Chapter 64: Haru vs Verethragna & Melqart

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Outside the window, the bright, sunny sky turned dark and stormy in a matter of seconds.

"This is...! A Heretic God's Authority? But it's completely different from the War God's power we encountered yesterday! Is this Melqart?" Erica stared at the window in shock. The terrifying divine power that had changed the weather across Sardinia in mere seconds completely altered her perception of gods.

"Well, well, I did say yesterday, didn't I? I defeated Melqart and Verethragna together. Thanks to that, they're desperately trying to recover faster. I originally expected it to take them five days," Haru said, looking at the sky with anticipation, sensing Melqart's divine power.

Having learned that these two gods would gather in Sardinia, Haru had naturally focused his attention on the island. His days of patiently waiting in ambush had finally paid off. However, he had discovered that the two gods had joined forces and fought him to a standstill, although the gods had suffered more severe injuries.

"Well then, let's go, my knight! Accompany Your King to the battlefield!" Haru scooped Erica up into his arms, opened the window, and, braving the fierce wind, flew towards the source of Melqart's divine power.

"Idiot! At least let me change my clothes!" Erica's cry echoed through the sky.

Dark clouds blanketed the entire sky above Sardinia. Lightning flashed, thunder rumbled, wind howled, and torrential rain poured down.

Within the ruins of San Basilio in Sardinia, deep within the underground sanctuary, a colossal figure sat cross-legged.

His unkempt, unruly hair and beard, which covered the lower half of his face, gave him a wild and imposing appearance. He stood approximately 2.5 meters tall, his body rippling with powerful muscles. Although he wore rough clothing, dirty rags and leather covering his chest, a tattered cloak draped over his shoulders, he exuded an aura of immense authority.

Ordinary people would feel compelled to kneel before him and sing his praises just by looking at him.

This was Melqart, or more accurately, Baal. Melqart was the name used by the ancient inhabitants of Sardinia to refer to Baal.

A large hole, about 10 centimeters in diameter, gaped in Melqart's chest, revealing the scenery behind him. From its shape, it was clear that it had been caused by a punch.

"So strong, that Devil King is strong. Wonderful! To be able to battle such a powerful opponent upon descending to Earth, it's truly wonderful!" Melqart roared with laughter. His voice was booming and heroic. Despite being a god known as the Devil King, his voice was surprisingly bright and forthright.

"That War God brat seems to have recovered his incarnation as well. Then I must also quicken my pace!" Melqart paused for a moment, then his entire body radiated a brilliant azure light that filled the underground sanctuary. The sanctuary seemed to respond to Melqart's command, glowing with the same light.

Vast amounts of water essence were drawn from the boundless ocean by the sanctuary and slowly absorbed by Melqart.

The fist mark on his chest gradually shrunk until it vanished without a trace.

"Recovered! Then, wind! Rain! Thunder! Deliver my challenge to the King of the Earth, to the War God! Today, at this very place, This Melqart, will bury them along with this island!" Melqart activated his Authority as Ruler of the Heavens. His divine power surged, carrying his declaration across the island on the wind, rain, and thunder.

Thud! Haru landed in the center of the ruined plaza within the San Basilio ruins, still holding Erica. She quickly jumped out of his arms.

"Honestly, how much do you want to see me change clothes? Making a lady change in your arms, truly, the Far East is a breeding ground for perverts! You probably became a Devil King because you're such a hentai," Erica grumbled, her face flushed with annoyance. Haru had deliberately carried her off before she could react, forcing her to use a summoning spell to conjure a new outfit and change mid-air.

"Erica..." Haru said, smiling at her as she pouted.

"What is it, my King?" Erica asked, adjusting her cloak, her cheeks still flushed from the embarrassing wardrobe change.

"Here they come!" Haru's expression turned serious as he looked towards the center of the plaza.

Boom! A bolt of lightning struck, blasting a bottomless hole in the center of the ruined plaza. From the depths of the hole, the Heretic God Melqart emerged, floating into the air.

A massive tornado, thirty meters tall, appeared in the sky above the ruins. The War God Verethragna, shifting from his "Gale" incarnation to his "Youth" form, materialized from within the swirling winds.

Melqart and Verethragna, hovering in the air, faced off against Haru, who stood on the ground.

Immense divine power and pressure clashed in the air. The already crumbling ruins of the plaza began to shatter under the weight of the divine presence.

What's going on? This oppressive pressure is insane! Erica, who had been about to summon Reinhardt the moment the gods appeared, found herself frozen. Her arm was outstretched, runes swirling in her palm, but she couldn't move. The moment the divine power manifested, an instinctive fear gripped her, turning her into a statue.

Move! What kind of knight am I if I can't even move...? With sheer willpower, Erica forced herself to take a step.

Haru waved his hand.

Thud! Erica suddenly regained control of her body and stumbled, looking at the two colossal figures in the sky with wide, terrified eyes.

"Are you scared, Erica?" Haru asked after a moment of silence, his back still turned to her.

Erica's pupils constricted as she stared at his back.

"I was too, at first! When I faced Tsukuyomi, I was scared to death. She punched a hole right through me. I was really about to die, completely powerless to resist," Haru said, recalling the scene at the Sayorihime Shrine in Okukozome three years ago.

"I was basically dying, and then, because of a random item I had with me, I gained the chance to use an Authority. Even though I knew in my heart that I couldn't win," Haru continued, his voice calm.

Erica's breath hitched as she stared at his back.

"But I still used that Authority in a suicidal way. 'Even if I die, I'm taking you down with me.' That was my mindset at the time," Haru said, looking up at the gods in the sky with a slight smile.

"So, everyone feels fear. But you have to bare your fangs in the face of that fear! That's the only way to survive. Those who don't even dare to show their fangs will only meet their end." Haru grinned, his body radiating magical energy.

Erica smiled, stood up, dispelled the spell in her hand, and stepped back. "Even if you say that, I'm not going to fall for it and challenge a god one-on-one. I'll leave these two gods to you. I'll be waiting for your return."

"Ah, I'll win!" Haru said with a confident smile as he activated his Authority - The Power of the Mountain.

Space distorted, and two clubs flew out, landing in Melqart's hands. "Chase" and "Banish", the divine weapons Melqart had obtained by slaying dragon kings!

A thin, golden sword materialized in Verethragna's hand. Behind him, the golden disc, "Warrior," shone with a brilliant light. 

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