— — — — — —
The moment the Circle of Usurpation activated, Ryo closed his eyes and felt the surge of divine power coursing through him.
—The ritual of the Old Covenant.
When facing multiple enemies—especially if one of them met the definition of a "Godslayer"—his strength would skyrocket severalfold.
"As expected," Ryo murmured, shaking his head slightly. "Authority comes with power... and a price."
That was the unchanging law of divine powers in the world of Campione. Every authority was overwhelming in its own right—but none came without flaws.
Like the ability he had just gained—it only activated when facing multiple foes, and one of them had to be a Godslayer. Even with its multiplier effect, the conditions were far too specific.
Just as he was mulling over this, the broken golden threads that had been floating through the air began to stir again.
Sensing the birth of a new "King of End," they lunged forward, wrapping tightly around Ryo's body.
"Be careful!" Rama shouted.
"Already expected that," Ryo replied coldly.
He suddenly reached out, grabbing one of the golden threads. With a violent tug, he yanked something out of the void itself—a figure.
A woman with long, radiant golden hair emerged before him.
Rama's eyes widened. He recognized her instantly.
In Greece, she was known as Atropos, Clotho, and Lachesis. In Norse myth, she was Urðr, Verdandi, and Skuld.
The goddess who governed fate itself—the one who had once granted him the destiny of the "King of End."
"So... because my fate was stripped away, she's manifested to select a new one?" Rama muttered.
But the moment he saw the grin on Ryo's face, realization struck him.
"I see. She didn't appear on her own—you lured her out."
Ryo's hand tightened around the goddess's throat before he turned his head toward Rama with a faint smile.
"'Lured' sounds harsh. Let's call it... exploring new possibilities."
"New possibilities?" Rama frowned, puzzled.
Ryo narrowed his eyes, pulling a pocket watch from his coat. The hands pointed sharply at twelve. Seeing that, he grinned.
"Just as I thought. The title of 'King of End' isn't bound to killing you—it's tied to influence."
"As long as I've affected the core concept of the King of End—the biggest secret in this world—that key naturally becomes mine."
Killing the King of End would've been one way to gain that influence. But seizing the very role of the King of End? That was faster—and cleaner.
And now, with the Bearer of Fate herself appearing as a result of that disruption, Ryo's victory was absolute.
Just as he'd predicted—killing either the King of End or the Goddess of Fate would've maximized his "influence." But instead, he had found a third option: Usurpation.
Now, with this power, Ryo could finally observe the Little Garden through the Abyss Method.
Rama still looked baffled. "You're... not going to kill me?"
He didn't understand Ryo's talk of "keys" and other stuff, but he could tell—the killing intent was gone.
Ryo pressed a hand against the goddess's chest, and with a flicker of black light, drew out her soul using the Sekishiki Meikai Ha. Then he turned back to Rama and said calmly:
"You're worth more to me alive than dead."
In the Campione world, Rama's mythology was a tangled web—a mix of Hindu, Celtic, and even Cross savior legends.
That made him a walking storm of divine contradictions.
And conveniently, the remnants of those same mythological factions—especially the Hindu and Cross pantheons—were deeply entangled with the Ouroboros Demon Lord Alliance in the Little Garden.
An alliance that opposed [Arcadia]—the community of Ryo. They even took the name and banner, leaving it as [No Name]
So, keeping Rama alive meant chaos for his enemies and a scapegoat for blame. For Ryo, that was a win-win.
Rama, oblivious to these deeper machinations, could only grasp the surface meaning: Ryo had no intention of killing him.
He gave a bitter smile. "To live when I wish to die, and to die when I wish to live... in a way, that's its own form of cruelty."
Ryo had the power to end him—but instead, chose to let him wander aimlessly in the living world. That kind of mercy was almost worse than death.
No wonder this man fought using techniques that burned his enemies' souls alive.
"For someone who just freed you from the curse of destiny, you're being pretty ungrateful," Ryo said with a mocking smile.
"You can go revive your brother and live happily. Why are you sad?
Ryo waved his hand, tearing open a rift in the Netherworld, and turned his back on Rama.
"Well... whether you want to keep wandering or die, that's your choice. I've lost interest."
With that, he stepped through the rift—returning to the human world.
At that same moment, three figures waiting on the narrow island path turned toward the sudden burst of light.
Athena's shoulders relaxed with visible relief. Lancelot looked in disbelief, while Hanuman, the Wind King, froze where he stood, silent.
Ryo's arrival alone told them everything—they didn't need to ask who had won.
Athena flew up beside him, her tone cheerful. "So? You dealt with that nasty prince?"
"Didn't kill him," Ryo replied, shaking his head. "But I got what I came for."
He glanced back at the fading rift—just in time to see a weakened Rama step out, scanning the beach.
"My lord!" Hanuman shouted joyfully, rushing to his master's side.
Lancelot, however, remained still, brows furrowed. "My friend… your divinity…"
The change was obvious. Rama had lost his divine aura—his title as the King of End was gone.
Rama rested a hand on Hanuman's shoulder to calm him and gave Lancelot a faint, weary smile.
"Sorry. I have no intention of fighting anymore."
Lancelot hesitated, then said quietly, "So... you willingly gave up the title?"
Rama only laughed softly, neither denying nor confirming it.
Meanwhile, Ryo called out from the distance. "Hey, Lancelot! If you're disappointed in him, how about joining my side instead?"
Lancelot blinked in surprise, turning to look at him—and in that instant, she felt it.
The divine pressure, the presence that once belonged only to the "King of End."
"So... a new King of End," she whispered, exhaling slowly. Her gaze grew complicated as she began to answer, "I'm sorry, but I—"
Before she could finish, Rama interrupted. "She seems to need time to think."
Lancelot looked at him, startled.
Rama smiled faintly. "A warrior like her doesn't belong in seclusion with me."
With a sigh, he lifted the Divine Sword of Salvation, studied it for a moment, then tossed it toward Ryo.
"Take it. This sword belongs to the King of End."
But Ryo didn't move. The sword plunged into the sand at his feet.
Rama blinked in surprise. Ryo only shrugged.
"Keep it. I'm not into using other people's weapons."
He looked Rama over one last time, eyes sharp but not unkind. "Here's some advice. If you really want a peaceful life—don't leave this world. No matter the temptation of a higher power, live here peacefully."
A breeze passed between them as his words faded.
Then Ryo and Athena vanished from the beach.
"What did he mean by that?" Lancelot asked quietly, staring at the four footprints left in the sand.
Rama shook his head, looking up at the sunset. "I don't know. Maybe he saw something we can't."
Hanuman's expression softened. "My lord…"
"I'm fine, Hanuman," Rama said, smiling gently. "Losing my title as the King of End… that's finally freedom. I can't be more happy right now."
Hanuman said nothing more—he simply stood beside him in silence.
Rama remained on the beach, watching the last rays of the sun sink below the horizon. For the first time in a long while, his face was at peace.
.
.
.