Hearing this fellow's glib tongue, the Shogun chuckled lightly, then indicated with her gaze the giant opposite who was slowly rising to his feet. At this moment, he was already at the end of his strength. Having lost the magical energy supplied by Caster, though he could still remain in this world… his downfall was inevitable.
"In that case, the two of us shall strike together."
Outnumbered, the enemy's defeat was within reach!
Roar!!
Clearly, the giant before them had no awareness of this fact. Forcing his wounds—left by the earlier lightning's baptism—to slowly mend, he let out a loud roar. Pale green life force gathered around him once more, though not as strong as before.
Boom!
Like a bullet, he leapt into the sky. With a sweep of his thick arm, green magic formed into glowing projectiles, which then rained down upon the two on the ground!
Seeing this, Orobashi opened his jaws, gathering dense hydro-elemental energy, then spewed it skyward!
Splash splash!!
Like a tsunami, the surging waters formed a flawless blue shield, enveloping the two from every angle.
Boom boom!!
The projectiles exploded against the shield in dazzling firelight. Each strike made the barrier flicker, and now and then the sharp sound of shattering could be heard.
During this time, the Shogun was not idle. She activated the Eye of Stormy Judgment, covering the entire sky, opening the awe-inspiring pupil of the Eye of Electro. As the pupil rotated, a beam of lightning particles condensed into a purple ray that shot forth!
Whoosh!
The beam pierced toward the giant in the sky!
The giant twisted his body to narrowly dodge, but his arm was still grazed, turning to ash. The next instant, the beam dissipated, and a curtain of lightning bullets spread across the sky, radiating from the pupil's core!
If ranged attacks were what he favored, then she would show him what true devastation was!
"!"
Orobashi could not help but suck in a cold breath.
When had this girl learned such outrageous techniques? Including Musou no Hitotachi, it seemed the woman before him was not to be trifled with. If she lost her temper, a single strike could erase you!
Even her allies would feel dread witnessing such a scene.
In truth, what he did not know was… the Baalzebul before him was not the same as before. This was the Shogun, not Ei. These were her own original techniques—similar to Ei's, yet with distinctions. But in terms of lethality, hers were absolute!
Facing the unavoidable storm of bullets, the giant had no choice but to muster his magic into a crude shield and charge recklessly downward!
Boom boom!
Even with the shield, the barrage consumed it instantly. After a storm of explosions, the giant plummeted to the ground, his form utterly ruined.
Struggling to rise, he swung a fist toward Orobashi's barrier!
Seeing this, the Shogun flashed forward, her blade slicing in a horizontal arc!
Slash!
Like chopping vegetables, she severed his leg. Losing both legs, the giant collapsed, forfeiting his last chance to strike.
Taking advantage of his stiffness, Orobashi withdrew his shield, sank his fangs into the giant's torso, and slammed him into the ground!
Boom!
The heavy body struck like a meteor, shaking the earth.
With a crack, sharp fangs crushed the torso, then spat it onto the ground!
When the body fell, its chest had shattered open, revealing the core within—an abomination entwined in nauseating vines. Its form was unrecognizable, but it was clearly the source of its power.
"What is that thing?!"
Gordes cried out in fear.
"…Roche."
From the castle's high platform, Fiore whispered in sorrow. He was beyond saving now. To stop him, he had to be erased.
I'm sorry… Roche.
Inwardly, she apologized with guilt.
"Could it be…"
"Mm…"
"How could this be!"
Even Caules turned away, unable to watch.
Before their eyes, the vines around the core were already beginning to regenerate. The chest that had split open was slowly closing.
They must not allow it to recover!
This thought arose in everyone's hearts at once—including both the Shogun and Orobashi.
Orobashi raised his serpent head once more, opening his jaws wide, gathering hydro-elemental energy on a scale greater than ever before. The whirlpool of water was so intense it swept up nearby trees and fragments of ruins.
The Shogun stood poised upon his head, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Bubbles rising from the ground and steam condensing in the sky converged into Orobashi's mouth, then erupted as a torrent of water-elemental energy!
Boom boom!!
The piercing screech of the beam split the air as it hurtled toward the giant!
The giant, as if resolved to perish, drew out the last of his magic. Pale green light gathered, and just like Orobashi, he spewed a massive beam from his mouth.
Boom!
In an instant, the two beams of differing colors collided. At their junction, a blazing sphere of light began to swell, expanding unceasingly.
The Shogun had no intention of sitting idle. While the giant was locked in a beam struggle with Orobashi, she became lightning itself, flying straight toward his chest—toward the core!
This was the final step of their plan, the decisive strike!
As expected, the enemy reacted just as she had foreseen, intercepting her with a barrage of glowing projectiles. The giant could not afford to divert all his attention away from Orobashi's beam, lest he be overwhelmed. Yet if he did nothing, she would destroy the exposed core. With his chest still unhealed, he had no choice but to unleash the projectiles at her.
Exactly the result she desired!
As she anticipated, glowing bullets fired from the giant's body, racing toward her.
The Shogun let slip a faint, triumphant smile. With one hand, she wielded her naginata, easily cutting apart every projectile. In the same instant, her other hand drew Musou Isshin. Spinning her body sideways like a top, she tore through every obstacle—until finally!
Crack!!
A rift of slashing light split the air itself. Passing the giant, the Shogun landed lightly, her body still rotating as she stepped forward a few paces. One hand rested her naginata behind her, while the other let Musou Isshin's blade fall, trembling at her ankle.
Crack!!
The next second, the core behind her was severed—its head cleaved, blood spraying forth!
With its life force gone, the beam weakened instantly. Orobashi's torrent broke through with ease, piercing the already destroyed core!
Bzzzz~!
A blinding light engulfed the land, illuminating the sky. Then—
BOOM!!!!
A towering mushroom cloud erupted, fiery ridges rising high into the heavens. Over the entire city of Trifas, it blazed with unparalleled brilliance!
The shockwave of flame swept across the battlefield, lifting the Shogun's kimono hem and wide sleeves. Her violet eyes shimmered cold and mysterious in the glow.
[Truly a flawless battle. As expected of my Shogun.]
Ei's timely voice teased.
'Do not mock me.'
[Only teasing… don't take it to heart.]
"Hm… Then how should this vessel reply?"
The Shogun sighed helplessly, though without impatience, instead choosing to continue the exchange.
[Why not respond to me with—]
'Boring…'
Though she said so, Ei noticed the faint flush on her face. Seeing this, Ei allowed herself a subtle, satisfied smile.
She knew—it was embarrassment.
"Did we succeed?!"
From the castle, Gordes stared at the towering flames in the distance, his heart trembling between excitement and dread. The battle just now had been so fierce he hadn't dared to show his head, fearing he would be caught up in the overwhelming blasts.
"I don't know… but in that situation, no matter who it was, they would've come out battered at the very least, right?"
Caules, though uncertain whether the giant had vanished, was sure it couldn't possibly remain intact.
"No… Caster's presence has disappeared."
However, Chiron frowned, sensing the battlefield. Aside from the immense auras of the Shogun and Orobashi, there was no one else.
"Really…? That's great."
Caules and Gordes both exhaled in relief.
"What about the giant?"
Fiore, as the Shogun's Master, did not let her guard down.
"'Royal Crown – Light of Wisdom' has vanished as well. Rest assured."
Chiron eased her worries. In truth, the moment the Shogun severed the core, the giant's aura had begun to fade. The serpent's beam had then obliterated the remaining body, leaving not even a trace behind.
It was as though the Shogun had destroyed the giant's heart, and Orobashi had finished the rest. Their joint assault left no scraps behind.
"Haa… I see."
Hearing this, Fiore finally let her anxious heart ease a little. Truly, in the most crucial moments, the Black Faction could always rely on the Shogun. She knew well—had she not summoned the Shogun, their path would have been unbearably difficult.
"Incredible… Saber."
Caules muttered blankly, still dazed. That massive serpent too—what kind of Heroic Spirits were they? He was deeply curious about the Shogun's origins. Perhaps only his sister might know? He'd heard that Masters sometimes dream of their Servants' pasts.
On the battlefield, as the flames faded, no trace of the giant remained—only scorched soil and burned fragments.
"This is the first time we have fought together as allies… Baalzebul."
Dragging his long body, Orobashi slithered to the Shogun's side, gazing at the remnants of the fallen giant.
"In the past we were enemies… but one matter does not erase another. Thank you for your aid, Orobashi."
The Shogun tilted her head slightly, meeting the serpent's eyes.
"No thanks are needed. As I said before, I owe you. Consider this my small way of making amends."
The serpent sighed as he replied.
The Shogun lowered her gaze in thought, then raised it again to meet his eyes.
"…I have something to ask."
"Speak freely."
Orobashi did not mind; he already knew what the Shogun wished to ask.
"You… During the Archon War, you survived intact, and with the followers who revered you, you became the great Watatsumi Omikami. Not only that, you secured a place for them to live. Having achieved so much, why did you still attempt to invade Inazuma? Was it your own ambition? Or were you swayed by your people?"
The Shogun withdrew Engulfing Lightning, folding her arm in a conversational gesture as she voiced the question that had long weighed on her mind.
"…"
The serpent closed his eyes in silence, his face pained.
The Shogun did not grow impatient, simply waiting for his reply.
"…It was not ambition."
At last, his low voice answered.
"Then it was your people's will?"
"Not entirely. That was part of it, but the true reason is far more complicated…"
"What do you mean by that?"
The Shogun frowned.
"It was part of my plan… including my death. No… my death had already been decided from the very start."
"..."
Hearing this, the Shogun fell silent.
"…Why was your death inevitable?"
She asked directly.
"…Haa."
The serpent sighed, raising his eyes to the stars as he spoke.
"I peered at something I should not have."
"Something? What was it?"
Her tone grew slightly urgent. What could determine the life or death of a god? Just what kind of thing could it be?
"Forgive me… I cannot say. But… I can tell you the place."
The serpent lowered his enormous head, leaning close to her small face, voice hushed as though fearful of eavesdroppers.
"Enkanomiya, beneath Watatsumi Island… Baalzebul, go there. There, you will find all the truth you seek."
She understood—he had already said more than enough. If he could not give details, she would not press further.
"After I learned the truth, 'It' set its eyes on me."
"'It'?"
The Shogun lowered her gaze slightly, then looked up again.
"You mean… Celestia?"
For gods such as them, to call something 'It' could only mean that.
"..."
The serpent gave a small nod.
Something that could draw the gaze of the Heavenly Principles… what could it be?
"For the sake of my people's future, I could not allow myself to be slain by Celestia before their eyes."
"So, I decided then to ensure my nation's development. I led them to the surface, to found Watatsumi Island. This was also part of my plan—for only with such a reason could I invade Inazuma, land ruled by the God of Eternity, and ultimately be struck down."
"In the process, Celestia would have no chance to intervene, and the cause of my death would appear reasonable."
Orobashi revealed the true reason behind his invasion.
"That is the answer to your earlier question."
He stopped, waiting for her response.
[So he used the people's desire for expansion to protect them, letting them believe I struck him down, and not Celestia. Is that it?]
'Exactly.'
Ei's expression turned helpless… What a cunning plan—it made her want to cut him down all over again.
"This was the bargain I made with 'It'—my death in exchange for my people's right to live on the surface. Even so, I am guilty toward you… for you lost a general at my hands."
The serpent lowered his head in apology.
"Enough. You cost me a general, I struck you down. One life for one life—our debts are settled."
The past was past; there was no meaning in dwelling further.
"Are my people well now?"
The serpent asked.
"Your precious people have now formed a resistance against me. And leading them is your own vassal—Sangonomiya."
Her tone carried a trace of mockery.
"..."
Orobashi let out a long, heavy sigh.
"And what does the great Watatsumi Omikami think of that?"
The Shogun asked coldly, violet eyes indifferent.
"My people are reckless… I can only beg Narukami's forgiveness."
Even his address changed. He was dead now, his form only temporarily summoned by her. In power and in station, he was already beneath her.
"Enough. You can do nothing more now."
Crackle…
The next instant, his body began to waver, flickering with phantom light, turning transparent.
"The summoning's time has ended… I haven't long."
Half-transparent, he spoke again.
"Narukami, may I beg one thing of you?"
"Speak."
She answered without hesitation.
"Though my people are restless in Inazuma, I still entrust them to you, Baalzebul. Please… protect them."
He sighed with guilt, his voice heavy with pleading.
"I know these words are shameless, perhaps even hateful to you. But… I cannot let them go. Only entrusting them to you gives me peace!"
The serpent bowed his head deeply in earnest plea. Were he human, he would have already knelt.
"As long as they do not overstep, this vessel will treat them as subjects. You need not worry."
"Thank you… for Narukami's great mercy."
With his final wish fulfilled, the serpent closed his eyes. His form turned to particles of water and slowly dissipated into the void.
"Lastly… seeking truth bears a price. Be cautious—for the earth… remembers."
His faint voice echoed through the space, fading farther away.
[…You are truly becoming more like a ruler.]
'?'
The Shogun blinked, then understood her meaning.
'Would it be better for you to say it?'
She asked.
[No, it is the same no matter which of us says it. Besides, you have already spoken the very words I would have.]
'You mean about protecting the Watatsumi people?'
[Yes… in that, we are of one mind.]
Hearing this, the Shogun nodded silently.