Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!-Chapter 1823: Floor 20, Zipangu

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Once night fell and everyone was asleep, Maria stepped outside and climbed to the roof.

From there, a faint silver light glowed from the moon, forming a translucent staircase just for her.

Maria ascended the steps. Space twisted around her, revealing stars, and then a beautiful land floating above the clouds.

Divinity flowed freely everywhere, this was perhaps the richest divine realm she had ever entered.

"Ooh, what a beautiful place."

Maria gazed into the distance and saw a grand palace of white and red. She walked toward it and suddenly found herself inside an enormous chamber.

Dozens of gods of every shape and size sat on thrones around her, looking down.

At the center, on a golden throne, sat a beautiful woman with long black hair, glowing golden and red eyes, and a Miko-style dress. A bright sun-shaped ornament shone above her head.

To her right sat a man on a silver throne, with long silvery-white hair and yellow eyes, dressed in blue and white robes and wearing a moon-shaped crown.

To her left was a larger, more imposing man with a muscular build, short black beard, long black hair tied in a ponytail, and fiery red, orange, and yellow eyes. He wore brown and gray robes, carried a massive katana, and left most of his hairy, muscular chest exposed.

Maria lingered on this man for a few seconds before the woman on the central throne cleared her throat to draw her attention.

"Ahem! I understand you find my older brother quite mesmerizing, but you should be looking at me!" the empress said.

"Ah, excuse me!" Maria apologized quickly.

"Eh? She was looking at me?" the man wondered aloud. "Hahah! What’s so interesting about little ol’ me?"

"N-Nothing, sir. It’s just that... I’m shocked you go around flaunting that everywhere..." Maria replied, coughing awkwardly.

"That?" The man raised an eyebrow, glancing down at his hairy, muscular chest. "Huh? Ahh... hahaha! She’s funny, sister! I’ve never met a woman this shameless! Is she lusting for me?! First time someone’s said it like that! What?! Hahahaha!"

He sat back down and began drinking sake.

The empress and the other man sighed, facepalming in unison.

Maria turned to address them properly.

"Greetings! I am Maria, from Yggdrasil," she said. "You must be the Empress of the Sun, Amaterasu-sama, correct? And you must be her brother, Tsukuyomi-sama! And... um, this man must be... let me guess, Susanoo-sama?"

"Yeah!" Susanoo grinned, winking at her. "You got me! Heheh! Is it obvious because of this huge blade? I carry it everywhere."

"Welcome to the council, Maria," Amaterasu said calmly. "My adorable niece, Konohanasakuya-hime, the Divine Kami of Mountains, Volcanoes, Forests, and Nature tied to them, whom we left in charge of Blossomveil, told me about you and your plan."

"We would like to address that," Tsukuyomi added. "You told her you aim to destroy the Tower and stop it from devouring worlds. Is that correct?"

"Yes," Maria nodded firmly. "It’s... a straightforward yet complicated series of plans."

"Hmmm, is that so, missy?" Susanoo asked, rubbing his chin. "You made me laugh and all, but to me you don’t seem all that strong. Why would we ever listen to your delusions?"

"Well, might as well show you all my power then," Maria replied.

She twisted reality and transformed into her Outer Goddess form.

Most of the Kami groaned in pain and began writhing in agony.

Susanoo, Amaterasu, and Tsukuyomi were caught off guard. Sweat formed on their brows as they resisted Maria’s overwhelming pressure with everything they had.

Together, they barely managed to hold on.

"There! Was that enough?" Maria returned to her normal form.

Everyone in the audience gasped for air, breathing heavily and utterly exhausted.

"I thought I was going to die!"

"What monster is that?!"

"I can’t believe it!"

"She’s... a monster, a demon!"

"Amaterasu-sama, we cannot trust this being!"

The Kami immediately voiced their discontent and fear.

Yet the three siblings... smiled.

"Hoh, amazing," Susanoo said. "I want to fight you now."

"You have proved your strength more than sufficiently..." Amaterasu said. "Incredible!"

"This is really it, huh? Someone strong enough... finally showed up," Tsukuyomi sighed. "I’ve been asking the constellations about this for ages, and finally... I knew today would be the day."

"Oh, so you knew I was here? That’s why the stair reached me instantly," Maria realized.

"Indeed," Tsukuyomi confirmed with a gentle smile. "Now, Maria, please tell us about these plans."

Maria explained everything in detail while the Kami discussed among themselves.

It was a bold plan but backed by her power... it felt somewhat realistic.

"I see...!" Tsukuyomi nodded. "A lot to risk, but... if you’re doing it anyway, we can’t stop you."

"I suppose..." Amaterasu sighed. "But if we can actually win... then we’ll finally stop running and our world won’t be taken from us anymore."

"Hmmm..." Susanoo nodded thoughtfully.

Two of the three siblings agreed, but Susanoo remained unconvinced.

"Maria!" he declared, standing up. His Aura surged as he hefted his sword onto his shoulder. "I want to duel you!"

"What?!" Maria blinked in surprise. "Really?"

"Yes, really!" Susanoo laughed heartily. "I’m not someone easily convinced by words like my two little siblings here! If you truly have the power, fight me! And if you win in a fair and square duel, you’ll have my support."

"Fair and square, you say..." Maria repeated.

"Only through swords, of course!" he laughed again. "Ever wielded a blade, miss? I think you have! I know a sword master when I see one. And you... you’re a monster. I’m a monster too. It’s hard to find someone at my level... I want to fight you so badly!"

"Haha, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested, Sir Susanoo," Maria replied with a smile. "It would be an honor."

Beyond his attractive, rugged appearance, Maria had stared at him earlier for another reason.

It was his incredible Sword Consciousness.

Like her, Susanoo had refined his blade skills beyond the heavens, and then beyond that.

He had forged his own Soul and Consciousness to be as sharp as any sword.

With a single thought, Susanoo could cut through anything.

Maria longed to test her swordsmanship against such a man.

"No! Absolutely not, Susanoo!" Amaterasu protested.

"Wait, what?! Aw, come on, sister!" Susanoo insisted.

"Always with your childish ideas!" Amaterasu complained. "I understand you’re passionate about these things, but sword battles are lethal!"

"I’m not supporting her if she doesn’t win against me in combat," Susanoo said, his tone suddenly serious. "And my faction of War Gods won’t help either. You’ll lose a lot of warriors."

"..." Amaterasu facepalmed while Tsukuyomi forced a calm smile.

"Come now, let’s make a deal, shall we?" Tsukuyomi suggested. "How about... Hm! Susanoo gets his fight, but Amaterasu decides the rules?"

"What?" Susanoo raised an eyebrow. "Ehhh... Maria, you’re fine with that?"

"Sure," Maria agreed without hesitation.

Amaterasu smiled upon hearing her response.

"In that case, my rule is simple."

RUMBLE!

She snapped her fingers, and the surroundings changed instantly. Everyone was teleported away.

Maria and Susanoo now stood in a vast arena floating above white clouds.

The Kami sat on floating clouds around them, watching from above.

"My condition is simple," Amaterasu announced. "Whoever gets thrown out of the ring loses."

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