Chapter 630 - "Hero"

At one point in the battle between the G.o.d Realm and the Human-Demon Allied Forces is raging the battle was beginning to head towards a stalemate. Considering the pure power difference, it would have been difficult for this battle to reach a stalemate.

This is because, although they have been fighting well here and there, the G.o.d Realm side is still far superior in terms of strength. However, through the effort of the Six Kings and their executives, as well as the reluctance of the G.o.d Realm to initiate in fighting, putting emphasis on stalling for time, have come together to gradually bring about a stalemate.

The one who benefits from a stalemate in the war though is the G.o.d Realm. The G.o.ds purpose has always been to buy time so that they wont interfere with Shallow Vernal. Therefore, some of the strongest members of the Human-Demon Allied Forces, who had begun to notice the flow of the war, began moving to somehow break past the flow and bring it to their side.

And taking the lead to change the flow of the battle, wearing a long white headband on her forehead and a sword in hand was the First Hero Neun.

Only a few people knew that she was still alive, so the First Heros appearance, without her helmet, shook quite a few people in both the G.o.ds and the Human-Demon Allied Forces side. Thats how significant of a being she is to the people of this world.

Not missing their reaction Neun ran towards the place where the high-ranking G.o.ds gathered.

Simply speaking, her strength is only around mid-tier Count-ranks and in a battle like this, although she may not slow others down, her strength isnt sufficient enough to be counted as a war potential.

However, this isnt the first time that a situation like this happened. She Kujou Hikari has never been the strongest. She isnt stronger than anyone else, nor is she smarter than anyone else.

However

[One-sword flash Cherry Blossom!]

There was something different about the way she wielded her blade with her eyes filled with strong determination. Of course, it was currently not possible for her to match the physical abilities of a high-ranking G.o.d, as the blade she brandished was blocked and she was struck with a counterattack.

However she didnt fall. No matter how many times she was attacked and no matter how many times her attack was blocked, she kicked the ground again and headed towards the G.o.ds.

With each of her failures, little by little, her blade became keener and after several attacks, she finally made a faint cut on the cheek of one of the high-ranking G.o.ds.

It was a wound that couldnt even be counted as a damage. But for some reason, the high-ranking G.o.d looked slightly fl.u.s.tered as she swung her sword towards Neun.

[Like Id let you!]

However, her sword was blocked by Laguna, who intervened with her large spear.

[Dont think wed let you take down our general so easily! Fors!]

[I know.]

Following Lagunas words, Fors activates her magic and restrains the high-ranking G.o.d. Strangely enough though, both Laguna and Fors are more powerful than they usually are, and they succeeded in defeating the high-ranking G.o.d.

[Hahaha! This really feels great. Its really the best fighting with you, Hikari!]

[Will-power isnt really a word fit for a researcher such as me but indeed, well, it isnt that bad.]

It wasnt just the two of them. It was clear that the Human-Demon Allied Forces were beginning to gain momentum. The flow of the battle, which had been on the verge of a stalemate, began to move as if it had come to life again.

Repeating once again, she Kujou Hikari wasnt called the Hero because she was strongest. In terms of combat power, there are many who can surpa.s.s her.

However, the way she takes on challenges gives courage to those who follow her. Her unbreakable back gives people the strength to never give up.

On the path she trodden upon many people gathered. As her small, yet extremely great back was burned into their eyes, they roused themselves and with blades in hand, they fought together.

She gives courage to those who follow, energy to those who fight with her, and hope to those who see her.

That is why, yes, that is the reason why Even though she isnt a King or a G.o.d- but a Hero, shes the only person in the world who is extolled even up to this day.

Glancing sideways at the Allied Forces that were gaining momentum thanks to Neun, Vier, who had once fought her as the Demon King, slightly smiled.

[Hikari really is amazing, isnt she]

[Yes, we cant afford to lose to her now, right?]

Agreeing with Viers words, Ein glared towards Chronois in front of her. With the a.s.sistance of her three family members, they managed to fight with minimal risks.

However, if they didnt manage to defeat the Supreme G.o.ds, which includes the woman in front of them, they would never achieve victory in this battle.

[Good grief, thats seriously quite the feat. Even against us who have been reinforced by Shallow Vernal-samas power, you still managed to bring a good enough of a fight. However, I wont let you do as you please any What!?]

While giving words of praise to the Human-Demon Allied Forces, Chronois relaxed expression suddenly changed. And it wasnt just Chronois, as Ein and her teams expression changed as well.

While the girls were facing each other, the thing that suddenly flew in and stopped while half destroying the floating island they were in

[Impossible G.o.d of Fate!?]

[Guh Haahhh Haahhh]

When she sees Fate on one knee, breathing hard, with glowing spheres of many colors around her body, Chronois looks disconcerted.

Her reaction isnt really that strange. Fate is the strongest among the Supreme G.o.ds That is to say, she should be the greatest a.s.set of the G.o.ds. And yet, not much time has pa.s.sed, but she clearly looked as if she suffered a great amount of damage.

That means Theres someone who can overwhelm her who was supposed to be even more powerful than usual.

[Guhh Not yet]

Not reacting to Chronois disconcerted voice, still sitting on one knee, Fate extended one of her hands forward. And then, as she was attempting to invoke her authority

[Like I said, youre way too slow!]

[Gafuu!?]

[G.o.d of Fate!?]

In the next moment, she was punched away by Alice, who appeared in front of her.

[Dont think you can catch up with me with that carefree fate manipulation of yours.]

Alice, who has just appeared, doesnt have any noticeable scars, and even her robe was almost spotless. Seeing this proof that she really is overpowering Fate, Chronois immediately stopped time.

(This is unbelievable. I really did a.s.sume that Phantasmal King would be the most troublesome. However, my evaluation of her was still naive. For her to be even more powerful than the current G.o.d of Fate I have to take care of her as soon as possible!)

With the time stopped, Chronois went behind the timestopped Alice and after her fist hit the back of Alices head, her time stop was released.

The fist, which contains Chronois intent to kill, pierced the back of Alices head, annihilating her.

[Wha I- Its a clone! This is b Gaaahhh!?]

Realizing that Alice had somehow swapped with a clone too late, a sharp kick was slammed to Chronois side, sending her flying.

Bouncing on the ground a few times, making big craters on the floating island, Chronois regained her stance halfway and landed on both feet, holding onto her side where she was kicked.

(Thats ridiculous, what the heck is with that power!? For the current me to take this much damage)

Strengthened by Shallow Vernal, Chronois has nearly ten times the magic power of her normal self. Her physical power that comes with that magic power is overwhelming, and even if she were to be attacked by a strike that held enough power to wipe out all in this s.p.a.ce, she wouldnt take much damage.

In fact, the current Chronois doesnt even suffer a scratch even when she is attacked by Ein, who is comparable to the Six Kings.

However, Alice managed to deal damage to such a Chronois with just a kick. That means, Alice can easily penetrate the magic defense of the strengthened Chronois

Shuddering upon realizing such a fact, the damage to her side disappeared as a green light fell on her.

[G.o.d of Life huh, thank you.]

Life, who had been fighting elsewhere, seemed to have realized how dangerous Alice was, as she created a cavalry of over 10,000 soldiers to charge towards Alice while she healed Chronois and Fate.

She never expected that cavalry to be able to do any damage to Alice. However, shes hoping that they buy them some time. As if to ridicule Lifes thoughts though, Alices body blurred out and turned into two, and one of them changed forms.

[Im counting on you, Iris.]

[I know. Widespread annihilation is my specialty after all Roaring Cages of the Underworld, Open! The Madness of Nightmares, Swallow all Creations !]

(T/N: Nightmare Gate.)

When Iris, who had emerged from Alices body, completed her magic, an ominous gate appeared in the center of the cavalry, sucking in the over ten thousand soldiers like a black hole.

Then, after confirming that the cavalry had been annihilated, Iris returned to Alices body.

(Combat power that overwhelms the G.o.d of Fate, ingenuity that surely outstrips ours, and an unlimited amount of cards in her hand Shes too strong. This is bad, if Phantasmal King can pin us down This would be really bad for our side.)

Alices power overwhelmed the Supreme G.o.d, who was supposed to have been strengthened. Shuddering at her power, Chronois pondered.

If all three Supreme G.o.ds were to be suppressed by Alice, the Human-Demon Allied Forces would gain momentum, and if that happened, the tide of battle would completely turn towards their direction.

At this point, they must be prepared to sacrifice one of our Supreme G.o.ds and do everything in her power to stop Alice alone. Even the strengthened Supreme G.o.d wouldnt be able to stop Alice without using all of their strength.

This isnt something Life, the cornerstone of this battle, absolutely shouldnt do and it wasnt just Chronois who thought about this.

[Aaaahhhh!!!]

[Mnhhh]

Fate, recovered by Life, lunges forward with a shout, and grabbing Alices hand, she rapidly accelerates away. Pulling Alice away, far from the center of the battle, she seemed to be planning to fight Alice one on one.

(Sorry, G.o.d of Fate. I would have to push this disadvantageous role to you.)

Fates decision to take on Alice by herself was a welcome choice for Chronois. If she were to speak honestly, she finds Fates actions today as completely lackl.u.s.ter. Even putting aside the fact that she was facing Alice, the strongest among the Human-Demon Allied Forces, she seemed to be somewhat unfocused on the fight.

Chronois doesnt know the reason why but as long as she had chosen to stand by Shallow Vernals side, Chronois wouldnt outwardly criticize her for it. But even so, she was slightly doubting Fate right now.

Its a cruel choice, but thinking that she can be revived later anyway Fate was the right sacrifice to suppress the Human-Demon Allied Forces strongest card.

Thousands of kilometers away from the floating island that was at the center of the battle, Fate and Alice engaged in battle once again. The spheres floating around Fate unleashed numerous powerful attacks, but none of them managed to reach Alice.

(Amazing, Shall-tan. Before I knew it, youve become this strong 20,000 years ago, I was barely on par with Shall-tan when shes using . But now, Im being overwhelmed when she isnt even using it. I cant catch up with her with my fate manipulation at all, and even when I did catch up with her, she would completely twist the law of causality.)

Yes, Alice currently has combat power that even her long-time friend Fate couldnt have imagined.

(Or rather, seriously, how did she get so strong? I wonder how is it possible for Shall-tan, who originally was completely strong already, to grow so rapidly? No, perhaps, did she not seriously fight 20,000 years ago?)

Even as such questions popped up within her mind, there was something even more than that that Fate was questioning about.

(No, rather than that Why is it that Shall-tan shake off my suicidal attack earlier? No, before all that, why wont she use her ? If shes already overwhelming me like this, it should be easy for her to defeat me if she uses her )

Yes, so far, Alice had not used her trump card, . This shows her confidence that she can win without using it isnt the case at all.

In the first place, considering that Alices goal is to save Kaito, she will not spare anyone nor show any mercy. This is something that Fate, who has known her for a long time, understands.

If Alice is holding herself back, it means she has some reason why

[Thats an ugly look on your face, Fate-san.]

[Well, that wouldnt have happened if Shall-tan isnt beating me up.]

[Thats not what Im talking about Good grief, youre still underestimating me, is what Im saying!]

[Eh? Wha!?]

Alices speed increases even more. She was currently moving at a speed that even the current Fate couldnt follow with her eyes

[With such a tattered mind filled with indecision, theres no way you can ever beat me, is what Im talking about!]

[ ! ? ]

At Alices words, Fates eyes widened. Yes, Fate was still wavering. For she currently stands as an enemy of her beloved Kaito

[But I]

[Boo hoo, cry me a river. You used your position as an excuse and looked away from the consequences of your actions! And now, your mind is all uncertain How long are you going to pretend like youre some tragic heroine!?]

[Uwaahhh Guuhhh]

Blown away by Alices fist, Fates body pierced through several floating islands before stopping, buried under the ground.

She received significant damage, but it isnt that serious. Its just something she can recover from instantly with her power. But Fate couldnt move.

Even though the damage she received wasnt that serious, Alices words brought Fate face to face with the fact that she had been looking away from.

(Kai-chan Kai-chan Tell me, what am I supposed to do? I dont want to lose you, Kai-chan. But I cant betray Shallow Vernal-sama This hurts.)

With her face lowered down, a streak of something s.h.i.+ny ran down her cheek.

Serious-senpai : [Wait a moment, putting aside the Hero, arent you too strong? Why dont you just go defeat them all by yourself?]

? ? ? : [No, its not like Im the same person as the Transcendental Beauty Alice-chan, but of course, theres a reason why Alice was super enhanced in this battle!]

Serious-senpai : [Theres a reason?]

? ? ? : [I guess its more like an impetus? In fact, when Alice-chan came to this world, she was at the limit of her growth and had already reached her maximum level, so her magic power and physical abilities werent supposed to grow any further.]

Serious-senpai : [No, she got really strong though?]

? ? ? : [Yes, Alice-chan is now a being that can only grow under certain condition. As for that certain condition If I had to give a hint, it would be that Alice-chan didnt take 20,000 years to get to her current level of strength, but that she grew rapidly over the course of a few dozen minutes during the past year.]

Serious-senpai : [Ahh, I guess its some kind of special ability or something huh. What the heck is with that cheat ability]