The God of War's Joy

"Sky--"

"Who's going to watch you unleash your ultimate attack?!"

Iori chuckled, his movements seemingly slow, but more composed than the hurried Flügel.

If it were Heavenly Strike from the Flügel, it could indeed surpass the limits of mortals and pose a threat to higher-ranking races and even Old Deus. However...

"Susanoo!"

The massive blade cleaved through the clouds, its gigantic silhouette descending as a thousand-meter-long blade cleaved through the Flügel. The powerful impact sent the girls tumbling about, and a few unlucky ones, caught by the blade, fell directly to the ground.

It was slashed hard and driven into the ground!

"Giant Race?!"

"This is Susanoo, which possesses the divine power to sweep away All Creation with a single strike."

Iori remained indifferent, and with just a thought flashing through her mind, the thousand-meter-long giant blade swept horizontally towards the scattered Flügel girls.

"Don't you have any other means? If so, then it's probably best to end this here."

"Don't look down on me!"

Azril refused to admit defeat, nor was she willing to be defeated by such a massive and cumbersome spell.

"All personnel, proceed with Plan 009!"

Boom!

The last few survivors were blasted away by the immense force, leaving a cratered landscape within a radius of ten thousand meters. Countless craters were created by the Flügel girls... It seems that a Forest Spirit Race city was also affected.

But who cares? Nobody.

"Huff... Hah... Huff!"

Her magnificent long hair and wings no longer shone, but were covered in dust, and a hideous wound cut across her shoulder and chest.

"This is truly... an unexpected turn of events."

Azril's chest heaved as she gasped for breath.

"I never expected that just a clone... would wipe us out."

There is an absolute gap between superior races and other species, but generally it's not that large...

But Iori thinks this is normal:

He was genuinely summoned using the [Life-Saving Hair], receiving a continuous supply of magic power from his original body, essentially having unlimited energy. Coupled with the highly versatile Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi, and Iori's own Bleach and mastery... it would be strange if he didn't win, right?

If Azril's Flügel cannot kill this clone in one blow, it can recover in the blink of an eye, which is undoubtedly a cause for despair.

"Excuse me, but before we come to an end, could you please clear up my doubts?"

"Um?"

"What is your race name?"

"Human beings."

Iori was taken aback by the question, even though she had already said it many times.

"At least that's how I feel."

"Humans?"

Azril paused, but now she no longer doubted that Iori was lying.

After a rapid search of the brain's database, one fact was confirmed:

"You must be a god among humans!"

"Um?"

"When was it born? There was absolutely no information about it before... Is humanity about to have another Lesser Races?"

In fact, in the eyes of the superior races, humans are not even considered intelligent beings; they should be seen as wild beasts. It's truly hard to imagine such a special being existing among those tiny insects that are no different from roadside weeds.

But who would have thought that humanity would one day turn the tables...

In the world of "Game Life", there exists a large amount of "divine essence" innately. It is a mixture of divinity, divinity, concepts, beliefs and so on. If it is activated, it will produce a corresponding god.

For example, Arteshu's essence is the concept of "the strongest," and he was later given the title of God of War.

Did humans, these beasts, inadvertently activate an Old Deus?

Although it was unbelievable, it was in accordance with the laws of the world—in an instant, Azril understood everything.

She felt relieved and even burst into laughter. "Hahaha, so that's how it is! My lord, is this what you wanted me to understand!"

"...What?"

Iori hesitated instead.

"You are Old Deus among humans, the weakest race, while our master Arteshu, is the strongest god."

To challenge the strongest with the weakest—this is the possibility our lord spoke of!

I've finally figured out your identity, and the information has been relayed back to Jibril... With that, I can die without regrets!

Ha ha ha ha!"

"...ah?"

Iori had an indescribable expression on her face. "Shouldn't I have hit her on the head?"

Forget it, let's just send them on a journey to the afterlife.

Just as Iori was about to do so, a beautiful golden light suddenly shone in the sky, divine power dispelled the dark clouds, and pure white feathers drifted down...

"Um?"

Somewhere on the mainland, Iori suddenly turned around and looked towards the southwest Ikkaku. Her expression was serious at first, but then she smiled and became excited.

"For Flash Step, I didn't even see what kind of attack it was... Arteshu, I really look forward to a proper fight with you~"

Chapter 537 The Joy of the God of War

Do you know the truth of this world?

Truth? What is that?

For Azril, there are only two Rules that must be followed in this world: "Survival of the fittest" and "loyalty".

What other truth is needed besides this?

The relationship between hunter and prey is not absolute.

Is that so? Then just keep yourself at your strongest!

Apart from the great master, the God of War [Arteshu], all strength and weakness are relative.

Using force, wisdom, and collective strength, no matter how much sacrifice is required, we must constantly challenge them and ultimately sever their heads—this is the Flügel.

Individually, they are relatively weak among the superior races, but they have the belief that they are the "strongest"!

In fact, quite a few Flügel lost their lives in the war.

They would charge into fleets alone, or team up to challenge giants and dragons, and even dare to slay gods.

It is only natural that members of a race born for war would die in battle.

Even if I die, it doesn't matter, as long as I can gain an unprecedented sense of accomplishment before I die and bring glory to my master, then it's all worth it.

All Flügel share the same ideology:

As long as one dies heroically, one's soul will return to the Throne the God of War.

Offering my head and blood to my Lord will bring a smile to my face.

Ah... Arteshu, we fear no enemy whatsoever, as long as it makes you happy.

I'll kill anything that's alive, even if it's Old Deus!

Ah, Lord Arteshu, please look at me again, I—

"Um?!"

Suddenly, Azril awoke to find herself bathed in warm sunlight, surrounded by her already awake companions.

A magnificent and enormous dome, and Taiseki that emit a faint, cold light.

This is a vast and boundless space, reminiscent of the boundless universe.

"This is... Ah, I see."

Her consciousness blurred for Flash Step, but she quickly regained her senses and recognized that this was the residence of her great master— the Hall of the Throne.

But for some reason... his companions were all looking at him with strange eyes.

Azril, originally and also the strongest of the Flügel, her master's most dazzling wings.

Although he always had an unserious demeanor and every sentence he uttered had a strange quirk, his strength was undeniable.

—I never expected him to be such a spoiled brat!

"What's wrong?"

Azril frowned.

"Without!"

The person being asked immediately turned their head away, their body trembling with fear... No, it looked like they were trying to suppress a laugh.

What happened? Also, shouldn't I have already been infected by a human Old Deus...?

"Yes! It was Arteshu who saved us!"

Azril stood up and respectfully knelt on one knee before the Supreme Throne, her two wings obediently bowing down.

"I apologize for my disheveled appearance, my lord."

"To have to trouble you personally, Azril has truly lost her composure this time; please punish her."

"It's alright, Azril —the first piece of my wings, the excellent [First Individual]. You have encountered an enemy stronger than yourself, so naturally you will fail."

The man seated on the highest throne had muscles as strong as rock, and his figure still captivated Azril.

Its enormous body is twice the size of a normal person, with a black beard that seems to be forged from steel hanging down naturally, and eighteen wings of light on its back, wrapped around its body like a magnificent cloak—this size is actually the result of illusion, the God of War does not have a fixed size.

With striking facial features, sharp and deep eyes, and golden pupils that survey the world, even a casual glance from her was enough to make a "God-Slaying Vanguard" like Azril feel an oppressive pressure that made it hard for her to breathe. Her figure was unmatched.

He is the strongest of the Old Deus, a man known as the "God of War," and the Incarnation of War in the world— Arteshu.

The power of the God of War is beyond comprehension and measurement. He is like a bottomless black hole. The power that the enemy can feel is only what they can see, and it is merely a tiny manifestation of the God of War's power.

The strongest!

—The perfect embodiment of these two words: an invincible, all-powerful being, this is the God of War.

For thousands, even tens of thousands of years, he has been melancholy, sitting languidly on his throne, seemingly lost in thought, merely propping his cheek up with boredom.

But now, he wore a pleased expression as he looked at one of his earliest creations.

"How did it feel to fight that person, you First Individual?"

Azril didn't try to be brave. She raised her head and looked at her master, saying seriously, "Despair, there's no chance of winning... If we have to say, in terms of energy scale, we as a group have the advantage, but his combat skills and understanding of the battle situation are far superior to ours."

"Did they climb up from the bottom, from the weak?"

Arteshu understood. "So this is the type... Unlike the naturally powerful End Dragon, this is the first time I've encountered an opponent who is of mortal origin."

"Mortal?"

Azril looked up in astonishment, "He should be a human Old Deus."

"Ha, humans don't have Old Deus; they're just a bunch of aimless beasts."

Arteshu high above, yet seemed to know about this marginalized race of humans. "Do you think he's like a god among humans?"

"This..."

"Humanity is in despair, and their only desires are hatred, life, power... but none of these are relevant to the people you have encountered."