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When it came to the way the group members' minds worked, Alex was completely helpless.
Spend enough time together and somehow nobody learned the good habits. Only the bad ones stuck.
"Still, judging from how the two weapons performed, there's nothing wrong with what I forged."
"The only weak point is the material."
He lifted a hand and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
If it had been crafted from the same materials as an Imperial Arm, then One-Cut Killer: Murasame probably would've snapped in half.
"After this battle ends, I should run another experiment with One-Cut Killer: Murasame."
It wasn't that Alex had suddenly fallen in love with blacksmithing.
It was just that he had already condensed a godhood and become a true god.
And a god ought to have a divine weapon of his own.
A weapon that represented his authority.
"When my Divine Forging technique fully matures, maybe I can push 'Forging' to SS-rank."
"Then use Unlimited Blade Works to analyze every weapon I know and merge them into my own divine arm."
"Add generation magic. Alchemy magic too."
"Fuse as many spells as possible directly into the weapon."
"That way, with a single swing and a thought, everything activates instantly."
"And when my godhood rises again, maybe I can even embed part of my divine authorities into it."
He muttered to himself, sketching out the blueprint of his future in his mind.
The Visions and Gnoses from the world of Genshin were excellent reference material.
He would definitely need to get his hands on them someday.
But that was for later.
"I've only just become a Demon God. There's still a long road ahead."
And Alex had no intention of stopping at the rank of Demon God.
If he was going to aim high—
He would become an omnipotent god who gathered all godhoods into one.
"…Enough." He drew in a slow breath. "Right now, finishing the ultimate mission is what matters."
With that thought, he shifted his focus back to the battlefield.
"Haah!!"
Akame darted across the ground with nimble footwork, coordinating perfectly with Myo as they inflicted wound after wound on Gozuki.
Green and Guy used their Teigu-like Minister Arms to interfere with his movements as much as possible.
And with Cornelia acting as a shield, blocking incoming attacks, their formation was airtight.
"I raised you with my own hands!"
"I taught you martial arts! I granted you your Minister Arms! And this is how you repay me?!"
Gozuki roared like a wounded lion.
His body was covered in blade marks.
The ones left by Myo were manageable. Given time, they would heal.
But the wounds carved by Kiriichimonji would not.
Bright red blood streamed continuously down his body, dripping onto the dirt.
At this rate, even if they didn't kill him outright, he would bleed to death.
"That's enough!!" Akame shouted sharply. "We were nothing but your tools from the very beginning!"
"Pay for what you've done!"
Green and Guy exchanged a glance before activating Rattlesnake and Thousand-Layered Garment again, forcibly restraining Gozuki in place.
Myo stepped in close and knocked his weapon aside with a sharp flick of her blade.
Slash!
The sound of steel piercing flesh rang out, clear and final.
Akame gripped Kiriichimonji tightly and drove it straight through Gozuki's heart.
The effect of the Minister Arm activated silently.
Shing—
She withdrew the blade in a smooth reverse motion. The others immediately released their abilities.
Gozuki's body dropped to its knees.
Blood poured from his mouth as hatred and fury burned in his eyes.
But it was useless.
His life ended there.
"It's over." Akame exhaled slowly, tension draining from her shoulders.
Killing someone she once thought of as the closest person in her life still weighed heavily on her heart.
"I never thought we'd be the ones to kill Gozuki in the end."
"But maybe… that's for the best."
Cornelia's feelings were just as complicated.
No matter what he had become, he was once the one who raised them.
"Congratulations," Alex said with a faint smile as he stepped out from the void. "You've accomplished something remarkable."
"I'm sure many innocent people will live because of what you did today."
"So what's next? Do we overthrow the Empire?" Guy asked, turning toward him.
It wasn't just his question. It was on all their minds.
"That's not something you need to handle." Alex spread his hands casually. "Your real task is still ahead."
"No rush. Let's regroup with Kurome and Tsukushi first."
Once everyone was assembled—
It would be time to take the initiative.
Bols. Najenda. Even Merraid and the others.
All of them would be brought back to Orario.
"How are we getting there?" Guy asked seriously. "If we travel openly, it'll be a hassle."
Alex didn't bother answering.
He simply waved his hand and drew them all into Unlimited Blade Works.
The next second, he rose into the sky, turning into a streak of light as he sped toward Rokki Village.
…
Inside the chat group:
Hestia: "Looks like my Alex is about to finish another ultimate mission."
Yue: "You sure say 'your Alex' awfully sweetly."
Hestia: "I've always called him that. He is my captain, after all~"
Esdeath: "I'm almost done here too. Just need to secure the last area and it'll be over."
Miko Yotsuya: "Wait… so if you get the points this time, you could try condensing a godhood too?"
Erza: "I still haven't figured out what kind of godhood I should form."
Luo Hao: "There's no need to rush something like that. When the time comes, you'll know."
Mikoto Misaka: "I'm honestly jealous of you, sis. 'War God' just sounds so cool."
Shinobu Kocho: "I'll get there too. I won't drag Captain down!"
Hestia: "You all can do it! I know you can!"
Time flew by.
Alex descended from the sky in a surge of wind, landing steadily in a run-down mountain village.
"..."
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