The core ability of the Zanpakuto, Tenken, allowed it to summon a localized portion of the giant Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō.
Through this unique power, the physical blade was massively enlarged, and its base attack power multiplied several dozen times over.
Its ultimate release, the Bankai, could summon the entire physical body of the spectral samurai warrior.
That titan stood a full hundred meters tall and could unleash an even more terrifying level of destructive power.
Ottar was currently only utilizing his Shikai, yet he could already create such a world-altering scene.
A Zanpakuto placed in the capable hands of a Level 6 Adventurer was truly this monstrous.
Watching Ottar display this overwhelming power, Rayleigh's heart leaped with genuine excitement.
Boom!
A massive section of a ruined stone wall flew violently through the air, hurtling directly toward Ottar.
Ottar simply raised his Zanpakuto and pointed the tip directly at the incoming debris.
The massive, armored arm of the spectral warrior materialized once again.
Only this time, it wasn't holding a sword.
Instead, the giant clenched its fist and smashed it directly into the flying wall, effortlessly pulverizing the thick stone into fine dust.
Seeing this crude counterattack, Erebus felt a wave of actual relief wash over him.
A heavy stone wall wouldn't just fly across the battlefield for no reason.
In other words, Zald was still very much alive and kicking beneath the rubble.
Crash!
Much like when Ottar had made his own grand entrance, Zald dropped from the sky and slammed onto the ground like a fallen meteor, completely shattering the paved street beneath his armored boots.
A huge, jagged gash had been violently carved deep into his thick black armor.
A corresponding bloody wound marred the hardened flesh beneath the metal, steadily dripping crimson blood onto the dirt.
Tenken's devastating strike had not only destroyed Zald's prized armor but had successfully injured the man's body in the process.
However, judging solely by Zald's calm expression, he didn't seem to mind an injury of this level at all.
He reached up to touch the bleeding wound, then slowly brought his blood-stained fingers to his mouth, tasting the metallic liquid.
"Not bad, brat. To think you could actually manage to wound me." He had almost forgotten the distinct taste of his own blood after all these years.
He never expected to be reminded of it today.
"I acknowledge you Ottar. You are strong, an opponent truly worthy of fighting a battle to the death with me."
Zald gave a savage predatory grin.
He swung his heavy greatsword in a brutal arc, unleashing a massive, compressed shockwave.
Ottar swung Tenken to meet the incoming attack.
Their attacks collided head-on, and the terrifying, raw physical force completely twisted the point of impact into a pressurized vacuum.
Seeing that the two battling titans wouldn't likely determine a clear winner anytime soon, Erebus decided to quietly leave the chaotic scene.
Although the titanic clash was incredibly spectacular to watch, if he were to be accidentally killed here in the crossfire, his entire grand plan would be ruined.
Rayleigh, who had been keeping a close eye on the dark God, noticed his subtle departure.
Without hesitation, he cast Bakudō Twenty-Six: Kyokkō.
The spell bent the light around him, perfectly hiding his physical form as he silently pursued Erebus.
"You actually bothered to follow me. It seems you have considerable faith in that beastman warrior's ability to hold his own." Erebus walked casually into a dark, shadowed alley.
He stopped his leisurely pace and spoke directly to the seemingly empty space resting at the very end of the lane.
"Speaking of which, this specific detection is not even a God's divine power, but rather my own innate ability. In any case, I've already found you, young Rayleigh."
A strange rippling sound echoed in the quiet alley.
A hand reached right out from the empty void. As if pulling back a painted curtain, the gesture effortlessly tore down the optical illusion, clearly revealing Rayleigh hidden right behind the false image.
Fully releasing the Kyokkō spell, Rayleigh looked coldly at Erebus standing before him.
"Since you already know I'm here, then you should clearly understand that I am fully prepared to commit a great sin in this alley right?"
"Oh? Are you saying you actually intend to killed me?" Erebus asked, not looking the least bit flustered by the overt threat.
Killing a God.
This terrible act was widely considered one of the absolute most heinous crimes possible since the Gods first descended to the Lower World.
Regardless of whether the execution was for the sake of justice or any other noble reason, the very moment a mere mortal killed a deity, the act itself became an unforgivable sin.
Even if the perpetrator wasn't officially condemned by the Guild, the nature of the act would never change.
Much like regicide, the heavy brand of deicide would be forever imprinted upon the name of the sinner.
Sending an evil God back to Tenkai was technically a righteous act done for the pure sake of Orario's survival.
Some of the more prideful or pragmatic Gods might even change their personal views on the killer because of the context.
However, the vast majority would always view a God-slayer as a rabid dangerous dog, or someone utterly uncivilized and beyond redemption.
It would also undoubtedly provoke the relentless hostility of extremist cults and devout God-worshippers across the globe.
"Lord Erebus, you are far too arrogant," Rayleigh stated, his face remaining perfectly calm and unbothered.
"Hm?" Erebus raised a curious eyebrow at the accusation.
"The Promised Time," Rayleigh stated clearly.
Those three words caused a rare flicker of genuine astonishment to cross the dark God's face.
"You desperately want to cultivate enough strong heroes to properly fight against the coming apocalypse before the Promised Time arrives. I actually approve of this overall idea, but your execution and methods are far too condescending," Rayleigh explained.
"Even without your twisted 'Necessary Evil' plan pushing us to the brink, we will not be destroyed."
"I understand the vast majority of your grand plan. Simply put, you've deliberately opened a sharp fork in the road, and you want to force us to make a definitive choice."
"The first path: Orario rises up, defeats your Necessary Evil and the forces of Evilus, and its overall combat strength increases significantly. Through this bloody trial, the city becomes even stronger."
"The second path: Orario is utterly destroyed. You release the ancient monsters from the Dungeon, permanently end the Age of Gods and Familias, and forcibly returning the world to the brutal, chaotic state of ancient times."
As Rayleigh laid Erebus's deepest, most guarded thoughts completely bare, a wide smile bloomed across the God's face.
It wasn't his usual fake, mocking smirk, but a genuine, bright reaction born from pure delight.
The Promised Time.
This impending doom was a matter of the utmost importance. The current Age of Gods and Familias sorely lacked heroes—or rather, it lacked true heroes capable of shouldering the weight of the world.
Thousands of years ago, this land was mercilessly ravaged by foul monsters pouring from the Dungeon.
Because of this endless, brutal hardship, exceptionally unique individuals were forged among the various mortal races.
They were the original heroes.
They easily surpassed the Gods' limited understanding of mortals. They achieved miraculous, great deeds that astonished even the divine deities with their immense, raw power and unyielding conviction.
Even without the Falna bestowed by the Gods, they possessed the sheer physical and mental strength to fight and defeat the darkest monsters.
They had once successfully saved the entire world from ruin.
But ever since the Gods descended to the Lower World, Ouranos brought the system of Falna.
This divine blessing, to some unfortunate extent, heavily stifled the natural possibility of those pure heroes being born.
The core, unyielding qualities of a true ancient hero could not be artificially drawn out, even by a God's powerful Falna.
That was a unique power only a true, tested hero could possess.
And it was precisely this specific, world-breaking power that could truly save the world from the Black Dragon.
Zeus and Hera had tried, and they had failed miserably.
Their respective Familias, despite being so overwhelmingly powerful, had still lost their lives.
This catastrophic failure made Erebus wonder if the power of Gods and Familias could truly ever become strong enough before the Promised Time finally arrived.
If not... then rather than foolishly relying on the stagnant power of the Familia system, it might be far better to destroy it all.
To burn it down and hope for the bleeding world to once again nurture untamed heroes, just like those born in the ancient era.
This twisted plot was all done for the ultimate sake of the world's survival.
"How incredibly surprising. Did you manage to see through my divine will all by yourself?" Erebus clapped his hands in slow, rhythmic applause.
He had never imagined that a single mortal child could understand the true depths of his dark plan to this perfect extent!
"Then, what exactly do you mean when you call me 'arrogant'?"
Arrogant.
Yes, that was the perfect word for it.
"What do I mean?" Rayleigh's brow furrowed in open disgust. "It's the very fact that you Gods place your expectations on us mortals, and then become disappointed when we don't meet your twisted standards."
"In any case, please watch the rest of what's to come from the comfort of Tenkai," Rayleigh said with a cold smile.
He raised a single finger, aiming it squarely at Erebus's chest.
"Whoa, whoa there..." Erebus hurriedly raised both his hands in the air, acting as if he were surrendering in genuine fear.
But just before the deadly beam of Byakurai could pierce the God's heart, a graceful, cloaked figure appeared before him.
She effortlessly raised her hand and nullified Rayleigh's incoming attack.
Seeing that the dangerous woman had finally chosen to intervene and protect her God, Rayleigh lowered his hand and let out a heavy sigh.
"Alfia."
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I forgot, has lyra show her shikai yet ?