And now if the [Secret Tome of Prometheus]'s power was ineffective against the youth god—
Then there was nothing left to stop the war god.
Godou looked with fearful eyes at the one whom he had spent a short but happy time together, the youth war god, and the god named Verethragna— With his usual rosy dawn-like smile, he gazed down at Godou.
Yes, though standing on the same ground, he was clearly despising humans, looking down from the perspective of the absolute power and victory.
"I have fulfilled one promise, but now there is another—punishing ye accordingly."
Declaring this with a haughty attitude, Verethragna's right arm regrew in an instant.
Erica took out her sword once more, and prepared her stance.
"What art thou afraid of, I am not going to take both ye lives. But ye resist with such deceit, most vexing... Ye shall receive my blessing, my might and authority! Obey my command!"
—What was this! Godou was completely shocked.
His knees bent down by themselves. His body knelt at the youth automatically and performed the greeting rites of a subject towards a king! What kind of power was this!?
Looking carefully, Erica beside him was also bending her knees.
It was just their bodies losing control, their expressions and their hearts still belonged to them, and the two of them looked at each other.
"Godou, pull yourself together! This is the [Youth]—Verethragna's divine power as the hero! The spell words were for protecting us humans, but in return, we become his servants... Resist his command quickly!"
Erica instantly warned.
She seemed to be struggling to resist, preventing herself from kneeling.
Due to her opposition, Erica's posture returned to normal.
Raising her sword once again, she pointed it at the youth with all her strength.
"Hohoho, witch, force thyself not. Or else, there will be repercussions."
The youth was laughing.
Forcing others to serve him, he was very happy, laughing with innocence.
"Aaaaaaaahhhh!"
Erica's painful screams were suddenly heard, and she fell over.
About to kneel down, Godou noticed the strange state of her ankles. Her ankles were bent at an unnatural angle. This was not a simple injury, it was definitely a bone breaking deformation.
What did the youth do? Godou glared with reproach at the smiling youth god.
"I cannot be blamed, boy, the reason is due to me, but I did not act directly. It was the girl who was far too stubborn, and broketh her own body. Pain would be avoided if my commands were obediently obeyed."
Erica's slim body had fallen over.
Her ankles bent at an impossible angle. Her beautiful face distorted by pain. Her blonde hair soiled by dust and earth.
Casually viewing everything, the handsome but inhuman youth—no, it was the profile of the [Heretic God] Verethragna.
In the instant Godou saw all this, it felt like something broke.
The enemy was a god, but so what?
Gods were impossible to defeat. Was it really true? With so many openings, taking battle so lightly, treating enemies so severely, was there really no way to defeat the completely changed guy before Godou's eyes?
No such thing.
How could there be such a thing!
...Godou slowly but effortlessly stood up. He no longer felt the dominating power of the hero. Perhaps it was seeing Erica suffering that caused this.
"Boy, how incredible. Is this also the power of Prometheus? How didst thou escape from the shackles of my spell words?"
"How could I know this kind of thing, but the reasons behind it—I have some idea."
Godou glared at Verethragna head on.
He could feel more greatness from the youth he met in Cagliari despite the fact that becoming the current state of heretic Verethragna should have better revealed his true power.
"Oh?"
"All you have right now is strong power. Yes, a god stronger than anyone else, but just a willful monster. You cannot be called a hero in this state. I don't consider a guy a hero with just power alone! This is why I don't want to obey, and feel no need to kneel. Any objections?"
Incantations, spell words, the power of language.
Godou simply did not believe in the existence of these things, but now, through clearly articulating his disobedience against Verethragna, Godou's terror was gradually disappearing.
"Only the powerful have the disposition to become heroes, this has been absolute truth since ancient times."
Verethragna made a humorous smile as if mocking a foolish child.
"Thou truly makest me speechless, to think thy obstinacy has resisted my spell words! Though strange it is decidedly a great achievement, praiseworthy."
"No, this is not my power, it is just the fact that you are a hopeless guy."
The god before him definitely prided in his absolute power.
A mage like Erica should be able to calculate his power, and so she would treat as god this monster in the form of a youth, offering her respect to this great existence.
But Godou was neither a mage nor did he have any knowledge about gods.
Which was why he would think this way. That guy before—the one who lost his memory, is the true amazing one. Though he also boasted about not losing in any competition, he would mix himself amongst the crowd, and give off sacred charisma as bright as the sun's brilliance, and would fly like the wind to help those in need.
But now, the god before him was not like that.
This guy only had great power, nothing to be admired, and no one will seek his aid.
"The current you only calls himself a hero, but there is nothing about you that fits that description. So of course, you can't use a hero's power!"
"Yes, I understand what thou art trying to say. Even so, the fact remaineth, I am the undefeated god of victory, dost thou still wish to resist? It is better to obey honestly."
"Oh really? That description of absolute victory, also sounds very strange."
Having started he might as well go all out. With this spirit, Godou clenched his teeth and spoke words that belittled the god.
Since things have come to this, he will resist to the utter end with twisted logic.
Hearing these words, Verethragna furrowed his brow.
...The war god who treated everything with aloofness, showed displeasure for the first time, could this be angering him?
"You have always made light of competition. In your matches against Erica and me, you deliberately let us choose our talents, and played with us. Did you really believe you would win without doubt?"
Unfortunately, Godou had never had a competition where he was assured of victory.
He has always analyzed his enemies, or thought up strategies beforehand based on the capabilities and habits of his future opponents. When necessary, for the sake of victory, Godou has even performed strange tricks that were akin to breaking the rules.
In their junior days, Miura often fell for Godou's tricks as his opponent.
When he came up to Godou after losing so many times, Godou always explained it as "that's not real talent." But that was just trying to act cool. In fact, Godou was thinking "though that guy has a bit of talent, he's just a simple-minded fool, so I definitely cannot lose to him." That was the situation.
Since he didn't want others to know his obsession with winning, Godou would never reveal these things.
From the perspective of Godou's competitive personality, he definitely cannot approve of Verethragna's cavalier attitude towards competition.
"Even if you are a god, in a thousand matches, your opponent may very well snatch up a victory! The next thing to do is how to lure out this chance of a thousand."
Of course, Verethragna dismissed Godou's words with a laugh.
"Boy, that kind of thing is impossible. Before me, a god, what good would come from hoping for such a rare occurrence? With just a
little finger, shall I burn thee to charcoal?"
He was completely right.
But for this once, things are not that certain.
Actually, the finishing move Godou considered as he watched Erica's fight with Verethragna, as well as during his argument with the god, was a strange trick no different from cheating.
No, Godou thought again.
This was not cheating, rather, it's called relying on external power.
"Even so, the fact remains. You are overconfident. Just like now—hey, god! You've seen the power possessed by my stone tablet here!? Next you will take on the role of Erica—the girl just now, and perhaps it will be successful? So grant me power!"
Godou roared angrily at the sky.
The voice heard from the dialogue when Verethragna breached the forest barrier, Godou heard it again, that majestic voice.
'Hahahahahaha! I was expecting some kind of farce and watched quietly! Who could have expected the victorious warlord to fall for a human's tricks!'
The Phoenician divine king Melqart.
His grand laughter reverberated across the sky and the forest.
'To speak to the king of the gods in such a manner, your wish is too impertinent, boy! But your observation is not bad, so let me reward you a little! Verethragna, your most troublesome ability is that [Sword], but can it become a weapon that can slay Prometheus and me, two gods at the same time?'
Suddenly, space distorted.
Out flew two clubs.
'Yagrush the Chaser! Ayamur the Driver! Pursuers, the pair of weapons acting on my behalf, chase and drive out the eastern warlord! Show him the power of my wrath!'
"Ch...! That King Melqart!"
Verethragna's handsome face was once again distorted by vexation.
Godou's eyes had allowed him to strike and send innumerable fastballs flying in the past. But at a height beyond his sight, two clubs—Chaser and Driver were rising up in the sky.
One of them approached like lightning from the front, while the other attacked from behind like a flying bird.
Verethragna jumped high and became [Wind], however, the two clubs coordinated as if they knew the precise locations, chasing after the strong wind.
"—Godou! Hurry and use the [Secret Tome of Prometheus]! Before Verethragna chants the spell words to conquer King Melqart!"
Sprawled on the ground, Erica frantically called out.
Godou hurriedly raised the grimoire high, and the diagram depicting the bound Prometheus suddenly sent forth grand blue flames. Probably because it was his third time using it, Godou found it much easier to operate.
"Ooooooooooh!"
The strong wind prepared to use the [Sword], and returned to the form of the youth in midair.
As the blue flames approached, they were instantly intercepted by the golden spheres of light.
However, one of the clubs came flying and directly struck Verethragna on his thin chest armor.
"Ooh!?" Verethragna gave off a painful grunt, and the brilliance of his light spheres dimmed.
'Do you have the power to use the [Sword] simultaneously with other incarnations? Of course the answer is no! Just as you saw through my powers, I too, saw through yours! You broke my barrier just now, and your power is not at full strength! Continuing to consume your divine powers this way, your existence will become precarious! Just like the brat said, you are overconfident, Verethragna!'
"No, this has not ended! My defeat has not been sealed, King Melqart!"
Verethragna yelled at the divine king's thunderous voice.
"The pursuers of Chaser and Driver! These were the weapons given to thee by the god of craftsmen, Kothar-wa-Khasis! As Baal, thou used them to lure the dragon king Yam[30] away from his throne, and slew him! Through this victory, thou ascended to the throne of the divine king!"
Could these also be spell words—incantations produced by the golden [Sword].
Godou held his breath.
Was Verethragna currently exchanging the [Sword] against Prometheus to a sword for Melqart? Even if that happens, the situation is unchanged. There was only one way to reverse the tide of battle, yes.
Dual wielding.
Just as Godou predicted, the golden light gathered upon Verethragna's two hands.
The light gradually concentrated, forming long swords with golden blades, one in each hand.
'Ha, a desperate attack! Haha, that's the renowned Verethragna! Rather than choosing defeat through overconfidence, it is better to fight beyond one's limits. This spirit is excellent, now let me have a good fight against you!'
Melqart's voice bellowed thunderously with glee.
On the other hand, there was already a deep red trail of fresh blood on Verethragna's forehead. His lips still chanting spell words sonorously, the elegant and handsome face had become pale.
Even so, he was still flying in the air wielding two swords majestically.
The two clubs Chaser and Driver flying back and forth, and the blue flames of the [Secret Tome of Prometheus] dancing in the air like a comet.
The battle between gods, was still undecided.
Part 4
Verethragna's twin swords, Melqart's clubs and Prometheus' flames collided in the air.
Down below, Godou hurriedly picked up Erica in his arms as her feet were injured.
"Can you still walk? Please bear it for now. It's very dangerous here, so it'd be best to move to another location."
"Godou... You managed to trick a [Heretic God], what an amazing achievement."
While the gods battled intensely, the two of them entered the forest.
Leaning Erica, who was unable to walk properly, against his shoulder, the two walked side by side.
At last they reached the foot of a great tree.
Setting Erica down, Godou held the [Secret Tome of Prometheus] once again.
Verethragna had the advantage in the air battle due to his weapons that could seal divine power and slay enemies. That should be obvious.
Chaser, Driver and the blue flames were slashed an uncountable number of times.
The youth god achieving victory was likely just a matter of time. However, his flying movements in the air as well as sword speed did seem to be gradually getting sluggish.
"If this continues, it will be very hard for the [Secret Tome of Prometheus] to steal his power."
"How about this—Godou, before Verethragna comes, hurry and escape alone. I'm just a burden to you, abandon me here."
Resting against the tree, Erica spoke painfully.
The exquisite voice with clarity, and the face whose beauty was unaffected by the dust, sand and sweat. It was only now that Godou was finally struck by a real sense of how beautiful this girl was.
"Can you use healing magic? Like those moves commonly seen in games?"
"I can, but it takes a certain amount of time for the spell to take effect. Healing these two legs... Probably would take thirty minutes, so it will be too late."
A technique that could heal these legs which looked like they were snapped, was probably a very powerful spell.
However, it was entirely useless in this situation.
Now, there was only one thing that could be used.
Godou looked at Verethragna's direction with determination, and said to Erica:
"So, the only trump card is Prometheus' stone tablet after all. I will think of a way to be that guy's opponent. Use that magic quickly. Once your legs are healed, we'll run together."
"Don't be stupid! You're going to push Verethragna to that degree! Who knows what kind of divine retribution you will suffer!?"
"However, that guy can transform into the wind, right? If I run away alone, I will be caught eventually. So without you coming along, I probably won't be able to escape."
Godou deeply sighed at this time.
"To be frank, there's no other way other than that move. However—"
"However?"
"Didn't Erica mention before? That guy likes me more. I am
also very concerned about him. For a former friend to turn into something like that, it really feels bad to just leave him alone and do nothing."
Though their time together was short, Godou felt as a friend that the youth has strayed from the right path.
What could he do—no idea.
Even with wounds all over his body, the powerful warlord continued to fight with great spirit.
What could he do—no idea.
Even so Godou had to stay and witness the final moment, this feeling was very real.
"You really... Are a true idiot?"
"I completely cannot deny that. When you say stuff like that now, I can only accept them all."
Faced with the admonishing from the witch and the female knight, Godou replied with gentleness instead.
Erica stared at the sky as if she had given up, sighing briefly.
"Idiot, also a really big idiot, so stupid that you are a hopeless idiot."
"Fine... If it makes you happy, say whatever you like, I don't want to argue anymore."
Unable to awaken Godou from his foolishness, Erica smiled. It was neither a smile of mockery nor pity, but seemed to be mostly carrying the feelings of giving up.
"But amidst all that foolishness, there's a little bit of cuteness... I will ask you one last time, will you change your decision?"
"No, I owe him a favor, so I cannot choose to run."
"...Favor? If so, then so be it."
With a few exchanges, Erica had already realized.
Godou felt very surprised and happy at the same time. Finally able to reach a mutual understanding with this girl, he definitely would never expect this to happen the first time they met.
"Leaving everything to 'so be it,' that is really vexing for us weak humans. No matter what, we have to give the gods some hardship to suffer."
Saying that, Erica went silent for a while, deep in thought.
And then she stared at Godou's face seriously and said:
"We probably forgot, but the [Secret Tome of Prometheus] has stored within it Verethragna's divine power—the ability of the [White Stallion] incarnation, right?"
"Ah yes. I think so. Though it's a power related to the sun, why is it a horse?"
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