Chapter 326 - The Start of the Invasion

Three years after defeating the human alliance Kretos was standing at the top of his Castle. For the past three years, he had been waiting for another good challenge, but none arrived. The humans did keep on harassing him by sending their armies every now and then, but those guys were too weak. 

'Are they just dumb or do they really think doing this little skirmishes will achieve something?... This is getting a bit annoying.'

"Shera." 

"My lord." Shera appeared behind Kretos and knelt. 

"Tell the Oni Tribe, and the Vampire Tribe to gather and take over the human city that's guarding the Canyon. If I remember correctly the city is called Touma City or something like that." 

"It will be done as you wish my lord." Shera saluted before leaving. 

"Hmm, are you sure about this? The Onis and the Vampires aren't really tribes that get along with each other. The Onis think the Vampires are wimps that can't get their hands dirty. On the other hand, the Vampires think the Onis are dumb brutes that have nothing but muscles." Tsukiko spoke as she appeared beside Kretos. 

"Either they work together or they'll be punished, I wonder which one they would prefer?"

"Are you forcing them to like each other?" 

"I'm not forcing anyone to like each other, I just want them to work together," Kretos answered while looking at some monsters fighting at a distance. 

"That's the same thing. Well whatever, I'm heading out to watch them."

"Nobody is asking you to do that." 

"Well, I'm not one of your subordinates so you can't order me around. I felt like doing it so I'm doing it." Tsukiko was about to leave when Kretos suddenly grab hold of her hand. 

"What is it?" 

"I don't know why, but I have a feeling that something is wrong. It's better if you don't go to this one." 

"Oh, are you worried about me?" Tsukiko teasingly smiled as one of her tails brushed Kretos's face. 

"Of course I'm worried," Kretos answered with a serious look on his face which startled Tsukiko who wasn't expecting him to answer like that. The three-century-year-old fox started blushing furiously as she had her head down. It took her quite some time to be able to calm herself down. She then looked at Kretos's eyes and saw something different.

In those eyes that usually only see battle, there was a hint of worry. The only time Tsukiko has seen Kretos show such a face was when he was trying to save the werewolf girl, Leila. If anyone else saw the look in Kretos's eyes they would be even more surprised than Tsukiko.

The strongest Demon Lord, the battle junkie, the slayer of demon lords and heroes, the conqueror of the demon lands. He had many impressive nicknames, he was synonymous with power and victory. Yet here he stood looking at Tsukiko with worry. 

Tsukiko didn't like the look Kretos was showing, it was as if she was holding him back. That look Kretos was showing her coupled with what he said made it seem like she was a caged bird. It was as if she somehow became a weakness for him. 

Tsukiko didn't like that she didn't like that at all, the Kretos she knew, the Kretos she loves was someone who stood tall and proud. He was arrogant beyond belief and unafraid of anything and everything. So when she saw the worry in his eyes Tsukiko hated it so much. She was a demon lord a former one but her power was still at the top. 

"Don't worry Kretos, if something were to happen, which I doubt, I'll escape. Don't underestimate me, even if a hero appears I can still flee. Anyway, it's not like you can tell me what I can and cannot do, I can go anywhere I want to go. See you later." Tsukiko disappeared leaving Kretos behind. 

Kretos didn't understand why but he really felt like something was going to happen, he just couldn't quite grasp what it was. 

'Should I follow her? If nothing happens then it's alright, but if something does happen at least I'm there to deal with it.' Kretos was about to leave but the moment he moved he was forcefully transported to the Southern end of the demon lands. 

'A forced teleportation?!' Kretos was surprised there were only a handful of people that could use such a spell on him. As he was wondering who among those people could've done it, an image appeared before him. 

"I knew that you would follow me, so I had placed a teleportation circle underneath your feet without you noticing. If you were to move a few minutes after I left the teleportation spell would activate. This is just a little prank because you didn't trust me." Tsukiko stuck out her tongue and ended the message. 

Listening to the whole message Kretos was dumbfounded, but after a while, a small smile appeared on his face. 'I'm going to punish that little fox later, but for now, I need to quickly move... If I knew this would happen I would have set a teleportation circle near my castle.' 

Unlike Tsukiko who could create teleportation circles wherever and whenever she wants, other people like Kretos needed a bit of time to create one. It was faster to run than to try to create a teleportation circle from scratch. So without further ado, Kretos started running at full speed towards Touma City. 

...

Luke was looking at his companions in Touma City and was feeling a bit nervous. He remembered the scene that happened a few weeks ago. In his house where his wife, sister, and son lived.

"The day has finally come, you remember what I told you right?" Luke asked Anna, the two were having a conversation while their son was sleeping, and Clara was taking care of him. 

"... Yes, but-" Luke didn't allow Anna to finish what she wanted to say as he interrupted her. 

"Promise me that you'll do what I instructed. If something were to happen to me, you-" 

"NO! Don't say that!" This time it's Anna's turn to interrupt Luke as she hugged her husband. "You need to return to us." 

Luke didn't want to lie to Anna. He knew that even though he had planned for everything and he did what could be done, the success of the plan was slim. That's just how strong the enemy was compared to them. He could plan and plan but against overwhelming power, any plan could simply fall apart. You can't just be prepared you need to be extremely lucky as well for his plan to have an inkling of success. 

Luke was uncertain if his plan will succeed or not which is why he was sending his family to stay in the elven forest. It's a good thing he became acquainted with the Prince of the Moon Elves. 

Still seeing his wife looking like this, Luke didn't want to make her worry even more. So instead of telling the truth, Luke told a white lie. He hugged his wife and whispered in her ears. 

"Everything is going to be alright, I planned this out to every single detail. I'm sure this is going to work so don't worry. After I'm done I'll quickly follow you guys to the forest of the elves." 

"You promise?"

"I promise." 

...

When Luke remembered that scene, and as he remembered his family he felt his courage swell up inside of him. Fate had definitely changed and he was the one who changed it. 

'Just a little bit more and I can go home and have my happily ever after.' As he had gathered up his resolve Luke spoke to his men. 

"An army of Onis and Vampires are heading this way as we speak. It's obvious that they plan to take this city and claim it as their own. But we won't let them have it, not without a fight! I have trained you all for this day. It is time to show me the results of that training!" Luke look at each of his men's faces and noticed that they too were looking anxious. 

"I know some of you are scared, truth be told I am too. But we must find the courage to stand up and fight so that we can protect what's important to us. If the demons are allowed to conquer Touma City they'll be able to start a large scale invasion. If we don't stop them here and now, then our families will suffer. So my brothers in arms raise up your shields, grab your weapons, gather your resolve, and show these demons that we are not to be trifled with!" 

The soldiers in Touma City let out an incredible battle cry. The Mana and Holy Cannons on top of the newly made walls that have been enhanced by different spells were being prepared. The soldiers at the front no longer seem so scared. Looking at the scene before him, made Luke's mouth curve upward. Luke then gazed at the distance and mumbled. 

"It's time to change fate."