[224] Evil Plan
Time...
It treated everyone equally, flowing steadily.
It wouldn't change due to anyone's personal desires—
It should have been like that.
However... in this world, there appeared an existence that could stop time altogether—
"One second has passed—"
DIO emerged from the shattered room.
Six seconds—
This was the amount of time he could now stop. Perhaps it might not seem like much to an ordinary person, but for DIO in his current state, it was more than enough to accomplish a lot. Running a hundred meters or anything else was a piece of cake.
Initially, when he arrived in this world, he could only stop time for five seconds. But now... after consuming an unknown number of people's fresh blood and fully mastering this body, he could now stop time for six seconds. If not for the difference between his Stand ability and the true Servant of this world, he would probably be able to stop time for around twelve seconds by now.
However, even so, it was more than enough!
Six seconds were more than sufficient!
"Two seconds have passed—"
DIO looked at Berserker, who had stopped his movements like the other dead apostles, about ten meters away from where he emerged from the room. Berserker had reached him, clenching his fists. "Three seconds have passed—!"
"Die!!!"
DIO laughed heartily, having stored energy for three seconds, and unleashed a powerful punch towards Berserker's chest!
His physical strength in this world was at Rank A, capable of blocking this strike with ease. If Berserker had self-awareness and was able to move, he would undoubtedly be able to defend. After all... Berserker's physical strength and endurance were at Rank A+!
Squelch—
"Four seconds have passed—"
Watching Berserker getting impaled by his fist, DIO felt content and withdrew his fist. "Now, the first contestant in the Holy Grail War to be eliminated has appeared..."
"Countdown one second—"
DIO ran towards the shattered house.
Will hid in the shadows to avoid being seen by others, then said, "Zero seconds, time begins to flow—"
Squelch—
"Roar—!!!" Lü Bu roared, swung his hand, and his halberd that was on the ground flew into his hands. He swung it mercilessly! A full swing around him—
Four high-level dead apostles and their familiars were all cut in half!
"Oh... still alive?" DIO felt somewhat lucky that he immediately retreated. Otherwise... he didn't want to face the consequences of his actions until he reached Heaven—before reaching his destination.
Only when he ascended to heaven would it be a true battle. Before that, it was just a warm-up!
However, before that, he had to give others some intimidation, so they wouldn't dare to approach...
This Berserker's death was the perfect sacrifice!
Next moment—
The severed dead apostles stood up again, their injuries fully healed. Perhaps their actual combat ability was only at the level of second or third-rate Servants, but against Berserker, who was undoubtedly top-notch, it was nothing.
But—
In terms of immortality, how many could compare to these dead apostles?
Perhaps... only DIO and that Undying King had such capabilities.
But—
Even though Lü Bu was pierced through, he didn't show any signs of fatigue. He continued to swing his halberd wildly.
Just as DIO was preparing to stop time again, smashing Lü Bu's head—
From a distance—
Several arrow-like arrows shot over.
"Boom, boom, boom—"
Arash continuously pulled his bow and shot arrows—
At the same time, he shouted loudly, "Berserker, my friend, retreat! "
"Roar—(Wait for me, I'll cut you down next time!)" Berserker roared... and fled!
Archer sighed with relief when he saw this scene.
"Archer, did you see it? How did Berserker get injured?"
"No, I didn't see it." Archer Arash shook his head. "Could it be some special ability of those dead apostles?"
"...I don't know. Let's show Lady Barthomeloi when Berserker returns."
On the other side, DIO, watching the fleeing Berserker, smiled slightly. "Beautiful. He truly deserves to be a Servant. Even with his chest pierced, he won't die... but, this is enough. My goal from the beginning was not to kill him. Let them withdraw, and for the next three days, they won't disturb us. It's enough."
Because of this, he didn't let those four high-level dead apostles use their full strength...
You see, among them, some had Mystic Codes in their hands, some had reality marble, some had high-level Mystic Eyes, and some had near-absolute immortality...
All of these... were not used in this battle.
Because it was unnecessary!
There were still three days left. When he started executing his plan... when all the conditions were met—when he started moving... he would inevitably face tremendous obstacles!
That would be the true time to use his full strength... that would be the true time to give it his all!
He would undoubtedly ascend to heaven, obtaining eternal peace.
Even in this world—
Anyone who stood in front of his fate would be crushed!
"Farewell, come back." From the shadows, DIO said to prevent being exposed now. It wasn't the time for him to reveal himself: "You have completed your mission satisfactorily. Now, all you have to do is wait patiently. It won't be long... I've already waited through this year, and there are only three days left..."
"Yes, Lord DIO!"
...
"Hmm... Hmm hmm... Hahaha—"
"Interesting, isn't it? The battle."
"Oh, certainly! Master." Alucard turned to look at his master, Kurokawa Kazuya, "Very interesting indeed... truly fascinating. That Saber seems not to be the strongest in this Holy Grail War, right? But even so, there's such immense power! Fantastic! Humans are truly... amazing!"
"If you find it interesting, then it is." Kazuya shrugged. "I find it interesting too... but this is just the first day of the Holy Grail War. No, it can't even be considered the first day, and such a battle has already occurred... However, what I'm really interested in is... how will this city fare? Which direction will Kairo take?"
"Perhaps it will be like that nightmarish night in London."
---
If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my patreon which already contains 30 chapters:
https://www.patreon.com/XElenea