Chapter 31 : Ame no Murakumo’s Price

"As expected of the Mage Association—they work quickly," Kojou remarked upon seeing the deserted city. "Don't you agree, old man?"

"This is natural, 7th. But one must admit, no matter how time passes, the Mage Association serves kings well," Voban replied, adjusting his coat indifferently.

"So, I heard from that bastard Doni that you're eager to defeat me. Is that true?" Kojou asked, his tone carefree.

"I have business in Japan. Thought I'd play with you before getting to work," Voban said with a cold smile, unleashing his magical power as countless undead began emerging from his shadow.

[Ding! Divine entity detected. Title effect activated: "The Fourth Primogenitor." Adventurer's power increased by 150%. Damage against Divine entities increased by 100%.]

"Interesting…" Kojou grinned savagely, his eyes turning crimson as he released his own magical energy in response.

"Ena, entertain these puppets for a bit," Kojou ordered. With Ena's strength and Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi, she'd have no trouble handling Voban's undead soldiers.

"As you command, Your Majesty," Ena replied, drawing her black sword from its cloth wrapping and readying for battle.

Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi could amplify its wielder's power—in Ena's case, multiplying it exponentially. Moreover, as a God of Steel, the blade could sever Voban's control over the undead without issue.

"Shall we begin, old man?" Kojou's feral grin widened, golden lightning crackling around him. Despite Voban's strength, he was ultimately a Campione—one who'd rebelled against the gods by slaying a Heretic God. Divine lightning, meant to punish such defiance, was especially potent against him.

"Come at me, brat," Voban sneered, surrounded by raging winds. Dark clouds gathered overhead, and rain began to fall as three colored figures materialized behind him.

"So, these are Sturm und Drang (Storm and Drive), the Authorities you stole from the Chinese Weather Trio: Bo Feng, the green warrior of wind; Yu Shi, the blue warrior of rain; and Lei Gong, the red warrior of thunder," Kojou mused, his eyes gleaming ominously—a sign of his Spiritual Sight, which allowed him to perceive the divine essence of Authorities, trace their origins, and access the Memories of the Void for intel on their source gods.

"Huh~. I didn't expect a Campione with Spiritual Sight," Voban remarked, intrigued. Among all Campione of this era, none possessed Spiritual Sight—let alone at a level capable of instantly discerning his divine core.

"The world progresses, old man," Kojou taunted, activating Authority: Bird of Prey (Raptor). He vanished, reappearing beside Voban, and struck without hesitation—a fist charged with golden lightning.

BOOM!

"Oh? So this is the storm's auto-defense," Kojou noted as his punch was halted by the winds shielding Voban. "But it's useless against me."

He unleashed more lightning, piercing the protective gale and landing a devastating blow.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Caught off guard by the breach, Voban took the full force of the attack. He was sent flying like a bullet, crashing through multiple buildings before skidding to a stop five blocks away.

"Quite the flashy exit," Kojou quipped, shielding his eyes as if watching a spectacle.

"…" Ena stared at Kojou, then smiled faintly. She'd expected nothing less from her lord.

'I can't lose either,' Ena thought, cutting down an undead—but their numbers were endless. "Sword of Ame no Murakumo! I pray that you take my body as a sacrifice, to soothe your restless power. For even a fierce god cannot cross a gated barrier! I do not regret this moment!"

As her chant ended, a black energy erupted from the blade, enveloping her body until she became a shadowy figure with a white, sword-clutching arm—her eyes unfocused.

BOOM!

With a single swing, dozens of undead near her exploded. In this state, Ena's power rivaled a Campione's—for Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi was both a Divine Sword and a God itself, granting its wielder temporary strength at the cost of their body's destruction if overused.

"That girl…" Kojou sighed, seeing Ena's condition. He'd warned her against using this power, but she'd ignored him.

"HAHAHAHA!" Suddenly, Voban's laughter echoed as he charged back at terrifying speed. "Fascinating! I hadn't expected such strength, 7th. It's been ages since someone wounded me in a single strike!"

Blood still trickled from Voban's mouth, yet he laughed hysterically—as if in ecstasy.

"Did you lose your mind, old man?" Kojou glared in disgust. The man was literally bleeding from all seven orifices yet grinning like a madman.

...

To get more chapters please visit my p@treon :

p@treon.com/Akasaki_Ryujin

For support :

https://ko-fi.com/akasaki_ryujin

_

Hello, I'm back, and I've added more chapters to my Patreon. I've also added a new Bleach novel, so don't forget to check it out.

I'll also be uploading daily, except for next Sunday, when I won't be home. That might include Monday.