After confirming that Biagio was unconscious, Kamijou finally relaxed his shoulders. He turned to Orsola and Agnese.
"While Biagio's unconscious, hurry up and tie him up and confiscate his Crosses. If they're still fighting on the deck, the situation there would be very unsettling. Oh yeah, Agnese."
"Um…yes."
The petite nun seemed like she thought she would be scolded as she stammered. Kamijou laughed and said,
"Thanks. If you didn't protect Orsola, the situation would have been much worse."
"…"
He was definitely saying thanks, but after Agnese revealed a look of surprise, she couldn't say anything.
Kamijou revealed an awkward expression.
"(…Damn it, did I praise her the wrong way?)"
"(…If you really think so, you're really a cute boy.)"
"(…Ah, what? Ow, it hurts. Why did you hit me?)"
Orsola placed a hand on her face as she continued to smack Kamijou with the other hand. Kamijou furiously tried to block her attacks.
"Oh yeah, the 'Queen's Fleet'…not just that, but how do we destroy this larger scale 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea'? Agnese is the important person required to use the 'Appointed Time of the Rosary'. If so, I want to destroy its value, whether it's the 'Appointed Time of the Rosary' or the 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea', I want to destroy them to prevent them from being used again. Is there something like a nucleus?"
"That…"
Agnese pondered for a while before turning to Biagio, who was unconscious on the floor.
"The flagship 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea'…strictly speaking, it's this square pyramidal room which we're in, this can't be replaced. This is because current technology can't replicate it anymore, so once we destroy the functions here, the 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea can't be used again."
"However, the 'Appointed Time of the Rosary' is an additional spell that the 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea' never had, right? If this huge square pyramidal room is the core of the 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea', the core of the 'Appointed Time of the Rosary' should be somewhere else."
Basically, it was time for the right hand to appear. Kamijou slowly let his vision fall on his fist. His job wasn't to think of any questions related to magic.
"Alright, whether it's the 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea' or the 'Appointed Time of the Rosary', there's no problem once we destroy them. Since this place can't be replaced, let's start here."
After he finished saying, Kamijou turned to Agnese and Orsola.
"First, let's destroy this 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea'. The ship will sink…or rather, the ice will turn back into seawater. After that, we'll ask our Amakusa friends to bring us aboard."
"Um…the Amakusa's here as well…"
Agnese slightly coiled back.
Orsola glanced at her, and continued,
"However, the biggest problem will be after we alight the boat. I can't direct everyone back. You have to think about what to do next—"
Orsola didn't manage to finish.
Agnese suddenly kneeled down.
"Agnese?"
Kamijou frantically reached his hand out as he wanted to carry her, but her body seemed to dodge Kamijou's hand as she lay prone on the floor. The Lotus Wand in her hand let out a 'clank'.
"Gah…"
Agnese, who was lying on the floor, curled her limbs up like a baby.
"…Ih…gih…GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
She bit her teeth as she let out this shout.
It was unknown what happened.
But from her painful expression, it was obvious that this wasn't a joke. It was unknown how painful it was, but sweat squeezed out of Agnese's face like mud.
"Agnese!! Wha—"
Saying this halfway through, Kamijou suddenly noticed something strange in a corner.
Biagio Busoni.
The Bishop that was supposed to be still unconscious staggered as he glared over. The bloodshot eyes that were turning about crazily didn't seem focused. Highly viscous saliva continued to ooze out of the corners of his mouth.
After that.
As if he was about to rip his chest apart, Biagio's right hand grabbed all the Crosses on the four necklaces. His hand was trembling unnaturally.
Orsola, who wanted to lean over and carry Agnese, shouted,
"The 'Appointed Time of the Rosary'…don't tell me…HE DID SOMETHING TO AGNESE WITH THAT SPIRITUAL ITEM!!"
Were the preparations for the 'Appointed Time of the Rosary' complete? But if so, why had he let Agnese move about, and not executed the plan? Without any magical knowledge, Kamijou couldn't tell. But from this situation, it was more likely that the preparations were complete.
But Biagio laughed.
With excitement and anxiety, he let out a fiery breath as he declared,
"Ha, the 'Appointed Time of the Rosary'? It wasn't adjusted, so I can only use the 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea'."
He used an uncomfortable look to glare at Kamijou,
"If 'power' is needed, I have it here. Have you ever thought about it before? The Roman Catholics feared that the cannons would be pointed back at them if this was be taken, so they put in lots of efforts to create limits on the targeting and the 'Queen's Fleet'. If it really falls in the hands on the enemy, what do you think they'll do as a last resort?"
Self-destruction.
The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church was basically happily saying that he was to be swallowed up in this as well.
"BIAGIOOOO!!"
Kamijou couldn't help but shout out.
It didn't matter what the specific reasons were.
The main point was that since his plan failed, he was going to bring everyone down along with him.
Also, that would burn Agnese's heart or turn her into a cripple.
"!!"
The surrounding lights started to shut off one by one, as if right before a film shown at a cinema. The square pyramidal room seemed to lose all the light, and one could hear the sounds of things chattering. The source of this noise came from above Kamijou, the equilateral triangles blocks that formed the wall were slowly moving out.
A ray of light descended down from the far ceiling of the square pyramidal room.
The light touched the numerous triangular pillars that emerged, and after reflection, inflection, diffusion, and reforming, it created a large patterned path in the air.
The light didn't form a flat surface, but a dome-shaped canopy.
It was like a planetarium—a starry night shine that one person created for his own benefit.
"…Don't ever think that you can escape."
Biagio stared at the ceiling and mocked,
"This is a magical tool that is enhanced by alchemy and has a fleet of 250 sinners. Destroying those walls or floors isn't going to stop it so easily!!"
As if in response to his voice, the distorted canopy increased in brightness.
As if it was coldly showing people this tool's standby mode.
Orsola frowned,
"This is bad…if this attack spell that can destroy an entire country is used…just ignoring purely on the explosiveness of the magic effects alone, the range shouldn't be less than 10km in radius."
10km.
Orsola's words filled something that couldn't be imagined.
"…I don't know where this is, strictly speaking, which part of the Adriatic Sea this is. If it was north of Chioggia like just now, this should be near Venezia…everything would be engulfed. Besides that, the surrounding cities of Adria and Padova are in danger as well…"
"Not only that."
It was unknown what would happen if there was a magical explosion.
But assuming that this was a tactical nuke that could incinerate anything that was within 10km radius.
If so, the affected areas wouldn't simply just be in the explosion. A large amount of seawater would become steam, and the high temperatures would destroy everything within the place. The several hundred degrees of steam, when carried around for numerous kilometers, could easily cook people alive. After that, the steam would cause the temperatures to increase drastically, causing changes in air pressures. Simply put, gigantic hurricanes would form. The hurricanes would engulf all buildings and deliver the final blow to streets that had been cooked by the steam.
This was a double, no, triple-chained destruction.
What 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea'? Kamijou cursed. Couldn't you guys have destroyed Venezia like this without having to use this thing?
"Ah, AAHH…!!"
Agnese's scream echoed throughout.
She looked a lot worse. Maybe it was because she was under the cold light similar to the starry night.
Kamijou used his right hand to stroke Agnese's back while she was struggling in pain, but it didn't seem to completely alleviate the effect. Seemed like if he didn't destroy the Cross that Biagio was holding onto, it wouldn't be interrupted.
CRACK!!
The noise didn't come from Agnese, but rather, from the entire ship.
Biagio's selfish request seemed to cause a huge burden to the ship. Once the burden reached the limit, everything may explode together with the 'Queen's Fleet'.
"Orsola, get Agnese away from here and to the deck! Isn't there a ship or something? Get our Amakusa friends to hide there! If possible, get the Roman Catholics as well!!"
"Oh, okay. Then what about you?"
Even if she was a bit rickety, Orsola carried Agnese's body with both hands. Ever so careful, she even carried the Lotus Wand.
Kamijou turned his eyes from Orsola to Biagio.
"I'll just have to stop that guy. I'll meet up with you guys later. Hurry up and go, Orsola!!"
"But…!?"
Orsola inadvertently let out a cry, but Agnese's groan overlapped her voice. Besides, Biagio was slowly moving his fingers to the Cross on his neck.
There was no time.
"Definitely…you definitely have to meet up with us later!"
Maybe because she felt that she couldn't do anything useful in this situation, and she couldn't do any emergency procedures to Agnese, Orsola ran out of the room after saying this.
Only Kamijou and Biagio were left inside the huge pyramidal room.
Inside the cracking ship, the Bishop said,
"…This is why I hate this."
With those bloodshot eyes, he got up from the kneeling position. That chest injury that had just been inflicted shouldn't have recovered, but even so, with that distorted strength of his, Biagio used his hands and feet to support himself.
Seeing this starry phenomenon that he created himself, he said,
"Damn it, that bastard…what leave a mark in Roman Catholic history? That's why I said that it was too early when I heard of the plan. I'm wrecked; I can only be destroyed as a sinner. The 'Queen of the Adriatic Sea' is the pride of the Roman Catholic Church, one of the 'Ten Holy Artifacts' that includes the 'Apostle's Cross'…I have no chance of making a comeback now that I lost it."
"So you're going to drag everyone else into your grave? What can you change? There's no benefit to what you're doing in the end, it's just for your own consolation!!"
And because of this little consolation, he was going to drag everyone down along with him.
The nuns of the Agnese Forces that were ordered by Biagio to fight, the Amakusa teenagers who were trying not to kill them as they tried to stop this, Lucia and Angelene, Orsola and Agnese, Tatemiya and Index, everything.
Because of this order that came from under the artificial canopy.
Even if they want to use this huge flagship to destroy all these.
"What are…you saying?"
Biagio Busoni smirked.
That was a sad smile.
"To fight with so many people, and sink such a large fleet, and to bury Bishop Biagio Busoni. In this situation, nobody will feel endangered…this single group of fighters and the members, they're confirmed to be a threat to the Roman Catholic Church. Anyone would agree with me. This is the last flower I'm going to give in my life journey. To remove these enemies, it's alright even if I destroy the coast of the Adriatic Sea, right!?"
This was completely different from what Kamijou Touma thought.
Not to move forward, but to see the past and do his best.
Not to gain satisfaction by protecting others, but to gain satisfaction by robbing others.
Not only to get injured himself, but to deal this harm to others.
"Biagio…"
Kamijou silently gripped his right fist tightly.
The Bishop didn't care, opening his arms wide as he said,
"…That's the look. This look that doesn't yield to threats is the greatest threat to us. Thus, I'll completely destroy you here. THIS WILL BE MY LAST CONTRIBUTION TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH!!!"
"BIAGIOOOOOO—!!"
Kamijou roared as he dashed at Biagio with full force.
Biagio didn't back away, but placed his hands on the Crosses on his neck. It looked like he was going to pray, but there was no Holy feeling to it. There was just a stubbornness that felt like it was as sticky as a marsh.
Kamijou leapt into Biagio's arms, slamming a fist into his flank.
"—THE CROSS REVEALS THE REJECTION TO EVIL!!"
The Cross in the Bishop's hand expanded as if it was exploding. Instantly, the metal block that was larger than a coffin became a shield, preventing Kamijou's fist from moving.
Because of the power of the right hand, the Cross-shaped shield got blown away like sand.
Biagio, who was behind the Cross, pulled off another five Crosses and released them above Kamijou's head.
"—THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSS CORRECTS THE HAUGHTY!!"
The little decorations that were accelerated by heavy gravity shot down like cannons. But Kamijou didn't bother to look at them.
"WOOOOHHH!!"
He took another step forward.
He had already gotten in front of Biagio. This extremely close distance, however, was a safety zone.
Kamijou released a punch.
He exerted all his strength into his fist, only aiming at the face.
"!?"
Biagio blocked his face with both hands. He could feel hard bones colliding with each other, but the damages reflected from within the enemy.
This wasn't an instant defensive movement.
Biagio still had a 'shield' formed by a giant Cross.
If so,
"—THE CROSS REVEALS THE REJECTION TO EVIL!!"
The Bishop crossed his hands, each holding a single Cross.
The Crosses expanded right before Kamijou's eyes.
BOOM!!
Like a counterattack, the metal-frame-sized Crosses each stabbed into Kamijou's right shoulder and abdomen respectively. Kamijou didn't even have time to bite his teeth as he was sent flying back. His body bounced on the ice floor twice, thrice before rolling a few more rounds.
"Ugh…ooo."
His breathing became irregular, and just one second later, he was already sweating. Before he could feel the pain, he felt like vomiting. Even if he stood up, his body feels like he was standing upside-down.
Even so, Kamijou continued to stand up.
The pain in his right shoulder could spread through his entire arm with just a single touch.
On seeing this, Biagio grinned. His expression and feelings couldn't be directly related at all. The ominous smile made the opponent understand that.
"Impressive, you can actually stand up…you definitely got hit such that there was even a visceral impact…"
Biagio was unharmed as he gently stroked the tip of his nose that was hit.
"How can you still struggle? This simple thing like Sister Agnese, is it really such a meaningful reward!? That Sister will definitely die! HOW CAN SHE BE AN ENEMY AGAINST A HUGE ORGANISATION THAT HAS 2 BILLION FOLLOWERS AND ENCOMPASSES 131 COUNTRIES…NO ONE WILL ACCEPT THAT WOMAN!! WHY DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU PAGAN MONKEY!!"
"…Who wants to know about that?"
Kamijou clenched his teeth as he said this.
In order to protect Lucia and Angelene, Agnese specially gave up her chance to be saved. Though he didn't know the specifics, she had protected Orsola from Biagio's clutches, using the Lotus Wand to shield Orsola. She really tried her best to resist.
What 2 billion followers, what 131 countries, what large organization; Kamijou didn't even care about these minor details at all.
Kamijou would definitely not allow this, because that guy had basically ignored the intentions of the Roman Catholic Church by doing a desperation suicide attack, causing Agnese's heart to shatter, and even engulfing everyone on the 'Queen's Fleet' in the explosion. He wouldn't allow this worst result to happen.
Biagio Busoni's words didn't even measure up to a whit.
If there was anyone who would give up on hearing these words, there wouldn't be anyone coming here in the first place.
"Damn it, who would accept…!!"
Thus, he only said this.
A meaningless argument didn't start: Kamijou and Biagio weren't in the mood to let the conversation continue. With Kamijou's unilateral words, the conversation was over.
Kamijou Touma ignored the pain on his shoulder as he spit onto the floor, clenching his right fist.
Biagio Busoni placed his hand on the countless Crosses hanging on his neck.
The first breath became the signal to start.
Both of them immediately dashed towards each other.
"WOOOHHH!!"
Within 3 seconds, the fist was already within attack range.
Biagio pulled down a Cross from in front of his chest.
"—THE CROSS REVEALS THE REJECTION TO EVIL!!"
He used a hand to block Kamijou from the front.
Furthermore, he used the other empty hand to stroke another Cross.
Even if he could knock aside the first hit he saw, Kamijou was unable to block Biagio's consecutive attacks. With one attack after another, the power of the Cross was definitely greater than Kamijou's fist. If he took attacks consecutively, he would definitely fall.
(I can't decrease the distance the normal way.)
In this extremely close space, Kamijou was conscious that he was clenching his fist.
(I can't just have one hit, I need to stop this guy's attack pattern…!!)
Even if he thought this way, he couldn't make it even if he prepared for it.
In the end, Kamijou could only bet on this fist.
The palm blocking him was holding onto a Cross, and it started to expand.
"BIAGIOOO—!!"
Kamijou attacked the decoration in accordance to his roar.
Not with his right fist, but with his left.
To come up with a left hand strike that he was not used to, even an amateur could tell that the power was a lot weaker. Compared to the right fist that Kamijou normally used, the speed was a lot slower.
However, the left fist had something that the right hand didn't.
It didn't have the power of the Imagine Breaker.
"!!"
The Cross that Biagio was holding onto was knocked away by Kamijou's left fist. With a little sound, the decoration that the Bishop was holding onto changed direction slightly in mid-air.
However,
The Cross seemed to expand in a way that Biagio didn't expect, expanding like it was exploding.
BOOM!!
The tip of the Cross that Biagio was holding onto slammed into his jaw from below.
"GYAHH, AH!?"
Biagio's body jerked upwards.
(This…bastard—actually used my own attack…!!)
Even as he was thinking this, he was unable to make a sound. A blunt pain filled his mouth.
During this time, Kamijou took another step forward.
"WO—"
Right into the deepest part of the enemy.
This time, he exerted all his strength into the right fist that he always used as a weapon.
"—OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
With this roar, he released all his power in this one fist.
CLANK!! The sound of metal breaking could be heard.
He was not aiming at Biagio's face, but below—right in the middle of his chest.
As Biagio's body was moving upwards, Kamijou let out another punch that nearly seemed to pierce through the Bishop's chest.
His fist hit the four necklaces on Biagio's chest and the large number of Crosses on the necklaces, as if he was about to pierce through Biagio's chest. All at once the four necklaces snapped and landed on the floor, and the numerous decorations scattered about with the sound of a crystal ball breaking.
The Bishop lost all his strength as he finally fell.
Seeing Biagio roll on the ice floor, Kamijou adjusted his breathing and said,
"Of course, I want to fight…"
He continued,
"…No matter whether you guys have 2 billion followers, or 131 countries, if you still dare to do anything to Agnese and her group, I'll deal with all of you no matter how many times."
He looked up at the roof.
In this vision far away, the starry phenomenon that was supported by countless number of triangular pillars swayed about before vanishing. Like a home electric appliance that was cut off, only the ice construct was left.
The cracking sound echoed throughout this room that had lost all forms of light.
The 'Queen's Fleet' was gradually breaking.
It was because the core Cross was destroyed.
Just as Kamijou was confirming that he had prevented a destruction that would have engulfed everything.
The triangular room crumbled, the flagship split, and the boy again fell into the Adriatic Sea.