Chapter 628 - "Absolute Ice"

The battle between the G.o.ds and the Allied Forces was becoming fiercer and fiercer.

In terms of pure strength, the G.o.ds that had been strengthened by Shallow Vernal were stronger, but they werent able to overwhelm the Allied Forces.

The people who were particularly playing a central role in the battle on the Human-Demon Allied Forces side were the War Kings subordinates. This is because almost all of War Kings subordinates, despite having varying degrees of strength and skill, have mastered the art of battle, and even if they are of the Peerage-ranks, their skills were comparably higher than the others.

The techniques they had cultivated are very effective against the G.o.ds, who despite their superiority in pure magical power and physical ability, are inexperienced in real combat, and have been able to put up a good fight against the G.o.ds.

However, on the flips side, those who do not have the techniques to overturn such power differences are forced to fight a very difficult battle.

[.!]

[Caraway!]

[I- Im alright.]

A Viscount-level, High-ranking Demon, Caraway, took an arrow to the shoulder and looked at her opponent with a look of agony on her face. Fighting alongside her was Anima, a former Black Bear, possessing the same Viscount-rank power.

Finding out how they have many things in common, like how they were both Beast-like Humanoids, fought with their claws, and they were about the same level of skill, they quickly became friends after the Six Kings Festival and are still tag-teaming to face the G.o.ds.

They were fighting against the G.o.d of Hunting and the G.o.d of Commerce and although both of them are low-ranking G.o.ds, the power Shallow Vernal had given them allowed them to have magic power and physical abilities comparable to a Count-rank.

Anima and Caraway couldnt be said as weak either. Their power can be counted among the top Viscount-rank, and it is safe to say that they have abilities equal to Count-rank.

However, there is still a huge barrier between the Viscount-rank and the Count-rank. The G.o.d of Hunting and G.o.d of Commerce may have the power of the pseudo Count-rank through reinforcement.. but even if thats so, their combat power was tremendous.

The arrows of the G.o.d of Hunting blocked the movements of the speed-type Caraway, while the hammer of the G.o.d of Commerce overcame the fists of the power-type Anima.

There was no room for error or carelessness, as they were currently fighting for the sake of Shallow Vernal. With such people fighting like that, Anima and Caraway were being driven into a corner.

(Her arrows are fast. Theyre too much for me to handle but with Animas speed, she wont be able to do anything with those arrows. Even though I can barely handle it, I should somehow handle it myself.)

Breathing heavily, Caraway glanced at Anima. Thereupon, as if she sensed something, Anima nodded her head and readied her fist.

Caraway is the type that attacks using her speed to deal multiple attacks, and she is not a good opponent against the G.o.d of Commerce, who wears heavy armor. Meanwhile, Anima has difficulty in speed, making it difficult for her to dodge the G.o.d of Huntings arrows.

In other words, Caraway would have to take care of the G.o.d of Hunting and Anima would take care of the G.o.d of Commerce, focusing on their respective targets. That was the strategy that the two of them had just decided upon through eye contact.

(I need to slip through the rain of arrows and get closer No, thats not it. It doesnt matter if Im hit Whats important is approaching. Its decided. For the sake of Miyama-sama, who called this foolish me a friend, I will fight, even if I risk my life!)

Kicking off the ground with eyes filled with determination, Caraway stepped in at once Past the line of death that she had been unable to step into earlier.

(I wonder when was the last time I fought for someone else This feels good huh. It feels like Im filled with strength.

Of course, the G.o.d of Hunting wouldnt let Caraway get too close to her. She fired a large number of arrows in an attempt to stop her a.s.sault. Seeing the rain of incoming arrows, Caraway only dodged the ones that would strike her legs, which are the key to her mobility, and those arrows that would deal fatal wounds to her body, while taking in the rest with her body, launching a suicidal attack.

With strength filled within each of her steps, she waved her claws and slightly grazed the G.o.d of Hunting on her cheek. But of course, a damage of such extent held no significance. The G.o.d of Hunting immediately turns her body and shoots an arrow at Caraway, who has just attacked her.

[What!?]

However, the arrow that she released, expecting that it would hit, was evaded by Caraway, who accelerated to her direction again.

[Shes become faster]

Yes, little by little, Caraways speed had started to increase a while ago. The arrows that would have hit her earlier were no longer hitting her, and her claws were starting to reach the G.o.d of Huntings body.

[This is impossible. How could this be? In this situation this woman is]

Caraway is a High-ranking Demon who wasnt able to reach the Count-rank. She had talent. She was also powerful enough to fight well against the weaker Count-ranks.

But still, she hadnt been able to get any stronger than that for a long time. Although she was stepping into the right direction, she hadnt been able to clearly reach the realm of Count-ranks.

Why is that? After she became a Peerage-holding High-ranking Demon, drowning in the happiness that her status gave her she had only been fighting for her own sake. What was most precious and important for her is herself.

Thats why she didnt want to cross any dangerous bridges. She always took a step back from the line of death, prioritizing her own safety.

Yes, for all these years she had only been standing still.

But after shes fallen to the bottom, reevaluating herself and from there, her heart was saved. Shes filled with strong determination to help Kaito, who had forgiven her.

This determination gave her the courage to step forward. One step beyond the line of death, one step into a realm that she had never been able to reach before

[is growing more powerful becoming a Count-rank-!?]

Finally, Caraway completely exceeded the speed of the arrows that the G.o.d of Hunting had released, cutting deep into the G.o.d of Huntings body.

At the same time, Anima was also running towards the G.o.d of Commerce. Unlike the battle between Caraway and the G.o.d of Hunting, this was a clash of power-types. The match is settled with one strike one single strike filled with all their heart and strength.

If they were struck with that single strike, there is no more later. The only thing that awaits them would be defeat

If one had to pick whos stronger, it would naturally be the G.o.d of Commerce who had won their clash earlier. Animas strength may be powerful enough to qualify as a Count-rank. However, she hasnt been able to use her physical abilities to the fullest.

With Illness advice, she is gradually learning how to use techniques, but she is still inexperienced.

(Master fighting against a superior being like this reminds me of the battle in Rigfores.h.i.+a. I wonder, am I even remotely close to the strength of you who I admire?)

Thinking of her beloved master in her mind, she headed towards the G.o.d of Commerce who was swinging her hammer.

(I am still inexperienced, but I can proudly say that Im proud of my feelings for Master.)

Greatly swinging her fist, she unleashed a full-force strike.

(I want to be stronger and stronger for you who call me family. However, my apologies. I am not strong enough at the moment Thats why Even if its a little bit, please allow me to borrow your strength, Master!)

Even if she unleashed such a strike, the result would have been the same as before. That is why Anima used her trump card here. Since the day she vowed to acquire this skill, she had been trying to learn the magic secretly with the help of those around her.

This is the magic that she truly admires and yearns for more than anything Kaitos magic.

[Auto-Counter!]

Anima, who doesnt possess Sympathy Magic, cannot have the original effect of automatically counter-attacking the opponents move. However, if its about this magics other effect forcing the body to move as she predetermined, then it would be a different story.

With the magic activated, the waste movements in Animas actions disappeared. Her arms, shoulders, waist, body All of them moved in a fluid manner, bringing her possible attack power to its theoretical maximum.

[Oooohhhhhh!!!]

Shattering the brandished hammer, her strike pierced through the body of the G.o.d of Commerce, bringing victory to Anima.

Looking at the fallen G.o.d of Hunting and G.o.d of Commerce, Anima and Caraway heaved out a sigh.

[Somehow, we defeated the two of them.]

[We just barely did it but we did defeat them.]

Animas arm was broken from the recoil of the Auto-Counter, while Caraway had arrows lodged in various parts of her body. They were indeed barely able to win, and they were quite desperate in this battle but even so, the people they defeated were only two low-ranking G.o.ds

But still, a victory is a victory. As the two of them looked a little relieved, heading to the next battle but their eyes opened wide.

Two glowing spheres suddenly came flying from the sky. They were then sucked into the bodies of the G.o.d of Hunting and G.o.d of Commerce and the two G.o.ds got up as if nothing had happened.

[No way]

It was no wonder that Caraway dumbfoundedly muttered this. The two G.o.ds that they had finally defeated after exerting themselves to the utmost of their abilities, exceeding their own limits, were revived without a single scratch on their body

[No, youre truly magnificent. Id say your strength has indeed reached the Count-rank.]

[Thats right. If we hadnt received Shallow Vernal-samas power, we wouldve been instantly killed by you.]

[However, thats a pity. As long as there is G.o.d of Life behind us we are immortal.]

The words G.o.d of Hunting and G.o.d of Commerce indifferently told them were truly despair-inducing words. Both Anima and Caraway are now wounded. They dont have the strength to defeat them again.

No, even if they could defeat them again They will just revive again and again as Life exists. The scenario where they win doesnt exist.

[Its over.]

Still, Anima and Caraways hearts werent broken. However, their bodies werent able to follow their hearts anymore. They were unable to move, even as the G.o.d of Hunting nocked two arrows in her bow.

With the arrows mercilessly released, they went right to Anima and Caraways foreheads but it was shattered into pieces, falling to the ground.

[Wha!?]

At the end of the gaze of the astonished G.o.d of Hunting the silhouette of someone stands between the two G.o.ds and Anima and Caraway.

[That blow was truly amazing. Youve grown tremendously. With this, you may not need a thousand years before we can fight again]

[Epsilon-dono.]

The one who appeared with a huge long sword in hand was one of War Kings Five Generals Epsilon of the Absolute Ice. Speaking words of praise to Anima, who she had promised to fight again, she quietly held up her long sword.

[One of War Kings Five Generals is here huh.]

[Shes a tricky opponent, but with how strong we are now, we should be enough against a Count-rank]

[Foolish.]

[ [ ! ? ] ]

Even as they were astonished by Epsilons appearance, the two G.o.ds readied their weapons but immediately after that, they were cut apart and frozen without even being able to react.

[If they get revived after dying, all you have to do is seal them away. Also, one more thing, gaining the magic power and physical ability of a Count-rank doesnt mean youll be able to compete with one. Dont think that your fake abilities could ever reach the strength Ive reached after training Well, I guess you cant hear me now huh]

Epsilon, who had defeated the two low-ranking G.o.ds with ease, quietly muttered, then turning to Anima and Caraway, she spoke.

[Well then, Im heading off to the next battle. There are some people in the back who can use Recovery Magic, so you can get yourself treated there. Now then, if youll excuse me. Anima-dono Grow some more and well have our rematch in a thousand years. Im looking forward to it.]

After watching Epsilon leave with those words, Anima muttered with a slightly dumbfounded expression on her face.

[Will I really be able to catch up with that after a thousand years? Master, it seems that the being Im trying to overcome stands at a staggeringly high wall.]

Serious-senpai : [No, putting aside Epsilon The most important problem is]

Revives Allies

Immediate Full Recovery

Generates Unlimited Soldiers

The person herself is almost immortal

Serious-senpai : [Isnt she too much of a cheat?]

? ? ? : [Well, as expected, even she wouldnt be able to a.s.sess the status of all G.o.ds while fighting against Isis and Lillywood, but it seems like the revival was automatically activated when they get fatally wounded, so sealing them is effective but we really wouldnt stand a chance if we dont do something about Life-san huh.]