From the moment the ritual began, Caesar had been contemplating how to deal with Lanevus and Hood Eugen.
A direct confrontation was definitely out of the question. Two Beyonders against him, plus a Mystical Item, even with his cheat, his chances of winning were slim.
Therefore, a sneak attack was his only option.
So Caesar waited, waiting for the two to lower their guard, waiting for the best opportunity to arise.
The instant the True Creator's divinity descended, he moved.
"Clang!"
Caesar threw the gas lamp to the ground, while he himself pounced on the altar. He extended a finger, dipped it in the blood forming the magic array, and then quickly modified the array's lines according to his pre-planned design.
Swish, swish.
His finger moved with lightning speed!
He had carefully observed the magic array on the altar, and his ability as a Secrets Suppliant allowed him to quickly analyze its principles. He had already practiced how to modify it in his mind over a dozen times. With just one stroke, he significantly altered the array's content, swapping the positions of Lanevus and his fiancée, Megose.
In other words, the one who would conceive and receive the divine offspring changed from Megose to Lanevus!
Caesar's speed was too fast, and his sneak attack was too unexpected. Lanevus hadn't even reacted until he finished modifying the array. He was roaring with laughter, mouth wide open, waiting for the divine offspring's seed to fall into Megose's body, only to see that ray of light drifting in mid-air, suddenly making an unannounced turn, and flying into his mouth.
With a "gulp," Lanevus unconsciously swallowed it.
Something depraved and terrifying instantly invaded his body, converging in his lower abdomen.
"Ah ah ah ah!"
Lanevus seemed to hear the cries of an infant and evil whispers in his ears. His stomach was in excruciating pain, as if something was devouring his flesh, or as if a mad and twisted existence was forcibly squeezing into his body. He couldn't maintain a standing posture, collapsing to the ground clutching his stomach, howling in unbearable agony.
"How could you—"
Hood Eugen had just shouted when Caesar raised his hand and delivered a fierce punch, hitting him squarely on the bridge of his nose.
"Crack!"
A crisp sound followed. Hood Eugen let out a cry of pain, clutching his nose and stepping back, his bell falling to the ground. Just as he was about to pick it up despite the pain, Caesar, who had already drawn his revolver from its holster, rushed over and smashed the gun butt into his face.
"Bang!"
The metal gun butt was heavy and powerful, shaking Hood Eugen's jawbone.
"Shut up!"
Just as Hood Eugen was about to cry out in pain, he felt a cold sensation on his forehead. It was Caesar pressing the muzzle against his head, "If you dare to make a single sound, I'll immediately shoot your head off!"
Feeling the seriousness in Caesar's words, the latter immediately covered his mouth, not daring to make a sound no matter how much it hurt.
Caesar calmly glanced at him, then pulled the trigger.
Seeing Caesar's action, Hood Eugen's eyes widened in shock, as if questioning him, "Didn't I shut up as you requested?"
"Bang!"
A silver Demon Hunting Bullet spun out of the muzzle, prying open his head, scattering his dying confusion along with his brains.
"I lied to you."
As the corpse fell, Caesar looked at Hood Eugen's unclosed eyes and replied. Seriously, he had just tried to use him as a living sacrifice; did he really think he would spare him?
After dealing with Hood Eugen, Caesar turned his attention to Lanevus, who was still struggling on the ground.
"Ugh! Ah!"
Lanevus clutched his stomach, continuously letting out painful wails. Lumps of flesh emerged from beneath his skin, making his originally ordinary face grotesque and terrifying. It seemed he was not destined to enjoy the blessings of the gods; it was likely that in a short while, he would completely lose control.
Serves him right.
Facing Lanevus's tragic state, Caesar felt no sympathy. He had such a good girl who loved him, yet he not only didn't appreciate it but even exploited her love to turn her into a bed for an evil god. This was no ordinary Lunatic, but an inhuman beast. If he weren't afraid that Lanevus would completely lose control and become difficult to deal with, Caesar would certainly have let him suffer for a while longer.
Caesar steadied his revolver, cautiously approached Lanevus, and aimed at his head.
Because his marksmanship wasn't good, he could only use this method to increase his hit rate.
Lanevus screamed piteously, rolling around. He had no room to speak, but when he looked at Caesar, his eyes were filled with malice and madness, like a beast trapped in a cage.
Caesar calmly met his gaze, then pulled the trigger.
"Bang!"
A Demon Hunting Bullet pierced Lanevus's forehead, leaving a blood-red bullet hole.
Lanevus stopped struggling, lying motionless on the ground.
Phew, that was dangerous.
Caesar held the revolver, a wave of lingering fear washing over him.
Although it seemed he had swiftly dealt with the two, in reality, even a slight misstep would have meant his own death. Especially Lanevus; his movements were incredibly agile. His actions when assassinating the guard earlier were swift and brutal, basically a one-hit kill. Caesar would bet that if that knife had been aimed at him, with his current strength, he definitely wouldn't have been able to dodge it.
And that Hood Eugen also seemed to possess Beyonder abilities that could bewitch people's hearts. Even with his cheat, which could resist hypnosis, a momentary daze would have been enough for Lanevus to kill him.
That's why Caesar seized the opportunity to first distort the ritual, making Lanevus lose his combat capability, then striking Hood Eugen before he could react or think, killing him, and then freeing his hands to shoot Lanevus.
He took a few deep breaths, steadying himself. Caesar somewhat calmed down from the excitement of the battle. He suddenly thought of something: the ritual didn't seem to be over yet; the divine offspring had descended, but the deity himself didn't seem to have been sent back.
Oh no!
Caesar instinctively turned his head, then saw a bizarre black figure behind him, staring at him at close range with a face devoid of features.
"Damn it!"
His scalp tingled with fright, and he instinctively swung his arm.
"Whoosh—"
The black figure dispersed into a large cloud of mist, and resentful thoughts, filled with extreme emotions, howled as they flew towards Lanevus, who was lying on the ground. They enveloped him, rapidly melting into his body.
Then, Lanevus's originally lifeless body suddenly began to move again. The lumps of flesh retracted, and the bullet holes healed. He actually showed signs of resurrection!
Caesar didn't hesitate, retreating rapidly and firing again.
"Bang! Bang!"
The scattered bullets shattered the spiritual wall, and the spiritual wind howled. The bullets that hit Lanevus only created a bloody hole, which was slowly pushed out by the healing wound.
Things are not looking good.