“Or perhaps… you think of me as a very peaceful person?”
A figure, clad in high heels, strode step by step towards the sky, a long blade in hand, shimmering with a faint purple glow accompanied by subtle electrical arcs.
The long blade was raised high. In an instant, the sky above began to flicker with purple lightning, and a bolt struck down beside the shadowy figure.
Dark clouds immediately obscured the moon, yet the dark sky still bore two prominent moons.
This demon creature, it seemed, had a death wish, daring to provoke a god. Wasn't that like searching for excrement with a lantern in a latrine?
Such thoughts flooded the minds of the onlookers. To them, the Electro Archon was an invincible existence, her Musou no Hitotachi… capable of cleaving all under heaven.
“I do not believe I am here to seek death, Raiden Shogun! Hundreds of years ago, you not only slaughtered my kin and friends, but you even… decapitated my brother before my very eyes on this very island. Even now, I can still see that colossal skull. Even in death, I cannot find peace.”
As the mist dissipated, the colossal black figure gradually revealed its form. A monstrous snake head loomed in the air, yet despite being a serpent's head, its body was like that of a giraffe.
However, its legs were not particularly long, instead being thick and sturdy, like four massive pillars. A single kick from such a limb would likely obliterate this ship.
“It is indeed you, Orobashi… When Oroboros attacked Inazuma centuries ago, did you not consider the consequences? Did you not attempt to dissuade your brother?
But what has transpired cannot be undone. No matter how you explain yourself, whether you hate me, fear me, or wish to end my life, I am indifferent. All I know is that in that battle… he took Lily’s life. Can your friends not die? Can your brother not die?”
Raiden Makoto spoke, her thoughts drifting to her past.
She gazed at the colossal creature before her. Upon closer reflection, it bore a striking resemblance to herself.
Her sister had perished in the Cataclysm 500 years ago, while her brother had fallen to her own blade before that.
Her closest confidantes, her friends, had all died on the battlefield, or sacrificed themselves. Her own friends, besides those lost to war, had also met their end by her hand.
The sight of her arrow piercing the Thunderbird back then… she didn't know how long that young girl had wept.
“War is brutal. You and I both know this. How many were lost to the Archon War? Do you not understand? But you are here today to kill me, aren't you? I spared you once centuries ago… I never expected that you would not only fail to see reason but would also fall into such a despair. Let me help you regain clarity!”
With a flash, Raiden Makoto’s figure appeared on the back of the colossal creature the next second. With immense force, she plunged her blade downwards. Accompanied by countless flashes of lightning, it pierced deeply into the creature.
“Ah! Baalzebul! You wretch, perish!”
Orobashi immediately commanded the waves, condensing them into a waterspout that hurtled directly towards Raiden Makoto.
However, in the next instant, Raiden Makoto raised her blade high. With Musou Shinsetsu held horizontally, she slashed with all her might. A purple blade of lightning severed the waterspout at its waist.
The waterspout collapsed, transforming into countless droplets of water that returned to the sea.
“You cannot defeat me. It was true a century ago, and it remains true even now! Give up, and disappear from my sight immediately. I might spare you. Otherwise, I will claim your life.”
But Orobashi, blinded by rage, would not listen. Its colossal body vanished in an instant. Raiden Makoto nearly lost her footing and fell into the sea but quickly used her divine power to stabilize herself in mid-air.
“Taste my arrow!”
Behind Raiden Makoto, a woman of moderate height, wielding a colossal aqua-blue bow, appeared. Judging by her stature, she seemed no taller than 1.65 meters, with deep blue hair that rippled like waves.
Her crimson, vertically slit pupils were fixed upon her enemy, not daring to relax for a second. Her delicate hand drew a massive bow, creating a stark contrast.
One could not help but wonder how such a petite young woman could draw such a large bow.
The surrounding hydro elements coalesced into three sharp arrows, which were then fired in rapid succession, streaking through the air and closing in.
“Have you not heard a single word I’ve said?”
A purple protective barrier materialized. The hydro arrows struck the barrier head-on, shattering into countless water droplets the moment they collided, returning to the sea.
However, the immense force also caused the barrier to fracture, leaving it without any means of resistance.
“Your words? The best thing you can do now is remain silent! Fight me seriously! Otherwise, I will only feel insulted!”
These words made Raiden Makoto chuckle. Fight seriously? Under Musou no Hitotachi, her armor would be lucky to withstand a few seconds, and that would be impressive.
Even if she were considered mid-tier among the Seven Archons, she was still far beyond someone like this.
“Seriously? Very well, if you wish for seriousness, then I shall show you seriousness! Let me show you what it means to be utterly incapable of fighting back!”
Musou Shinsetsu vanished from her hand, and the Raiden Gokaden appeared. With a forceful sweep of the spear, Raiden Makoto, holding it with one hand, let out a light laugh.
Immediately, she utilized her Electro abilities to accelerate herself, lightning crackling around her body. In the next second, she was before Orobashi.
With a powerful thrust of the spear, she swung forward. Orobashi, somewhat flustered, immediately conjured a longsword of hydro, blocking her attack.
“Fool, you’ve fallen for it!”
Orobashi grinned triumphantly. Two water dragons erupted from the sea, their colossal jaws opening simultaneously, attempting to engulf Raiden Makoto.
The latter had not anticipated a trap. It seemed this serpent had indeed grown wiser over the past century. But for her… as long as one’s martial prowess was high enough, no situation was insurmountable.
“I’ve fallen for it? No, I merely wished to inform you that even if I step into a trap, you have no chance of victory.”
As soon as she spoke, Raiden Makoto pushed forward forcefully. Then, gripping her spear, she executed a magnificent spinning sweep.
A massive purple blade of lightning neatly severed both water dragons. The water dragons, now without form, could only weakly dissipate into water droplets, returning to the sea.
“It seems you are no different. In that case… today will likely be your end.”
In a situation where defeat was inevitable, anyone else would despair. Yet, Orobashi burst into laughter, a wild, unrestrained sound.