When it came to whether Molag would be defeated, Duanmu Huai had never doubted it.
The reason was simple.
Can a Sword Saint block a nuclear bomb?
Of course not.
Even if your swordsmanship is perfected to the point of transcendence, a nuke will still blow you to ashes.
Because all fear comes from insufficient firepower.
By the same logic, as long as firepower is sufficient, no problem is really a problem.
Human reverence for gods comes from this as well.
It's not that gods created humanity, nor that gods protect humanity. It's simply because gods wield power far beyond human imagination, so humans tremble and worship them.
That's all.
Molag's earlier move—hurling a palace the size of a city—looked godlike to the mortals of this world. His towering body, dozens of meters high, seemed untouchable.
But that was it.
Could he put a hole through Mars?
…No.
Duanmu Huai, however, could.
"BFG10000, online! Target locked! Fire!!"
At his order, the Truth of Voice opened its primary cannon. Dazzling green light gathered at the muzzle, aimed at the giant Daedra below. Molag seemed to sense the danger, raising his hand to act—but it was too late.
"——————!!!"
A roaring torrent of plasma shot forth, tearing through the sky. Molag threw up his arms in a desperate block. Useless. The beam obliterated them, punched through his chest, and slammed into the ground.
The land quaked.
"RUMMMMMBLE!!!"
The whole realm shook. Waves rippled across the ground. Soldiers and angels alike staggered. Heat and shockwaves howled, forcing even the angels to dive behind ruins for cover.
After a long while, silence returned. They raised their heads—and froze.
The fortress and palace were gone. In their place yawned a crater hundreds of meters deep, stretching almost to the horizon, belching hot winds that warped the air. Nothing remained.
"Hssssss!!"
Cayde-6 sucked in a sharp breath. As a "customer," he knew the specs Duanmu Huai had bragged about. He remembered the man saying the BFG10000 could blast a hole in a planet. At the time, Cayde hadn't taken it seriously. Now? He'd never forget this sight.
Compared to him, Duanmu Huai was calm. After all, the Guardians only got the export version. The Moon-class cruiser was no Queen of Glory. And everyone knew—export military gear is always downgraded.
If it had been the Queen, that shot would've pierced Oblivion itself.
The cruiser's blast had only made a hole. But that was more than enough for Molag.
"Master, is it dead?"
Perched on his shoulder, Olgith voiced the question on everyone's mind. Duanmu Huai shook his head, gripping his hammer.
"Attention! The Daedric Prince is coming for real!!"
"Foolish mortals!!"
Lightning struck. From the storm strode Molag again, now roughly Duanmu Huai's size, eyes blazing brighter than ever, body seemingly unharmed.
"Did you truly think with your pitiful toys you could destroy my realm? Destroy me? This is Coldharbour! My world! Here I am eternal! Here I cannot be slain!"
Oh, he's rattled.
Duanmu Huai hefted his hammer, watching the tantrum. True, in his realm, Molag was immortal. But his behavior told another story. By rights, he could have swelled into a colossus hundreds of meters tall. Instead, he shrank. Clearly, he feared another BFG strike.
That was why he came to the battlefield personally—only here could he avoid orbital bombardment.
Which was exactly why Duanmu Huai had come.
Otherwise, why bother becoming a [Doom Slayer]?
"Forward! Kill it!!"
He didn't waste time with speeches. Let the boss be arrogant. That only made victory easier.
"Your struggle is meaningless!!"
Molag roared, summoning yet more Daedra from behind him.
And Duanmu Huai moved.
Summon twenty dolls! Activate [Puppeteer's Cloak]—forty puppet cards in hand!
Activate [Power of Dragonification]—sacrifice twenty puppet cards, transform them into dragons!
"ROOOOAR!!!"
Twenty dragons materialized, bellowing flames that reduced the Daedric horde to ash.
Not done yet.
With twenty puppet cards destroyed, trigger [Mobile Armor]!
"Whoooosh!!"
In a flash, Duanmu Huai was clad in rainbow-shining power armor.
Next—[Armed Enhancement]! And…
"Lorena!!"
"Yes, Sir Knight!"
She turned to the angels.
"Please, lend him your strength!"
Wings spread, Sariel rained pure feathers of blessing upon him. Others rang bells and played harps, hymns weaving divine power around his frame.
In that moment, his attack and defense soared past ten energy levels—enough to face Molag head-on!
"Haaaahhhhhh!!!!"
He charged, scattering soldiers, hammer swinging. Molag advanced too, a warhammer in hand. They clashed.
Molag had no doubt. This was his domain, his infinite power. The mortal was bold, but ultimately just another trophy. He would bind this soul in eternal flame.
He thought so—until impact.
The white rabbit armor, smeared with blood, its painted grin and fangs hideous, its crimson eyes leering—just the sight made Molag's heart seize. A primal dread pierced even his Daedric soul. For a moment, he faltered.
It was enough.
"CLANG!!!"
Their hammers collided. Molag should've crushed him. But that moment of fear cost him. Duanmu Huai's strike shattered the Daedric weapon, broke his arm, and smashed into his chest, hurling him through his own soldiers.
The battlefield froze. Daedra stared at their Prince—hurled down before their eyes.
Duanmu Huai didn't let up. He raised his hammer to finish it—
"Begone!!"
This time, rage overcame fear. Molag's power surged. His fist shattered the Thunder Warhammer, forcing Duanmu Huai back. But instead of retreating, Duanmu Huai tossed aside the broken weapon and lunged, arms locking onto Molag.
The Daedra caught his limbs, twisted.
CRACK!!
His arm snapped. Molag seized it, dragging him close, lifting him high.
"Foolish mortal, you've angered me! Now you die!!"
He thrust his claw into Duanmu Huai's chest, meaning to rip out his heart before all.
"Sir Knight!!"
"Master!?"
The girls screamed, trapped by Daedra, unable to reach him. Molag's claw pierced through—yet grasped nothing.
What?!
Confusion flickered. And that was the opening.
"Die, trash!!"
From behind his back, Duanmu Huai drew his chainsword. With a roar, he brought it down.
Molag could only watch as the roaring teeth bit into his skull, splitting his head apart.
(End of Chapter)