The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World

Chapter 766: The War Comes To An End (3)

The next moment, Astaroth lunged forward, using his entire body as a weapon.

BOOOOOOM…

The earth behind him exploded as he used his body as a projectile. The surrounding flames gathered around him, forming a gigantic burning mass.

The sheer momentum tore through the air. He was so fast that his speed became almost impossible to follow.

In response, Reinhardt calmly raised his sword.

“[Holy Sword Art] Fourth Light… [Swift Counter].”

In that instant, the world slowed down. The flames surrounding Astaroth stretched into long, distorted trails, and the shattered earth seemed to hang motionless in the air.

Reinhardt stepped forward, and his sword moved once in a perfect interception. The blade met Astaroth at precisely the point where his momentum was greatest.

BOOM…

Astaroth’s enormous body was violently redirected. The Eighth Heavenly King carved a gorge into the lava-covered earth before finally coming to a stop.

The impact sent a shockwave through the battlefield. Hundreds of demons were thrown into the air, while nearby structures collapsed beneath the force.

Reinhardt stood in the air with four magnificent wings fluttering behind him.

“Is this all you have?”

He looked at Astaroth, who was slowly pulling himself out of the crater. His injuries were healing swiftly, with broken scales growing back over his chest and the torn flesh beneath them knitting together.

“You have certainly become stronger. However, with this level of strength, it is still too early for you to look down upon the knights.”

Even if Reinhardt did not take on the Eighth Heavenly King himself, the other Heroes could still defeat Astaroth. Perhaps in a one-on-one fight, they might be overwhelmed by his second form.

But together, they could certainly defeat him.

The strength of the Heroes did not only come from their individual abilities. Their coordination, trust, and years of fighting together allowed them to overcome opponents far stronger than themselves.

After fighting the Eighth Heavenly King for this long, Reinhardt had already developed a rough estimate of his strength.

Astaroth’s ordinary form was roughly comparable to a Hero with at least one stat reaching the EX realm.

His second phase was considerably more frightening. To defeat that version in a direct confrontation, a Hero would likely require at least three stats reaching EX.

Even then, raw statistics were never enough to determine victory. Elemental compatibility, transcendent states, skills, equipment, battle experience, reaction speed, combat instincts, and countless other factors could change the result.

Reinhardt had simply analyzed what he had witnessed. He had no intention of underestimating Astaroth, even if the Heavenly King was weaker than Mammon.

“No wonder you are ranked eighth. You are considerably weaker than the Seventh Heavenly King.”

Astaroth’s body twitched, but he was in no condition to respond to the taunt. His rage was obvious, yet his mind had already been consumed by the instincts of his ancient bloodline.

“Still… thanks to you, I now have a rough idea of how powerful the rest of them are.”

That statement seemed to ignite something inside the Heavenly King.

ROOOAAR…

Astaroth issued a furious roar. His claws dug into the earth, piercing through the hardened ground and sending chunks of lava flying in every direction.

His breathing became increasingly violent. Each breath produced a thunderous sound, and the flames around his body began to twist into the shape of a gigantic dragon.

His eyes lost what little reason remained within them. The ancient bloodline inside him surged, turning him into a completely mindless beast.

Reinhardt watched silently and shook his head.

“I have seen enough. There is no meaning in continuing this anymore. Let’s end it…”

Before he could complete his sentence, Astaroth attacked.

The Eighth Heavenly King swung his arm, and a claw formed from flames tore through the air. Reinhardt leaned backward, allowing the attack to pass barely above his face.

Astaroth followed with another strike. Then another. His attacks became faster and more violent.

Reinhardt avoided each attack with ease. He moved through the gaps between the claws, turning his body at precise angles and using his wings to alter his position in the air.

He had to admit that his opponent’s regeneration was absurd. Even wounds that would have killed the Eleventh and Twelfth Heavenly Kings closed almost instantly.

Furthermore, the cloak of flames surrounding his body was powerful enough to obstruct his [Radiant Ascension]. The sacred light surrounding Reinhardt was constantly being burned away before it could reach Astaroth’s body.

Still, that did not mean Astaroth was invulnerable.

[Eyes of Divine Clarity] revealed his opponent’s secret. The flow of energy within Astaroth’s body was exposed.

His muscles, blood, demonic energy, and the channels carrying his ancient bloodline were all visible to Reinhardt. Every flow of power, every fluctuation in his body, and every weakness hidden beneath his scales appeared before his eyes.

He saw through everything.

“So that’s why.” Reinhardt’s gaze sharpened.

“There is a core inside you. As long as that core remains intact, you can regenerate from almost anything.”

He glanced at the Heavenly King’s chest.

Astaroth’s flames suddenly surged, as though the demon had understood what Reinhardt was saying. His body twisted, and an enormous column of fire erupted from his mouth.

Reinhardt swept his sword forward. The condensed Holy Energy around the blade formed a thin barrier that split the flames in half.

“I could simply keep cutting you apart until I eventually reach it. But that would be rather boring.”

He looked upward.

High above the battlefield, something strange was floating within the clouds. An eclipsed black sun with one enormous eye embedded within its darkness.

Dark tendrils protruded from its edges, slowly twisting through the storm. It had been silently watching the battle from the moment the war began.

The creature had not interfered. It simply watched the destruction below with its enormous eye.

The moment Reinhardt looked toward it, the creature’s single eye narrowed. For some reason, it felt as though it had been discovered.

Yet it did not leave. It simply continued watching.

Reinhardt’s attention returned to Astaroth. The Eighth Heavenly King was preparing another attack, his entire body surrounded by flames that had grown even brighter than before.

“Since they are watching, let’s give them a warning.”