On the Retreat Path
Hurriedly following Ritsuka, Rama sensed the intense Mana emanating from behind and couldn't help but ask, "Master, is it really okay to leave that man alone back there? Should I go back to help him?"
"I agree, or I'll drag him back right now and check if his brain has some mental disorder!"
Nightingale abruptly stopped, preparing to turn around and pull Naoki back.
But before she could, Hinako held her back. "No need. Just leave that place to him alone. If we go back, we'll only get in his way."
"But…"
Could one person really take on that Mad King?
At the very least, Rama himself couldn't fight and defeat him. He had a clear understanding of the Mad King's strength, having had his heart ripped out by him before.
Ritsuka smiled. "I believe in the Department Head… I believe the Department Head is the strongest. I believe he'll definitely win. Even though it's been over half a year since I last saw him, I still believe in the Department Head."
"Hmm, me too." Mash nodded as well. "Trust in big brother, you two."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The Mad King could sense death.
Not because he had eyes that could see death, nor because he could predict the future. It was merely the instinct of a warrior telling him this fact.
He was now standing in a place very, very close to death.
"Your fangs are sharp, golden-hair."
The Mad King sneered.
"Likewise. Your fangs are sharp too." Naoki said, stretching his arms and legs. "So… before we start, can you answer one question, Mad King?"
"Huh? What question?"
"Is Scáthach dead?"
"…"
As if his system had crashed, the Mad King paused for a moment before sighing. "I thought you'd ask something serious, but it's a boring question like this… That woman is dead, completely dead. I have a definite feeling that I crushed her Spirit Core—does that answer satisfy you?"
Spirit Core destroyed.
For a Servant, the Spirit Core is their heart, the spiritual foundation that forms their being. If it's destroyed, they are indeed dead.
"I see… Well, that's a relief. If I hurry, I might still make it in time."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Naoki smiled. "I made a promise with her ten years ago that the next time we met, I'd give her death—this might be my only chance. Though I arrived a bit late, I think I can still make it."
The Mad King scoffed upon hearing this.
"You think she's still alive?"
"Do you think she's someone who'd die just like that?"
This rhetorical question left the Mad King momentarily speechless.
Indeed, thinking of that woman, something like that couldn't be said to have killed her. He should've torn her body to pieces—but saying all that now was pointless.
"So you're saying you still have a chance to fight her again?"
"Hmm, after I finish you off. To be honest, it won't take much time—"
Before he could finish, the Mad King, still several meters away, charged toward Naoki. His armored arm, fully transformed into a beast's, swung down fiercely as if to rip the ground apart along with him!
A sudden attack—it couldn't quite be called that. For the Mad King, it was just his most basic strike. But even though it was basic, it was an attack he executed with utmost seriousness.
What he didn't know was that even an attack like this, which seemed unpredictable and nearly impossible to react to for others, was considered extremely slow in Naoki's eyes. For someone who could sense changes in the world, the moment the Mad King began his attack, Naoki was already prepared to respond!
*CLANG!*
The beastly arm and claws collided fiercely!
A sensation like striking a massive barrel reverberated back to the Mad King's hand!
So hard!
What was this man's body made of? Why was it so tough? This clearly wasn't just Mana protection or physical reinforcement!
*BANG!*
As that question flashed through the Mad King's mind, Naoki, with one hand blocking the beastly claws, clenched his other fist and smashed it into the Mad King's side! The armor there instantly caved in, a hole blasted open with a single punch!
(Just with his physical strength… Impressive!)
"—Aaaaarrghh!!"
Completely ignoring all remaining thoughts, surrendering his body entirely to his wild instincts, the Mad King roared. The Mana in his body suddenly halted, and then, along with himself, it surged into a state comparable to a berserk rampage!
No, correction—comparable wasn't needed.
He was truly in a berserk, uncontrollable state!
*BAMMM!!!*
Like every bullet in a magazine being fired at once, a massive number of black demonic spears shot wildly from the Mad King's entire body! They were unleashed at Naoki from nearly point-blank range!
Every inch of his vision was occupied by black spears. At this distance, even if Naoki noticed the spears the moment they appeared, his current position made it nearly impossible to react in time!
He would be pierced—but that assumed one key premise. For an attack to hit Naoki, it had to either catch him off guard or have a guaranteed hit effect. A random area attack relying on luck like this…
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
The Mad King's massive body was instantly pierced by countless black spears!
Displacement Magecraft.
In a certain sense, this was absolute defense. Unless someone could disrupt space itself, this technique was the strongest fortress.
How does it feel to be stabbed by your own attack?
Naoki didn't ask that question. Instead, he raised his leg and kicked the Mad King's chest with force. Once again, a sensation like being stabbed by a spear! The Mad King was sent flying dozens of meters by the kick!
*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*
Chains appeared again from thin air. The Mad King, unable to find footing in midair, had his limbs bound once more. Then dozens of chains twisted into one, piercing straight toward him!
The chains couldn't fully restrain the Mad King, but that didn't matter. One second was enough. Just holding him for a single second gave Naoki enough time to pierce his Spirit Core!
*PU-CHI!*
A spiral drill formed from dozens of chains pierced through the Mad King's body without resistance! It completely shattered his Spirit Core!
But, right at the moment his body was pierced—
*CRACK!*
His four limbs, still brimming with strength, forcefully broke the chains. He yanked the chains in his chest until they snapped. Landing back on the ground, the Mad King created a crater upon impact. He transformed into a rampaging assault tank and charged at Naoki with full speed!
Was one strike not enough?
Or could he not be fully destroyed unless eradicated entirely?
Whatever the case…
"It makes no difference."
Naoki flicked his finger slightly. The space in front of him trembled instantly. And as the Mad King charged into that trembling space, his entire shell, along with the frenzied beastly form, turned into a dense mist of blood in an instant!
Imaginary Manifestation – Spatial Layer Domain.
"Whether I kill you a hundred times or obliterate you in one go, it's all the same to me."
"Seriously, finishing you off won't take much time at all."