Maya Hansen had once conducted an in-depth, cellular-level examination of Solomon's body.
The examination took place around the time the Royal Guard Project was proposed. Fueled by her intense curiosity about the Arcanist's physiology, Maya seized the opportunity to analyze Solomon's biological anomalies and compare them to the physiology of the Asgardians, seeking to understand the differences in their evolutionary paths. One of the most notable conclusions drawn from this analysis was that his body contained ATP in concentrations far beyond the normal 50.7 grams. The efficiency of his Calvin cycle, glycolysis, and tricarboxylic acid cycle was astounding, and the speed at which ADP bonded with phosphate groups was nothing short of miraculous. The immense lactic acid generated by physical exertion was oxidized into carbon dioxide and water almost instantly by his heart and skeletal muscles. His exceptionally powerful liver and kidneys could maintain blood sugar levels even during intense activity.
Although a comprehensive study of his liver had not yet been completed at the time, the bio-labs in the Immortal City had uncovered part of the reason behind this. His mitochondria operated at an extremely high efficiency when synthesizing high-energy phosphate compounds. In an ordinary human, this level of mitochondrial respiratory chain activity would result in a terrifying degenerative disease and severe metabolic dysfunction. But in Solomon, it became an advantage—because the rest of his body was equally extraordinary.
His mitochondria became a top-secret research project in the Immortal City and in the many biological labs the city had acquired. Those unaware of the true purpose believed they were studying mitochondrial complex deficiencies. The Royal Guard Project was, in essence, an attempt to replicate the functions of Solomon's body in ordinary humans. However, this replication was incredibly expensive, and required the human subject to grow certain specialized organs to even attempt to access such capabilities. Simply put, Solomon could sustain extreme physical activity for extended periods because his body could supply the energy required, allowing him to fight continuously without pause.
The masked sage knew nothing of this examination, but he experienced Solomon's power firsthand. As his own arms began to falter, the Arcanist still swung the holy sword at full speed—no, faster than before—as if his strength were limitless and exhaustion meant nothing to him. The two of them seemed to have plunged into a pitch-black tunnel. It felt like a thousand years passed, and they clashed several more times.
Only when they crashed into the bottomless waters of an underground lake did the battle finally pause.
Solomon's entire body was ablaze with magical fire, which now transformed into physical force, vaporizing the liquid around him like an undersea volcano. Dense white bubbles surrounded him. Powerful currents swept his body along like a leaf caught in the tide. His power armor reported pressure, temperature, and other data continuously, alerting him to the severity of his situation. Thankfully, the armor's seals were built for space combat, leaving no risk of flooding. When he finally began to shut down his stigmata to clear his vision, the masked sage had already vanished.
The jet engines reduced fuel flow and retracted part of their chambers to avoid stalling. At the same time, high-strength turbine blades shifted their angles while maintaining rotation, channeling water through diversion ports. Originally designed for rainy conditions, they now served as underwater thrusters, working in tandem with steam generated by vaporized lake water to push him toward the surface.
Solomon's expression was icy. He now knew the sage's identity. During their fight, he had seen the brass tube hanging from the man's neck more than once. He was certain it was a lipstick tube—one he had seen years ago. It was the one Bayonetta's mother had given her before dying—the bullet that killed the "Last Lumen Sage." He didn't know why Balder had appeared in this era, who had used the Eye of the World to bring him here, or why he had that lipstick. But one thing was clear—Solomon intended to kill the "Last Lumen Sage."
Yet before he could break through the surface, a stronger current surged in.
With the engines at reduced power, the jet system couldn't counter such a force. Solomon was swept forward, tumbling through the darkness. Just as he managed to grab a rock, a black shape shot through the current.
Bayonetta, riding on a moving stone platform, narrowed her eyes lazily as she focused on the massive manta ray-like shadow rushing through the water. "There is a shortcut," she muttered, "but looks like they're throwing a welcome party." She stepped forward instinctively. The creature was known as Insidious, a lower-plane being with a massive manta-like body and two enormous eyes. Its main function was to ferry participants of the eternal Blood War between the Abyss and Hell within its body.
It didn't just carry lower-plane creatures. Many bloodthirsty souls, after falling into the lower planes, would also be absorbed by Insidious. Every being aboard this living troop transport was surrounded by the stench of death and rotting flesh. They would kill each other inside it, and the final survivor would be dropped onto the battlefield. As for the losers, their souls became energy to power Insidious, which it could unleash from the eyes on its chest fins—giving it the offensive capability of a warship.
The Arcanist waited quietly as the lower-plane creature passed by.
He didn't know exactly where he was, but he was sure Balder hadn't gone far. Find him. Kill him. That was his goal. Solomon inhaled deeply. The oxygen supplied by his suit's air recycling system smelled of chemicals. No—calm down, he told himself. His real objective was to find Bayonetta. Her safety was far more important than vengeance. He closed his eyes, expanding his mind while maintaining focus. The turbulent waters were filled with countless malicious presences—some even more powerful and dangerous than the manta-like being that had passed earlier.
The tail ring on his left pinky finger burned hot.
That ring was the source of his dominion—the ultimate power of authority. Solomon knew that if he wished, he could command nearly every extradimensional creature he saw. But he chose not to. Kamar-Taj had only one policy regarding such entities: If they refused obedience, they must die. Forced enslavement was meaningless.
He shifted part of his attention away from the fight.
As he had fallen, he'd sensed resonance behind him—something only androids born from his soul could emit. He wasn't sure whether activating multiple stigmata would affect the androids too, but now his comms were completely cut off from the command chain, and he couldn't return to check. Swallowing his concern, he increased the jet engine output and followed the current. He hadn't found Bayonetta's whereabouts yet—but he had found something that resembled a portal. His instincts told him this was the Gate to Hell, and that he now stood within the subterranean caverns beneath Mount Fimbulwinter.
The assault gunship landed vertically among piles of corpses, its landing gear crushing angel bodies into pulp. The Sisterhood surged forward like madwomen, clawing through corpses, slicing through angel flesh, desperately trying to find Catherine amidst the blood and mud. A dreadful premonition weighed heavily on them—a shadow in their hearts told them they would not find her alive.
(End of Chapter)
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