"He was killed in one strike?"
Cao Cao, watching Aslan stand in the church center observing Khaos Brigade, showed deep wariness.
Note: Rizevim was the strongest Transcendent born from Lucifer and Lilith. Even in the Underworld, only the Four Great Satans could compare.
Even he—holding the strongest Longinus-class Sacred Gear, True Longinus—could only exchange a few moves in Balance Breaker mode.
Other faction members in Khaos Brigade also showed disbelief.
But unlike them—Cao Cao's Hero Faction members' eyes gradually brightened.
"Holy Son? I want to see if you're worthy of the title!"
Cao Cao suddenly stood—raised True Longinus—pointed its tip at Aslan.
The so-called Hero Faction: special humans inheriting part of ancient heroes' souls—or their descendants.
After joining Khaos Brigade—they formed Cao Cao-led Hero Faction—aiming to surpass ancestors' achievements.
Of course—challenging the strong was Hero Faction's desire.
"Interesting?"
Aslan narrowed eyes at Cao Cao—clapped happily.
"But I don't know if you choose challenge?"
Before words finished—heaven and earth changed instantly. Before Khaos Brigade reacted.
The small church turned into eternal frozen land. No sun or moon—only beautiful aurora.
"Or choose trial?"
Aslan's oppressive voice flowed from all directions—pressuring Khaos Brigade members—nearly all except Hero Faction unconsciously bent knees.
Kneeling in submission—willing to follow Aslan's orders.
But facing such pressure—Cao Cao ahead still raised Holy Spear—though now weighing thousands of jin.
Left of Cao Cao—uncontrollably trembling Heracles—inheriting Strength God Heracles' soul and blood.
"Why? Afraid, Heracles?"
Cao Cao tilted head—glanced at Heracles.
"Afraid? How? I'm excited."
Heracles clenched trembling fist—grinned terrifyingly.
"He's the legendary Holy Son united with Biblical God! Likely inheriting that Holy Son's soul and power like us."
"So—if we defeat him—doesn't that prove we've surpassed our ancestors?"
"True."
Cao Cao affirmed.
"Even if you're the real Holy Son—so what? My Sacred Gear once wounded Jesus!"
"I'm a bit scared."
Blonde beauty inheriting Jeanne d'Arc's soul trembled in fear—but never surrendered.
After all—this was a God—killing Transcendent Rizevim in one strike.
"Can I surrender?"
Jeanne weakly raised hand. To her—challenging unbeatable foe wasn't challenge—it was suicide.
"You scared?"
Youngest Leonardo—barely twelve or thirteen—mocked calmly.
"Scared—of course! Scared of dying from you idiots' antics."
Jeanne's tone sharp. If not for team relations—she'd have surrendered long ago.
"Same."
Leonardo softly replied.
Aslan folded arms—happily watched their discussion. Approval flashed in eyes.
Their qualifications quite good—worthy of Hero Faction name.
Even by Aslan's picky standards—if these youths trained well—in Little Garden—at least Five-Digit standard.
Especially Cao Cao—with True Longinus foundation—power reached lowest Five-Digit limit.
Could sit at table with that useless snake (Shirayuki-hime).
"So decided? Challenge? Or trial?"
"We choose trial!"
Without hesitation—Cao Cao chose trial.
He wasn't stupid—why choose challenge? Test Aslan's level via trial first.
If confirmed extraordinary—no shame admitting defeat.
If can't pass trial? No point talking challenge.
"Good—I'll grant it."
Aslan pulled a book—took several papers. Papers flew—transformed into heroes—appearing before Hero Faction youths.
"Your trial simple: defeat these past hero projections."
Heroic Spirits Aslan created—referencing this world's historical heroes—combined with matching Little Garden existences.
Though not Four-Digit—at least Five-Digit no issue.
Slightly stronger than them.
Cao Cao vs. Little Garden Five-Digit period Cao Cao. Heracles vs. This world's Heracles + mixed Lancer B Servant and Little Garden Heracles.
Jeanne vs. Jeanne d'Arc—after all—Aslan just met and interacted with sanctified Jeanne d'Arc in Little Garden—directly used her template.
No copyright fee needed.
Others similar—except Leonardo. His Sacred Gear: Demonic Beast Creation—quite useful.
Aslan once wished for such Sacred Gear—but now unnecessary. So made Shirayuki-hime his opponent.
To see how embarrassing Shirayuki-hime was.
"Don't worry—not difficult trial."
Aslan showed evil smile.
Hero Faction members felt urge to curse. Wasn't this difficult?
Why did they feel none could defeat their opponents?
Especially just-brave Heracles—now felt like sparrow meeting eagle—truly terrified.
Of course—Aslan didn't focus only on him—another here had fate with him.
Coincidentally—Arthur name-inheriting Arthur descendant in Hero Faction.
Of course Aslan wasn't demon. Just let opponent face old Arthur version under Grand Servant.
After handling Hero Faction troublemakers—Aslan shifted gaze to certain Infinite Cute Dragon staring at him.
Ophis looked up—calmly stared. Unfocused eyes calmly reflected Aslan's face.
"Cooperate with me!"
"Cooperate with you?"
Aslan's expression odd looking at Ophis—seeming to recall something.
"You want to invite me to deal with Great Red?"
The red dragon wandering dimensional gaps—protecting Earth.
To shield this world from other-world invaders—he expelled dimension-gap-born Ophis—occupying the spot.
Though to protect world—for Ophis it was different.
To her—Great Red expelling her from home without reason was archenemy.
Reason she founded Khaos Brigade: seek strong allies to kill Great Red.
Only say Ophis purely unfortunate child. Home happened on front line—directly seized—she herself expelled.
But can't blame Great Red—he expelled Ophis also to protect her.
If Aslan remembered right—Evil God from other world slashed Great Red's neck in one strike.
What about Ophis? Likely no better—probably captured as energy source.
After all—Infinite Dragon God mastering infinity. Though not truly infinite—endurance extremely high.
Perfect as battery.
Current opposite Ophis agreed with Aslan—extended hand.
"Help me."
Aslan paused—mouth corner curved evil smile.
"Sorry—I refuse."
"Why?"
Always-emotionless Ophis showed confusion.
"Why? Shouldn't I ask you?"
Aslan countered.
"Why must I agree?"
"I invite you."
Ophis calmly said.
"So? I must agree."
Aslan jokingly said.
"I'm not cheap to obey just because someone says something."
"Mmm…"
Ophis silent moment—then extended hand—created sideways-8-like magatama.
"I can give snakes."
To Ophis—Aslan no different from Khaos Brigade people. Give snakes as reward—they'd help.
Aslan raised eyebrow—stared at Ophis.
(Really innocent, huh? Thinking I'd need snakes?)
"This thing useless to me."
Aslan shook head—looked at Ophis—stroked chin thinking—then extended hand.
"Then this: fair trade? You help awaken someone—I help reclaim dimensional gap?"
Hearing this—Ophis startled—showed puzzled expression.
"What's the difference?"
She felt no different from giving snake power.
"Of course different!"
Aslan confidently said.
"Only this way is fair trade! Your snakes useless to me."
Ophis silent—slightly nodded—said quite innocently.
"Then—we cooperate now."
For some reason—Aslan now felt slight guilt persuading innocent naive Cute Dragon.
After all—from now—Ophis was his accomplice.
Yes—accomplice in awakening Dystopia.