The next day, Yusei woke up rubbing his sleepy eyes to the sound of the earth shaking violently.
Just like yesterday, the Divine Power filling Sardinia and the intense tremors all proved that the Heretic God who had hidden yesterday had emerged again.
Yusei quickly dressed and washed up. Just as he was about to open the door, Erica pushed it open, her face filled with anxiety.
"Yusei-sama, the gods are planning to use this area as their battlefield!"
"So, there are two Heretic Gods?"
"That's correct." A trace of a bitter smile appeared on Erica's lips.
Her mood wasn't good at the moment. Fighting two alone... was not an easy task.
Of course, perhaps they could try to use one of the Heretic Gods, forming a temporary alliance first. But if handled poorly, it could easily turn into the gods deciding to 'clear out the troublesome human' first.
Yusei nodded, his face showing no particular worry.
"I understand. I'll go by myself."
"That won't do! Protecting the King is a knight's duty!" Erica retorted.
She absolutely could not let Yusei die here. The Copper-Black Cross had placed their bets on him.
If he were to fall here, all their previous efforts would be wasted.
Yusei naturally understood Erica's intentions, or rather, the intentions of the organization behind her, but he couldn't be bothered to dwell on it.
Leaving aside the question of who was using whom, having extra people to handle chores was simply convenient.
"It's fine. If I can't win, I'll just run away directly," Yusei said with a light laugh.
Seeing Yusei's firm attitude, Erica hesitated repeatedly but ultimately nodded, "If you need any help at all, please call for me immediately. I will be on standby at all times."
"Alright."
...
In the distance, on the open ground, a colossal Heretic God and another floating in the air stood facing each other.
"God-King Melqart! Now, let me thoroughly enjoy the pleasure of battle!" The robed Persian God of Victories, Verethragna, who looked like a child, laughed heartily.
"Hmph. You are as detestable as ever. Your arrogance in awakening me just for a fight... I will teach you a proper lesson today."
"Hahaha, then come!"
The battle between the two gods, was about to erupt. However, at that moment, a voice suddenly interrupted.
"Might I ask if you two would allow me to join the battle as well?"
Yusei's figure flashed into the scene, faint traces of lightning crackling around him.
The two Heretic Gods were startled. His speed surprised them as well. But soon, Verethragna laughed loudly.
"A human warrior? A Campione? I hope you can bring me pleasure as well."
"I have no objections. I am the God-King, I fear no challenge," The God-King Melqart also said solemnly.
Yusei smiled slightly but didn't speak. Instead, he drew Futsu no Mitama, his body gradually enveloped by Sword Intent Mode.
The next moment, he took action directly. His figure instantly transformed into a bolt of lightning and vanished from his original spot.
Moving at high speed, in the blink of an eye, he appeared before Verethragna and swung his blade.
Compared to the gigantic Melqart, Verethragna, who was within a similar size range, was undoubtedly easier to deal with.
However, the sword strike that seemed capable of severing everything ultimately cut through nothing but air.
Verethragna had moved away with equally rapid speed.
Melqart, being Verethragna's old rival, naturally knew what this was.
"Already using one of his Authorities, the Phoenix? A speed-type Campione..."
Yusei's first strike missed. His figure moved again, suddenly thrusting out like a sharp sword.
In this world, regarding sword techniques, he possessed the Authority. Any exquisitely crafted sword skill would pale before him.
One could say he stood at the pinnacle of sword techniques in this world.
The impenetrable swordplay, the clear clashing of divine artifacts, rang out crisply across the open ground.
The battle that originally belonged to Melqart and Verethragna now had Melqart becoming a spectator.
However, he wasn't in a hurry. Instead, he watched with great interest as the Campione fought his old rival.
It was the first time he had seen Verethragna so hard-pressed, unable to effectively counterattack, forced to rely solely on the Phoenix's speed to evade.
Of course, Verethragna hadn't used his other Authorities yet.
A large wound on Verethragna's body healed at a visible rate. His face showed no pain, instead, it carried an expression of exhilaration.
"Hahaha, the feeling of being wounded! This is the battle I seek! I acknowledge you, Campione. Come, let us engage in a life-or-death struggle!"
"O unstoppable Sun, grant me thy shining steed. O spirited horse with swift hooves, bring hither the halo symbolizing the Lord!"
As the chant echoed, the overcast sky suddenly brightened. A radiance akin to the sun itself charged towards the earth.
Simultaneously, that 'sun' was accompanied by the neighing of a horse.
"Neigh!"
The solar stallion charged towards Yusei, illuminating the land.
Yusei remained unflustered. The Complete Body Susanoo instantly took form, gripping the ethereal Futsu no Mitama and directly slashing at the white stallion.
Susanoo Armor, wielding Futsu no Mitama, struck the descending white stallion head-on.
On one side was the Authority of the Sun, and on the other was the Susanoo Armor, enhanced by Takemikazuchi's Authority.
The clash between the two caused the area to instantly begin evaporating and shattering.
The brilliance of the sun, the fury of the lightning… both sought to destroy this vast land.
As the energy continuously expanded, the earth, trees, and rocks were annihilated, the power seemingly intent on vaporizing everything.
As for the two beings at the center of the confrontation, Yusei and Verethragna were swallowed by the explosive curtain of light.
...
This scene attracted the attention of many. Among them, a spiky-haired boy watched the distant light, hesitation in his heart. An intuition told him to go there, that he would regret it for a lifetime if he didn't.
From another direction, Erica, who was ready to provide support at any moment, also paled upon seeing this.
Without almost any hesitation, she rushed towards the epicenter of the explosion.
She and the Copper-Black Cross couldn't afford the gamble. If something happened to this Campione, they would have no one left to invest in.