Just as Charles was about to move in and eliminate the Filth around him, a greatsword flew through the air.

That sword, in its enchanted state, maneuvered swiftly through the sky, cleaving through a large mass of Filth, which then disintegrated into ash within a glowing pentagram.

"Well, well, long time no see, Scarf Guy. I thought you were still trapped in the Wasteland!"

A voice that sounded quite young came from behind Charles. He sighed and turned to look. "Oh, it's you, ahoge crossdresser. I'm more surprised that no one's killed you yet."

It was a young... boy, dressed in a long, robe-like ceremonial hunting outfit.

Yes, even though his appearance was as delicate as a girl's, he was without question male. Because of that, and because he once gave Charles a nickname, Charles called him a crossdresser in return.

The boy was rather short and had long, wine-red hair. Several locks of it stood stubbornly upright—his signature ahoge.

What stood out even more were his heterochromatic eyes—one purple, one green.

His name was Kurumiya Tenma, current holder of the "Noble One" title among the Twelve Heavenly Generals, and the strongest among them.

Kurumiya Tenma walked over, and the massive sword that had just slain scores of Filth returned to his side.

Following close behind him was Amanowaka Seigen. "Yo, Charles, you're here too!" he called out.

Charles nodded. "So, you two are the ones at the center of the Celestial-Yama Ceremony?"

Kurumiya Tenma wore that perpetual, almost mocking smile on his face. "More or less. Let's wrap this up quickly. Scarf Guy, I assume you've got everything else covered?"

Charles smiled. "Who do you think you're talking to? You go ahead with the ceremony. I won't let anyone interrupt you."

While they were talking, Enmadō Rokurou and Hanano Benio came running over, now dressed in ceremonial hunting robes.

"Charles… Seigen's here too! What's going on? Why is there such a massive Dragon Black Spot?" Enmadō Rokurou asked eagerly as soon as he got close.

Hanano Benio added, "The yellow powder sensed a Dragon Black Spot and Filth, so we came right away."

Charles nodded. "You're just in time. We're initiating the Celestial-Yama Ceremony, which could permanently eliminate the Dragon Black Spots. Join the protection detail.

Your job is simple—clear out any Filth nearby and make sure nothing interferes with the ceremony.

Also, you can take off the wristbands now. This isn't the time to be holding back."

The two nodded, then removed their wristbands together. With the burden lifted, they quickly felt the power coursing through their bodies.

Kurumiya Tenma said nothing, simply took the staff that Mikage handed to him and moved to his designated spot to begin preparations for the ceremony.

Amanowaka Seigen patted Enmadō Rokurou on the shoulder—now was not the time to reminisce—then followed Kurumiya Tenma.

Charles looked at the two now adjusted to full power, then raised his eyes toward the Dragon Black Spot.

"Be alert. The big one's coming!"

At Charles's warning, the two also looked up.

And indeed, it was a "big one"—a towering creature over ten meters tall, its body covered in rock-like muscle. Its hammer-like arms alone made it look extremely dangerous.

Judging from the strength of the spell energy emanating from it, it was definitely a True Serpent-class Filth.

But the "big one" Charles referred to wasn't the creature—it was the woman standing on its shoulder.

"Even Basara has shown up?" Charles muttered, glancing at Enmadō Rokurou and Hanano Benio.

"That one's yours. Think you can handle it?"

The two looked at each other, then responded, "We'll win for sure!"

Charles looked them over. "After all the training you've done, it'd be strange if you didn't win. But if you lose, be prepared for twice the training next time!"

After hearing that, the two's fighting spirit practically turned into a roaring flame.

Charles nodded with satisfaction. "I'll leave this to you two. I've got to go pay a visit to their boss."

With that, Charles flew into the air. As soon as he reached mid-air, he sensed something unusual.

The miasma leaking from the Dragon Black Spot was extremely dense. What's more, whenever Filth was defeated, the spell energy released from them was turning back into miasma.

No wonder Anmu's scheme had worked in the original timeline—the miasma was practically solid. In such conditions, it was no surprise even the Twelve Heavenly Generals were deceived by illusions.

"Well then, here's a little welcome gift!"

Charles began channeling his power.

Previously, he had refined his abilities—his self-enhancement skills had been integrated into the Dragon King Martial Form. Another set, which involved manipulating energy—like Spirit Assimilation and the Binding God Spell—had fused into his current technique.

Its name was... Dragon Flame Combat Gear!

Fahr appeared, and the flames it brought instantly purified the surrounding miasma. Spirit talismans unfurled in front of Charles.

As both merged into his body, his form began to change.

His elongated dragon-scale scarf fluttered, scattering searing embers.

Dragon horns etched with strange patterns emerged on his head, and his eyes opened into vertical pupils.

His now-elemental body was clad in a suit of light armor: three-layered pauldrons connected to a dragon-head breastplate; his lower half covered in scale mail and draconic greaves.

Even the configuration of Evil Dragon and Dragon Slayer had changed, now more suited for combat. Every armor plate was etched with glowing red runes, radiating mystery.

Charles raised his arm, opened his palm, and a massive pillar of fire burst forth, then spread out and consumed all the miasma.

In mere seconds, the previously materialized miasma had been burned away completely. Even the Filth that had fallen moments ago were entirely purified.

Kurumiya Tenma, holding his staff, saw what Charles had done and immediately understood his intent.

"I see… there were more traps laid, huh? But I bet no one expected a maniac like Scarf Guy to show up."

With the miasma cleared, Charles also spotted the target he had been searching for all along.

Even without the now-clear spiritual energy and spell signatures, that venomous glare—one not even the mask could hide—gave away Anmu's location.

Charles saw the figure on the distant tower. Flames burst into wings behind his back, drawing a crimson trail in the sky as he closed in on Anmu in a flash.

Anmu's mask—shattered previously by Charles—had been restored. The patterns on it glowed, and black spell energy surged behind him.

"Trying to run? I've been waiting for that."

Charles sneered and raised a hand, forming a seal with his fingers.

Five points of light shot from his palm, surrounding Anmu before he could retreat into the black energy.

Before Anmu could react, the lights revealed themselves as five paper effigies.

The five effigies were linked by beams of light, forming a pentagram that canceled out all the black spell energy around Anmu and pulled his body back to its original position.

Charles had been chasing Anmu this entire time—of course he'd prepare for an escape attempt. This improved Demon-Sealing Formation had been made especially for him.

"Now, take your schemes… and be purified by flame!"

As Charles spoke, he was already upon Anmu.

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Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)

Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)

Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)

Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)

American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)

American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)

I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)

Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)

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