Chapter 144 16th Division, Ground Self-Defense Force

[Mongolia Eastern Skies——]

"Enemy aircraft are approaching. Provide cover."

"Understood!"

Centered around Shimizu, the flight squadron formed up, circling high above to clear the path for the Self-Defense Force transport aircraft.

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"Did you pick up the signal?"

"Yes. The signal’s coming from near where the warship landed. But it’s right in the middle of the combat zone. What should we do, Captain Sakaki?"

A little late, but we’ve finally made it to the skies over Mongolia.

We’d already given Noah a device with location data, so we know where we are.

"Leave the incoming enemies to Shimizu. He’ll handle it."

As expected, Shimizu’s flight squadron protected the two transport aircraft while systematically destroying enemy forces in their path.

The upgraded fighters are definitely holding their own.

"Once we land, fighting starts immediately. Don’t slack off!"

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[Carlo Bandis——]

Two Self-Defense Force personnel sprint toward us from the transports. Even if a dozen regular soldiers showed up, they wouldn’t change the battlefield.

But Noah seems to trust their strength.

"Carlo, can you hold him down for a moment? I’ll go talk to the Self-Defense Force personnel."

"Yeah, sure."

Noah dashed toward the newly arrived troops. He’s got something in mind… guess I’ll just have to manage here.

"Come here! Demon (Amon)!!"

I summoned Amon to pin down the massive man.

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"Noah! Sorry I’m late."

"No, you coming here is a lifesaver. I was really struggling—having your help would be a huge relief."

"I brought every round I could. Think they’ll work?"

"Let’s find out."

The Sakaki group confirmed Ares’s presence and began fanning out in a wedge formation, surrounding the enemy.

"What’s this? Some low-tier grunt from this world… You lot, even if you came by the hundreds, thousands—what difference does it make?!"

"Everyone, aim!"

Forty or more members of the Self-Defense Force leveled their 5.56mm machine guns directly at Ares. The enemy didn’t even flinch as it began to walk forward.

"——FIRE!"

The machine guns erupted in unison.

Bullets struck Ares head-on, halting its advance. Ares raised thick arms to shield its face and stood rigid, rooted to the spot.

It had stopped moving—yet showed no visible damage.

"Hey, Noah—you okay? These regular bullets probably won’t even scratch it, right?"

"These aren’t regular bullets."

Hearing that, Carlo looked again at Ares.

Something was off. Ares, who’d charged without a care for bullets before, now stood perfectly still, guarding itself.

"Looks like it’s really pushing through pain. What’s going on?"

"That’s an Orichalcum bullet… I made it. And before Teacher went to Antarctica, she infused it with the ‘God-Killing’ power."

"You actually had that… prepared?"

"Over five hundred thousand rounds."

"FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND!?"

Carlo was stunned. Producing that many rounds—requiring insane amounts of mana—was clearly impossible for anyone except Gojo.

The Self-Defense Force had their exhausted队员 step back, reloading their ammunition. Others immediately filled the gap, keeping up the relentless barrage of bullets.

Ares grimaced, enduring the onslaught.

"This might actually work..."

Seeing Ares completely pinned by the Self-Defense Force’s assault, Carlo felt a flicker of hope.

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What the hell is this ammo...? Unbelievably powerful. If it weren’t for my unique skill, “Shinra Musou,” I’d be a sieve by now.

Why could humans in this world even make such weapons?

Whatever. Just hold firm. Eventually, the bullets will run out. Then I’ll kill every single one of you.

Enjoy that tiny hope for just a moment.

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【Noah Schmitt——】

"Noah, we’re joining the fight!"

Luca nocked an arrow to her bow, aiming at the monster-like man.

"Wait. It’s too early to attack."

My words made Carlo and Luca look shocked.

"What are you talking about, Noah? Now’s our chance—he’s on the defensive!"

"I agree with Luca, but… do you have a plan?"

"Earlier, the Teacher said something. The stronger the skill, the more mana it consumes. I think that giant’s defense and strength aren’t just physical."

"So it’s a skill?"

"Yes. And if it’s a skill, then keeping it up will drain its mana. We just need to wait until it runs out… then hit it all at once."

Fifty thousand rounds from Sakagi’s group should’ve been enough to wear down its mana.

"The battle’s decided the moment the bullets stop. Prepare yourselves for that moment."

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【Air Self-Defense Force Lieutenant Colonel Sakagi――】

You’re really gonna take all this gunfire? I figured at least some damage would stick…

Can’t see clearly, but not even a scratch.

“Lieutenant Colonel Sakagi! We’re out of ammo!”

“I know.”

Noah said just wearing it down was enough—but is this thing even tired? Some of the team already ran dry.

As the barrage thins, the monster keeps advancing, still guarding with both arms.

“Everyone, keep firing while falling back!”

One by one, the ammo runs out. The monster peeks through the gap in its arms—a twisted grin.

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When the last Self-Defense Force member empties their clip, Ares lowers his guard with a triumphant smirk.

‘Hah hah hah… is that it? Then it’s our turn!’

Ares kicks off the ground and lunges at the nearest soldier. Just then—

A gunshot. Blood spurts from Ares’s head. Sakagi spins around—Noah is already aiming.

“Leave the rest to us. Everyone, fall back!”

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【Noah Schmitt――】

“Just like Noah said—the bastard’s got a mark on his head. So that defense, that strength… it’s definitely a skill.”

Carlo steps forward, summoning his demon (Amon) into combat stance.

‘YOU FILTHY SCUM!!’

“Luca, Anna! Flank him! Elias, set up a Barrier Art ahead! Everyone else, hold back and intercept!!”

Under Carlo’s command, the Knights of the Sanctuary (Sanctuary Knights) and the “Suzaku” unit close in around the massive man.

Can't fall behind, not now.

"Sara, Chloe, Victor—support from a distance! Arthur and Lewis, hold position. We’ll need you for the final strike."

"Got it."

"Understood!"

Probably still got some magic left. But this relentless assault... it shouldn't be able to withstand it.

I link the two pistols I’m holding into one rifle. Good call concentrating our force here.

"Let’s end this!"

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【Carlo Bandis——】

"Go! Demon Amon, unleash the venomous black flame!!"

The poison fire spewed from Amon’s mouth hits the monster dead-on, spreading like black flames across the ground.

Without pause, Luca fires three arrows in one shot. Anna chants a fire spell and joins the assault.

But the monster brushes it aside like nothing—swings its arm and knocks the arrows away.

Not completely powerless, then. Even the arrows from the Suzaku unit didn’t faze it. Not a single flicker of reaction.

This is a test of endurance now.

"Keep up the pressure! Don’t let up—crush it so hard it can’t fight back!"

"Oooh!"

'You damn brats...!!'

At that moment, shadows fell across the ground. Looking up, three dragons summoned by Chloe loom above us.

"Everyone, scatter!"

The three dragons open their maws and unleash scorching flames at the monster.

"Grrraaah...!"

On each dragon’s back—not just Chloe, but two others too. Anna and Victor. They raise their staves high.

"Thunder Magic—Thunder Crash!!"

"Combined Magic—Lightning Flame!!"

Blinding lightning and crimson bolts strike the monster dead center.

"Gwaaaaaah!!"

It's working. Still, the ability doesn't last forever.

"Everyone—attack together!!"

We keep our distance, raining down arrows and magic. Some shots get deflected by the power, but not all—my body’s covered in wounds.

"Y-you bastards! Enough of this—"

"Devil (Amon)!"

The demon (Amon) erupts from the ground, clinging to the monster’s right hand. Black flames spew from every inch of its body, then it ignites—turning itself into fire.

"What the—? What is this!?"

The demon smiles—then explodes. Black flames scatter in all directions. Where it detonated, a crater forms.

"GWAHHHAAARRRHHH!!?"

The monster screams, losing its right hand. Can’t use its ability to defend now.

"Now! Hit it with everything we’ve got—push it down!!"

The flying dragon in midair breathes fire again. The monster panics, trying to flee the flames—when Sal and Victor’s magic strike.

Luca’s arrow pierces its shoulder and explodes. Anna and Elias’s magic hit it dead on—no way to dodge.

Arrows from the Vermilion Bird unit are embedded all over.

"Can’t die here—like this—!!"

The monster charges straight at me—

"Guaa!?!"

Noah’s rifle bullet slams straight into its right eye. It staggers, bleeding, screaming.

I raise my hand—giving the signal.

"Close combat—finish it! Go!!"

The fighters waiting—swordsmen, spear-wielders, Martial Arts users—leap forward in unison. The monster swings its remaining left arm desperately, but it’s outnumbered. Overwhelmed.

Anna’s magic blade pierced his abdomen, and then Arthur slashed him across the head, sending a torrent of blood gushing out.

Luise and the other martial artists were精准 striking their opponent’s vital points, while members wielding spears and staffs kept their distance, launching attacks from afar.

Mangled... shattered... broken...

The outcome was just a matter of time now. The giant body slowly crumpled to the ground after the three arrows Lucan fired struck its chest and exploded.

The ground shook—like a quake—dust erupting as the monster froze, motionless.

Got it...

Sure, I took them down... but I’m wrecked. Gotta get to the center fast...

Got it, Mr. Carlo.

Ah, you and the Self-Defense Force… and everyone here. Thanks to you all.

The others were confirming the monster’s death. I headed over, and everyone—Self-Defense Force included—gathered around.

"Lucas, how’s it going?"

Isn't breathing. Looks dead.

"Yeah... I see."

For now, I let out a breath and glanced back. That moment, a huge noise came from behind.

I spun around, shoving Luca to the left with my left hand—then the monster charging straight at me came into view.

Straight toward Noah.

Shit—Noah’s putting the gun away. He’s defenseless now… I throw myself forward, full force, to shield Noah.

Noah is a child entrusted to Gojo. He’s been at the heart of this battle, fighting hard. I can’t let this child die.

Reaching out, thinking I could make it—just out of reach...

In the next instant, a man stood in front of Noah. The man was knocked down by the monster, but he jammed the gun into the monster’s mouth and pulled the trigger.

A few gunshots ring out—then the monster freezes completely.

This time… really dead, it seems.

“Sakagi-san!”

“The orichalcum rounds… I’d loaded them into the pistol too. Only a few shots… but…”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah… acted like a fool for my age… got a few bones cracked when I was knocked down…”

The Self-Defense Force member who came earlier… helped Noah…? So in the end… it was just a regular Self-Defense Force member… who wrapped up this whole fight… no superpowers, nothing.