Chapter Summaries

After slaying Verethragna and Mekal, Azer claimed and strengthened their Authorities, including the Golden Sword, Yagrush, and Aymur. He decided to return to the Far Eastern Island Country to seek another sealed god and planned to recruit Mariya Yuri, who sensed that something bad was coming.

• Azer absorbed the gods’ remaining power as Curse Power and claimed Verethragna’s Golden Sword Authority, which he bound to himself.
• Azer claimed Mekal’s Yagrush and Aymur, tested their wind and lightning powers, and bound the divine clubs to himself.
• Azer reflected that he had slain four gods and gained four Authorities, then decided to return east to find a sealed god who had been his childhood idol.
• Azer considered recruiting Mariya Yuri to use her Spirit Vision to find more gods and thought about teasing her.
• At the Seven Heroes Shrine, Mariya Yuri shuddered while combing her hair and sensed that something bad was about to happen.

After Azer defeated Verethragna and Mekal, he returned to Sardinia and melted the island’s devastating snowfall with his Black Furnace Magic Sword. Erica praised his unprecedented victory, while resolving to continue pursuing the title of Crimson Devil; she considered asking Azer for help.

• The storm and blizzard ended, and Sardinia’s exhausted defenders confirmed that the Heretic Gods had been defeated, though the island was buried in snow and badly damaged.
• Erica wondered whether Azer’s power had caused the blizzard, then spotted him flying back over the Mediterranean.
• Azer plunged his Black Furnace Magic Sword into Sardinia and used its heat to melt the snow across the island.
• Erica congratulated Azer for defeating two gods, and he explained that Mekal’s decision to wait beneath the sea had let him fight the gods one at a time.
• Erica said Azer had slain three gods in less than a week and established his reputation, while Azer said he did not care what others thought of him.
• Erica accepted that she had failed to earn the title of Crimson Devil through the Sardinia incident, but vowed to inherit it and considered asking Azer for help.

The Council of Sages debated Azer’s victory over two powerful gods and speculated about his three Authorities, while Godslayers and Mysterious Side factions around the world began paying attention to him. After recovering in Sardinia, Azer prepared to return to Japan, but Erica told him that Italy’s Sword King, Salvatore Doni, had arrived and wanted to meet him.

• The Council of Sages discussed how Azer had slain two high-ranking gods and speculated that one of his Authorities might grant flight or involve Odin’s Spear.
• The Council concluded that too little was known about Azer to identify his Authorities or give him an epithet, then ended its meeting after sealing the intelligence.
• Mysterious Side factions around the world discussed Azer’s achievement, and some Godslayers began taking an interest in him.
• After resting for a day in a hotel in Oristano Province, Azer decided to leave Sardinia and return to Japan.
• Erica told Azer that Salvatore Doni had arrived on Sardinia and wanted to meet him.

Salvatore Doni, the Sword King and leader of Southern Europe’s Magic Society, met Azer after Azer slew two gods in Sardinia. Doni accepted that Azer had claimed his prey, but his excitement at meeting a powerful fellow Godslayer led him to challenge Azer to a match.

• Azer recognized Salvatore Doni as the sixth Godslayer and sized up the sword-wielding King who had come to Sardinia.
• Doni congratulated Azer for becoming a Godslayer at a young age and dismissed any grievance over Azer taking the two gods he had hoped to fight.
• Doni’s battle intent alarmed Erica and the Bronze Black Cross personnel, while Azer recognized him as a battle-loving warrior.
• Azer admitted he enjoyed intense battles but said he also liked good food and beautiful women, unlike a battle maniac focused only on fighting.
• Doni asked Azer to have a match with him.

Erica tried to stop Salvatore Doni from starting another disaster in recovering Sardinia, but Tony insisted on dueling Azer. Azer accepted and proposed they move somewhere more suitable to fight.

• Erica warned Tony that Sardinia could not withstand another large-scale disaster and told him his sword was more frightening than storms and lightning.
• Erica asked where Tony's trusted knight Andre was, and Tony admitted he had pushed him out of an airplane after Andre kept pestering him.
• Tony dismissed concern for Andre and challenged Azer to a duel, while Erica tried to intervene.
• Azer revealed that he was not intimidated by Tony and accepted the duel to prevent Tony from pestering him later.
• Azer suggested they change locations, and Tony readily agreed.

Azer and Tony began a full-strength battle in the Saint Basti Ruins, where their swords both demonstrated the power to cut through anything. Tony charged in again, determined to test whether Azer’s Black Furnace Magic Sword could be cut apart.

• Azer and Tony agreed to fight at full strength while Erica watched through farsight magic from Oristano County.
• Tony revealed his Authority, the Tearing Silver Hand, and used its silver arm to empower his sword with the ability to cut through all things.
• Azer summoned the Black Furnace Magic Sword and blocked Tony’s opening slash, which cleaved the ground and atmosphere when deflected.
• Tony recognized that Azer’s Magic Sword could cut through all things too, and he rushed in again to test whether he could break it.
• Tony’s next slash unleashed immense Curse Power and split the ruins’ plaza in two.

Erica and the Bronze Black Cross watched Azer and Tony’s devastating sword battle, realizing Azer’s skill and Black Furnace Magic Sword far surpassed their expectations. Azer struck Tony with a surprise attack that sent him crashing through trees and into a Nuraghe, leaving him buried beneath the ruins.

• Erica and the Bronze Black Cross members watched footage of Azer and Tony destroying a forest as they fought.
• The knights speculated that Azer’s Black Furnace Magic Sword was a Sacred Gear and questioned how he had gained such formidable swordsmanship.
• Azer and Tony traded rapid sword strikes, with Tony praising Azer’s skill and Azer admitting to himself that he was enjoying the fight.
• Tony activated his steel-body Authority and used his silver arm to block Azer’s attacks.
• Azer used Shunpo to evade Tony’s strike, then smashed Tony into a Nuraghe and buried him beneath its rubble.

Azer and Tony returned to Taros after their daylong battle had devastated the Saint Basti Ruins and nearby forest. Tony called the fight a draw, though he believed Azer would have won if it had continued, and he realized Azer had held back much of his strength.

• Azer and Tony returned to the hotel in torn clothes, and Tony revealed that his sword had broken during their battle.
• Erica and the Mysterious Side factions arranged healing, food, clothes, and spa treatments for the two Kings.
• Erica asked who had won, and Tony said the fight ended in a draw because Azer had stopped it.
• Tony and Azer discussed how their abilities and fighting styles had kept the battle close, though Tony's powers were weakening as the fight continued.
• Tony recognized that Azer had fought mainly to test his strength and had concealed many of his abilities.

Azer prepared to leave Sardinia for Japan, while Tony warned him that Marquis Voban and Luo Hao were also watching the Far Eastern Island Country. Azer recognized that both ancient Godslayers sought something there and began looking forward to what would happen next.

• Erica and the eavesdroppers learned that Azer had held the advantage in his duel with Tony while using few of his powers.
• Tony invited Azer to travel with him and spar, but Azer declined and told him to grow stronger before challenging him again.
• Azer said he planned to go to Japan, and Tony warned that Marquis Voban had been paying attention to the country.
• Tony mentioned uncertain reports that Luo Hao was watching Japan as well, and Azer recalled the secret hidden there and anticipated what came next.

After leaving Tony and Andre Rivera to their wrestling, Azer heard Erica Brandelli's reasons for pledging fealty and considered accepting her as his retainer. He saw the value of her connections and the Bronze Black Cross, though he worried that Tony might challenge him over it.

• Tony kept pestering Azer to become sworn brothers until Andre Rivera arrived, soaked and furious, and attacked him.
• Tony quickly subdued Andre, and Azer left with Erica after witnessing their wrestling.
• Erica knelt before Azer and swore fealty, explaining that she wanted to serve a king she believed could become great and build her own achievements.
• Erica offered to use her connections to recruit subordinates and potentially bring the Bronze Black Cross and her uncle to Azer, but worried Tony might react by fighting him.
• Azer considered the need for informants and practical support, then decided that accepting Erica could be worthwhile.

Azer tested Erica Brandelli by ordering her to obtain the Gorgon Stone, warning that a powerful goddess would pursue it. After returning to Japan, he decided his apartment was too small and unsafe and went to stay at Seven Heroes Shrine, where Mariya Yuri was showering.

• Azer offered to accept Erica Brandelli's allegiance if she obtained the Gorgon Stone and delivered it to him.
• Erica overcame her fear of facing a god and swore to complete Azer's test.
• Erica returned to Milan to mobilize her resources and search for the Gorgon Stone.
• Azer flew from Sardinia to Japan, dismissed the Bronze Black Cross members, and returned to his apartment near Shiba Park.
• Azer decided his apartment was unsuitable and went to Seven Heroes Shrine, where Mariya Yuri was troubled by his existence.

After returning from Sardinia, Azer visited Mariya Yuri and told her that Sasha Dejanstahl Voban was watching the country and intended to force her to summon a Heretic God again. Mariya Yuri was left pale with fear as Azer warned that Voban was likely coming for her.

• News of Azer slaying two Heretic Gods spread through the Mysterious Side, prompting Saya Miyakano and Kasu Tōma to discuss how to approach him and instruct Mariya Yuri to win his favor.
• Azer surprised Mariya Yuri in her bedroom while she was wrapped only in a bath towel, leaving her mortified when the towel fell.
• After changing into her shrine maiden robes, Mariya Yuri served Azer tea and asked why he had come so late.
• Azer dismissed Mariya Yuri’s criticism of the destruction in Sardinia, saying the gods had been reckless and he had shown restraint.
• Azer told Mariya Yuri that Italy’s Sword King had revealed Sasha Dejanstahl Voban was watching the country and likely planned to make her summon a Heretic God again.

Azer explained that Marquis Voban planned to summon a Heretic God again and had targeted Mariya Yuri as a shrine maiden. Azer offered to protect her if she swore loyalty to him, leaving her reaching for Gungnir.

• Mariya Yuri recalled the traumatic ritual Voban had conducted four years earlier and feared he would repeat it.
• Azer explained that Voban needed exceptional shrine maidens for another summoning and had likely chosen Mariya Yuri for her powerful Spirit Vision.
• Mariya Yuri feared Voban's ritual would bring disaster to her and the people around her, then asked whether Azer had come to pursue a god himself.
• Azer said he had come for Mariya Yuri and offered to protect her from Voban if she became his and swore loyalty.
• Azer planted Gungnir before Mariya Yuri and told her to choose between serving him and remaining in Voban's sights.
• After hesitating, Mariya Yuri tremblingly reached toward Gungnir.

Saya Miyakano and Kasu Tōma met Seishuuin Ena at Tamaura Shrine, where she revealed that her grandfather had sent her to do something big but forbade her from explaining further. Curious about the New King, Ena decided to meet him in person.

• Saya Miyakano and Kasu Tōma waited at a shrine in Yushima and discussed the powerful old men who had sent someone to make contact with the New King.
• Seishuuin Ena arrived carrying Ama no Murakumo and settled into Tamaura Shrine for the night.
• Saya Miyakano asked Ena what her grandfather intended, but a fierce wind prevented Ena from revealing his plans.
• Kasu Tōma warned Ena against acting recklessly toward the New King before they knew what kind of person he was.
• Ena asked what the New King was like and, encouraged by Saya Miyakano, decided to meet him herself.

Mariya Yuri brought Azer breakfast at Seven Heroes Shrine and asked about his plans for the day. When Azer decided to accompany her to school, she tried to stop him, but he left the Shrine Office anyway.

• Mariya Yuri entered the Shrine Office and found Azer awake in the room where she usually rested.
• Mariya Yuri served Azer a homemade breakfast and they spoke more casually as he ate.
• Mariya Yuri asked Azer what he planned to do, and he asked whether she had seen anything with Spirit Vision.
• Azer announced that he would accompany Mariya Yuri to school, ignoring her protests and leaving the Shrine Office.
• Mariya Yuri chased after Azer as they continued bickering on their way out.

Azer went to Jonan Academy despite Mariya Yuri's pleas and searched for the Original Protagonist, who had enrolled there as a first-year student. After finding him in Class Five, Azer entered the classroom and took control of everyone present's five senses.

• Mariya Yuri begged Azer not to enter Jonan Academy, fearing his presence would disrupt the students' lives.
• Azer ignored her, leaped over the school wall, and left Mariya to hurry toward the gates.
• Azer explored the ordinary campus and went looking for the Original Protagonist, who he believed had enrolled in the High School Division.
• Azer found the black-haired boy in First Year, Class Five, and entered the classroom.
• A sound like a mirror shattering rang out from Azer, and he took control of the five senses of everyone in the room.

Azer used Kyoka Suigetsu to keep Kusanagi Godou from becoming involved with Verethragna, leaving him to return to an ordinary life after delivering the Prometheus Grimoire. After Azer left the classroom, Mariya Yuri confronted him about using his power, but their public encounter sparked rumors about the two of them.

• Azer listened as Kusanagi Godou recounted his dangerous trip to Sardinia, then realized Godou had returned the Prometheus Grimoire without meeting Verethragna or Erica.
• Azer concluded that Godou had become an ordinary person and left the classroom, dispelling Kyoka Suigetsu's hypnosis over the students.
• Mariya Yuri found Azer in the corridor, grabbed him, and demanded to know what he had done in the neighboring classroom.
• Azer pointed out the watching students, whose whispers and stares made Mariya Yuri realize how their closeness appeared.
• Mariya Yuri dragged Azer away, while rumors about them spread through the school.

After a day of rumors about her relationship with Azer, Mariya Yuri returned with him to Seven Heroes Shrine, where they found her old companion Seishuuin Ena waiting. Ena introduced herself as the Sword Shrine Maiden, and Azer sensed the divine sword Ama no Murakumo in the cloth bag beside her.

• Mariya Yuri left Jonan Academy with Azer after their conspicuous meeting at the school gate fueled rumors about their relationship.
• Azer and Mariya Yuri climbed the steps to Seven Heroes Shrine, where Azer sensed a visitor inside the main hall.
• Mariya Yuri found Seishuuin Ena, an old friend, waiting in the hall with a long cloth bag.
• Seishuuin Ena introduced herself as the heir of the Seishuuin Family and the Sword Shrine Maiden who protects Musashino.
• Azer sensed that Ama no Murakumo inside Ena's bag was restless and eager to test itself against him.

Seishuuin Ena brought the Ama no Murakumo Sword to the Seven Heroes Shrine, where its fighting spirit and Susanoo’s arrival provoked Azer into attacking her. Ena survived the opening blow by calling down Susanoo’s power through the Spirit Descent Technique and prepared to fight Azer in the storm.

• Seishuuin Ena drew the Ama no Murakumo Sword, and Mariya Yuri’s Spirit Vision revealed that it was the legendary Kusanagi and a God of Steel.
• Azer recognized the sword’s challenge, while the blade poured Divine Energy into Seishuuin Ena and Susanoo’s presence stirred the storm outside.
• Mariya Yuri identified Susanoo as the source of the disturbance, and Azer warned Ena before striking her with his ancient staffs.
• Azer’s attack sent Seishuuin Ena through the shrine wall, and she invoked the Spirit Descent Technique to call down Susanoo’s divinity.
• Seishuuin Ena transformed the Ama no Murakumo Sword, gained divine power, and charged at Azer.

Azer overwhelmed Seishuuin Ena while using Yagrush and Aymur to contest the storm summoned by the hidden being behind her. After splitting the storm apart with his Golden Sword, he defeated Ena and addressed the unseen opponent, who was revealed to be an old man in another world.

• Azer battered Seishuuin Ena with Yagrush and Aymur, and she used Ama no Murakumo to copy their wind and lightning powers.
• Ena forced the clubs back briefly, but Azer sent them into a faster close-range assault that left her badly hurt.
• Mariya Yuri realized Azer was contesting control of the storm with the being who had summoned it and begged him to stop before the shrine was destroyed.
• Azer sent his Golden Sword into the clouds and split the storm apart, then Yagrush and Aymur knocked Ena down and made her lose consciousness.
• Azer addressed the unseen opponent, and an old man in a storm-filled world spat blood and complained that Godslayers were more hot-tempered than he was.