Volume 3 Chapter 32 Deus Ex Machina' VS 'God of Provisions
The swords collided with a loud clash.
Normally, the sharper, sturdier blade would cut through the weaker one, ending the fight.
But when the swords are equal in strength, they each speak of the logic behind the weapons.
"Tch, this is a pain..."
"Hehehe... The moment anything touches this divine sword, it loses its magical stability. If you touch it too much, it becomes a disposable weapon, unusable ever again. You, with your pitiful 'this is hard' reaction while facing a weapon like mine... not many would take it so lightly."
"It doesn't feel overwhelming!"
"Hahaha! True enough. After all, it's the limit of humans, right? You can't come up with anything stronger than 'god'──you're just barking in a cage built by your sad imagination. Overwhelming, huh?"
The greatsword and the two-handed sword collided with incredible speed.
Gas shot out from the tube on Horace's sword, pushing his blade faster, but it couldn't overpower Arzent's sword, which was lighter in mass.
Arzent, holding the 'God's Name' sword, prided himself on stability, but his swordplay was on par with Horace's.
"Ahh! That sword is definitely cheating!"
Horace yelled, as though something about the situation frustrated him.
It wasn't disbelief, but pure irritation──rare for him to shout like this.
"Oh? Cheating?"
"The moment anything touches that sword, it loses stability. Normally, even such a sword would have 'gaps' to avoid affecting its wielder. But... because you carry an 'absolute name,' you're unaffected by the sword's curse. No need for safety measures. So annoying!"
"I see, you fight by analyzing your opponent's 'structure.' Just like Eudynes, huh? So that's how Golem Masters are... fascinating."
Arzent seemed to enjoy himself.
Neither of them was using their full strength yet, not even close.
But in the midst of it, Arzent was clearly having fun.
"Hah... So, a hundred years ago, Eudynes challenged you, faced that sword, and actually 'won,' huh?"
"Heh, you really think you have time to chat? Those 3 aren't coming to help. Even if you focus only on me, you don't have much left."
"Yeah, I get it. The Key of Pharos really hates me."
"Of course. Not surprising, after what I did."
"...Yeah, I really don't have much time left, do I."
When Horace got the gem with Terra Disas's power, he used the 'back door key' inside it to come here.
But Terra said that key wouldn't last long──its deadline was close.
That was true.
"Guess I'll have to use one of my last tricks."
"Oh?"
"You know why I brought Rangella and the others with me, then left them there?"
"Obviously. This dungeon──'Thy Name'──is under my control. If someone tries to exist here without a special link to my name, they'll get erased. Only that armor you wear keeps you here."
After saying that much, Arzent blinked.
"...Wait, a decoy? No, if the heroes came in, Sid and the others would── No way──You!"
Arzent realized something──his face tightened.
While he watched, Horace made ten medals appear in his hand.
"Christy Flask."
The ten medals crumbled into dust──then became ten flasks.
The blood-red armor around Horace turned pure white.
"...So, you're using those 3's trump card, huh. Can't believe you copied it."
"It's only about 20 percent as strong, honestly. But...it's enough for you."
Each flask held a strange liquid.
The liquid began to move, climbing out of each flask and pouring into ten tubes set into the back of Horace's sword.
After filling the tubes, Horace took the Cube at his left hip and snapped it into the sword's guard.
The next instant, the tubes broke off the sword and linked up to his shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, and back.
"Here we go, Arzent."
"So what if you mix all that power together? Won't change anything."
"You'll see what I become soon enough. Still... it doesn't matter how strong you are. My win is already locked in. The story's set."
"Shut it!"
Arzent lunged forward. Horace fired a blast of high-pressure gas and rocketed off the line.
Their swords smashed together, locking in a head-to-head struggle.
"There's some liquid on your blade. You're using that to control the holy sword's power, huh. Clever... but don't think that alone is enough to beat me!"
He broke away, and Arzent raised his left hand high.
Balls of fire appeared, dozens of them, all flying for Horace.
"You barely even know those 3, and you're lecturing me about what it takes to win? Don't talk like that."
He slashed his sword in a wide, sideways arc.
Magic surged from the blade, turning the strike into a shockwave that cut down every fireball in its path.
Arzent realized what was happening only as Horace rushed in, even faster than before──closing the gap in an instant.
The sword came down hard.
"Tch..."
Arzent managed to block, but the impact forced him back, boots sliding across the ground.
"...What's this. You're backing off──looks like you're lost your nerve."
"You won't have time to relax for long. You don't even understand my power yet."
Arzent tightened his grip, forcing his sword forward.
He shoved Horace away, then lightning burst from his hand.
Horace dodged by speeding up, blasting right past it and picking up even more speed.
Horace vanished from Arzent's sight──he spun, looking around in a panic.
"Gah!"
A sword burst straight through Arzent's chest.
"Wide open. You move like someone who's never really fought. Kind of what I'd expect from a guy who hasn't had a real fight in a hundred years."
"H-how... did I... lose this easy..."
Horace wrenched his sword free.
Blood poured from Arzent's chest as he dropped to his knees.
"Hah, hah... Seriously, just existing in this place should be impossible for most. But to think you took me down this quickly... There really is a whole world out there."
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