Episode 1166 Grand Gathering (1)
Third arrangement – Sixth Apostle.
He sacrificed Delharun’s gate to spread the undead army across the continent, causing a surge in casualties.
The snails of Lake Pendren polluted the cities and life near the lake, causing a surge in casualties.
The First Sect of the Southern Eastern Continent corrupted the living with fear, causing a surge in casualties.
The Ternetian Federation’s gate nearly devastated the southern part of the central continent, and as soon as it was closed, it sent all the undead north, causing another surge in casualties.
The other four gates were nothing more than bases and bait. Only the four gates were used for the purposes pursued by the Xerion Empire.
Killing as many as possible.
However, it is insufficient.
I haven’t killed enough yet.A few more must die.
The atmosphere altered by the evil dragon Nekbael drained the vitality of the Maren Kingdom. Casualties also skyrocketed. The Maren Kingdom reached a point where it could not recover its national strength by its own power alone.The Ternetia Federation was also annihilated, and the Habu Beastmen Tribe and the Ronia Kingdom perished.
We need to kill more.
Akand advanced south from the Iderat Confederacy into the Scalum Gorge, destroying several cities. There were no survivors. As expected, casualties skyrocketed.
Insufficient.
The death scattered by the Xerion Empire relentlessly devoured life. Life struggled, and death writhed. They bit and tore at each other.
More sacrifices are needed.
The world war is an altar, and each battlefield is a ritual. To end the ritual, one must head to the land where corrupted mountain ranges and a red sea coexist.The Mountains of Corpses and the Sea of Blood are indeed the mission received by the Sixth Apostle.
Kwagwagwagwagwagwagwang!
The Citadel, having torn memories from the souls of the dead, targeted and annihilated the World Alliance headquarters. A massive chain of concentrated morale pierced the ancient fortress and exploded, sweeping through the interior.
The members of the Alliance outside the fortress were stunned by the completely unexpected raid.
“What is that….”“It is the Citadel of the Xerion Empire. I don’t know how, but it seems they have located the headquarters. Hurry. You two check on the leadership first.”
Of course, there were also those who regained their composure amidst the biting deception.
The rest of you take up arms.
Swarms of the undead soon poured down from the Citadel like a waterfall.Flowers and leaves withered.The moment the cool breeze passed the Citadel, it emitted a rotting stench.
Swords clashed. As magic struck, the peaceful nature instantly transformed into a battlefield. Priests seeking miracles sang sacred hymns as they confronted brutal death, corruption, and terror.
Then, a transparent crack appeared over the wreckage of the headquarters.
Kuoooooh.
The informants in charge of the World Alliance’s intelligence network fell from the rift. Beta was at the very front, and Pale slumped down beside her.
Jeren Chedwill, the Director of the Investigation Bureau of the Magic Kingdom, broke out in a cold sweat as he let out a breath that had risen to his chin, with the bracelet on his finger leading the way.
‘N-Aren’t I late…!’
Ancient Artifact [Severance].
One of the Magic Kingdom’s secret treasures that temporarily severs the outside and inside through a spatial fault.Upon activation, movement from the affected area is impossible, but it can nullify all effects. This was an exclusive privilege passed down through generations of Investigation Bureau Chiefs.
As the Director of the Investigation Bureau knows most of the secrets of the Magic Kingdom, he always possesses the means to perfectly protect himself as well as the means of suicide from which nothing can save him. That, too, was the Director’s duty.To keep his mouth shut while alive,or to forget while dead.Of these, [Severens] fell into the former category.
Pale shouted immediately.
“Communicate with all corps commanders!”
[We will proceed with the remaining Samun raid as planned. Please check for survivors.]
Beta used the characteristics of the Earth Golem to maximize the scale of the frame. Height 6 meters… … 11 meters… … 19 meters. While gradually growing in size, a humanoid undead with a grotesquely gaping mouth burst in.
[Kyaa───]
Boom!
Beta crushed him before he could even let out a scream that shook the mental world.
Height 23 meters.
Beta transformed into a giant golem and protected the area with a massive magical barrier. Meanwhile, informants used
“Damn it……!”“There’s a survivor here!!”
However, not all personnel except for those in the control room were wiped out.
The collapsed basement entrance shook.
Artificial golems equipped with various magic items pushed their way up the debris. The basement of the headquarters was a research zone where golem research was being conducted.
“W-what is going on…?!”“Ah, Tilber! Bring out the entire Golem unit downstairs right now! Everything currently under research, too!”
Tilber Spengier, a disciple of Alpha and Beta, was lucky enough to survive.
Those on the outskirts of the fortress who were indirectly caught in the explosion also began to appear one by one, severely or lightly injured.
Magnus the Golden Sinner and Reginalf the Death Sinner also emerged from the pile of rubble. There was a slight crack in Magnus’s golden skeleton.
[Are you alright, Reginalf?]
“Right, I guess it’s not time to die yet.”
Reginalf raised his gaze.
“That is the… fortress of Arkhand.”
[… … It is a terrifying aura of death.]
The two sinners who had contributed to the war of the Xerion Empire during their lifetimes finally faced their original sin.
Excluding the control room, approximately 60% of the personnel operating within headquarters diedin a single, unexpected surprise attack.
Generally, extinction was only a matter of time, but the individuals active at the Alliance headquarters were not so easily defeated.
“Deploy siege defenses!”“Ugh…!”“Retreat and fight back! Just stall for time!”
Furthermore, the World Union headquarters had left some troops behind to prepare for any contingencies.Although the possibility of the enemy reaching this place was virtually nonexistent, they did not leave the area completely empty because even the slightest chance existed.
Of course, if things continue like this, massacre is inevitable.
Therefore, the punitive expeditions operating across the continent were the only lifeline.
Reinforcements will be here soon!
Since this place is based on ancient ruins, direct spatial travel is impossible.Therefore, even Beta could not understand how and by what principle the Citadel had crossed over directly to the Alliance Headquarters without any warning.
In any case, some personnel dropped out and opened the Ancient Gate, the only entrance and exit. Now, if they waited for the punitive force to arrive in the foggy canyon and stalled for time against the Citadel, they should be able to survive.Of course, that was under the premise that they could hold out—
“Huh?”“What, why….”
However, the difficult-to-understand situation continued.
Kugugugugugu… … .
The Citadel, having devastated the headquarters, began to move instead of continuing the airstrike. Even if it had just remained in the air and fired massive chains, it would have been lethal, yet it voluntarily moved out of its advantageous position.
west.
The Citadel is moving westward.
The people who had been shrouded in the shadow of the massive island saw the sun once again. The undead on the ground remained, but the flying entities retreated menacingly, as if guarding the area around the Citadel.It was no different from a retreat.
Instinctively, I felt a sense of relief that I had survived, but the sense of unease was greater.
Is it just my imagination?
The sky island was just like a lure.
A tempting and dangerous bait flickering before their eyes, waiting only for them to snatch it up…The Allied Forces were not foolish fish, yet they could not take their eyes off the Citadel. And, they could not give up that immense temptation.
The war will end if the Citadel, the imperial castle of the Xerion Empire, is captured. The former king, left alone with nowhere to return to and no legions to lead, is nothing to fear.
The end of the war is imminent.
[A new order is delivered to all Extermination Corps. Led by Jeren Chedwill, track the Citadel, and using its real-time location data, the World Alliance pursues the Citadel with all its capabilities.]
Beta couldn’t miss this opportunity either.
[This is the final siege.]
The informants shuddered at the word “final.” They would have been willing to sell their souls to the devil if it meant putting an end to the great war that had dragged on for dozens of days, in which countless people were being slaughtered.
Director of Investigation Zeren let out a shout.
“Chase him──────!”
The World Alliance launched an attack on the Sky Island.
Come, everyone.
* * *
The news that the Alliance headquarters had been ambushed at the Citadel was immediately conveyed to all Legion Commanders capable of communication.Information that it was moving westward from Highlandia was also transmitted.
[The enemy’s main force has marched… and raiding the World Alliance headquarters at that. Indeed, indeed. I can clearly sense the former king’s intentions.]
The Sky Dragon Aerodon flapped its small wings on the world map. Acting as if it were both a strategist and a commander, it gleamed, claiming that the ancient king’s moves had been read.
[It is a trap. A massive trap designed to draw out the Alliance’s forces to the Citadel.]
“For what purpose?”
[It is obvious just by looking that this is intended to wear down the World Alliance. If he assembles all his forces to capture the Citadel and then vanishes again via spatial displacement based on unknown principles, it will be a huge nuisance for the Alliance. Are there still too many undead running rampant on the continent? However, now that the Citadel has appeared, we can’t just sit by and watch; they will end up being dragged along, unable to manage either side while trying to deal with both. In other words! The Old King’s goal is to prolong the war! Ahem!]
Aerodon puffed up.
Prolonged war.
Emperor Jeracle shook his head inwardly. It was not that there were circumstances suggesting otherwise, but his innate political sense could not accept it.
‘Arkhand Lineagea Tyne Xerion. The lord seated upon a mountain of corpses, recorded in the future murals of the Archdemon Molgarn.’
I remember him from the meeting. Judging by his character, he was not the type to make a war tedious. On the contrary, if anything, he would push hard.
If they had intended to operate the Citadel strategically, there surely would have been a better time and method. With most commanders eliminated and more than half of the Gates closed, why now of all times…
What is Akand’s remaining strategy?
In any case, there was one aspect of Aerodon’s interpretation that I agreed with: that the Citadel itself is a massive trap. That would be the most terrifying trap of all.After all, even knowing it is a trap, one cannot help but enter it.
[Will you go after all? It’s a trap.]
“There are times in this world when you must do something, even if it means taking risks. If you want, I can send you to the battlefield, too.”
[No! You go!]
Aerodon hid behind the cushion. He hadn’t taken a single step out of the room since hearing the news that the Red Dragon Sarkandra had appeared in the Demon Realm.
[Gyaak! If you knew how cruel an ancient dragon Sarkandra is, you wouldn’t be able to say such things! It would be a good death to die right away; becoming a toy means you can’t die even if you want to… …!]
As you can see, he had a fit whenever the topic of Sarkandra came up.
The habits of Sarkandra.The ecology of the Demon Realm.… … .
Aerodon knows that his most powerful weapon is such knowledge. Therefore, he did not readily provide all information to the Empire, but instead tried to avoid losses by releasing it only through trade.
There is still much to hear.
Emperor Zeracl wanted to reveal the unknowns of the world as a pure human, and because he was a pure human, also for the sake of true humanity.
Swoosh.
Emperor Jeracle put on his helmet. He had worn armor throughout the entire battle. He possessed no great combat ability, but his stature was the empire itself.
Prepare for the Great Transition.
The Shadow Lord issued a royal order to the legion through his knight order.
The Arnark Empire’s forces had assembled before news of the Citadel reached them, as the outline of the conclusion seemed to be gradually becoming visible.
I will march toward the central continent.
Do you know when the most profound impression can be left in a war?It is the beginning and the end.
Now is the time to step forward.Politically, that is the right thing to do.
* * *
Two groups clashed across the borders of the Arnak Empire. In the chaotic battlefield, humans with neck restraints took charge of the front lines.
“Freedom! Freedom!!!!!!!!!”“Hahahahahaha, it’s a reduced sentence!!”
Most of them were special criminals of such high caliber that they were imprisoned in separate underground dungeons and would normally not have been able to escape alive.
Although they were all difficult creatures to deal with, he took the lead in crushing the undead more zealously than anyone else, having been promised limited freedom or reduced sentences by the Emperor based on his exploits in the war.His excitement reached its peak as he was able to move freely for the first time in a long while.
Reducing the depletion of national power by deploying trash that is utterly useless to the international community into war—there could be no more efficient recycling than this.
The mages of the Magic Tower, including Lobeline, burned and distorted the battlefield, forming successive elemental barriers to exterminate the undead on a wide scale.Dwarven weaponry struck the enemy lines.Any individual that barely made it past that line had to face the Eastern Continent’s defense forces in close combat. The Empire’s strategy and tactics were no different from centuries of history.
And, on the side of that battlefield, transcendent beings clashed.
Boom!
Grand Duke Rivandale was pushed back as he blocked the massive arm extending from the rift.His beloved sword, [Etes], vibrated. The Wave Sword sliced through the flow of evil spirits.
The 5th Commander reacted weakly to the rift where the 134th forearm had been severed by the undefendable sword energy. He sensed a feeling of rage from the man. Its intensity was clearly greater than before.
The rift is an exoskeleton and a shell, and the countless arms within are the entity connected to the main body. Unless you enter the rift, you cannot kill it.
Grand Duke Rivandale closely analyzed the 5th Commander throughout the battle. Although his entire body was battered from the fierce fighting, he ultimately sustained only minor injuries.His clothes were merely torn or soiled, and there was no damage amounting to serious injury.
And, even the 5th Commander cannot kill me this way.
The current war situation is in favor of the Empire.
Unless a new undead legion descends, there is no reason to be pushed back. The Xerion Empire would not have the capacity to deploy large-scale additional forces here.
The 5th Commander is the one who is impatient.
So I wait.Until he becomes bold.
Kagagagagagagagagagang!
Grand Duke Rivandale responded to the 741 large and small arms with precision and flexibility.The perfected form of basics.Just as no one can match a master in weapon techniques, there is no transcendent being who can surpass Grand Duke Rivandale when it comes to the fundamentals of such martial arts.
The rift flickered and moved moment by moment, attempting to exploit the anti-aircraft fire’s blind spots, but regrettably, there were no gaps in the perfected foundation.He was like elusive oil, and at times, like a wave that crushed even bedrock.
A total of 180 arms flew off.
[Arnark’s Sword.]
[Roderick Leevandale.]
Eventually, the moment the 231 arms were severed and fell, the crack pulsated.
He’s coming.
A crack opened.
Kwag
510 arms poured out in unison. Overflowing to the left and right, they widely blocked the escape routes and pressured the space. The pressure, which felt crushing just to be inside, choked Grand Duke Rivandale’s breath.
The flow formed by the corpse’s arms overwhelmed and dominated the space.
“Sigh.”
A wave of energy rang out from the Grand Duke’s [Etes].
Transcendence.
Seiryu
Following the afterimage traced by the sword, the essence of the waves was reversed, causing the density to change.Areas of infinitely low density became empty spaces where nothing could enter, while conversely, phenomena concentrated in areas of high density, forcibly twisting the trajectories of the 5th Commander’s arms.Every flow followed the path of his sword.
Grand Duke Rivandale did not stop there, but stomped his feet with all his might and twisted his waist.The blade surged forward, curving.
Transcendence, its connection.
echo
The waves carried by the blade amplified several times and exploded in the exact opposite direction. The flow reversed. Morale was twisted, and even the master was forgotten.
[ah?]
All 510 arms were completely shattered, and a large crack appeared in the fissure itself. Then it broke. A giant baby figure was dragged out from within.
Is that your true self?
The wave of sword energy instantly sliced through the skin. The bone was severed immediately. Seven sword marks soon appeared on the 5th Commander’s body.
Then the guy said.
[Grand Duke, the Empire is not yours.]
“……A soul of the past.”
Grand Duke Rivandale left behind the baby that brought back memories of the past.
He no longer cared about that undead creature harboring a human soul or memory.Nor did he care about its backstory. He simply protects the Empire.
“Go away.”
Whoosh!
The 5th Commander died.
Grand Duke Rivandale roughly wiped the sweat from his chin and returned to his camp. He did not execute the kill. He was certain that the man was dead.As soon as he returned, he received the orders from Emperor Jeracle.
To the Central Continent.To the Siege of the Citadel .
* * *
The Demon Realm outpost was devastated by Sarkandra, but there were survivors. With the help of the Alliance, they rallied the area and retreated.Only a few remained to guard the Demon Realm.
Because they needed to know whether the Demon Realm Suppression Corps had succeeded or failed. If the Gate of Death had not been closed, the Allied Forces would have had to respond immediately.
“……Something is coming.”
A presence was felt at the boundary of the Demon Realm.
Soon, someone came out.
“Sword Saint?”“What? Is it undead?”“No, it’s alive!”
I moved to help immediately.
Lord of the Empire───Sword Saint Privalt let out a gasp of pain in a wretched state and knelt.
“Finally…… outside.”
