Chapter 790

September 30th, the morning before the battle against the Demon King's Army.

Yesterday, ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????after the WEB meeting involving the Emperor and Queen, meetings with Hermios, Admiral Garara, and generals and vice-generals continued late into the night.

The ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????evacuation of Heavy User Island's citizens was agreed upon by the village chiefs yesterday, so preparations are proceeding swiftly to accept them into the city of Neil in the Elmar Church State and the Academy City of the Ratash Kingdom.

Allen's ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Creation Skill has reached its third cycle at Skill Level 8, and he is currently aiming for Skill Level 9.

*(It's ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????impossible. This is the limit. Reaching Level 9 in the third cycle is just not feasible.)*

He ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????still needs about 4 billion more skill experience points, making it extremely difficult to reach Skill Level 9 today or tomorrow.

Allen ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????focused intensely on raising his Creation Skill over these nine days to increase the variety of new summoned beasts and to strengthen Mels and Lion.

Increasing the number of summoned beasts and raising their Growth Level to 9 through Growth Skills significantly boosts the stat increases from the blessings Allen receives. The benefits from the Angel and God types are particularly substantial.

[Stat Increase from Blessings at Growth Level 9]- God S summoned beasts: All stats +30,000- God A and below summoned beasts: All stats +20,000- Angel S summoned beasts: All stats +20,000- Angel B summoned beasts: All stats +10,000- Other S-rank summoned beasts: Two stats +10,000- Other non-S-rank summoned beasts (first one): Two stats +1,000- Other non-S-rank summoned beasts (second and beyond): Two stats +400

*God S summoned beasts without Growth Level: All stats +15,000*Angel S summoned beasts without Growth Level: All stats +10,000*Other S-rank summoned beasts: Two stats +10,000*Angel A and S-rank summoned beasts are limited to one each.

[God and Angel-type Summoned Beasts at Creation Skill Cycle 3, Level 8]- God: A (Weapon), B (Armor)- Angel: B (Weapon), C (Armor), D (Magic Tool) new!*If an Angel S summoned beast exists, there is no Angel A summoned beast.

One reason it was impossible was the daily decreasing supply of spirit stones brought by the dragonkin from the divine realm, led by Abigail. The Creation Skill always requires spirit stones, but the number of spirit beasts in the divine realm had drastically reduced, almost as if they had been hunted to extinction at this critical time.

Although he had received a magic tool from the Magic God to convert magic stones into spirit stones, the conversion rate was slower than expected, making further Creation Skill leveling difficult.

He cut into his sleep time and pushed skill leveling to the limit, but considering the schedule ahead, it seemed time to stop.

"Lion, Okiyo-san, thanks for your help."

He stopped leveling the Creation Skill and offered words of appreciation to the summoned beasts.

*'Hmm, the battle is tomorrow.'*

*'Kekeke, think nothing of it.'*

*(Well, before the battle, I need to let them see their families.)*

*'Alright, training is over. Everyone, go see your families. Go wash up and get ready to change.'*

"Okay, understood! Lily went back to the village too!"

Perhaps happy to see her family, Krena, who had been training with the Sword God, neatly sheathed her sword.

*'Yeah, go see your family. Family is important. Here, take good care of my divine artifact.'*

"Thank you very much!!"

The Sword God, whose father is the God of Creation, lent the divine artifact Ascalon to Krena once more.Hearing this conversation, other training companions like Dogora also wrapped up their training with the Weapon Gods.

*'Alright, you did well too. Here. The divine artifact Herald. Take it!!'*

The muscular Axe God Bacchylides threw a massive axe, over two meters tall—almost his own height—toward Dogora, who was breathless from non-stop training since morning.

"Whoa!? Is that okay!? You're a lifesaver!!"

Dogora, already holding the divine artifact Kagutsuchi in one hand, gripped the handle of the platinum-glowing divine artifact Herald with his other hand.

*'Yeah, it's fine. Return it after the battle's over.'*

*'Hmm, indeed. Dogora, apostle of the Fire God. You're only borrowing it temporarily.'*

Through the divine artifact Kagutsuchi, the God emphasized that Dogora should remember well whose apostle he was.

*(Well, I won't give them time to return it anyway.)*

Listening to this conversation, Allen was impressed that Dogora had managed to strengthen himself sufficiently over the nine days of training. However, with a mischievous thought, Allen considered that it'd be best to keep the precious weapons they'd received.

*Click*

This time, a hanging scroll decorating the wall of the Sword God's dojo glowed, and Hermios and others, released from their training with the War Gods, filed out.

"Hey, everyone, just finished training?"

"Indeed. Let's depart after briefly washing off the sweat at the external base."

"Thanks."

*(Alright, it's the pre-battle homecoming event. Having an army makes things complicated with so many people. Please bear with it, thinking you can return to where you want to be tomorrow.)*

Many among the companions wanted to see their families before fighting the Demon King's Army. They were comrades who joined Allen's party to participate in the battle against the Demon King, also to protect their families.

He had arranged this important homecoming time before the war, but the slots for summoned beasts, teleportation locations, and time were all limited.

After 12:00 on the ninth day, preparations were made, and Allen and Mels teleported nearly 50 individuals to their respective places. Afterwards, starting at 9:00 tomorrow, the two would retrieve everyone, preparing for the battle against the Demon King's Army at 12:00.

*(So Cecil ultimately couldn't return.)*

Allen took out the letter entrusted to him by Cecil from his grimoire. Since ancient magic was still not complete, he needed to deliver this letter to the Granvelle family.

Without starting departure preparations due to the letter, Allen shifted his gaze to Ignomas, who was near the field.

"Ultimately, Rapsornil didn't permit it, but using Tako's 'Mimicry,' it's possible to change your appearance and return to Patranta. Don't you have parents there?"

Allen suggested using the Fish A summoned beast to alter his appearance.

"...I'm from the countryside. My parents aren't in the imperial capital. I must keep my promise to the Empress. After defeating the Demon King tomorrow, I will finally be free. Just two more days of endurance. And don't refer to *my* Empress so familiarly."

*(You're calling her 'my' Empress too.)*

Ignomas, who started a civil war in the Prostia Empire, was effectively exiled from the empire, a crime akin to opposing the Demon King. Allen had thought to ensure no regrets remained among his comrades before the expected fierce battle, but seeing Ignomas's cheerful expression, it seemed needless worry.

Others staying behind included Shia and the Ten Elite Beasts, who also chose not to return home. Shia, in the midst of special training with the Beast God Garm, flatly refused, saying, "I have no interest in seeing the Beast King Zeu before an important battle." The nine other Ten Elite Beasts also stayed to improve their coordination as much as possible.

While thinking this, it seemed everyone was ready to depart.

"Alright, Mels. Let's take them as planned."

"Okay, let's go home!!"

"Nina... I wonder if she's doing well."

*(Thanks to you freeing my parents, it'll be a long-awaited family reunion. I hope she's properly gone back.)*

Giving the signal to split into two groups for teleportation, Luke raised his fist, bursting with joy. Kiel's face also naturally broke into a smile at the thought of returning to Carnel Territory after so long.

Due to constraints on time and teleportation destinations, Nina, who had recently started attending the noble academy in the royal capital, should have been asked by Count Granvelle to return to her family home in Carnel Territory to coincide with this day.

"Alright, let's go!"

*'Yeah, Hermios and others, via the Earth Labyrinth.'*

Mels went to retrieve Captain Larappa and his team of magic engineers, heading to Heavy User Island.

Mels was tasked with transporting Merle, the dwarf unit, Hermios, and his party.

Doberg had strongly declined, saying, "I have no family left behind. I want to spend as much time as possible swinging my sword here."

Those who want to return.Those who cannot return.Those who do not want to return.

Amidst these conflicting feelings, the battle against the Demon King's Army began.

After moving to Heavy User Island, amidst an army of 20,000, Allen sent Rosalina and the Allen Army's fishman unit to the Prostia Empire.

Among the fishman soldiers were those who had sworn loyalty since Ignomas was general and joined the Allen Army. Some tried to decline since Ignomas wasn't returning, but Allen, as the army's commander-in-chief, unified the decision, saying, "Some fishmen want to return, so accommodate that." Also, fishmen from provinces like Rosalina's and other vast maritime empires were instructed to spend a day in the imperial capital, Patranta, with their families. He had asked Empress Rapsornil to gather their families in the imperial capital as much as possible, which she gladly agreed to.

*(The Songstress Contest is coming up soon. This is returning Maclis's favor.)*

He recalled promising the Queen to lend Maclis for the important autumn event.

Meanwhile, while the Allen Army was returning home like this, most of the Prostia Imperial Army and the Five Continent Alliance Army were already stationed at the battlefield, awaiting tomorrow's battle. The strategy was communicated in the recent WEB meeting, but during that time, the Five Continent Alliance Army had already moved toward the combat zones and couldn't return to their families.

This special consideration for the Allen Army by various nations was also a result of Allen's negotiations, seemingly meant as a token of appreciation for the Allen Army, who were scheduled to be on the front lines against the Demon King's Army.

Next were Sophie, Formarl, and the elf unit.The elf unit, gathered from the vast nation of Rosenheim, would spend the night in the capital, Fortenia. Unlike the fishman unit, many elves had lost all family during the previous invasion of Rosenheim and fought for revenge against the Demon King and loyalty to the Queen, so many didn't want to return, perhaps fearing their strong resolve might waver upon returning home. However, Sophie declared, "It is an elf's duty to show their face to the Queen before battle. Especially when placing oneself in a dangerous fight!" and unified the decision for everyone to return to their village. Watching the exchange, it seemed Sophie was beginning to develop the bearing of a queen.

*(The Dark Elf village is the most convenient, all gathered in one place. Oh, the World Tree seems even bigger...)*

Allen thought sending them to the Dark Elf village, which suffered little damage from the Demon King's Army and only required returning to a village in the desert, was the easiest.

"Woooooh!! I'm hoooooome!!"

"Oh my, you've grown."

"Hehe. I was in the divine realm..."

"Luke, let's guide everyone to the shrine and lodging first."

"Understood, Mother!"

Luke, who had run to King Orbus and the Queen, burst with joy.The World Tree, planted in the Dark Elf village by the Spirit King Elise, had grown considerably larger since he last saw it. It seemed the Spring of Life was overflowing, and it had grown significantly after receiving many droplets of life.

Seeing off the Dark Elves, Allen and the others headed for the next teleportation destination.

RelatedRelatedRelated