"The gap between our powers isn't great right now, yet you've poured all your incarnations into the White Horse. May I take that as a provocation?"
Golden waves of fire still surged in ripples. No trace of life could be felt around Roland. Though these were solar flames representing justice and life, an excess of the positive instead produced deathly destruction.
The all-enveloping flames dealt a devastating blow to everything around them. Only Roland and Verethragna quietly faced each other as though nothing had happened, their clothes fluttering.
The only effect this tremendous attack could have on Roland was to whip up a gale that made his clothes snap. Beyond that, it accomplished nothing.
"A provocation? Perhaps it was before, but now, think of it as my unwillingness to concede."
Watching every wave of fire that touched Roland's surroundings go out, Verethragna sighed helplessly, yet the smile on his lips grew gentler than before.
After his incarnations had left his body in the form of stone tablets, his state seemed to have changed as well.
Verethragna spoke in a hearty voice. "As I am now, you have undoubtedly met the conditions of my Contract. But as the God of Victory, in a battle so engrossing, even after leaving my rebellious body behind, I still can't help taking it seriously."
"Good. If it ended just like that, I'd feel a little unsatisfied too."
"Haha! A fine warrior!"
The young god wore a childlike expression and laughed happily, but soon, that smile turned troubled.
"Though I don't believe my previous self could convey my true nature, to think that my fighting spirit would end up in such a sorry state. What a headache. At this point, I can only make up for it with courage and wisdom."
Though he understood Roland's connection