Chapter 72: I am Hitogami's Apostle (Patreon)

Central Continent, Red Dragon Mountain Range.

Ever since Dragon God Orsted had appeared, Rudeus had been watching him carefully. He kept observing without pause, both from the viewpoint of reality and from the viewpoint of the world's long river of time.

As the Dragon God who had always fought Hitogami (Human God), Orsted could not be targeted by the far-sight of Hitogami (Human God). And Rudeus's Eye of Foresight, who knew how many tiers below it, naturally had even less hope of affecting Dragon God Orsted.

So then… what was the reason!?

As he kept observing, it was a stroke of luck that he had so much experience with regression. At this very moment, Rudeus had more or less grasped the truth of it.

The world's river of time rolled on, endless. He himself existed within its waters, and so did Dragon God Orsted.

His Eye of Foresight, that special technique of his… if it sat three centimeters above the surface of the river, then Dragon God Orsted's technique was thirty meters above it!

And that wasn't all! If he compared the technique of his Eye of Foresight to the size of an adult's fist, then Dragon God Orsted's technique was an island of unfathomable size!

When he crossed paths with Dragon God Orsted, his own technique had already fallen under the influence of Orsted's technique. The gap between the two was utterly beyond comparison, and so, naturally, his technique had been temporarily disabled.

And by the same logic… the far-sight of Hitogami (Human God) observes the past from beneath the river. But Dragon God Orsted's technique was simply too vast! An island-sized expanse of light and shadow blotted out Hitogami's far-sight as well. That was why the far-sight of Hitogami (Human God) didn't work either.

So, before the fight had even begun, his Eye of Foresight had been crippled.

He'd thought that even if he couldn't aim it at Dragon God Orsted, he could still use it. But now… it looked like he'd need to switch to Plan B.

Wait!?

No, that's not it. It's not that he can't use it! He still can! It's just that under Dragon God Orsted's technique, the effect is weakened far, far too much. About ten percent of normal!

And that wasn't all! As long as he didn't observe Dragon God Orsted himself, the weakening would ease considerably. About eighty percent of normal.

I see…

That was more than enough for him. In that case, his odds of defeating Dragon God Orsted were even better. Even if he couldn't win, he could still settle things through words.

But… after so many days of effort, so many years of effort, if he still couldn't win at this moment, that would be truly pathetic!

He let out a long breath…

Rudeus glanced at Ruijerd and Eris beside him, both plainly baffled. He grinned and gave them a reassuring look. Then he turned…

…toward Dragon God Orsted, who had stopped in his tracks at Rudeus's words.

"Hello, I'm Rudeus Greyrat."

"A member of the Greyrat family?"

"Yes!"

"Then may I ask your name?"

"Orsted. Now, which branch of the Greyrats do you belong to? Who are your parents?"

"Paul Greyrat."

"Paul? He should only have two daughters. No son."

"To be honest, that's a bit rude of you to say!"

"Hm? Your eyes haven't left me. You aren't afraid of me?"

"I am. I'm honestly terrified of you, so…"

At that, Rudeus glanced back at Ruijerd and Eris. The next instant, under the drug's urging, both of them sank into unconsciousness.

The eerie sight left Dragon God Orsted, and Nanahoshi Shizuka beside him, more baffled than ever. What was Rudeus doing!?

Rudeus reached out… and used Wind Magic to gently lay Ruijerd and Eris down in a corner.

Dragon God Orsted watched Rudeus cast with no chant at all. His brow twitched slightly.

Then Rudeus smiled and pointed at Nanahoshi Shizuka. "Could I trouble your companion to look after my companions for me?"

Dragon God Orsted asked, puzzled, "What are you trying to do?"

Rudeus smiled. "Since I've run into you here, would you mind coming with me for a moment?"

Hearing that, Dragon God Orsted nodded without a flicker of fear. He had to admit, Rudeus's strange behavior had stirred up an immense curiosity in him.

He turned and left a word of instruction for Nanahoshi Shizuka. Then he watched Rudeus jump straight off the cliff, and naturally followed right behind.

Like that… the two kept moving along the mountain ridge, pressing forward for some 120. The distance between them and the others grew wider and wider.

At last, once he'd judged they were within a reasonably safe range, Rudeus stopped. Dragon God Orsted halted not far away.

Overhead, dozens of red dragons, each tens of meters long, circled without cease.

Here, Rudeus looked at Dragon God Orsted and said with a smile, "Now, please allow me to introduce myself again.

"I am Rudeus, Hitogami's Apostles. I accepted the mission to strike you down from Hitogami (Human God). But I'm not a cruel person, so I've placed your companion and mine in a safe area. From here on, I'll fight you with everything I have!"

"Hitogami (Human God)!?"

At those words, the suspicion Dragon God Orsted had held until now was fully confirmed. This brand-new face before him, Rudeus, really was connected to Hitogami (Human God).

But… come to kill him!? How utterly laughable!

Hitogami's Apostles. Damn him!

He let out a cold snort, and the light in his eyes turned icy.

Dragon God Orsted made no declaration of attack whatsoever. He simply stamped a foot and hurled himself at Rudeus in a fierce rush.