Ayaka came at me, gripping that sword-shaped weapon in both hands———– the Silver Sword.

Once more, her blade clashed against my arm-blades.

Our weapons struck each other with a weighty, resonant force.

The silver fluid floating near her merged with the Silver Sword.

She must have used her Inherent Skill to manifest a mount and ride it all the way here.

Either she had been close by already———– or she came racing here at tremendous speed.

That would explain why she arrived before the others.

(No, more importantly———–)

The atmosphere surrounding Ayaka was entirely different from before.

The last time I confirmed her condition was during the battle against Wormungandr.

After leaving that place, leaving behind the Synthetic Agito and Ayaka, I had not seen her again.

Could a human truly change this much in such a short span of time?

[…………………..]

Impertinent brat.

[Fufu——— fufufu! You, you, you, what are you so angry about!? Why!? How come!? Ah, could it be because of Agito-san!? Ahahahaha! Did you enjoy my little idea!? Araaa!? Eh!? D- Don’t tell me, you actually…… you actually killed that poor pathetic remnant, mercilessly———– utterly mercilessly!? How cruel! You monster! You heartless———-]

[Shut up.]

Clash!

Ayaka cut my words short mid-sentence, her blade intercepting mine at lightning speed.

A vein throbbed across my temple. How utterly infuriating.

I bared my displeasure openly.

[Watch your tongue, you d*mn bra———]

[Be quiet.]

[You little———-!]

[For now———- I’ll be silent too.]

Whish——– clang!

[Gh……!]

Though her tone remained calm and detached, each blow she delivered was crushingly heavy.

Our blades locked and scraped violently, sparks bursting from every contact.

I glanced toward my clone battling Seras and Fly King.

[Hah!? Why should I obey the commands of someone like you!? How absurd! Utterly absurd! Good grief———- Not only are you freaking useless, you’re also a traitorous brat! Ahahaha! Is this truly all you can muster!? Ahhh, I see, those wounds and that exhaustion from fighting Wormungandr have taken their toll, haven’t they!?]

[……………..]

[Ahahaha! Weak, weak, so pathetically weak! That’s why you can’t protect anyone! All your classmates who died, they were killed because you were too weak, weren’t they!? Do you even realize that!? Ah, speaking of which, Asagi’s dead too~~♪ ———–You’re all going to die, every last one of you worthless maggots!]

[……………….]

(———-Kuh.)

What?

So after Wormungandr’s destruction, she actually met up with Mimori?

She already knows Asagi is dead?

And yet…… there’s no sign of hesitation.

(Or rather……)

Right now…… she isn’t even looking at me?

No…… it only seems like her gaze is fixed upon me.

Yet, it is as if her heart isn’t here at all.

Just like when she fought against Wormungandr.

How terribly—————– unsettling.

I can clearly feel that abominable hatred, and yet…… how can she remain so calm?

What is this?

What happened to her after Wormungandr left?

[Well, even so! I suppose I should praise you for so effortlessly disposing of what little remained of those pitiful Four Revered Saints♪ So, what happened, hmm? How did you kill him? Come on, tell me~~?]

[…………………]

[Ara, ara! Don’t tell me you’re so shocked by Asagi’s death that you’re at a loss for words!? Or maybe———- are you glad she’s dead? Relieved, even!? Ah, what a heartless, soulless wretch you are!]

[…………………]

[Kirihara, Oyamada, and Yasu are dead too, you worthless woman! Cry! Come on, cry already! Stop pretending to be tough and show me that pitiful face you used to make! Go on!]

[…………………..]

(This brat……)

Unshaken.

Unwavering.

No matter what words I throw at her, they have no effect on the battle.

If it doesn’t hinder her in combat, then…… it doesn’t seem like she’s merely putting on an act, either.

In other words———– This isn’t a bluff or bravado.

Before, she would have reacted, so easily, so predictably.

Insults.

Provocations.

If the opponent gives no response———— if nothing reaches them, then in the end, it’s meaningless.

Only the one hurling curses becomes the fool.

Cold. Empty.

[———————-]

…………That’s why……

Stop looking at me with those eyes.

Perhaps my discomfort has crossed some threshold.

I become aware that I’m cooling off rapidly.

I blink once and my eyes return from being solid black to their normal state.

(……This is……)

When I calm down and observe dispassionately,

(……not enough to be defeated?)

No, in fact, I could even say I’m slightly ahead……

Ayaka is just hanging on by the support of her natural battle talent.

That’s the impression I get.

(……No, thinking about it rationally, that’s just obvious.)

Even if this body is inferior to my clone.

I ingested so many black-purple orbs that even my true body has been strengthened this far.

That said…… Feeling a prick of irritation in me……

———-What a monster.

Though I hate to admit it, I have to accept Wormungandr’s assessment of Ayaka.

I shared sight with Wormungandr when he fought Ayaka.

I saw the whole thing myself.

Wormungandr seemed to have held back a little, but still……

That’s still a Combat Deity lauded as arguably Heaven’s Strongest.

Even if some of his organs were blocked and he was weakened———–

She fought that Wormungandr in such a way.

She may not have suffered mortal wounds, but she was badly injured.

Her stamina looked thoroughly depleted.

Furthermore, she must have been fighting in a state of hyper-focus for a long time.

Yes———- Ayaka should be absolutely worn to pieces beyond how she looks.

Her nerves should be exhausted from prolonged extreme tension.

Originally———– She’s someone who shouldn’t be in any condition to keep fighting, right?

Someone in that state……

There’s no way she should be able to go toe-to-toe with me, who’s been strengthened by the black-purple orbs, to this extent.

It simply defies reason.

……If only she hadn’t come though……

This could already have been over.

(Tch……)

Not only that, she properly lands attacks, even gives me lacerations.

They regenerate quickly, so it’s no real problem, but still……

I’m annoyed that I can’t fully parry attacks of Ayaka’s caliber.

That fact grates on me.

(Even so……)

What murderous intent……

When she barged in just now————

For a moment, I was almost overwhelmed, and that pisses me off.

To have acted like that for a brat like this……

(……How infuriating. Infuriating, infuriating, infuriating, infuriating———)

Truly, infuriating!

Die.

Die, die, die————

[Die, Ayaka! And…… get out of my way already! ……———-!?]

At the edge of my vision, I catch sight of the Fly King.

(A second Sound Orb……!?)

This ringing tone———- It’s different from before.

(A second Sound Orb, and…… a different sound? Another signal!?)

But Ayaka doesn’t even seem to notice the sound, she keeps pressing in on me.

[Tch…… I told you, you’re in my way, you insufferable brat!]

I swing my arm blades with ferocity, slashing at Ayaka’s incoming sword.

[Each and every d*mn time, you’ve always been an infuriating child……! From the very moment I summoned you, you were nothing but an eyesore! Always wearing that do-gooder face, spouting worthless idealistic nonsense, endlessly chirping your naive, self-satisfied sermons! I despise people like you from the depths of my heart, those deluded hypocrites who never sink, who keep pretending to be pure! You disgust me! Die! Die right now! Drop dead this instant———- Ayakaaa!]

I pour my fury into a full-force strike.

Yet she deflects it, effortlessly, skillfully.

My eyelid twitches.

What’s with that movement……?

And then———

(That settles it.)

Ayaka possesses an exceptional level of skill———- an exceptional level of technique.

But that means she’s relying on technique to “cover” her weakness.

As my analysis suggested, her body is already near its limit.

(……In other words———–)

She’s just like Seras.

No, even less durable than her———– She won’t last long.

(Then all I need to do is endure just a little longer…… and then———–)

I think of the device I activated earlier.

If I can just buy a bit more time……

I can still pull this situation back to my advantage.

□

Whether she herself was aware of it or not, that didn’t matter.

Vysis now possessed a certain trait.

Even when she exploded in fury, raging as a Wrathful Deity, there was always a part of her that calmly observed the situation from within.

Because of that, there’s hardly any disruptions to her clone’s attacks.

Was it…… a byproduct of overconsuming the black-purple orbs?

Or perhaps, it was born of extreme fear———- an excess of caution that made it possible?

Or maybe, by creating a clone, she had gained multiple versions of “herself”———-

On that point, there was no definitive answer.

Perhaps it was a trait she had possessed from the beginning, merely strengthened and made more distinct.

In any case……

“An attack that slips through gaps, striking from an unseen blind spot.”

Vysis remained constantly on her guard against such a threat.

More precisely, against the Forbidden Curse and the Abnormal State Skills———– against her surroundings, and that late-version Fly King outfit.

This was a crisis unlike any she had ever experienced before.

Her survival instincts———- had sharpened Vysis’s senses to their very limits.

▽

[ ! ]

I noticed it…… Ayaka’s movements were starting to dull.

(Just as I thought——— she’s far more exhausted than I imagined! As I predicted, she won’t last much longer……!)

That’s right.

No matter how I think about it, it makes no sense.

After that fierce battle with Wormungandr, for her to still be able to stand against me now is utterly unreasonable.

Even if I were to concede that she is an extraordinary Hero beyond all measure, she still has her limits.

(This is it———–)

I’ll crush her here. Kill Ayaka…… and then———-

……Kill Seras and that guy with her as well.

My blades flashed with speed and power.

It was a shallow cut———– but it sliced across Ayaka’s cheek.

[—————-]

(……Still not enough huh?)

The device had already been activated.

Now that I had some leeway, I drew it out from my cloak even as I continued to exchange blows with Ayaka.

At the moment I quickly glanced at the gauge……

[Wha———]

Three slender vertical indicators.

(What is this……?)

The treasured Sacraments I had intended to send to the heavens.

I had hastily fashioned a device that could remotely activate them……

All in preparation for the most desperate of circumstances.

If I were to lose those Sacraments, then all of my work, all of my effort, would be rendered meaningless.

They were creations forged over an unfathomable span of time, a legion of Sacraments specialized solely for slaying the Deities.

Yes……

At this critical juncture, I made the decision to awaken them, and release them upon this land.

With the overwhelming force of sheer numbers, I would tear this royal castle apart———-

Shatter everything and drag the place into chaos.

If the labyrinth has vanished, then they will crawl straight to the surface from the gates I once opened before.

By now, the surface should already be overflowing with Sacraments.

Though I cannot see them from here……

I should at least be able to sense them…… hear the sound of their advance.

And if the large Sacraments have begun to move above ground, the noise and the tremors should be impossible to miss.

Yet……

(Only 30% of the small Sacraments are active…… around 10% of the medium-sized Sacraments…… and the large Sacraments…… none have even begun to move!?)

As I was grazed by Ayaka’s attack, I quickly rechecked the device.

The mechanism itself…… is working perfectly.

If the fault isn’t here, then……

(Could there be an issue with the underground storage facility…… in the main activation unit? No…… even if someone were down there, it shouldn’t be possible to destroy that system so easily…… unless, someone deliberately stopped the activation? But that device is built upon a Sacred Treasure itself…… No one other than I should be able to control it———)

[Ah.]

As the realization struck me————

My face twisted in sheer, limitless hatred.

[Loqi…… erra……]

<Loqierra POV>

After reaching the exit of the labyrinth———–

The next place we aimed for was the underground.

The storage site for the Sacraments meant for the invasion to Heaven.

If Vysis were to become truly desperate, I couldn’t predict what she might do.

She might even release all the Sacraments below all at once.

There was, of course, the possibility that special seals or locks had been placed upon the entrances and exits.

But if that were the case, then we’d simply give up.

Even so, it was still worth trying.

And if the Sacred Treasure’s mechanism made use of those Sacraments———–

Then as a Deity, I might be able to undo it.

And———— that plan was fulfilled.

When I had once faced Vysis down here in the past……

I had seen that device with my own eyes.

It was indeed the special device crafted by Vysis herself.

However, its structure didn’t seem far removed from that of a Sacred Treasure.

At least, that was the impression I had gained.

If it involved Sacred Treasures, then that was my domain.

Even if I couldn’t destroy it completely……

If it was that mechanism, I might be able to operate it.

If I could perform the shutdown operation……

Then I could prevent the Sacraments below from spilling out onto the surface.

▽

Just as I feared, it seemed Vysis had already mobilized the Sacraments underground.

We arrived a little too late huh……

The path to the surface had opened, and the activated Sacraments were already making their way above.

Some were even heading toward the castle.

[Kuh…… looks like I couldn’t stop them all…… haa, haa…… we were just a bit too slow huh……]

[No, I don’t believe we were entirely too late. More importantly, are you alright?]

Nyantan asked me that.

I had used up a considerable amount of my strength performing the shutdown operation.

[Nn…… sorry. I don’t think I can keep going much longer…… the little strength I managed to recover earlier, I’ve pretty much used it all up just now……]

[You’ve done enough———- please, take your rest now.]

Nyantan turned her gaze behind her.

Behind us, Eve and Gio were cutting down the Sacraments that were closing in.

Most of them seemed to be heading toward the surface or the castle.

For now, only a few were targeting us directly.

But……

[We’re getting out of here!]

That was Gio’s call.

[The number of Sacraments that’ve noticed us and are coming this way’s goin’ up fast!]

Was there any way to stop the ones already activated?

I tried to find one, but as expected, it was impossible.

Seeing how exhausted I was, Nyantan lifted me into her arms……

[Understood!]

———and with that, started running.

They decided to fight their way through the Sacraments and retreat back to the castle.

And now———— after returning inside the castle, we were running from a horde of Sacraments.

[What’s wrong, Nyantan?]

Eve asked.

[……………..]

Nyantan had activated a magic tool attached behind her waist.

A string of interlinked blades, like a serpentine spine, shone with pale blue light as it writhed.

Eve was carrying her on her back, running at full speed.

The Sacraments that drew near were cleaved apart by the whip-like tail of blades.

[I just thought…… this looks a little foolish.]

[Perhaps. But you’re light, and I have the strength and speed. I’d wager I can run faster even while carrying you. Fufu…… believe it or not, I once carried Touka, Pigimaru, and Slei all at once through that Demon Zone.]

[I- I see……]

With a slightly embarrassed look, Nyantan continued slashing down the Sacraments with her chain blades.

[………………….]

Then, suddenly, her expression softened.

[……Eve-dono.]

[Hm?]

[Thank you, for coming with us.]

[There’s no need to thank me.]

Eve smiled.

[We may be of different races———– but my sister, Liz…… she’s been longing to meet your sister, Nyaki.]

[The Dark Elf girl who operates that crow familiar, right?]

Liz and Nyaki had only ever “met” through the familiars.

[Umu. If we win this battle, I’m sure the two of them will finally meet face to face. But when that time comes…… if her elder sister were missing, I doubt she could smile from her heart.]

[—————]

Still smiling, Eve glanced at Nyantan clinging to her neck.

[Whether it’s you or me————- if either of us were missing, it’d be the same.]

Watching their exchange, I murmured softly.

[Indeed…… Humans really are wonderful……]

I thought back to the Deity who had said their farewell in this labyrinth.

He who loved humans, but also despaired of them.

But———- see?

They’re not so bad, right?

Yes…… Not all of them are that bad.

I don’t think “humans” should ever be judged as a whole.

And you know……

Sometimes, if you just keep going without giving up, things might somehow work out……

Maybe the world can be like that too.

……But even so, I wonder if you’d still say it……

That I’m “too naive”, Wormungandr.

[ ! ]

A mass of Sacraments appeared ahead.

They charged straight toward us without hesitation.

I looked up from Gio’s arms, where he was holding me close.

[T- There’s a lot of them coming out…… errr, are we okay?]

[Hmph———- who the hell do you think you’re talkin’ to?]

With one hand gripping his katana, Gio cleaved the lead Sacrament in an instant.

It split cleanly in two, almost absurdly easily.

[Even with one hand, I’m still the strongest of the Four Warlights. And…… compared to that monster Ars, these Sacraments are nothin’———-]

His blade danced like a raging storm.

The black Leopardkin———– became a black tempest of fury and destruction.

[It’s like they’re not even worth fighting against!]

The Sacraments were being effortlessly sliced apart, one after another, without even a chance to resist.

[I see…… yeah, you’re right…… The opponent was just the worst one you could’ve faced huh……]

Well, of course, they were up against that Divine Servant, after all.

Then, I turned my thoughts elsewhere.

(If Vysis is fighting right now…… I hope the Sacraments heading toward the castle aren’t getting in the way of the battle……)

Truth be told———– Vysis might not be at that much of a disadvantage.

Her individual combat ability……

If that surpasses anyone on our side———–

If Seras or Ayaka were to fall……

(Then maybe…… unless Thesis-sama herself appears…… in a straight fight, no one could really win against her.)

I had experienced firsthand how terrifying her anti-Deity enhancements were.

Or perhaps——— Depending on the circumstances, even Thesis-sama could be in danger.

And if she had already infused herself with large quantities of those black-purple orbs……

(Then the only options left might be relying on the Forbidden Curse———– on the Abnormal State Skills.)

The two powers that would likely be key to this battle.

Forbidden Curse.

And the Abnormal State Skills.

Especially——— the Abnormal State Skills.

Even if only the Forbidden Curse worked, it wouldn’t turn the tide much.

I recalled the battle against Wormungandr.

That power that managed to withstand even the awakened Wormungandr himself.

A power that could be called, in another sense, “specialized against Deities”……

One that transcends the boundaries of reason———-

The power to kill Gods.

[…………………..]

Vysis had finally begun deploying the Sacraments from underground.

She must be fighting with everything she has right now.

I hate her with all my being, but her———–

Her obsession is the real thing.

That’s why……

(This battle…… it might not be an exaggeration to say that everything depends on you———-)

Touka.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep