"Is that so?"
Takeyo narrowed his eyes. If Rizevim was speaking with such confidence, he'd clearly guessed that the phantom of the Ten Incarnations that had swept across the world belonged to him.
There was nothing more to discuss. Whether Rizevim knew the truth or not, Takeyo had no intention of letting him escape alive.
"This is your trump card? I thought you were going to release the Beast King, but instead you've allied yourself with beings from the ExE world."
Takeyo genuinely hadn't anticipated this development. His very presence had changed the timeline in unexpected ways.
Rizevim, who had originally planned to invade other worlds, had instead formed an alliance with beings from another dimension?
"Words are meaningless now. I'll capture you and present you to my lord."
The dimensional barrier shattered in a single devastating blow as Durmado led his mechanical forces through the breach.
Durmado.
The Sea Prime Dynast, one of Regalzeva's Keito Tenkai. A massive mechanical lifeform resembling a marine creature, measuring nearly a hundred meters in length.
Its strength stood at the same level as the Dragon God Great Red.
The five subordinates Regalzeva had created for Durmado, the Atrocity Fanatics, each possessed power equivalent to a Maou-class being.
Durmado possessed multiple external armors that could be equipped depending on the situation. Normally, it would have remained dormant in Earth's deep ocean, waiting.
Perhaps sensing the overwhelming aura that had swept across the world when Takeyo had unleashed his fused incarnation, it had awakened early.
Takeyo had considered this possibility before. The two beings of Great Red's level residing in the ExE dimension, positioned in lunar orbit and in Earth's deep sea, might have been roused by the energy signature of his fusion incarnation.
He hadn't expected them to pinpoint his location so quickly.
"You seem confident."
Takeyo smiled and waved toward Sona and the others.
In an instant, they vanished from sight.
He'd sent them directly back to the human world. Once he began fighting seriously, the entire Underworld would become unsafe. The human realm, at least, wouldn't allow the believers on his lands to perish needlessly.
"Finished settling your affairs?"
Durmado's voice emerged as a cold, mechanical drone.
The Sea Prime was certain that this being from another world couldn't exert his full strength here. Otherwise, he wouldn't have remained hidden for so long.
Though Takeyo had grown remarkably fast, based on his current displayed power level, his limit seemed to be defeating a Transcendent-class opponent.
Durmado never imagined that Takeyo possessed the strength to challenge a Dragon God.
Above Transcendent-class lay the Secondary Dragon God tier, equivalent to the Biblical God's remaining power or the Beast King's strength after Ophis had been split.
And Dragon God-class stood above even that. Great Red, the original Ophis, and the Sea Prime Durmado all occupied this level.
Two entire tiers below? Who would bring their head to such a fight?
What Durmado didn't realize was that while he was examining Takeyo as prey, Takeyo was studying him the exact same way.
[DING!]
[Congratulations to Host for triggering a Plot Check-in! Check-in Level: Diamond!]
[Check-in Plot: The Fall of the Sea Prime!]
[Plot: Someone's come looking for trouble, how can you let them leave?
Kill the Sea Prime Durmado and his subordinates!]
[Check-in Time Limit: 1 day]
[Remaining Time: 1 day]
At the very least, Takeyo could now use his original incarnation without restraint. The dual protection of the Phenex bloodline would bear the burden.
"You think you can take me?"
Takeyo's lips curved into a grin as the World Dragon Armor materialized around his body.
"Is there any doubt?"
Being a mechanical lifeform, Durmado's expression somehow conveyed disdain.
That armor only elevates him to Transcendent-class, and his burst state barely crosses into that territory. At this level, my subordinates can handle him effortlessly.
For Atrocity Fanatics at Maou-class strength, two or three would more than suffice.
"Originally, I was planning to wait until my strength improved before visiting your world. But now you've delivered yourself right to my doorstep."
Takeyo sighed.
If possible, he'd rather not use that technique. But circumstances left him no choice.
"Even in this situation, you dare speak such wild words?"
Carefully masking his life force readings, Durmado unleashed another energy cannon.
Their objective was to recover Takeyo's body, preferably alive. Death was acceptable only as a last resort.
"Heh heh heh..."
Takeyo watched the incoming beam of light, a blast capable of instantly killing an ordinary Transcendent, and simply extended his hand.
"That energy signature!"
Both Rizevim and Durmado sensed something horrifying racing toward the dimensional rift at the same moment.
BOOM!
Just as the energy cannon was about to strike, a crimson formation materialized before Takeyo.
The same blast that had shattered the dimensional space moments ago was perfectly neutralized by this barrier.
"What is that?!"
Rizevim recognized it immediately.
But how could it be so small? And how was Takeyo able to command it so effortlessly?
"The Underworld Grand Formation..."
Grayfia's eyes gleamed with recognition.
She knew what this was.
The grand formation that the Four Great Satans and every Devil family had poured countless resources into constructing, and Takeyo had summoned it from the Underworld this easily?
Moreover, the formation that should have encompassed the entire Underworld now floated quietly behind him, reduced to roughly two meters in diameter. The originally intricate patterns had been miniaturized to a scale invisible to the naked eye.
The entire formation radiated an ancient, mysterious aura.
"The Underworld Grand Formation..." Grayfia's eyes flickered as memories of the past surfaced.
"Hmph! A mere formation from a low-tier world, you think that can stop me?"
Durmado realized he needed to get serious.
BOOM!
Space distorted violently as Durmado fired at full power, an annihilation beam designed to erase everything in its path, streaking directly toward Takeyo.
"Here it comes."
Takeyo's lips curved upward as he absorbed the Underworld Grand Formation directly into his body.
If I can't bear the power of my incarnation directly, then I'll use the Underworld Grand Formation as a conduit to channel it.
He'd only recently mastered the formation's usage and miniaturization techniques. He hadn't expected to deploy it in actual combat so soon.
HUMMMM!
The compact formation withstood the Dragon God-level attack.
Regarding this particular achievement, Takeyo had to acknowledge that Ajuka was truly a master of his craft. In this entire world, aside from himself and the Biblical God, Ajuka likely possessed the greatest expertise in formations and magical systems.
CRACK...
Though the formation had blocked the attack, the Underworld Grand Formation was now unstable, emitting sounds of structural stress.
SCREEEECH!
Durmado laughed and continued increasing his firepower.
As he and Takeyo exchanged fire, his subordinates engaged Takeyo's servants in battle.
"I know what you're planning, but it's nothing more than delusion!"
The moment Takeyo finished speaking, another magnificent presence descended into the dimensional rift.
Golden holy light scattered throughout the space, releasing an unprecedented sense of existence.
Similar to the Underworld Grand Formation, no, this formation was even more magnificent.
After endless ages of accumulating and strengthening its power, this formation could easily withstand attacks from Secondary Dragon God-class beings, perhaps even Dragon God-class opponents.
"The Grand Formation of Heaven..."
That's right. What descended before Takeyo was the Celestial Grand Formation itself.
Its complexity and mystical depth rivaled the Sacred Gear system created by the Biblical God.
Even Ajuka's Underworld Grand Formation had been modeled after the Celestial Grand Formation.
Grayfia's gaze hardened with resolve.
"How is this possible?!"
Rizevim's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. If you can use the Underworld Grand Formation, I can at least understand that. But the Celestial Grand Formation? Aren't you supposed to be aligned with the Devil faction? How can you wield Heaven's power?
Furthermore, where did you obtain the computational capacity and magical energy to operate two grand formations simultaneously?
Rizevim was beginning to question his understanding of reality.
At that moment, in Heaven.
Michael cast a worried glance toward the distance.
Just moments ago, Heaven had descended into chaos, much like the Underworld before it.
And why wouldn't it? One of their greatest defensive assets had just flown away on its own. Who wouldn't panic?
"Lord Michael..."
Standing beside Michael, a young man dressed in priest's robes also gazed into the distance.
"Are you hiding something from us?"
Dulio asked with a knowing smile.
"Well..."
Michael shook his head helplessly.
"I can only say this, it's all the Lord's guidance. Amen."
Michael prayed silently.
"Then... I can only look forward to the Lord's blessing."
Dulio joined Michael in prayer.
Within the dimensional rift.
With the arrival of the Celestial Grand Formation, more than a dozen sacred beasts radiating pure white holy light emerged at Takeyo's side.
The brilliant glow caused Rizevim visible discomfort.
[Sacred Beast Creation! Forbidden!]
[Holy Beast God of Salvation (Saver-ExBeast)!]
Takeyo had never revealed this Longinus to others before, it had no practical value in his previous battles.
But now everything had changed. After obtaining Three Thousand Ways, Holy Way, all of Takeyo's holy-attribute items and abilities had been elevated.
The current Sacred Beast Creation had transcended the concept of ordinary artifacts. The sacred beasts it produced were extraordinarily powerful.
Leonardo had been able to create monsters that gave Maou-class opponents trouble when pushed to his limits. Takeyo, blessed by both the Celestial and Underworld Grand Formations, could easily create sacred beasts of even greater strength.
Watching a dozen Transcendent-level sacred beasts engage Durmado's Atrocity Fanatics in combat, Rizevim silently confronted a sacred beast that had singled him out.
"Whoa! This is the boss's true strength? Isn't this way too overpowered? I guess that's why he's the boss!"
Issei swallowed hard.
He had no idea what trials Azazel and Tannin had put him through to reach his current level of strength, and yet one of the boss's casually summoned soldiers matched his power?
As expected of the boss.
However, Takeyo's condition wasn't as comfortable as Issei imagined.
Cough... hack...
Takeyo spat out a mouthful of golden blood after what felt like an eternity. This state placed tremendous strain on his body.
But he had to ensure no one escaped.
Operating both the Celestial and Underworld Grand Formations simultaneously, he possessed the capability to fight at Dragon God-level.
The Grand Formations themselves could resist Secondary Dragon God-level attacks. Combined with Takeyo's computational abilities and magical power characteristics, stacking and amplifying together, dealing with a Dragon God wasn't impossible.
But dealing was just dealing. He needed to deliver a killing blow.
At that moment, Durmado also noticed something wrong with Takeyo's condition.
"Is this the extent of your power? If so, just come back with me quietly."
Durmado let out a sound that might have been relief.
Seeing Takeyo effortlessly block his attack had genuinely alarmed him.
But judging from the current situation, it seemed Takeyo had also reached his limit.
"Though my condition isn't ideal, killing you... is still well within my capabilities."
Takeyo grinned as the golden Celestial Formation and crimson Underworld Formation floated behind him.
The Underworld Grand Formation was merely his insurance to ensure Durmado couldn't escape.
At Takeyo's mental command, both formations drifted to his left and right.
"Hm?"
Takeyo noticed something, a small pest had slipped away.
"Forget it. The one before me is the greater threat."
Immediately, Takeyo activated his original incarnation.
[I... Incarnate!]
[Bearing the primordial origin of the universe... the dragon among dragons...]
☆☆☆
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