After a brief moment of thought, Sayaka Kirasaka realized that, aside from Gardos, neither Petos nor Zeta seemed like opponents she could handle on her own.
Petos was manageable, though stronger than her, his main threat was his immortality. With her and Yukina Himeragi's coordination, as long as there were no barriers, they could escape even if they couldn't win.
Zeta, however, was truly unbeatable, a plain but monstrously powerful fighter, capable of one-shotting them. She could only pray that Zeta's current condition wouldn't last long.
Afterward, they could try contacting Cid to see whether he had already escaped or was still holding off Grendel, and based on that, decide whether to return the way they came.
Time had dragged on too long. By Sayaka Kirasaka's estimate, Cid was either already on the run or close to being killed. Of course, he wasn't dead, otherwise Grendel would have already caught and killed them.
Trying to fight back against Grendel was simply a fool's illusion. Grendel was a powerhouse, rated by Cid as an even 50-50 match.
Although Sayaka had been calling Cid a scumbag ever since he stole Yukina Himeragi's heart while maintaining ambiguous relationships with other women, and combined with her own prejudice and stubbornness toward men, she had never doubted Cid's combat ability.
Unless he was absolutely certain of failure, Cid would never accept Grendel's game invitation, no matter what he thought.
Now, all she could do was pray that, without the three of them holding him back, Cid would manage to escape successfully.
The runic patterns on the ground began to flicker as massive amounts of Magical Power converged. Realizing this, Sayaka Kirasaka exchanged a glance with Yukina Himeragi and Asagi Aiba. They reached a silent consensus, they would kill Gardos first, as he was clearly the odd one out.
Once Gardos was dead, they could wait for the two fighters ahead to weaken each other, and then see if there was a chance to finish both off.
With their plan set, and seeing that the two combatants ahead were completely unaware of their presence, Asagi Aiba and the others charged toward Gardos.
Tremendous Magical Power began to surge through the runes on the ground. Magical Arts manifested at the edges of the array, unleashing a barrage of attacks, purple light illuminated the entire underground chamber, while strange incantations poured from Gardos's mouth.
"Hum…"
A violent tremor radiated from the black crystal hovering above the center of the rune array. A red light flashed in the eye of the massive spider-like machine at the convergence point, and several tentacles extended from its body, piercing into the unconscious body of Kojou Akatsuki on the other side.
The Fourth Primogenitor's immense Magical Power was siphoned off, and massive Magical Fluctuations spread from the rune array, affecting the entire Itogami Island.
Tsunamis and earthquakes erupted, the land and sea becoming outlets for the unleashed power.
The Fourth Primogenitor's nine Beast Vassals appeared in the sky and launched attacks. The giant spider machine, as the primary target, had its metallic shell crushed, deformed, and melted into molten iron under the onslaught of these Primogenitor-level Beast Vassals.
Yet in the next moment, the destroyed sections of the spider robot regenerated by absorbing Kojou Akatsuki's Magical Power, emerging even stronger than before.
Only the spider robot at the center of the array and Gardos remained relatively unscathed. The aftereffects of the Primogenitor Beast Vassals' attacks, carrying incredible Magical Power, spread out of the array, leaving the entire underground space in peril.
Facing these aftereffects, Sayaka Kirasaka and her companions, being closest to Gardos, bore the brunt of the attacks first.
It was proof that the True Primogenitor lived up to their name. Even though it was only a fragmented Fourth Primogenitor, and nearly ninety percent of the attack had been absorbed by the spider robot, Sayaka and her team still had to use every method at their disposal to barely withstand it.
"It seems the ritual is almost complete…"
Taking advantage of Zeta being distracted by the sudden attack, Petos used his crimson-black chains to block Zeta's strike, allowing him to slip into the center of the magic array.
"Zeta-san, if you're dissatisfied with the compensation I offered for killing your loved ones, perhaps I could offer something of even greater value?"
"Still not giving up? Fine. Go on, let me see this 'higher value' compensation. If you can move me before I cut you down, I'll spare you."
A golden wheel struck the defensive barrier at the edge of the magic array. Zeta's expression lit up with interest.
"Zeta-san, do you… wish to become a God?"
With a mysterious smile, Petos spoke softly, drawing out each word.
At that moment, Gardos, behind Petos, recited another spell.
White light, holy, radiant white light appeared.
In the next instant, an overwhelming surge of Magical Power erupted from above the formation. It shattered the Magical Arts protecting the underground chamber ceiling, blasting a massive hole from below to above.
Sunlight poured in, revealing the outside world to everyone inside.
A milky-white substance, thick like liquid yet light as mist, hovered over Itogami Island, dense and widespread.
After the white Holy Light pierced the roof, the white mist in the sky seemed to receive a signal, cascading downward like a funnel along the spider robots.
"Aaaah!!!"
Kojou Akatsuki let out a scream. The moment his Magical Power came into contact with the white mist, it turned searing hot, as if molten lava were flowing through his body.
"What... is this!?"
The instant the white mist appeared, Zeta felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her body twisted uneasily as an invisible pressure bore down on her, draining away her stamina and Magical Power. She gasped for air.
What's going on?!
Asagi Aiba pushed herself up from the ground, only to freeze in confusion at the sight before her. The battle had completely turned around in an instant.
"The Ascension Ceremony."
In response to Zeta's confusion, Petos's lips curled into a broad smile as he began to explain.
"This is the legendary god-slaying weapon from World No. 2, Nalakuvera."
Petos walked over to a Nalakuvera unit that had not been activated and was still powered down, then placed a hand on its metal shell.
"As everyone knows, legends are often exaggerated, and these god-slaying weapons are no exception. We ran experiments, and the limit of these units is only around S-rank. They're powerful, yes, but only to that extent."
"But..."
At that point, Petos raised his voice.
"These god-slaying weapons possess two fascinating traits: adaptation and healing. To put it simply, if one of these weapons is attacked with fire, then heals from the damage, it will develop extremely high resistance to fire afterward."
"Quite a coincidence, isn't it?
"Several hundred years ago, during one of the world collisions, our Cult of Diablos obtained a fragmented ritual from another world. A ritual for becoming a God!!!"
He turned to look at Zeta. The calm on Petos's face was gone, replaced by naked fanaticism.
"We were incredibly fortunate. After the worlds merged, we successfully completed that fragmented ritual. All that's needed is to absorb a vast amount of Magical Power and faith, and one can become a God."
"But at the same time, we were terribly unlucky. Based on our deductions, this so-called Ascension Ceremony has two absolute requirements."
"First, the one who ascends must possess a special constitution, one capable of actively retaining the faith that gathers upon them."
"Second, that person must have a body strong enough to endure the impact of that faith. Otherwise, they'll be reduced to ashes under the strain."
Though his tone sounded regretful, a trace of sorrow also slipped into Petos's voice.
"That truly gave us a headache. Where were we supposed to find someone with both a body strong enough and a constitution capable of actively retaining faith?"
Then his tone shifted. Petos pointed at Gardos, mockery written across his face.
"But then an idiot delivered the answer right to our doorstep. A weapon with adaptive capabilities. Do you know what that means? It means we can artificially create such a special individual."
"And even more conveniently, this world just so happens to have a Fourth Primogenitor with immense Magical Power who doesn't know how to use it. It was practically a gift dropped from the heavens."
"Once the Hero Faction used the Holy Grail to grant Nalakuvera a semi-physical body, and we solved the issue with the Magical Art, the Ascension Ceremony became possible."
Petos bent slightly toward Zeta, extended a hand, and made an inviting gesture.
"Zeta-san, originally, our chosen candidate was the Beastman over there. But after meeting you, I think we can change that choice."
"You possess a body stronger than Gardos's, wisdom sharper than Gardos's, and power that utterly overwhelms Gardos's. You are the true Therianthrope destined to become the Beast God.
If you are willing to show even a shred of sincerity to prove that your Shadow Garden agrees to join forces with us, I can halt the ritual right now and forgo Gardos, allowing you to become the Beast God.
A friendly reminder, Zeta-san: using the Fourth Primogenitor's boundless Magical Power as a source, you will absorb the faith of the Therianthropes—a faith in a Beast God that has existed spontaneously for millennia yet is, in reality, non-existent—to ascend to Godhood. Finally, you will share in the Fourth Primogenitor's formidable immortality, evolving the adaptability and healing traits of Nalakuvera.
You will wield the strength of the powerful warriors under your leader's Shadow, and with your Magical Power, physique, stamina, defense, and immortality all advancing simultaneously, you will become the strongest among your peers."
"Consider my proposal, Zeta-san. Otherwise, once the Beast God is born and the die is cast, I'll have no choice but to bid you farewell with regret. I have no desire to have a mad dog trailing behind me."
With a mysterious, confident smile, Petos spoke.
"Are you threatening me?"
Tilting her head, Zeta stared coldly at Petos.
"It's merely a friendly reminder."
"Hah…"
With a derisive snort, Zeta nodded.
"Indeed, what you're saying is tempting…"
Hearing the doubt in her voice, the smile on Petos's face grew even brighter.
"But why should I cooperate with you? If I kill you, won't your possessions become mine anyway?"
Petos's expression froze.
"Zeta-san, it seems you haven't quite grasped who holds the upper hand here."
Petos truly couldn't fathom what was going through Zeta's mind. Couldn't she see the Beast God about to be born behind him? How dare she speak to him like that.
In response to Petos's bewilderment, Zeta merely cast a cold glance behind him—at Gardos, who was in the midst of his Ascension Ceremony.
Petos furrowed his brow but didn't dwell on it. Relying on his immortal body, he fearlessly turned to follow Zeta's gaze.
The power of the Beast God's faith, which had previously shrouded the entire Itogami Island in white mist, had already been funneled into Nalakuvera's sub-unit, ready to manifest the Beast God's divine essence at any moment.
Kojou Akatsuki had been absorbed into Nalakuvera's main unit; the Magical Power within him had been consumed as energy to activate Nalakuvera, and the Primogenitor's immortality had already been shared.
Everything was proceeding perfectly—except that Gardos, the "God" at the center of the ritual, had collapsed to his knees. He tried to speak the final deification incantation, but the Magic Circle on his neck left him only able to produce garbled sounds.
Standing outside the central magic circle, Yukina Himeragi shattered the final defensive Magical Art with her Sekkarou. Then Sayaka Kirasaka charged in, raising her greatsword to sever Gardos's head.
Asagi Aiba, palm aimed at Gardos with a Magic Circle identical to the one on his neck floating above, sensed Petos's gaze. She turned toward him and gave a few shy smiles.
"Boom!"
Frenzied Magical Power erupted from behind, shattering half of Petos's body and sending him crashing to the ground.
New limbs grew from the wound just as before, but this time the regeneration was visibly slower. Clearly, his immortal body had reached its limit.
Yet Petos simply stared blankly as Sayaka Kirasaka severed Gardos's head, as if witnessing something unbearable.
"Boom!"
Another explosion of Magical Power destroyed the remaining half of Petos's body. Perhaps the pain jolted him awake; he moved.
Gone was his composure. His face twisted in fury as he shouted curses at the already dead Gardos.
"Gardos, you worthless piece of trash…"
He had snapped. Truly snapped.
As a high-ranking member of the Cult of Diablos, he had the misfortune of being chosen to explore a new world—leaving the safety of his lair to risk his life for the plan.
After all that effort to create a World Rank 15 puppet, this was the outcome.
He had gone to extreme lengths, summoning two Evil Dragons from the Hero Faction to prevent failure—one of them even a Heavenly Dragon.
Realizing someone was hunting him, knowing the two Dragons would only watch rather than intervene, he had created a barrier to stall Zeta.
But the ritual subject being hunted caused the barrier to break prematurely. He had risked his life to hold Zeta back—but why? Why? WHY!!!
Damn it, he hadn't even realized he'd been silenced by a Magical Art. Was this a joke? He had been putting his life on the line, and Gardos had just sabotaged him?
And what about the other two teammates? Where were they?
Where was Grendel?
Where was Aži Dahāka?
The crystal had even been destroyed by a teammate, and they were still AFK. Was the plan even going to be completed?
"Thank you for bringing me this Ascension Ceremony. I will use it to bring true peace to the world. You can go die."
A glint of satisfaction appeared in her eyes as Zeta once again used her Magical Power to obliterate Petos's body.