[Altair Brando]
Medusa Alter raised her foot and drove it into my chest, pushing me back. The impact caused no damage, but the momentum hurled me toward the group of girls.
"Mash!" I shouted loudly, driving my right foot into the ground, sinking my heel a few centimeters into the compacted earth, stopping my body's momentum.
"I'm already in position, senpai."
Mash's voice echoed with determination as she took a firm step forward, her fingers gripping the shield's handle tightly.
The large cruciform shield rose before her like an impenetrable wall.
In the blink of an eye, she planted her feet on the ground, positioning herself between Medusa and the rest of the group, the shield firmly pointed toward the Gorgon, who raised her slender arm, pressing her palm against the metallic surface of the shield, propelling her body upward, launching herself over it and bypassing our pink-haired demi-servant's defense with ease.
In midair, she spun her body and fixed her gaze on Olga, who instantly froze.
Her muscles locked up, her lips stopped moving, and she couldn't even blink under the power of Gorgon.
With a sadistic smile, still suspended in the air, Medusa swung her scythe toward Olga's neck, giving Mash no time to react.
Olga's eyes widened as she saw the blade descending toward her.
Thick drops of sweat sprouted from her pale forehead, trickling down her temples, tracing shining lines across her fear-frozen skin.
Her eyes only mirrored the metal descending toward her neck.
But sorry... I won't allow anyone to die in front of my eyes again.
"Olga!" I raised my arm, making the Monkey King's Robe on my body dissolve into black threads.
The filaments slid down my arm and wrapped themselves around Olga's petrified body. Literally in the space between heartbeats, the fabric materialized into a black jacket with a yellow cape, adorned with the engraving of a dragon.
The instant the Monkey King's Robe wrapped around Olga's body, the sharp blade of Medusa's scythe struck her with brutal force.
The sound of impact echoed throughout the burning city.
But the blade, which should have cut through flesh and bone with ease, met an impenetrable barrier.
Even so, the force of the blow sent Olga flying backward.
"Tch!" Medusa clicked her tongue, frustrated.
"Don't run away from our encounter!"
My arms wrapped around Olga's slender waist, pulling her against my body, as I delivered a kick toward the gorgon.
She spun, blocking with her arm, but was still thrown to the ground, rolling several meters before stopping.
"You know how to treat a lady."
Raikou cut short the smile forming on Medusa's lips with a punch to the stomach, sinking into the pale skin and sending her flying with an explosive impact.
"How dare you point a weapon at my son?" Raikou pulled her fist back, coldly staring at Medusa, who was rolling across the ground.
My eyes fell on the girl in my arms. Her body was trembling, her breathing heavy. The petrification effect had already worn off, but Olga was still completely shaken from nearly dying.
I moved my hand over her hair. "Everything will be fine."
Hearing my words, as generic as they were, the trembling in her body began to subside.
"You are—"
Before Medusa could complete her sentence, a thunderclap echoed through the skies. In the same instant, lightning descended with the swing of Raikou's katana. Medusa only had enough time to dodge her body to the side. Even with her supernatural speed, she couldn't completely escape the mana explosion, causing her left arm to be pulverized by the devastating impact.
"I already told you your presence is irritating." Raikou stared coldly as her katana blade crackled with electricity.
A grimace of pain formed on Medusa's face, quickly replaced by her usual sadistic expression.
"Well, well! Looks like I'm at a disadvantage." She gave a disdainful smile, completely ignoring the severed arm that was bleeding.
Seeing the blood, I took a deep breath, calming myself.
It's not on my body... not on my skin... not my blood.
Revealing more than I'd like with that mantra, I turned my gaze back to Medusa.
The situation was uncomfortable.
No matter the angle, she was clearly at a disadvantage, both in power and numbers.
Even being the Alter version, I couldn't shake the impression that her Rider form possessed devastatingly superior power. It was as if, in this manifestation, she had suffered a cruel downgrade.
I could be wrong, but either way, I didn't like the way the director was conducting this play.
I gave a slight smile and removed my hand from Olga's waist, making her tremble as the warmth of my touch vanished.
Sometimes you're a strong woman; other times, a needy kitten.
"Take care of my armor for me, ma chérie." For now, the only thing I could do was leave her with the Monkey King's mantle on her body.
She raised her hand, brushing her fingers over the jacket on her body, while blinking her golden eyes in my direction.
Just giving a smile, I moved away, walking toward my servant.
"Raikou." The palm of my hand brushed her soft shoulder, making the woman who, until a second before, had a cold expression melt into a maternal smile.
But my next words made her expression freeze.
"Leave her to me."
Upon hearing those words, the strongest woman of the Heian period couldn't help but harden her expression.
"Why, my son?" Our eyes met, she staring at me with concern.
"I think it's something I need to do. Just trust me." This is a perfect chance to test myself against a strong opponent so I can understand my body.
Raikou stared at me in silence for a few seconds before responding.
"Very well... but if my son's life is in danger, I will disobey, master."
The Leader of the Four Heavenly Kings crossed her arms over her breasts, making it clear her words were non-negotiable.
"Fine by me. I don't intend to lose." Brushing some hair from my face, I walked toward Medusa.
[You seem confident.]
Why wouldn't I be? This is my true debut.
Responding to the voice in my head, Medusa Alter tilted her head, parting her pink lips. "You're strange." She flashed a slight smile. "Why put yourself at a disadvantage?"
"Maybe it's male pride, or simply because I don't like this script." I placed my hand on my leg, stretching. "Honestly, I like you—to be more precise, your other version... that's probably the reason."
"Oh!" She raised her eyebrows. "That's unexpected. Apparently you have a taste for monsters, boy."
I raised my arm, stretching. "Please, you're far from being a monster. From my point of view, that shrew Athena has a better chance of being considered one."
Her beautiful golden eyes widened at hearing my words.
"You're a charming young man." She let out a light laugh. "But I really am a monster." Her pink lips parted, revealing the tip of a sharp red tongue that slowly slid across her lower lip. "If I was one before, now, with my essence stained and blackened by the Holy Grail's mud, I'm just a monster thirsting for blood that will never be satisfied."
"Really? The word 'monster' doesn't suit you. Your beauty is literally worthy of a goddess, and even spiritually, I don't think you're a monster." I stared at her without averting my heterochromatic eyes for even a second.
I think I have the authority to say this, since one of my titles was King of Monsters.
My words made her expression change slightly... almost to the version I knew, but soon the sadistic smile returned.
"Boy, at this moment I'm fighting against all my instincts not to devour you," she said, lowering her body and raising her scythe. Her eyes gleamed with a frightening light. "What's your name?"
"Altair Brando."
"A quite beautiful name." A smile formed on her lips. "But I promise that whether I'm devouring your blood and flesh, or you're killing me, I'll remember you. Even if I need to alter my Spiritual Core."
The smile on her face widened disturbingly as she leaned forward, the tip of her finger brushing the ground, as if she were about to launch herself.
[Careful!]
With Nahida's warning, Medusa shot toward me, leaving behind only a blur.
Without the slightest hesitation, I activated my ⟨Fiery Golden Eyes⟩, making an intense red glow pierce through my pupil. Thanks to my eyes, I could follow her movements perfectly... this compensated for the absence of my armor.
In a fraction of a second, she stopped centimeters from me, twisted her waist and swung her scythe.
I ducked, throwing my hand against the ground, letting the blade pass over me. With my hand supporting me on the ground, I spun my body and delivered a kick.
Medusa smiled, pulling the scythe back and blocking with the shaft. She pushed me and quickly crouched, attempting a sweep. Before the blow could hit me, I jumped, spinning to deliver a kick... but chains bound my feet.
Her purple hair had transformed into snakes, which became chains. The rest of her hair spread throughout the cemetery, and within seconds the entire place was enveloped in a network of even more intertwined chains.
"Tsk!" I clicked my tongue, planted my foot on the chains and jumped backward.
Upon touching the ground, I looked around. The place was completely overrun.
Massaging my neck, I analyzed the situation. The chains not only gave her an advantage but created a great disadvantage for me, limiting my movements.
But... why was I smiling?
I couldn't contain the smile forming. Clearly, I had put myself at a disadvantage, giving up my armor and numerical superiority. Now, the geographical advantage was completely hers too.
Even so, a strange excitement bubbled inside me.
The feeling I had was the same as the first time I performed on stage before a small crowd.
But this time I was involved in something more physical. I just hoped this thrill wouldn't turn me into a worshiper of violence.
"Hey! You're smiling." Medusa crouched on one of the chains, watching me with interest.
"Of course, I'm happy." I couldn't contain my smile.
"Hahaha! I like you more and more. Just the idea of devouring your body almost gives me an orgasm," she said with an abnormal smile.
"Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment." I thanked her, making her smile grow.
"Well... For giving me this sensation, I'll give you some advice." She raised her scythe, pointing it at me. "If I were you, I'd get your armor back... you'd want at all costs to avoid Harpe's cut."
"Harpe?" I tilted my head.
"Yes, the scythe in my hand is ironically the blade that cut off my head..." she looked at the Harpe with a strange gleam in her eyes. "It's described as a Holy Sword that slays monsters. It nullifies the attribute of immortality and inflicts wounds that cannot be healed. I think being cut wouldn't be a good deal, right?" She swung the scythe flashing a smile.
Receiving an incurable wound probably wouldn't feel great.
Especially considering this weapon was literally a counter to my [Pseudo-Perfect Immortality] ability.
"That scythe is really going to be a problem." I raised my hand massaging my neck.
"Isn't it?" she smiled, showing all her teeth. "So, get your armor back."
In a way she was right. With the Monkey King's mantle, I wouldn't have to worry about deep cuts. In fact, I'd even doubt whether the scythe's blade could pierce through it.
But...
"I refuse." I crossed my arms, staring at her.
"What?" Medusa's eyes widened.
"At this moment, she needs it more than I do." I raised my arm pointing to Olga, who was clinging to the jacket like a lifeline. "Not to mention I don't intend to get cut." I narrowed my eyes in her direction.
"Boy..." she blinked her eyes. "More and more, I wouldn't mind dying by your hands. Serving you wouldn't be bad, but it's a shame my desire to feast on your blood is greater."
What bloodlust...
[Simulation complete.]
Hmm?
What is this goddess of wisdom talking about?
[I just ran a simulation with all the data we have on her.]
[With this simulation I can predict her movements, with a 40% margin of error.]
[All data will be downloaded into your brain.]
[You're not fighting alone... I'll always be by your side.]
With a wave of information flooding into my mind, I flashed a slight smile at my partner.
Nahida, thank you.
You're right, it's the two of us against her... looks like I still have numerical advantage.
Thanking my lifelong companion, I raised my hand, pointing toward her. "Don't hold back... I'm right here." I spread my arms, smiling. "Let the show begin!"
With my words, she flashed an even larger abnormal smile and immediately after exploded into speed, moving through the chains like a shadow.
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