Reincarnated as the King of Heroes

Chapter 429 429

Nishinomiya Palace was part of Nikkō Tōshō-gū and generally closed to tourists.

Here stood a shrine protected by barriers and sealing curses, dedicated to the Divine Lord.

This so-called Divine Lord was, in fact, a former sorcerer of this nation who, at great cost, used powerful curses to transform a Heretical God of Steel into a sword protecting the country.

Whenever supernatural disasters struck anywhere in the nation, a Hime-Miko would come to weaken the seal here, allowing the God of Steel within to emerge and subdue the Heretical Gods.

The barrier was exceptionally sturdy, requiring a specific Hime-Miko as a key to open it, thus preventing the Divine Lord inside from escaping.

That specific miko was Mariya Hikari, the younger sister of Yuri, who possessed a unique ability—Disaster Purification—the power to nullify supernatural forces.

"Is... is this the Netherworld?" Yuri murmured in a daze.

After the group ventured deep into Nishinomiya Palace and entered a shrine, everything plunged into darkness.

After walking about ten meters by sense, their normal vision gradually returned.

Yuri was the first to notice a massive, palace-like structure here.

But the focus wasn't the building itself; it was the figure residing within—a monkey covered in golden fur.

Upon seeing this monkey and meeting its gaze, her mind trembled, her head grew dizzy, and she nearly blurted out its origins.

Glancing at her younger sister Hikari, who was clutching a kodachi, she noticed Hikari was equally tense.

Her sister was about to weaken the seal here, allowing Sun Wukong to briefly leave for the present world to subdue an earth dragon.

Currently, in a nearby city, a dormant earth dragon was growing unstable and might erupt at any moment, hence the need for the Divine Lord to suppress it.

Of course, under normal circumstances, a Heretic God would never comply. This was the power of the predecessors imposing restrictions, forcing the other party to assist.

However, there must certainly be some corresponding cost.

And this cost, as explained by the young master of the Kujou family, one of the four great families, was simply to have the Hime-Miko accompany Sun Wukong and help groom its fur.

Though it seemed like a simple request, Yuri refused to believe it was that straightforward.

But what else could be done at this point?

The fate of the Hime-Miko was to protect this nation.

"Hmph, you're looking more and more like a beast."

A sudden cold snort rang out, causing everyone who had entered to stiffen, as the clear yet icy voice of a beautiful woman did not belong to anyone in their group.

Then, Yuri's Spirit Sight was the first to notice an abnormal presence here—a lizard.

The abnormality wasn't that the lizard looked strange; it appeared no different from lizards in the outside world.

The abnormality was that this lizard, which should exist in the real world, had actually entered the Underworld.

More importantly, an indescribable pressure emanated from the lizard. Was it some kind of Heretic Divine Beast?

No, Yuri's Spirit Sight had already discerned its origin.

"You—You are—!"

Her voice trembled with fear.

"Yuri! What is that?"

Kaoru and Kujou both tensed up, wanting to understand what Heretic Divine Beast had followed them in.

That's a lizard, right?

Lizards are related to snakes and dragons, so which Earth Mother Goddess is it?

"It's—it's that—that leader!"

Yuri revealed the other's identity.

"Quite impressive Spirit Sight ability."

The lizard praised in such a manner.

These words, which indirectly confirmed its identity, caused the group's expressions to change drastically. They never expected the most violent Campione to have followed them in.

Thus, after the lizard spoke, white smoke billowed from its body, and a peerless beauty appeared.

She was Luo Hao, the Martial King, also known as the unparalleled Empress.

Upon appearing, she did not look at the group but instead fixed her gaze on the monkey.

"Right now, you're practically a beast."

The mocked golden monkey shamelessly nodded in agreement, making the leader's face grow even colder.

"This time, it seems you've prepared thoroughly?"

The monkey said this.

"Indeed. Originally, I intended to execute you myself, but I've decided to offer you as a gift to someone, so that he may become a Campione."

The leader's words left the others stunned, especially Kaoru. Could it be that this master had some deal with Ena's grandfather?

Did she plan to make that Godou Kusanagi a Campione?

"Oh? How interesting. Has a woman like you fallen for a man?"

"I've taken a liking to a certain individual. I never expected there to be someone in this world who could surpass me in pure martial skill. I eagerly await his entry into this realm so that I may fully enjoy myself."

This shocked Kaoru once again. Defeating this Luo Hao in martial arts?

That Godou Kusanagi wasn't supposed to be that remarkable, was he? According to their investigations, he was just an ordinary high school student.

Of course, the information might be incorrect.

After all, to truly become a Campione, one must possess some capability.

"Then, we may begin. I shall lift your 'Bimawen' curse."

These words caused Kaoru's face to pale.

To break the seal of Sun Wukong, three conditions must be met.

First: The manifestation of a Dragon-Serpent deity, the natural enemy of the God of Steel;

Second: A sacred blade imbued with the power to weaken shikigami;

Third: A Hime-Miko possessing the 'Disaster Purification' ability must wield the blade and use spiritual power to sever the curse.

Currently, the second and third conditions were fulfilled, as Hikari was the Hime-Miko with 'Disaster Purification' ability, and the kodachi she held was precisely the sacred blade that could weaken shikigami.

Then the first condition would be—

Suddenly, a faint tremor shook the area, and Yuri's expression abruptly changed. Her eyes seemed to peer into another realm, witnessing what was unfolding.

"Th-that's Leviathan? Leviathan is outside!"

Yuri cried out in a panicked voice.

Now everything was set—all conditions were met.

Simultaneously, Hikari suddenly pushed her sister aside and began chanting kotodama, causing Kaoru's expression to shift again.

It was clear that Hikari was being controlled by Luo Hao, who stood right beside her, channeling immense power into the blade.

Thus, Kaoru and the others rushed forward to intervene.

"Overestimating your own abilities~"

With Luo Hao's whisper, she gently waved her hand, sending everyone except Hikari flying backward as if struck by a truck.

They could only watch helplessly as the Heretic God was fully unleashed.