Running with divine speed, Godou picked up Yuri in his arms while she gazed speechlessly at the sky and cautiously dodged each arrow of light falling from the sky, one at a time.
Not only for himself, but also for the sake of protecting Yuri.
After all the arrows were finally evaded did he switch off divine speed.
"G-Godou-san. Thank you!"
"It's coming again. Although I will be swinging you around for a while, please endure for now."
Just as Yuri answered "Very well!", Odysseus had already moved on to his next shot.
Shot from the steel bow this time was not an arrow but a beam of blue-white light. Godou switched on divine speed once more and jumped to evade the light flying towards him like a laser.
However, the bombardment of light did not end there.
The blue hero shifted horizontally the light coming from the steel bow as one would sweep a spear.
Then Odysseus yelled. Goooohhhhhhhhhhg!
"In that case, I'll have to go up!"
Godou jumped up to evade the horizontally sweeping spear of light.
This was all thanks to the exceptionally light and agile body conferred by the [Raptor]. Feeling weightless even when carrying a load, Godou was able to dodge the light beam even when carrying Yuri.
However, Odysseus then turned the steel bow towards Godou and Yuri who were high up in the air.
In turn, the spear of light jumped up accordingly!
Godou and Yuri were now transitioning to freefall after the jump. Since one must eventually fall after leaping upwards, there would be no way of evading the spear. Nevertheless, Godou "decelerated" his rate of descent.
Slowly, slowly, they fell at a rate of roughly one millimeter per second.
This rate of descent was almost like hovering motionless in midair. The [Raptor] was not only capable of acceleration but also unprecedented deceleration of this sort.
During this time, the spear of light below them had already swept past and missed.
After evading the spear, Godou accelerated again, bringing Yuri with him to land on the ground.
Turning off divine speed, Godou breathed heavily. As expected of the bow-wielding hero, it was clear that subsequent arrows could not be dodged so easily. Godou was convinced that although he could rely on divine speed to evade, sooner or later he would be hit.
Furthermore, prolonged use of the [Raptor] would produce severe pain in his heart, followed swiftly by immobilization of the body through paralysis.
Godou and Yuri were fast approaching the time limit.
"In the end, we still can't proactively decide the battle..."
Godou's lips twisted involuntarily. Although grotesque in form, he was still smiling.
Although Godou had cursed "Damn it!" just before using the [Raptor], he already expected this eventual development. He had to perform an attack to defeat Odysseus and Circe together while using the [Raptor] at the same time.
In that case, there was only one choice. But this required his companion's assistance—
"I have no objections, Godou-san."
"Excellent intuition. Did you see it through spirit vision?"
"No, but it occurred to me as soon as I saw your expression, Godou-san. Fortunately, there are no others on this island to cause trouble to, so let me assist you!"
Once again, the two of them were going to unsheathe the uncontrollable "black blade"—
With a stern expression, the Hime-Miko consented to Godou's spontaneous and reckless plan.
'But wouldn't it cause great trouble to you?'
Godou refrained from asking this question. Instead, he released Yuri from his arms and set her down.
"If I accidentally blow this island away like last time, we'll just have to continue drifting on the sea without a boat, let's go!"
"Very well. And just like Odysseus, we will surely return to our homeland!"
Having obtained Yuri's support, Godou summoned Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi.
The three-foot-three-inch, grand, black sword suddenly manifested in his hand. After being used as the medium for the "black blade," Godou's "partner" had succumbed to a "fragile" state. That was how intensely draining the technique was.
Since a while earlier, Godou had started pouring magical power into the divine sword.
In preparation for this situation, he had already begun doing so before the battle. Now he intended to activate the divine sword temporarily. Feeling that it was about time, he drew out the sword from his right arm and—
'Wait, king. Rather than attempting that troublesome magical technique, why don't you choose a different method? The tides of battle will turn favorable very shortly.'
The divine sword's sudden advice gave Godou quite a surprise.
But he instantly understood the message. Beside him, Yuri was gazing up into the night sky with a delighted expression. Blue light was flying towards the island—Indeed, it was Liliana's flight magic.
Several seconds later, Liliana, Erica and Ena finally landed before Godou and Yuri.
"Looks like we are just in time for the most spectacular scene!"
Naturally, this relaxed tone of voice belonged to Erica. As Godou figured the reason why they came to meet up at this particular moment, Ena nodded with a smile.
"Ena sensed Ama no Murakumo recover its consciousness earlier. Feeling a presence that seemed to be traceable, Ena asked Liliana-san to explore the direction indicated."
"Luckily, we were already nearby, out at sea exploring the surrounding waters."
Liliana explained. Godou was glad to see her usual, serious attitude again. The silver-haired knight stared at the bow-wielding archer of bronze.
"The hero Odysseus... And the lovely-haired Circe? This is the goddess' true identity!?"
Inspired with spirit vision, Liliana murmured the goddess' name.
Erica and Ena tensed their expression as a result. Although the trio had just arrived, they were already prepared to battle at any moment. Truly quick on the uptake.
...Or rather, this was apparently the result of undergoing many trials in the company of Kusanagi Godou.
In any case, the arrival of these reinforcements was more uplifting than anything. Since his companions were here, Godou did not need to risk drifting away anymore—
Godou instantly cast his gaze down to turn his attention to the issue of his heart.
His usage time of divine speed had clearly increased substantially compared to before. Although it was not his intention, this apparently stood as evidence of his growth and development as a Campione.
Furthermore, Godou was struck by a firm belief regarding the [Raptor] incarnation.
The pain and paralyzing stiffness could be eliminated if he switched incarnations at this juncture—!
Nodding to Yuri, Godou halted the spell of the blade.
"Everyone, can I rely on you all to handle Odysseus' arrows briefly? Even a minute would be good enough. I will snipe the goddess during this time!"
Godou stabbed Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi into the ground as he spoke.
Ena immediately pulled out the divine sword and caressed the blade's body with her hand. The red and blue knights also summoned their favorite magic swords immediately.
All preparations were complete. Godou chanted spell words with nothing to fear.
"For victory, hasten forth before me. O immortal sun, I beseech thee to grant radiance to the stallion!"
Circe had defended against and even made full use of the [White Stallion] incarnation before.
However, the goddess was currently all covered in wounds and had little excess magical power. The situation was different from last time!
"O stallion that moveth godlike with wondrous grace, bringest forth the halo of thy master—"
"Guh... Your Highness Odysseus, please grant me your protection!"
The sun rose in the eastern sky once again.
This time it was Godou using the flames of the rising sun as a weapon. The spear of flashing
white light approached.
The target being sniped was Circe, the goddess on the verge of death, sitting on the left shoulder of the archer clad in bronze armor. But this time, she did not have the vortex of light she used for absorbing the [White Stallion] in the past.
As the price for summoning the hero, Circe was no longer able to use magic.
Instead, she had to let Odysseus, the shooter of magical projectiles, intercept the approaching [White Stallion] with his steel bow.
Goooohhhhhhhhhhg!
Odysseus held steel bow before him as a shield, treating it as the sacrifice for the [White Stallion].
A frontal clash between the hero with the steel bow and the heavenly horse that transported the sun—
Godou infused his remaining magical power into the [White Stallion], trying to overwhelm his opponent. Odysseus in turn focused his magical power into his left hand and the steel bow to withstand the attack.
Nevertheless, Godou sensed through his instincts that he would prevail in this frontal clash.
Odysseus was a heroic god, but unlike Circe, he was not a sun god. Under the super high temperatures of the sun, his steel weapon and bronze armor were already melting gradually into a viscous state.
Godou was going to win provided he continued to sustain the [White Stallion] like this. However, the hero of the bow made another move.
Goooohhhhhhhhhhg!
Odysseus opened his right hand and pointed it at Godou.
Then from each of his five fingertips, a massive steel arrow shot out—a total five arrows all at the same time. It was like firing bullets using the fingertips as gun barrels.
Five steel arrows. Normally, these would have pierced five holes in Godou's body. However.
"Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city!"[26]
"And they warred against the Midianites, as the Lord commanded Moses!"[27]
The red and blue knights used the smiting spell words to defend.
Erica used her barb lance while Liliana used her sacred sword of extermination that had taken the form of a naginata. Together, the two weapons formed an X-shape and generated a magical shield in front of Godou and his companions. The power that protected the two sacred exterminators had now become a barrier for protecting the five of them!
This protective shield managed to just barely deflect Odysseus' five arrows.
The two knights' skills were astounding. However, the arrows shooting from the hero's right hand were not finished.
Like a machine gun, Odysseus' five fingers shot arrows of steel continuously.
More accurately this was not a hail of bullets but a second "rain of arrows." Godou decided he must defeat Circe before the knights' defenses gave way—
Just as Godou turned his attention towards the [White Stallion]—
Ena suddenly charged forward, taking Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi with her and leaving Erica and Liliana's magical shield. Lowering her center of gravity, Ena rushed towards Odysseus like a wolf.
"Leave it to us, Your Majesty!"
The Hime-Miko of the Sword hollered as she ran. In addition, Godou received the thoughts of the partner, Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi.
By the time Godou found out what the divine sword and its user were intending, Ena had already rushed towards the rain of arrows as quickly as if she were flying.
...Just several days ago, she had used divine possession to the maximum limit without regard for her body.
Even if she had already rested and saved up her energy, the time she could fight at maximum strength should be quite short. However, Godou already knew the strategy these "two partners" were using to overcome this disadvantage.
Then just as Odysseus' arrows were about to pierce Ena in multiple places—
Ena called out loudly.
"I call upon you whose interests I shoulder, the name of Kusanagi Godou! Let us guide the summons of wind into the secret sword, for I shall turn it into Your Highness' blade!"
The calling of his name by someone facing a deadly crisis. This was the condition for using Verethragna's first incarnation, the [Wind], thereby allowing Kusanagi Godou to fly to the caller's location.
And now, Ena and Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi intended to summon this incarnation.
But now was not the time for Godou to stop the [White Stallion]. For the second time after the battle against the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Godou employed two incarnations simultaneously again after so long.
While using the sun's shining light to pin down Circe and Odysseus, he used another incarnation at the same time.
Rather than for flying instantly to Ena's side, this was for letting Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi absorb the [Wind] incarnation!
"Guh—!"
Godou gritted his teeth from the splitting headache.
But it no longer hurt as much as last time. This also testified to Godou's growth as a Campione, gradually mastering Verethragna's authority bit by bit, strengthening his power.
After obtaining the [Wind]'s power, Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi and Ena turned into a storm in the shape of a human and a sword.
Boom!
With a vortex of wind swirling around her, Ena rushed forward just as the pouring rain of arrows were about to pierce her body.
By the next instant, she had already reached the side of Odysseus who was engaging the [White Stallion].
Her speed was truly like the wind—Her running speed could already be described as instantaneous teleportation.
Then Ena swung Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi and attacked twice.
First she severed Odysseus' right arm at the elbow, eliminating the hand that kept shooting rains of arrows continuously. Then in her follow through, Ena amputated the left arm at the shoulder, the one holding the gradually melting steel bow that was blocking the [White Stallion]'s flames.
Conserving her momentum, Ena continued to run forward, passing Odysseus from the side.
Were she to stop moving, the [White Stallion]'s flames would surely devour her as well.
Having absorbed the [Wind], Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi granted its user, Ena, speed like the wind and destructive power like a hurricane.
This was the very instant when Ena obtained the [Sword of Wind] that even surpassed divine possession, the trump card of the Hime-Miko of the Sword.
As for Odysseus, who had lost both arms—
He was helplessly pierced by the [White Stallion] in the left shoulder and blown away strongly.
Then Circe screamed from her seat on his shoulder.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?"
The goddess of dawn finally suffered the [White Stallion]'s direct hit.
Part 5
The wandering hero, Odysseus.
Just as Yuri pointed out, he was not supposed to be a member of indestructible [Steel].
But perhaps he really was as "indomitable" as he claimed. Despite having lost both arms and even part of his left shoulder, Odysseus still struggled desperately to stand up.
Nevertheless, this action was interrupted halfway.
The heroic figure, clad in bronze armor, gradually rarefied, finally turning transparent and disappeared.
Rather than dying, his body could no longer be maintained on earth because his summoner's strength and magic were depleted.
But this might actually be quite an astounding feat.
Odysseus was able to exist on his last breath until just now, probably because Circe remained barely alive.
"I'm sorry... This counts as my win, right?"
Godou turned his gaze downwards towards the dying goddess.
He had not let victory go to his head but was simply speaking intentionally in a calm tone of voice.
Circe's brass prosthetics were all smashed beyond recognition, incinerated into pitch-black charcoal. An incomparably tragic sight.
Yet Circe's own body of flesh remained so pristinely white and beautiful.
She was lying on the ground, breathing heavily. Large beads of sweat were
flowing down her dream-like, beautiful face that displayed clear signs of pain. Rather than falling in battle, her appearance was better described by analogy to a tragic young beauty who had succumbed to fatal illness.
Even when lying on death's door, she still exhibited her beauty in a manner most suited to her.
Godou was astounded by this truly witch-like mystery and miracle. But perhaps it was related to the [White Stallion] that was used as the decisive blow. It was only natural that the attack from the horse responsible for carrying the sun would have limited effects on a sun goddess.
Nevertheless, this damage should be enough to bring about the goddess' complete death.
"Godou, please note that giving her a quick end at this time would be considered a form of mercy."
Watching quietly behind him, Erica interjected.
Yuri, Liliana and Ena were standing slightly further away, watching the end of the battle as a trio.
Godou felt that Erica's suggestion did not carry her usual nuance of telling him to "defeat the deity to obtain power." Instead, these were words of knightly pride coming from a warrior accustomed to life and death on the battlefield. Her expression was quite praiseworthy.
Godou could understand the reason.
But indeed, the goddess Circe was different from his past enemies such as Athena and Lancelot. Furthermore, Godou felt that the lawless English guy was partially responsible for Circe's current predicament...
Godou spoke to the goddess.
"Hey, you gods can live secluded in places like the Netherworld, right? How about you head there while you're still on your last breath?"
This seemed to be the most peaceable resolution of a battle between a god-slayer and a deity.
However, Circe smiled at him in a dreamy and beautiful manner.
"Fufu... Kusanagi-sama, you are really quite naive to make such a suggestion to a goddess you have defeated, despite being a god-slaying monarch. It is a delightful gesture coming from you as a man, but as a warrior, it is quite worrying..."
Godou could not help but scratch his head to find a dying goddess worrying about him. Circe then continued:
"Also, have you forgotten? Before I challenged you, my dear, I swore an oath of magic. It was going to be either victory or my death..."
"I still remember. But if you travel to a place like the great spiritual realm, perhaps you could escape that fate?"
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