I wondered what my old self would have done. Before I was defeated by Issei, how would I have acted in a moment like this? Just imagining that version of "me" was enough to make me chuckle.
I flashed a self-deprecating smile. "I feel the same. A little while ago, I would have taken a very different path."
"The leader of the Hero Faction... the man they once called the 'Poison of the Anomalies.' You seem strangely lacking in ambition now. Weren't you planning to pierce the gods and buddhas of the world with that spear?"
It was true. Not long ago, that was my mantra. As the wielder of the Holy Spear and a descendant of a legendary Hero, I wanted to scream my name across the world of the supernatural. Devils, Fallen Angels, Angels, Dragons, Youkai—I wanted to see how far my human strength could reach against those who lurked in the shadows of the world with power far beyond our own. That was the first purpose I ever had. My reason for living.
I spent my days in constant battle. Alongside the Sacred Gear users who gathered around me, we bared our fangs at everything—be it Devil, Dragon, or God.
And then, I met them.
The Red Dragon Emperor, Issei Hyoudou. The White Dragon Emperor, Vali Lucifer.
I had never feared a god or a monster, but those two made me feel true terror. One showed me a level of sheer genius that eclipsed my own. The other showed me a well of infinite potential—and then proceeded to shatter my heart and everything I used to support it.
I let out a cynical laugh. "My petty ambitions were ground into dust by him. My purpose, my reason for fighting, my power, and my pride... they were all crushed."
I felt as though I had lost everything I had ever built. I, who called myself a Hero, had been forced to bow before the reality of what a true Hero is. Both in power and in spirit.
I can still feel the weight of the blow he dealt me. The weight of the word "Hero" as it was delivered through his fist.
"I was chasing a 'Hero' that was nothing more than a convenience for myself. I didn't understand the meaning or the weight of the word. Heh... it's only natural I lost. A counterfeit can never surpass the original."
The difference between him—a true Hero—and me, someone who just wanted to be a Hero, was absolute. I hadn't realized that gap existed. I challenged him in my ignorance, and I was broken.
Suddenly, Hercules nudged me with a laugh.
"Look at our 'Leader,' spouting all these weak-willed words. Damn, did the Red Dragon Emperor's punch really sink that deep into your head?"
"Look at yourself, Hercules," I countered. "You've softened up quite a bit, haven't you? A few months ago, I couldn't have imagined you in a jumpsuit, tilling soil in a garden."
When I went to find him, Hercules was at a kindergarten in the Underworld, tending to the grounds and looking after children. Seeing him being called "Mister" by toddlers nearly made me burst into tears of laughter.
Hercules clicked his tongue, looking miffed. "Tch, don't remind me. I'm as surprised as anyone. But hey, if you want to talk about 'unimaginable,' look at Jeanne. The Jeanne of old would never have been caught dead cooking meals in a Vatican kitchen."
"Oh, stop it," Jeanne chimed in. "I was the cook even back when we were the Hero Faction. Honestly, I think Diarmuid only stayed with us because of my cooking."
"That guy was just a freeloader," Hercules grumbled. "Besides, I heard he's basically been tamed by the Red Dragon Emperor's little sister. She keeps him fed."
"Ah... that makes sense," Jeanne sighed. "He never could say no to a good meal. Especially fried chicken."
"Speaking of which, Cao Cao," Hercules grinned. "He still hates your guts because you wouldn't share your fried chicken with him that one time."
"You really should have given him a piece," Jeanne teased. "Leader, you're such a cheapskate."
I stared at them, deadpan. "...That's uncalled for. First of all, that was a limited-edition batch I went out of my way to buy. And when Diarmuid showed up, I was on my last piece—it was already in my mouth. If you're telling me I should have handed over something I was already chewing, please, explain the logistics. Was I supposed to spit it out?"
""Stingy Liu Bei,"" they said in unison.
"Why are you switching historical figures?!" I snapped.
Is this a trend? Is this a bit they've been practicing behind my back?
Georg adjusted his glasses and murmured, "Cao Cao... it seems you have a real talent."
"I don't want to hear it, Georg."
"A talent for being the 'straight man' in a comedy duo. You might even beat the Red Dragon Emperor at that."
"I don't want to win like that!"
What does it even mean to "win" as a straight man? How long do they plan on mocking me?
"""Until we die, obviously."""
"Stop reading my mind!" I yelled. "Since when did you all gain telepathy? Is this a new spell Georg picked up in the abyss?"
Georg replied calmly, "No. We just read it on your face. Congratulations, Cao Cao. In the 'easy to read' department, you've finally reached the Red Dragon Emperor's level."
"I don't want to be on his level for that!"
I can't take this. How did it come to this? Is this my divine punishment? If so, it's remarkably exhausting. Being dropped into the underworld by Indra was far more dignified than this.
I let out a massive sigh and turned my attention back to Apophis. I shrugged my shoulders. "My apologies. This is the pathetic end of the man once called the Poison of the Anomalies. But... a part of me thinks this isn't such a bad way to be."
"I see. I certainly don't feel the aura of 'Supremacy' from you anymore... but there is a different atmosphere about you now."
"I don't have anything I need to protect anymore... but I do have a goal. Not as the 'Poison,' not as a descendant of a Hero. I will surpass him as a single human being. That is my goal now. It's a step down in scale from my old ambitions, but it feels far more worth the effort. My life, my soul, my power. I believe it's worth betting everything I am on it."
I tapped the spear against my shoulder before leveling the point at Apophis. The spear gave off a dull, steady glow, vibrating with a powerful resonance. Even I could tell the aura was different now.
Apophis narrowed his eyes at the glowing Holy Spear.
"Allow me to retract my previous statement. The heat I feel from you now is formidable. It isn't the roaring wildfire of the Red Dragon Emperor. It is quiet, like the stillness of the deep sea, yet it radiates an undeniable intensity."
Apophis closed his eyes, a serene yet eerie aura surrounding him. Unlike Grendel or Ladon, he lacked raw savagery, but he possessed an unsettling presence that far exceeded them. He had unleashed his power alongside Trihexa and Azi Dahaka across the world—his strength was beyond common sense.
But if I let myself be intimidated here, I'll never surpass him.
"Apophis, the 'Primordial Eclipse Dragon.' I am going to strike you down."
"Very well. The strongest Longinus and its wielder. You are a worthy opponent."
We exchanged fearless smiles.
I mounted my Treasured Elephant and soared through the sky. Using the Treasured Scholar, I created over a dozen clones, all of them closing in on Apophis simultaneously.
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