In the vast, boundless sky.
Surrounded by fierce winds and torrential rain, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, as if the world were ending.
But amidst this scene, two figures were facing each other.
One of them was tall, nearly ten meters in height.
His muscles bulged all over his body, like writhing dragons coiled around him, radiating an extreme sense of pressure.
Opposite him was a boy who looked only fourteen or fifteen years old.
Compared to the giant...
The boy was very handsome, but radiated a majesty completely at odds with his appearance, inspiring awe.
"Melqart, we finally meet."
The boy's clothes fluttered without wind, his eyes revealing a fervent, almost tangible craze and fighting spirit:
"I am Verethragna, the God of Victory."
"I ask you, will you fight me?"
Hearing this, the giant called Melqart grinned:
"Verethragna, even you, daring to challenge me, will surely be defeated."
"Is that so? Then let us have a good, hearty battle."
"Haha, that's just what I was thinking."
The two men laughed wildly, and the whole world changed color.
Their mere aura caused visible waves to rise on the sea.
"You two, I'm also very interested in killing a god. How about including me?"
The voice was like thunder, impossible for the storm to cover.
"Hmm?"
The two different beings frowned and turned to look.
In the distant void, amidst the pouring storm, a figure holding a young woman came into view.
Feeling their gazes, Erica's body stiffened, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
Even though she had done a lot of mental preparation beforehand...
Now, facing the Heretic Gods, even their unintentionally emitted aura was too much for her, a genius, to bear.
"You go watch the battle from a safe place."
Ayato smiled slightly. His tangible magical power covered Erica's entire body, sending her a thousand meters away.
'This Devil has a considerate side, after all.'
Free from the pressure, Erica felt quite pleased. Then, as if remembering something, her expression became one of shame and anger.
'Wait!'
'This Devil could have used his magic power to let me fly.'
'But he deliberately didn't.'
'Damn it, this Devil is a total pervert!'
"A mere Devil wants to participate in a battle of gods?" Melqart's voice was like a bell, his tone full of disdain.
"You're the Devil who defeated my Boar incarnation?"
Verethragna was surprised for a moment, then laughed: "I thought Devils wouldn't be interested in us Heretic Gods. It seems you're an exception."
He had come here to find strong opponents.
If Melqart weren't here, he might have chosen to attack Ayato.
And now, it couldn't be better.
Meanwhile, facing the gazes of the two Heretic Gods, Ayato stepped forward.
Boom!
Imposing magical power surged skyward as if piercing the world. The thick, sky-obscuring clouds were instantly pierced through completely.
The violent magical power seemed capable of shaking the world.
"Melqart, said to be one of the strongest gods in the Mediterranean, the strongest dragon slayer, the greatest warrior, and even hailed as the King of Gods."
Ayato spread his Devil wings, his wine-red eyes fixed on both sides, speaking calmly:
"Verethragna, the guardian of Mithras, the God of Light who once protected royal authority."
Hearing him speak their origins so plainly, both Heretic Gods raised their eyebrows slightly.
"You are both known as war-loving gods..."
Ayato flapped his Devil wings, the wind and rain parting before him, forming a three-way standoff with the other two: "And today, I can grant you defeat."
His words contained an extremely strong sense of confidence.
The sound waves rolled, causing countless wind and rain to scatter.
Terrifying magical power surged as if filling the entire world.
The storm that covered countless nautical miles even seemed to pause for a moment.
'Was this the same Devil as before?'
In the distance, Erica felt her mind go blank.
The Ayato now was too different from the image he had just presented, and from the typical impression of Devils.
In a daze...
Ayato's figure seemed to overlap with those of kings and conquerors.
"Hahaha, interesting. A mere Devil dares to claim he can grant me defeat?"
Melqart laughed in extreme anger: "In that case, I'll wash away my anger with your blood."
"Although you do have some strength, that's not how you talk big."
Verethragna looked at Ayato, his face full of madness: "But as the invincible God of Victory, even if you are a Devil, I will accept any challenge."
Silently...
An invisible pressure radiated from the three of them.
The rolling waves in all directions came to a halt, then were pushed back by an even more violent force.
Countless wind and rain seemed to develop consciousness, desperately trying to flee from these three demon-god-like beings.
"A Devil with such spirit. I'll grudgingly acknowledge you as my opponent."
Looking at Ayato with some surprise, Melqart laughed maniacally: "So then, God of Victory and unnamed Devil, let us have a great battle!"
Amidst laughter that seemed to pierce the world, Melqart made his move.
His target was simultaneously aimed at both Ayato and Verethragna.
He raised his arm and swung down his giant club.
In an instant, thunder from all directions converged between the world, as if divine punishment had descended.
Possessing the authority of a storm god, lightning and thunder were also under Melqart's command.
Just a simple swing...
If it were in the middle of a city, an entire city would be brutally erased.
"This... is the power of a Heretic God?"
In the distance, Erica was completely stunned.
Her own magic power even visibly rose to resist the oncoming invisible impact.
She believed...
If it weren't for Ayato's power...
She probably wouldn't even be qualified to watch.