Episode 27

## The Way of Light

* Screenshot
* Title

## Episode Chronology

**The Way of Light** is the 27th episode overall of the "*Shuumatsu no Valkyrie: Record of Ragnarok*" anime and the 15th episode of Season 2.

## Synopsis

It looks like the match is over. But then Buddha gets up, looking stronger than ever. Will he be able to gain another crucial point for the humans?

## Plot

As the two hit a standstill, Buddha cuts deeper into Hajun's arm, ignoring that the blade in his side is piercing deeper. Hajun kicks him away and inspects his wound, wondering how his opponent still stands. Buddha questions if he is scared but Hajun denies it. Buddha smiles at his denial as Hajun declares he has found the perfect soil to become the ultimate being, revealing that after destroying Helheim, his host body could not handle his own power and destroyed itself. Hajun believes even his weaker self would not have feared Buddha, only for his opponent to snap his fingers and claim he is weak. Hajun questions how he can believe this and Buddha claims he is weaker than Zerofuku was. As he takes a breath, Hajun approaches him and intends to show how "weak" he is, attacking with rapid slashes of his axe, forcing Buddha on the defensive. As the Buddhist monks of the audience believe their god is finished, Göll closes her eyes while Brunhilde tries to remain hopeful. Ares, noting Buddha cannot see the future and is mortally wounded, believes he has no hope now. Hades concurs that there is no hope, calling it a foolish display.

The Greek god of war accepts that Buddha was a great man till the end, only for Helheim's King to state that he is actually talking about Ares being foolish, pointing out that Buddha's eyes are not of a man who has given up. Hermes watches and notes Buddha is trying to do something. Zeus realizes he is attempting to use a spell to resurrect the dead. Hajun knocks away his opponent with his axe but Buddha stays upright, surprising the demonic being. Buddha goads Hajun into attacking him but Hajun unexpectedly backs away, with Hades laughing at the demon's fear. Hajun is in disbelief as he sweats nervously and his hands tremble, confused he can experience fear. Without warning, he rips off his left hand and transforms it into a sword, declaring that he cannot lose as the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven. Using Karma Destroying Samsara Cycle, Buddha's lion head erupts in energy and launches him at Hajun. The demon empowers his sword and slashes at Buddha's scythe, slicing its blade clean off. A shocked Buddha questions what has happened as his staff transforms back into its usual form. Hajun then attempts a direct assault and stabs into Buddha's staff, knocking him away and causing it to shatter.

As the gods cheer at their champion's overwhelming strength, Beelzebub quietly observes while peeling a pear, believing it is "harvest time". Göll desperate yells for Buddha to stand up as Brunhilde prays that he does not leave them now. Hajun approaches his downed opponent, intent on delivering the finishing blow. While unconscious on the ground, Buddha sees himself lying above a blinding light. He reaches for it and a hand grabs his, causing him to wake up. He looks at his hand and begins to cackle uproariously. Hajun, believing Buddha has gone insane in his last moments, watches as he gets up and instead claims that he now understands something: Hajun is nothing but a child who has never faced his weaknesses. As the audience quietly look on, Buddha claims Hajun has never believed he is selfish or immature and there has never tried overcoming his flaws. His bindi breaks as Buddha states his opponent has not gone through adolescence and it makes him weak, revealing that he wields Zerofuku's Cataxetrophe, surprising Hajun. As he takes a stance, Buddha declares that "they" will take Hajun down together, as Zerofuku's soul performs Völundr with his weapon.

Göll is stunned to hear Buddha say Volundr but a tearful Brunhilde implores her to see that the Cataxetrophe is absorbing Buddha's benevolence, becoming an all-powerful divine weapon that even Buddha could only hope to create, one embodying the enlightenment in Buddhism. Buddha's new weapon is the Great Nirvana Sword - Zero. Hajun angrily asks why he is shining a light on him as Buddha reveals behind him are the souls of the Seven Lucky Gods; he replies that even Hajun knows why he is shining his blade on him: punishment. As humanity cheers once more, Buddha and Hajun swing at each other. Mankind's cries of support reach Buddha and flow into him. Hajun questions how he still stands despite almost dying just moments ago, asking why he is unafraid and still smiling at him. Buddha notes that Hajun is indeed scared of him, parrying his sword to land a slash at his chest, though he too sustains a cut to his right shoulder.

Watching the battle, Isami Kondo believes that victory is close, though Soji Okita notes that Buddha is still at a disadvantage. Kojiro Sasaki believes winning will not be easy since Buddha is missing an eye and enduring mortal wounds, sadly stating it is still not in his favour. Buddha attempts to attack but the pain of his wounds cause him to stop, giving Hajun the chance to slice down. Buddha barely blocks it but bleeds heavily.

As Hajun forces his weight down and smiles maniacally, Buddha lets go and causes him to drop. His smile fades as Buddha slashes at him and cuts into his chest, as he mockingly mentions that he only made a shallow cut with his depth perception. Ares is shocked by Buddha's continual strength as Hermes notes that despite gaining ground, he will not last long. Zeus believes Hajun's next attack will end the battle and Buddha no longer has the strength to continue. Hades laughs at all three of them and points out why Buddha would waste strength parrying when he could dodge completely. As Hajun swings repeatedly, Buddha, though still taking slight cuts, is able to dodge his blows. Göll believes Hajun's aims is worsening but Brunhilde wonders if Buddha's precognition is working again. Since Hajun's soul is now experiencing fear, Buddha can now see his actions. Hajun becomes confused and angry at his failure to land a hit. Declaring he is the Devil King, he strengthens his arm and slices down with all his might, cutting Buddha in half. As humanity and the gods stare in disbelief, Hajun excitedly revels in his victory.

To his complete shock, Hajun watches at Buddha fades from his blade's point of contact and appears behind him. Closing his eye and taking a stance, Buddha raises his blade up as he thinks of a teaching, the Sutta Nipata; it teaches that even when one can be strong and unrestrained by themselves, having a companion to rest their soul upon and intertwine with can allow them to overcome any danger. Buddha asks Zerofuku if he is watching and states that this is the path they will take together. As Hajun swings his blade down, Buddha strikes first with Blade of the Celestial's Eye Awakening, his voice intertwined with Zerofuku's. The gods and humanity stare in awe as Hajun's body falls to pieces, mankind cheering for Buddha in his victory. Still alive, Hajun makes a last attempt to attack and twirls his blade at Buddha's face. The blade breaks before making contact as his soul fades, the Devil King in disbelief as he vanishes.

Buddha bids Zerofuku goodbye but sees him running in the sky. Taking a moment, he gives him the thumbs up and takes his place among the souls of the Lucky Gods. Buddha places his sword on his head, tearing up as he compliments Zerofuku for his work, certain he will see him again. Heimdall declares that the sixth round's victor is humanity's Buddha, in a time of 21 minutes and 37 seconds.

As his sword fades away and he walks to the gates of mankind's side, a bird lands on Zerofuku's handle and tears up, causing him to look to the audience and see that the townsfolk who had once forsaken Zerofuku's hardships are crying for him as well. He sees Göll and Brunhilde meet him and gives them a peace sign, before collapsing to the ground. They rush him onto a stretcher but Buddha calls to Brunhilde, asking if she can accomplish her mission, now one step closer to humanity's survival. Buddha then calls out her formality and notes that he sees her worldly desires, which he likes. Burning manuscripts in a fireplace, Beelzebub finds himself being confronted by Odin, who asks if he was responsible. Beelzebub ignores him as the Norse deity declares that Ragnarok is his ambition and he will not let anyone interfere. Beelzebub calmly acknowledge it is Odin's ambition as the old god stares at him angrily.

With the gods and humanity tied with three wins each, Hades intends to take the next round and avenge Poseidon, shocking his fellow Greek gods. Göll is horrified to see Hades is the next champion but Brunhilde believe she has someone who can kill him, someone known as the King of the Beginning. The man suddenly bursts through a wall and smiles gently.

## Characters

* Buddha
* Hajun
* Heimdall
* Göll
* Brunhilde
* Hades
* Ares
* Hermes
* Zeus
* Aphrodite (No lines)
* Loki
* Odin
* Huginn & Muninn (No lines)
* Soji Okita
* Isami Kondo
* Kojiro Sasaki
* Hrist (No lines)
* Beelzebub
* Suddhodana (No lines)
* Jataka (No lines)
* Zerofuku
* Benzaiten (No lines)
* Hoteison (No lines)
* Daikokuten (No lines)
* Fukurokuju (No lines)
* Bishamonten (No lines)
* Ebisu (No lines)
* Jurojin (No lines)
* Qin Shi Huang

## Differences in Adaptations

* Ares' internal monologue about wanting to fight in the seventh round is omitted.
* Michel Nostradamus' introduction an his scenes with the valkyries are omitted