Even if a monster discovered Hajime's location from the direction of the flash, Hajime could use the Orestes released during the launch to perform a space jump bombardment, attacking the monster from a different angle and crushing it.

The forest that was once full of mystery was gradually transformed into a barren wasteland, stained with the blood and flesh of monsters, appearing filthy and miserable.

"Well, now that the master has gone this far, shouldn't Esid be angry?"

"That's right. He must have wanted to see us finally defeat the legendary beast, get attacked by a swarm of monsters, and then see how we could make it through the vast forest to the center of the island."

After shooting down several wyverns, Shia and Tio looked at each other and said this.

When we noticed that each other's expressions were very subtle, we knew that the other person was thinking the same prediction.

Both of them believed that the situation would change greatly after entering the next space.

Exactly one minute later.

Hajime slaughtered all the monsters on the island without hesitation. Then, without hesitation or any further hindrance, they arrived in front of the white obelisk that stood in the center of the island.

"We're about to go in. Are you ready?"

Hajime confirmed this. It seemed he also believed that things would definitely change once he entered.

The three people's intuition was not wrong.

Passing through the transfer gate, we arrived at the next different space.

The scene before me was the same: strange, incredible, and unnecessarily spectacular.

The fifth alien space is a sky world, with countless islands of different sizes and shapes floating in the air.

The smaller islands are about tens of meters in diameter, while the larger islands are estimated to be around ten kilometers in size.

Some floating islands even have a constant flow of river water, and it is unknown why.

Because of its height, the waterfall flowing down from the island turns into clouds and mist on the way, and the scene of white mist swirling around is very dreamy.

Every floating island is full of greenery, some have grasslands, some have forests, and there is no floating island that is just stones.

Below is a vast sea of ​​pure white clouds, and the earth is not visible.

Clouds constantly appeared and floated in the sea of ​​clouds like bubbles, each floating at different heights. It looked as if the entire space was filled with cotton candy.

Several pillars of light shone down from the floating clouds, commonly known as "Angel's Ladder." But strangely, there was no sign of anything resembling the sun in the azure sky.

Countless floating islands, a land made of white clouds, and columns of sunlight shining down from the sky without the sun.

The atmosphere of this space is incredibly solemn and mysterious. If someone who knows nothing about it were told that this is the heavenly world, they would definitely believe it unconditionally.

However──

"...On the largest island."

Hajime didn't seem moved at all.

Shia and Tio, who were slightly attracted by the scenery, smiled wryly at his attitude, and quickly took out the skyboard to follow the rapidly advancing Hajime.

When they were a little closer to their destination, all three of them felt it.

There were people at the destination, and they were emitting a strong aura, with no intention of concealing it at all.

The three people's intuition was indeed correct.

After arriving above the floating island, we saw grasslands, forests, forked rivers, and green mountains on the island.

This island is the largest island in the entire alien space, and its natural scenery is also particularly beautiful.

However, there is a foreign object on the island.

In the center of the island stands a white obelisk at least fifty meters high.

There was a glowing magic circle on the obelisk, and a white being was sitting cross-legged on it, as if meditating.

That’s where the strong sense of presence comes from.

His long hair fluttering in the wind, the pair of wings on his back, and his battle uniform, similar in style to a priest's, were all pure white. His skin was so white and delicate that it looked as if it were broken, and even his eyes shone with a pure white light.

"I knew you would come, Nagumo Hajime."

“…You again.”

The man's entire body turned white, except for his face, which looked particularly familiar.

Because there is a lot of past between this man and Hajime, and he can't forget it even if he wants to.

The chief general of the Demonic Kingdom of Galant, a user of magic from the Age of Gods—Fried Bagoa.

The male demon who had confronted Shi many times before was endowed with incomparably powerful strength and once again stood in front of Shi and his companions.

His entire body radiated a sacred and solemn light, and the intense oppression he exuded even caused people's skin to sting, even more so than the "Apostle of God."

He must have also been transformed, gaining the power of "Full Apostle." However, judging by the light, color, and oppressive aura he exuded, his level of transformation must have far surpassed Eri's.

Hajime looked at him with a cold, almost impassive gaze, as if he were looking at a pebble on the side of the road. Fried's gaze, on the other hand, was like the calm before the storm. Their eyes met, and after a few moments—

"Get out of the way, go to hell."

"—[World Piercing]."

At the same time, both of them raised their hands suddenly.

Hajime quickly drew his Donal and fired, his movements so fast that he couldn't see clearly.

Freed activated the magic of "Space-Time Gate" without chanting.

A moment later, "!? Hmm!" "Ugh!?" Shia made sounds of straining, while Tio made a sound like a chicken being strangled by the neck.

"...Shia, are you okay?"

Hajime pointed the muzzle of Donal's gun at Freed, his eyes fixed on him as he asked. Fortunately, Shia answered immediately.

"Yes! But I was still shocked."

"Ahem... Shia, I'm very grateful to you, but wouldn't it be fine if you just held hands normally?"

Shia breathed a sigh of relief, and Tio expressed both gratitude and protest to her, rubbing her neck with tears in her eyes.

What had happened? This was probably a revenge attempt by Fried.

Freed used the "Space-Time Gate" to defend and expel the bullets. During the previous attack on the capital, Yue had used this tactic to trick him, killing many of his own people. Just now, he used the same method, opening the "Space-Time Gate" from the side and firing bullets, attempting to kill both of them at once.

Shia used her inherent magic "Future Vision" to see the future before being shot, and quickly used a golden arm hook to hit Tio beside her, and helped her dodge the bullet.

Regardless, since Freed can open the "Space-Time Gate" at the same speed as Yue, we can no longer casually launch long-range attacks against him and must be cautious.

Fried made this judgment, acted calmly, and spoke lightly.

"If you think I'm the same as before, you're totally wrong."

"It's definitely different. You've turned completely pale. Is it because of too much stress?"

The sounds of Shia and Tio laughing could be heard from behind.

Fried didn't show any reaction to Hajime's words, but just stared at him, as if trying to imprint his figure on his vision.

"Since Lord Yarbuheit hasn't returned, I'm certain you'll come. The Lord only said you might reach the divine realm, but I'm certain you will. Your terrifying persistence will surely lead you to the divine realm."

"Are you trying to say you know me well?"

"After all, you've made me suffer several setbacks."

It was true that Freed was the man who had faced Hajime the most times, and even if it was just luck, he still managed to survive to the end.

Therefore, the surprise attack just now could be carried out before the gun was drawn.

Because he understood that Shi would definitely do so.

"So? Why are you telling me all this?"

I understand you very well, so you have no chance of winning. If that's the reason you're saying this, then use your strength to make him realize that his understanding isn't enough. Hajime didn't even bother wasting time with meaningless words.

Seeing the hint from Shiji's cold eyes, Fried's expression finally changed. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"It's just a declaration. After this, we'll be separated forever."

"Your declaration of war is rather too long."

"No, it's not a declaration of war. Although I hate it, this is the Lord's command. I cannot touch you."

Hajime was puzzled. At this moment, Fried finally noticed Shia and Tio.

"You must leave those two behind and go before God alone. The God who looks like the woman you love will personally bring down divine punishment on you. You must accept the punishment and perish in sorrow and despair."

In other words, Hajime could continue forward without fighting, but Shia and Tio had to stay.

"Hmph, I'm not going to bother with your silly scripts. I'm just going to ravage and destroy everything."

Hajime said this, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he caused the "Treasure Vault" in his hand to glow. He intended to ruin the game God had prepared, just as he had done before. Shia and Tio also spread out to the left and right, as if to half-encircle Freed, and took up battle stances.

The three of them waited for their chance, intending to attack simultaneously to break through the line of fire and defeat their opponent, even if their attack would be banished by Freed's "Gate of Space-Time" to defend.

Freed stood up, spread his white wings, and floated into the air. White feathers fluttered in the air.

"The women who admire you will be slaughtered, and you will be unable to protect them. Just like you couldn't protect the woman you love most. That is your fate."

"Don't talk like it's already happened. We're still protecting each other. In this second round, both you and your master are dead."

"Then let's give it a try!"

The obelisk blazed with an intense light, a violent burst of light like a flash grenade.

Not only could Fried not be seen, but even the surrounding scenery was obscured by the strong light.

Even so, they were still able to grasp each other's positions. At this stage, the people who could reach this point were not so weak that they could be immobilized by a flash of light.

Hajime and the others didn't intend to let Freed take any action, and just as they were about to take action, they heard Shia's warning.

"'Tian Zhen' is coming!"

“—[Sky Shock].”

A beat later, he heard the magic chant. Hajime instinctively drew his Shulak and fired.

What Hulak fired was a "Space Explosion Bomb," naturally, fired simultaneously with Donal.

The targets of the double guns were the positions between Shia, Tio, and Fried.

Hajime's superb stunt caused the bullets to touch each other in mid-air, causing vibrations in the space.

The "Thunderbolt" unleashed by Freed swept in from the front like a tsunami, but the vibrations caused by the bullets were somewhat weakened.

That was Age of Gods magic. Their bodies still sustained a considerable impact, but due to their high defenses, they were only knocked back a short distance, barely hurt.

However, this also revealed a flaw.

As a result, the same mistakes as in the Demon King's Castle were repeated.

As the flashes faded, nearly two thousand monsters appeared from all around and surrounded Shi and the others.

Most of them are species that I have seen before, but like Fried, they have evolved significantly.

The four-eyed black wolf had two more heads, resembling a hellhound, and its fur had turned white. The black cat monster, with tentacles, had its fur and tentacles turned white, and its body became about the size of a leopard.

The horse-headed monster (Ahathoth) evolved into a giant over ten meters tall. The magic-devouring turtle (Abusod) sprouted a head where its tail should have been. The chimera combined all of these characteristics.

All the monsters seemed to have powers at least at the level of the lower abyss, and regardless of their type, they were all floating in mid-air.

The most numerous of these monsters were the gray dragons. Each one seemed to be as powerful as the white dragon (Uranus) we had previously faced in the Snow Realm, rivaling the lowest levels of the Abyss. Perhaps due to their increased power, their originally gray scales had become brighter, almost white. Perhaps they should be called gray-white dragons.

As it should be.

The strongest servant under Fried Bagua, his strength is overwhelmingly powerful.

The sense of oppression emanating from its mere presence was unmatched by any other monster. It was truly a completely different creature. Its stature had grown even larger, reaching approximately twenty meters, nearly three times its previous size. Its wings were two pairs of four blades, and its pure white dragon scales were a breathtaking sight. Sparks of white lightning flashed from its entire body.

It is so majestic that it looks just like the white dragon god that appeared in mythology. Perhaps it should be called the White Dragon.

Its presence far surpasses that of the mythical beasts and giant spirits, and can only be described as sacred and solemn.

A torrent of murderous intent, like a storm, swept toward Hajime and the others. The white dragon Uranus glided through the air, its movements so fluid it was hard to believe given its massive size. The dragon flew to Freed's side and leaned its head against him.

Fried opened his arms smoothly and gorgeously, like a stage actor.

"Alright, Nagumo Hajime, move forward! Leave behind the women who admire you and move forward in this despair!"

How foolish—Shia and Tio thought so.

There was no need to follow his instructions. It was certainly safer and more reliable for three people to work together. This was an unchangeable fact.

But, most crucially, Hajime himself didn't refute it. Not only that, he didn't even fight back.

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