I understand. Kelvum’s thoughts were clear. I understood them well. Putting aside the idea of storming other worlds, I wouldn’t mind going with him to defeat the heads of the Ten Authorities. That way, the location of the enemy’s main base, White Wing Land, would become clear, and I could cross-reference it with Rukil’s information. There’s a possibility this invitation itself is a trap, so I should be wary of that, but… I don’t feel like he’s lying. Well, I can confirm with Sera and the others later, and then the real picture will emerge. So, considering everything, the benefits of cooperating are enormous. Enormous… but.
“And, you’re strong too, aren’t you, Kelvum?”
“…? Aren’t I saying that?”
“Then let me confirm that for myself. Fighting gods from other worlds, joining the Ten Authorities—as you say, the reward for success is quite attractive to me. However, let’s say we cooperate and defeat Eld. Even if I wasn’t aiming for the top, you’d end up taking the lead in a somewhat disorderly fashion afterward, right?”
“…Ah, there might be some discussions with the other Ten Authorities, but in all likelihood, that’s how it will be. What about it?”
“I’m worried. What if my future superior, in that scenario, is weaker than me?”
“…Oh?”
A slight killing intent leaked from Kelvum. Ah, it’s a nice, dark killing intent.
“So, I want you to let me experience your strength. It’s fine, just a little. If you’re the second-in-command of the Ten Authorities, a battle with me should be like twisting a baby’s arm, right?”
“Hah, you say it so casually. Unfortunately, my power is not suited for holding back. Once you decide to test it—you’ll die?”
As if turning a faucet from slightly open to fully open, a pleasant killing intent overflowed from Kelvum. At the same time, the corners of my mouth turned up. Because, you see, kukuku… he’s more than I imagined.
“Well, don’t worry about such trivial things. Besides, if a man who dies instantly fighting you can fight Eld, who is stronger than you, do you think he’ll be of any use? You don’t, right? Even if we set aside the record of defeating the Ten Authorities once or twice, it’s most realistic to assess the strength of your collaborator yourself. For both of us.”
“Ku, kukuku, I see, I see, I see. Kelvin, you’ve been wanting to fight me all this time with that intention? I thought you were just a battle maniac, but you have a surprisingly intelligent side. I like it.”
“…Ah, I intended to do so from the beginning.”
I’m not lying, not at all.
“Then, I shall indulge your wish.”
“I’m glad you’re willing. Ah, yes. Since it’s a battle, let’s add a game element. How about this… the loser has to grant the winner one command, whatever it may be? It’s simple and easy to understand, isn’t it? If you win, you can make me accept all your proposals, or if you don’t like it, you can just finish me off. I could even write a contract, if you like?”
“…Unnecessary. At the end of a fight, such impolite things are not needed. Besides, even before discussing games, it is only natural that the victor gains control over the defeated.”
“Haha, I’m glad you’re quick to understand.”
As I slung my black staff over my shoulder and moved back, he also began to retreat. Good, the fact that we can naturally establish a fair distance without any discussion. Unlike at first, he reads the atmosphere around here now.
“This is taking longer than I expected. Let’s get started before my artificial body’s time limit runs out. Are you ready?”
“Of course. I will measure you, I will gauge you, and I will make you submit, Kelvum! I, Kelvum Lipita, the former ruler of the underworld and hailed as the ‘God of Death’!”
“Ooh, even better! Is this what they call a battle cry on the battlefield? Well then, ahem… S-Rank Adventurer, ‘Grim Reaper,’ Kelvin Celsius! Though I am weak, I will resist, and incidentally, entertain me!”
I unleashed my fighting spirit, magic power, and pressure. The surrounding sea and clouds seemed to be in chaos, but for now, I focused only on Kelvum.
“Great Wind Demon God Scythe!”
“Emperor’s Law Scythe!”
As a start, I summon my trusty companion, the great scythe. It fits my hand and stirs my fighting spirit even more—or so I thought, when Kelvum also brought out a great scythe. It was entirely black, reminiscent of the pitch-black magic that Kuromel used in her Black Goddess days. While I’m thinking of such things during a battle, I wonder if our fighting styles are also similar? Come to think of it, weren’t their epithets similar earlier?
“But, strangely, this is my first scythe vs. scythe battle. That’s fresh and good…!”
“A well-worn weapon is indeed a good one. However, I am more dangerous.”
“…”Hmph!”
His jet-black great scythe and my storm-swept great scythe clashed head-on.
“…”!”
The moment they collided, my great scythe vanished, and his great scythe was cleanly bisected. Can I honestly be happy about this turn of events? Unlike in the battle with Ridwan, or rather Hard, the attack reached the enemy. However, I wasn’t unscathed either, as my great scythe vanished due to some unknown effect. No, it would be more accurate to say that the magic power used for the great scythe disappeared instantly. The sea and clouds, which were split by the shockwave of the attack, remained, so it seems magic was being targeted? …Haha, what a foolish question! This turn of events is truly delightful!
“I’m so happy, a battle against a formidable enemy for the first time! Is it some kind of magic absorption, or power that nullifies magic!?”
“Hmph, to cleave my Emperor’s Law Scythe. Your power is simple, but that makes it vicious!”
We summoned our great scythes again and attacked each other. Each time we clashed weapons, both great scythes were destroyed, so we were in a competition to regenerate our great scythes faster than the enemy and swing them faster. The enemy also seemed adept at handling great scythes, and this brute-force push-and-shove was evenly matched. Around the time our scythes were destroyed about twenty times, we sprang apart and created distance from each other.
“Severing Cyclone Swarm!”
I didn’t have time to create distance. While doing so, I chanted the S-Rank Green Magic [Severing Cyclone Swarm], summoning several tornadoes into this sea area. These tornadoes, swirling with the seawater below, function as offensive means, sturdy defenses, and even as a smokescreen—a versatile magic. Furthermore, these tornadoes can merge and separate, adapting to various battle situations. Now, how should I attack from here—
“—Wind Burial Black Sky Ring”
Immediately after I completed my chant, Kelvum expanded a jet-black wave, like a ring, around him. Like the movement of ripples when water droplets fall on the surface, the ring expanded outwards with tremendous speed. The jet-black ripple was as thin as paper and, even if fast, was just expanding horizontally, making it easy for me to dodge. But touching it would be seriously dangerous. My Detection Skill kept blaring alarms, warning me at all costs to absolutely not touch it.
