Episode 1082 Strong Hand (2)
The 8th-tier super magic
An incantation to drop a meteor of destruction from outer space.
If we consider only pure destructive power, we can boast that it is the greatest and best magic in the history of Verden, even including when the Gray Divine Power is unleashed.
Therefore, the price is inevitable.
It takes a considerable amount of time to cast Alien Annihilation again.During that time, retries are impossible.
furthermore…….
As a side effect of the magic surpassing even extreme levels, destruction ‘intensifies’ for a while. Intensification means that the inherent nature of destruction becomes more ferocious than before.
To put it simply, could it be called a magic rampage?
When facing the Empress of Delharun, even Verden’s body and soul were damaged as the price of the magical manifestation.
Magic rampage is a higher concept than this.
From now on, the more the magic
It was the result Verden intended.
“Normally, I respond with Infinite Magic, and when necessary, I finish them off with Magic of Destruction.”
This time, the Xerion Empire has experienced Verden’s military power beyond their expectations. Therefore, they will devise a corresponding strategy to respond.Just as the three Transcendents of the Glory of the Dead willingly sacrificed parts of their consciousness while using terminals to avert the destruction of their main bodies.
… … counter that head-on with destruction much stronger from the rampage of magic.
A prediction that surpasses predictions.
The Xerion Empire will pour considerable power into killing Verden, so if that is thwarted, the victory of the World Alliance becomes a foregone conclusion.
You have to drive the wedge in firmly.
Verden had absolutely no intention of prolonging the war like the First Transcendental War.
* * *
The opening ceremony must be grand yet overwhelming.
Only by implanting the possibility of victory into the minds of all allies, and instilling in them the faith and spirit to endure until the very end of this great war with no end in sight, can we kill even just a little more and die a little less.
In that sense, the opening magic personally cast by Verden succeeded in raising the morale of the Allied Forces, which had already been heightened by the execution of Lunesica, to a whole new level.
The Alliance Leader has arrived!!
Admiration beyond awe.
Even though several days had passed since the outbreak of war, the emotions clearly visible on the faces of the World Allied Forces did not subside; on the contrary, they intensified.
In the past thousand years of human history, most transcendent beings left behind their own records.To be precise, they were recorded from the perspective of their respective eras.
How great, dangerous, and worthy of the unique term ‘transcendent’ they are—beings who are no different from other humans in appearance… the inhabitants of each era described their achievements in various ways.
Destruction of a nation.Massacre.Trigger for war.Salvation of lives. National salvation.Nation-building.Salvation of the continent.Pioneering an era.Dissemination of ideas.New concepts.… … .
The stories of the transcendents gave the feeling of reading a science fiction novel.However, the transcendents were not fiction but actual beings who caused various upheavals across the world, and those who believed in or experienced their existence felt fear, yet also longing and excitement for the legends.
And, the pinnacle of the transcendent being recognized by the world has remained unchanged from about five centuries ago until now.
First Demon King, Oldarc Ruin Akenad.
The status of the one and only 9th-tier Transcendent was something that even time could not tarnish. Even the Transcendents of that time challenged Oldarc only to see a massive wall they could not overcome.
He is revered as the God of Magic by virtually every being, regardless of race, so even the most flowery language would not be enough to describe the extent of his achievements and power.
But… … the past is far away, and the present is close.
The first Demon King was the absolute ruler of the past, and Verden is the ruler of the present. No matter what you have heard or imagined, nothing is more intense and impressive than seeing it with your own eyes.
The undead army was annihilated by a dark red meteor.
A living disaster in every sense of the word.
The gaze of everyone toward Verden began to resemble that of the first Demon King about five centuries ago.
“Lord Verden, I will report on the current battle situation.”“Alright.”
The headquarters of the Alliance of Transcendents located in Highlandia.
A control center was established here to oversee all communications and information related to the World Alliance.The control center served as a sort of head, commanding the Alliance forces with top-tier intelligence officers from across the continent, including the Empire and the Magic Kingdom, stationed there in shifts.
Whoooosh.
Verden placed his hand on a sharp corner and looked down at [Materias], a three-dimensional magical world map. On [Materias], the location information of the Allied Forces, directly updated by the intelligence officers, was displayed.
Eon’s intelligence officer – Pale said.
“The massive fleet of the Pendren Suppression Corps is scheduled to arrive at Samun in three days, and the support units of the Demon Realm Suppression Corps have begun securing the route. The Southern Eastern Continent Suppression Corps and the Ternetia Federation Suppression Corps are also advancing, securing the strategic locations they had planned to target.”“What about engagements?”“Except for the Demon Realm, where real-time communication is impossible, it is still quiet.”
Three days have passed since the Battle of Fortein Plains ended in just a few hours. During that time, the punitive forces traveled a considerable distance.Yet, apart from the punitive force commanded by Adrian, no battles occurred.
It is extremely quiet.
Generally, it would not have been surprising if a large-scale battle had occurred, but the Xerion Empire is acting beyond common sense as if it were a matter of course.
Is it a simple strategy, or a sophisticated stratagem?
As of now, time is on Akand’s side.
The longer the gates remain open, the more exponentially the number of the undead increases, placing a greater burden on the World Alliance.As Acetro Oldin said, by mid-autumn, more than half of the continent will be stained with death.
To the Xerion Empire, the Nine Gates are vital strongholds that must be defended at all costs, undead production facilities, and the greatest strategic weapons. If Akhand’s scheme is the violence of overwhelming numbers through the Gates… … .
Verden tapped [Materias] with his fingertips while lost in thought.
Concentration of density. Does that mean they will wait until we enter the front yard?
The interior of the Four Gates is the territory of the Xerion Empire.
They must somehow break through the battlefield, which is disadvantageous to the Allied Forces, and destroy the source body of the Four Gates.This war is the height of absurdity, as the World Alliance is the one being attacked, yet they are compelled to wage a siege rather than a defensive battle.
From Akhand’s perspective, it is advantageous to fight in the territory of the Four Gates.This is because he has secured all the advantages of both offense and defense.Therefore, the best course of action would be to minimize engagements and use the established front line to wage a defensive battle against the Allied forces that have reached the Four Gates, thereby buying time.That is, if one thinks simply and rationally.
‘The problem is… … that Akand is not a being driven solely by reason.’
Even having read about Draven’s life, it was difficult to predict Akhand’s response without information. After all, even he had been deceived by Akhand.Unless he could look directly into the guy’s mind, Verden always had to assume the worst.
It is dangerous to act rashly. Then, is waiting and seeing the best option for now?
Verden quietly stared at the map. Pale silently kept watch by his side. The intelligence officers glanced at Verden and moved ceaselessly.
It was the moment when concentration reached its peak and the surrounding noise became blurred.
No, since I made the first move, I will continue the flow with the strong move.
Verden immediately manipulated [Materias] to expand the Central and Eastern Continents.
“I will immediately narrow the siege of the Four Gates established in the Kingdom of Maren to within line of sight. And, I will simultaneously commence the subjugation of the Four Gates in Delharun.”
It doesn’t react even when stabbed with a sword?Then just stab it deeper until it reacts.
Pale answered.
The Delharun Suppression Corps is capable of carrying out orders immediately, but the troops stationed in the Kingdom of Maren are insufficient. If we advance while securing strategic points, it will take at least two months.
The World Alliance does not possess the military strength to attack all the Four Gates at once. This is because they must ensure defense while executing an attack.The Xerion Empire burned half of the continent eight centuries ago, even without the Four Gates and the Citadel.
For that reason, the emergency summit designated the doors that needed to be closed first.
Pendrenho Sect, Southern Eastern Continent 1st Sect, and Demon Realm Sect are ranked 1st.
The Prohas Sect, the Ternetia Federation Sect, the Southern Eastern Continent 2nd Sect, and the Delharun Sect are ranked 2nd.
The Maren Kingdom’s Four Gates were the last, third in line.
Judging that it was of lower priority compared to other sects, the Maren Kingdom subjugation army had not yet been organized, and only a siege line had been set up around it.
“Of course, if we ignore the traps and advance, we could secure the distance in about a month, but…….”
In Pale’s eyes, Verden seemed to be making a choice with the future in mind. I mean the time after the war ended. Moreover, Verden was too gentle to be called a ruler.Therefore, Pale had no doubt that he would not desire a victory that would leave nothing but corpses and ashes, so he did not bother to finish his sentence.
“That would be the case if the besieging forces just clashed head-on. There is also the risk of total annihilation.”
Verden engraved new marks on the three-dimensional map.
Deploy asymmetric forces.
… … !!
The Alliance informants, who had been engrossed in their mission while keeping their ears open, held their breath.
What is asymmetric power?
They are the pinnacles of the World Alliance, positioned to counter the Xerion Empire’s supreme forces, including the Old King and the Four Dragons. They are closely monitoring the current battlefield, awaiting the arrival of an enemy that the Alliance forces cannot handle.
The Director of the Investigation Bureau of the Akenard Magic Bureau, Jeren Chedwill, approached.
“Then do you intend to close the gates of the Kingdom of Maren and Delharun first?”“Although I have set priorities, they are all gates that must ultimately be closed. If the former king intends to wait for us, we have no choice but to push through in all at once, even beyond that.”
The Allied Forces push forward with added momentum against the shield held out by the Xerion Empire, untilthey are overwhelmed by the force and their center collapses.
“The Water King is deployed to Delharun, and the Tower Master of Lefragium is deployed to the Kingdom of Maren.”“Yes, Commander!”
The informants answered in unison and turned on their communication devices to transmit orders. The independent communication network that Alpha and Beta had painstakingly established moved like a vibrant nervous system.
The Xerion Empire could react at any time and in any way. In particular, tell the Eastern Continent Legion Commander to remain vigilant until the Gates of Delharun are closed.
* * *
The boundary between southern and northern Del Harun.
Mauler – Gareth Cirilliard was staying at the garrison as the commander of the extermination legion. Centered on the gate that the Dark Warton Tower Master had personally sealed, the extermination legion formed an almost perfect encirclement.
“You’re going to attack this sect first? Ha, fine. Of course I should.”
Gareth removed the communication device from his wrist and stepped out of the tent. Myracel, the captain of Delharun’s Royal Guard, skillfully took the device.
“Are you advancing?”“Since the former king isn’t showing much reaction, it seems you intend to provoke him further.”
Delharun Samun acted cautiously and sensitively, saying he would handle it later, but as soon as he saw an opportunity, he immediately tried to bite mercilessly.
“Crazy bastard.”
To Gareth, who had experienced world conferences and summits, Verden was already classified as the craziest transcendent being among all transcendents.
“All troops, battle readiness. Finish this before the beast arrives.”“The King of Water… Yes, I will relay the order immediately.”
Miracel ordered the troops to pay their respects and prepare to march toward the punitive expedition.The bell rang.Although the battle began earlier than expected, the soldiers soon moved in perfect order, and the entire encampment began to arm itself.
Of all people, why did they have to send that beast over here? This sucks.
Gareth was a transcendent being who knew how to distinguish between public and private matters, so he did not refuse orders even if he did not like them. Still, being able to smash those undead bastards would at least relieve some stress.The old king who had been strutting around on the island in the Hyaremar Inland Sea was an even bigger asshole than the Beast King.
Kkuguguk—he lightly stretched his body.
Since Delharun’s Gate is sealed by death and entry is impossible, a skilled individual like Gareth must break the seal from the outside to gain access.
Another world.
Gareth recalled the scene inside the Delharun Gate described by the Darkwarton Tower Master and pondered various strategies for the situation.As the Great King of Delharun before being the Commander of the Delharun Suppression Legion, he was quite an expert in warfare.
“……?”
It was the moment Gareth was about to finish stretching by supporting his spine and arching his upper body.Something was reflected in his eyes, which were turned toward the sky.
What is that? Something like a meteor—
His expression hardened the moment it entered Gareth’s detection range. The distance was so great that only Gareth recognized the object’s true identity.
There is no time to explain.
“Step aside!!!!!!”
Gareth’s shout shook the encampment.
He unleashed his leg power with all his might, deep enough to gouge the ground, and soared vertically. A pale blue energy enveloped his entire body, including his gauntlet.
The flying vehicles, each moving in a straight line, soon collided with Gareth.
Kwaaaaaaaang!
A massive shockwave spread.
Not only did the buildings of the garrison collapse, but the surface was ground away like a sharp storm raging through the desolate terrain characteristic of Delharun.
A giant slammed down next to Miracel.
“Your Majesty!”“Move aside.”
Gareth spat out blood, stood up, and stared straight ahead.Out of the punitive expedition’s encampment.
Koooooong.
Eventually, a black figure descended the hill and reached the ground.
It is indeed convenient.
The armor, heated by friction with the air, cools down.The shadow of a massive sword falls.
“Space travel is.”
Just as Verden went out to the battlefield, the ancient king, Akand, personally marched out.
