The battle between the two kings was exceptionally fierce.
Slashes and rays flew everywhere, often cutting through and piercing mountains, while fissures and deep pits appeared on the ground.
First, Frederick was struck down, his massive body crashing against the foot of a mountain, creating an artificial lake.
Soon after, it was the Star Spirit King who was sent flying, his body smashing a high mountain.
When the Star Spirit King flew back up to confront Frederick, his face was full of rage: "Sceptrum Brandenburgicum, you've actually erased the 'soul' from the Sceptrum Brandenburgicum, turning it completely into a scepter!"
Frederick shook the scepter in his hand, speaking as if it were a matter of course: "A weapon, if it has a 'soul,' requires cooperation... but I am the king."
"How can you justify this to the Star Spirits who follow you?"
"It's better than endless imprisonment in the Star Spirit Realm." Frederick raised his scepter, "At least in my hands, he will become a symbol of kingly honor, and the whole world will forever remember his name!"
Looking at the furious Star Spirit King, Frederick snickered: "If you get angry over such a small matter, then why not guess who owns the crown on my head and the belt on my waist?"
He hadn't noticed before, but now reminded, the Elf King immediately perceived the power characteristics in the opponent's attire, and he was so angry that his hair and beard bristled: "Salzburg Crown, Small Triangle Constellation... you!!!"
"You still don't understand! The king can control everything! Their souls, their power, their everything! Being controlled by the king is their honor, and also their purpose for existing!"
Frederick spread his arms, laughing wildly as he declared, "This is the true essence of being a king! And I, shall use all that I control to completely defeat you!"
With his motion, over two hundred silver keys floated behind him, transforming into streams of silver light, merging into his scepter, crown, belt, and his body.
"..." Of course, the Star Spirit King recognized what they were, he knew the symbols on each key and could even identify their original owners at any time.
The absorption of all those keys meant that...
The Star Spirit King felt the opponent's power surge significantly, while the strength he could utilize seemed to diminish.
Not only that, the Star Spirits fighting below were also affected. The battle for the regular Star Spirits' side suddenly became tougher.
He had to defeat him as soon as possible!
The Star Spirit King tightly gripped his great sword, holding it upright before him, chanting: "The entire 88 stars shine, the night sky as witness, Judgment Sword!"
Frederick surprisingly posed similarly with his scepter, chanting: "All stars in the sky, heed my command, King's Staff!"
The two weapons gleamed with different colors of stellar light, as if wielding the power of the entire starry sky to obliterate each other.
Almost everyone's eyes were drawn between the mountains, but they soon had to avert their gaze.
The dazzling light seemed to create another sun in the sky.
Fierce winds raged, making the mountains of Saint Dopia tremble, and the valleys beneath them turned into plains, and the plains into deep ravines.
Even though they had deliberately distanced themselves from the battlefield, many Star Spirits were still swept away by the aftermath of the battle.
Once the light dissipated, Frederick stood proudly, while the Star Spirit King had retreated nearly a hundred meters, appearing somewhat strained.
Previously, Antinous was boasting about Frederick the Great's prowess to Aquarius, claiming they had absolute confidence in defeating the Star Spirit King.
Natsu, lacking the patience to listen to his nonsense, charged straight in first.
Everyone immediately joined the fight against Antinous and the personal guard of Frederick he had brought.
Aquarius, with a grim expression, began to introduce, "That's the Antinous Constellation, Heracles Constellation, referred to as the Heavenly Guardian Saint Joseph's Constellation, and..."
Before she could finish, Rhode had already taken down a guy holding a snake, throwing the cobra to a few Shadow Wolves to tear apart.
Rhode, now free, lent a hand to help Erza deal with her enemy who wielded a rod.
—Rhode knew that when Erza saw a seemingly formidable opponent, she liked to test a few moves, so he helped her save some time.
Erza also realized it was a battlefield, and there were still many enemies, so she and Rhode split up to help Natsu and Gray dispatch their opponents.
The two battle enthusiasts complained about their teammates stealing their battles, but their teammates' arguments were justified, so they couldn't protest much.
They had no choice but to grumble and surround the opponents of Yukino and Wendy.
When Loki appeared handsomely in front of Lucy, declaring that he would absolutely protect his princess, Rhode had just used the Amaterasu Formula 100 Magic Array to take down someone far more handsome than Loki.
Loki felt a bit awkward but quickly composed himself, saying, "Lucy, distribute your keys to your companions, leaving only me and Aquarius's."
"Alright..." Lucy complied, but still asked, "But why?"
Loki explained tactfully, "This is the best way for the Zodiac to participate in the battle together. If possible, please ask Miss Yukino to do the same."
Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Wendy each received two Golden Keys.
Yukino, though somewhat puzzled, also handed the Ophiuchus Constellation key to Rhode, giving the Ursa Minor Constellation and Cygnus Constellation keys to Hapi and Carla.
"In the Human Realm, if we Star Spirits don't form contracts with human Mages, we can't concentrate on fighting. But if the Magic Power is entirely borne by you two..."
Loki didn't finish, but Lucy and Yukino understood the consequences, "So we will enter into temporary contracts with everyone—this time is special, even if you don't understand Celestial Spirit Magic at all, with our full cooperation, you can complete it smoothly."
Rhode weighed the special key in his hand, unable to resist saying, "Actually, if all you Star Spirits and the Mages retreated, letting me free, then..."
Loki chuckled wryly: "Perhaps it could be done, but I'm sorry, please also understand our position."
Actually, it wasn't hard to withdraw the Star Spirits, but withdrawing the Mages amidst the chaotic battlefield was somewhat difficult.
Moreover, many among them, like Lucy, wanted to contribute to the Star Spirits no matter what.
Mages and Star Spirits alike, would persist on certain matters.
In such a situation, Rhode couldn't say much more.
As long as the situation doesn't spiral out of control, let's follow their solution.
Loki nodded to Yukino to commence: "Miss Yukino."
"Everyone, please follow my lead." Understanding, Yukino took out the Libra Constellation key, assuming the most standard posture, and, like using Celestial Spirit Magic for the first time, recited, "I am the one who connects the path to the Star Spirit Realm..."
Everyone followed suit, learning word by word: "I am the one who connects the path to the Star Spirit Realm..."