"Hmm?" Melkart was confused. What else could a god-slayer be if not a Demon King of the earth?
"I am the center of the world, and the world revolves around me. Gods are merely supporting characters in my life," Luo Guang stated flatly.
"Nonsense! Do not think that because you can slay other gods, you can withstand me, Melkart!"
Two clubs appeared from the thunderclouds, driven by Melkart, and sped toward Luo Guang. The Pursuer and the Banishment were Divine Artifacts gifted to Melkart by the ancient smith god Kothar-wa-Hasis. Melkart had used them successfully to defeat the sea-dragon Yam and become King of the Gods. Now, he used these two weapons to strike Luo Guang, their speed rivaling that of Verethragna using his Phoenix Incarnation.
Yet, Luo Guang's expression remained unchanged. Each club passed dangerously close, making Melkart think he would succeed, but each time, he was disappointed. Melkart's face hardened, and the two flying clubs struck with greater force. But no matter how powerful they were, they were useless if they couldn't hit their target.
Finally, Boom!
The two clubs plunged straight into the earth, causing the entire island of Sardinia to shake violently. When the smoke cleared, the clubs stood like monolithic pillars jutting up from the ground.
Luo Guang remained silent. But reality proved that, in this moment, he was indeed the center of the world. It was as if fate itself would side with him if he merely willed it.
Melkart grew increasingly agitated and furious. He was deeply displeased with Luo Guang's attitude. As a human, he showed no reverence for a god. And he audaciously claimed to be the center of the world. How could anyone be so incredibly arrogant? Even a Campione shouldn't have such confidence when facing a god!
Melkart grabbed the clubs and, with a booming sound, tore them out of the deeply embedded earth.
"It seems you are confident in the Authority you usurped from another god. But, I warn you not to rely on that kind of trickery! To Melkart, the unyielding dragon-slayer and embodiment of lightning, any god is ultimately a minor character!"
Melkart raised the Banishment club. With a crash, lightning descended from the heavens. It seemed to enchant the weapon, and the rough surface of the club became covered in thread-like streams of lightning power. This act also summoned powerful thunderclouds. A huge roar of thunder exploded directly over Luo Guang's head, clearly gathering the power of lightning.
The enormous Melkart landed on a nearby mountain, a delighted smile forming on his face.
"The weapons used on the battlefield are not words, but swords and blades, and powerful fists! I will let your body fully comprehend this!"
The thunderclouds above and the power Melkart was accumulating continued to climb, a threat that even Luo Guang couldn't ignore. But the greater the threat, the greater the value in defeating it.
"Heh heh, Melkart! It seems you, too, have been forced into a bitter struggle with this Campione!"
Just then, Verethragna's golden-glowing figure appeared opposite Luo Guang, his laughter filled with schadenfreude. His handsome young face was wreathed in smiles, and his eyes held amusement as he looked at Melkart.
Melkart was enraged by Verethragna's gaze. Hot steam constantly puffed from his nose and mouth.
"Silence! You shape-shifting God of War, do not belittle me! After I shatter the body of this God-Slayer, I will use the Pursuer and Banishment to send you back to the myths as well!"
"If you can manage that. But it appears we are the prey in this God-Slayer's eyes right now." Verethragna turned his attention back to Luo Guang.
Their previous brief exchange made him realize how troublesome Luo Guang was. Even though he had used various Incarnations, he was always just a step behind. It was unheard of for a novice Campione to utilize his power to such a degree. If Melkart hadn't suddenly attacked from the side, he might have already been defeated.
However, thanks to Melkart diverting Luo Guang's attention, Verethragna was able to observe the essence of the Authority Luo Guang was using. Through his divine eyes, Verethragna recognized the name of the god Luo Guang had slain. He used this knowledge to complete the preparations for his Golden Sword.
"Come on, both of you." Luo Guang offered no unnecessary words. He simply ran his hand along the blade of the Demon-Slaying Holy Sword, causing the metal to emit a crisp, vibrant hum.
It was at that moment that his peripheral vision caught a figure darting out near the edge of the battlefield. Despite the distance, Luo Guang recognized him. It was a short young man with dark hair, dressed in a tracksuit and carrying a backpack. He was tightly clutching a gray stone slab in his hands.
Unlike ordinary people, he was not retreating from the battle; he was continually drawing closer.
Godou Kusanagi was being guided by an intense, instinctual sensation. Though his heart was filled with terror toward the battlefield, he kept running due to the strange stirring within him. The stone slab in his arms was growing hot even in the cold rain.
According to the Sardinian witch, Lucrezia, whom he had visited, the stone slab contained the fire-stealing power of the god Prometheus. It was also this stone slab that allowed Godou to clearly see the divine nature causing the apocalyptic scene.
Gods were fighting.
He didn't know what to do, but driven by instinct, he raised the Stone Tablet of Prometheus. The tablet glowed brightly and shot out a blue flame, targeting Verethragna, who was preparing his Golden Sword.
"The Secret Stone of Prometheus?" The anomaly caught Verethragna's attention. He was momentarily anxious, knowing Luo Guang was the more difficult opponent, but seeing that the Campione was unfazed, he immediately changed his tactic and chanted a Word of Power specifically aimed at Prometheus. If the stone hit him, he would lose the power of one Incarnation, which would be detrimental to the upcoming battle.
"I declare in my name: Prometheus, the ancient sage, fear me and swiftly withdraw! I am the one who shatters all obstacles! The powerful and the unrighteous cannot conquer me!"
Hundreds of golden-glowing orbs appeared around Verethragna. These orbs intercepted the blue divine fire in mid-air, causing its color and divine power to fade until the flame was completely extinguished.
Godou Kusanagi's eyes widened. Just as he tried to use the stone again, he heard Verethragna's cold voice: "Fool with the secret stone of Prometheus, do not interfere with the battle between me and the God-Slayer!"
In the next second, a bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky, striking Godou Kusanagi and instantly rendering him unconscious.