Chapter 152 - Conclusion of Battle

Rimuru clicked his tongue as the battle had continued into the vastness of space. It had been a long time since the Citadel was fully destroyed, not even usable as a mere foothold.

In just a few minutes, the planet once used to monitor the entire creation of Veldanava had been turned to nothing by the overwhelming powers of the two beings.

Ivarage gleefully swung her swords at Rimuru, their clashes heavy and rough. The Evil God was not one who had learned the way of the sword; she swung her blade akin to swinging any lengthy weapon.

One could even say that she was using a sword as if she were using a club. Her swings were large, leaving her entire body open for Rimuru to attack.

Yet, the silver demon did not take the opportunity to strike. It was not that he couldn't. It was that he wouldn't. He was in the middle of a predicament himself.

He remained on the defensive, while Ivarage put everything she had into each swing of her blade. One strike from either of them could leave a fatal wound and cause the inevitable defeat of the demon.

Adding to that, he had a strange inkling about Ivarage. Her gaze was constantly observing his every move.

"Kyahahaha! Miasma Ignition!"

Another familiar yet slightly different spell was fired by the World-Destroying Dragon. A massive dark flame erupted toward Rimuru, who grimaced before countering with his own spell.

"Erta Ale."

Bright flames surrounded Rimuru's body as he began to absorb the enemy's flames, devouring the darkness and dying it with the bright red hue of the sun itself.

Rimuru snapped his fingers, and the massive accumulation of heat divided into ball-sized chunks of flame.

"Scorch Eruption."

The hundreds of flame balls all traced themselves toward the young girl with white hair. Her smile never left her face as she spread her hands wide.

"Miasma Turret."

Rimuru knitted his brows. The counterattack she used was almost, almost, the exact same as Nuclear Cannon. He was beginning to accept the theory that had been brewing in his mind.

"One last test," he murmured as he began to use Cardinal Acceleration on his body. Simultaneously, he invoked Deceleration on Ivarage's body as their swords clashed once again.

Her eyes twitched for half a second as she noticed a sudden drop in her speed. Before she could even process it, Rimuru was already preparing his ultimate skill.

"Devour everything!"

With the Nameless Mist enveloping Ivarage's body, a hint of panic surfaced in her expression as her skin began to peel off slowly, the mist eating at her at a pace her regeneration could barely keep up with.

As her body began to decompose and get absorbed, she closed her eyes and recalled her last battle with Rimuru and the Seraphim. At the same time, she observed the battles of her children, who were dying one after the other.

Everything was being transmitted to her mind in real time. She watched the Primordial Demons use their World Skills. She watched as the Insectar took his father's power. And she watched as the Seraphim used their Authority.

With a massive burst of energy, like something suddenly awakening, her entire form began shimmering with a dark purple aura. She took reference from the Apotheosis and Administrative Authority of the angels.

Instead of the bright holy aura, it was a dark and evil sensation that covered her body, like real armor shielding her from the cyclone of mist attempting to devour her.

Seeing her eyes glowing brightly and her body reverting to normal, she laughed as her grip on her blade loosened.

"Those World System Skills are spectacular," she grinned as she heard a voice she had just heard recently.

[Confirmed. Ultimate Skill: Lord of Creation Ahura Mazda... evolving into the Ultimate Skill: Lord of Information Akashic Records... successful.]

Seeing the sudden boost in power, Rimuru couldn't help but laugh dryly, preparing his sword.

"You were recreating the attacks you've seen before. Not to mention, attacks your children have seen as well."

"Kyahahahahahaha!"

With the Nameless Mist dispelled, Ivarage grinned as she activated her newfound skill.

"World of Archives (Emulation)."

Rimuru felt his eyes waver for a second. He believed he saw a glimpse of a massive library around him. Even with Ivarage's words, nothing had changed in their surroundings.

Unlike the other World System Skills that he knew of from his subordinates, her skill didn't change anything, nor did it drag him to any virtual world.

Still, he felt that his chance of winning had just dropped significantly. It was as if the abilities she had long lost were beginning to return to her.

"Kyahahaha! Veldanava threw away his omnipotence and omniscience to walk the same path his creation did. Where do you think that power went? Kyahahaha! I am that other half, the other half of your so-called Creator!"

Rimuru felt a shiver down his spine as he teleported away from his spot. A massive explosion pushed him even further. Several massive Abyss Cores began to appear around him as he slashed through and escaped the area.

He rushed toward Ivarage with his sword.

"Imaginary Blade!"

With his slash, the incoming Abyss Cores were absorbed like a black hole sucking everything nearby. Rimuru boosted his strength with Raguel and sped up toward the Dragon.

Ivarage's lips curved upward evilly as she activated Scorch Magic. A flame the size of the sun formed behind her. Rimuru glanced at the sight before continuing toward her.

"Kyahahaha! It is useless!" she exclaimed as the scorching sun began to throw rapid volleys of flame balls, raining down on the silver demon.

"Reflective Gate."

Rimuru didn't bother with the barrage. He simply accepted the flames into the gate he created above. The size of the gate was unnaturally massive, enough to cover himself and absorb the flames inside.

"You may think so, but I also have a trick up my sleeve." Rimuru grinned as he got closer to the young girl.

Ivarage looked at the demon with an amused expression, gripping her sword with both hands. She placed all her strength and power into the swing, recalling the very attack that pushed her into the prison.

"CARDINAL BANISHMENT!"

The pure energy blast struck Rimuru. He vomited blood as the attack hit, sending him flying away once again. He looked down to see one of his arms missing, his lower half barely holding on. He felt weakened.

"KYAHAHAHAHA!!! Pathetic! Extremely pathetic demon! 'A trick up your sleeve?' Hahaha! Bluffing will do you no good!"

Ivarage launched herself forward, throwing away the sword. She stretched her hands forward, her fingers growing sharp black nails, and her teeth turning jagged as she let out a breath attack.

The breath was met with Rimuru's Nameless Mist, devouring the attack as he held onto his consciousness. The swirling mist of Rimuru's Ultimate Skill reached Ivarage, who tanked the corrosive attributes and closed in on the silver demon.

With her fingers impaling Rimuru in the chest, she smirked as her open mouth sank into his neck. Rimuru jolted, feeling his energy and life essence being drained.

With rigid and sluggish movement, he grabbed her entire body.

"Chrono Saltation."

A spell he had managed to replicate by witnessing Feldway's attack through the eye and through the information provided by those nearby. Ramiris had been very helpful on the matter, giving an in-depth analysis to Ciel, who then passed it to him.

Ivarage felt the flow of time begin to distort, and the backlash of such an attack revealed its result: throwing the target into the very end, the End of Space and Time.

With the two beings thrown out of present time, the World of Archives dissipated and vanished. From there, two women stood, ready for the worst-case scenario in the event Rimuru was defeated and Ivarage left the world of her creation.

"Looks like it was tougher than even he expected."

With a sigh, Velgrynd spoke, her voice laced with obvious worry. She already had the desire to intrude on the world and join him in battle, but Ciel warned that it would cause more damage than actual good for Rimuru.

"Is this even really a good plan?"

She eyed the blonde-haired angel, who was staring at the remains of the battle. Faint signs of their attacks lingered in the space.

Ciel nodded her head, preparing everything for the real conclusion of the final battle.

"Yes, as long as everyone cooperates."

With her words, Velgrynd sighed and gave her a hopeful wish.

"Make sure to support him as best as you can."

Ciel closed her eyes. Her body dematerialized as she turned into bright lights, dissipating into space.

"I was born for it."

In the future, or more specifically, at the very end, where the concept of space and time no longer existed, Rimuru bled as he slowly healed his body. Ivarage flew around, attempting to escape the 'space' they were currently in.

With a frown on her face, she kicked Rimuru, sending him flying away. He gripped his wounds and watched as Ivarage grew even more impatient, unable to return back home.

"Damn you!"

She gritted her teeth. Even with her Akashic Record, she could not find a suitable method to return to the 'past.' It wasn't that there was no way back, there was, but she didn't have the necessary requirements for it.

Rimuru laughed, his body beginning to revert to its normal state. Though the damage to his spiritual and astral body still remained, he had recovered enough to keep fighting.

"Hahaha!"

This time, the silver demon laughed with great vigor, a hint of maliciousness in his voice.

"Why don't we continue here, Ivarage? We can battle here for all eternity!"

"You bastard!"

Ivarage slammed her fist into his face. In response, Rimuru kneed her in the stomach, and the two were sent flying apart. Rimuru activated his Ultimate Skill and materialized several condensed mist spheres, forming small black holes which he hurled at Ivarage.

She sneered at the attack and swatted them away with her bare hands. She winced. They were stronger than she expected. It was as if something had been added to the magicules that strengthened them.

She felt her arms twisting as the gravity of the black holes pulled her limbs in different directions. Using brute strength, she escaped the pull and dispelled the black holes.

"Devastation Hive!"

A skill reminiscent of Zelanus spread across the 'area' as it consumed the black holes. Ivarage imbued her Ultimate Skill to boost their ability to devour and assimilate.

Rimuru quickly slammed his left hand into her face while holding his sword in his right. He impaled her, clicking his tongue as she grabbed the blade.

With a flicker of light, she fired nuclear-type magic, sending Rimuru flying back again. He swung his blade mid-air to regain his posture, then raised it, firing several scorch and frost spells at Ivarage, boosted by Raguel. He also attempted to weaken her using Gabriel and Belphegor.

"Kyahahaha! You're not the only one that can use those now!"

Ivarage's body glowed crimson red as she accelerated, compensating for the debuffs. She opened her mouth wide and unleashed another breath attack, this time emulating the power of destruction and death she had observed from the yellow and white Primordials.

"And who do you think those belong to?"

Rimuru scoffed as he opened another gate, redirecting the breath back at her. Following behind, he readied himself for another strike.

"Those are from my subordinates!"

"Kyahahaha! Then you'll die by their hands!"

With a snap of her hand, the breath and all activated skills vanished, gone as if someone had flipped a switch.

"World of Archives."

"Shit..."

Rimuru came to a halt and looked around. Watching his reaction, Ivarage felt her displeasure fading. She would take her time returning after finishing the enemy before her.

"Kyahahaha! Die, die, and never revive ever again!"

Rimuru's body was shredded as thousands of skills, spells, and magic rained down upon him. Everything Ivarage had learned and observed was now used to finally land the killing blow.

"Kyahahahaha!"

Seeing his body cease to exist, she celebrated. Her small form had long since changed into that of a mid-teen girl. Having fought the silver demon for an untold amount of time, she had learned to fight in a humanoid form, control her abilities better, and even emulate and strengthen skills she never knew existed.

It was safe to say she was evolving as the battle continued. That was something Rimuru knew but never had the chance to hinder.

She deactivated her world and appeared to be deep in thought.

"Now... how do I gather the necessary magicules to return back?"

As her eyes scanned the empty surroundings, she frowned. She sensed something else in this End of Space and Time.

"Who are those two...?"

Sensing familiar presences from when she was pushed to be sealed, her eyes locked onto two individuals. One had white hair, the same as hers, and the other had red hair. The two were currently very busy, their bodies glued to each other.

As Ivarage prepared to get closer, she noticed small flickering lights appearing around her. She tilted her head and followed the lights as they floated and moved about.

As the collective bright lights began to merge, she sensed something ominous forming. She quickly rushed forward to erase the growing sphere of light, which continued expanding in size, reaching heights greater than her own within seconds.

As she swung her sword, she felt an arm grab her.

From within the bright spherical light, a hand burst forth and gripped her wrist tightly. She fired a blast of miasma with her free hand, but it was absorbed effortlessly by the sphere.

"What is...?"

She struggled, pulling her arm back as the light began to flicker rapidly. She opened her mouth to unleash a breath attack, but another hand quickly covered her mouth.

The sphere of light, resembling an egg, began to crack, revealing the body inside.

It was the familiar demon she had just eliminated. His eyes slowly opened, flickering red before returning to their golden hue.

"Ciel?" he whispered under his breath.

[Yes, Master. I'm here now.]

"Hahaha... how nostalgic, for some reason."

Rimuru chuckled as her voice rang inside his head. Her body was nowhere in sight, but he could feel her presence within him. It was something familiar. Something that felt right. As though her being a part of him was always how it was meant to be.

"You sure took your time coming here."

[I have been searching for your presence for an eternity in this empty existence. Please give me credit for even finding you, Master.]

"How patient of you."

Rimuru's voice was soft, as if he hadn't just been on the verge of experiencing a 'true death', where revival of any kind was impossible.

"What are you even talking about...?"

With a cracked voice, Ivarage looked deep into his eyes, unable to escape his grip.

"How come you... what is this strength...?"

"Hm?"

Rimuru tilted his head as his hands held her tightly in place.

"Ah, that's what happens when you accumulate enough Nihility Collapse after collecting for an eternity."

"Nihility Collapse...? Nihilit— You have it!?"

She screamed in shock, her breath hitching as a shiver crawled down her spine.

"It was something even Veldanava lost... How did you...?"

Rimuru flashed a grin as black mist began to leak from his body.

"I evolved. And so did my skills."

[Confirmed. Ultimate Skill: Nameless Mist evolving to God of Void Azathoth... successful.]

"No... No...!"

Ivarage attempted to return to her draconic form. Her size began to increase, yet for some reason, the grip never changed. The feeling of the inevitable still lingered in her mind.

"I... I just want to be back with him...!! I just want to be complete again!"

She bit into his hand. Even that wasn't enough to loosen his grip.

"I just don't want to be alone anymore..."

"Azathoth."

With one word from Rimuru, her entire body was engulfed in the black mist and devoured. A single tear trailed down her cheek as she was fully consumed, taken into his newly evolved Imaginary Space.

[It's done.]

"It really is."

A/N: Honestly, I think this is a good ending for the battle(For me at least).

I think it was a good fight, though I can't stop the anticlimactic ending no matter how much I edit this scene. It just feels like 'PLOT ARMOR' even when I try to justify it. Ehh, no point complaining. The Web Novel basically ended with Rimuru eating Yuuki anyway.

Next week is the last chapter... it has been quite a ride guys!