The final sanctuary, Cradle.
The indestructible barrier had dissolved. That was good. However, if things remained as they were, I would take a direct hit from the colossal beam. My surroundings were enveloped in layer upon layer of compressed Viscous Wind Reflecting Barrier. When Bel used this in the Demon Lord’s Castle, it had successfully defended against Efil’s Breaking Blast White Arrow and Mudo’s Dragon Roar Super Compression Bullet, deflecting them. However, that was achievable by combining it with Bel’s ability to diminish the power of her target. I didn’t possess such a power, and this time, I had to endure the onslaught of light unleashed by Iris solely through sheer durability. If this were equivalent in power to Mel’s full-force Star, I had to recall our sparring matches. Let’s consider whether I could escape danger by focusing solely on defense.
“Impossible.”
Mel’s Star was not something that could be faced head-on without the Shrine Maiden’s Secret Art, the indestructible barrier, or an absurd amount of luck like Serge. The idea of me trying to withstand it with mere wind was fundamentally absurd. Moreover, focusing on defense was unlike me. Neither option was on the table; I couldn’t defend. Therefore, I had no choice but to press forward.
“Great Wind Demon God Scythe!”
I unleashed a storm of blades from the great scythe and sent it flying. The Grim Reaper’s wind, which could cleave through even the Viscous Wind Reflecting Barrier and sever all things, collided with the divine light.
“How blasphemous to challenge a god!”
“Whether you’re a god or not, it’s your fault for being outmatched!”
The great scythe’s purpose was no different than usual: to devour anything that opposed it and overcome it, no matter what. This was no exception for Iris’s divine light. The storm of blades I unleashed tore through the colossal beam from the center, advancing relentlessly. I pursued the path carved by the ever-advancing blade, flying towards Iris, who held the Sacred Spear.
However, charging in like this and facing another indestructible barrier again would be troublesome. While Iris’s attention was focused on me—
“Hey, hey, is this all your faith amounts to? If this is it, the current Shrine Maiden, Colette, is far more deranged than you are? Don’t disappoint me any further.”
“My faith is insufficient…!? What insolence to say such a thing!?”
I dispelled Mel’s summon again and summoned her behind Iris, who continued her attack. This Shrine Maiden was so easy to provoke, her anger points were obvious. Thanks to that, Mel’s surprise attack succeeded once more.
“Mel, Mel, Mel— Fina!”
Struck by Mel’s Sacred Spear from behind, Iris fell towards me.
“Your Excellency!”
“Ouh!”
It was rare for the Saint to fall like this multiple times in a single day. The first time, I considered a lenient reception like being crushed, but there wouldn’t be a next time. Flapping her radiant wings, Iris tried to control her falling speed, but it was too late.
“Guh—!”
The Grim Reaper’s great scythe grazed Iris’s abdomen, and with a return stroke, it slashed downwards, severing her Halo as well. I would scatter her innards and deliver a decisive blow.
“Well, of course, she’d rewind.”
Iris’s body, cleanly cut into four pieces, revealed a scene I had become accustomed to. Absorbing the gushing blood and organs into myself, I reconnected the severed parts. It was nothing. Iris had applied a secret art to her own body to negate mortal wounds. It was only natural that if she had bestowed regenerative abilities on the barrier and the Cathedral with time reversal, she wouldn’t do so for herself.
“It’s useless! As long as I have the faith that connects me to God, I am limitless—”
“—Punishing Light of Salvation.”
Iris’s cry was drowned out by the descending destructive light. It was the rain of light once used by Estoria, a former Apostle. Unleashed without a moment’s delay after I had cleaved her with my great scythe, Iris was swallowed by that light. However, it was quite ironic for one who preached salvation to be struck down by the light of salvation.
I had naturally considered the possibility of the Saint regenerating. This was merely a confirmation. If I knew that beforehand, the next move would naturally come to mind. Besides, this was merely a rehash of Uncle Nito. Even if used now, the countermeasures from that time could still be applied.
“Guh…! This Cathedral—”
“Not happening.”
Creating a gap in the rain of light just large enough for me to pass, I launched a surprise attack and cleaved its opening with my great scythe before she could activate the troublesome barrier.
“………!”
Iris’s face flew into the air, but she regenerated, as expected. In the process, our eyes met, and she glared at me intensely. A Saint should not make such a face. She should be more of a mad zealot, with utter madness swirling within.
Well, this was the end of it. Evading a fatal blow using the Shrine Maiden’s Secret Art didn’t happen instantaneously. There was a slight time lag in reconnecting damaged parts and rewinding scattered innards. By killing her repeatedly like this, Iris would be unable to do anything and would simply await the next death. In the meantime, we ended our long aerial journey and returned to the surface.
“Well, let’s head back to our nostalgic Cathedral.”
“………”
We landed at the Cathedral, our starting point. Iris, who had been cast down here earlier, was subsequently frozen solid by Mel’s magic, her mouth sealed shut so she couldn’t speak. Next, she would be restrained by sealing magic such as Glory’s Sanctuary. In other words, instead of killing her, we just needed to neutralize her.
The Sacred Spear Eclipse and the Black Book—no, the White Book now. Those were confiscated as well. The pipe organ-like altar that had been supplying Iris with magic power was also blocked by ice in its metallic pipes, severing the connection. Perhaps due to the altar being sealed, Iris’s Halo and wings disappeared. With that, Iris was left staring here resentfully.
“With this, Iris’s neutralization is complete. With the chains of sealing, she probably can’t use magic or secret arts either. And she can’t even chant them.”
“Next is that Cradle, which Iris holds so dear and is enshrined on the altar.”
The pipe organ, now mostly covered in ice. Atop this enormous altar was a Cradle that seemed related to Elearis’s revival. It was undoubtedly the thing that Ange and Bel mentioned Iris always kept by her side.
“Destroying it would be the quickest way, but is that okay? Is there perhaps a baby inside who’s supposed to become a god?”
“When I flew into the sky earlier, I glimpsed inside, but there was nothing. Either way, destroying it should be a blow to the Apostles.”
“Then let’s get this over with. I’ve sealed the altar’s magic supply to the White Book as well. In its current state, Iris’s secret art will likely only activate once at best. I’ll strike it down with my great scythe—”
“—Ssss, Ssss.”
Suddenly, I heard a ringing in my ears. A sound like a TV’s static, which shouldn’t be audible in this situation.
(Ssss— Finally, finally. Since that day, Ssss— How many years have passed, Ss—)
The static sound gradually subsided, and instead, a woman’s voice reached my ears. This voice, where—
“—Are you enjoying yourself, my lord? Yes, yes, I know without you saying it. The pinnacle of an endless battle. This time, I won’t let you despair. I won’t let gods interfere either. Please, enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content.”
That’s right. This voice belonged to her, whom I had vaguely heard in my dreams. But, however… this voice, it was as if—
“—My lord?”
Mel, seeing me suddenly freeze, peered at me with concern. Ah, as I thought. This voice—
“—The magic the Judge left in the book is also nearing its limit. It’s almost time. Iris, no, Elearis. Though you were a false being, you served me well. Rest now. I, no, Melfina, have also guided you until this point. Henceforth, I will inherit the seat of the Reincarnated Goddess.”
Without any preamble, without any sensation of magic flow, two Sacred Spears, Luminary and Eclipse, moved within the stopped time. They pierced the hearts of Melfina and Iris without hesitation.
