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“AAAAARGH!! Azure God, you B̲A̲S̲T̲A̲R̲D̲!!!”

Lubbock’s roar tore through the air with such force that it felt as though his very throat might rip apart. His body moved with impossible precision, each strike fluid and relentless. The sword in his grip pulsed with energy, glowing as he chained technique after technique in rapid succession.

After flawlessly executing his initial barrage, he tightened his grip around his most treasured weapon—the legendary greatsword, «Zetsu». A miracle of craftsmanship, it was a drop exclusive to the strongest Level 120 raid-class monster in «E.H.O». No other magic sword among players could compare to its sheer stats, nor had any weapon endured eight consecutive reinforcements and remained intact.

The remaining eight swords whirled around him in a deadly orbit as he stood at the heart of the battlefield, surrounded by the fading embers of Tamegoro’s flames. Channeling every ounce of strength within him, he unleashed a strike that embodied both his body and soul.

“—Meteor Vanisher!!”

He activated his signature move—an original technique capable of delivering a guaranteed critical hit with a one-in-three probability, bypassing all defenses and HP limitations. The price? Half of his own HP and MP. Normally, such a technique could only be used once per battle. But through sheer mastery, Lubbock extended its effect to all nine of his swords simultaneously.

The highest number of critical hits this technique had ever achieved was seven—back when he and his team had slain the raid-class monster «Yug Stoth» in an instant. That record had remained unbroken ever since.

But now…

Whether it was the lingering will of the fallen Tamegoro, or the sheer force of his own determination—Lubbock could feel it. This strike would surpass every record that came before it.

And then—BOOM.

—He did it.

He killed him.

Lubbock felt it—the unmistakable sensation of severing Azure God’s life force. A triumphant smile spread across his face. But it lasted only a moment.

“A fool’s pursuit.”

A voice, calm and indifferent, rang out just as a massive blade cleaved through the weakened remnants of the fire pillar. The weapon tore through the flames and came crashing toward him in a sweeping arc.

“Rgh—!” Lubbock instinctively commanded his nine swords to form a defensive barrier, but the colossal blade crashed into them like a sledgehammer striking glass. They shattered instantly, fragments scattering across the battlefield as the force sent him hurtling backward.

The sheer force of the blow launched Lubbock into the ruins of the Imperial Villa, debris crumbling around him as he crashed into the wreckage.

“…Damn it…!”

Gritting his teeth, Lubbock forced himself upright, leaning heavily on his shattered «Zetsu» as if it were a crutch. He shoved aside the debris, breath ragged. The backlash from his own technique, coupled with the devastating counter, had drained his HP into the danger zone—flashing red.

“What the hell is that sword…?”

Lubbock’s voice was thick with disbelief as he stared between Azure God—who stood there nearly unscathed, save for a small tear in his robe—and the sword that had obliterated all nine of his weapons in a single swing.

“Hmm? Curious about Amadeus, are we?”

“In simple terms, this is the true strongest sword—the one that stands above all others in the «E.H.O» database. Unlike that so-called ‘strongest’ of yours. No—comparing it to your «Zetsu» or even «Gilles de Rais» would be an insult.”

“Its strength has no limit, scaling infinitely with the wielder’s level. While equipped, it nullifies all abnormal statuses, attacks, spells, debuffs, and even special techniques. Furthermore, any strike from Amadeus strips away the target’s abilities, bypasses all defenses, and erases any buffs. And, of course—damage inflicted by it cannot be healed.”

“What the hell? That’s completely broken! Since when did this game have a cheat-tier weapon like that?”

Lubbock’s voice rose in disbelief, his expression more bewildered than shocked. Meanwhile, Azure God merely shrugged, as if the matter was of little consequence.

“Of course you wouldn’t know. After all, this weapon is exclusive to the Game Master (GM).”

Lubbock froze, his entire body going rigid at the revelation.

“A GM weapon!? You—don’t tell me you’re—!?”
“…That was a long time ago.”

Ignoring Lubbock’s stunned reaction, Azure God reached into his robe and withdrew another jewel—identical to the one he had shattered earlier, save for the silver flame flickering within. Without a second thought, he tossed it to the ground.

“Regardless, your pathetic attempt to buy time ends here.” Azure God’s voice was flat, indifferent. Without hesitation, he raised Amadeus and swung it down toward the jewel at his feet.

“—Damn it… I’m sorry, Tamegoro. I… I fai—”

Lubbock had nothing left—no weapons, no techniques, nothing. He had exhausted his entire arsenal, yet it had all been for nothing. His fists clenched, his lips bled from the force of his own bite, but all he could do was stare at his fallen friend’s lifeless body in helpless frustration.

In mere moments, the sword would strike, shattering the jewel and sealing their fate. But—

“What do you think you’re doing, Emperor?”

Azure God’s gaze darkened with skepticism as he watched Emperor Valfang VII step forward, plucking the rolling jewel from the ground with ease. The battlefield around them had long since transcended human limits, reduced to nothing more than a slaughterhouse—bodies scattered like discarded dolls. Yet, amidst the carnage, Valfang VII walked with an almost casual elegance, as if he were merely taking a morning stroll through his garden.

“Just picking up what others can’t, that’s all. Since no one else seems capable, I figured I’d do it myself. Not like I have anything better to do, wouldn’t you agree, Azure God?”

“…Another fool’s pursuit. At this distance, all it would take is a flick of my wrist, and you’d be erased from existence—along with that jewel.” Azure God’s tone remained flat as he leveled Amadeus at Valfang VII’s heart, its tip glinting with lethal intent.

“Well, you’re not wrong.”

Even with the specter of death looming over him, the emperor showed no sign of fear. It wasn’t the measured composure of a seasoned ruler—it was something far simpler. He simply didn’t care. Life and death held no weight for him; the flame that made such matters significant had long since burned out.

And because he was the least bound by the fear of death, Valfang VII moved across the battlefield with the greatest freedom.

“Fath—” Behind him, Oliana reached out, her voice trembling. But before she could finish, her words dissolved into a choked sob. She understood. No, she had been made to understand. The dice had been cast—there was no turning back.

“You really are hopeless. A worthless scrap, even here.” Azure God scoffed and nudged his blade forward with an almost lazy motion. There was no real force behind it—just the casual flick one might use to crush an insect underfoot.

The emperor remained unshaken. Instead, he smiled—calm, almost victorious—and spoke.

“I will die here. And for one who has long since lost hope, death is, paradoxically, a kind of joy. But what of you, Azure God? You will remain, trapped in this unending hell. Shackled by the weight of your own existence. Abandoned. Left to wander alone, an eternal nomad… Oh, Azure God, we shall take our leave first. Feel free to take your time—this eternity of torment is yours to tread alone.”

“YOU—YOU!!”

The enraged cry burst from beneath the hood. The urge to swing his sword, to silence that mocking voice, nearly consumed him. But reason whispered a warning—striking now would be playing into the emperor’s hands.

His grip tightened. The sword’s tip quivered.

“—Then, I leave it to you.” In that single instant of hesitation, the emperor cast the life jewel into the air—toward Lubbock.

What happened next felt like a silent dream to Oliana. Azure God clicked his tongue in irritation and swung his massive blade. The emperor—her father—turned to look at her one last time, smiling. Then, like morning mist swallowed by the sun, he was gone.

At that moment, a red-haired angel burst forth from Lubbock’s battered chest. She seized the life jewel mid-air, clutching it tightly in both hands. Then, with a powerful beat of her wings, she soared away from the battlefield.

Azure God slashed again—this time, at the fleeing angel. The invisible blade roared through the air, slicing clean through the palace’s crumbling roof.

She twisted, trying to evade—but the blade carved through her back like splitting fruit, severing one of her wings. She plummeted, her grip on the life jewel unyielding even as she fell.

Oliana stood frozen, watching in stunned disbelief. But before she could process it, Lubbock grabbed her—along with Tamegoro’s lifeless body—and used that fleeting opening to flee.

“—Tsk.” Azure God moved to follow, but before he could, the shattered remains of Lubbock’s nine swords lunged toward him from the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust that momentarily obscured his vision.

“Parlor tricks…” With a mere flick of his wrist, Azure God obliterated the hilts of the remaining swords. He turned his gaze toward the path Lubbock had fled, but they were already gone. His scowl deepened in irritation.

Tearing his gaze away, he tilted his head slightly, peering from beneath his hood toward the spot where the jewel should have fallen.

“I definitely crushed her. And even if she somehow survived, the Void Mist will consume her soon enough. At best, he’ll have just enough time to warn Hiyuki.”

Muttering to himself, Azure God slipped Amadeus back into his chest pocket and turned away. A soft azure glow pulsed from his body, and in response, the swirling Void Mist parted before him, shaping itself into a pale, winding path.

“…What a waste of time. The results barely justify the effort—then again, perhaps they do. At the very least, this will serve as a fitting warning to Hiyuki. As for the rest… well, it’s all just a gamble now.”

As he spoke those final words, his shoulders trembled—just for an instant.

“A bet… Hmph. It’s been a long time since I’ve used that word.”

With that, his figure melted into the swirling depths of the Void Mist.

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