Chapter 628: Absolute Ice (2/2)

Even if she unleashed such a strike, the result would have been the same as before. That is why Anima used her trump card here. Since the day she vowed to acquire this skill, she had been trying to learn the magic secretly with the help of those around her.

This is the magic that she truly admires and yearns for more than anything…… ”Kaito's magic”.

[Auto-Counter!]

Anima, who doesn't possess Sympathy Magic, cannot have the original effect of automatically counter-attacking the opponent's move. However, if it's about this magic's other effect…… ”forcing the body to move as she predetermined”, then it would be a different story.

With the magic activated, the waste movements in Anima's actions disappeared. Her arms, shoulders, waist, body…… All of them moved in a fluid manner, bringing her possible attack power to its ”theoretical maximum”.

[Oooohhhhhh!!!]

Shattering the brandished hammer, her strike pierced through the body of the God of Commerce, bringing victory to Anima.

Looking at the fallen God of Hunting and God of Commerce, Anima and Caraway heaved out a sigh.

[……Somehow, we defeated the two of them.]

[We just barely did it…… but we did defeat them.]

Anima's arm was broken from the recoil of the Auto-Counter, while Caraway had arrows lodged in various parts of her body. They were indeed barely able to win, and they were quite desperate in this battle…… but even so, the people they defeated were only two low-ranking Gods……

But still, a victory is a victory. As the two of them looked a little relieved, heading to the next battle…… but their eyes opened wide.

Two glowing spheres suddenly came flying from the sky. They were then sucked into the bodies of the God of Hunting and God of Commerce…… and the two Gods got up as if nothing had happened.

[……No way……]

It was no wonder that Caraway dumbfoundedly muttered this. The two Gods that they had finally defeated after exerting themselves to the utmost of their abilities, exceeding their own limits, were ”revived without a single scratch on their body”……

[No, you're truly magnificent. I'd say your strength has indeed reached the Count-rank.]

[That's right. If we hadn't received Shallow Vernal-sama's power, we would've been instantly killed by you.]

[However, that's a pity. As long as there is God of Life behind us…… we are immortal.]

The words God of Hunting and God of Commerce indifferently told them…… were truly despair-inducing words. Both Anima and Caraway are now wounded. They don't have the strength to defeat them again.

No, even if they could defeat them again…… They will just revive again and again as Life exists. The scenario where they win…… doesn't exist.

[……It's over.]

Still, Anima and Caraway's hearts weren't broken. However, their bodies weren't able to follow their hearts anymore. They were unable to move, even as the God of Hunting nocked two arrows in her bow.

With the arrows mercilessly released, they went right to Anima and Caraway's foreheads…… ”but it was shattered into pieces, falling to the ground”.

[Wha!?]

At the end of the gaze of the astonished God of Hunting…… the silhouette of someone stands between the two Gods and Anima and Caraway.

[That blow was truly amazing. You've grown tremendously. With this, you may not need a thousand years before we can fight again……]

[……Epsilon-dono.]

The one who appeared with a huge long sword in hand was one of War King's Five Generals…… Epsilon of the Absolute Ice. Speaking words of praise to Anima, who she had promised to fight again, she quietly held up her long sword.

[……One of War King's Five Generals is here huh.]

[She's a tricky opponent, but with how strong we are now, we should be enough against a Count-rank……]

[Foolish.]

[ [ ! ? ] ]

Even as they were astonished by Epsilon's appearance, the two Gods readied their weapons…… but immediately after that, they were cut apart and frozen without even being able to react.

[……If they get revived after dying, all you have to do is seal them away. Also, one more thing, gaining the magic power and physical ability of a Count-rank doesn't mean you'll be able to compete with one. Don't think that your fake abilities could ever reach the strength I've reached after training…… Well, I guess you can't hear me now huh……]

Epsilon, who had defeated the two low-ranking Gods with ease, quietly muttered, then turning to Anima and Caraway, she spoke.

[Well then, I'm heading off to the next battle. There are some people in the back who can use Recovery Magic, so you can get yourself treated there. Now then, if you'll excuse me. Anima-dono…… Grow some more and we'll have our rematch in a thousand years. I'm looking forward to it.]

After watching Epsilon leave with those words, Anima muttered with a slightly dumbfounded expression on her face.

[……Will I really be able to catch up with that after a thousand years? Master, it seems that the being I'm trying to overcome stands at a staggeringly high wall.]

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [No, putting aside Epsilon…… The most important problem is……]

<The God of Life, Life>

・ Revives Allies

・ Immediate Full Recovery

・ Generates Unlimited Soldiers

・ The person herself is almost immortal

Serious-senpai : [……Isn't she too much of a cheat?]

? ? ? : [Well, as expected, even she wouldn't be able to assess the status of all Gods while fighting against Isis and Lillywood, but it seems like the revival was automatically activated when they get fatally wounded, so sealing them is effective…… but we really wouldn't stand a chance if we don't do something about Life-san huh.]