Crimson light illuminated the night sky within the barrier. Rikuo could feel that tremendous power.
An Anti-Personnel Noble Phantasm?
No... this was—
An Anti-Army Noble Phantasm!
Power capable of annihilating an entire army!
Without question, if such an attack struck the ground, even the mighty Hundred Demons would not emerge unscathed.
"..."
Seeing those youkai positioning themselves in front of him, Rikuo refused to let them take the hit.
He was going to lead the Hundred Demons and become the Lord of Pandemonium!
Therefore, he would never let his youkai become sacrifices.
"What are you doing?"
Watching Rikuo step past the youkai to stand at the very front, Cu Chulainn furrowed his brow.
"As the general of these youkai, hiding behind them when danger arrives doesn't suit my style. What's more, I can't bear to see them die—even if they're just echoes from my memories."
Witnessing that figure standing firm with blade in hand, Cu Chulainn couldn't help but admire his courage and conviction.
"Even knowing you'll die?"
"No... I won't die! No one will die!!"
"Is that so? Then let's see if you're just talking big!"
That unwavering resolve and the way he raised his blade truly impressed Cu Chulainn.
Facing this wide-area Noble Phantasm capable of destroying armies, Rikuo didn't choose to evade. Instead, he stood further forward than anyone to confront it directly.
For that act alone, Cu Chulainn could give Rikuo a "gutsy" evaluation.
HAAAH!!
Leaping straight up, gripping the reformed Nenekirimaru, Rikuo clashed blade-tip against the demonic spear.
CRACKLE!!
A violent impact erupted from the collision. He could feel the tremendous force pushing him back toward the ground.
'This power...'
Gritting his teeth to hold firm, even with [Matoi] activated, there was no sign of him being able to budge the demonic spear.
Even with the support of his Reality Marble, there was still no indication he could block it.
"So you've run out of options."
Watching Rikuo being pushed back from high altitude, Cu Chulainn wasn't surprised.
Rather, his thrown spear was actually more lethal—especially against someone with a collective like Rikuo, where its anti-group power could be fully utilized.
When the spear crashed into the ground, the energy released would destroy all the Hundred Demons within this barrier in a single strike.
Black and crimson pressure clashed in the air, but the crimson waves gradually began suppressing the black.
"Heh, sorry to that pretty young lady, but this match... I've won!"
Slowly descending from the sky, Cu Chulainn watched the spear approaching the earth and could already see the outcome.
Before throwing this Noble Phantasm, he'd deliberately used Rune Magecraft to enhance himself.
This was far more threatening than what he'd used at Naraku's place.
"Still, he hasn't given up..."
"Quite the tenacious one!"
Seeing Rikuo's attitude of refusing to surrender, Cu Chulainn was rather surprised.
'Not enough...'
'Still not enough!'
'The [Matoi] of just one person cannot block this!'
This was the greatest crisis he'd ever faced. The threat of total annihilation rivaled facing the newly resurrected Seimei.
So he had to use greater power.
A defense sufficient to block that demonic spear!
His Hundred Demons must not be destroyed by this attack!
He would protect those youkai, and protect humans too!
Having resolved to defeat the strongest enemy in a thousand years, how could he stop here?
To become the Lord of Pandemonium—that was Rikuo's ultimate ideal!
"If one isn't enough... then two, three! Until I'm completely drained and can bear no more!"
"Come, my Hundred Demons!"
"Lend me all of your power!!"
The shadows behind him showed moved expressions, then without hesitation transformed into black energy that surged into Rikuo's back.
HAAAH!!
RAAAAAHHH!!!!
His physique transformed. Countless intricate patterns manifested across his body as that swelling aura exploded forth in an instant.
"What?!"
Watching this scene, Cu Chulainn was momentarily stunned.
He'd never seen anything like this!
BOOM!!
At that same moment, the demonic spear detonated—
CRASH!!
A massive explosion rang out, echoing through the entire barrier as the ground shook violently.
...
"What happened?!"
"Is it over?"
The two figures reappeared on the ground, drawing Inuyasha and the others' attention.
"Rikuo's barrier disappeared..."
"Who won?!"
Faint dust still obscured their figures—they couldn't see the situation clearly at first.
When everything settled, they finally saw the battered forms.
Covered in blood, appearing severely wounded, Rikuo stood holding a broken blade—while Cu Chulainn bore only minor scratches.
"I blocked it! I didn't let a single one die!"
Despite such injuries, Rikuo's lips curved upward.
"Heh, indeed you did."
"Quite the beloved commander..."
"To unleash such power at the critical moment—I underestimated you."
Cu Chulainn looked at Rikuo standing before him, then spoke frankly.
'Those youkai protected him, and he in turn protected those youkai...'
'It's like a cycle, forming an incredible resonance.'
'At the last possible moment, this kid actually held on.'
Naturally understanding what had just happened, Cu Chulainn was quite impressed by the unity and camaraderie of these youkai.
That determination to protect their general, combined with Rikuo's reciprocal action—that was the key to their miracle.
"[Matoi]... [Hyakki Yako]..."
"Nura Rikuo!"
"I, Cu Chulainn, will remember your name!"
Recalling his thrown spear, Cu Chulainn rested it on his shoulder with satisfaction.
"..."
Seeing his opponent had no intention of continuing the fight, Rikuo finally released his taut nerves.
Kneeling on one knee, recalling that dangerous gambit, he tried to commit that sensation to memory.
Using the Hundred Demons in [Matoi]...
That was a method he'd never tried before. His [Matoi] had always been one-on-one—he'd never simultaneously merged with multiple youkai.
This time, with the help of the so-called Reality Marble and the approaching crisis, he'd attempted this "Hyakki Tenshin"—truly a dangerous approach.
Had it failed, he probably would have died before the spear even detonated.
"But... becoming a Heroic Spirit has led to an incredible discovery..."
Recalling that warm sensation from earlier, Rikuo transformed back to human form with a sigh.
From there, he'd sensed his father's and grandfather's "Fear."
Even in different places, through his [Reality Marble: Hyakki Yako], he could still connect with those two.
"I need to develop this power further..."
These were experiences he could never have had before. For Rikuo, it was an invaluable realization.
"Cu Chulainn... I've remembered you too. A truly valiant warrior."