Canada's Baffin Bay is home to thousands of islands. When Europeans first landed on this archipelago in the early 16th century, they named it the "Island of Death."
Due to its proximity to the Arctic, temperatures here range from -50°C to 10°C year-round. Moreover, most of these islands were formed by volcanic eruptions, leaving behind frozen, desert-like wasteland. It is a place where nothing grows—truly a "forbidden zone for humanity."
The largest island in Baffin Bay is Devon Island, spanning over 50,000 square kilometers. Its harsh environment and lack of inhabitants make it the largest uninhabited wilderness island in the world.
The Last King, Veeraj, stood atop a mountain on Devon Island, clad in his simple azure robes and coat. Around him stretched barren rock and soil, while icy winds tousled the hair at his temples. His melancholic gaze swept over the desolate, Mars-like landscape, and he sighed like a poet lamenting the passage of time, deepening the solitude of this forsaken land.
By Veeraj's side, Hanuman, Guinevere, and Lancelot stood in silence. They had been waiting on this mountain for days, anticipating the arrival of the Demon Kings.
Suddenly, dark clouds appeared on the distant horizon, rapidly spreading across the sky. Lightning flashed within the roiling thunderheads, and the frozen sea roared as monstrous waves surged. In the blink of an eye, an endless expanse of ink-black storm loomed before Veeraj and his companions—a sight so apocalyptic it seemed to threaten the very collapse of the world.
To ordinary people, such a cataclysmic scene would surely evoke terror and screams. But Veeraj and his retinue paid no heed to the calamity capable of overturning the earth. Instead, their solemn gazes fixed on the figure at the heart of the storm.
"Hahahaha!! Veeraj, long time no see!!"
The dark clouds were conjured by Roy using his evolved Lord of Light. His current divine speed authority now allowed him to transform into four distinct forms: 'Light,' 'Flame,' 'Cloud,' and 'Lightning.' By skillfully utilizing these abilities, he could create such a terrifying spectacle akin to a natural disaster.
Though this unconventional method of wielding authority couldn't rival the sheer power of Marquis Voban's Storm and Tempest, which directly controlled weather phenomena, it was no less imposing in grandeur. Especially since this was merely an alternative application of divine speed, Roy was thoroughly satisfied with the overwhelming might and calamitous presence it brought forth—after all, this ability was merely a bonus.
A bolt of lightning split the sky, crashing onto a nearby mountaintop not far from Veeraj and the others. With an earth-shaking explosion, the peak shattered, and Roy's figure emerged atop the mountain, gazing across the thousand-meter distance at Veeraj and his companions.
Clad in his resplendent cardinal robes, the long hem fluttered like a cape in the wind, ensuring his combat mobility remained unimpeded. His silver hair, seemingly untamed, danced wildly in the frozen gale. Roy stood with his right hand tucked into his pocket while his left lightly traced the cross on his chest. His eerie, dual-pupiled eyes swept over Veeraj and the others, his lips curling into a domineering, roguish grin.
It had indeed been a long time since he last saw Veeraj. Using Aisha's Fairy's Corridor, Roy had once traveled to the past and briefly encountered Veeraj in ancient times. However, back then, Veeraj had been locked in battle with the 'Ten-Lives Demon King,' the strongest Campione in history aside from Roy himself. Thus, their meeting had been fleeting, with little opportunity for deeper exchange.
"You've come…"
Veeraj's melancholic eyes settled on Roy, brimming with profound exhaustion, devoid of the sharpness and regal bearing befitting the Last of the Steel. In every way, the Veeraj before him now resembled a noble prince confined to his manor rather than the legendary Last King.
"Yes, I've come… Are you about to say, 'You shouldn't have come'?"
Roy paused at Veeraj's words, then chuckled and quipped back with the classic opening line from a Gulong novel.
Clearly, Veeraj didn't catch the reference. He merely shook his head and replied earnestly, "...I wouldn't say 'You shouldn't have come.' I would say, 'You've finally come.' I've been waiting here for days! Had you not arrived, I would have sought you out myself. But fighting elsewhere would have brought greater calamity upon human civilization. So I am relieved—your timing is impeccable."
His gaze lingered on Roy, complex and unreadable, his words every bit worthy of a hero's name. After a brief silence, he suddenly asked, "...How is Janaki?"
"Though she lost her divinity after being slain by your Steel, she's living well enough now, secluded in the Netherworld… You've been awake for days—have you not sought any news of her?"
As he spoke, Roy retrieved a piece of jade from his robes—a cherished keepsake Janaki had entrusted to him as a token of affection.
Seeing this piece of jade, Veeraj's body trembled slightly before he let out a bitter laugh. "...As long as she's doing well, that's enough. I never expected she'd even give this to you... Ever since I awoke, I've been searching for suitable battle locations and haven't had time to inquire about Janaki's whereabouts."
Veeraj's expression resembled that of a cuckolded husband, growing increasingly sorrowful.
"You... I don't know whether to call you a 'hero' or a 'scumbag'... For putting human civilization above personal relationships, you certainly live up to the title of 'hero.' But from Janaki's perspective, you're not even a real man—calling you 'scum' would be putting it mildly."
"...Janaki is your mythological wife. Though this is merely myth, and nothing has truly happened between you, the myth has endowed you both with emotions. When you both descend into this world as Heretic Gods, she could truly become your wife if you so wished. Yet you chose to kill her, making her resent you!"
Roy reprimanded sternly. Though he had many lovers, the number of women he had relations with in this world was fewer than ten—a remarkably low count for someone of his status as a King. Moreover, apart from girls like Ena Seishuuin and Yuri Mariya, whom he merely confined and toyed with, he had genuine feelings for the other women to some degree. Compared to Veeraj, he considered himself quite the gentleman...
"You do not understand."
Veeraj shook his head, his tone tinged with melancholy.
"Hmph, and I have no desire to understand you! All I know is that Janaki no longer wishes to see you, so spare me your lamentations. I will slay you here and now, freeing you from your sorrow. As for Janaki—your wife, I shall take care of her, so you need not worry!"
Roy sneered coldly. His smile was icy as scorching, magma-like magical energy began to surge violently around him.
Behind Veeraj, his shadow seemed to stretch unnaturally, and a man with a face similar to his but with dark brown skin and a furious expression emerged. The moment this man appeared, he bellowed, "...Brother, waste no more words on this Demon King! Do not let his words reopen old wounds! Let us, as we did in the past, vanquish the Demon King once more, eradicate the Demons from this land, and restore peace to the world!"
This man was none other than Lakshmana, Veeraj's younger brother—one who would even abandon his own wife and children for Veeraj's sake.
"You are right, brother. We cannot delay any longer. The heat within me is nearly uncontrollable. If we tarry further, great calamity will befall human society!"
Veeraj's expression gradually hardened. From his frail frame emanated an aura of sharp, steely sword intent. In this moment, Veeraj finally resembled the Last Hero, the most renowned great hero of Indian mythology!
Slowly, he drew the divine sword that saves the world, took a deep breath, and addressed Roy, "...Demon King, I have no wish to fight you, nor to be your enemy. But this is fate—none of us can escape it!"
"Hahahaha!! A man who cannot even break free from fate is no true warrior! Compared to my virtuous brother, you are utterly worthless!"
Before Veeraj could even swing his divine sword, someone moved faster than him. From the dark clouds above, a colossal Buddha's palm descended like a falling mountain. Luo Hao, the Martial King, soared forth like a radiant phoenix, her long-prepared palm strike crashing down from the heavens.
Having slain two Heretic Gods and completed two Spirit Origin Ascensions—though hers were somewhat incomplete—Luo Hao was now a far cry from her former self. The golden palm pressed down from the sky, and even before it struck the earth, the mountain where Veeraj and his companions stood trembled violently. Countless rocks shattered and crumbled, the entire peak groaning under the pressure.
"Audacious!!"
Lakshmana roared as he burst forth from Veeraj's shadow, shooting skyward.
Veeraj paid no heed to the palm technique descending from the heavens, focusing all his attention on Roy. He knew that if he couldn't defeat Roy, Roy alone could slaughter everyone around him. Thus, he had to defeat Roy as quickly as possible before he could provide aid to the others.
After Luo Hao's appearance, Athena and Annie Charlton also joined the fray. Hanuman and Lancelot naturally took over the battle without needing orders, leaving the true formidable foe, Roy, to the Last King.
This was truly a case of king versus king, general versus general!
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