Chapter 1180: What Kind of Sword is Thunderfire Sword?
Stripped of its technological glow, the laboratory plunged into complete darkness, with only the white light emanating from the holy scriptures still shining.
"Just who are you?"
The middle-aged man, Kanon Kanase's father.
When the armored figure mentioned Kanon's mother, his expression finally changed.
"You only need to know that I am the Fourth True Ancestor."
The rest is unimportant.
And I won't tell you.
That was the implication behind the armored figure's words.
The Fourth True Ancestor?
Kanon Kanase's father focused his gaze.
Has the time finally come?
"Kanon Kanase's father, I gave you a long time to think, to choose the right answer. I never expected the conclusion you reached would be just as foolish!"
The armored figure berated Kanon Kanase's father without holding back.
"Is transforming Kanon into an artificial angel your way of loving her?"
Just separated by a single pane of glass.
In the chapel-like experimental chamber lay the girl—Kanon Kanase.
What she was undergoing was a ritual to elevate a human into an angel.
Angels, as divine messengers, possess divine status and aura. The dimension they inhabit is as lofty as that of gods—exalted beings that have transcended the very concept of living creatures.
However, such a ritual required seven shrine maidens with powerful spiritual medium constitutions to fight and devour one another, with only one emerging as the final angel!
In terms of spiritual medium aptitude, Kanon's talent was undoubtedly exceptional.
In Eiji's understanding, it nearly rivaled Nagisa Akatsuki's dual innate gifts.
If she participated in this ritual, Kanon would undoubtedly become the final victor.
The ugly mask would be shed.
The monstrous wings would be purified.
The low-tier rank would be elevated.
She would become an angel—supreme, deathless, and ageless in the eyes of ordinary people, more eternal than even a True Ancestor.
Yet.
"Angels have no self; they are merely tools of God, aggregates of divine aura. If she becomes an angel, Kanon's self will vanish, turning her into a puppet."
In short, it would transform a self-aware player into an NPC.
From a living being into a programmed existence.
"That is her happiness."
Kanon Kanase's father stated this.
His expression remained unreadable, as though he truly believed it.
"I'm going to kill you now."
Eiji said indifferently.
"That would be your happiness."
Kanon Kanase's father remained silent.
He was an intensely reserved person.
Whether it was love or pain, he kept it buried deep within, never letting it show on his face.
Eiji paid no mind to his silence.
He walked up to the glass window, gazing into the room inscribed with holy scriptures.
Light writhed in his hand, and a slender silver sword, resembling an eight-sided Han sword, materialized in his grasp.
What kind of sword is that?
Kanon Kanase's father's focus shifted to the sword in Eiji's hand.
Eiji thrust the sword forward.
The glass engraved with holy scriptures shattered at the touch, requiring hardly any effort.
The blade shimmered with an azure spiritual glow.
"The holy scriptures were shattered?"
Kanon Kanase's father's eyes widened slightly.
"I see. That's the Divine Oscillation Wave Drive Art—a technology replicated by the Lion King Organization from the legacy of the Heavenly Ministry. It's said the Lion King Organization previously possessed only two such swords. Is this the third?"
A powerful cursed tool forged by extracting the ritual from the Celestial Heritage "Holy Lance" and inscribing it upon the weapon!
Capable of nullifying magical power and severing all barriers!
Thus, this cursed tool is the natural enemy of vampires—even a True Ancestor could be slain with this weapon!
"The Seven-Strike Assault Exorcist Machine Gun... To think one of them was reforged into a sword and ended up in your hands."
Kensei Kanase's expression shifted repeatedly.
The implications behind this were profound!
This immensely powerful cursed tool was the exclusive patent of the Lion King Organization, yet it had appeared in the hands of the Fourth True Ancestor. The ambiguity of the situation was impossible to ignore!
"From now on, it won't be called the Seven-Strike Assault Exorcist Machine Gun."
Eiji swung the sword in his hand.
"It's called the Thunderfire Sword!"
Thunderfire Sword?
Kensei Kanase frowned.
What kind of name was Thunderfire Sword? It didn't align at all with the weapon's functions!
And, how should he put it?
It just felt... unworthy of the sword's prestige!
Eiji stepped into the chapel-like hospital room.
Kensei Kanase did not stop him.
Because it was already too late to stop him.
Even a Version 0.1 Artificial Angel stood no chance against this Fourth True Ancestor, especially when he wielded that sword. Instead, the ritual itself would be destroyed.
The sacred inscriptions surrounding the room shattered one by one under the sword's sweeping strikes.
Finally, Eiji pressed the blade against Kanon's body.
The ascension ritual was instantly broken.
The pain that had wracked her entire body vanished in an instant.
A pure, infant-like smile spread across Kanon's face.
As the figure in golden armor blurred before her eyes, her consciousness gradually faded, and she soon fell into a deep slumber.
"Whether she is happy or not—let Kanon decide for herself."
Eiji emerged from the hospital room, the Thunderfire Sword disappearing from his hand.
"After she wakes up, you must ask for her opinion directly. If she agrees, then consider my visit never happened. If she refuses, and you continue to force your so-called happiness upon her... I won't mind paying another visit."
Kensei Kanase was a reserved man.
He never shared his thoughts with others, nor did he bother to ask for theirs.
This was his most fatal flaw.
And Kanon Kanase was far too considerate, far too accommodating of others, which led to this seemingly foolish incident. In truth, if these two had simply communicated properly, the problem would have been easily resolved.
After a moment of hesitation, under the watchful gaze of the armored figure, Kensei Kanase finally nodded.
"But my purpose in creating the Artificial Angel isn't solely for Kanon—it's also because of the Holy Annihilation—"
"If the sky falls, there will be taller people to hold it up."
Eiji sneered coldly.
"Those taller people aren't dead yet. This isn't your burden to bear. Just focus on doing what you're supposed to do."
"...Perhaps you're right."
Kensei Kanase was taken aback.
Even if he succeeded in creating a true Artificial Angel, could he truly defeat the Fourth True Ancestor before him?
Legend spoke of the world's strongest vampire—one who could slay even the Demon Ancestors and annihilate the Celestials themselves!
If the Holy Annihilation were to descend upon the world, such a being would undoubtedly be at the forefront.
As long as such individuals still lived, there was truly no need for him to worry.
Satisfied with the response, Eiji departed.
Eiji did not make things difficult for Kensei Tsumugi, nor did he cause any further destruction.
This guy's intentions were somewhat good after all, and Kanon still needed her uncle.
With a turn, he vanished from the underground research facility.
"Spatial control? No, it's slightly different."
Kensei Tsumugi let out a long sigh, deeply feeling like a frog at the bottom of a well.
"This Fourth True Ancestor is truly unfathomable..."
The Fourth True Ancestor had disappeared.
That night.
He had made a stunning entrance and vanished without anyone noticing.
However.
This night.
Was destined to leave many people unable to sleep.
Was destined to drown countless individuals in an overwhelming flood of news.
The information about the Fourth True Ancestor's appearance on Itogami Island had already begun to spread.