Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle…
Cao Cao and Ladon began to fight.
Wielding the holy spear, he unleashed a wave of holy energy at Ladon.
If someone were to take a direct hit from the holy spear, not even a High-Class demon would be able to withstand it.
However, just before the attack hit Ladon, it seemed to be stopped by something and was nullified. There appeared to be some kind of barrier protecting Ladon's body.
Among all his abilities, Ladon specialized in barrier magic.
Although Ladon made only a small movement, he was able to withstand an attack from the holy spear, showing that his defensive barrier was extraordinary.
"I never imagined I'd meet the wielder of the holy spear… it seems I'm truly lucky to have been revived, as I can witness something from legends before me."
Cao Cao shrugged his shoulders.
"Yeah, that's great. It's your second time dying, so you should have a nice farewell ceremony."
Ladon growled as he resumed his attack.
Cao Cao moved as if dancing to avoid the flurry of attacks. Now it was time to counterattack with the holy spear.
It seemed like a game of tag between a child and an Evil Dragon was unfolding.
Even when the opponent unleashed a massive burst of flames, a small amount of light from the spear was able to contain it easily.
Ladon looked around with his red eyes, beginning to show impatience as they followed Cao Cao's erratic movements.
"…Damn it."
Ladon grew frustrated because, even though he tried to trap Cao Cao with his own barriers, he couldn't; the holy spear destroyed the barriers. Ladon simply couldn't keep up with Cao Cao.
"What's wrong, Ladon? You can't even catch a mere human?"
Ladon clicked his tongue in response to Cao Cao's provocation.
Ladon, who had been so relaxed before, was no longer. Cao Cao's swift movements allowed him to continue advancing toward Ladon.
He then used his holy spear to deliver continuous thrusts. He was fast, but there were no wasted movements in his relentless attacks. However, Ladon's barrier was still protecting him. Although the barrier was holding against the holy spear's attacks, for a brief moment, the barrier vanished…
"Hehe, how embarrassing. Even if your attacks are so fast, they won't touch me."
Cao Cao's expression didn't change. He was attacking from all directions. His face seemed to show a faint smile.
"---There's an opening."
Before Ladon could react, Cao Cao advanced using Soru to appear in front of him, his Holy Spear in hand.
"Extend, Holy Spear!"
The spear shot forward, piercing the barrier created by Ladon.
The weapon pierced Ladon's body, directly through the heart of the shocked dragon, who spat out his own blood.
The [True Longinus] was not only the ultimate weapon against demons and gods but against all supernatural beings; the true weakness of every being in the universe was present in this weapon.
As the holy light of the spear incinerated the massive dragon from within, killing it, Cao Cao withdrew his spear.
"Even being an Evil Dragon, there's no need to use my Balance Breaker."
As he watched the dragon's body fall, Cao Cao let out a sigh, wondering how the others were doing.
He had no concerns about Alexandre, knowing his brother, and he also had confidence in Arthur's holy sword skills.
The only ones Cao Cao couldn't fully trust were the woman named Arlecchino and the dark young man named Mitsuya.
He recalled asking about the two of them to Alex while they waited for the group.
"So, we're getting reinforcements for this?"
A Cao Cao seated on a rock asked, with Kuroka in her cat form by his side, while Alexandre stood in front of them.
"Yes, I think you've only met Arthur and Le Fay, right? You've never seen Arlecchino and Mitsuya."
The young wielder of the Spear merely nodded: "Yeah, I've only heard you talk about them. You seem to trust them a lot, especially this Arlecchino's strength."
The boy commented while looking at his brother.
"Well, yes, after all, Arlecchino is stronger than me."
The eyes of both Cao Cao and Kuroka widened.
"Stronger than you, darling? Nya~"
Cao Cao blinked at the girl's way of addressing Alex but shrugged it off.
"Yes, if we're talking purely about combat abilities, I think Cao Cao could beat her."
"What do you mean?" the boy asked, confused.
"I don't really know the full extent of her power; just in terms of strength and other attributes, she's probably at the Ultimate level, even being human. Besides, Arlecchino specializes in magic."
"She's a true prodigy, but unlike me, who relies heavily on talent, everything she's achieved is due to immense effort, practice, and study."
"Arlecchino uses both imagination and calculations in all her magical sequences, which makes her attacks or spells stronger. If I had to say, in the modern era, she's probably the only one who comes close to me in terms of magic."
The Youkai and the human couldn't help but be stunned by Alexandre's words.
"In fact, Arlecchino specializes in barrier and sealing magic; in that regard, she probably surpasses me, and her knowledge of Space-Time magic is also considerable."
"But, in my opinion, the most frightening thing is the mastery she has over her Longinus—she probably has enough power to match an entire mythological pantheon."
The shock on Cao Cao and Kuroka's faces was clearly visible, and it was impossible not to be shocked knowing this woman was so powerful.
They knew Alexandre, and they knew he wasn't joking about what he said.
"Despite her cold personality, she's pretty cool," Alexandre commented cheerfully.
"Well, and Mitsuya is also quite powerful; he has two Sacred Gears, one of them is—"
"—[Innovate Clear], right? One of the Longinus."
Alex blinked at Cao Cao speaking, but if he wasn't mistaken, he had already told the boy that Mitsuya had two Longinus.
"Yes, [Innovate Clear] is a Longinus with the ability to allow the user to create an ideal world in another dimension… that's its normal ability."
"So it's like [Dimension Lost]," Kuroka said.
"It may seem similar, but there's one thing that's clearly different. It's the fact that [Innovate Clear] can create even living things in that world. It's a Longinus capable of creating a false universe."
"…Even living things can be produced if they're in the world created by the user of the Sacred Gear… I heard a bit about the Sacred Gear's ability, but…" Cao Cao commented.
"So the ability of the [Sacred Gear that allows one to embody God]," Kuroka murmured.
"It seems to capture the best parts of both [Dimension Lost] and [Annihilation Maker]," Cao Cao murmured.
"However, there are conditions, of course. The living beings created can only live in that world."
Indeed, even if it's a Longinus, it must have some kind of drawback. Of course, it's a different story if it's a Balance Breaker.
"Besides, he has another one, right? [Telos Karma], if I'm not mistaken," Cao Cao said.
"Indeed, [Telos Karma] is a Longinus capable of forcibly creating impossible choices," Alex said. "The thirteenth Longinus… it's said to be heretical, or a Longinus crowned with the forbidden number. Either way, the rumors I've heard are largely negative."
Alexandre picked up a stone from the ground and tossed it into the air.
"For example, if I throw this stone at you, Cao Cao, I think there are many possibilities that could occur. You could deflect it, dodge it, cut it, get hit, and other possibilities."
"Simply throwing this stone at someone generates a variety of possibilities. That Longinus is capable of creating choices that are impossible. It can cause something like—making something go wrong only in the space around Cao Cao, making you unable to react to the stone I threw, and you get hit."
"…I heard it can turn the possibility of a phenomenon into an unexpected occurrence…" Cao Cao murmured.
Alex said as he dropped the stone in his hand.
"In human history, there are some things or phenomena that are impossible to explain, right? Even after history changed drastically, historians and researchers still can't provide an answer for how things turned out that way. That's because [Telos Karma] supposedly played a role in some of those occurrences."
"That's why [Telos Karma] is also known as [History Breaker]."
"I heard that the wielder of that Longinus is called the 'Nemesis of Ajuka Beelzebub,' why is that?" Cao Cao asked.
"That's correct. Well, this Longinus is a different kind of 'dangerous' from the other top-tier Longinus across all mythologies. Consequently, the user's whereabouts have always been sought after, but… the first one to find that person—no, the first one to come into contact with that person was Ajuka Beelzebub, and they clashed."
"Ajuka Beelzebub's power is his [Kankara Formula], capable of reading all the world's phenomena as formulas and rewriting them, like a system, the power to manipulate the logic of the world, while the power of [Telos Karma] is to create and impose choices, breaking the logic of the world. That's why the current wielder and the Maou Ajuka are considered enemies."
"The Longinus that still doesn't have detailed information about its confirmed Balance Breaker was [Telos Karma], right?" Cao Cao asked.
"I don't even want to imagine the Balance Breaker of a Sacred Gear that could change the course of history, nya~," Kuroka shuddered.
"[Innovate Clear] and [Telos Karma], those two are together now. Now, guess what happens when those two Longinus are combined. The answer is—[the worst]. The world created by [Innovate Clear], and the many impossible choices made into occurrences by [Telos Karma]. Products that could be considered miracles for actions done by a God, and many impossible things can happen in an impossible moment."
"But in the world of [Innovate Clear], [Telos Karma] controls fate, right? The user of that Sacred Gear probably feels as arrogant as God in their actions," Cao Cao said, exasperated.
"…Yes, exactly. That's why Mitsuya Kanzaki was named [The Man Who Embodies God]."
"So, what's he like?"
Hearing Cao Cao's question, Alexandre made a complicated expression.
"Mitsuya Kanzaki. He's like… death. You could say he's an existence gathered from human hatred and karma itself. He's a dangerous man, and someone who desires to see the despair of this world more than anyone else. He'll be harmful even to gods if he comes into conflict with them."
Hearing Alexandre's words about the wielder of the two Longinus, Cao Cao and Kuroka didn't know what to think.
"Well, but as an ally, he's reliable. You'll see for yourselves."
The wielder of the Holy Spear recalled his brother's words, slowly shaking his head.
Now wasn't the time to think about that.
While Cao Cao finished off his opponent, in another corner of the castle, another battle was taking place.
Galliard Vladi and Priscilla Galnstein faced the human who maintained a frivolous smile before them.
"This is a good opportunity; I think it's time to show your kind what you're dealing with."
The young man took out a blue terminal. When he slid a part of the gauntlet equipped on his left hand, a slot for inserting something was revealed, and he inserted the terminal there.
When he touched the terminal's screen, a faint blue light was released and spread to every corner of the room. The uncomfortable feeling that filled the room instantly vanished.
The two noble vampires stirred in response to this.
"—! It's [Innovate Clear]!"
"It's just the basic version. With this, this entire area is now mine. Now, I think I'll use another."
The young man—took out another terminal. It was tinged with a black color.
When Galliard visually recognized the terminal, he became more alert.
"Don't tell me that's also in your…"
The two vampires heightened their guard. This time, the young man slid a part of the gauntlet on his right hand and inserted the black-tinged terminal into it.
[Innovate Clear] and [Telos Karma].
Suddenly, both his gauntlets made the space tremble and rumble with a "Dun Dun" sound. His gauntlets began to emit a black and sinister light that enveloped the young man's entire body.
"…Transcendental Arrival…"
When the young man said this—
[Innovate Clear - Balance Breaker!]
[Telos Karma - Balance Breaker!]
His gauntlets emitted machine-like voices. Immediately after, both emitted a voice simultaneously.
[Transcendental Arrival]
As the space behind the young man distorted, sparks crackled, and something resembling an energized exoskeleton appeared. The head, body, and limb parts of the energized exoskeleton opened and attached to the young man's body. The helmet was equipped on his head last. His entire body looked like it was dressed in a futuristic exoskeleton suit from sci-fi movies.
The vampires were shocked by the young man.
"—!? T-this is, you artificially awakened the Balance Breakers of your Longinus…?"
The young man said as he took a step forward.
"—It's a technique called Transcendental Arrival."
"—! Even if it's a system created by God, how repulsive…! Damn humans!"
Galliard became enraged and raised his spear as he charged at the young man, ready to attack.
As he closed the distance and swung the spear's blade downward.
The attack clearly should have hit, but… the young man, who was in front of the vampire, was unharmed, though the spear's tip had pierced the ground.
When the vampire pulled his spear, he asked, confused.
"What did you do…? My attack should have hit you completely."
The young man shrugged as he responded.
"I simply chose the option of that attack 'not hitting.'"
The vampires were shocked to hear these words.
"Don't tell me, that's…! 'That' ability, really."
When the young man opened his hands.
"At the very least, the phenomena caused by [Telos Karma] in this small world created by [Innovate Clear] are certain. Even a divine-class being won't be able to oppose it."
The young man then continued,
"—Welcome to my territory. It'll only be for a short time, but please, enjoy."
Galliard was horrified after hearing those words. It was because he sensed something truly dark in the tone of the young man's voice.
Galliard and Priscilla then rushed simultaneously at the young man with their weapons in hand.
"Kuh! How about this!?"
The swings and slashes of their weapons were extremely fast.
The young man dodged everything by moving his fist slightly.
Galliard's spear blade suddenly fell from its handle when it struck the ground with a metallic sound. The vampire was stunned when the blade detached from the handle. The young man then said.
"This time, I chose the option 'The spear is not in good condition.'"
"…So that means we fell into a trap, huh. Damn you, [The Man Who Passes as God]…!"
The vampire shouted at the young man in anger.
"You're a cheater," Priscilla yelled.
The young man shook his head.
"It's different. Other Longinus users are cheaters. I'd call this a bug. Since Longinus are called 'bugs' of the Sacred Gears, it fits perfectly, doesn't it?"
The vampire, whose weapon was destroyed, made another appear.
Once again, he and Priscilla attacked the young man simultaneously.
However, the young man operated the gauntlet equipped on his left arm.
Then, a blade of light was created. As the young man slid through the attacks, several trails of light were made.
In an instant, numerous gashes spread across the bodies of the attacking vampires, annihilating them.
Not a single particle of dust remained afterward.
After Mitsuya operated a part of his gauntlet, the motorized exoskeleton began to detach. Then, the strange atmosphere that filled the room vanished.
Kanzaki removed both terminal machines from his gauntlets.
"It's as I said. Everything is for [Innovate] and [Karma]."
Arthur faced the massive vampire Izraf before him, readying Excalibur Ruler as he charged at the vampire.
"Weak!"
The large vampire attacked with his fist surrounded by a deep dark aura; sensing the danger of the attack, the young swordsman quickly dodged.
However, the shadows morphed into spears around him and shot toward him.
"Control, Excalibur Ruler!"
Before Izraf's eyes, the dark spears simply froze in the air and stopped obeying his command.
"What kind of…"
"The power of domination, the ability of Excalibur Ruler; whether it's organic or inorganic, even magical power itself. My sword can control anything."
Under Arthur's command, the black spears were sent back at Izraf, who, surrounding his fists with aura, quickly destroyed each one.
But the opening left was enough; moving at a frightening speed for a human, Arthur attacked with his blade, leaving a cut on the vampire's chest.
Izraf screamed in pain as he felt the damage from the holy sword; against a weapon like Excalibur Ruler, even that attack would have been fatal, but…
"That's not enough!"
The vampire roared, darkness enveloped his body as the entire area began to be submerged in shadows.
"What is this…"
Arthur's eyes widened, seeing a literal armor made of darkness surrounding the vampire's body, even healing the strike from Excalibur Ruler.
"My Armor of Darkness; before it, even your holy sword won't be able to scratch me. Now I'm immune to holy attacks!"
As the vampire boasted, Arthur attacked; Izraf showed no desire to defend as the Holy Sword simply collided with his armor.
And to Arthur's shock, his blade was deflected.
Arthur's eyes widened; the holy blade of Excalibur Ruler had failed to overcome the vampire's darkness.
"Try whatever you want, brat, nothing will work!"
"Very well, I'll try again then."
Responding in the same chivalrous manner, Arthur sheathed Excalibur Ruler at his waist while extending his hand, a grandiose Holy Sword appearing in it.
The amount of holy aura was incomparable, far beyond the Excalibur Fragment.
Before Izraf could react, Arthur attacked.
He realized that, in exchange for this defense, the vampire had become much slower.
"Your armor is splendid, but…"
The descendant of the King of Knights was already behind Izraf, his sword enveloped in a deep and vivid holy aura.
"Before my Holy Sword Caliburn, be it your armor of darkness or Space-Time itself, I will definitely cut it."
The vampire Izraf's body was sliced in half.
Without even reacting to his death, the vampire vanished as he turned to dust.