The forest trembled under the onslaught of the storm, its trees bending and swaying violently. The howling winds and relentless thunderclaps reverberated like a primal, savage call that pierced through every branch and leaf.
The rain lashed down like whips, the droplets striking with the force of bullets. Branches snapped under the relentless assault, and even the mightiest, deep-rooted trees seemed fragile in the face of the storm's fury. Some were torn from the earth, while others splintered and fell helplessly into the mud.
Visibility was severely limited. The rain, a dense curtain, obscured everything as though nature itself sought to erase the battlefield from sight. The winds raged fiercely enough to fling cars into the air, and the downpour could shatter glass.
To anyone witnessing this from afar, the storm would seem like a natural disaster, a merciless act of nature. Yet at its heart, the chaos wasn't the result of nature—it was a clash of gods.
Melqart, however, hadn't intentionally summoned the storm. His sole focus was on his duel with Verethragna.
The two figures clashed at close range, Melqart's dragon-slaying might colliding with the unstoppable power of Verethragna's golden-horned bull.
The earth quaked, the skies roared, and the storm intensified with every exchange of blows.
Shockwaves from their battle tore apart the land, while the deafening clang of Melqart's staff and Verethragna's golden sword drowned out even the thunder.
As the fight continued, Melqart's warrior's spirit surged to life, fully awakened and inflamed by the combat. His emotions spilled over into the heavens, amplifying the storm's ferocity.
Suddenly, a crimson light burst through the storm clouds.
An instant later, a streak of red lightning tore through the air like a meteor, slamming into Melqart's side.
"Damn you!"
Melqart's roar was like the fury of the heavens themselves, his rage manifesting as countless bolts of lightning streaking across the sky.
Yet before he could fully react, a golden slash slipped past his defenses and carved a deep wound into his chest, cutting through his armor.
"Hahaha! Looks like you're the first to fall, God King of the Mediterranean!"
Verethragna's arrogant laughter echoed across the battlefield as he raised his golden sword in one hand and conjured a spear of wind in the other, hurling it at Melqart with deadly precision.
"Don't get cocky, boy!"
Melqart's anger erupted as he swung his two staves simultaneously—his right hand wielding [Pursuer] to intercept the wind spear, while his left hand brought down [Exile] toward the crimson bolt that had struck him earlier.
The power contained in Melqart's staves was immense, capable of slaying dragons, shattering mountains, and parting seas.
As Mordred faced the descending staff, it was as though the entire sky itself was collapsing upon her.
But…
I carry my Father's expectations! I will not lose!
The crimson lightning surrounding Mordred flared even more violently as she raised her magic sword high.
The hilt of [Clarent] shifted mechanically, transforming with a sleek, futuristic aesthetic. A dazzling surge of crimson lightning erupted from the blade, piercing through the storm clouds above.
The lightning flashing across the sky began to change, its color deepening into the same intense crimson.
"Take this—[Clarent Blood Arthur]!"
Facing the massive staff's descent, Mordred unleashed an overwhelming torrent of mana, a relentless flood of crimson lightning that roared like a tidal wave.
Even [Exile], a weapon capable of shattering space itself, was unable to break through the ceaseless surge of power.
"Damn it—!"
Melqart roared in frustration as he realized his attack was being pushed back.
"I am the Lord of the Sky! The God of Storms! The Dragon-Slaying Warrior! My authority commands all beneath heaven and earth! My might is unmatched!"
"You're wrong, Melqart!"
With Melqart's attention focused on Mordred, Verethragna's voice rang out from above.
"In the name of the God of Victory, I declare this—O God King of Phoenicia, your defeat is inevitable!"
As Verethragna's triumphant declaration filled the air, it was as if unseen hands began parting the thick storm clouds. Piercing rays of light broke through the darkness, spilling warmth onto the battlefield below.
For Verethragna was not only the God of Victory but also the God of Light, the God of Justice, and the God of War. His master, Mithra, was the embodiment of the sun in Persian mythology, and Verethragna himself possessed an incarnation linked to the sun.
"For victory's sake, come forth! O undying sun, grant me your radiant steed! Swift-footed celestial horse, bring forth the blazing solar wheel, the symbol of your master!"
From the gap in the clouds, a golden sun shone down, illuminating the chaos below.
Then came the sound of a horse's neigh, clear and powerful.
A pure white horse cloaked in golden flames emerged from the sun, galloping down toward the battlefield.
As the fiery horse descended, the ground began to melt, rivers dried up, and forests erupted into flames.
The god's punishment had arrived.
The light that once brought life to the earth was now a divine fire consuming everything in its path.
Far away from the battlefield, over a thousand meters from where the sun's radiance touched the ground…
"What a spectacle."
Artoria's cold, dispassionate voice broke the silence. No matter how far she stood from the battle, the intense light and heat still reached her.
It was hard to imagine the inferno raging at the heart of the battlefield.
Verethragna, the ancient Persian God of War… Artoria knew him well.
After all, in many Campione! fanfictions, protagonists earned their title of Godslayer by defeating Verethragna.
Although Artoria wasn't particularly fond of Campione!'s protagonist, Kusanagi Godou, she had to admit that Verethragna's powers were impressive.
The strength of the golden bull, the resurrection of the ram, the blazing white horse of the sun, the swiftness of the phoenix—his abilities had no weaknesses.
Especially the golden sword capable of severing divinity. Against gods, it was akin to a nuclear weapon.
In another world, like the Problem Children Are Coming from Another World series, such powers could be invaluable. In the story, the ultimate trial for humanity, the three-headed dragon Azi Dahaka, was defeated by Bahram—another incarnation of Verethragna.
Though Verethragna originated as a Persian war god, he was later integrated into Zoroastrianism and Avesta mythology, serving Ahura Mazda, the God of Good, as an opponent to Angra Mainyu, the God of Evil.
Mithra, Verethragna's master, was a prototype of Ahura Mazda, originally worshipped as the supreme deity before being reduced to a human-like avatar of the god.
"Such a shame. While I can grow stronger by slaying [Steel] gods, I can't claim their authorities. That seems to be a privilege exclusive to Godslayers…"
Artoria's golden eyes turned away from the distant battlefield and landed on a closer scene.
Not far away, a battered red car stood amidst the chaos. Three people—two women and one man—were huddled inside.
Artoria's sharp gaze held a trace of curiosity and thoughtfulness as she watched them.
---
T/N: HOW MANY THINGS IS THAT GUUY A G OD OF?
errrr yes hi im back >.>
patreon.com/wisetl
discord.gg/wisetl