Tiamat's powers are being suppressed by Fou and Merlin! She cannot birth new life! This isn't a reversal of fortune—it's her final, desperate struggle!
Ereshkigal! Please! Don't give up!!
Ereshkigal slapped her own cheeks. "Fine! I put my faith in you all anyway! Whether the Underworld falls or we win—I'm going all in! If we die, we die together!!"
She unleashed every Authority of the Underworld, relentlessly scorching Beast II.
『One minute until the release of Marduk's divine body.』
"A minute... it feels like an eternity!" Gilgamesh gritted his teeth.
[AaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!]
Recognizing the mistress of the Underworld who had harmed her, Beast II charged with terrifying speed!
"Waaaaah! She's coming! I'm going to be eaten—!!"
Gil!!
"『Chains of Heaven』————!!!"
Gilgamesh and Rikka threw out their most trusted treasure, hoping to halt the charge.
But...
[AAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!]
In a mad frenzy, Beast II shattered the Chains of Heaven.
No... the chains...!
"As expected of a goddess! I'll never hear the end of this from Enkidu! Tch, we need one more move—!"
"I won't let you! 『Lord Chaldeas』————!!"
Mash moved to intercept, her shield taking the full force of the collision.
[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!]
"Ngh... ah...!"
The shield did not break, but Beast II would not stop. She began to push Mash back, threatening to crush them all.
And then—the Beast stopped.
The Evening Bell
『—Since the beginning of the human era, they have tried everything.』
Tiamat—the sister—sang softly.
『They used cities, split the seas, summoned dragons, raised beasts, called upon serpents, and used chains. They bloomed flowers and inflicted torments in the Underworld. They even summoned the gods of heroes.』
Beast II was trembling. For the first time, she was afraid.
『—The assassin sang his song. He said he would return the favor. He said he would cast aside his 'Grand' title. Your struggle... all of it had meaning.』
Tiamat pointed slowly into the darkness.
『There... our Death is waiting.』
There he stood.
[...Without death, there is no life. Only through death can one truly live. The eternity you speak of is not a journey, but sleep itself. O Beast of Disaster, the evil born of humanity. The very 'love' that desired regression is the root of your expulsion.]
A tattered cloak. Blue ghostly flames. A terrifying skull mask. And a sword stained with the blood of faith.
"Hah... so that's it. The conditions for your arrival were met from the very beginning. What a bunch of busybodies!" Gilgamesh laughed.
He was the one who stood at the boundary. The one who rang the evening bell to announce destiny. His name was—
[I have no need for the title of Grand, yet I shall imbue this single strike with the proof of the strongest. Even if you are a god fallen to a beast, as the Primordial Mother, you must be named. From the abyss of the valley, I have come to feast upon your dark death. I am the Old Man of the Mountain, Hassan-i-Sabbah.]
He poured the entirety of his Grand Saint Graph into his blade as a final offering.
[The evening bell has pointed to thy name. Under the mandate of heaven, I shall strip thee of thy wings!]
With a single, perfect stroke, he severed her wings and her horns!
[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaa～～～～――――!!!]
Beast II thrashed in agony. But the offering was more than just pain.
『...Beast II's Saint Graph has changed...』 Roman's voice was breathless. 『It's still massive, but now... now we can kill her!』
『The concept of Death has been applied...?! This is the strike of a Grand...! Master! Now!』
『Yes! Gil-kun! Now is the time! Do something!』
The Old Man of the Mountain stood motionless, watching over them.
The Final Reenactment
"Alright—are you ready, Air?!"
The King's words met a deep nod.
Yes! Let's end this war right now!
『Marduk, Jupiter transformation complete! You are clear to go, My King!』 Siduri's voice was the signal.
"Brother!! Catch the Axe of Marduk-nyan!!" Jaguar Man hurled the divine axe, and the Heroic God caught it firmly in his hand.
"Howl, Marduk!! Let us reenact the myth of the God-Slayer!!"
Please, lend us your strength! Heroic God, Marduk!!
『――――GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO————――!!!!』
The Heroic God Marduk, dwelling within Roman, let out a roar that shook the Underworld, swearing victory.
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