At this moment, Asagi clasped her hands tightly together, her heartbeat quickening uncontrollably. As she stared at the battlefield unfolding before her, a deep sense of unease crept into her heart. Yet, her intuition whispered something entirely different.
Sebastian, who had yet to make a move, showed no trace of panic. His calm demeanor made it seem as though Ryūra was nothing more than an insignificant existence. Still, Asagi could sense it clearly: Ryūra had regained the divine power he had once lost. That overwhelming aura was undeniably terrifying.
A Ryūra who had recovered his divine authority was nearly immortal. Otherwise, Kanade would never have sacrificed her life just to seal the power of the Shitōshin. Her pulse raced faster and faster.
And just then, she heard Miyatsu's excited voice ring out, "Look, sister! That person moved!"
Asagi lifted her head and focused her gaze on the battlefield. At that moment, a faint smile appeared on Sebastian's lips, and then he vanished without a trace. In the very next second, he had already appeared in front of Ayame. "Sir?!"
Before she could react, Sebastian wrapped one arm around Ayame, pulling her into his embrace. At the same time, a crimson Oni-like aura enveloped his entire body, radiating a sinister yet overwhelming presence. Then, he slowly raised his fingers and pointed toward Ryūra in the distance.
This was a spell he had once learned from Ainz Ooal Gown, yet now, it had been enhanced and refined through his own mastery of magic and technology.
At first, only a tiny black sphere appeared, no more than a few centimeters in diameter. But in the blink of an eye, the sphere erupted with an overwhelming gravitational pull. Everything around it was dragged violently toward its core. Even Ryūra's devastating Wind and Thunder attacks were not spared.
Within mere seconds, the once overwhelming storm of energy capable of tearing everything apart was devoured by the black hole, leaving nothing behind. Not only were Ryūra's attacks erased, but even his domain of power collapsed under the force. His two weapons were ripped from his grasp and hurled to the ground.
"H-How… how is this possible…? "Ryūra fell to his knees, his face filled with disbelief and terror.
Never in his life had he encountered such a horrifying power. Before this incomprehensible force, his own strength felt utterly insignificant.
Sebastian gently set Ayame down, then walked forward. Standing before Ryūra, he looked down at him from above, his presence exuding an overwhelming sense of oppression that left Ryūra unable to speak.
After regaining his strength, Ryūra believed himself invincible, untouchable by anyone in this world. But now, standing before Sebastian, he finally understood… He was nothing.
"From now on, this island falls under my jurisdiction." Sebastian's voice was calm, almost casual, but carried absolute authority.
"Who… who are you…?" Ryūra's voice trembled.
[ Chronosphere Ready. ]
"The leader of the G.D.I." A faint smile curved on Sebastian's lips as he clapped his hands.
[ Warning, Chronosphere Activated. ]
In an instant, countless beams of light erupted across the sky as the Chronosphere activated. An enormous army descended upon Hōrai Island.
Massive tanks lined the ground like an impenetrable steel wall, while bombers tore through the skies above. Before Sebastian stood rows upon rows of disciplined troops, their presence alone radiating overwhelming force.
Only then did Ryūra truly realize that if Sebastian had wished, he could have taken the entire island effortlessly from the very beginning. His earlier battle with the Shitōshin had merely been… a warm-up.
"Take him away. Send him to the lab." Sebastian said with a light smile, glancing at the utterly broken Ryūra.
In the distant valley, two figures, one tall, one small, appeared silently. "Looks like we're late."
Jaken stood beside Sesshomaru atop a two-headed dragon beast, having witnessed the entire battle.
"T-This is terrifying…" Jaken's voice trembled as he looked at the vast army before him, his face pale with fear.
He had seen Ryūra at the height of his power, an existence even Sesshomaru might struggle to face. Yet in front of Sebastian, Ryūra hadn't even been able to resist. And that wasn't all; Sebastian had summoned an army in an instant.
Jaken had always known Sebastian was powerful, but never imagined it would be to this extent. Worse still… it was obvious that Sebastian hadn't even gone all out.
Jaken turned to look at Sesshomaru. If his lord truly intended to challenge Sebastian to reclaim Tenseiga… it would be nothing short of suicide.
"M-My lord…"
"Let's go."
Jaken froze for a moment, stunned by Sesshomaru's calm response. He hadn't expected the ever-proud Sesshomaru to choose retreat on his own.
Though he had come intending to challenge Sebastian, he also sought a chance to repay the life debt he owed. But now, he understood clearly: Sebastian's strength was absolute. There was no need for his assistance. And more importantly… his current power was insignificant in comparison. Rather than humiliating himself, it was better to grow stronger first.
Without another word, Sesshomaru turned and left.
"I'm sorry, Sir Sebastian… for causing you trouble." Back in the valley, Sebastian gently released Ayame from his arms. Earlier, Ryūra's attack had been far too destructive. To ensure Ayame's safety, he had shielded her completely.
In truth, throughout the battle, Ayame had been unable to contribute much. She had yet to undergo Sebastian's transformation and guidance, leaving her strength relatively weak. Without the protection of Tsubaki and Kikyō, she might have already perished.
Thinking of her earlier bold words, claiming she would help ease Sebastian's burden, only to end up relying on him entirely, Ayame couldn't help but feel deeply ashamed.
"You are strong." With his perceptive insight, Sebastian could easily read the thoughts in her heart. Guilt. Frustration. Self-blame. But in reality, Ryūra was far beyond anything Ayame could handle.
"You did well."
"But… I didn't help at all…" Though Sebastian's words comforted her slightly, Ayame couldn't ignore the truth; her strength was lacking.
She had come here alone, hoping to find a way to make her tribe stronger. But now she understood all her failures stemmed from one thing: her own weakness. Only by becoming stronger could she truly lead her people to strength.
She took a deep breath, then looked at Sebastian with determination in her eyes. "Sir Sebastian… please accept me as your apprentice!"