Chapter 51: Solar Flare
Verethragna's battle intent was awe-inspiring as the golden wheel behind him spun at high speeds.
"For victory, hasten before me! O immortal sun, grant me the radiant steed! Spirited horse with swift feet, bring forth the halo that symbolizes Thy Lord!"
From the distant heavens above the clouds came the neighing of a horse, and the entire sky instantly turned a deep crimson, as if the sun itself were falling. A steed was treading through the void. Rhythmic hoofbeats grew louder, and behind the stallion followed a massive sun.
It was not the sun following the horse, but the horse dragging the sun forward. This was one of Verethragna's Ten Incarnations—『White Stallion』!
In the atmosphere of stars, explosions known as solar flares sometimes occur. The ultimate move of the [White Stallion] incarnation is to summon white flames from the sky equivalent to a solar flare.
"Demon King who commands the sky, storms, and the earth! Under this sacred flame, burn to ashes!"
With Verethragna's loud proclamation, the sun that illuminated heaven and earth descended. The surging waves and waterspouts beneath it instantly boiled under the heat; steam turned into a white mist spanning a hundred miles, enveloping the entire island. Above this thick white fog, the crimson burning corona was strikingly conspicuous, feeling like the surface of a star drawing closer.
This was a terrifying high temperature capable of melting the hardest substances in the world. Almost no one could withstand this strike with their physical body alone. Shirou, however, was currently considering which method to use to respond. Whether it was a Divine Artifact, a Noble Phantasm, or an Authority, he had ways to deal with such an attack.
"I'll go with this one."
Following Shirou's words, a golden trident appeared in his hand—the Divine Artifact he had seized from the "Sea King" Poseidon. Then, the Authority 『Ocean Storm』 was activated!
On the golden trident in Shirou's hand, sea-blue divine power began to churn like boiling water. Shirou swung the trident, and the seawater surrounding the island rose up instantly, transforming into massive pillars of water streaking across the sky. The power of the Authority caused the seawater to emit a brilliant azure light, merging into a water dragon over a thousand meters long to collide with the [White Stallion].
BOOM—!!!
Oceanic divine power and the solar flare negated each other, finally vanishing into nothingness. Seeing this, Verethragna wasted no time. The golden wheel behind him spun rapidly and stopped at—『Warrior』!
"In my name, I declare: Zeus, 'King of the Gods'; Poseidon, 'God of the Seas'...
Fear me and retreat quickly! I am the one who can break through any obstacle. Neither the powerful nor the unrighteous can defeat me!!"
Using the Authorities Shirou had just employed as information, Verethragna gazed at Shirou with a solemn face. He chanted his strongest Word of Power in a high-pitched, aria-like voice, summoning his invincible 『Golden Sword』.
"Fear me! Fear me and my majestic name! My name is Verethragna, the protector of light and the sanctuary. Fear me, Bahram! O Campione!"
The youth incarnation of Verethragna looked solemn. He was treating Shirou entirely as an evil god from myth; even the three-headed demon dragon had not forced him to use this ultimate sword!
Around Verethragna, spheres of golden light appeared, and his Word of Power reached its climax.
"I am the strongest, the one who holds all victory in my hand. I frustrate the wicked and the demons; I frustrate all enemies and hostility. All enemies who stand before me shall eventually be crushed by me. With the protection of Mithra and the skill of the Word of Power, I manifest justice in the world. Language is power, the Word of Power is radiance. Radiance, Word of Power, become my sword..."
Countless golden light spheres emerged, spreading out around Verethragna.
"I recognize thee! Thou art Zeus, 'King of the Gods'! Thou art the God of the Sky, the God of Clouds! Thou commandest lightning, the heavens, authority, and all things!"
As Verethragna spoke, the golden light spheres around him began to transform one by one into longswords of light.
"Thou art Poseidon, 'God of the Seas'! Thou art the God of the Sea, the God of Earthquakes, the God of Storms, and the God of Horses!"
The golden light reigned supreme over all. The tens of thousands of light spheres surrounding Verethragna all became golden swords, forming a massive sword formation. The tips of the blades, flowing with the light of the Word of Power, pointed directly at Shirou.
"Language is light, the Word of Power is light! Therefore, O light, O Word of Power, become my sword, turn into my blade!!"
Whether it was the Authority of Zeus or Poseidon, from the moment Verethragna recited the first Word of Power, those Authorities became unusable, no matter how Shirou tried to summon them.
"So this is the [Warrior] of the Ten Incarnations... truly impressive."
Shirou did not stop the golden swords from falling toward him; even if he wanted to, he couldn't. Countless swords pierced through his body, yet they left no wounds or bloodstains. The Golden Sword does not cause physical damage; the only thing it can cut is divinity!
Once those ten thousand golden swords had pierced Shirou from head to toe, his Authorities were completely severed, rendering them unusable for a short period.
"It is over, Campione! Victory is never decided by surface combat power. If you thought you could defeat me solely with the Authorities of Zeus and Poseidon, then I have sealed them! Now that you have lost the strongest powers you rely on, let us see how you will fight me!"
Seeing that his Golden Sword had sealed Shirou's Authorities, the ever-victorious War God made this definitive statement.
"I am the strongest, and I hold all victory in my hand. Whether man or demon—I am the one who frustrates the hostility of all enemies! I shall crush any foe who blocks my path! O Bull with the shining golden horns, grant me your aid!"
Subsequently, the golden wheel behind Verethragna reappeared and spun rapidly once more, the pointer stopping at—『Bull』!
The [Bull] incarnation granted Verethragna overwhelming Herculean strength that surpassed human limits and reinforced his physical body. The stronger the target of this power, the greater the increase in his monstrous strength.
Having temporarily sealed Shirou's Authorities, Verethragna no longer believed Shirou posed much of a threat, feeling that any incarnation would be sufficient to defeat him.
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