A Certain Multiverse's Holy Right

In the Bible, Moses led the chosen people across the Red Sea to Canaan, and God threatened the Pharaoh of Egypt with the Ten Plagues, showcasing divine wrath to compel the release of the Israelites.

Roy had integrated this Biblical story into his authority, The Hand of Jacob. The essence of this technique wasn't the Ten Plagues themselves but the act of oppression—the threat of unleashing divine catastrophe upon those who oppose God's will.

As a Campione and a creature of instinctual predation, Marquis Voban's heightened senses immediately perceived the hidden danger in Roy's move. Just as his wolf-like fangs were about to sink into Roy's arm, he instinctively stopped. Something in him warned that while his attack might injure Roy, it would also trigger the curse of the Ten Plagues, dealing an even more severe blow to himself.

Witnessing Marquis Voban halt at the critical moment, Roy couldn't help but admire his opponent's combat instincts and experience. It thwarted his plan of exchanging minor injuries for a decisive counterstrike. Without hesitation, Roy shifted from defense to offense, seamlessly transitioning from Ten Plagues Oppression to Sacrifice the Son to the Lord!

Two fingers extended and pierced Marquis Voban's lupine hide as though it were tofu, creating a bloodied hole in his chest.

The pain drove Marquis Voban into a berserk rage. Blinding lightning erupted from his body, connecting with the thunderous clouds above. Deafening cracks of thunder followed, as bolts of lightning rained down like divine judgment upon Roy.

Quickly activating his Godspeed, Roy evaded the lightning with movements even faster than its strikes. Yet one bolt managed to graze him, sending pain and numbing energy coursing through his body. Gritting his teeth, Roy pushed through the agony and closed the distance once again. His hands alternated between palms, fists, fingers, and knife-like strikes as he engaged Marquis Voban in relentless close combat.

Using the power of Lord of Radiance for precise control, Roy manoeuvred within an incredibly confined space. His movements resembled a butterfly flitting among flowers or the sudden sting of a bee—darting unpredictably, pressing Marquis Voban into a brutal close-quarters battle using The Hand of Jacob.

Marquis Voban found himself cornered, roaring in frustration as Roy's fierce and unrelenting assault left his body riddled with wounds.

Roy dared not allow any distance between them. If he gave Marquis Voban room, he risked being caught in the deadly Storm Und Drang. Losing mobility would spell his doom, as the Marquis could exploit his weather-manipulating authority to wear Roy down.

Close combat was Roy's only viable strategy. It negated the full potential of the hurricanes and lightning summoned by Marquis Voban's authority, allowing Roy to retain his mobility and exploit gaps in the Marquis's defenses.

Additionally, Roy had identified Marquis Voban's fighting style. The Marquis relied on the primal instincts of a beast and the raw power of a Campione. When it came to refined combat techniques, he was noticeably lacking, presenting Roy with a crucial advantage.

Two hundred years ago, before becoming a Campione, Marquis Voban was neither a magician nor a skilled knight. Lacking talent in either field, his strength lay solely in the raw power granted by his authorities.

In contrast, Roy's The Hand of Jacob gifted him an innate understanding of martial mastery. While he couldn't rival the likes of Luo Hao or Salvatore Doni—masters of combat before their ascension to Campione—he was more than capable of overwhelming Marquis Voban in close quarters.

After a relentless onslaught, Roy momentarily halted his Godspeed movements to catch his breath. The intense flurry of attacks had drained his stamina.

Though Roy seemed to have the upper hand, he was keenly aware that this battle could not drag on. Prolonged combat would only lead to his downfall, especially since Marquis Voban occasionally retaliated with calculated ferocity, exchanging injuries to land devastating blows. Roy's abdomen bore a deep gash from the Marquis's claws, which he had staunched with divine power to prevent further bleeding.

Battles between Campione boiled down to the allocation and application of divine power and authorities. Each move in The Hand of Jacob drained Roy's reserves of divine power. If those reserves were depleted, his authority would become unusable.

Campiones had similar total reserves of divine power. The key to victory lay in how effectively they distributed it across their various authorities.

"Kid, your fighting style reminds me of an old nemesis. It's the kind of combat I despise the most!"

The werewolf-like Marquis Voban growled, his breaths labored. The relentless pace of their clash—filled with explosive, bone-crushing blows—had pushed both combatants to their limits.

"Marquis, you must mean the Eastern Cult Leader, Luo Hao."

Roy didn't need to think twice. The only one whose combat style bore a resemblance to his was Luo Hao, the Martial Leader of China.

At the same time, Roy recognized his greatest weakness—his fragile body.

Though he was a Campione, Roy's physical durability was among the weakest in his kind. He was akin to a high-damage, high-mobility assassin in a game but with a paper-thin defense. A strike to a vital area, such as his head, could instantly kill him.

In stark contrast, Marquis Voban's endurance was remarkable. Despite enduring Roy's relentless attacks, he showed no signs of faltering.

"Humph! Yes, that troublesome woman. She's indeed my greatest adversary."

Marquis Voban's grim expression revealed his disdain for Luo Hao.

"Launching such an intense assault right from the start... it seems you lack the stamina for a prolonged battle.

"I recall you've only slain two gods—Michael and Metatron. The authority you used in the hotel earlier likely came from Metatron, while your current authorities must stem from Michael. I don't know why killing Michael granted you so many abilities, but it's clear these authorities come with limitations. Judging by your tactics, time seems to be your greatest constraint."

The wolf-like Marquis spoke with a savage yet calculated tone. He kept his head lowered, avoiding Roy's gaze. Having deduced the activation conditions for Roy's Face of God, he fought entirely on instinct, never once meeting Roy's eyes.

"I didn't expect a junior like me to capture the attention of an elder like you, Marquis Voban. Should I feel honored?"

Roy had already regulated his breathing. His muscles tensed, and he refrained from wasting more time on words.

"Boy, you're being polite all of a sudden. Is it because you've realized you're no match for me and want to beg for mercy? Whether I forgive you depends on my mood!"

Marquis Voban laughed cruelly as his wolfish body leaped backward. It was evident he intended to stall for time, relying on attrition to outlast Roy.

Marquis Voban was a cunning wolf, not a ferocious tiger. He cared little for honor in battle. Having discovered Roy's weakness, he saw no reason to pit his weaknesses against Roy's strengths. Even if his delaying tactics tarnished his reputation as the oldest Devil King, to a wolf, victory was paramount.

Roy's heart sank. Campiones were indeed formidable foes. Even the ancient Devil King was willing to abandon pride in favor of the most effective strategy.

"Flying pests like you are such a nuisance. But boy, let me show you the reserves of an old man on the brink of death!"

Previously, Roy had relied on his speed and flight to dominate the battlefield, forcing Marquis Voban into direct confrontations. Now, the Marquis unveiled a new authority—Singing Spellbook.

A mysterious magical tome appeared before the Marquis and flipped open of its own accord. From it surged potent magic, enabling him to achieve sustained flight. With the divine power of a Campione fuelling the spell, Marquis Voban gained aerial control and the ability to contest Roy in the skies.

The transition from flat ground combat to a three-dimensional aerial battle granted Marquis Voban greater manoeuvrability, allowing him to prolong the fight even further.

"You won't get that chance! Marquis, let me show you a technique designed specifically to counter magic!"

Roy once again surged into the sky at lightning speed. Seeing Marquis Vauban activate a new authority, he didn't feel fear but excitement.

It's almost ready. The elements are nearly in place. When that unfathomable authority activates, victory will undoubtedly be mine!

Drawing closer to Marquis Voban, Roy's right hand transformed into a claw and struck at the space before the Marquis.

The fifth technique of The Hand of Jacob—"Babel Ascension"!