On the third layer of the Little Garden, outside the Juntan Mountains, countless divine lights suddenly surged forth, and one deity after another appeared.
At the head stood the one known as the Ruler of Little Garden, Indra. At this moment, he held the [Vajra], golden lightning coursing around his body, his divine might overwhelming. Behind him, Brahma and the other god-kings radiated astonishing divinity, their oppressive auras shaking heaven and earth.
Behind these god-kings stretched the divine hosts numbering in the hundreds of thousands! They formed the main force of this crusade.
So many gods appearing at once shook the very fabric of space; the stars above Little Garden shone even more brilliantly.
Indra had no intention of concealing his presence. With vast and majestic momentum, he marched directly toward Skyborne City. Of course, with such a massive divine host gathered, it was impossible to hide even if they wanted to.
At this moment, Indra's face was solemn. Judging by numbers, they held an absolute advantage, and the god-kings among them were many. Yet their opponents were anything but weak.
The Lord of White Night, a top-tier three-digit irregular. God, Athena, Poseidon, the many Seraphim and most importantly, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Each was a renowned name in Little Garden, with power to match.
But above all stood Riku Dola, the leader of [Disboard]. During the [Sun War], he had defeated Indra again and again. What Indra once thought was mere carelessness, he could no longer dismiss so lightly.
The opponent possessed absolute, terrifying strength!
At that moment, the space surrounding the divine host led by Indra suddenly rippled.
"This is… the Queen's domain!?" Indra and the god-kings halted, narrowing their eyes as they scanned their surroundings with grim expressions. The gathered divine hosts also stood in tense silence.
Then, from within the domain, angels appeared!
With pure white wings, golden halos above their heads, and sacred light naturally radiating from their bodies, they should have been a comforting sight.
Yet to the divine hosts at this moment, there was no comfort, only killing intent!
Three hundred thousand angels suddenly emerged from the domain, surrounding the gods. This forced the divine hosts into a state of high alert, ready to strike at any moment.
However, without Indra's command, they merely stood their ground solemnly, gazing at these rare angels of the Eastern District.
At that moment, the domain rippled once more, forming a massive gate. From within, several more figures stepped out.
Compared to the pure white angels, these figures were markedly different; their auras multiplied in intensity. At the forefront was a being well known throughout Little Garden: God. Following Him were the Seraphim with twelve golden wings, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and the other famous Seraphim recorded in the Bible.
Only one stood apart: the pure-blooded dragonkind, Juntan, with dragon horns upon his head.
"Indra, Brahma, it has truly been a long time since the [Sun War]. At last, we meet again." Juntan curved his lips into a grin, casually greeting the god-kings across from him.
"Indeed, it has been far too long. Unfortunately, this time we stand in complete opposition." Indra shook his head.
"Heh. That's because you're far too rigid. This time, the ones to greet your divine hosts will once again be in total defeat. Against our Leader, you don't have the slightest chance." Juntan sneered coldly.
"Such words… using your Leader Riku's own saying, words alone are useless. Power is the only hard truth." Indra replied indifferently.
Then he shifted his gaze toward God.
"God… the affairs of the world are truly unpredictable." Indra sighed. "Had we known back when [Disboard] struck against you, we should have intervened."
"Heh. Even if you had intervened, you'd only be more losers. You can never imagine the terror of the Leader." God gave a self-mocking smile. When he had heard the Son of God recount that battle, he had been left speechless. What's more, the power Riku used to annihilate their hundreds of thousands of angels had not even appeared in the fight against the Son of God!
In other words, even while holding back, Riku had still calculated their Son of God into death.
"..." God's self-mocking words left Indra slightly silent. He could not understand why the proud God would say such things. Even if enslaved, unable to resist Riku's will, there should still have been some unwillingness.
"Moreover, even if [Christianity] has been defeated, we do not need outside gods meddling in our wars!" God's eyes sharpened as he spoke coldly.
"Looks like there's nothing left to say." Indra shook his head, his gaze turning razor-sharp as divine might surged skyward, golden lightning flooding out.
Since they were enemies, they could only be annihilated!
As his words fell, Indra raised the [Vajra], unleashing a storm of violent golden lightning that crashed toward God.
In response, God let out a cold snort. Sacred light flooded the heavens, colliding with Indra's golden lightning, the two forces cancelling each other out.
"Angels, form the battle array!" God commanded.
In an instant, the bodies of the three hundred thousand angels surrounding the divine hosts radiated with sacred light. The lights merged into one, forming a colossal barrier that enclosed the host led by Indra.
The angels' powers all shared a common origin, allowing them to merge perfectly. With God and the [Seraphim] as the core, they commanded a united force.
Even against two digits, they could stand firm.
The divine hosts, however, could not replicate this. Their myths and legends differed, their feats diverged, and their [Divinities] varied. They might combine their attacks or barriers, but they could never achieve the angels' perfect unity. In fact, they were far inferior.
This was exactly why the angels were such a troublesome existence. A single angel might not be terrifying, but multiple angels together were undeniably a force to be feared.
Clang!
As the angels' powers fused, Indra and the other god-kings reacted. Indra swung the [Vajra], while Brahma and the other god-kings unleashed their own mighty attacks.
Yet when their devastating strikes collided with the golden barrier of sacred light, the impact was tremendous, but the effect was minimal.
Soon after, the divine hosts unleashed their own frenzied attacks, their power surging skyward, enough to make even the mightiest beings take them seriously.
However, when their strikes landed upon the golden barrier, they still failed to produce much effect.
"Seems it won't be so easy to break through." Indra gripped the [Vajra], staring at God with sharp eyes as he spoke coldly.
"But I want to see how long you can endure. With so much of your main force gathered here, how will you resist [Thousand Eyes]?"
"My task is only to trap you. As for [Thousand Eyes], that is not something we need to concern ourselves with." God replied calmly. At the same time, He directed the sacred light to bombard the divine hosts, forcing them into a head-on clash.
Clearly, the Queen's domain ability made things much more convenient, transferring the angels into an ideal position and easily surrounding the divine hosts. Otherwise, such an ambush would have been impossible.
"What you should be worrying about… is [Thousand Eyes]." At that moment, Juntan curved his lips into a meaningful grin and spoke.
"Hmm?" Hearing Juntan's words, Indra's eyes narrowed slightly.
However, when he thought about the fact that the main force on the other side was that man, who could never be defeated, Indra only regarded these words as provocation.
While the battle raged fiercely on one side, in another direction, the godly host led by [Thousand Eyes] also encountered the forces of [Disboard].
At their head stood the Halloween Queen, the Lord of White Night, Athena, Poseidon, and the other high-ranking cadres who led the great army.
Gods, angels, dragonborn, star spirits, demons, and humans were all among them.
In this regard, [Thousand Eyes] was the same. However, the strength of [Thousand Eyes] mainly lies in its overwhelming number of godly communities.
In many other places, forces from both sides had already clashed. Yet, under the penetrating power of Riku's [Star Grail Authority], every move of the million-strong godly hosts was laid bare before him.
"Lord of White Night, I didn't expect our reunion to be in this way." On [Thousand Eyes]' side, serving as commander-in-chief of the entire army, Laplace sighed as her eyes gleamed faintly. "You can no longer turn back now."
"Laplace, I am not the Lord of White Night, nor the Demon Lord of White Night. I am the [Heliocentrism]!" The Lord of White Night said calmly. A sharp, chilling aura erupted from her, shaking the countless godly hosts. "Since when have I ever needed to turn back? This is my true essence."
"The kingly might of the [Heliocentrism]… It seems saying more is pointless."
Laplace narrowed her eyes, her expression growing solemn.
As her words fell, Laplace issued the order directly.
In an instant, under the command of the cadres of [Thousand Eyes], the divine might of the vast godly hosts erupted. Countless powerful spiritual forces burst forth in unison, launching a coordinated attack.
On the side of [Disboard], they were no less defiant.
The Halloween Queen activated her [Realm], easily diverting most of the attacks, toying with the enemies as though they were within her palm. The Lord of White Night let out a cold snort, holding her folding fan as the divine authority of the Sun God within her was released. The sun blazed, and massive solar star-beasts manifested, swooping down with roars that shook heaven and earth, rampaging through the godly hosts.
This sight made several god-kings who had participated in the [Great War of the Dawn] reveal expressions of terror.
Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War, also displayed her peak might, wielding the [Spear of Victory] to hold off several god-kings on her own.
Poseidon summoned the waters of an entire planet, flooding the heavens, waves towering to the sky.
This battlefield seemed to recreate the very scenes of myth, enough to shake the hearts of countless beings. It was an epic war of gods and demons!
"This is troublesome…" Though Laplace was also a three-digit in the [Authority] realm, her combat ability was not particularly strong. Her main strength lay in her so-called All-Knowing and All-Powerful Demon Eyes, which were why she served as the commander.
However, the war was far less advantageous than she had imagined. Although their numbers were more than double the enemy's, the other side had the three-digit irregular, the Halloween Queen. The Lord of White Night had even summoned the star-beasts of the [Sun Authority]. On top of that, there were peak-level gods like Athena and Poseidon.
Although their side also had powerful god-kings, most of them were tied down by the Halloween Queen.
Even while holding off so many god-kings, the Halloween Queen could still influence parts of the battlefield. The might of her [Realm] was just that terrifying, utterly inescapable.
"The only three-digit irregular… truly not an exaggeration," Laplace murmured to herself, staring at the Halloween Queen, who remained elegant even in the midst of battle. The might of the Halloween Queen, the three-digit irregular, was something no godly community could easily counter; it was simply insoluble.
"However, our main objective this time isn't to annihilate [Disboard], but to reclaim the Lord of White Night." With that, Laplace's eyes narrowed as she looked toward the Lord of White Night, who was full of excitement as she unleashed carnage among the godly hosts.
The true objective was to take back the Lord of White Night. Though her participation brought immense pressure upon the godly hosts, it actually played right into Laplace's plan.
"However, all of our actions have already been seen through. Even my [Demon Eyes] failed to react. This is something we must be wary of." Laplace's eyes glimmered with demonic power, as if all of space and time were reflected within them. Yet this time, her gaze carried a trace of confusion, her expression deeply grave. She faintly suspected that the other side possessed an ability similar to her own one even stronger.
Otherwise, such a situation would have been impossible. This could well become the greatest obstacle to her plan.
And yet, even knowing this, Laplace could only grit her teeth and continue with the plan.
High above the Skyborne City, at an altitude of 100,000 meters
From this vantage point, one could clearly see the situation on both battlefields.
Here, two figures stood facing each other.
One of them was, of course, Riku. The other, however, had an exceptionally unique identity.
The one who possessed the Divinities of Creation and Destruction. The existence of Creation and End itself. Her name was Alpha of Creation and Omega of the End, the Twin Goddesses.
During the Era of Dawn, it was she who severed the [Heliocentrism]'s divinity, bringing an end to the darkest age of Little Garden.
It was also she who made the name of [Thousand Eyes] resound throughout Little Garden. From then on, no community dared to provoke them lightly. She was the true leader of [Thousand Eyes], a godly being of the double-digit [Authority] realm.
Indeed, even among the double-digits, the Twin Goddesses were by no means ordinary. Compared to the Great Son Jesus, she was likely even stronger.
Moreover, her mysterious nature made it impossible for any being to fully comprehend her true essence.
This time, it was clear that she took [Disboard] very seriously, for she had personally descended. This was the true source of confidence for Laplace, Indra, and the others.
Now, the true leaders of both sides stood face-to-face.
"Stop provoking the Lord of White Night. Have her return with us. Let this matter end here."
From within the shadow came a cold and indifferent female voice.
"An existence of Creation and End. Alpha of Creation and Omega of the End, the Twin Goddesses, huh? You're really that afraid of the [Heliocentrism], are you?"
Riku narrowed his eyes, staring at the figures shrouded in darkness, his voice cold. "How laughable."
"You've attacked our [Disboard], tried to take away the Lord of White Night, and now you expect me to simply let it go? You're far too arrogant. Do you think victory is already yours?" Riku continued, his tone utterly frigid, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through the Twin Goddesses.
"It seems you have no intention of compromising." From within the shadows, the cold female voice spoke again. "In that case, I will defeat you here."
The words of the Twin Goddesses carried the weight of [Authority], like a divine proclamation descending from above, directly binding Riku's body and rendering him immobile.
"With just this little trick, you think you can hold me down? Don't get too arrogant!"
At that moment, Riku's eyes snapped open, and with a thunderous shout, golden-red energy erupted around him, instantly shattering the restraints. The divine aura surged across heaven and earth!
The eruption in the sky was, of course, detected by the million-strong divine host. Though they were shocked, none dared to pay too much attention. After all, this was the battlefield; losing focus here was nothing short of suicide.
"So this is your Divinity? Strong, yes… but still far from enough to defeat me. Show me the power you used to overcome the Holy Son Jesus. Otherwise, you don't have the slightest hope." From within the shadows, the Omega of the End fixed her cold gaze upon Riku, who had entered his Super Red state.
The aura of End quaked, as black gales of annihilation swept across the heavens, erasing all they touched.
Riku frowned. He could feel that overwhelming authority pressing down upon him. The Star of Omniscience and Omnipotence had already issued a warning in his mind. This was something he absolutely could not withstand.
The power of the Twin Goddesses… it was greater than the Holy Son Jesus's. No, far greater.
[Pseudo Star Map: Third Star Particle Form]
Without hesitation, Riku unleashed the simulated star map.
In an instant, a pillar of aurora surged skyward, crashing fiercely against the black wind of End.
But this time, unlike before, the aurora pillar did not seize the advantage nor force the enemy to evade. It pierced through the storm of annihilation only for a second surge of white whirlwind, brimming with the truth of Creation, to rise up and effortlessly block the weakened aurora.
"Alpha of Creation, Omega of the End… two opposite forces intertwined. How bizarre." Narrowing his eyes, Riku stared at the Twin Goddesses with grave solemnity. Even the Star of Omniscience and Omnipotence could only glimpse their outline in a haze. This was the first time he had ever faced such a situation.
"It seems this form truly isn't enough to face you. In that case… I have no choice." Riku shook his head, speaking in a low, heavy tone.
As he spoke, the golden-crimson aura surrounding his body began to ripple, shifting toward something new.
The Twin Goddesses merely watched calmly, making no move to strike. As beings of the Two-Digit Authority, they disdained the idea of attacking in such a moment.
To be precise, existences of this rank possessed a pride that forbade them from striking opportunistically.
Of course, even if they had attacked, Riku would not have perished; at most, he would have been forced into a momentary struggle.
"Haaaahhhhhhh!!"
With a thunderous roar, Riku clenched both fists, and his power erupted.
The entire sky turned blue, the firmament trembling under the surge. A strange, unmatched energy burst forth from his body, wrapping him in blazing blue flames.
Then, like glass shattering, the blue fire cracked apart, and the heavens rang with a clear, resonant chime as if the world itself was welcoming the birth of a god.
As the blue flames splintered away, Riku's true form was revealed. Unlike the Red transcendental state, his hair and brows had become sky-blue, his pupils glowing with radiant azure light. Around him swirled a halo of azure aura, interlaced with the starlit particles unique to the Divine Realm, with droplets of water occasionally flowing through the flames, creating a breathtaking sight.
The raw, undeniable pressure spreading out from his being told everyone just how terrifying his current strength had become.
At the very least, the million-strong divine host that had only slightly paid attention to his Super Red state and even the members of [Disboard] all involuntarily paused their battles, turning their gaze skyward.
Humans could not perceive divine auras. But most present were gods, phantasmal beasts, and star spirits. Naturally, they could sense this unfathomable terror.
"This… a new form? Still divine power, yet different from that crimson one. Could it be an advanced stage beyond that state?" The Lord of White Night stared at Riku in awe, murmuring to herself.
"So you've brought it out again?" The Halloween Queen curved her lips in an expectant smile.
Athena, Poseidon, and the others all looked on with shining eyes, staring directly at Riku.
"...I can't see through it." The Demon Lord of Laplace's magic eyes flickered, and she finally muttered in astonishment. It was as though a translucent veil wrapped around Riku, preventing even her so-called all-knowing, almighty vision from perceiving his truth.
"So it begins, my Lord." Juntan's mouth curved upward, his expression brimming with both excitement and fanaticism like the gaze of a devoted follower.
"So it really is that form." God and the archangels wore complicated expressions. Back in the Golden Great Grail, it was with this very form that Riku had forcibly shattered their Angelic Battle Formation.
"…It's impossible to see where his limits lie." Indra and Brahma exchanged bitter smiles. Every time, they thought they had seen the extent of Riku's power, only for him to erupt with an even greater strength, shattering all expectations.
"But this time, his opponent is the Twin Goddesses. Nothing should happen." Indra narrowed his eyes, pushing aside his distracting thoughts, and struck once more at the Angelic Battle Formation.
God and the archangels also snapped back to focus, resuming their clash.
On the other battlefield, things were much the same. After their initial shock, they too returned to the slaughter.
"Twin Goddesses, this time your opponent is none other than Riku, whom even I cannot see through. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting your defeat." The Lord of White Night lifted her folding fan, snorting coldly.
With that, she once again charged into the divine host, sweeping aside countless enemies with overwhelming ferocity.
"Lord of White Night, why don't we play a game?"
All of a sudden, a crisp, clear voice rang out. The Lord of White Night turned her gaze to its source.
Draped in crimson robes, with demonic wings and tail unfurled, Laplace appeared not far away.
As the Queen of White Night looked toward her, a black parchment scroll descended into her hand.
It was the symbol of a Demon Lord's gift game.
"So that's your aim? Interesting." The Lord of White Night let out a cold laugh, staring at the parchment.
At some unknown moment, the forces of [Disboard] had been separated, leaving her alone on this battlefield. Perhaps the Halloween Queen had noticed. But the Queen of White Night was certain the woman would only gloat, never lend her aid.
And besides, she herself would never accept such help. This was the pride they both carried.
Laplace had anticipated exactly that and used it to lure and isolate her.
"So you want to rely on a Demon Lord's game to shackle me once again? But Laplace, do you truly believe you can succeed?" The golden eyes of the Lord of White Night pierced straight into Laplace, her voice carrying overwhelming force.
"Even if I can't, I must. Our positions leave us no other choice." Laplace's tone was helpless, yet resolute.
"Heh… so you've steeled yourself? In that case, prepare to face my wrath! I've been wanting to beat you down for an entire year!" The Lord of White Night's lips curved into a fierce grin, her voice brimming with violence.
As her words fell, surging solar flames roared forth, forcing Laplace and the surrounding god-kings into grim vigilance.
High above, in his new state, Riku gazed calmly at the Twin Goddesses. Shrouded within shadow, the Twin Goddesses stared back at him, as if lost in thought.
Neither side had yet moved, neither had spoken further, but their auras clashed in silence, so intense that even Three-Digit beings could not approach.