Laplace wasn't hurrying anymore.
He wasn't commanding his generals to attack Adam either.
He simply walked one step at a time towards Adam, who observed him with a carefree look on his face. Neither of them were looking away from each, while the rest of the forces still kept going on, doing what they were supposed to do.
"Adam. Run away! You must escape from here!" Equi shouted as she had finally found the hope she was searching for. Someone who can alter destiny, someone who can prevent the accursed ending of this world. And in no way possible, she was going to let him die now.
But Adam observed Equi's face before speaking,
"If I simply run away now. All these people I have saved will die, unable to escape the so-called Fate. It's not something I wish for, Equi. Sorry but… running away is not an option for me here."
His powers were decreasing as the Heaven's Wheel began disappearing from the sky. Slowly reverting back to his original level, he somehow seemed far more vulnerable than before. It was as if he was barely standing on his own two feets.
But still. Even then, the calm look on his face was ever present. Even in this desperate situation, it seemed as if he had everything in control.
One step at a time, Laplace kept walking, his eyes focused on Adam, unwaring, uncaring of the surroundings.
"Sigh. You better have some sort of plan for this," Equi then added slowly walking in between Laplace and him as she raised her [Chalice of Equilibrium!] and then chanted,
"[Equivalent Exchange: Wall of Perseverance!]"
A paper thin barrier containing an insane amount of mana appeared behind her, surrounding Adam from all sides.
"This is way above what I bargained for," Iris clicked her tongue as she too joined Equi. Harik also appeared carrying the unconscious Raphi in his arms, beside him Luciana walked slowly with the help of her magic.
Iris transferred Raphi into her realm, before all of them stood in front of Adam. An army of demons and Angels flew in the sky above, right where Adam was, and then soon aimed in the direction where Laplace was coming from.
Vladmir and the Saintess moved as well, before the 7 Higher Goddesses of all the nations joined them. It was an army against a single man, all in to protect another mortal that was barely able to stand on his two feets now.
Zero, who saw the power of Laplace reaching back to its peak, knew that he was not a match for Laplace. And hence, even though he was angry, he took the next best decision he could make.
He took a step back and began running away from there. From what he has seen fighting against Laplace, there was no chance of anyone surviving against him. If Laplace wants to kill that black haired guy, there is no one who can protect him anymore.
And to be honest… Everyone knew that already.
"You think, something like this is going to save you? You think they will be able to save you? I will crush each and everyone of these insects to show you how weak you all are," Laplace spoke as he released a huge amount of energy from his body, creating an immense pressure on those present here.
Except for the Higher Gods that could barely stand, and Luciana and Equi who were a bit more stronger than the others, all the others fell on their knees. Their bodies barely able to hold together, they couldn't even muster enough strength to stand on their own.
Even Zero, who was trying to run away, was rendered immobile as he simply stood there, his body refusing to take even a single step.
The Angels fell, the demons fell. The mortals were barely keeping their sanity intact. While Laplace, he kept walking towards Adam, one step at a time, ignoring everyone in front of him.
Luciana barely put herself together while Equi supported herself with the magic within the artifact. The only other person who was able to keep herself on her two feets was Alepsia whose World Magic was about to run out as well.
"I must…" and as Luciana tried to speak something, a hand appeared on her head, and another on Equi's.
"Young kids shouldn't push themselves so much."
Releasing them from the pressure, a gentle breeze flew in the air, as they finally could breath on their own.
Those who have stayed in the Coast city, knew this man. He was the kindest being they had come across in their entire life.
"Sir… Neptune?" Equi spoke in surprise as he saw him standing so tall.
"I will leave this to you then brother," Adam spoke as he finally closed his eyes, slowly falling on the ground as Alepsia reached to catch him.
"Take a rest brother. You have already done enough," Neptune spoke as he looked at Adam before turning towards Laplace with a narrowed look on his face.
For those who had been with him, knew him for his kind nature. Not once this humble being broke his smile, spreading a positivity to everywhere he went.
But for the first time, he wasn't smiling.
Taking a step towards Laplace he then slowly took out his sword as he then asked," to try and harm my brother. You sure have a lot of guts young demon. Answer me, how much suffering would be worth for the sin that you have committed?"
"Move. Insect-" and as Laplace, disinterested in the newcomers' words, was about to move Neptune away, he saw Neptune reaching extremely closer to him, before he found his body falling backwards, and a scar on his chest.
-BOOOM!!
"That is not the answer that I asked for," and Neptune, truly angry, spoke as he looked at Laplace thrown far away from here, his scar slowly healing. Laplace was confused for a brief moment before he narrowed his eyes on Neptune.
-Whoosh!!!
And then appeared right behind him as he spoke," don't waste my time," before going in for a side slash with a blood red sword aimed at Neptune's neck.
Though before the sword could reach Neptune, it was caught by his two fingers with ease. Neptune observed Laplace surprised face before he spoke again,
"That is, once again, not the answer that I wanted to hear."
Raising his sword in the air, Neptune filled it with a strange aura before he pushed it down at Laplace.
"[Command: Cancel!]"
-BAM!
Even though the command took place, the attack didn't vanish. It reached Laplace's head, pushing him to the ground, crushing his entire body.
And slowly, Neptune picked him up by his horn, bringing his face to his eye level as he asked again,
"Answer me, young demon. For the pain you have caused to my brother, how much suffering do you think would be enough?"