Adofu and Dylan head for the cathedral in order to challenge the past Hero Ares.

Within and without the cathedral, there are people coerced into continuously offering prayers up to Ares, watched over by the unsightly demons borne from his blood. Cutting down any demon that gets in their way, Adofu and Dylan proceed into the cathedral.

“…To think that we’re already covered in wounds when we haven’t even reached their leader.”

Dylan leans his back against the corridor wall and heaves a sigh.

“Dylan, with your ability you’ll be able to survive in the desert alone. So from now…”

“You’re joking. As if I could turn tail now. The soldiers’ would all make fun of me. I’m carrying the feelings of all those who wanted to remain, too. I might be a halfwit, but there’s no way I can turn back now.”

Dylan spits out some blood and pushes off the wall he was leaning on. He starts walking further inward.

“And I haven’t given up. We’ll send that Hero Ares flying and become the champions of Harenae.”

“…Yeah, that’s right.”

Adofu smiles, and starts walking after Dylan.

They push open the door at the end of the passage. Inside the majestic main hall of the cathedral, Harenae’s people are made to stand in a circle. A giant clad in armour stands within that circle, framed by sunlight from the overhead stained glass depiction of an angel. It is the former Hero, Ares.

Reacting to the door being opened, the citizens focus their attention on Adofu and Dylan. However, perhaps too frightened of Ares, none of them dare to make a sound.

『Who would interrupt my celebration?』

Ares’ helmet turns to face Adofu.

“I am Adofu, the former Knight Commander of Harenae. I have come to this cathedral to stop your crimes of impersonating the Hero and oppressing the people of this land.”

“I-I’m the roaming swordsman, Dylan! Monster, we’ve come to kill you! Get ready for a fight!”

Adofu and Dylan point their swords towards Ares.

『I am the great Hero Ares… An existence christened the God of War. What pitiful beings you are, not realising that you are mere ants going up against a dragon. I don’t feel even a shred of anger or shock at your challenge.』

Ares shakes his head.

“What did you say, monster…!”

Dylan’s voice trembles in anger.

『That being said, it seems true that you’ve routed my ghouls. I had thought their numbers were decreasing, but to think that you’ve made it this far. It looks like you small people can still accomplish something. Let’s kill some time.』

Ares bends his wrist, exposing the armour’s joint, and pierces it with his sword. Dark red blood falls to the floor.

“W-What are you doing!”

Dylan exclaims with surprise at his sudden act of self-injury.

“That’s how he produces those demons! Get ready, they’re coming!”

Adofu urges Dylan to be alert. He remembers clearly the memory of Ares bringing forth those gluttony ghouls shortly after his appearance in Harenae.

The puddle of blood expands rapidly and swells upwards.

『[Split Beast]… Gluttony Orthrus.』

Ares’ blood transforms into a four-metre reddish-black beast. A two-headed canine looks down on Adofu and Dylan.

“Guuuuu…”

The orthrus growls. The citizenry who had stilled their voices at Adofu and Dylan’s entrance begin to raise screams of terror at the sudden appearance of the monster.

『Everything in this world should exist only to please me. Do your best to struggle like warriors and become entertainment for my amusement. Think of it as an honour that you can battle in front of my eyes. Don’t die too quickly.』

“I-It’s clearly a step up from those demons… He can even bring out such a strong monster?”

Sweat appears on Dylan’s forehead. Even the gluttony ghouls that they call demons are above the capabilities of a Harenae soldier. It was completely beyond their expectations that Ares could produce a monster that far overshadows them.

After all, Ares doesn’t seem to be regarding this as a personal battle at all, even with how far they’ve gotten. It’s clear from his attitude that, true to his words, he only sees them as mere entertainment.

“Dylan… We’ve come this far! We can’t run now!”

“I-I know, Adofu bro! I’ve already resolved myself!”

The orthrus kicks off the floor and leaps right in front of Adofu and Dylan. Large cracks open up in the floor from the impact of its landing.

“[Shockwave]!”

The sword attack Adofu threw cuts into the orthrus’ chest.

“It hit…!”

Dylan rejoices, but his face clouds over shortly after.

『How foolish… It’s not that the orthrus can’t evade an attack of that level. It judged that there wasn’t a need to evade.』

The orthrus received a [Shockwave] to its chest, but not a single drop of blood leaks from the wound. The injury inflicted is at the level of a small cut on its skin.

“OOOOOO!”

Lifting with its upper body, the orthrus then slams its two forelegs hard into the floor. The entire hall shakes violently, and fissures split the ground open. It’s [Ground Tremor], a skill that sends shockwaves through the ground as an attack.

Adofu and Dylan who were right next to the blast are sent flying by the shockwave and smack into the wall, knocking over some of the townsfolk in the process. The people cry out in terror and rush to escape through the entrance. They push and squeeze each other in their efforts to get through the door.

“Even though we’re putting our lives on the line, to think that we can’t even put up a fight against a familiar… Damn.”

Dylan groans.

『How boring… I had thought you would put up a decent fight, but to think this is all you measure up to. It’s repulsive to see such an unsightly battle. How dare you think to oppose me with ability of that level.』

After saying that, Ares holds his hand out towards the entrance.

『To the ones that can’t even serve as entertainment. [Clay Wall].』

A wall of earth rises, sealing the door and crushing the people surrounding it into the ceiling. Their remains splatter down to the floor in a shower of blood and flesh.

『Hmph, to think they tried to run despite there being no meaning in doing so. After all, everything in the world will become mine very soon.』