Ayato's words directly enraged the two Heretic Gods.
Simultaneously, they both unleashed their Authorities against him.
Rumble!
The powers of the Storm God and the God of Victory intertwined, making the sky for ten thousand miles seem to roar, the sea churning endlessly.
But!
Facing the combined assault of the two Heretic Gods, the magic circle beneath Ayato's feet vanished, and the fighting spirit in his eyes faded, replaced by boundless indifference.
He raised his right hand. This time, no magic circle appeared, but a great terror rippled out.
The next moment, he swept his arm horizontally.
Hiss!
Time and space seemed to be cut apart. A magnificent bolt of lightning shot out, leaving a black rift in the void.
Then,
The lightning condensed, seemingly turning into a single beam of light.
Though no longer vast, it was condensed to the extreme.
The lightning and the strong wind...
The Authorities of the two Heretic Gods were swept away and extinguished.
Melqart, who had transformed into lightning, felt his pupils contract sharply, a great terror rushing towards him.
He tried to defend himself...
But that beam of light seemed irresistible, sweeping directly through his body.
More terrifyingly,
The light continued onward. Verethragna used his words to try and block, but it was equally useless. He could only watch as the light struck him.
Silently...
The bodies of the two Heretic Gods, Melqart and Verethragna, were split in two.
"Ram... I can't activate it."
A flash of astonishment passed through Verethragna's eyes.
'What was the nature of this Devil's magic?'
But in the end, Verethragna laughed in relief: "Haha, very well. Unnamed Devil, I have indeed been defeated."
"Devil, you have defeated the King of Gods. Be proud." Melqart also laughed heartily: "It was a good battle."
Amidst their laughter, the figures of Melqart and Verethragna completely disappeared.
At the same time,
Ayato felt two indescribable powers rush directly into his body.
These two powers were domineering and unparalleled, seemingly trying to take complete control.
"Hmph!"
Ayato snorted coldly, and his Origin magic power erupted.
In an instant...
The two powers seemed to turn into lambs, flowing gently within Ayato's body.
"Just as I thought. Even the magical energy of Heretic Gods is beneath Origin magic power."
Ayato murmured softly, feeling his power undergo another fundamental change.
That was the power called Authority.
The power from Verethragna and Melqart.
And because of his Origin magic, the two Authorities had also undergone slight changes.
At the very least, Ayato could control them at will, without needing any so-called words or fulfilling specific conditions.
"Ah!"
Just then, the magic power Ayato had used to protect Erica vanished, and her body immediately began to fall towards the sea.
"Sea of this domain, I command you, protect this lady."
Seeing this, Ayato's eyes flashed, and he spoke directly.
Instantly, an invisible force spread.
The turbulent sea below became calm and tranquil in an instant.
Erica, who had fallen into it, now floated on the surface of the sea.
"This is... Authority?"
Erica stood up, a look of astonishment on her face.
"The power of the War God..."
'Mr. Devil can use it. Does that mean...'
"That's right. I am now a Campione."
"Th-this..."
Erica's eyes widened.
Although she had suspected it, hearing Ayato confirm it himself was still unbelievable.
Since ancient times, there had never been a case of a Devil becoming a Campione.
And now, this iron law had been broken before her very eyes.
In a way, Ayato had even surpassed all Devils.
That meant a seventh Campione had appeared in the world.
Realizing this, Erica knelt on one knee on the sea surface, performing the highest knightly salute to Ayato.
"Erica Blandelli hereby offers you her most noble congratulations and respects."
"You're like this now?"
Ayato smiled ambiguously: "I preferred your defiant attitude from before."
"You jest, my King. Even if I am willful, I still possess the upbringing and etiquette befitting a noble and a knight."
Erica said seriously: "Please accept my fealty."
"Even though I'm a Devil, that doesn't matter?"
Ayato blinked and said meaningfully: "I am fundamentally different from other Campione."
"Even if you are a Devil, it remains the same."
Erica said earnestly: "Please do not doubt my conviction."
What is a Campione?
They are beings who fight Heretic Gods to the death.
Even a Devil, Erica believes Ayato would not refuse to seize Authority from a Heretic God.
So, whether intentionally or not, they can protect humanity from Heretic Gods.
Therefore, in the eyes of many human organizations, they have a duty to serve the Campione.
Erica believed this as well.
"Since you choose to submit,"
Gazing at her, Ayato spoke calmly: "Does that mean becoming my servant is also acceptable?"
"Yes."
Erica's expression was calm, without the slightest wavering.
From the moment she had expressed her submission, she had already made up her mind.
After all,
Owing a debt to a Devil was already terrifying enough.
And this Devil had become a Campione. There were no other options.
She took a deep breath and said solemnly: "I'm honored that my King thinks so highly of me… I am willing to become your servant, to become the sword that cuts down all things for you."
Ayato blinked and laughed: "In that case, become my servant."
Since things had come to this point...
Refusing would be unreasonable.
He raised his hand slightly, and a Bishop Piece materialized in the air.
Erica's expression sharpened: "So this is the legendary Evil Piece. It doesn't look particularly special."
"But how do I use it to be reincarnated as a Devil?"
"It's simple. Just insert the piece into your body."
"What?"