Chapter 9: The Bargain of Gods

Kuragami's vision blurred. The overwhelming power surging through his veins had taken its toll, and his body could no longer keep up. Just as he was about to release his final strike against Zeus, his strength suddenly vanished.

His grip on the Sword of the Demon King loosened, and his legs trembled.

"No… I was so close…"

Before he could process what was happening, his body gave out. He collapsed.

Just before he hit the ground, a gust of wind roared around him, and in an instant, Alexandra caught him.

The legendary hero's silver hair fluttered in the chaotic winds of the battlefield, his golden eyes narrowing as he looked at Kuragami's unconscious form.

"Tch. I knew it… his body wasn't ready for this power yet," Alexandra muttered under his breath, his grip tightening around the prince.

Kuragami's wings had disappeared, his red eyes dulled, and the monstrous energy he had displayed just moments ago was now gone.

And yet, the battlefield remained still.

Zeus, the God of Creation, floated above them, his golden robe shimmering as divine energy crackled around him. His expression was unreadable, but his fury was evident.

He had been pushed back.

By a child.

"I should kill him now," Zeus muttered, his voice devoid of emotion. His divine spear formed once more, its golden light illuminating the bloodstained battlefield.

Alexandra's grip on Kuragami tightened. His wings spread wide, and his aura flared.

"Don't you dare touch him." His voice was like a blade, sharp and unwavering.

Zeus's gaze darkened.

"He is a threat to the balance of this world, Alexandra. You know this."

Alexandra smirked. "And what of it?"

The gods behind Zeus stirred uneasily. Even they could see that if Alexandra were to fight seriously, this battle would not end well for them.

But Zeus was unshaken. His golden eyes locked onto Alexandra, calculating, unwavering.

"Do you truly believe you can stop me?" Zeus asked.

Alexandra didn't flinch. Instead, his golden sword pulsed with power.

"I don't need to stop you."

His voice dropped to a whisper, but it carried across the battlefield like thunder.

"If you don't leave right now… I will summon Demon King Rimuru."

The moment that name was spoken, a deafening silence fell over the battlefield.

Even the gods trembled.

Zeus's grip on his spear tightened.

Rimuru.

The Demon King of Chaos.

A being so powerful that even the combined forces of gods and demons had failed to eliminate him in the past. He had disappeared from the world for centuries, but the fear of his name remained.

Zeus's expression remained cold, but there was hesitation in his eyes.

"You would dare use that threat against me?"

Alexandra grinned.

"You know I'm not bluffing, Zeus. The moment I call him, this war ends. But not in your favor."

The battlefield was still. The gods, the demons, even the wounded warriors lying on the ground…

All held their breath.

Zeus finally exhaled. The golden spear in his hand flickered before disappearing.

"Very well." Zeus's voice was calm, but it carried undeniable rage. "I will withdraw."

The gods behind him gasped in shock. "Zeus! We can still—"

Zeus raised his hand, silencing them. His golden eyes, however, did not leave Alexandra's.

"But on one condition."

Alexandra frowned. "I don't negotiate with tyrants."

Zeus ignored him and instead turned his gaze toward the Goddess of Dragons.

Kuragami's mother.

She was still locked in battle with the Goddess of Greed, her golden eyes burning with fury. The two had been exchanging blows fiercely, but now, as Zeus spoke, the battle momentarily halted.

"Leave the boy. Give me my child instead." Zeus's voice was absolute.

The battlefield froze.

The Goddess of Dragons stiffened.

Alexandra's grip on Kuragami tightened.

"What did you just say?" the Goddess of Dragons growled.

Zeus turned his gaze to her, his divine presence pressing down on her like an unshakable weight.

"You were created by the gods. By me." His voice was cold, devoid of emotion. "You are my child. You were never meant to side with demons. You were meant to serve the heavens."

The Goddess of Dragons' body trembled. Rage, hatred, pain… it all swirled in her golden eyes.

"You lost the right to call me your child the moment you sent me to die."

Zeus remained unmoved.

"You will return with me. Or this war does not end."

A long silence followed. The demons held their weapons tightly, waiting for an answer. The gods did the same.

Then, suddenly—

"I refuse."

The Goddess of Dragons stepped forward, her aura blazing with power.

Zeus's expression darkened.

"Then this war will—"

"No."

Alexandra stepped between them, his golden sword glowing with divine energy.

"This war is already over. You will leave, Zeus. Now."

Zeus's grip tightened. He wanted to strike, wanted to destroy everything in his path.

But the weight of Alexandra's warning loomed over him.

If Rimuru was truly watching… if he was waiting…

Zeus couldn't risk it.

Finally, after a long, tense silence, Zeus turned away.

"This is not over."

And with a wave of his hand, the gods began to vanish.

The Aftermath

As the gods disappeared, the battlefield finally fell silent.

The demons who had been preparing for their last stand let out shaky breaths. Some collapsed, their wounds finally catching up to them. Others looked toward Alexandra, their expressions a mixture of awe and gratitude.

But Alexandra wasn't looking at them.

His gaze was fixed on the unconscious Kuragami in his arms.

"You really are something else, kid."

The Goddess of Dragons approached, her golden eyes filled with worry. She knelt beside Kuragami, her fingers brushing against his forehead.

"He pushed himself too far," she murmured.

Alexandra sighed. "Of course, he did."

The Goddess of Dragons let out a slow breath.

"We need to leave this place. The war may be over for now, but I don't trust the gods to keep their word."

Alexandra nodded. "Agreed."

As he lifted Kuragami into his arms, the battlefield that had once been filled with the screams of war…

Was finally silent.

But deep in the distance, beyond the mortal realm, beyond the heavens and hells…

A pair of crimson eyes watched.

And a deep voice whispered:

"Soon."

To Be Continued…