Volume 6 Chapter 44 Earth-Seeing And God Of Iron-Cutting
"Well, well. They're already leaving, huh? Pretty sharp of them, wouldn't you say, Horace?"
"I'm not so sure about that."
The dragons—once legendary across the lands four centuries ago—were gone.
And now, Soul-Singing Ivan and the Holy Knight Masamitsu quietly exited the grand hall as well.
That left only Earth-Seeing Horace and the God of Iron-Cutting, Sumeragi.
"...Oh, by the way," Horace said, casually, "I've activated a Perception Blockade. No one in the audience can hear what we're saying, no matter how loud I shout. They won't be able to lip-read either. So I can talk freely about my status as one of the Five Divine Gods."
"That blockade... who asked for it?"
"The Four Source Maidens," Horace replied. "Impressive trick, don't you think?"
"It is. But... I guess it works out for me, too."
With that, Horace drew his sword.
"Same here. Though for the record, this whole arrangement? The proposal came from your side."
Sumeragi calmly drew his own blade in response.
"Then let's settle it. If you defeat me here, I'll step down from the title and pass the mantle of the God of Iron-Cutting to you. Naturally, we won't be announcing this to the public."
"No need. It'd only cause confusion."
Horace had already defeated the God of Provisions, Arzent, and the God of Sealing, Shildress.
But the world didn't know that.
And there was no reason they needed to. In truth, only a select few had ever met those gods in person.
To scholars and historians, their names formed the pillars of the world's foundation. But to most people? They were unfamiliar shadows from forgotten pages.
For those who never studied history at all, even the term Five Divine Gods might mean nothing.
Still...
"I can't help but wonder," Horace muttered, "how much weight the name God of Iron-Cutting actually carries. How many people truly understand what it means? I kinda want to see their reactions if I reveal it."
"..."
Even so, there was no doubt—Sumeragi was the one who bore that divine name.
Horace knew it all too well.
So when Sumeragi spoke of revealing it, of seeing how people reacted... Horace didn't agree. But he didn't object either.
Even if the world's elite didn't fully grasp what the Five Divine Gods were, the name alone held power.
Magic itself was a force that sought stability. And for humans, belief—the certainty of an image—was the key to invoking it.
And to shape belief, there is no tool more powerful than a name.
A name defines. A name gives form. Even if the meaning is vague or unfinished, a name locks the image in place.
And among all words humans could ever create, there exists no title stronger than God.
It's not even something they consider. It's instinct.
That's why to carry a god's name is to hold absolute weight—undeniable, immeasurable.
But did Sumeragi truly understand that?
Did he realize what it meant to pass on such power—to give the divine name of the God of Iron-Cutting to someone else?
For now, those thoughts remained unspoken.
"...Well. It's fine," Horace said at last.
With that, he activated his Deus Ex Machina.
Armor surged around his body, sleek metal encasing him like a divine warrior from myth.
"No matter how powerful the opponent, it doesn't change anything. With my victory, this scenario is already decided."
"Interesting," Sumeragi replied. "So in front of me, the God of Iron-Cutting, you choose to fight using that iron armor—a shell made from the very material I command. Let's see what meaning lies behind that choice."
In the next instant, blades clashed.
Horace's Magic Sword Duran met the edge of Sumeragi's Iron Cutter Sword, Kamiuchi.
And the silent war of divine wills began.
Notes:
• Masamitsu - Known as the Holy Knight. Member of the 'Moonlight Nine'. His appearance is not described. He expresses concern about Horace being in the spotlight, indicating a friendly or cautious relationship.
• Sumeragi - One of the Five Divine Gods, known as the 'God of Iron-Slicing.' He introduces himself with a pleasant smile and seems to have a purpose in meeting Horace.
• Deus - A mischievous, childlike entity who transformed from Horace's battle equipment into a five-year-old boy with bright red hair. Energetic, curious, and chaotic, he calls everyone 'mommy,' survives lethal blows from Horace’s golem, and casually discusses alchemy and magic. Horace's exasperated yet intrigued companion.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!