A massive gash appeared on the body in front of Naoki, stretching from the right shoulder to the left abdomen, slicing across the entire upper torso.
But it wasn't Solomon's body.
*SIIUUU!*
Flames burned along the wound's edges, and under the heat, the gash visibly began to heal. A spirit resembling a giant bird hovered around Solomon, carrying him higher into the sky.
Seventy-Two Demon God Pillars—Thirty-Seventh Pillar · Phoenix.
"You're finally showing it?"
"Faster than I expected, but this proves that your combined abilities are worthy of me doing this."
Solomon smiled.
Fighting Naoki with Magecraft was a bit arrogant. But if he, relying solely on Magecraft, couldn't defeat him, it would mean Naoki didn't meet his expectations, and there'd be no need to continue.
This situation was good enough.
"Kriiik—!"
The Phoenix suddenly screeched twice. Sensing its demon god's thoughts, Solomon couldn't help but look at Naoki's Mystic Eyes. "It seems it's very afraid of your Mystic Eyes. Though I prepared Magecraft to counter them, that was only for myself. The demon god before you likely won't last long."
The Mystic Eyes of Soul Eater only needed a short time to erode a Servant completely. Even if the opponent was one of the Seventy-Two Demon God Pillars, it was just a matter of a little extra time.
(The fight with him can't be prolonged. The Magecraft countering the Mystic Eyes can only last five minutes—it must be settled quickly.)
With this in mind, Solomon moved swiftly.
Not toward Naoki, but toward Rei below.
(Though it can't deal much damage, letting her interfere would be troublesome. Better neutralize her first.)
As he thought this, Solomon conjured several magic circles around Rei. Unlike before, these circles were several levels higher in both Mana intensity and scale!
However—
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
Blue-water beams fired in succession, and each magic circle hit paused momentarily!
Using this continuous pause, Rei shot out from the bridge's ruins with a gust of wind!
"Phoenix."
"Look where you're going!"
Solomon immediately tried to command the Phoenix beside him to pursue, but before it could take flight, Naoki stepped through space, arriving beside it at divine speed. The Holy Sword clashed heavily with the Phoenix's body!
*BOOMMMMMM!*
A massive explosion of flames erupted in the air!
The fiery glow from high above instantly drew the attention of everyone below!
The next second, within the flames, two figures shot out at high speed. Riding the Phoenix as it flapped its wings skyward, Solomon glanced at Naoki right behind him. The Phoenix beneath him flapped powerfully, as if understanding the cue!
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
Dozens of giant fireballs, as large as suns, appeared around the Phoenix, then simultaneously slammed into the pursuing Naoki!
Almost instinctively, Naoki swung the Holy Sword of Stars—
*BOOMMMMMM!*
The fireball exploded instantly!
The erupting flames swallowed Naoki, who was close by!
A brighter blaze than before illuminated the sky above the Mion River!
"Master!"
"Reckless—though perhaps not quite."
Without hesitation, Solomon conjured a defensive Magecraft in front of him. But, as before, blue-water interference shots fired from another angle!
The Phoenix's wings flapped, accelerating suddenly, narrowly dodging the shots. Right after evading, all the Magecraft had formed—
*DONG!*
A figure wreathed in flames burst out from the sea of fire, carrying blazing heat, a heavy sword smashing into the magic circle!
(As expected.)
Releasing his other hand, under Naoki's anxious gaze, Solomon fired several top-tier magical cannon shots from nearly point-blank range!
Though they were both magical cannons in form, their speed and power far surpassed those of the strongest Magic Gunner Naoki knew, Aozaki Aoko.
(Several levels stronger!)
*BOOMMMMMM!*
Unable to use the Holy Sword to block in time, Naoki, hit by the magical cannon shots, was blasted hundreds of meters into a cluster of buildings!
"Baal."
"Ready!"
With Solomon's call, a demon god wielding a massive hammer, enveloped in lightning, swiftly appeared beside him!
Seventy-Two Demon God Pillars—First Pillar · Baal!
Without needing direct orders from Solomon, Baal raised its giant hammer high, dozens of lightning bolts striking it, then swung it forcefully toward where Naoki had been blasted!
*KRIKKK!*
The lightning surrounding the hammer poured out!
The cluster of buildings where Naoki landed was instantly engulfed in a storm of countless lightning bolts!
The area within was reduced to a crater-filled hollow by infinite lightning in the blink of an eye!
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
The sound of gunfire rang in their ears again. Solomon glanced toward the source, and a bolt of lightning shot from the sky, swallowing all the bullets!
Rei sighed in resignation. Now, not only could she not disrupt Magecraft usage, but with a demon god present, all her attacks might be ineffective.
(But it should be time for it to take effect, Master—and my other self, be more honest this time.)
"Kriiikkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk—!"
The Phoenix beneath Solomon suddenly let out a pained screech. Its fiery red body, as if tainted, turned pitch black in an instant!
It flew wildly, out of control, in the air!
(This… so fast?!)
"Be still, then come here."
A voice suddenly reached their ears. The pitch-black Phoenix, hearing it, broke free from Solomon, shaking him off, and flew straight toward the area previously devastated by the lightning storm!
With slightly unsteady steps, Naoki emerged from the rubble and crater. Reaching out to touch the black Phoenix landing beside him, he looked up at Solomon.
"Now, your demon god is mine."
"Giving me about two minutes… you're underestimating my Mystic Eyes."