"However, this ritual requires time to activate. The best approach would be for the caster to hide in a safe location, but the Last King Veeraj would never give us that opportunity."
Roy scanned his surroundings, knowing this would be his final battle in the world of Campione. In truth, this fight held no real significance for him. He had already obtained the power he sought in this world, and the 'ship' hidden in his right hand could transport him back to his original world at any moment. If Roy chose to abandon this world, he could return unscathed.
But Roy had no intention of doing so. His years of companionship with Athena, Luo Hao, and the others had fostered genuine affection within him. He couldn't bear the thought of them being slain by the Last King. If Roy fled now, as a Steel God—the Last Steel destined to annihilate Demon Kings—Veeraj would undoubtedly kill Aisha, Luo Hao, Anne, Salvatore, and Athena. That was an outcome Roy refused to accept.
Moreover, if he chose to flee at the first sign of danger, the heart of a warrior and the path of a hero that Scáthach had instilled in him would weep. If he lacked the courage to face a formidable foe, he would never reach the pinnacle of humanity or transcend the abyss to become a Demon God.
This battle against the Last King was a trial Roy had chosen for himself. Especially since he had already prepared a sure-kill technique, his chances of victory were high. Executing the Human Order Incineration Protocol once would also allow him to consolidate his knowledge, enabling him to fully integrate everything he had learned in the world of Campione.
Thus, even though Roy could have ignored the Last King and avoided this battle, for various reasons, he still chose to shatter this Last Steel.
Roy cast a deep glance at Athena. This was a promise he had made to her, and he would see it through.
"So, my worthy brother, you mean we must hold off the Last King until the ritual truly begins?"
Luo Hao was unaccustomed to fighting alongside others. Without Roy's coordination, she would have undoubtedly chosen to face the Last King alone in a duel to the death—without regrets.
The Campiones and Heretic Gods present were all proud individuals, often at odds with one another. It was only because of Roy's presence that these parallel lines, which would never have otherwise intersected, had converged. He had orchestrated the alliance between Campiones and Heretic Gods against a common enemy—the Last King. Beyond that shared foe, the most crucial factor was Roy's strategic brilliance. Unbeknownst to many, Roy had long become the true center of this world, the point where all paths crossed.
"Exactly! The Last King is not alone. If it were just Veeraj, the few of us working together could easily stall until the ritual's activation. However, my eyes have already foreseen the Last King's allies. This time, our enemies include not only Veeraj but also Lancelot, Hanuman, and Veeraj's younger brother, Lakshmana!"
Roy stood like a general issuing commands to his troops on the battlefield. However, those receiving his orders were no ordinary soldiers—they were the world's strongest Campiones and Heretic Gods!
"Lakshmana? In mythology, he was Veeraj's younger brother, the third son of King Dasharatha of Kosala. Legends say he was granted divine power by Lord Vishnu and was extremely devoted to Veeraj. He even abandoned his wife and children to follow Veeraj during his self-imposed exile."
Everyone present was well-versed in mythology—there were no incompetent fools who became Campiones by sheer luck. After brief contemplation, Annie Charlton frowned and succinctly recounted Lakshmana's life story.
"If it's him, then it makes sense. During Veeraj's extermination of the Ravana, Lakshmana remained by his side. With that level of brotherly devotion—even abandoning his family to follow Veeraj—it's only natural he'd appear alongside Veeraj to eradicate the Demon King..."
Annie sighed, realizing this battle would be perilous beyond measure, far from an easy victory even with their combined strength.
"So Lancelot, Lakshmana, and Hanuman will be left to you all. I'll keep Veeraj occupied so he can't interfere in your battles. Once you've dealt with these three Heretic Gods, we'll join forces against Veeraj. The moment the Human Order Incineration Protocol activates, victory will be ours!"
Roy concluded his strategy.
No one objected—even the proudest among them, the sect leader, agreed. Without Roy's Human Order Incineration Ritual, Veeraj would be an invincible monster. Luo Hao was no selfish fool; she recognized the optimal solution.
Roy's plan was the best possible. Everyone knew the greatest burden fell on him. Even at the absolute peak of a Campione's power, the Last King Veeraj under the Oath of the Great Covenant, existed beyond this world's rules. The dangers of facing such a foe were unimaginable.
As for Lancelot and the other two Heretic Gods, they were merely standard-level threats. With Luo Hao, Annie, and Athena's combined strength, defeating them wouldn't be difficult—just time-consuming.
Athena and Luo Hao, who shared closer ties with Roy, began contemplating whether eliminating Lady Aisha and Salvatore might ease Roy's burden. Unconsciously, they'd started prioritizing Roy's wellbeing.
However, Roy gave them no chance to act—not out of mercy, but because he deemed it unnecessary. If he couldn't handle a battle where victory simply required buying time, he might as well go home and sleep. There'd be no point returning to the world of A Certain Magical Index to "raise his sword in rebellion against his magnificent father."
"Lady Aisha and Salvatore are in your hands now. Salvatore has strong self-recovery abilities, so just toss him onto any bed to recuperate. Lady Aisha currently has no divine power left and poses no danger, but as a precaution, I've prepared a ritual site at my Sydney residence in Australia. Throw her into the ritual field—it will significantly suppress the speed of her curse power recovery."
Roy stood with his right hand in his pocket and his left hand behind his back, turning away as his crimson bishop's robe fluttered slightly in the sea breeze. Not far behind him, Erica and Liliana knelt on one knee, listening to his orders. Even Alice had come in person, wanting to say something, but in the end, she merely parted her lips without uttering a word.
Aphrodite stood nearby as well. Even at her peak, this goddess had little combat prowess, and now, in her divine ancestor form, she was little more than a mascot. Yet, the golden eyes of the Goddess of Love and Beauty shimmered with concealed worry. She longed to say, "We haven't even had our 'Cupid' yet—don't you dare die," but the goddess's bashfulness kept her pride intact, and the words remained unspoken.
"May the King be blessed with glorious victory!!"
In the end, this was the only blessing they could offer.
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