He was getting anxious after all. In addition, he seemed to be hesitating over something--!
The instant she realized, Erica had already summoned Cuore di Leone into her right hand.
At the same time, her surcoat also manifested and wrapped around her. This sacred protective garment, patterned with rossonero stripes, was only allowed to be worn by great knights of the [Copper Black Cross].
"Clearly you are already a god-slayer, but why do you still keep bringing trouble to others!?"
For some reason, Erica actually felt happy about this.
The gales and thunder on the battlefield were as turbulent as whitewater rapids. Nevertheless, she advanced towards the youth in the very center. Even if she could not reach his side, it was sufficient as long as she could get within hearing distance.
The brave smile of a lioness flashed spectacularly across her face for an instant.
"As expected of a god, this won't be easy to finish..."
Godou muttered to himself.
Were Melqart's attacks limited to wind and lightning, defending would not be too difficult. But Yagrush and Ayamur, lying in wait using the storm for cover, were truly terrifying. It was completely impossible to predict when or where the two magic clubs would suddenly attack.
'Chaser and Driver, pursue with all your might! May the ocean be exiled, and even the sea currents crushed!'
Melqart stood upright within the storm, composing spell words.
In response to his summons, wind and thunder sprang into action, as Yagrush and Ayamur continued to fly in the sky.
To protect himself from the attacks of the two clubs, Godou kept using the [Sword] for defense.
His manner of control was completely self-styled. As Yagrush came flying in a circular trajectory -- this could be considered the "ball" while the numerous blades of light acted as the "glove."
Vivid images of catching penetrating batted balls surfaced in memory.
Thus, the [Sword] moved swiftly and blocked Yagrush splendidly.
Immediately, lightning-powered Ayamur flew with amazing speed.
This recalled impressions of batting against pitches of strong fastballs. Similarly, the [Sword] spectacularly struck the lightning-speed club squarely, sending it rebounding with a clang.
"Well, it's not too different from baseball after all..."
Godou knew this was simply his nonsensical comparison, but it turned out to be surprisingly effective. However, another emerging problem could not be ignored. The blades of spell words were gradually decreasing in number.
It was like a bladed tool which dulled with each use--!
At the beginning, there were roughly a thousand spheres of light, but now only about half remained. He definitely had to switch to offense before all the light spheres disappeared.
However, Melqart was also initiating even more intense assaults. Raging wind and lighting began a boisterous dance. Furthermore, Yagrush and Ayamur which hounded Godou towards his demise, were attacking with ever increasing ferocity.
Godou understood he was being cornered.
Don't panic, there's still room left to maneuver. Now was the time to find a way to counterattack. Godou suppressed his anxiety and tried to convince himself. However, there was yet another problem.
The authority Godou had usurped from Verethragna should be the [Ten Incarnations]. But once used, each incarnation became temporarily unavailable.
If his tactics required using another incarnation to break out of the current situation, it meant abandoning the iron defense provided by the [Sword]!
"Kukuku... Your [Sword] sure is troublesome, brat!"
Also, Melqart was laughing loudly as he spoke.
"Yagrush and Ayamur are the divine artifacts forged by the god of craftsmen, Kothar-wa-Khasis.[11] These weapons which I wield, are also infused with that god's divine qualities! Hence, the spell words you brat has prepared -- the spell words meant for slicing Melqart only cannot sever them!"
So that was the reason! Godou was immensely surprised, then he nodded.
Unbelievable indeed. He had wondered why it took so much effort to deflect Yagrush and Ayamur when the [Sword] clearly dispelled wind and lightning without issue.
"If the true wielder Verethragna was here instead, he would have added the spell words for slaying Kothar-wa-Khasis and broken my weapons like he did during our previous battle. Hoho... That must be beyond your limits, brat!"
Melqart's observation of his immaturity invaded Godou's heart with anxiety.
There was still a way to reverse the tides of battle. However, abandoning the [Sword] felt rather frightening. Continuing to fight without it would be quite difficult. What should he do!?
Just at that moment, he heard Erica shouting.
"Godou! I don't know what you're hesitating about, but please go ahead!"
She was clad in the familiar red and black cape, magic sword in hand.
"Charging forward in a duel leads to a knight's victory! It is fine to fear the enemy, but if you stop moving forward because you fear failure, only death awaits you!"
As if trying not to lose her voice in the storm, Erica yelled desperately.
"Have no fear. You still have me, Erica Blandelli! So what if your opponent is a [Heretic God]? Before you collapse exhausted, I will protect you! So go on and advance forward! You -- will definitely not lose, right?"
Godou's entire body reawakened the heat he had felt when his lips were intimately locked with Erica's.
That's right. If I falter now, I will break my promise. Also I've forgotten. I still have a "partner" here who could very well be my goddess of victory!
"I am the strongest, crushing all who stand in my way!"
Godou yelled out spell words, infusing the [Sword] with magical power. Through this battle, he had managed to learn how to control magical power.
"For Verethragna's glorious victory, O Sword, slay all evildoers!"
He accelerated all of the remaining golden brilliance of the [Sword]. After all, since its numbers were gradually decreasing, it would be best to make effective use while there was still sufficient sharpness. Thanks to Erica, Godou was able to act decisively.
"Disregard Yagrush and Ayamur! Target Melqart's storm -- Eliminate it!"
The [Sword]'s hundreds of lights that had been shining in Godou's surroundings like stars up until now, now moved all at once.
Arching across the sky like a shooting star at night, it sliced apart giant Melqart's abdomen.
'Guh -- uwaaaah!"
Screaming, Melqart crashed down from the stormy skies.
Nevertheless, this wound from the sword was still far from fatal. The violent giant god twisted and turned his body in an unsightly manner, but managed to land on his feet. Still, Godou did not despair.
He already knew. This [Sword] was not powerful enough for a death blow.
Instead, its true value lay in its situational adaptability and unified combination of offense and defense.
For example, even though it could not slay Melqart, the [Sword] was able to eliminate his [Storms] authority, temporarily rendering it powerless--
As a result of this slicing attack, the sword Godou created had completely disappeared.
In exchange, the storm and lightning were completely pacified. Thunderclouds immediately scattered, revealing the sunny blue sky.
Temporarily, Melqart was no longer the [God of Storms]. Even though he would probably recover in half a day or a few hours, the troublesome [Storms] authority should be sealed for now.
'How infuriating! Nevertheless, I still have these two possessions. O Yagrush, O Ayamur, take that god-slayer--"
Melqart readied his stance and yelled. However, Godou had already taken the next step.
"So says Lord Mithra. The sinful shall be met with justice. May spines be crushed, may bones be broken, tendons torn; hair, brains, and blood mingled and trampled together with the earth."
Spell words naturally flowed from his mouth to suit th
e situation. Furthermore, the dark beast hidden in his heart cried out in delight.
"I am the one unblunted and unapproachable! By Lord Mithra's command, you shall find ruination at the hands of the beast!"
As soon as Godou finished reciting the scripture of destruction...
Pitch-black darkness suddenly manifested beside Melqart.
This dark shadow, spewing crimson flames, took on the form of a [Boar] within the blink of an eye.
The incarnation of the [Boar] that could only be used with the intent of demolishing a massive target. Roughly 20m in length, its vigorous and strongly built body was covered with pitch-black fur. In addition, its two tusks protruded forward like sharp spears.
For the sake of trampling Melqart to death, Godou had summoned the ferocious divine beast!
Part 6
With that, the battle situation completely changed.
Until this moment, it had been a wild tango between wind, thunder and blades of light filling the sky, a most extraordinary shooting match. But now, it became a direct confrontation between a majestic giant and a black beast, like a fight scene in a special effects presentation.[12]
'O Yagrush, O Ayamur, return to my hands!'
ROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAR!!
Howling, the giant and the ferocious gigantic beast engaged in a head on fight.
The beautiful seaside streets of the ancient Sicilian capital stood as the backdrop to the battlefield.
Displaying his skills as a fearless warrior, Melqart wielded Yagrush in his right hand with Ayamur in his left. Swinging his heavy clubs as swiftly as the wind, he attacked ferociously with lightning speed.
In turn, the [Boar] dodged the attacks with keen and nimble movements.
It, too, displayed speed incommensurate with its gigantic body. This was indeed a wild beast's swiftness, evading enemy attacks with suave motions then gearing up for a charging strike.
The [Boar] was truly amazing. The exceptionally terrifying charge of a boar.
Noisily kicking against the ground (more accurately it was the road), it dashed on a violent collision course with explosive speed. Its two spear-like tusks smashed towards Melqart's body.
Melqart attacked in return.
Spinning his magic clubs for a counterattack, he jumped sideways to evade and wrapped his arms around the [Boar]'s neck in a wrestling-style grapple.
Nevertheless, the [Boar] had not lost yet.
The counterattacking clubs violently struck the divine beast's pitch black head with a loud crash.
The [Boar] endured the impact with its sturdy boar skull and gigantic body, continuing to charge. Though Melqart's clubs were not shattered in the collision, they were sent flying back. Flying high in the sky, the weapons immediately returned to their master's hands.
Melqart once again attempted a wrestling hold, but the [Boar] twisted its black gigantic body and struggled free.
The tides of battle swayed back and forth. However, both participants seemed immensely excited.
'Kukuku... Very well. Long it has been, since my blood boiled with such excitement! Truly, only this sort of battle provides any satisfaction! Give me all you've got!'
The ancient Phoenician divine king laughed with exhilaration and cast off his only piece of presentable attire, flinging the mantle away. Clad in a leather breastplate, loincloth and sandals, he would be better described as an uncouth savage rather than a king.
In response, the [Boar] also roared in a conspicuously excited voice.
ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAR!
'Fuyaaaaaaaaah!"
With every roar, destruction was wrought to the surroundings.
Melqart launched Yagrush and Ayamur at the same time. In order to dodge this attack, the [Boar] pounced ferociously and collided with the sky god's giant body.
Having lost their target, the two magic clubs demolished several buildings instead.
Melqart flexed the bulging muscles all over his body and caught the [Boar]'s charge with cries of 'Oomph!' while being pushed back by the seemingly unstoppable momentum. With the sound of noisy clattering, stylish houses of stone were crushed in their wake.
But Melqart then grabbed the [Boar], picking it up and throwing its massive body onto the road. Cars and trucks parked there were swept into the turmoil and sent flying.
"T-They've gone into the streets. This is really out of control!"
"The residents have all evacuated. How fortunate."
Godou and Erica watched the destruction of the beautiful Sicilian streets facing the sea.
The two of them distanced themselves from the main road where the intense close quarters battle was taking place and moved into the yacht harbor near the sea. As a side note, of the dozens of yachts normally moored there, almost all of them had already been washed away by the storm just now.
Nevertheless, distancing themselves from the battle did not mean they were safe.
"Look over at the sea, Godou!"
Prompted by Erica's warning, Godou was rendered speechless by what he saw over the sea. Not only was the horizon enshrouded by black mist, this mist was also advancing inland from the sea with frightening speed.
'God-slayer! Battling your underling has brought me much joy!'
Melqart's booming voice came from the main road.
'But let's not forget about you. Since you have unleashed a divine beast, it is only fitting for me to call forth my servants.'
The black mist had already reached within ten-odd meters of the pier.
An unpleasant buzzing troubled the ears. Was this the sound of wings? Godou figured it out. That was no mist -- it was a swarm of locusts!
This mist gathered massive numbers of locusts, a swarm hundreds of thousands strong.
"I get it now. Melqart can command locusts. Now that I recall, he did that on Sardinia too."
Excessively large swarms of locusts would devour crops and bring famine--
Before modern times, these pests frequently appeared in swarms with sizes on the order of ten billion. If the current hundreds of thousands of locusts fed on them, Godou and Erica would be dead for sure. But now that the [Sword] was no longer available, Godou had no weapon to protect them.
In that case, Melqart must be defeated before that insect swarm arrived!
"The bearer of sharp tusks! Killing with one stroke, trampling foes to dust!"
Godou infused the [Boar] with all his magical power. The divine beast's enormous body became covered with blue flames and began to burn intensely.
'Oh? Trying to settle the match now? Most amusing!'
Melqart greatly flexed his bulging mighty muscles in turn.
Crossing the magic clubs Yagrush and Ayamur before him in an X-shape, he prepared a stance to receive the attack. On the other hand, the [Boar], burning with blue flames, charged forward at full speed.
With speed like lightning.
In addition, sonic waves were created by the giant galloping body, sending surrounding buildings and vehicles flying. The [Boar] unleashed the greatest power it had ever displayed. Be that as it may, Godou realized he was too naive.
To think Melqart happened to see through the [Boar]'s ridiculous charge, and nimbly jumped back into the sky to evade.
Up until now, Melqart had been "using strength in response to strength."
This befitted his image of the savage warrior, thereby causing Godou to be misled by preconceptions, thinking he would continue to respond using the same tactics.
But at this critical decisive moment, Melqart flew as light as the wind to evade the [Boar]'s attack.
Hence, the black divine beast continued charging forward, smashing violently into the great gate behind its prey.
That was the Porta Felice.
A massive stone-built gate with intricate carvings.
Even though it was called a gate, in actual fact it was a sixteenth century structure better described as two towers standing on opposite sides of the road.
In days past, this was considered the entr
ance to the city of Palermo from the harbor.
Struck by the charging massive body, the gates were naturally demolished.
'Hahahaha! Immature as expected, god-slayer. Sticking your neck out like this before you clearly discern your opponent's power!'
Hovering high in the air, Melqart ridiculed as he launched Yagrush and Ayamur.
ROOOOOAAAAAAAAAR!
For the very first time, Godou heard the [Boar] screaming in pain. After being dealt heavy blows in the head by the first club and in the back by the second, the divine beast lay sprawled on the ground.
Melqart landed majestically beside it, his giant body appearing to be unrealistically light.
Meanwhile, the [Boar] desperately tried to get up but could not. Its black front legs scratching noisily against the road surface, its struggles were in vain. The damage inflicted by Yagrush and Ayamur just now was too severe.
Furthermore, the hundreds of thousands of locusts had already reached the pier where Godou and Erica were located.
Whenever these pests appeared in great numbers, they became great disasters that could bring countries to ruin. Using their tiny but sharp jaws, they would devour all vegetation from fertile fields.
In addition, this massive swarm of locusts was being commanded by Melqart.
This insect swarm of death embodied his aspect as a god of destruction. Whether iron or concrete, everything targeted would be devoured in entirety.
How could this crisis be overcome!? Just as Godou's back was drenched in cold sweat...
"Eli Eli lama sabachthani? Oh Lord, why hast thou forsaken me?"[13]
Erica raised her voice and chanted.
This was her trump card, the spell words she had used during the battle against Verethragna.
"O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel!"[14]
These were apparently the Golgotha spell words. It was said that Jesus expressed his despair and praised God the Father through this song of demise just before his execution.
Godou could feel his surroundings filled with the terrifying "aura" of anguish and despair.
"O my strength, haste thee to help me! I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee."[15]
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