The Holy Maiden Ermel gazed at the approaching army of the god she served.
Then she slowly opened her mouth.
-In the pitch-black abyss with not a trace of light, a candle flickers.
The words continued.
-The only star born in this land, and perhaps the last one.
-All laws and principles of this land move according to that one star.
-Daring stars that have descended without permission.
-Let nothing inscribe itself upon this land and perish.
Duke Yuma took a step forward, leaving behind the Holy Maiden who was chanting a short prayer to draw out the mythic power of the Intermediate World, even at this moment just before the clash.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom!!
The army of the God of War Yuma, struck with fear in the life-and-death battle, surged forward.
Bell was not pleased with this battlefield.
The followers of Angelica, collectively known as the [Army of Death], were a mixture of beings that clearly seemed to be citizens of this land, the Valkares Empire.
And they were in undead forms, like ghouls. There were even beings made from countless citizen ghouls’ bodies and heads piled up like a tower, forming a monster.
Bell felt a deep unease at the thought of killing those that emitted sounds indistinguishable from crying or screaming.
But she couldn’t avoid killing them either.
Because not doing so felt even more unsettling.
Ermel had said that if someone’s life flow had already been completely twisted by another god, they could not return to their original state even if they used their divine power.
In the end, to relieve their suffering, she had no choice but to kill them.
From beyond, enemies rushed in thickly.
Enemies densely occupying the mountain ridge.
At the very forefront was the [Goddess of the Dead Bones] Angelica, who arrived riding the chaotic serpent [Ouroboros] to survive.
[Lv.621] Angelica
And right beside her was [The Father of All Great Beasts and Alchemy], Gulan, accompanied by his enormous followers.
[Lv.651] Gulan
Screech!!!
The scream of Ouroboros struck her ears.
Following that was a voice, the voice of Angelica.
“God of War, do you think this nonsense will bring you any great benefit? You must have stacked all the divine power you could from divine slaying by now, right?”
It was a valid point.
While it was possible to stockpile, it didn’t lead to an increase in divinity.
Yuma’s divine limit was somewhat predetermined.
He could only do what came with the stockpiled divine power.
For instance, he could increase the use of [Life-and-Death Battle] which could originally be used only twice within 24 hours, one more time.
However, more than that simple utilization, there was something more important to Yuma.
The rise of mythic power in the Intermediate World.
The ultimate goal at the end of that rise in mythic power.
A goal point that the two deities charging at him now could never understand.
Entry into the Divine Realm.
And killing the five surviving Evil Gods among the eight great gods residing in the Divine Realm.
That goal point, which transcended the bounds of common sense, was something even gods could not comprehend.
Creeeeek—
Next to Angelica, Gulan moved the golems on either side of him, creating a golem mechanism that unleashed a wide-range energy blast at the front.
“I will kill them all.”
Initially, Gulan, the god of golems, was stricken with fear.
He still couldn’t easily believe it, but that guy had killed more than five gods.
It was because of this.
Gulan, taking the form of a giant golden golem, initially felt a clear sense of fear.
But now, he was feeling extreme rage.
The fact that he, born as a god, was terrified of Yuma—a human turned god—filled him with deep self-loathing.
That dissonance stirred up a strong anger within him.
Gulan opened his square mouth and bellowed in a thick voice.
“Declaration of Divinity.”
With a heart set on wiping them all out.
“Infinite Alchemy.”
From the ground that Gulan was standing on, something began to rise continuously from below.
Huge pillars created by Gulan’s alchemy shot up into the sky.
Kiiiiiiiiiing──!
The red light emitted from over a hundred pillars condensed into a single point.
A spherical mass of divine power with destructive force was formed. The sphere emanated a brilliant burst of light, as if it were dragging the sun right out of the sky.
Crackle…!
A drop of red divine energy flowing from the sphere instantly stained the ground black.
Angelica, standing next to Gulan, slowly opened her mouth.
“Declaration of Divinity.”
Her long black hair fluttered back as if her cloak was billowing.
“Paradise Distortion.”
From under Angelica’s vintage black dress, shadows spilled forth.
Ssssssss──!
Black lotus flowers bloomed on the ground, which had previously been just a barren yellow.
Whoosh─
And the first to bloom, the [Black Lotus], blossomed beneath Angelica’s feet, spreading below all those who stood on this land.
That is, except for Yuma—who was not human—and all his companions, as well as the citizens of the Valkares Empire.
Angelica looked at Yuma and said.
“If you don’t immediately revoke your divine power, all the residents of this land, the Valkares Empire, will attack you. Even that last surviving royal brat will be the same. If you don’t want to kill those humans with your own hands.”
Angelica’s eyes narrowed.
Her sharp gaze aimed at Yuma.
“All those humans you’ve brought along are in the same boat.”
A red glimmer flashed in Angelica’s pitch-black eyes.
And the tips of the black lotus petals turned crimson.
The [Goddess of the Dead Bones], Angelica’s divine power.
The effects of Paradise Distortion were a mental manipulation type of divine power that completely dominated the minds of those within its radius.
Those of significantly lower caliber than the god Angelica would easily find themselves dancing in the palm of her hand.
Even a god couldn’t save all her followers.
Especially against mental attacks, it was even more difficult.
But why.
“…Why aren’t those bastards attacking you?”
Angelica’s question was filled with doubt.
The effects of [Paradise Distortion] clearly activated.
Yet, among Yuma’s followers—Cloney, Bell, and Ermel, and even the citizens of the Valkares Empire, including the 3rd Prince Ricardo and his followers—not a single person drew a sword against Yuma.
Gulp—
Ricardo swallowed hard.
Angelica’s words didn’t sound like a lie.
For a brief moment, he felt a strange, sinister energy creeping into his mind.
That sensation was felt by the citizens of the empire, including Ricardo, and also by Cloney and Ermel.
Ermel also felt that sensation.
However, right after, a clear energy began to spread in her mind, driving away that sinister aura.
A soft voice flowed from behind Ricardo.
“I told you, faith won’t betray you.”
The Holy Maiden, Ermel, stated.
Next to her, the cat-girl Hestia with crimson cat ears chimed in.
“Of course, faith won’t betray us.”
Hestia nodded vigorously.
The ‘Paradise Distortion’ cast by Angelica was indeed executed properly.
But, Yuma’s power was also being properly manifested.
“…!”
Angelica, who was staring at Yuma with her eyes filled with divine power, trembled at the chills running down her spine.
The massive radiance existing behind Yuma.
That immense radiance stretched out long and numerous like a spider’s web.
Cloney, Bell, Ermel, and Hestia.
Also, the 3rd Prince Ricardo and his direct knight, Ragnak. Along with over thirty mercenaries and forty soldiers, all were connected.
Blessing Bestowal – Mental Barrier
The conditions for bestowing blessings were simple.
Those who have faith in Yuma.
In other words, anyone who became a believer could receive it.
How those from the Empire, who met Yuma for the first time today, came to have faith in him.
It was largely due to the fact that Holy Maiden Ermel instantly healed five dying soldiers and mercenaries as soon as she appeared.
And also because the divine influence Yuma unfolded gave them a sense of mental stability as allies.
Just a bit of faith.
It was possible because Yuma acknowledged even the slightest trust as a ‘believer’.
“Uh, how… even if it’s a disciple, there’s no way to give a mental barrier’s grace to mere laypeople…”
Angelica of the [Goddess of the Dead Bones] couldn’t understand the current situation where her domain was completely sealed. And Angelica’s reasoning was indeed correct.
However, it happened because she underestimated Yuma’s divinity.
She was merely a rank 1 goddess who had killed one god, while Yuma had killed more than five.
Creak—
Angelica had to feel the pain rising from her toes.
“Damn it!”
Creak!
The sensation of her whole body spinning around, twisting like a damp cloth being wrung out.
The [Divine Influence] represents the gods.
All the conditions of the executed divine influence returning to null was not simply due to being overwhelmed and canceled in a divine battle, but rather inflicted extreme pain.
“Kyah!”
Angelica screamed at the sight of a fragment of her divine power that had broken off.
A pitch-black current, dark enough to be called an abyss, swirled into her hands.
A massive scythe appeared in Angelica’s hands.
“Die…!”
The [Goddess of the Dead Bones] completely lost her sanity.
“In the end, a lowly intermediate god who can’t even enter the Divine Realm—!”
The pain crushing her body and brain due to the failure of her divine influence.
Mixed with the fear of the enormous white sword shape still hovering above her head, it drove her mad.
“I will eliminate.”
Beside her, the voice of [Father of All Armies and Alchemy], Gulan, also echoed.
Kwahhhh—!
The power Gulan gathered through his divine influence [Infinite Alchemy] shot toward Yuma.
The gathered power surged toward Duke Yuma.
Kwaaaah!
The strongest minion of Angelica, [Ouroboros], charged at Yuma.
Countless giant black entities, armed with countless weapons, surged toward Yuma’s body.
Two hundred golems surrounding Gulan rushed toward Yuma.
As enemies entered the range where Yuma could parry, they suddenly slowed down.
It was the effect of life-and-death battle.
[Bullet Time]
And then, Bullet Time was added.
Sruuuuu…
In the time that had almost come to a halt.
Only Yuma, clad in divine power, was free within that time.
His eyes, imbued with divine energy, missed not a single attack.
Ouroboros’s gigantic head shot upward.
In an instant.
Yuma deflected all attacks.
Right after that.
[Absolute Counter]
The Absolute Counter activated.
Ouroboros’s body inflated like a balloon and then exploded.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom!
The exploded body was massive beyond belief. Crimson droplets of blood soared into the air like rain.
“Kiaaaah!”
Angelica was mercilessly torn apart like a piece of paper.
The giant knights, ogres, bonded dragons, and all kinds of black armies burst apart.
Golems of all shapes and sizes were also shattered, dispersing into millions of colorful brick fragments.
BOOM────!
The golden golem.
[Ouroboros, the Father of all War Machines and Alchemy], Gulan’s head rolled on the ground.
The physical body shattered.
Even the core, which was the heart, had already been destroyed.
Only a soul briefly lingered in the head. Left as is, the soul would also break apart.
“Ugh, nngh….”
Yet Yuma was determined to finish things.
“Y, Yuma.”
He ignored the heavy voice flowing from the head.
Plop.
He lifted his foot.
And placed it on Gulan’s decapitated head.
Yuma imbued his voice with divine power.
= Remaining Eight Evil Gods, five.=
= I have something to say to you.=
Kwang!
Golden rock fragments and the red gem that served as an eye scattered widely across the ground.
Gulan’s head was completely crushed.
= Open the gate to the Divine Realm.=
= Unless you’re scared. =
These were words directed at the Eight Evil Gods watching from above.
Five minutes had come to an end.
Among the many monsters that tangled up while charging over the mountain ridges, unable to reach Yuma, the white sword form fell.
Kuguguguung─!
Be they gods or the apostles of gods, the minions could not possibly withstand the sword form.
They all dissipated, flowing black currents scattering through the air.
Due to Angelica’s nasty hobby creating them, the ghouls made of citizens and the deformed monsters twisted from the Empire’s citizens were all freed from their continuous curse by the white sword form.
Ermel bowed her head deeply upon witnessing them.
The 3rd Prince Ricardo of the Empire and other members of the Empire approached Yuma.
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