or G.o.dou's sworn sister, Luo Cuilian, he would still be able

to engage them effortlessly in a sword fight. Perhaps even winning through

swordsmans.h.i.+p alone.

Furthermore, wielding the divine sword, his stance was majestic and

imposing —

While wielding the sword neatly, even the smallest actions of the body and

every step of the foot were polished to the extreme.

A ”position” worthy of the hero wielding the sword of salvation. Literally a

king's sword, slaying enemies while looking down upon them from above.

Such was his combat form, fighting courageously, fair and square.

In contrast, G.o.dou's beast-like movements could be described as the polar

opposite indeed.

”Hey... Why are you unwilling to fight seriously?”

However, still unable to sense a threat from the ”King of the End,” G.o.dou

spoke up.

”You're the hero who intends to slaughter all the Campi — G.o.dslayers,

right? Born under that star with this kind of fate, you can wield astounding

power when trying to accomplish that mission. Isn't that right?”

”There was once a G.o.d called the Great Sage Equaling Heaven who

imitated you, invoking the power for vanquis.h.i.+ng Devil Kings. That time, he

was much stronger than you are now. Why aren't you using your full power

to eliminate us seriously?”

Indeed. That was the time when the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun

Wukong, battled against three Campiones.

The monkey king of steel had prayed to the ”sword G.o.d's star of destiny,”

summoning the power for exterminating Devil Kings, using it to suppress

Kusanagi G.o.dou, Luo Cuilian and John Pluto Smith.

Although the ”King of the End” was strong indeed, he could not compare

with the Great Sage Equaling Heaven of that time...

G.o.dou shrugged after posing these honest questions.

The enemy remained silent. He looked like he had no intention of

interacting with G.o.dou.

But then...

”...If I were to ask in response, why do you hold such expectations for me?”

G.o.dou finally heard it. He heard the voice from the ”King of the End.”

”Indeed, this body of mine shoulders the fate of exterminating the Devil

Kings. It so happens that I manifested on this occasion due to a fake

mother's entreaties. However, precisely because of that, you and I are

having this encounter.”

The voice was not only cool but also stern, yet incredibly, it carried a sweet

feeling as well.

”Whether favorable or adverse fate, the incredible threads of destiny are

weaved between individual humans as well as between humans and G.o.ds.

Furthermore, between you and me — there should be few if any threads of

fate linking us. On the level of crossing blades under such chance

circ.u.mstances, such is the trivial bond of fate that we share...”

G.o.dou stared at the ”King of the End” once more.

Originally hiding his eyes behind shadows, those bangs had disappeared

spontaneously. Was it because he started having the intention to

communicate with G.o.dou? In any case, his face was predictably

handsome.

Like his voice, both his face and standing posture were cool and imposing.

High born. Aristocrat. A n.o.ble courtier. Only such descriptions could be

applied to his appearance.

However, his handsome face was stained with battle-weary ferocity,

neutralizing the sweetness of a handsome man's face. His facial beauty

was filled with the n.o.bility and stern dignity fitting for a great general on the

battlefield.

Then this fierce aristocrat spoke with worry:

”I believe that great ritual of the ancient covenant must not be used lightly.

It makes me hesitate whether I should wield this power against the few of

you whose fates are lightly entwined with mine. Do you understand?”

”I think I have a rough idea...”

G.o.dou also answered in a troubled voice.

For those who were named as war G.o.ds, the vast majority had excessive

belligerence. However, the ”King of the End” spoke differently compared to

those other war G.o.ds — More importantly, G.o.dou was able to converse with

him smoothly against expectation. He also gave off an air of intellect.

Rather, one could say that compared to the likes of Salvatore Doni, he

seemed more like an ordinary person, right?

That said, as expected of a G.o.d, there were still many facets worth

criticizing.

”But seeing how I'm already cut up so pitifully by you, I completely disagree

with your a.s.sertion of a 'trivial bond of fate.'”

”Is that so? Now that you mention it, indeed you may be right.”

Inflicting wounds that would surely kill a normal person on the spot, yet

merely calling it ”the level of crossing blades.” That was ultimately

unacceptable. G.o.dou began to reprimand him using the human world's

common sense.

Unbelievably, the ”King of the End” nodded honestly.

”My mistake. Please forgive my ignorance... But wait, you G.o.dslayers are

all immortal and larger-than-life characters no matter the time period. I

would believe that a sword wound of this level does not really count as an

injury for your kind.”

The hero's apology was filled with honesty and sincerity.

”In fact, you are continuing to fight as though treating the wound as

perfectly natural.”

”Th-That's why, I say that it can't possibly not hurt.”

”I see, I understand now. My thinking was too shallow indeed. As an

apology, I shall reveal to you a secret that I did not mention just now.”

The paled-hair aristocrat stared straight at G.o.dou and said:

”The great ritual of the ancient covenant... Presently, I am still unable to

use it.”

”What did you say?”

”Not only that. As I am now, I have yet to reach the level when I can use

other weapons freely with ease... I am still lacking what it takes to elevate

myself as a sword G.o.d to become the strongest blade.”

After this confession, the ”King of the End” wielded the divine sword with

both hands.

Still an upper strike. This posture exhibited proper and orthodox

swordsmans.h.i.+p.

”If you are taking precautions against the great ritual of the covenant, there

is no need. You are trying to find an opportunity for victory, aren't you? Any

moment is as good as any other. Feel free to bring it on.”

”...Why do you think that?”

”Because you G.o.dslayers are always like this. Whether being backed into a

corner, reaching the climax of victory, carrying a conversation, whispering

words of love, your kind never relaxes towards me — rather, you G.o.dslayers

are always preparing to bite the enemy's neck at all times. That is what you

are.”

The ”King of the End” continued to stare with such directness while

delivering words of such sincerity.

G.o.dou could not find words to object. The cool aristocrat had pointed out

facts that were basically correct. After all, during the entire conversation,

G.o.dou had been searching for the right timing in a corner of his mind.

Even so, it was quite unbelievable to think he was successfully conversing

with the hero who had exterminated so many Devil Kings.

Hence that was probably why. Surprised by this, G.o.dou spoke up:

”You just said that fate does not bind us to you very strongly, right? In that

case, can't you choose to stop fighting? You're only meeting that Artio

G.o.ddess for the first time, right?”

”Unfortunately, I cannot do that.”

At this moment, what surfaced on the ”King of the End”'s face was

weariness.

Perhaps he was already tired of endless battles, feeling utterly exhausted.

However, against that weary expression, ferocity surfaced, as clear-cut as

rust.

”I am the sword born to fight your kind. That is also my reason for being

here this time. The only forbidden choice is that of halting this battle. My

apologies.”

The ”King of the End” announced with his handsome face, weary yet

fearless.

G.o.dou was greatly stunned. He had seen this face somewhere in his

dreams... This ridiculous notion surfaced in his mind.

”Even though my body is not in peak condition, fighting your kind is my

destiny. I hope you will enjoy yourself briefly in a duel against me. That

said, I am currently unsure if I can satisfy the likes of you G.o.dslayers in

battle—”

”But avoidable battles should still be avoided...”

G.o.dou sighed deeply.

By the time he noticed, the gravitational storm had already weakened.

In the white sun and dark star's clash in the air above, the dark star was

already losing in the tide of battle. Weakening due to G.o.dou having

entrusted Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi to maintain it, the dark star had

shrunk to roughly half its size compared to when it was at peak power.

Turning his gaze, G.o.dou saw the masked war G.o.d still engaged in a sword

battle with Salvatore Doni.

No longer needing to put all her strength towards suppressing the

gravitational storm, the G.o.ddess Artio was now looking downwards from

the hill towards her ”son'”s back. She was probably planning to a.s.sist.

G.o.dou decided that now was his only chance to act. At this rate, they were

going to be driven into an even worse predicament.

Agreeing with his victory instincts, G.o.dou yelled:

”Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi, you can stop Athena's sword now!”

”!?”

Because the dark star disappeared from the sky, the ”King of the End”

showed true surprise for the first time.

The only thing left in the air was a giant ball of light resembling a sun.

However, that was fine. If victory could be seized within a minute or two,

the rest did not matter.

G.o.dou rushed full speed at the hero who was wielding the white divine

sword.

Traces of surprise still lingered in the face of the war G.o.d, even as an

outstanding swordsman. However, he still readied the divine sword for an

upper attack and turned his sharp gaze towards G.o.dou, fully prepared to

intercept any attack.

Ten-odd steps more and G.o.dou was probably going to enter the ”King of

the End”'s attack range of the divine sword —

Hence, G.o.dou commanded simply:

”Divine Sword of Salvation... Let me have a go at using it too!”

”What!?”

Manifesting in G.o.dou's right hand was Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi.

Three feet three and a half inches in blade length. A strong sword with a

gently curving blade of black. However, what should have been a jet-black

blade was currently s.h.i.+ning with platinum splendor. Kusanagi G.o.dou's

partner possessed the ability to replicate enemy authorities. Previously in

the battle with Uldin, this had also been used to great effect.

Naturally, the target this time was the destructive power hidden in the

Divine Sword of Salvation.

The divine sword, stalwart in the face of barbarians, you are not the only

one, hero!'

As Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi uttered these bold words, G.o.dou swung

it like a metal bat with both hands —

Throwing it towards the ”King of the End.”

Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi's blade was infused with the light and

lightning of salvation.

Naturally, it was unable to produce a sun-like ball of light like the Divine

Sword of Salvation. Nevertheless, it still possessed enough power to make

the aristocrat sense slight danger.

Thrown through the air, the s.h.i.+ning Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi was

blocked by the ”King of the End” using the white divine sword.

The instant these two radiant swords clashed violently, lightning erupted

from the point of contact.

Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi and the Divine Sword of Salvation bounced

away from the lightning's impact. For just an instant, the ”King of the End”

went ”!?” and stared wide-eyed, his attention slightly diverted.

G.o.dou suddenly jumped and delivered a right straight kick from midair!

The kick dug straight into the ”King of the End”'s chest. In that instant,

G.o.dou poured magical power into his right leg, increasing the kick's power

to a maximum. This was his first attempt at doing so — But it worked.

The ”King of the End” flew ten-odd meters, finally collapsing on his back

somewhere halfway up the hill.

”How splendid, G.o.dslayer...”

Frowning in pain, the ”King of the End” pushed his upper torso up, trying to

stand.

The place where G.o.dou's kick had dug in, right over the heart, was

glowing with red light.

”Just now — It's my loss, huh. May I know your name?”

”...Kusanagi G.o.dou.”

”I shall remember it. For the day of our inevitable reunion.”

G.o.dou hesitated slightly due to his opponent's strange request, but still

announced his name in the end. With a satisfied expression, the ”King of

the End” nodded at him. Then a few seconds pa.s.sed.

Glowing above the heart, the red light suddenly increased in

brightness — Exploding.

The light, carved into the opponent's body by G.o.dou's kick, caused a

vortex of flame, engulfing the ”King of the End.” Amidst the intensely

burning flames of the explosion, the aristocrat's figure was gradually

disappearing.

s.h.i.+ning brilliantly in the sky, the sun of salvation also vanished

simultaneously with its master's exit from the stage.

”Does this count as my win...?”

And so, G.o.dou was puzzled by this excessively simple conclusion.

Part 4

Salvatore Doni and the war G.o.d continued to slash at each other.

The masked war G.o.d attacked ferociously with swordsmans.h.i.+p of such

divine speed that no shadows were produced. Doni evaded his opponent's

rapid attacks using a sword savant's superb martial arts while turning his

longsword to counterattack.

With movements of divine speed, the war G.o.d dodged Doni's sword by the

slimmest of margins —

The battle repeated endlessly in this manner, a rather boring development.

This monotony was finally broken by the ”King of the EncTs explosion.

Some distance away, the hero of the divine sword was engulfed by the

flames of the explosion, disappearing...

Witnessing this shocking sight in a corner of his view, Doni chuckled to

himself. As he had hoped, Kusanagi G.o.dou had taken rather large strides

in development as a warrior. Nothing else could please Doni as much as

this.

On the other hand, the war G.o.d's attention was momentarily distracted by

the master's defeat, thus exposing a slight opening.

In this very instant, Doni's body moved on its own.

Stepping forward as naturally as water flowing downhill, he swung the

longsword horizontally with his right hand in a wide arc, intending to slice

through the war G.o.d's neck.

An act performed by body and arm, faster than the mind could think —

The sword of mental nothingness. Swinging the sword naturally was where

its true value lay.

Even the war G.o.d of gales was unable to evade this attack. Instead, he

used his left forearm to block his neck, stopping Doni's sword. However,

Doni's sword was the magic blade of severing.

It was supposed to be Doni's victory, with the war G.o.d's left arm and neck

simultaneously severed.

Clang! The distinctive sound of steel clas.h.i.+ng with each other rang out.

”Ehe... So you're the same as me.”

The war G.o.d's upper arm was wrapped in layers of white cloth.

Hidden beneath the white cloth, the arm had the hardness and texture of

steel. This was what had blocked Doni's sword.

The magic sword of severing sliced two-thirds deep into the war G.o.d's

forearm, finally stopping. This was not a feat that any ordinary arm of steel

could achieve. It was absolutely impossible unless the whole body could

turn into indestructible steel.

Possessors of such an authority were quite limited. Sun Wukong the Great

Sage Equaling Heaven, Siegfried the drag

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