Shikigami are the signature technique exclusive to Japan's unique profession of onmyoji. It's an ability that lets them summon tamed yokai and drive them as familiars.
Among onmyoji, the greatest is Abe no Seimei, who is even called the strongest onmyoji. As the strongest onmyoji, Abe no Seimei's signature shikigami are the legendary Twelve Divine Generals, including Tengshe, Suzaku, Liuhe, Gouchen, Qinglong, Tianyi, Tianhou, Taiyin, Xuanwu, Baihu, Taishang, and Tiankong. Tengshe and Liuhe are even among the top three most powerful shikigami of the Twelve Divine Generals.
Ordinary onmyoji can summon at most one shikigami. Powerful onmyoji can summon two shikigami to fight at the same time. Abe no Seimei, known as the strongest, can summon all twelve shikigami to fight together—though as a heroic spirit, doing so would consume an enormous amount of mana.
"Shikigami? An onmyoji? This is a heroic spirit too? Then let me guess which onmyoji you are." Meruem spoke while casually dodging attacks from the three summoned shikigami.
"Tengshe… Liuhe… could you be Abe no Seimei, the so-called strongest onmyoji?" Meruem didn't know much about Japan's culture, but the name Abe no Seimei was still famous, and it left a strong impression on him.
After all, in the world of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan that Meruem had been to, the final boss was Abe no Seimei. As one of the opponents he had personally slain, Meruem understood him to some extent.
But Abe no Seimei in that world and Abe no Seimei in this world had the same name yet fought in completely different ways.
The Abe no Seimei before him fought in a way more in line with an onmyoji's style: shikigami as the main force, onmyodo techniques as support.
"Interesting." His identity being seen through at a glance didn't fluster Abe no Seimei at all. Instead, he studied Meruem with keen interest. "If it weren't for my Master's order, I'd really like to befriend you. Unfortunately…"
"I have no interest in befriending you." Meruem kicked the three shikigami surrounding him away and charged straight toward Abe no Seimei. Catch the leader first—once Abe no Seimei was dealt with, these shikigami would be dismissed instantly.
Tengshe, who could manipulate flames and had formidable close-combat ability; Liuhe, known as the strongest defensive shikigami; and Gouchen, called a fierce general who wielded the power of earth—despite the three strongest melee-oriented generals joining forces, they were completely and easily suppressed by Meruem.
At this moment, Meruem instantly closed the distance to Abe no Seimei to less than ten meters.
Abe no Seimei paid no attention to Meruem's approach. His hands kept forming seals as he chanted incantations no outsider could understand. Countless runes lit up in the air around Meruem, blocking his path.
Great Onmyodo Technique!
"So you really do have some skill! Worthy of Japan's strongest onmyoji." Much trickier than the brawler-type from the Nura world, Meruem thought to himself.
But his body didn't slow down at all because of the runes swirling around him. "Onmyodo? I wonder if you can stop my fist. Giant Horn *EX!"
Taurus's fiercest fist, paired with Meruem's overwhelming A++A++A++ strength, was truly terrifying. Abe no Seimei's Great Onmyodo Technique was rated B+B+B+, yet it couldn't stop Meruem's movement for even a moment.
Don't forget one of Meruem's Personal Skills: God of Martial Arts. Letting Meruem close the distance like this—don't forget that across the many worlds Meruem had experienced, the one thing he had honed consistently was his martial ability. Once Meruem got in close, even Goldie would have to shed some skin to retreat safely.
Abe no Seimei made the wrong call from the start. Even if he summoned shikigami, he shouldn't have chosen to let them engage Meruem in close combat. Aside from the rare shikigami that are purely physical fighters, what makes most shikigami truly formidable is their bizarre, varied abilities.
The blame lay in Abe no Seimei being too confident in his own power. He never imagined Meruem's strength would exceed his expectations. If he had been more cautious, then even if Meruem wanted to take him down, he would have had to pay a price.
"Lord Seimei!" Seeing Abe no Seimei in danger, the shikigami—an onmyoji's most loyal subordinates—immediately moved to shield him.
Although it blocked Meruem's punch, Liuhe, the shikigami said to have the strongest defense, was shattered by Meruem's single blow.
But as long as the onmyoji wasn't dead, even if a shikigami dispersed, it wouldn't take long to recover.
"Liuhe! Damn it—Tengshe!" Seeing his most loyal shikigami killed right in front of him, Abe no Seimei's expression finally changed.
He hadn't expected Meruem's strength to be that high. Not only did his Great Onmyodo Technique fail to affect the opponent at all, even Liuhe—the strongest in defense—couldn't withstand a single punch.
As one of the top figures among the Twelve Divine Generals, Tengshe's greatest specialty was flames. Crimson Lotus Hellfire! Endless scarlet flames appeared before Meruem. If Meruem wanted to continue attacking Abe no Seimei, he would definitely be burned by those flames.
Even if he could kill Abe no Seimei here with one strike, Meruem would definitely be injured as well. After weighing it again and again, Meruem ultimately backed off.
If he were in his normal form, Meruem wouldn't care about such small flames at all, but… Meruem was currently in a heroic spirit state. His entire body was formed from mana, so getting these flames on him would be very troublesome.
In the end, Meruem abandoned the idea of continuing his attack on Abe no Seimei.
"Spectacular." Even the King of Conquerors couldn't help praising it after watching their fight. Meruem and Abe no Seimei's clash lasted only a few minutes, yet those few minutes presented a dazzling battle—shikigami, onmyodo, and Meruem's martial arts.
You could say its intensity was not inferior at all to the earlier fight between Diarmuid and Artoria.
But whether it was the King of Conquerors, Artoria, or Diarmuid, none of the three Servants had any intention of interfering.
If it were two-on-one, the King of Conquerors might step in. But the current situation was a one-on-one duel, and the three who upheld chivalry—or the spirit of bushido—only watched quietly as Meruem fought Abe no Seimei.
What? Abe no Seimei also had three shikigami, so it doesn't count as one-on-one?
Don't take the King of Conquerors and the others for fools. Anyone with eyes could tell that Meruem and Abe no Seimei's fight was a one-on-one duel.
"LANCER, as your Master, I order you to join CASTER's battle and kill that Servant together."
Kayneth's distinctive, lilting aristocratic tone rang out across the empty area, startling the three who had been watching Meruem's fight with full focus.
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