In recent days, Lucius had studied not only this world's magical systems but also his fellow Campiones.
Or rather, his research into Campiones and their related Heretic Gods began the moment he arrived in this world.
Among them, Salvatore Doni was his top priority.
After all, he was the most likely to clash with Lucius first.
And Doni's signature ability, [Ripping Arm of Silver], was one Lucius had thoroughly analyzed.
Even with the limitations of studying mythology through records, experiencing Doni's moves firsthand gave Lucius a clear understanding of the Authority and its myth.
Process-skipping was indeed a versatile and potent ability.
But Lucius never forgot why he gained it.
[Worldview].
That was the source of all his powers.
An individual's worldview interacted with the world itself.
Even process-skipping was a product of his will shaping his worldview.
Since it was his worldview, he could define its nature.
Even if it conflicted with this world.
Worldview, unfold—
He chanted inwardly.
Within his worldview's range, everything adhered to his rules, not this world's.
His current weakness forced him to limit its scope and avoid drastic deviations from this world's reality.
Otherwise, the mental strain would be immense.
But for now, it sufficed.
His unleashed worldview aligned closely with this world, confined to his hand.
And in that hand's vicinity, covered by his worldview—
The myth of Silver-Armed Nuada did not exist!
[Ripping Arm of Silver] relied on mythology or was influenced by it.
But in that small space, the myth supporting it ceased to exist!
"Silver-Armed Nuada, this is apocrypha!"
Lucius shouted, meeting Doni's magic sword with his bare hand.
The distant mages watching via magic, and Doni himself, were stunned.
Regardless of Lucius's motives for catching the sword barehanded, Doni wouldn't hold back!
"The new Campione defeated?" A mage observing from afar sighed.
"No, that King is no reckless fool!" Another said, eyes full of admiration. "There's still a chance!"
Under gazes of dread, shock, anticipation, or concern—
The sword, said to cut anything in heaven or earth, was firmly caught in Lucius's hand.
Without its myth, the magic sword was merely a slightly sharp, mana-infused iron blade!
With Lucius's current physical prowess, it caused only a slight sting in his palm.
"What?"
Doni and the watching mages gaped in disbelief.
Since Doni gained his Authority, his all-cutting sword had never failed to slice—yet it couldn't cut a fellow Campione's hand?
"How is this possible?"
Doni's face froze as he tried to pull his sword free.
Normally, a light swing would sever a raging torrent.
But it was useless. The sword's silver Authority glow seemed feeble, like a frail girl's.
Lucius didn't waste time.
Maintaining a worldview contrary to this world's was no easy task.
Correctly, the silver-armed god-king Nuada did exist.
Denying it was a false notion.
Yet Lucius knowingly upheld this falsehood as truth, believing it fervently as the world's absolute reality.
Unfolding his worldview to alter reality consumed negligible mana but exacted an unforeseen mental toll.
Each second in this state was torment.
His willpower, hardened by various trials, held firm; the old him would've gone mad.
Yet outwardly, Lucius remained impassive, as if he'd done something trivial.
Gripping the magic sword, he turned it back, aiming for Doni's free arm.
Unfortunately, his grip limited him to striking the arm, not the body.
Lucius noted with slight regret.
"You—" Doni reacted as the blade neared his arm, his expression shifting as he moved to resist.
But Lucius gave him no chance.
What he did next had no process.
Without a process, resistance was impossible.
Set the cause.
Skip the process.
Reach the result.
In an instant, Doni's left hand was severed at the wrist, held in Lucius's grasp.
To Doni, his hand had inexplicably detached, becoming another's trophy.
Under the Incarnation of Steel, not a drop of blood flowed from the stump.
"Catching my sword—I can't see how, but it must've cost you dearly, right?" Doni maintained [Ripping Arm of Silver], gritting his teeth.
To end up in this state so inexplicably was hard to accept.
He could embrace defeat after a thrilling fight, but not this baffling loss!
"Whether it's an Authority or anything else, it's fair. Great power comes with great limits or great costs," Doni said. "Catching my sword—how long can you keep that up?"
Lucius didn't respond, partly because he had no interest in bantering, and partly because his mind felt like it was exploding.
Seconds later.
Sensing his process-skipping ability was ready again, his eyes flickered.
"That's enough," Lucius said, bloodshot eyes straining to keep his voice steady.
He appeared some distance from Doni.
In his hand was his trophy—a hand encircled by runic symbols.
***
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