Meanwhile.
Judging that they would be unable to secure victory against the"Eight Sacrifices"whom held the home field advantage without combining their power, the other girls also activated"Infinite Goddess".
With the newfound power, Arcadia and Phinis fought against Eden, Tirna and Terra against Ryugu, and Shiva and Fluga against Aitia. But unlike the other pairs, Zana-Igniver and Magmell-Sinus pairs were teleported to the same hall.
And what awaited them there was a man with a hood pulled down deeply and restraints all over his body that made rattling sounds.
Not to mention…
"Ah, long have I waited for this day. And as I've expected, you two look very delectable, indeed. I'm honored to be able to see you again, Princess Zana and 'Staff' Saintess Magmell."
""—!?""
…he seemed to be acquainted with Zana and Magmell. His gentle tone of voice sounded somewhat familiar to them, as though they had heard of it somewhere.
"No way, you are…!?" As Zana widened her eyes in shock, the man's hood slipped back with a rustling sound although he hadn't touched it.
With that, the man's true face was exposed. The upper half of his face was covered with what appeared to be 'filth', where a great number of staring eyeballs were wriggling.
However, the man's overall features and gentle atmosphere reminded them of a certain someone.
Yes, he was—
"King… Vale…!?"
"Yes. I used to go by that name. However, my name is Valon now. I'm one of the"Eight Sacrifices"under Lord Elysium—Valon of the"Grattor(Super Starvation)"."
—King Vale.
The young king of the great country Lastall, and the nemesis of Zana's mother.
However, he should have returned to ashes after being burned by Exa's flame following the end of their life-and-death battle.
How could he be here, as a demon, even?
As Zana and Magmell were lost for words, King Vale—no, Valon said with a gentle smile, "I died before, yes. As mortifying as it was, I was burned to nothing by that man's flames. But the reason why I'm able to be here now, alive, is because he only burned my 'main body'. My left arm, which he had sliced off in the course of our battle, remained intact. My Lord picked it up and utilized it to reincarnate me, giving me the chance to stand before you again."
"That's…"
As Magmell was terribly shaken by the shock from that fact, Igniver, as though everything was within her prediction, nodded, "I see," and said, "Not 'resurrection' but 'reincarnation', huh. Furthermore, a reincarnation where your original human flesh was put into the mix. In which case, the ugly look is understandable. However, though your use of language is graceful, your personality is no longer that of 'Vale', is it?" Igniver pointed out.
Valon gave shrugged his shoulders and said, "Yes, although it's shameful for me to admit, you are, indeed, correct. Right now, I'm merely a being who is a product of the combination of 'someone who is formerly Vale' and his desire to 'keep on absorbing monsters'.
"Perhaps, that is why," The air about Valon changed, "I can't help but feel terribly hungry… and you, saintesses, look especially appetizing to me…"
Riip, mouth torn open from to ear, Valon laughed maniacally like a starved beast.
――Clang!
The restraints that bound his body burst off of him, then numerous tentacle-like appendages with sharp teeth popped out of his body.
They were like those of the soft-type monster—'Kraken'; his bloated body no longer retained the shape of a human.
"Ugh…" He appeared so disgusting to the point that it made Magmell feel nauseous.
"…This may pose a slight danger. His power seems to far exceed ours. I'm afraid that at this rate, it is only a matter of time before he preys on us," remarked Sinus.
Magmell stuttered, "B-but we have Exa-sama's 'Phoenix Seal'. Even if we were to end up being swallowed, we should be able to attack him from the inside of him…"
"No, chances are he already has countermeasures for that. Our bodies may be safe, yes, but if we lose consciousness after getting swallowed by him and being made into a part of him, it will be checkmate for us. In the worst-case scenario, he may steal Exa's power through us," said Igniver.
"T-that's…"
"Are you saying we have no way to break this deadlock?" Zana inquired.
However, Igniver shook her head, "You jest. For what it's worth, we're still halves of Goddess of Genesis, you know? We will overcome this predicament no matter what."
Blaze! As flames covered Igniver's body, "Indeed. And it appears that our other halves are going on the offensive as well," violent streams of water similarly covered Sinus's body.
Then.
"Let's go, Saintesses! We will entrust all our power to you!"
"Please, wield this power and be sure to give a permanent 'rest' to him!"
And so, at this place, two Goddess-Armed were activated at the same time.