Boom! Boom boom!! Boom boom boom!!!
In a valley somewhere in the Netherworld, the air was turbulent, with occasional loud explosions.
With divine power enhancing it, the steel lion, the incarnation of the Magic Sword Cuore di Leone, was as huge as a small mountain. Its aura had even reached the level of a divine beast!
The blessing of thunder had been used up. Although it caused some damage to the opponent, it did not defeat them, which Erica had long anticipated.
Watching "Ena" in the air continuously swinging her long sword and clashing with the Steel Lion, Erica bit her pink lips tightly, a wave of worry flashing across her expression.
Ena was her sister and companion, so Erica naturally could not bring herself to strike her down. Although for now, both sides were barely holding their ground, as time passed, the divine power King had granted her was steadily depleting. If she couldn't defeat the opponent before her divine power ran out, things would truly become troublesome!
"Hahaha… Not bad, not bad! Knight, your strength is already enough for me to fight!"
"This body is too small, I'll change to another one."
Dodging a pounce from the Steel Lion, the airborne "Ena" laughed heartily.
Apparently dissatisfied with her current petite girl's body, countless tentacle-like things suddenly extended from the Ame no Murakumo Sword's blade, wrapping and swelling around Ena's body as the center. Before long, it transformed into a humanoid giant roughly the same size as the Steel Lion!
It could only be said to barely resemble a human form. Two huge long swords replaced its arms, giving off a strange yet fiercely intimidating aura.
As for Ena herself, she had fallen into a deep sleep, seemingly used as a power source, wrapped and bound at the head position of the humanoid monster.
Watching the transformation of the Ame no Murakumo Sword, Erica's expression brightened. As long as she didn't fight Ena directly, she could unleash her full strength without hesitation.
"Steel Lion, show your might and tear apart the enemy before you!"
Summoning the last of her dwindling divine power, Erica spoke to the Steel Lion formed from her demon sword.
Her aura surged wildly. The Steel Lion howled toward the sky and leapt forward, its massive figure lunging at the monster formed by the Ame no Murakumo Sword.
The monster made no retreat either. With a strange roar, it swung its two giant sword-like arms to meet the attack…
…
Sora pushed open the small door and stepped inside. Immediately, the figure of a burly man came into view.
He seemed to be the owner of this small house, sitting cross-legged in front of an old-fashioned hearth. The man was at least 180 cm tall, very large in build, wearing only a rough kimono. It was clear he possessed a strong physique that belied his age, muscles covering his body that outshone most strong men.
"Hahaha… kid, you finally came? Come, come, want a drink?"
Turning his head to look at Sora, the man smiled warmly like a friendly uncle, holding a sake cup and laughing heartily.
However, Sora did not answer. At the moment he saw the man, he froze, and his black pupils began to emit a golden glow.
"Susanoo, harmonized and merged with many gods, and gained the power of the steel god from numerous myths. His domain is the land of iron sand, himself the god of storms. Strong winds help forge iron, and flames, empowered by the wind, become fierce fires that melt iron tools…"
Muttering strange spiritual words, as if activating a spiritual vision ability like Yuri once did.
Suddenly coming to his senses, Sora realized he had activated the power of the Golden Sword. A fully forged golden sword was now in his hand!
"Yare yare, you really are an extraordinary kid. You obtained memories about me from the drifting memories in space?"
"How about it, kid? Want to spar a few rounds with me?"
Seeing the golden sword in Sora's hand, the burly man—Susanoo—flashed a gleam in his tiger-like eyes and suddenly unleashed a powerful divine aura toward Sora.
Whether god-slayer or deity, whenever they meet, a fighting spirit immediately rises. This has nothing to do with hatred or other issues. If anything, it's a racial matter, sigh…
"Alright, alright, I'll cut you then."
With an innocent smile, Sora didn't hesitate when the other party said so, raising the golden sword and swinging it toward Susanoo!
"Hey, stop, stop!"
"You little brat, I was just joking, you have no sense of humor at all."
Seeing Sora really swing the sword at his big head, Susanoo was startled and quickly stopped him.
He had been observing Sora for a long time and knew that thing in his hand was no joke—it could directly sever his divine essence, which was very dangerous!
"Ahem… Actually, I was joking too, just teasing you."
Clearing his throat, Sora sheathed the golden sword and shrugged.
Susanoo twitched at the corner of his mouth, suddenly feeling a real urge to fight this brat. He hadn't seen any sign of joking from him earlier!
"Kid, although you already know, I'll introduce myself properly. I'm Susanoo-no-Mikoto. Just call me Susanoo."
Shaking his big head, Susanoo discarded unrealistic thoughts and introduced himself to Sora in a rough voice.
"Heh… Kusanagi Sora, that's my name. Although you already know it, I'll introduce myself too."
"By the way, I have to thank you, uncle, for sending Ena to me!"
With a mischievous smile, Sora teased Susanoo.
Although the Seishuuin clan had sent Ena to him, they were under the control of this bearded uncle. Without his consent, they wouldn't dare to do so.
"You little brat, seems like you know quite a lot. Summoning you here took a lot of effort."
A flicker of surprise crossed Susanoo's face, but he quickly regained composure and looked deeply at Sora, showing no disdain despite his young age.
"Hehe… I wasn't really interested in you, uncle. I just wanted to see the princess, so I had you bring me here."
Chuckling, Sora showed little interest in the bearded uncle and instead turned his gaze to another direction inside the small house.
Originally empty, two figures suddenly appeared as Sora's voice fell.
One was an old man dressed in black monk robes, with a weathered face but looking far from human. His skin was extremely dry, almost peeled off.
Tsk tsk, don't be fooled by his shabby appearance. This old man was extraordinary—he had transcended death with a human body and reached the realm of bodily Buddhahood!
However, no matter how awesome he was, it was none of Sora's business. He only glanced at him from the corner of his eye and focused his attention on the other figure.
This was a seated peerless beauty, wearing the brightly colored twelve-layered kimono of a Heian period noble princess. Her pupils were clear like glass, with chestnut hair and smooth, ivory-like skin.
Her sculpted features were far beyond what modern women could compare to!
This lady was the true purpose of Sora's visit today—the legendary Glass-Eyed Princess!
"Lord Kusanagi, I pay my respects."
Standing up, the Glass-Eyed Princess bowed gracefully to Sora, elegant, dignified, yet unpretentious. Her soft, melodious voice felt like a gentle spring breeze.
She was a woman, flawless and nearly perfect!
"Not bad, not bad, truly the legendary Glass-Eyed Princess. You have not disappointed me."
Eyes shining, Sora kept examining the princess openly.
"Oh? Does Lord Kusanagi know me?"
Showing a slightly puzzled yet incredibly cute expression, the Glass-Eyed Princess was a gentle and peerless beauty. Even facing Sora's blatant gaze, she showed no anger, only a little shyness in her heart.
Moreover, she was very curious. It was normal for her and Susanoo and others in the Netherworld to observe the human world and know Sora, but how did Sora know her?
"Hmm, I know you now. Although I didn't know you before, I do now."
"I am Kusanagi Sora, sent by Heaven to help you break the bonds of fate, and I am also the one who will become your husband in the future."
Nodding, Sora wore a serious and solemn expression, speaking with firm conviction.
"Ahem, ahem, ahem!!!"
As soon as Sora finished speaking, the room instantly fell silent. Then, from one side came the sound of Susanoo violently coughing, choked by his drink.
The Glass-Eyed Princess also trembled slightly. The words "break the bonds of fate" struck her deeply, and the mention of "husband" made her feel an endless shyness. A faint blush appeared on her already breathtakingly beautiful face, adding a subtle charm to her peerless beauty.
"Hmph, even the princess dares to entertain such delusions. Truly as greedy and lustful as the rumors say!"
With a cold snort, the voice of the old monk who had attained Buddhahood in the flesh—looking like a mummy—was filled with deep anger and sarcasm.
Although all his teeth had fallen out, his enunciation was exceptionally clear.
As a profound Buddhist cultivator, the old monk's faith was in purity and detachment, unaffected by worldly desires. He already had a poor impression of this young god-slayer who acted recklessly on the surface and was infatuated with women. Seeing Sora just now blatantly ignore his and even the Glass-Eyed Princess's opinions only deepened his dislike.
Turning around, Sora glanced at the old monk without showing any anger.
"Master, thank you for your compliment. I have learned my lesson and will work even harder from now on!"
With hands clasped together, Sora bowed slightly to the old monk, wearing a face of sincere respect.
Greedy is his epithet, lustful is his nature. No wonder the fleshly Buddhahood monk hit the nail on the head so quickly!
Completely unprepared for this, the old monk's sunken eyes widened in shock and confusion.
Did he just mistakenly praise this kid? No way!
Looking at Sora's sincere and genuine expression, the old monk admitted he was somewhat bewildered…