Brilliant lightning erupted across the plains, piercing the night sky. A pillar of lightning shot upward, merging with a tornado of wind and rain.
The strike was so powerful it could pierce heaven and earth — even the distant Labyrinth City suffered considerable damage.
The spectacle drew everyone's attention. Familia members quickly dispatched their most agile specialists to investigate the plains outside Orario.
Meanwhile, the two combatants at the battlefield's center remained unaware of their battle's impact on Orario.
Adam's powerful strike had transformed the landscape — a hundred-meter stretch of land lay collapsed and flattened, forming a stark fault line against the level ground.
"Huff... huff... huff—" Adam knelt on one knee, breathing heavily.
To defeat Ottar, he had poured every ounce of magic and physical strength into that single sword strike. Now he was completely drained.
It had been far too dangerous — their compatibility had been terrible!
〚Stortus Ottar〛versus〚Last Hope〛!
They possessed similar abilities, but their ranks differed, and their beast transformation abilities set them apart.
〚Vana Arganture〛's inherent beast transformation could adjust its power to match any opponent, while〚Stortus Ottar〛's unlimited enhancement grew stronger throughout combat.
This was why Ottar was known as Orario's Ultimate Weapon, standing unmatched at the peak!
Victory had only been possible because the Transformation of Time Rain countered Ottar's weakness in Magic, combined with that split-second decision to hold nothing back.
By using all his magic to briefly seal his opponent's movement, then channeling his Divine Blessings and〚Last Hope〛to summon nature's fury — wind and lightning united in the strongest strike.
Without that strategy, victory would have been uncertain. Though dangerous, his gambit had paid off, and for that he was grateful.
Yet doubts lingered. In those final moments, despite Ottar's fierce resistance, he hadn't fought with his full strength.
Adam sensed the truth — this warrior had lost his will to live. Instead, he seemed to seek release in that final clash, like one completing a final duty. Had Ottar fought with everything he had, the outcome might have been different.
Was this meant to be a test? To draw out Adam's potential?
Understanding dawned as Adam gazed at Ottar's form in the distance, his body ravaged by the tempest's fury. He could only sigh.
He approached his fallen opponent and knelt, preparing to cast his spell.
A gentle radiance wrapped around the Boaz warrior. Warmth returned to his cold flesh, and his still chest began to rise and fall once more.
The 『 King 』returned to life.
Ottar's eyes opened, but he remained silent. He showed no amazement at his revival, maintaining the quiet dignity of a true warrior.
He lay there, gazing upward into the night.
The stars shone with exceptional clarity. When Adam had summoned nature's might, the storm clouds had scattered, leaving nothing to obscure the brilliant celestial display.
As starlight fell upon the warrior, his once-invincible presence had diminished, his magnificent aura now faded.
Adam understood — Ottar was no longer Orario's supreme king.
At least, not until he overcame his inner demons and rediscovered himself.
The situation mirrored Ottar's past duel with the mighty Zald. Then, the Level 6 King had employed this same strategy, earning enough High Excelia to reach Level 7.
Now, Ottar found himself on the opposite side of that equation.
The question came from his former opponent, delivered in a flat, almost mechanical tone.
Adam, though already knowing the answer, showed no resentment toward Ottar's choice.
Ottar recognized this truth — regardless of his response, Adam would honor his decision.
As was said before: "A strong warrior with conviction deserves respect when they raise their sword against an enemy."
Ottar's complete devotion to the Goddess's will deserved such respect.
"So... was it worth it, doing this?"
"It was worth it!" Ottar said weakly but firmly, "If it's for that Goddess, anything she asks is worth doing."
"Even if she asks you to die?"
"Even if she asks me to die."
"So you came to serve as a whetstone? That person sure is willing to sacrifice!" Adam's surprised words carried a mocking edge.
Yet even as a mere whetstone, Ottar had executed the Goddess's orders faithfully from start to finish.
"This too is that Goddess's will."
"...Is that so." Adam finally understood.
So Freya had set her sights on him all along. Had she hidden her intentions too well, or had he simply been blinded by his own assumptions?
Looking back, it was clear — the Apollo Familia incident, the Hero title, the destruction of the Ishtar Familia.
In each case, he had acted first, and Freya had merely responded afterward.
Then there was Syr, who always greeted him with that radiant smile, showing him even more warmth than she showed Bell. At the time, suspecting poison, he had simply kept his distance without giving it deeper thought.
"Really... should I say I'm quite the sinful man?" Adam turned toward Orario.
He needed to settle this.
"Wait." Ottar called out to him, "The letter... won't you read it?"
Though the fragile parchment had been destroyed in their battle, he remembered its contents clearly. After all, Freya had written it before his eyes.
It was, quite simply, a love letter — a confession to the 『Hero』. The words were so heartfelt that even he, who rarely showed emotion, had been moved.
He knew this time was different for the Goddess of Beauty. Freya had truly fallen in love.
But his goodwill was rejected.
"No, there's no need." Adam didn't pause, striding purposefully toward the Labyrinth City.
His heart was resolute — no temptation could halt his steps.
"Even without reading the letter, I know what that deity wishes to express."
Ottar's lips moved with uncharacteristic hesitation to say 'Then what's your answer?' — but he couldn't voice the words.
He yearned to know, yet in the end, he remained silent.
Adam, his back still turned, seemed to sense Ottar's unspoken question and answered.
"I will refuse." His voice rang with unwavering determination, "Even if that Goddess becomes furious enough to kill me, I will tell her this answer clearly: I refuse!"
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