Chapter 24: The Emperor and Demi-gods 4 (Part one)

　A torrent of “red” that seems to engulf everything. It is not the Hellfire that is the origin of the ‘flame god’. It is something that cannot even be recognized by mere mortals – the truth of the world that can only be touched by the transcendent beings who stand in the realm of the gods.

“–!!!”

　Just before the terrifying “red” filled the world, Ruto also resisted by striking a tsunami-like “blue”.

　──The supernatural “red” and “blue” are in conflict with each other, and eventually cause the world to fray and disappear.

“… Hmm. It looks like you’ve got the basics down for now.”

　Axia nodded in satisfaction as the screams of the world resounded in the throne room.

“…… I see. I sort of imagined it would go like this.”

　On the other hand, Lute raises a voice of satisfaction at the phenomenon that just occurred in front of him and the way he fought instinctively.

　An attack and defense of two colors that paint over the world. The screams of the world are caused by the clash of different “truths”. Both are mythological acts caused only by battles between demi-gods of the same rank, who cannot even be recognized by mere mortals.

“…But Axia-dono. Isn’t this too bad as expected? You didn’t expect me to be killed all of a sudden, did you?”

“Phew. Don’t worry. That level of divine authority won’t burn you even if you don’t resist. Fortunately or unfortunately, the demi-gods are not so weak that they would die from that level of power.”

“You mean this ‘color’ of the divine …….”

“Well. It is different from the magical power that is the source of magic, the source of the magic for us demi-gods. In order to distinguish it from magical power, I call it [Divine Authority].”

“Well, it’s a pretty big name.

　Lute smiles wryly at the name, which is unexpectedly on target, or rather, more of a descriptive term.

　The supernatural “color” manipulated by the demi-gods, which Axia calls divine authority. It is the embodiment of the concept that the demi-gods have grasped. It erodes the world, regardless of distance or scale, simply by being aware of it. Terrifyingly, there is no limit. The paint called “concept” is not finite like magic power, but continues to be supplied to the world endlessly with a single consciousness of the demi-god. The world that has been painted over is given meaning by the will of the demi-god, and manifests itself into the world as the event that it is.

　Therefore, divine authority. The absolute and supreme power of god that transforms the world just by wishing it to exist.

“The first stage of a battle between demi-gods is to read each other’s consciousness. Do you want to wipe out the Divine Authority before the event materializes? The strength of the divine authority is proportional to the strength of the will, so the key is how to grasp the whole picture and devote your consciousness to it. Unlike magical power and physical strength, which always run out, everything depends on the will of the demi-god.”

“……I didn’t have any other samples, so I couldn’t be sure, but I guess that’s what a demi-god is, after all. That’s too much bullshit, even for me. ……”

　After receiving an explanation from his predecessor who was far ahead as a demi-god, Lute was amazed by the nonsense.

　From the beginning, Lute also knew that his power as a demi-god was influenced by his spirit. The change in appearance, such as hair and eyes, as well as the high spirits that overwhelm others without question. These were caused by Lute’s consciousness. If Lute strengthens his aspect as a demi-god, these characteristics will appear, and if he tries to be a person, his characteristics as a demi-god will disappear. This is why Lute has been able to hide his true identity until now.

　What’s unreasonable is that depending on your consciousness, your war potential will increase, but it won’t decrease. Divine authority is something that springs up infinitely according to one’s will. And for a demi-god, this refinement of divine authority is equivalent to breathing. 

Concentration of consciousness would be burdensome for a simple person, but for a demonic personality, it is done unconsciously, so it is not burdensome at all.

 Not only that, but the perception range of the demi-gods increases in proportion to the spread of the divine authority. If the range of perception exceeds the power of the demi-god, the manipulation of the divine authority and the grasp of the situation will become more complicated. However, if the user is so inclined, he or she can gain the perspective of a god who has a bird’s eye view of the playing field, and the advantage of being able to destroy everything without regard to detailed operations is indescribable.

　This alone is bullshit. But what is even more frightening is that demi-gods are transcendent beings who have been freed from the yoke of living beings. Their lifespan, sleep, and food are not essential, but are merely their hobbies. Therefore, all demi-gods are able to work without sleep or rest if they so desire.

　Infinite attack resources, attack range that swallows even nations, and an overwhelming ability to continue fighting. All of them transcend physical limits, and are irrational, able to subvert the reason of the world with their mentality. That is the magician of demi-god status.

“Well, you don’t have to think so complicatedly about reading with divine authority. After all, this is the first stage. If you can gain some advantage in the situation, that’s good enough for me.”

“And why is that?”

“In the end, it will form a territory controlled by divine authority centered on itself.──Like this.”

　Along with those words, a realm dyed with red Divine Authority was created around Axia.

　And Lute, understanding the horror of divine authority, reflexively countered by refining an almost equal amount of blue divine authority.

　──The result is a space of two colors. At the boundary of this space, different theories collide with each other, and the deafening sound of worlds being rubbed together echoes through the air.

“The divine authority is basically bullshit, but in a realm ruled by the divine authority of another demi-god, it cannot be used to its fullest extent. As a result, this form of conflict occurs.”

“…… Yeah, that makes sense. The divine authority that can be handled is the same for both parties. So there is no way to settle the dispute.”

“That’s what I mean. So the first stage ends in a stalemate. Next comes the second stage. This is where the real work begins.”

　With these words, a sphere formed in a deep, dark “red” color, or rather, a cannonball of eternal fire that can easily vaporize even metal, is created in front of Axia’s eyes.

“Do you understand this? The more the divine authority concentrates its consciousness, the more it increases its quality – its purity. This then leads to the power of the event when it is transformed into an event like this……but if you do nothing, it will be interrupted before you can raise its quality, as it did earlier.”

“… but it won’t be disturbed within the controlled area.”

“Kuh! As expected, Lute-dono is a fast learner! That’s right! In other words, the second stage is a shootout using events that have been transformed within the realm. Once an event has been transformed, it cannot be canceled by simple divine authority alone, even though it may be weakened. It would be too inefficient, though, if you could hit it with a great deal of divine authority. So, prevent it. If you don’t take this seriously, you’ll get hurt!!”

“… !!?”

　With a ferocious smile, Axia releases a kaleidoscope of bullets. Its speed exceeds even the speed of sound. It is also extremely powerful. If it were just a man, he would be reduced to ashes, unable to evade or defend himself. Even Lut, who deviates from the laws of physics, will inevitably suffer serious injury if, as Axia says, he takes a direct hit.

“You idiot…!!”

　Hence the defense. Ruto reflexively spills out words of abuse, freezing, or rather stopping the energy in the area and extinguishing the blaze in an instant.

“……mmm. Brilliantly done.”

“It’s not vivid!? You can’t do this! Are you insane?”

　Axia nodded her head in satisfaction, but Lute bit her, saying, “No, no, no, wait”. Even if it was in the name of instruction, this was a quandary that could not be overlooked. The challenge was too deadly and blew away Lute’s respect for his predecessor in a spectacular manner.

“Why are you in such a hurry? It’s not such a big deal. It’s just a greeting that can be easily prevented, right?”

“I can’t stand that kind of murderous greeting! I know it’s not much of an attack from our point of view, but it’s not something you can just fire off in this place! If you had your way, you’d be obliterating all the dignitaries behind you!”

　While shouting that, Lute pointed to the highest-ranking dignitaries in the empire who were waiting in the throne room.

　Due to Axia’s sudden atrocity, or rather, the clash of spirits between the demi-gods that preceded it, their cheeks convulsed and they stiffened. I wouldn’t call their appearance pathetic. The fact that they neither fainted nor slumped down proves that their mental strength is extraordinary in this situation. An ordinary person would have fainted or fallen down and become incontinent.

　They are equipped with such extraordinary mental strength, but even so, they cannot even move properly under a raging god. In such a state, what would happen if they were hit by the aftermath of a fireball that vaporizes even metal? In the first place, even in a normal state, they would be vaporized without being able to do anything.

　That’s why Lute shouted…

“Oh, then don’t worry. It is true that the fireball has the power to wipe out a person, or even nearly half of this castle, in the aftermath alone. But it is also a product of my magic. I can sort out what to burn.”

“……, yeah, like that.”

　Lute shook his head, refusing to say anything more after being so easily refuted.

　Did she create a flame bullet that burns only Lute from the beginning, or is there a link between the flame and Axia’s will? The detailed seeds are unknown, but either way, the conviction that it would be possible sprouted in Lute when he heard Axia’s words. Well, that’s probably why she is allowed to do this hijinks in the throne room without moving.……From Axia’s point of view, the possibility of forcibly ripping it off is not zero.

　In this brief period of time, Lute vividly realized that talking to a demon deity on a common sense scale would only be futile.

　As a result, only an indescribable blur remained in Lute.

“… Phew. Hey Axia-dono, this is for guidance, right?”

“Mm?”

　However, Lute doesn’t have an obedient personality that would cause him to quietly back down.

　At Lute’s slightly irritating question, Axia was puzzled for a moment, but then she immediately laughed.

“Well, that’s right. Do whatever you want.”

“I see. Then I won’t hesitate….It doesn’t suit my nature to keep getting beaten up!!”

　A flash of light shimmers in front of Axia’s eyes with the spirit of the ripple.

“Huh!?”

　Light ──No. It’s an extremely thin needle of ice that never melts or breaks. Such an ice needle with extremely poor visibility was shot at Axia’s head at a speed nearly double the speed of sound.

　A blow with high murderous intent that is not inferior to the previous flame bullet. Axia, who is far ahead of Lute as a demon deity, should be able to prevent it easily. However, it was a blow that was fired based on such speculation that she would panic.

“What?”

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