Everything is Anime! Chapter 80: Time to get Serious... (Patreon)

Considering their mythical status, it certainly was strange.

But Hikaru could guess the reason:

A Heretic God’s strength isn’t directly tied to its standing or renown in mythology. What determines its power is whether or not it is “unbound,” whether it possesses an unwavering sense of self.

The stronger its sense of self and obsession, the greater its power—regardless of how grand it might be in myths or how widespread its worship is.

Which is why, even if it were Vishnu—or even the Biblical God becoming a Heretic God—it might still end up weaker than some obscure minor deity if its “noncompliance” wasn’t strong enough.

Besides, Hikaru suspected that Vishnu’s appearance was also a product of human intervention.

It was similar to the original story, where the power of Tōshō Daigongen was shaped using the gathered mana from the domain of a Japan, and with ancient legends as a template, the “Triple Unity Form” was developed into the “Bimawen” technique.

That technique was placed upon the Heretic God Sun Wukong’s head, reducing him to “Monkey God Lord” before sealing him in the western hall of Tōshō-gū.

Whenever a dragon-snake–type existence ran amok, shrine maidens possessing exorcistic power would use a special blade that could weaken the “technique,” loosening the Bimawen curse and releasing the Monkey God Lord.

Naturally, once he broke free of the seal, that Monkey God Lord would sense the presence of the dragon-snake divinity and rush to the battlefield. Then, after killing the dragon-snake, the History Compilation Committee would reinforce the technique and seal him again.

Vishnu’s situation was probably similar. Who knew why he’d descended in the past or how he came to be sealed by India’s sorcerers—but from the look of things now, this so-called “Heretic God Vishnu” was nothing more than their living weapon.

As for why, the moment he was released, he immediately attacked Rahu? That had to do with the traits shared by Heretic Gods. In the Godslayer (“Campione”) world, there are “Steel” Heretic Gods and “Dragon-Snake” Heretic Gods.

Both are still Heretic Gods, but they’re destined to fight each other as mortal enemies. “Steel” Heretic Gods gain tremendous power or authority by defeating gods with the attributes of dragons and snakes, shining as legends in myth and history.

Although Vishnu is one of the Trimūrti, he also counts as a “Steel” Heretic God who slays dragon-snakes. Rahu, for his part, once decapitated a serpentine ally; in myth, he was beheaded by Vishnu after stealing the sun’s nectar.

Vishnu even rides a serpent mount called Ananta. All these factors mark Vishnu as part of the “Steel” faction.

“I’ll kill you today!” Rahu bellowed furiously. “Then I’ll unleash a flood and drown this place!”

Thousands of years ago, Rahu had been sealed by Vishnu. Now finally free, he was determined to baptize his arrival in a god’s blood.

Seeing that his boar avatar could do no more, Vishnu quickly changed tactics.

After using the boar’s snout to shove Rahu aside, Vishnu shot upward, transforming into a deep crimson streak of light soaring into the sky.

Then, from the pitch-black night cloaked by storm clouds, a brilliant halo of light suddenly erupted. A blazing sun appeared in the sky.

Where the light shone, the black clouds were scattered in an instant, and every snake-demon that rose to chant a curse was evaporated in a flash.

The sun rose high, releasing white scorching flames that stained the ground a searing red. Rahu roared in agony as his body burned within the sun’s corona. But that sun wasn’t the real threat—because from it emerged a knight on a white horse.

He had the classic features of an Indian man, except his skin was a pale bluish tone. A golden crown adorned his head. He held a shield in his left hand and a sword in his right, while the radiant sun behind him formed a halo.

Like a meteor trailing star-fire, he plunged down from the sky, aiming to strike Rahu.

“Be slain by me, O King of Asuras! Your existence brings calamity to this world; killing you will end this dark Kali Yuga and usher in a new era of purity, justice, and peace! After that, I shall continue roaming this land, seeking out demon kings. I will either slay them to save the people—or be slain myself, returning to the heavens!”

“Get lost, Vishnu!” Rahu glared at the white knight wreathed in flames, eyes brimming with hatred. He doused himself in the river, quenching the fire. Clouds of steam enveloped the surroundings, obscuring everyone’s view.

Then, using two of his four arms, Rahu grabbed a longbow and an arrow. Pulling the bowstring taut, he unleashed a barrage of arrows. Vishnu, in turn, swung his scimitar, once again releasing white-hot flames.

Rahu’s body caught fire yet again, sending him screeching in pain, while Vishnu and his horse were riddled with countless stabs and slashes.

Contrary to Hikaru’s expectations, the tide turned once more. Even after being overwhelmed, Vishnu was now deadlocked with Rahu again.

Likely it was because Vishnu was being treated as a caged weapon of war, while Rahu, as the Asura King, possessed a singularly strong “self.” Their powers were almost evenly matched.

“At this rate, it could end up like those two gods on Sardinia—both sides badly wounded,” Hikaru muttered. Sure, a mutual defeat might be ideal, but given the current frenzied state of both Vishnu and Rahu, the chance of one killing the other outright in the next second was extremely high.

After going to all this trouble to encounter two Heretic Gods, even if he managed to slay one, letting the other escape would be a huge loss.

Plus, this was his first time slaying a god. By custom, as long as it’s the first kill, a Campione’s success is recognized no matter the method.

In other words, if he let one get away—even if that god was still wounded—when he later chased it down, he might not receive Pandora’s acknowledgment for the ritual. To succeed, he had to kill both Heretic Gods here and now.

He had no choice but to step in.

Hikaru cast aside all extraneous thoughts, shifting to the Fool’s mindset.

“Est, Ddraig—time to get serious.”

“I am Hikaru’s sword. I will do whatever you wish.”

“Let’s do this, partner! I’ve been waiting forever!”

Est’s tone remained calm, but Ddraig sounded absolutely fired up. His curiosity about this otherworld and anticipation of the coming life-or-death struggle stoked the Red Dragon Emperor’s excitement.

Silver light flashed—Hikaru gripped his demon-slaying holy sword. Crimson armor spread over him like a tide, transforming him into a rose-red, humanoid dragon-knight. But that was not the end.

If he was going to accomplish the great feat of slaying gods, he couldn’t afford a single misstep. To finish off both Heretic Gods as quickly as possible, Hikaru chose this moment to unleash the power of the “Tyrant.”