-996- What will you do now?

"What...!?"

Balthazar Zaharias's expression changed drastically.

"Ugh..."

The second with the Roman numeral "II" on her body was no longer expressionless. As if under attack, she bent down, emitting a slight muffled sound.

The dispersal of the Beast Vassal representing oneself does have an impact on the matrix as the host. While the damage doesn't directly reflect on the host, the sudden surge of magic when the summoned creature, formed from one's magical power, is shattered creates a burden on the host.

"Roar!"

As the second Beast Vassal was dispersed with a single blow, Hokuto lowered its head, looking at the girl with a hint of coldness and hostility in its eyes.

Just then...

"Roar!"

A neigh echoed from the high sky, and a storm-like shockwave descended invisibly, heading towards the direction where Hokuto was.

This caught Hokuto's attention, causing it to raise its head and gaze at the sky. Sensing the formidable vibrational waves, Hokuto didn't retreat but transformed into light again, rushing towards the incoming force.

"Pound!"

In the heart-stopping explosion, the rising light and the descending storm collided, creating shockwaves that expanded in a circular pattern.

If this shockwave were to unfold on the ground, an area of several kilometers would be leveled.

However, within the shockwave, the ascending light band pushed back the descending storm, gradually overcoming it.

Then...

"Boom!"

With a burst, the high-frequency vibrational waves were finally scattered, turning into a gust of wind that swept through the surroundings along with the shockwave.

The dazzling light band continued its unstoppable trajectory, like a true flash, rushing towards the Two-Horned Beast Vassal, emerging from it just like before.

"Roar!"

The Two-Horned Beast Vassal let out a neigh.

But this was also the last reaction it could make.

"Boom!"

A deafening second explosion echoed.

Hokuto's dragon tail, filled with draconic aura, rose behind it, just like before, slamming heavily onto the Two-Horned Beast Vassal, dispersing it completely.

The second Beast Vassal of the Fourth Primogenitor and the ninth Beast Vassal, reaching the strategic level peak and fully entering adulthood, proved to be fragile before Hokuto.

It's not that these two Beast Vassals are weak.

Vampire Beast Vassals are like this, being condensed forms of magic, semi-physical summoning creatures. Relying on their nature, they can only counter with stronger magic, resulting in astonishing destructive power.

However, despite their formidable strength, their endurance drops to the limit. Once attacked with stronger magic, they can be overwhelmed.

Now, Hokuto is at the strategic level peak, coupled with being a dragon, inherently more powerful than other races. Under the title of a dragon, Hokuto can be considered nearly invincible.

On the other hand, even though the opposing side is Primogenitor-level Beast Vassals, unless directly manipulated by the Fourth Primogenitor himself, individual strength is weaker than Hokuto.

Combined with the nature of Beast Vassals, it's impossible for them to be dispersed with a single strike. However, facing the attack emanating from Hokuto's entire dragon aura, a solid hit leads to these results.

"Ugh..."

The second, marked with the Roman numeral "IX," finally grunted.

"Impossible!"

Balthazar Zaharias exclaimed.

"Even if it's a dragon, it can't be this strong!"

Indeed, dragons are powerful, with truly formidable ones being a challenge even for Primogenitors. However, that doesn't necessarily mean they are stronger than Primogenitors.

"Could it be a dragon that has survived since the age of gods? Or perhaps a legendary dragon recorded in myths?"

Balthazar Zaharias involuntarily stepped back.

"On Itogami Island, there's something like this...!?"

Balthazar Zaharias's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

In this situation...

"You still have so much you don't know. Do you really think you can do as you please on Itogami Island just because you have two matrices of Fourth Primogenitors?"

A mocking voice reached Balthazar Zaharias's ears.

"With your current strength, you want to control weapons named Fourth Primogenitors? Dream on!"

Under this voice, Hokuto suddenly dove from the sky, rushing towards Balthazar Zaharias's location with astonishing speed.

"No. 2! No. 9!"

Balthazar Zaharias called out immediately.

The two girls promptly reacted, releasing terrifying magic that shook the earth.

"Come forth, Second Beast Vassal—Cor Tauri Succinum."

"Come forth, Ninth Beast Vassal—Alnasl Minium."

Summoned by No. 2 and No. 9, the colossal Minotaur beast and the crimson Two-Horned Beast appeared once again with roars and neighs.

"Roar!"

"Roar!"

The two calamity-level Beast Vassals roared and neighed, as if venting the anger that had been resolved by Hokuto's previous strike, charging towards Hokuto.

Then, the colossal Minotaur god swung its battle axe, causing the earth to tremble, and a massive mountain of scorching lava surged towards Hokuto. Simultaneously, the Two-Horned Beast shook its horns, releasing a storm-like shockwave.

"Roar!"

Without hesitation, Hokuto emitted an exhilarating dragon roar and directly confronted them.

"Boom!"

A divine beast and two Beast Vassals suddenly clashed. Amidst the thunderous roars, an intense conflict erupted.

It was a scene akin to the end of the world.

Both Hokuto and the two Beast Vassals possessed the power to sink Itogami Island. In this fierce battle, the mere shockwaves generated were enough to destroy a city.

If these clashes were happening on the ground, Itogami Island would surely be in ruins. But even in mid-air, the shockwaves intermittently reached the island, causing it to tremble continuously. The sea around the island became chaotic, creating wave after wave, accompanied by the oppressive dark sky, resembling an unprecedented storm about to unfold.

Relying on its own strength, Hokuto was actually holding the upper hand in a solo battle against two Primogenitor-level Beast Vassals. Even though these two Beast Vassals were also strategic-level entities, facing Hokuto, who had reached the pinnacle of the strategic level, attempting to team up was futile.

"Pound, pound, pound, pound!"

The shockwaves generated by the three beasts' aerial battle shattered the glass of the buildings below one by one, and the ground cracked inch by inch.

"Ugh...!"

"Ugh...!"

The No. 2 and No. 9 diligently manipulated their Beast Vassals, causing their entire magical power to burn like a raging fire, not daring to be distracted at all.

If the two were distracted, leading to their Beast Vassals being attacked by Hokuto, it would undoubtedly result in being dispersed with a single strike again.

Therefore, No. 2 and No. 9 dared not be careless, going all out. They had long forgotten Balthazar Zaharias's orders, not showing any mercy.

This naturally led to a problem.

"Your so-called prideful weapons can't even protect themselves. What will you do now?"

In the fluctuation of space, a figure appeared in front of Balthazar Zaharias, looking at him with a smile that was not a smile.

"...!"

Without hesitation, Balthazar Zaharias stepped back.

Unfortunately, it was already too late.

"Whoosh!"

A white chain swept out from the ripples of space, whistling through the air, aiming towards Balthazar Zaharias.

"Boom!"

A muffled impact echoed.