The clash with the Flügel sent shockwaves across the entire world.
In an instant, the attention of every race was drawn to the battlefield.
After all—
The last person who had challenged Artosh…
Their grave had long since been overgrown with weeds.
And now, someone else had come to "seek death."
Naturally, countless eyes turned toward Avant Heim.
Inside the warship, Izumi stood up and looked out at the battlefield where the Flügel and the Ex-Machina clashed violently.
Then he turned to the others.
"I'll leave things here to you."
"Agurola, Ophis—keep watch."
"Don't let anyone come and steal our victory."
Hearing this, everyone aboard the ship became serious.
"Leave it to me!"
Agurola declared confidently.
Izumi had already warned them—
There were still many hidden gods in this world.
Once the Star Cup appeared, those beings might attempt to seize it.
Their job was to stop that from happening.
At once, everyone began moving into position.
Even Jibril spread her wings and flew out—
Charging straight into battle against her former kin.
When Azriel saw her—
She was stunned.
"Little Jibril, what are you doing, nya?!"
Jibril snorted.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"I chose someone else."
"With my new master, I've grown much stronger… and gained something far more valuable."
"So, you big idiot Azriel—take this!"
With that, Jibril surged forward.
A far more powerful Heavenly Smite (Tenkyū) than before erupted from her—
And blasted straight toward Azriel.
Seeing Jibril attack her without hesitation—
Azriel's expression darkened.
"You dare betray Lord Artosh?!"
"Even if it's you, Jibril—I won't forgive this!"
"I'll capture you and present you before Lord Artosh!"
Enraged, Azriel didn't even notice she had dropped her usual speech quirk.
And more importantly—
She could tell.
Jibril was far stronger than before.
Even as the First Unit, Azriel realized—
She might no longer be Jibril's match.
Their battle exploded into motion.
With Rias Gremory and the others joining the fight—
The war truly began.
Terrifying energy attacks flooded the skies above Avant Heim.
Floating cities were blasted apart one after another.
The entire region descended into chaos.
BOOM!!
Mushroom clouds rose endlessly.
The already polluted atmosphere became even more suffocating.
Any ordinary being caught here would die instantly, unable to breathe.
At that moment—
Izumi made his move.
With a single step—
He vanished.
And appeared deep within Avant Heim.
Before him stood the massive palace gates.
Without hesitation—
He threw a punch.
The gates shattered instantly.
And Izumi walked inside.
The vast hall was empty—
Save for a single massive throne.
And upon it sat a man with golden wings.
Artosh.
He showed no reaction to the destruction of his palace doors.
Only when Izumi stepped inside did he slowly raise his head.
"Visitor from another world…"
"Welcome."
"I have been waiting for you… my enemy."
Hearing this, Izumi smiled.
"…Interesting."
"You're strong."
"A shame this world limits you."
A god born from the concept of war—
A being made purely for battle.
In this world, Artosh had already reached his limit.
But in a higher world—
He could have grown endlessly stronger.
Truly a pity.
Even so—
His current power was already terrifying.
SSS-class.
A being standing at the absolute pinnacle of this world.
Izumi narrowed his eyes.
Then spoke:
"Let's begin, Artosh."
"If I win—this world is mine."
"A battle with the entire world as the wager."
Artosh slowly rose to his feet.
"The world… as the wager?"
"…Very well."
"I accept."
"Then—grant me defeat."
The moment his voice fell—
A terrifying pressure spread across the entire world.
At that instant—
Every being felt suffocated.
Across all races, countless people stared toward Avant Heim in shock.
The God of War—
Was moving personally?
Even the Flügel in battle were stunned.
"Our god… is fighting himself?"
"What's happening, nya?!"
Azriel's eyes widened in disbelief.
Artosh had never fought personally before.
And yet—
Now he had taken action.
Meanwhile, Jibril burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"As expected of Master!"
"To make that being fight seriously—"
"Ahh, this is wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"
"So exciting~!"
Her wings expanded—
Hundreds of meters wide.
Her eyes narrowed.
Then she spoke two words:
"Heavenly Smite."
The moment those words fell—
Azriel's face changed drastically.
"That's impossible, nya?!"
"Jibril—how can you use that alone?!"
"That makes no sense!!"
Above them—
A massive magic circle formed.
Jibril's power surged wildly.
At the same time—
The Ex-Machina immediately retreated.
They opened spatial corridors and pulled back.
Even Rias and the others quickly withdrew.
That attack—
Even the aftershock alone would be devastating.
If they didn't retreat now, they wouldn't escape in time.
Even Jibril herself found it unbelievable.
After receiving Izumi's power—
She had gained the ability to use Heavenly Smite alone.
Normally—
It required all Flügel working together.
Only then could their combined power form that ultimate strike.
Earlier, Azriel had already used it once—
But it had been redirected by the Ex-Machina.
And now—
It appeared again.
Just as powerful—
But cast by a single individual.
The Ex-Machina had already withdrawn.
With their newly developed independent thinking—
They understood danger.
They knew when to retreat.
And so, in mere moments—
The battlefield was emptied of allies.
All that remained—
Were the Flügel.
And the overwhelming power descending upon them.