Vol. 12 - Ch. 756 - Demon’s Target and Allen’s Doubts

An hour had passed since the Demon King’s army split into three fronts—Space-Time God's territory, Divine Arena, and Heavenly Sandal Kingdom—and launched their assault.

The sudden invasion certainly caught many by surprise, with defensive battle led in a hurry. Of course, heavyweights like gods couldn't immediately join in, and in the span of the first 30 minutes, several tens of thousands of allies—angels, divine soldiers, citizens from nearby towns, dragonkins, or the aid from Primordial Beast's Forest—lost their lives.

The First Angel Lupto was the glimmer amidst the darkness, who had jumped into action as soon  as the news of invasion reached her. She immediately devised a plan to round up gods capable of fighting, like Combat God Sisters, Armament God, Martial, Elemental Gods, and even Spirit Gods with the help of her three subordinate angels. The gradual inclusion of gods finally slowed down the sacrifices, and began to chip away the enemy's force.

The ascenders, the people who had triumph through the trials of gods, like Allen, Helmios, Admiral Galara, Beast Prince Zau, as well as their party had also played a critical role, throwing wrenches on the demon's plan.

They had done quite a good number on the Demon King's army's executive. While the Fiend Kings still stood to tackle allie's force, the ascender's force had already wiped out at least 50% of the demons, and 60% of archdemons, regardless of the effect of Evil incarnation bounding with them.

But they didn't drop down from their invasion. Their unyielding progression brought up many doubts in Allen's mind.

(What’s their endgame? Even if Mara used to be a great angel in service to the God of Magic, there’s no way she knows the Divine Arena or the Heavenly Kingdom inside and out to this extent. The risk far outweighs the reward. So what’s the real objective here? Could this really be part of some grander strategy?)

From the details he had picked up, the angel's range of activity was bound within the territory of gods they'd been serving to. Even Merus, who had been active for around 100,000 years at least as the First Angel, and range of movement exceeding any other great angels, hadn't been privy about the in and out of Divine Realm.

Meanwhile, although Demon King himself had not joined in the invasion, from a glance—the current invasion consisted of thousands of archdemons, and nearly every top executive of their army—the dispatched demon army should make up a significant chunk. Were their strategy failed, the loss they would incur would be nothing short of deep.

The persistence of demons, as well as resolute words of Fiend Kings, and a strategy where they're literally gambling with their army made it apparent whatever their objective was, it was exceedingly important. 

Amid this growing tension, Mara abruptly withdrew from the battlefield, leaving behind only Virdiga—the one most fired up.

"Alright, so now we only have one Fiend King to face. I think we've got this in the bag."

"Indeed, it's time to smash him up good."

«Hmph, you think you already won?! It seems I am being quite underestimated, ahh!!»

Luck's confident remark met with Sophie's positive affirmation, Virdiga let out a snort, seething with unrestrained hostility. His metallic, beetle-like carapace gleamed, and muscles surged beneath his armored exoskeleton. He raised his scythe-like forelimbs high, ready to pounce like a coiled beast.

(I am surprised they cut off their force here. Well, either way, we can now narrow down our target to one. It's a straightforward battle then. ...But that Mara... she joined that giant golem side huh.)

Though Mara had withdrawn with an urgency, Allen quickly learned her place to visit was Heavenly Kingdom. He captured her by Gandira's side through Bird E's ability «Hawk's Eye».

An hour had transpired since their battle began. After all the divisive battles, they could finally set their target on one without getting distracted. Mara's removal was cryptic, but they'd this moment.

«Space-Time God, there's a slight change in our strategy. Please follow after me. We're not allies, so please excuse me, but I would be touching your shoulder.»

(Hopefully, there's no resistance, or that bug would surely bite him to death.)

«Huh... What?»

Allen was teleporting his team nearby Rabul, capital of Heavenly Kingdom. To be precise, the downtown where Merus and others were leading a defensive war. They couldn't have left behind Space-Time God alone, or Virdiga could pose a threat to them, so he extended his hand to touch him. 

As the teleportation ability had stemmed from Bird E, only Allen's direct allies were allowed to teleport without any restriction. However, anyone not a member of his party must be in direct touch with Allen to teleport. 

With that, Allen invoked «Homing Instinct», and teleported away, leaving behind the Demon Army alone.

«The hell?»

Virdiga's excitement , who had just been pumped for an exciting battle, deflated like a balloon at the anti-climatic turn of events. Of course, Allen captured that through Bird E's ability.

"Huh—woah, where are we, wait, is this place...?! But why, Allen? It was our chance to defeat that bug!!"

Luck raised his voice in objection when he noticed Allen had teleported them to Merus's battlefield, with no explanation provided.

"I agree. What's the meaning of this? We should be fighting Virdiga."

«I, I too concur with them, Allen-san. If we didn't return, then Isiris—»

"I know it was sudden, but I needed to take action immediately, and the situation wouldn't have allowed me to explain. I apologise for that. Anyway, we must figure out what the Demon King's army's true objective is. Also, you can be rest assured, Space-Time God. The Demon's target doesn't fall in Magic God's territory, so they shouldn't be targeting her.»

Compelled by the movement of demons, Allen made a quick work of his explanation, interrupting even the god's speech. It was a race against time, and he couldn't explain his entire reasoning in a short moment. 

Demon King's army wasn't run by some nobody, they knew very well challenging Allen's party alone was a task too big for Virdiga. Yet, Mara left her advantage and decided to shift here. 

(Divine Realm's strongest force is locked in Divine Arena. The Space-Time God's territory was raided, and his space-time management system was plundered. If so, then this Heavenly Kingdom had been their main objective. Plus there's no sighting of Ordo who had the ability to sever the god's domains.)

Thoughts surged through Allen’s mind at a relentless pace, too vast to voice aloud.

The domain of the Magic God was sealed away by the Space-Time God. Without Ordo, who alone could sever such restrictions, it couldn’t be invaded easily. That alone made it an unlikely target.

"I agree, we're pressed into a situation where time is everything. I, too, believe we should act on Allen-sama's strategy. So, what's our next step, Allen-sama!"

When Sophie showed no reluctance, the others also swallowed their next words, including Space-Time God. 

"Thanks. Sophie, I need you and Luck to join Merus, and start with buffing him and others. The cooldowns have already been reset.” 

(Merus is much better with his speed. Once he gets pom-pom to raise his agility, he should change to twin swords.)

«Oh, I understand. So, we're chasing that traitorous angel, is it?»

Allen's teleportation had coincided with Rosen casting her blessing, thus also basking in its effect. The first step was to buff Merus.

"Rosen-sama!!"

"Fabul!!|

«Hey!! We received the summon of Divine Easley.»

It appeared the two spirit gods had already perceived their arrival, despite the distance that lay between them. 

The situation might have been tense, but Sophie and Luck's faces only brightened up as they met them, and turned to cast their own skills and divine technique, as Allen had commanded, to buff their allies. 

Allen kept his vigilant gaze trained on Fiend King Mara. She was drawing closer to Gandira’s head, where the demon giant was still undergoing repairs after taking a direct hit from a Magic Cannon (Ultimate).

«So, just to confirm, there are no target presences in this area?»

«...Target presence - negligible. High probability of hiding inside the royal castle. High likelihood of being on the upper third level.»

«I see. Given the extent of our search we have gone through, that’s the most  logical assumption. At least we’ve managed to divert their attention with this maneuver. Proceed to request reinforcements and keep the enemy engaged.”

«Transferring 100 reinforcements.»

*Fwoosh*

The conversation had yet to end when 100's of demons and archdemons already saw themselves into the battlefield. It seemed Ordo had, as he mentioned earlier, arranged for reinforcements. The transfer was most likely carried out by Shinonom, using the Time-Space Control System.

«I want 10 of the archdemons to follow me. The others continue to tackle the opponent!!»

«Argarghaa!!»

Over at the Divine Arena, the battle against the Combat Gods, Armament God, and other angels had already taken its toll. The demons had slain at least one. After a series of violent battles, demons looked as ragged as downtrodden zombies, having been nearly unkillable after the use of Evil Orb. 

They had a fleeting look on their faces, as if their presence of mind had been diluted, though they still made some incoherent garble in response to Mara's command. 

(Hmm, so Mara's target is Rabul?)

Allen made a guess as he captured Mara heading for Royal Capital. Kuwataro was unable to follow them with «Pursuit Sight» anymore, and Allen himself was located at a great distance, so this was the only hint he could gain as he watched their movement via «Farsight», Bird E's skill. 

(Hmm, Virdiga is retreating?)

There had been three reasons why Allen decided to follow Mara and jumped to Heavenly Kingdom—

1. He had wanted to confirm Mara's planning.

2. It was just the timing when spirit gods took their entry in the battlefield, a perfect chance to reset their cooldown and have Sophie and Luck help Merus with buffs to ease their burden.

3. What would Virdiga do when they're not there to block him at Space-Time God's territory? And the step he took confirmed his theory that their actual target lied in Heavenly Kingdom.

(I guess we should return to Space-Time God's territory.)

«Merus, follow Mara's movement.»

«Understood.»

Allen directed Merus on his next movements via «Transmission» skill, making sure their comrades learned of their strategy while Merus extracted himself from the frontline. 

Meanwhile, he chose to teleport back, affirming Virdiga's movement. After being left alone, Virdiga had moved to the 2nd floor where Shinonom was, requesting him for a retreat from the Divine Realm. All of this was cautiously monitored by Bird E, peering from the gap between that Ordo had cut open with his skill.

«Hey, Shinonom. The troublemakers have disappeared somewhere. Prepare for retreat. Tsk, those bugs are annoying!»

«Chiiiiirp!?»

*Fwoosh*

Suddenly, Virdiga flashed his big scythe, and slashed at the peeping Bird E. There was no way for Bird E to resist, and got dispatched in just one hit. The other Bird E met a similar fate, being drowned among the avalanche of demon's magic. 

"Grr, now what? Dispatch Demon? Supply reinforcement from Demon King Castle?! What have you taken me for?! It's impossible!! You hear me? There's no peace for a second!!"

Though they were cleared out, in the last moments, Allen caught the whispers of Virdiga and Shinonom, with Virdiga hinting to use the space-time system to put back the Demon King's army.

"Sure enough, Virdiga requested for a retreat. No, he isn't going anywhere. Everyone, we're returning."

«I, too, must retrieve the control of the Space-Time Administrative System.»

«You're right. We can’t let them use it anymore for their nefarious plan.»

After dispatching Merle to track Mara's movement, Allen returned back to Space-Time God's territory with his party members. 

Their arrival was immediately intercepted by remaining demons and archdemons. There were barely 40 of them left. 

«......You are back? I don't know what you're cooking there, but you shouldn't have.»

"Heh, tall words! It's not even the end yet!!"

«I see, you have not given up yet. All of you, entertain them for a while—»

Noticing their arrival, Virdiga immediately guided the demons to slow down Allen and his team member's tracks.

"Sophie and Formar, stick to support. Luck, it's your turn!"

"Let's gooo!!"

Allen and Luck plunged themselves against the demon's horde.

"Oryaaaaaaa!!"

T/N - If your preferred genre is dungeon x light-hearted story, try out LET ME SPEND MONEY, DAMMIT!