That's right. The biggest reason it's difficult to persuade Renzo.

Renzo is not interested in the Empire's downfall.

It's not that he disregards his own life, but rather that he's confident that he'll survive even if the entire continent is engulfed in flames.

From Renzo's perspective, fighting the Empire would be much more fun than fighting Manggot.

More than anything, he wants to kill me so badly, so naturally, if he had to choose sides, he would choose Manggot's.

You're smarter than me, Frondier. You didn't come here without thinking, did you? No, you wouldn't be that naive. You wouldn't come here to this barren land with no connections to get your head chopped off. Frondier, stop beating around the bush and tell me what you're thinking. Otherwise, I'll cut off your limbs right here. That wouldn't be very pleasant. It would be after I'm disappointed in you.

Renzo's blade gleamed with a sharp light. The sword, infused with his aura, became even more ferocious than before.

Renzo, don't you want to fight a god?

Oh.

A strange light appeared in Renzo's eyes.

From the way you're talking, you don't mean divine power, do you?

Manggot is on the verge of a god's descent. It's not something that can be stopped. The god's goal is the destruction of humanity. It perfectly aligns with Manggot's goal.

Oh, that's quite an arrogant goal.

Renzo, who said that,

Hey Ares! Is that true?

He shouted into the empty air on his right.

Needless to say, that sight sent shivers down my spine.

He's talking to the god who gave him divine power?

Just because someone has divine power doesn't mean their communication with their god is the same. In the worst case, they can be mentally controlled like Edwin, leading to bad results.

The only person I know who can talk to their god is Elodie. Even the protagonist, Aster Evans, has to use a sanctuary to meet his god, Baldur.

Moreover, the way he looks, it's not just that he's having a conversation, but it seems like Renzo can see Ares. This means that Ares is fully supporting Renzo.

Huh, this is something.

Renzo shook his head after hearing something from Ares.

Hey Frondier. Fighting a god is interesting, but for now, I need to take care of my god first.

What do you mean?

Ares is eager to kill you. Our goals align. He keeps making a fuss, saying why am I just standing here when the prey is right in front of me, so noisy!!

Renzo shouted at something again. I narrowed my eyes and observed him.

I can see a little.

Thanks to focusing my sixth sense, I can see something moving around Renzo. But the shape is still incomplete.

I can't tell if it's because my intuition is lacking or if Ares is actually floating around in that incomplete form. But his irritable movements definitely caught my eye.

Anyway, that's how it is. Frondier.

How it is?

It can't be helped.

Can't be helped?

Renzo takes a stance towards me with his sword.

My god wants to kill you. I need to convince him.

Does that convincing mean proving that I won't die here? Or showing him that you might be in danger before you kill me?

Hahaha! As expected of you. Not many words are needed.

Renzo's eyes shine, and a red energy rises from his body. It's Ares' divine power.

The cliff where Renzo and I are standing starts to tremble slightly just from that energy. Stone dust scatters away from him as if fleeing, and the air trembles as if swallowing fear.

You won't die, will you? Frondier. It's just a game. This isn't the stage for us to fight properly. Look, I haven't even taken out Enkephalos or Lynotoros.

As Renzo said, the divine spear and shield are still dormant behind his back.

Don't worry. I'm not asking you to limit yourself like this. Take out whatever you're proud of, whether it's the divine bow or the hammer. That way, the balance will be a bit better.

Ha.

I laughed at Renzo's confident words.

It's strange.

When I face other enemies, the emotions I feel don't go beyond disgust and anger.

You're arrogant, Renzo!!

Click!

Weaving, Obsidian

Simultaneous Replication

Imperial Armory

Full Open

I manipulate the bracelet and unleash Obsidian, filling it entirely with weapons.

I wonder why.

When I fight Renzo, as if I'm infected by him, excitement boils within me.

I said with the same kind of smile as Renzo.

Renzo, you remember our track record, right? You've already lost to me twice.

What nonsense. You were the one tied to a chair begging for your life.

Swish!

Kwaaaaaaaaang!!

A greatsword created in the air flies towards Renzo and clashes violently with his sword.

Have you gone senile, Renzo? Who was begging for their life?

Hahaha! It's true that I saved your life, isn't it? Back then, you would have died if I had just stabbed you in the chest.

Before that, you were the one who almost died after getting hit by my sword energy from all sides, barely surviving thanks to Cain.

I wouldn't have died from getting hit by that, you bastard!

Swordsmanship

Renzo Original

Left to Right

Renzo's sword swings from left to right, and his sword energy, now close to a typhoon, sweeps across the entire area in front of him. Several of Obsidian's weapons are caught in the typhoon and fall.

Hup!

I spread Obsidian and block the sword energy.

Hahaha! Weak, weak! Why did you even float them in the air if you were going to drop them all, Frondier? Are you planning to make a mobile, huh!

Swish!

Clang!

Of course, Obsidian, evolved with Helheim's mana, doesn't drop everything. Renzo gasps and swings his sword at the weapons I shoot out, overcoming the typhoon. It's annoying how cleanly he blocks them despite being surprised.

I said,

Who said I was going to drop them all.

Hahaha! Don't be stubborn and take out your divine weapon. No one will say anything. I want to see that hammer that kept you alive again.

Oh, really?

I grinned and opened my right hand. Obsidian is sucked into it and takes the form of a hammer in my hand.

Renzo's eyes sparkle with delight at the sight, but

What I'm holding is a wooden hammer.

I'll beat you with this until your head breaks.

This bastard has really gone crazy!

Immediately after.

The rush of my Obsidian and weapons collides with the storm Renzo creates.