The Witch of Sardinia, Lucretia Zola, wasn't a woman easily frightened.
Despite her youthful appearance, which made her seem to be in her early twenties, Lucretia was a Witch who had mastered the magic of eternal youth, with nearly a century of life accumulated. Her long existence had been marked by encounters with other renowned Witches, the rise and fall of Great Knights, and a series of events that most people would never witness.
She had witnessed the devastation caused by the [Heretic Gods] and their [Divine Beasts], the terror generated by the Illegitimate Children of Epimetheus, storms that decimated entire cities, the dead returning to life in grotesque ways, and even the army of wolves created by the Marquis. Her memory was filled with these images of destruction, but also of beauty, like the dazzling springs and endless winters brought by the Mysterious Queen of the Caves.
Lucretia was a woman who never flinched. She remained calm and calculating, acting with an almost carefree tranquility, even in the presence of the most powerful current Campiones. Her wisdom and experience were vast, and she never felt small, even before the greatest gods or the most formidable warriors.
However, at that moment, something was different. When her eyes fixed on the [King] sitting before her, an inexplicable sensation ran down her spine. It wasn't immediate fear, but a subtle shift, a tension that formed in the depths of her mind. Lucretia couldn't quite explain it, but something seemed to have clicked into place, as if she were facing something beyond what her eyes could comprehend.
What made her shudder most was the exact moment when Adam Victory's eyes, which until then had seemed vibrant blue like the azure sky, were tinged with pink lines, giving a deadly and ethereal beauty to his pupils. It was as if the very essence of power, death, and the end emanated from that change, something that left her breathless for a second. It was enough to make even an experienced Witch like Lucretia feel a chill in the depths of her soul.
Adam Victory was a singular existence, unlike any other Campione she had ever seen.
What disturbed her even more was how he seemed to have arrived undetected. She, with all her experience and magical abilities, and even Alice, with her sharp perception, hadn't noticed his presence until that instant. Not even the refined instincts of the Black Prince, which were usually capable of detecting the presence of almost any being, had caught Adam's movement.
In her mind, this seemed impossible. If Adam had tried to pass through the protective barriers around the house, they should have been destroyed, but Lucretia felt nothing. No vibration, no magical noise. The defenses were intact. So how had he entered? How had he remained there without her or anyone else knowing?
As she tried to gather her thoughts and understand what was happening, her eyes finally fixed on Adam's hand. There was something there, something that made her pause for a moment, unsure of what to think. What appeared to be a helm, almost invisible to her eyes, surrounded by a peculiar energy, floated with an aura that seemed to distort the space around it. The energy emanating from the object seemed to interfere with the air, making it difficult to see, as if it were blurred, out of focus.
Lucretia blinked a few times, trying to adjust her vision, but couldn't understand exactly what that helm was or what it represented.
What she didn't know was that Adam had used one of the items he acquired from his [Forge of the Dwarves] authority, the [Helm of Awe], or [Ægishjálmr], a powerful magical symbol appearing in Norse and Germanic legends. It's widely associated with protection, power, terror, and invisibility, used to invoke fear in enemies and protect the wearer.
One of the best-known stories involving the [Helm of Awe] is that of Högni, a warrior from the Volsunga Saga. Högni was one of the most formidable heroes of Norse mythology and used the [Ægishjálmr] to protect himself in battles.
According to legend, Högni, along with his brother Gunnar, fought many powerful enemies. When he wore the Helm of Awe, he invoked the strength of the magical symbol, which made his enemies feel intimidated and powerless. This psychological power was a great asset in combat, and he managed to terrify his adversaries, becoming an invincible leader. The [Helm of Awe] helped protect Högni from witchcraft and magical attacks and reinforced his ability to inspire fear in his enemies.
In some variations of the legends, the [Helm of Awe] has the ability to make the user invisible or intangible, allowing them to escape dangerous situations or stealthily approach their enemies.
It was basically the [Helm of Darkness] of Hades from Greek mythology, only with the difference being that it didn't have a distinct form, it could take any shape the wearer desired, even being a magic rune or a tattoo.
"If you wanted to pay a visit, you should have given some prior notice," Lucretia said, her smile calm and slightly sarcastic. Her eyes sparkled with sharp intelligence as she observed Adam, who merely maintained a discreet and enigmatic smile.
Adam leaned back in the chair in a relaxed manner, his hands clasped over his lap, his countenance serene but with an almost imposing presence. He seemed completely at ease, as if he were at the center of his own kingdom.
"You say that because this isn't my territory? Well, I have some bad news for you. I go where I want, I do what I want. If I want to make an appointment with someone, I make it, but if I want to show up out of the blue, I will. I'm the kind of person who likes to follow my whims," he said with a smile, a glint in his eyes, as if it were nothing more than a simple fact to him.
"I've heard rumors saying the Sixth Campione was truly a free spirit, it seems they're not false." Lucretia said with an intriguing tone of voice as she looked at the boy.
The Sixth Campione was an enigmatic figure to the entire mage community. He held dominion in Germany and had slain many Heretic Gods in the short time since his Ascension. They called him the [King of Celestial Massacre] because of this, and the [Evil Buddha] due to his calm and somewhat relaxed nature in accounts from people who knew him. However, he had a bottom line that, if crossed, would result in broken bones at best, as the former Vice-leader of the [Millennium] learned when he tried to use Adam and ended up crippled in a hospital bed.
The kind of person who would be smiling at you one moment and breaking your bones the next for offending him, conversing with him would be like walking on eggshells around him. She felt this saying was part of the Sixth Campione's nature. One had to be very careful or delicate when dealing with someone like him, to avoid offending or causing trouble.
His mania for traveling throughout Europe was also very well known. He entered and left other territories without a care, earning him the nicknames "Free King" or "King without Territories"—but what gave him the greatest air of enigma was his lack of contact with the world. He lived in his own way and did things his own way.
The only time he made contact with another organization was when he visited Japan almost two years ago.
She was pulled from her thoughts when the young man began to speak again.
"I didn't know I was that famous." Adam said with a slight smile, before narrowing his eyes and saying, "So, if you don't mind, I'd like to know the reason you're helping that Divine Ancestor in search of the one who manifests at the end of the world?"
Adam's question wasn't a surprise to Lucretia, but her eyes still flashed with tension. It was clear the [King] had heard the entire conversation, and he wasn't one to miss details. She maintained her composure, but the feeling of vulnerability was evident.
"The reason I helped Guinevere? Very simple, I was waiting for something to happen on that particular day, when the 'King who manifests at the end of eras' appears," Lucretia replied with an almost philosophical calm, her words carrying a weight that only she seemed to fully understand.
Adam raised an eyebrow, visibly interested, as if he had only just begun to explore an unknown territory.
"...Really, you think there will be an actual end of the world?" The question came from Adam, his voice tinged with curiosity, but also with slight provocation.
"Yes. There's surprisingly little evidence that can refute such a prediction. I definitely don't consider it a fool's delusion," Lucretia affirmed, firmly. She was convinced, and Adam perceived that.
She continued, her voice laden with the seriousness of her words: "If a fire god arrived, the surrounding territory would be engulfed in flames. If a god of darkness descended, the area would be enveloped in eternal night. The manifestation of [Heretic Gods] has always followed this kind of principle. Hypothetically… It could very well be the beginning of an apocalypse. Though incredibly ridiculous, it was a persuasive notion."
Adam reflected in silence for a moment, absorbing Lucretia's words. He was, in fact, considering the possibility that such a catastrophe was imminent. The atmosphere in the room was charged with tension, as if the air itself had become denser.
"After discovering something like that, I gave up on my long quest. In the end, it's impossible to maintain indifference towards the destruction of the world. After all, I'm not slow-witted or insensitive… Unlike you Campiones." Lucretia finished with a bitter smile, as if speaking about a farce she had distanced herself from.
Adam observed intently, his gaze cold but still attentive.
"Actually, there's still a point of doubt. Is the 'King who manifests at the end of eras' truly King Arthur? Digging deeper, I began to notice that it should be a much older existence that transcends the East-West divide," Lucretia said, her tone indicating that the research and study into this mystery had consumed her.
The woman, who had once been a researcher of the Divine Ancestor, sighed, as if the weight of her own dilemma made her hesitate for an instant.
"I suppose I count as an Arthurian novice. The thought of discovering that the king so sought after in my heart was someone else… This was the biggest reason I stopped the search."
Adam listened in silence, his eyes gleaming with growing interest.
"But that Divine Ancestor firmly believes this, right?" He asked with a slight tilt of his head.
"Yes. She calls herself by the same name… as the queen consort who betrayed King Arthur and had an adulterous relationship with Sir Lancelot. Well, the King of the End's identity is still uncertain at this point. If that fellow isn't Arthur, I wonder what that Guinevere would do," Lucretia replied, a tone of perplexity in her voice.
Adam then gave a subtle smile, as if he knew more than he was willing to reveal.
"Well, you are indeed correct, the King of the End is truly not King Arthur," he said with a confidence that made Lucretia raise an eyebrow.
"Hoh, you seem very sure of that," she commented, visibly intrigued.
Adam then shared long-held knowledge, his eyes fixed on Lucretia, his words carefully chosen: "A long time ago, an ancient Campione ruled England tyrannically. To oppose him, the local priests sought the summoning of a certain God who ended up killing the Campione. This God was named Artos, and over time, from this story, the myth of King Arthur was created by a past incarnation of Guinevere."
Lucretia, listening attentively, realized that Adam wasn't lying. He was, in fact, telling her something she knew to be true, but also something that not even Guinevere herself knew.
"You seem quite interested in the King of the End," Lucretia commented with an intrigued smile.
"But of course, the King of the End is a terribly dangerous existence *for me*." Adam replied with a serious look, now more focused. He calmly rose from the chair, his posture imposing, and looked directly at Lucretia, the tension now clear between them.
"Let me ask you a question, Lucretia. The Marquis of Europe emerged three hundred years ago, but what about before him? Where are the others?" The question made Lucretia hesitate for a moment, but it didn't take long for her to understand the implication.
"I've wondered that myself in the past, where the other GodSlayers would be? With our planet's long history, it's impossible for the Marquis to have truly been the first," Lucretia replied, her voice laden with the gravity of her own doubts.
Adam nodded with a smile. "The one responsible is the King of the End. That title is given to the Hero who assumed the destiny of exterminating the Devil Kings."
Lucretia looked at Adam, attentive, waiting for the explanation.
"The King of the End would sleep while awaiting the birth of Devil Kings, to exterminate them all at once. Whenever the GodSlayers reach a certain level, whenever an Era comes to an end, he would awaken, slay all the Campiones, and then return to sleep, until the End of the next Era, when the GodSlayers bring chaos again. And the King of the End is about to awaken."
Adam's explanation left Lucretia awestruck, but also apprehensive. The implications of this revelation were vast, and she could feel the weight of his words.
"So would it be possible that you wish to revive this King of the End to confront and battle him?" Lucretia asked, her voice carrying an anxious tone but also curiosity.
Adam let out a light laugh, though he had even considered the idea. He didn't want to deal with someone so troublesome; "Absolutely not, and even if I wanted to, currently, if I fought the King of the End, my chances of victory would be thirty percent, at best."
"I may be a 'Child of the Fool', but I'm not a suicidal idiot," he added, with a lightness that contrasted with the seriousness of the subject.
Lucretia smiled, understanding the logic behind his words. "I understand," she said, softly. "But then, as a Campione, shouldn't you assist the Black Prince?"
Adam looked towards the horizon for a moment, as if pondering the question before answering with disdain.
"I can tell that he's almost finished." He muttered, as if dismissing the problem. "Foolishness, I have no interest in a False God."
Lucretia's reaction was a raised eyebrow, a look of curiosity. She clearly sensed Adam's dislike and mockery upon mentioning the Fourth Campione.
"You seem to dislike him quite a bit," she commented, her voice soft, but the question carried a hint of provocation.
Adam merely gave a slight smile. He disliked Alec for many reasons, all of which were shown when he read the manga in his past life. However, his purpose in coming to this place also had to do with him. A somewhat malicious glint shone in his pupils as he stated, "I don't. It's that simple, but something interesting will happen when he finishes his work; I want to be there to watch it firsthand…"
Finishing his statement, his figure turned invisible and vanished before the Witch of Sardinia's eyes.
… …
A few moments earlier.
Obtaining results from the conversation with Lucretia was originally the first priority. However, the news of a [Heretic God]'s appearance could not be ignored. First Crete, and now Sardinia. Heretic Gods were appearing one after another everywhere Alec visited as Campione. The first one could be dismissed as coincidence, but not when it happened a second time. Alexandre Gascoigne was not an optimist.
No matter what, he needed to confirm the details with his own eyes. Alec activated the authority of the [Black Lightning]. The members of the Witenagemot were responsible for naming this ability. Alec didn't bother deciding on a specific name himself. This was the authority usurped from Ramiel, the Fallen Angel of Visions and Lightning.
Godspeed—the power to enter a supernatural realm of acceleration. At the same time, it granted the body incredibly feline agility. However, the so-called "godspeed" came with several problematic aspects. In the beginning, he was unable to touch things moving at normal speeds until he got used to the new velocity.
To others, he appeared to move in slow motion, while to Alec, they were unbearably slow.
Moreover, it strained his mind and body. After entering the realm of godspeed for five minutes or more, his body would start emitting violent sounds. The massive difference in the flow of time compared to the normal speed world would cause his brain to emit a terrible noise. If it continued for another twenty minutes before he deactivated the authority, the unpleasant side effects would be a thousand times worse than the initial symptoms of the time disparity.
In some cases, excessive use of godspeed made it impossible to return to normal, seeming as if three entire days had passed. Despite being an extraordinarily powerful ability, there were many problematic side effects. However, two years after usurping the god of speed's authority, Alec finally discovered a new way to use his power.
Prolonged use of godspeed caused all sorts of problematic strain on the human body. In that case, he could transform his body into something more suitable to the true nature of lightspeed. Campiones often utilized their authorities by altering their body's form. This was known as the manifestation of an [Avatar]. To use godspeed without suffering the strain, Alec became the thunder itself—assuming a lightning avatar.
Transforming into lightning, Alec shot towards the sky. This avatar dissociated the human body, turning it into plasma. By transforming into this form, it completely eliminated the burden of godspeed on his mind and body, allowing him to fly without reservation. Not running along the ground with his legs, but flying in the sky.
"Well, the lightning avatar also had its weaknesses. Actually, they were quite fatal…" Alec murmured to himself.
Even so, currently, this form was the most suitable for long-distance travel. Using godspeed (or perhaps more appropriately, lightspeed), Alec immediately flew to the Bay of Orosei on Sardinia's eastern coast, moving eastward from Lucretia's home toward the seaside.
Before his eyes, a dazzling beach appeared. In May, tourists should be gathering to enjoy themselves in the summer sea, creating quite the bustling crowd. However, what occupied this place now was something quite different.
Alec fixed his gaze on the enormous creature before him and snorted, "hmph." Walking from the shallow waters of the sea towards the beach, without slowing down, the creature was about to land. Its body was colossal, standing over 50 meters tall. With bulging muscles everywhere, it had the shape of a strong, well-built man. However, above the neck was the head of a [Bull]. A human body with a bull's head—a [Heretic God]. It was the god Minos, whom Alec had previously fought.
"…This seems to be quite interesting," Alec commented, releasing his lightning body and returning to human form.
"Oooh… That appearance… I recognize it! No mistake, the appearance of an ancient warrior!" Minos' booming voice echoed from high above the beach.
Alec raised an eyebrow. "We gods and you godslayers—both sides usually exchange nothing but swords, spears, arrows, and blades! However, you shall hear my declaration first!"
What will be said next? Alec mentally guessed. Surely something like: My denomination is Minos, God who rules ancient Crete as the great king of the land.
"My name is Minos, God who rules ancient Crete as the great king of the land."
A correct guess. How predictable. Alec's smirk became even more sarcastic.
"Godslayer! I, king of the land, declare war upon thee! We gods, ruling the heavens, the oceans, and the great earth, and ye kings of taboo, are absolutely irreconcilable mortal enemies! Come, as determined by ancient fate, it is time to duel!"
Alec was puzzled. What was with this Minos? The same words were uttered before the battle by the bull-headed god he faced a few days ago. With only minor differences in content, was this an illusion mimicking that god's appearance and behavior? No, as a Campione, Alec's entire body and mind were filled with fighting spirit and power, ready for battle. This was the state upon facing a Heretic God.
"This shouldn't be an illusion…" Alec murmured with a disdainful expression, his eyes narrowed towards the colossal figure that loomed before him. The mocking tone in his voice betrayed his skepticism. He crossed his arms, his countenance taking on a posture of careful analysis, while every fiber of his being seemed to brace itself for an impending challenge.
"However, it makes no sense for that god to revive. If that fellow actually resurrected, then more impressive abilities should be displayed. So what gives?" Alec's words were imbued with a voracious curiosity, a burning desire to understand the inexplicable. The imposing presence of the giant god was enigmatic, an anomaly that sparked a flame of fascination and hostility in his heart. The thirst for answers, for unraveling the mystery before him, boiled in his veins.
A feeling of surging power washed over Alec. He felt the familiar rush of energy that heralded complete mastery over a new authority. The divine bull he had recently defeated had become a part of his essence, and now, that authority pulsed within him, waiting to be unleashed. The satisfaction of acquiring a new skill was intoxicating, a current of ecstasy that filled him completely.
"If this thing is an incomprehensible existence, then forget everything else and subdue it before investigating. That's the quickest and most straightforward way!" His voice rang firm and resolute, each word carrying the unshakeable determination of a warrior preparing to conquer the unknown.
"Nothing is stronger than the great bull that dwells within my heart. Death goes to that which bears false appearances… Very well, I will do everything to reveal your true form." The corner of his lips lifted into a calm yet predatory smirk as he summoned his third authority. The power emanating from his words was tangible, a force that seemed to make the very air vibrate around him.
"Wind that chants fascination, night that devours the light, all travelers, powerless on the perilous journey, accompanied by heavy sadness, abandon all hope!" The incantation flowed from his lips with the precision of a deadly weapon, a symphony of power that echoed across the beach.
Alec stepped firmly onto the sandy ground, his leather heel sinking into the surface with calculated force. Immediately, the ground began to transform, from a solid beach to a viscous, treacherous substance. The bull-headed god roared in shock as it sank, what was once an imposing divine figure now becoming a victim of the labyrinth Alec had created.
"Fu, oooooooooooooo!?" The bull-headed god's roar echoed across the landscape, laden with surprise and indignation. It struggled against the mire that now swallowed it, its muscular legs thrashing uselessly as it was pulled downwards. The beach beneath its feet had transformed into a treacherous trap, a viscous bog that sucked at its titanic form.
"Hahahahahaha! Last time I was dragged by Minos into a labyrinth, but this time the tables have turned. I invite you into *my* labyrinth. Enjoy carefully!" Alec's voice resonated with a sinister mirth, a celebration of the absolute control he wielded over the battlefield.
As the god sank completely, Alec also allowed his body to be swallowed by the ground, entering the vast underground labyrinth he had summoned. The walls were made of solid stone, the passages wide enough to allow for agile movement, yet intricate like a spiderweb. Each curve, each dead end, was an extension of Alec's will, a reflection of his strategic mind.
This was the power later dubbed [The Labyrinth] by Princess Alice, a magnificent and terrifying creation that conferred upon him unparalleled power.
The [Labyrinth] wasn't just a physical structure, but a work of pure divine engineering. An underground river had been carefully reconstructed within a massive subterranean edifice, which, in its complexity, formed a web of immense and dark corridors. This labyrinth wasn't made just to trap, but to mentally imprison, creating a psychological pressure as overwhelming as the physical one.
It was a divine power of creation, and its effectiveness depended directly on the user's intellectual level and strategic perception. The sharper the intellect of the one using it, the more powerful the labyrinth became, becoming not just an obstacle but a true sentence of imprisonment for any enemy. And this power was now in the hands of the Black Prince Alec, who had usurped it from Minos himself, the god of the earth and the labyrinth, and now used it to impose his will.
The passages were wide and towering, around 10 meters high, and the walls varied from 7 to 8 meters in width, allowing for great mobility. The floor, covered in perfectly aligned square stones, echoed under his feet as he moved confidently through the structure he himself had created. The space wasn't claustrophobic but grand, an impressive architecture that expanded in all directions like a true spiderweb, connecting various rooms and interconnected corridors.
As the creator of this labyrinth, Alec had a complete understanding of its construction. He knew where he was, the position of each of the enemies he had trapped, and even the locations of prisoners. He could feel every movement within the web, as if he possessed omniscient vision. His mind was directly linked to the structure of the labyrinth, an extension of his own will, and he saw everything from a unique perspective, almost as if he were observing everything from the sky, with a view of the terrain below.
"My impression of this labyrinth… is practically the same as the one I involuntarily entered recently." He commented, walking with an almost carefree calm, his eyes scanning the environment.
It was true, this place did indeed have the same structure as the labyrinth created by the god Minos on the island of Crete.
Perhaps it was because the battle from a few days ago left such a strong impression. Without associating the impressions of that labyrinth, it should be possible to alter the structure into other forms… that was the feeling Alec had.
This should be tested in the future. Although Alec had gained a solid and immutable understanding of the power of his new labyrinth, he knew that the new authorities he acquired often came burdened with uncertainties. He also knew that more than a simple theoretical understanding would be necessary. To truly master this authority, he would need to test it in actual combat. Experience, not isolated study, was what counted most.
When he became a Campione, in the few months that had passed since he became a Campione, Alec came to a profound conclusion: the concept of "training" to master a power was, for the most part, meaningless. No amount of time or effort spent training compared to the experience lived in battle. The truth behind it was simple: true understanding arose in life-or-death situations, when tension and adrenaline mixed, creating the opportunity for abilities to manifest fully. Perhaps this was the reason why, in a single day of real combat, he could learn more about his powers than he would in a year of continuous training.
"So [Bull] is now… over there. Hmph, still moving after everything."
With an expression of slight disdain, Alec observed the enemy's movement through the structure of the labyrinth. He knew exactly where the being was. The bull-headed giant, that same terrifying being, had fallen into a different part of the labyrinth. He was now about 200 meters northeast of Alec's position, trapped in a dead end. But, to Alec's surprise, the monster wasn't giving up. It was still moving, without hesitation.
Despite the labyrinth being a complex and menacing prison, the bull didn't care. Completely ignoring the intricate passages that extended in several directions, it was heading straight for Alec, advancing with impressive speed.
"There you are, godslayer! With my two horns I shall tear you to shreds!" The god's roar was a promise of destruction, as he smashed through the labyrinth walls with brutal force. Pieces of stone flew through the air, creating a curtain of dust and debris.
Alec remained motionless, his serene smirk remaining intact. He was ready to face the god's fury, every muscle in his body prepared for the final confrontation that was about to occur.
The smoke screen, dense and chaotic, caused the details of the fight to be lost for an instant.
However, behind that cloud of debris, the bull-headed god advanced. Its body, previously colossal, was no longer as immense. It had now reduced its size, probably to a tenth of its original stature, to about 5 meters tall—which was more suitable for moving within the labyrinth, where space was tight, and strategies needed to be swift and efficient.
Still, even with its reduced size, the [Bull]—the power of an earth god—was formidable and terrifying. Its presence seemed to make the ground tremble, and the tension in the air was palpable.
With a deafening roar, the bull-headed god lunged forward, his strength and speed impressing even the most seasoned. The roar echoed, reverberating throughout the labyrinth, filling the space with a sense of impending threat.
"ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
The thunderous sound of the roar reverberated through the environment like a clap of thunder. The god charged forward with supernatural speed, something only a divine being would be capable of. His acceleration was instantaneous, and the force with which he moved seemed to defy the laws of physics. That charge seemed to reach over 300 km/h in the blink of an eye.
However, Alec wasn't the least bit surprised. He, with his experience, was completely prepared. When the bull-headed god approached at a speed almost impossible to believe, Alec was already in motion. He dodged with the ease of someone who had faced enemies with similar powers before.
"- Hum!?"
The bull-headed god let out a groan of surprise, realizing that his attack, which should have been unbeatable, failed to hit its target. But, even faced with this failure, he didn't slow down or decrease the intensity of his charge. With a brutal movement, he collided against the wall of the labyrinth behind Alec, shattering it into pieces.
CRAAAAAAAAAH!!
The force of the collision was so great that the walls of the labyrinth were pulverized, scattering across the surroundings in an explosion of stones and dust. The earth trembled, and the sound of the impact resonated like a great explosion. The bull-headed god was a force of nature, his tenacity and penetrating power unquestionable. The impact had been so strong that it seemed the walls were nothing more than paper to him, a god who dominated the earth with his power.
This scene immediately brought to mind memories of the god Minos in Crete. He had also broken through obstacles with the same ease, clearing a direct path for his advance.
"Hmph… Could you be…"
The bull-headed god seemed to be talking to himself, pondering the nature of the opponent he faced. His eyes narrowed with an expression of curiosity, trying to understand Alec's ability, as if he were attempting to analyze his strength.
Alec observed carefully and discerned the god's behavior. He knew that behavior wasn't just brute force, but also an attempt to study his adversary, to look for a weakness, to identify a way to defeat him. It was the exact same type of analysis Minos had done on the island of Crete.
With a slightly mocking smirk, Alec prepared himself. When the bull-headed god advanced again, he didn't hesitate. Alec knew that, with the experience of having faced Minos and other gods, he could dodge with ease. The god's movement, although fast, wasn't impossible to avoid.
With the agility of a predator, Alec used all his dexterity to dodge. To him, the god's movement seemed to slow down, as if he were seeing everything in slow motion.
The bull-headed god was rapidly approaching, but Alec had plenty of time. He made a calculated dodge, moving with the grace and precision of a lightning bolt. When the impact was imminent, Alec accelerated to the maximum, increasing his godspeed.
With a sidestep so slight it was almost imperceptible, Alec evaded the bull-headed god's attack. He moved with the precision of a master, avoiding the collision and leaving the god stunned.
To any onlooker, it would seem as if Alec had been crushed by the god's charge, but in reality he had dodged with such precision that the impact never touched him. His godspeed was the key factor, allowing him to effortlessly sidestep.
However, maintaining godspeed all the time wasn't a simple matter. Alec knew that it required great physical and mental exertion. Godspeed was something he had mastered, but he couldn't maintain it for long periods without suffering the consequences.
Even so, he knew that to defeat this god, he would need to use all his skills and strategies. After all, he wasn't just facing an ordinary god, but an entity with the power of the earth under its control.
"Truly the steps of divine speed! The godslaying warrior akin to crashing lightning!"
The bull-headed god, now frustrated, transformed again. Its body began to shrink and shift, taking the form of a gigantic bull. It was adapting to the battle, becoming even more imposing, with the strength of an elephant and the fury of a storm.
"Hmph, as expected. This method… is enough to use the same trick as against Minos."
Alec observed the transformation with an attentive gaze. He knew that, just like Minos in Crete, the bull-headed god was adapting to the situation. But Alec also knew that he had the advantage of experience. He had faced even more powerful enemies and knew how to handle this transformation.
With supernatural acceleration, Alec began to race through the labyrinth's complex passages, like lightning cutting through the air. He knew that this wasn't his maximum speed. He was only using half his power, but this was still more than enough to leave the god behind. However, the ferocious bull wasn't giving up. It also increased its speed, now achieving an unnatural acceleration, getting faster with each passing second.
300… 400… 500 km/h. The bull was moving with impressive velocity, and Alec knew he couldn't continue running forever. The fight was reaching a critical point.
Alec then decided to unleash all of his godspeed. In an instant, he reached his maximum velocity, a speed that seemed to defy the laws of physics. But the bull was not far behind either. It had achieved the same divine speed and was now chasing after Alec with an overwhelming momentum.
Alec knew that, if he continued like this, the bull would have the advantage in the long run. He had to find a way to break free from the chase before it was too late.
The bull, with its horns sharpened like blades, continued to pursue him, and Alec knew that he couldn't be touched by those attacks. With a quick thought, he uttered the magic words.
"Thunder, descend!"
Instantly, Alec abandoned his physical body and transformed into a mass of pure electricity, a lightning avatar. He became intangible, immune to the attacks of the ferocious bull, which now found itself unable to reach its target.
The bull's sharp horns tried to pierce the lightning avatar, but it was useless. Alec's body had become pure electricity, impossible to touch. The bull, in turn, was bathed in electricity, its movements becoming increasingly erratic.
"Oohohohoh!! Godslayer!"
The bull emitted a grunt of frustration, but its charge didn't cease. Even with electricity coursing through its body, it continued to attack with full force, showing no signs of giving up. Alec knew this lightning avatar wouldn't be enough to defeat it.
Transforming into lightning eliminated the burden of godspeed, allowing Alec to attack with electricity in its purest form, while his energy essence evaded physical attacks. There was no material body to be struck; the lightning was intangible, and its movements were nearly impossible to predict. He became an uncontrollable force, capable of tearing through the air with the fury of a storm.
However, this ability wasn't perfect. The lightning avatar, despite its immense advantage in speed and evasion, had a fundamental fragility: if dissipated, Alec would return to his human form, vulnerable and exposed. The power of a god or a powerful spell, like those of a Campione, would be able to disrupt the electricity avatar and undo it before Alec could reconstitute himself. Even human mages of exceptional calibers, like Alice or Lucretia Zola, could, with time and teamwork, neutralize Alec's electrical power.
The thought brought him a brief sigh of relief, but this relief was fleeting. Alec knew that, in the last battle with the god Minos, the moment he returned to human form was what almost caused his downfall. He had over-relied on his ability to maintain the lightning form and, failing to protect himself at the exact moment the avatar dissipated, was nearly fatally struck. The battle with Minos had nearly turned into a desperate crisis, and he had learned his lesson the hard way. It wasn't enough to rely solely on his speed or his transformation; he needed to balance every aspect of the fight and be more strategic.
The lightning avatar dissipated, returning Alec to his human form. He felt the strain on his body, but there was no time to rest. The battle was far from over.
"Hoh, you saw through my attack, what a sharp-eyed man."
"...Of course, because this is the second battle."
Alec murmured in response, aware that this fight was just beginning. The true identity of the enemy before Alec was still not entirely clear. So far, its movements, strength, and speed were completely identical to those of Minos, the god of the labyrinth in Crete. The resemblance was unmistakable, but something was wrong. Something felt incomplete, like an imitation of a great masterpiece. The true nature of this creature, this false Minos, was still a mystery.
Alec calmly recited the magic words that came naturally to his mind, as his power took shape.
"Those who pass by my tombstone, who tread on my shadow, I know every single one of you!"
He invoked the authority he had recently mastered—the power usurped from Minos. This power now became his tool to discern the secrets of the enemy before him. Minos, the true god, ruled the labyrinths with unique mastery, and Alec would use this knowledge to face the illusion before him.
His mind cleared, and an image emerged, clear as crystal. The labyrinth. Alec remembered its structure as if it were his own soul, the flow of paths and tangled passages that he now dominated. The vision expanded in his mind, like an aerial view, and he knew exactly where he was and where he should go.
"This is my domain," Alec thought, with growing confidence. He now had the power to make any path open before him. He no longer needed to walk; all he had to do was think, and the labyrinth would move as he wished.
In the next instant, his body sank into the ground, a smooth transition, as if the very space around him were bending to accommodate him. He descended through countless layers and levels, until he reached the deepest level, the central point of the labyrinth.
"Sorry, I'm the Master of the Labyrinth," Alec said with calm irony, his voice cutting as he observed his foe. "If you want to fight me, then you need to reach me. False Minos!"
His words reverberated through the walls of the vast labyrinth, and then the space around him shifted. He was at the bottom of the labyrinth now, on level ninety-eight, a great distance from the first levels that the false Minos would have to traverse to reach him.
That vast, circular area, 10 km in diameter, seemed strangely familiar. It was the heart of the labyrinth, where everything had begun and where Minos had been defeated. The altar and the throne were still there, symbols of the true god's grandeur, but now all was empty, except for the imitation before him.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by dull thuds echoing through the labyrinth. The sound was strange and heavy, as if space itself was being shaken. Alec looked up, and the ceiling began to show small cracks, stones falling slowly. Until, finally, a large opening formed.
The bull-headed god, once more, leaped from the opening. He landed with a crash that shook the floor, his height now immense, reaching 30 meters. With a simple movement of his gigantic fists, he smashed the floor of the labyrinth, descending level by level, without the need for stairs, as if space itself were merely an obstacle to be destroyed.
"To think you finally caught up, False One!" Alec said, his sarcastic tone evident as he watched the monster before him. He already recognized it, despite the distortion.
"Even with impressive power, that imitation really kills the atmosphere. If you have the ability to copy a god's powers, at least try to be more aesthetically pleasing. Ugliness has its limits."
The bull-headed god responded with an imposing voice, coming from above, almost as if it were trying to assert its authority: "Lightning warrior, you dare insult my divine esteem? I am the mighty king!"
Alec, without missing a beat, replied with more sarcasm: "I don't know what game you're playing, but in the end, you're just a well-made fake. Your imitation only recreates a fraction of the original god's power."
The god seemed perplexed, clearly not understanding Alec's words. "I… an illusion? What nonsense do you speak, godslayer?"
Alec kept his gaze cold and calculating, replying calmly: "Indeed, an illusion. You have no soul, no savage heart that Heretic Gods share as harbingers of disaster. Without it, you're nothing. Just an inconsequential copy."
With a slow but steady pace, the god advanced towards Alec, its gigantic body radiating an overwhelming energy, but Alec remained impassive.
"Gods, however strong they are, are defined by the firmness of their ego. What they represent and what they desire are what makes them powerful. Without that essence, you are nothing. You are no more than a soulless imitation."
The bull-headed god was only a few meters away now, its appearance menacing, but Alec was calm. He had studied this creature's flaw. It had strength, but it lacked true strength, the divine essence that made gods unbeatable.
"At this level, you're not even close to the Heretic Gods. This is a real bother. Well, at least fake gods have the merit of being rare." Alec braced himself, the invoked power becoming palpable.
"If you have something to say, just try and smash my body to pieces," he challenged.
The false Minos hesitated, but its response wasn't long in coming, its voice still filled with arrogance: "Very well. Crushing your intricate creation seems a shame. But there's no other way to display the great power of I—the king of the land!"
Here is the text with more details, keeping the dialogue and essence intact:
"URRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Suddenly, the False Minos roared with all the might of its throat. It was a savage cry, resonating with an intensity that seemed to shake even the foundations of the earth around it.
Of course, this wasn't just a roar of fury. It was the manifestation of magic words, laden with the divine power it possessed. The False Minos gathered the spiritual essence of the earth around it, filling the underground space with a terrifying presence. The energy it summoned wasn't limited just to the confines of the underground cavern, but extended to the entire coastal area, dominating the landscape.
With a violent gesture, the False Minos clenched its fist and swung with all its might.
*Crack!* The impact was so brutal that it caused the floor of the deepest level of the labyrinth to tremble violently.
Immediately, a series of tremors ran throughout the entire underground labyrinth, felt across its immense expanse. Even in the depths, where the vastness of the space seemed infinite, the ground shook with the force of the destruction.
From the point of impact, cracks began to spread like spiderwebs stretching across the entire surface of the floor. The fissures snaked towards the walls, covering them with thousands of crevices. The labyrinth seemed to be crumbling under the weight of the impact.
The False Minos roared again, without pause, and continued to pound the floor with fury. Each blow was more devastating than the last, increasing the intensity of the tremor and destruction. The stones of the ceiling, unstable and fragile, began to break apart and fall, raining down from above like a deadly shower.
As Master of the Labyrinth, Alec already knew that the entire structure was collapsing. All ninety-eight levels were about to crumble.
"Fuhahahahahaha! Godslayer, it is evident that you can move like a shadow within this labyrinth! But your palace is about to collapse!" The False Minos continued to laugh, its voice echoing menacingly. "URRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAALLLAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!"
The tremors intensified as it continued to pummel the ground, the destruction becoming even more irreversible. The power it unleashed wasn't just physical; as a violent god of the great earth, it was using some sort of destructive authority, infusing the earth with its chaotic energy.
But Alec wasn't shaken. On the contrary, he was smiling inwardly. This was perfect for him.
During the time the False Minos took to reach the deepest level of the labyrinth, Alec had completed the most time-consuming [Invocation] of his life. All that remained now was to wait for the moment of revenge.
"Hear me, daughters of the endless night, daughters of the earth and shadow."
These words weren't mere utterances, but a powerful hymn, charged with black magic. The invocation Alec had prepared called upon the goddesses of vengeance, those who were as relentless as death itself.
As he uttered the magic words, the black wings of infernal goddesses appeared around him, deflecting the stones and rocks that fell from the ceiling, preventing any of them from touching his body. They shielded Alec, as if attuned to his will.
"Fight evil with evil, repay crime with crime, spill blood for blood, extract tooth for tooth, thus vengeance begins. By the blood of the murdered mother, the tragic death denies all future attempts at filial piety!!"
Alec didn't lose his balance, even with the ground shaking violently. The three infernal goddesses manifested, appearing as ghostly figures around him. They held Alec in their arms and lifted him into the air, as if setting the stage for judgment.
The goddesses, with heads of serpents and black raven wings sprouting from their backs, were figures of pure fury and vengeance. They were the Erinyes, the goddesses of vengeance, who had answered Alec's summons.
"Megaera, Tisiphone, Alecto—recover the curse and execute vengeance!"
As his words echoed, a cruel countenance appeared on the faces of the three goddesses, as their fury seemed to materialize in the air around them.
Alec had activated his second authority, the [Judgment of the Furies], a feared and powerful authority. It returned to the perpetrator all destruction, attacks, and curses performed before the three infernal goddesses, reflecting the pain back onto the aggressor.
And so, all the destruction caused by the False Minos in the labyrinth was reflected back upon it. What was once devastating power now turned against it.
"GAAAAAAAAAALHAAAAAAAGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAA!!"
The False Minos, overwhelmed by pain, stopped attacking. Its movements became erratic and frantic, as if every part of its body were being torn apart by an unseen force. The sound of suffering mingled with the roars of destruction that continued to echo through the labyrinth.
Alec watched the False Minos with a cold and calculating gaze. "So, the end draws near…" He murmured, his voice calm, as if the outcome were inevitable.
He could feel the warrior instinct of a Campione telling him that his enemy's fate was sealed.
The battle had come to an end.
Alec then transformed into his intangible lightning avatar, becoming an electric shadow escaping the crumbling labyrinth. He soared into the sky with the speed of a lightning bolt, leaving the destruction behind.
The ground below him split open, creating a massive depression in Sardinia's Bay of Orosei, where the labyrinth had existed. The shift in the earth's foundation was visible as a crater caused by the labyrinth's destruction and the False Minos' impact.
Alec flew through the sky, observing the ruins below him. He felt a familiar presence approaching.
She couldn't have stayed put while this was happening.
Of course, she had come to him.
Spotting the figure he sought, Alec flew towards her at lightning speed, landing on a small hill. He released the lightning avatar and assumed his human form again.
Alice, with her spiritual ability, was also flying at impressive speed, but the difference between them was clear. She soon caught up to him, as if she had been waiting for him.
"You came as expected. Couldn't you bear to kill time in a more leisurely manner?" Alec said, smirking with satisfaction.
"Of course. What does it matter anyway? I've long since wanted to investigate you up close." Alice replied, turning her face away, as if still holding a grudge for being left behind.
Alec grinned, amused by the little wordplay between them.
"Alexandre, I think you should correct your tongue and your eccentric character a bit. It's really very rude to ladies!" Alice exclaimed, waving her slender hand in an irritated manner.
As she made this motion, light particles began to emerge around her, rising into the sky like shimmering rain. They stopped ascending when they reached a specific height, illuminating the sky.
Alec observed, intrigued, with an enigmatic smile. "Ah, I see. A touch of savagery, isn't it?"
Alice, the White Princess Miko-Hime, possessed powerful spiritual abilities, among them the ability to separate her spiritual body and her psychic perception. Using these skills, she could read minds in a specific area, though she was incapable of reading the minds of powerful beings like Alec or mages like Lucretia Zola.
She looked at him with a sly gaze and smiled softly. "Glory of all creation, transform into power and be displayed! Seize the key to past wisdom as a woman!"
In the same instant, Alec used counter-magic, a special skill that neutralized specific spells. He directed the magic against Alice's spell, dispelling the light emanating from her.
And by hitting a specific spot, causing the air to distort, an unexpected figure appeared.
"Hohohoho, as expected of the prince. You saw through it all."
A beautiful, young, blonde woman appeared in mid-air, smiling sweetly and serenely.
She was dressed in a white summer dress, and her smile was as sweet as the most exquisite confectionery. She introduced herself as Guinevere, the [Divine Ancestor], who had been concealed using [Concealment] sorcery.
"Hmph, going so far as to summon a fake god. There should be limits to mischief, be it from [Heretic Gods], Campiones, or you, who have been leaving suspicious tracks everywhere lately. So how many of the recent events are truly your doing?"
Alec looked at the figure of the witch hovering before him, a sarcastic smirk playing on his lips as he taunted, his words laced with sharp irony.
"However, I can't even imagine what kind of trick you used to create a fake god. To be able to approach the authority of gods and Campiones, it seems the Divine Ancestors are a group we cannot underestimate. I think I underestimated you."
"No, even standing at the pinnacle of witches, I, Guinevere, cannot do such a thing using my own magic."
Maintaining the enigmatic smile, the witch in the form of a young girl gently descended to the ground, as if her ethereal presence descended along with the weight of the words she uttered. Her eyes gleamed with a peculiar light, a stark contrast to her delicate and seemingly innocent figure.
"How was it done? I will tell you in a bit."
"Oh? That's very generous of you."
"No, Prince—thanks to the assistance Your Highness provided, it's only fair to return the courtesy. As for that miko over there… hohoho, what a girl with a bright future. If you wish, I, Guinevere, welcome you to my side with open arms."
With a mischievous smile, she turned her gaze to Alice, whose eyes were fixed on Guinevere, perhaps suspicious, but also, she couldn't deny, intrigued by the witch's mystical aura. The pure white dress Guinevere wore rippled gently around her, giving the impression that she floated on air, more a supernatural apparition than a mere woman.
"Prince, come with me, Guinevere, and let's search together for this 'King who manifests at the end of eras'. This is the slumbering King of the End, the most mysterious of the [Steel] gods. A dangerous journey, no doubt. Even so, let us set forth together."
"And Lucretia Zola? Didn't you go researching with her in the past?"
The King who manifests at the end of eras.
It was a fascinating title, but Alec remained cautious, always seeking to unravel what lay behind each word. He frowned and posed a pointed question.
"That child is no good. While we were wandering together looking for clues, she disobeyed Guinevere's will."
"…Disobeyed?"
"Yes, she believed that the last—the strongest [Steel]—should not be revived, because that would certainly bring about the end of this era of humans."
Only weighty and dangerous words were being tossed into the air. The atmosphere was heavy, and the growing tension seemed to hold each breath captive. Alec pulled back slightly, pondering, but unable to shake off the shadows of these words' implications.
"The last of this era… End. Only dangerous terms were being spoken. Without the complete picture, it was impossible to grasp the full extent. But I can imagine."
Alec shrugged and, in a subtle movement, brought forth what he believed to be the crux of the matter.
"This King who manifests at the end of eras… Does it refer to King Arthur? With the inscription 'Once and Future King' on his tomb, will that hero awaken from eternal slumber to save the world or destroy it?"
"Hohoho, as expected of the prince, truly clever."
Guinevere smiled approvingly, but her eyes held an almost predatory gleam, as if she were merely toying with Alec's words. He felt a chill run down his spine, but he maintained his firm stance.
"This was something that occurred to me during my search for the Holy Grail these past years."
For the first time, Alec let slip a piece of his inner speculation, something he had carefully kept to himself.
"Between the 11th and 14th centuries in Medieval Europe, there were individuals secretly working to popularize myths, trying to make King Arthur be seen as a god… The core of this movement consisted of you ladies, daughters of Mother Earth. Priestesses of the goddess from the ancient world."
Alec cast a fierce gaze at Guinevere and Alice as his words cut through the air like a sharpened blade. His mind was on high alert, ready for any response.
"It's unknown whether they acted independently or together. However, the Knights Templar, their parent organization—the Priory of Sion—as well as the Cistercian Order, likely interfered greatly in the formation of that myth… To what extent is my speculation correct?"
"My, my, what shall we do?"
Guinevere responded casually, with an adorably innocent smile, as if everything she had said before were nothing more than a playful jest to her.
"After all, I, Guinevere, was reborn less than one hundred years ago. It's hard to be certain of things that happened before I was born."
She spoke with a grace that seemed devoid of any malice, but there was something in her tone that indicated otherwise. Her smile was filled with secrets.
Alec made a "hmph" sound, visibly scorning the inability to interrogate that witch. But, looking at her, he already knew what she was thinking. Guinevere wasn't someone easily manipulated.
"My wish is to revive the 'King of the End'. For that goal, I will put forth all of my effort, wealth, and, yes, even the Magical Holy Grail."
"What?"
"Prince, the fake god Minos you encountered… It was an illusion created by Guinevere, born from the blessing of the Holy Grail. I happened upon Your Highness's previous battle and used it as reference!"
Suddenly, a light shone behind Guinevere, illuminating the room with a blinding glow.
At some point, a vessel—a cup or urn-shaped container—appeared, slightly taller than the twelve or thirteen-year-old girl. The vessel glowed intensely, radiating an aura of magical power so strong that it felt as though everything was about to collapse under the weight of its energy. From the rim of the container's opening, a continuous flow of large-scale magical power seemed to pour forth, an awe-inspiring display of force that could only come from something of divine origin.
This magical power was unparalleled, surpassing even Campiones like Alec, let alone human mages. The vessel unleashed what seemed to be the sum of the magical power of dozens of Campiones gathered together.
"Alexandre, that's the Magical Holy Grail… The Grail of legend."
Alice cried out excitedly, her eyes gleaming with the exhilaration of someone who had finally unravelled the mystery, while Alec responded impatiently, his expression indignant.
"I don't need you to tell me that! What else could that impressive object be!?"
The sacred relic suddenly appeared before the two, shining with blinding intensity. But, as abruptly as it had appeared, it vanished—as if the light itself had been extinguished. When the glow dissipated, only the young Divine Ancestor remained.
"Hohohoho. Prince—Alec-sama, if Your Highness assists me, Guinevere, then the holy treasure can now be yours."
Alec was taken aback, his eyes widening in a mixture of disbelief and suspicion.
"As I mentioned before, I, Guinevere, am not a woman who hoards treasures like a miser. Even if it's the famed Holy Grail, I will gladly offer it, with both hands, to encounter the King of the End. —We distant descendants of the miko! You must also do as Alec-sama does, you must accept the will of the witch queen no matter what!"
With these words, the Holy Grail vanished, following the Divine Ancestor's command.
The feeling of excitement faded, but tension still hung in the air. Alice sighed, reflecting on the situation.
"It's puzzling how I should properly address my superior who appears younger than me… Madam, do you have any idea about Alexandre's personality?" The princess replied coldly, a sigh escaping her lips. Unfortunately, she understood him all too well.
"That eccentric lord here loves to play devil's advocate and act in opposition. He will never agree, no matter how serious you are, if you look at him with eyes of superiority that say 'you can have the gift you desire, but in exchange you must obey'. Instead, it will cause him to resist without hesitation. At times like this, he'd probably say…"
"'If I already know who possesses it, why would I need to listen to your demands?'"
Alec answered before Alice could even open her mouth, his voice dripping with sarcasm and defiance, as if the situation were a game he controlled completely.
"You think I'll kneel and beg? What a joke. I never hesitate even for a moment towards the treasure I desire. Because all that's left is to wrest it from the original owner's grasp!"
He scoffed with provocative undertones, his words saturated with defiant confidence. Alice, standing beside him, commented from the side, with a resigned sigh, saying "Ah, well, that's how it is."
Alec knew that if the current possessor of the Grail were a powerless or innocent commoner, he might hesitate for ethical reasons, perhaps even due to the owner's appearance of fragility. However, that wasn't the case.
Hmph, this kind of situation was the only exception. Hurry up and forget it!
Alec cursed under his breath, his thoughts racing as he approached the Divine Ancestor, his heart pounding with anticipation for what was to come.
"I never expected the holy treasure's owner to appear so carelessly… I should express my gratitude first. Thanks to you, I can finally fulfill my long-held wish!" Alec spoke with calculated irony, eyes gleaming with a mix of admiration and boredom.
He activated his ability, godspeed, now at fifty percent, which caused intense sparks to flow noisily throughout his body. The vibrant energy coursing through him made the surrounding air feel electrically charged. He could now accelerate at will, his agility bordering on the supernatural.
"So there's no more room for negotiation? What a pity. With exceptional wisdom and rationality surpassing savage instinct, listen well, you rare and terrifying godslayer. I, Guinevere, have been waiting… Or perhaps I need to seek out new situations." Guinevere spoke with a calculated gentleness, the tone of her voice laced with quiet confidence.
She sighed once, her eyes assessing Alec with an enigmatic expression.
"As Campione, illegitimate child of the valiant fool, you truly are like an untamable venomous dragon. It seems there are no exceptions." The witch spoke with a hint of veiled contempt, her smile indicating that she was simultaneously challenging and testing the limits of the man before her.
"I don't know about the other fellows, but bowing down is impossible for me!" Alec replied with a dry laugh, his eyes firm, defying any authority. The arrogance in his words echoed in his actions, as if there were nothing and no one worthy of his obedience.
Then, a cold, calculating thought crossed his mind. It was imperative to capture this irritating Divine Ancestor before considering anything else. Guinevere, despite her youthful and seemingly innocent appearance, was a complex opponent, and underestimating her could be fatal.
Clearly, she was only a seemingly harmless young girl. There was no reason for apprehension. It would suffice to use the authorities at hand, strategically bind her, take the Holy Grail, and extract any other useful information from her. Well, nothing particularly violent or savage was being planned… yet.
Alec knew that this was a strategic battle, and his mind was already plotting the next steps, his eyes fixated on the holy treasure that now seemed within his grasp.
Just as Alec pondered, an idea lingered in his mind, but he remained silent, focused on his next move.
"I think you shouldn't be hasty, Prince. After all, we are not the only ones here."
He barely had time to reflect further when something caught his attention in his peripheral vision.
A figure, clad in a cloak, a V-neck dress shirt, and white trousers with boots, appeared in Alec's field of vision. The figure wielded a completely black sword, its blade shimmering ominously. The aura around him seemed dense and menacing, as if the very air grew heavier as he approached.
Alec frowned, a clear sign that the enemy was already within striking distance before he could even react.
What was that speed!?
With a surge of urgency, Alec activated godspeed, immediately feeling the inhuman acceleration he was accustomed to experiencing. The world around him seemed to slow down, the sounds and movements diminishing around him, while he moved with agility and precision.
Normally, Alec was the only one to move freely in this accelerated world, where everything seemed to crawl around him. But at that moment, the figure wasn't trapped in his slow reality. The sword flashed with the threat of instant death. The man attacked with a dexterity that seemed unreal; he seemed to have predicted Alec's next move with absolute accuracy.
Alec was taken aback.
He knew what was happening—this was a secret martial arts technique used to counter godspeed, a rarely seen skill. Even Paolo Blandelli and Sir Iceman, men of great skill, were incapable of executing it with the perfection this foe was displaying. It was an almost supernatural ability: the man was using something akin to the "mind's eye", discerning godspeed and anticipating his movement, capturing him through the shortest and most fatal trajectory.
Dodge!
The command echoed in Alec's mind, and he reacted instantly. With a skillful leap, he moved away, narrowly escaping the deadly attack that sought to cut him in half.
When he finally moved far enough away, he stopped and looked more closely. The figure before him wasn't simply protecting Guinevere, but seemed positioned between him and her like a dividing line of forces. It wasn't an ally of the Divine Ancestor, but it didn't seem to be Alec's enemy alone either. On the contrary, there was something far more complex and dangerous in the intentions of this presence.
Now the man stood directly before him, wielding a sword. Alec and Alice didn't need more clues to recognize the man - his features were unmistakable.
Guinevere, however, was the first to speak, with a wide smile and a voice full of almost unexpected joy in the context of the situation.
"This humble lady named Guinevere gives thanks for your assistance, Your Majesty, King Adam Victory."
She didn't seem surprised, as if she had anticipated this encounter. Her smile was warm and grateful, but Alec's and Alice's eyes were focused on the man, who maintained an imposing posture.
The Sixth Campione, the Evil Buddha, merely smiled back, but the smile was enigmatic and impenetrable. He didn't say a word, just remained silent, his presence oppressive like a silent storm about to break.