Chapter 263: Holy war

In the grand palace hall, nestled within the high tower's secret chamber, a gathering of individuals sat around a large, round table, their eyes fixed upon a magical crystal that projected a holographic map of the continent before them.

Fourteen figures, cloaked in shadow and silence, watched solemnly as the unfolding events of the war played out before their eyes.

"Kingdom of Usra, The Free City of Polynesia, and the Union Federation—three countries lost in just the first two months since this war began," murmured a bearded man, his voice heavy with despair.

"Do we really have no hope left?" another voice interjected, tinged with desperation.

Laughter, bitter and hollow, rippled through the chamber. "If we had any hope, the gods above would've intervened on our behalf long ago," a voice scoffed.

"But angels did come down..." someone countered, their tone hopeful yet tinged with uncertainty.

Though the mention of angels briefly sparked a glimmer of optimism, the reality of their situation quickly overshadowed any fleeting hope. Despite the celestial intervention, the onslaught of demons continued unabated, laying waste to neighboring countries with merciless efficiency.

In the dim light of the chamber, the faces of the gathered individuals were etched with worry and resignation. Each passing day brought new reports of devastation and loss, each victory against the demons coming at a heavy price.

As they watched the holographic map flicker and shift, revealing the relentless advance of the enemy forces, the weight of their collective burden pressed down upon them like a suffocating blanket.

In the face of overwhelming odds, they knew that their only recourse was to stand together, to strategize, and to fight for the survival of their empire. But whether their efforts would be enough to stem the tide of darkness remained to be seen.

Everything that was happening right now happened 2 days since Queen Mavis had been safely returned to the empire, a brief respite before the storm of chaos descended upon the land.

In an onslaught that defied comprehension, an unfathomable horde of demons poured forth from the north, launching a devastating assault on the neighboring countries.

The free kingdoms, unbound by allegiance to any empire, were the first to fall, their defenses crumbling in the face of the relentless onslaught.

Even the western countries, renowned for their military prowess and formidable fortifications, proved no match for the corrupted miasma that surrounded the demons, choking the life from everything it touched.

In this dark hour, not even the dragons, revered as the guardians of balance in the world, could stem the tide of destruction.

Though they fought valiantly, their efforts were futile against the overwhelming numbers of their demonic adversaries. It was as if the very fabric of reality itself had been rent asunder, allowing the demons to swarm unchecked across the land.

As the chaos unfolded, the nature's strongest allies—the elves, the dwarves, and the other denizens of the natural world—found themselves faced with an impossible choice. With the balance of the world teetering on the brink of collapse, they could ill afford to risk a futile battle against the high-ranking demons that led the invasion.

Instead, they chose to rally beneath the banner of their dragon lords, seeking guidance and protection in the face of the encroaching darkness.

With a heavy sigh, the emperor surveyed the faces gathered around him, each one a grim testament to the dire state of their world.

Haggard and worn, with dark circles etched beneath weary eyes, they represented the last bastions of power in their respective countries.

Yet despite their collective wisdom and authority, they found themselves at a loss for a plan of action in the face of the unfolding crisis.

Each person present bore the weight of their own nation's fate upon their shoulders, but fear and indecision gripped them like a vice, paralyzing their ability to act.

What could they hope to achieve against the relentless tide of demonic onslaught that threatened to consume them all?

Their predicament was a bitter reminder of the consequences of their past mistakes.

The decision to isolate their countries behind impenetrable barriers, in a misguided attempt to protect themselves from the looming threat, had only served to hasten their downfall.

If only they had acted sooner, if only they had unified humanity in the face of the impending doom, perhaps they could have stood a chance against the encroaching darkness.

But now, as they grappled with the harsh reality of their situation, they could only lament the opportunities lost and the roads not taken.

The hero they had placed their faith in was gone, vanished into the mists of legend, leaving them to face their fate alone.

And as the demons amassed their forces in the north, their countries stood on the brink of annihilation, saved from total destruction only by the presence of the archangels stationed within their borders—a fragile barrier against the relentless tide of evil that threatened to engulf them all.

"Hmm, because of the urgency of the situation, things have gotten a bit chaotic. But your other lovers are currently under my protection," Loki declared proudly, snapping his fingers once more to reveal a live video feed of my girlfriends.

There they were, resting peacefully together. Louise was nestled in Aria's embrace, while Ana lay nearby, sleeping peacefully on her own. Seeing them safe brought a measure of comfort amidst the chaos that surrounded us.

"Right now, they are in a constant dream world of their dreams, and trust me, those two blondies in particular have some pretty kinky dreams! Hahaha," Loki remarked, laughing.

"They've been asleep for weeks now ever since this holy war started, but don't worry, they are being constantly fed with my energy," Aunt said gently, her voice a soothing presence amidst the turmoil.

"But wouldn't your divinity be poison for them?" I asked, concern lacing my words. Even if Aunt held back, she was still a being above the mortal world. Taking energy from such a source could prove fatal.

"You don't have to worry about that. Who do you think I am? In our family, I'm the only one who can walk freely within the mortal world without causing much harm, you know? And besides, Mother has blessed all of them, making it easier for me to give them energy," Aunt reassured me.

I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling reassured by her words.

"Adrian... How do you feel?" Sis asked, breaking her silence as she gently floated closer, her hand resting on my chest.

I smiled at her, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment wash over me. "I feel alive."

Right now, this beating black heart inside of me is the real me... Haah... I can feel it in the itch of my skin, this power, this energy, this was truly me.

"Adrian, are you hungry?" Sis's gentle voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes," I replied, feeling the gnawing hunger in the pit of my stomach. It was like a bottomless pit, a craving that seemed insatiable.

Sis then opened a black portal near me.

"Did you prepare something?" I inquired, curious about what awaited me on the other side.

"Yes," she confirmed, her tone calm and reassuring.

As I slowly rose to my feet, a single step forward caused the ground beneath me to break. Confusion washed over me, but Loki's exclamation drew my attention. "Wow~! Even your physical strength increased! Just how dense is your body right now, Adrian?"

"Be careful, Ian... Right now, your strength is dangerous," Aunt warned, her concern evident in her voice.

"Yeah..." I acknowledged, realizing the potential danger my newfound strength posed, especially to those around me. It would take some time before I could safely interact with the girls again. Despite my longing to see them, it was a risk I couldn't afford to take.

With cautious steps, I made my way towards the portal, curiosity nagging at me since I woke up.

"By the way, where is Mom?" I asked, wondering about her whereabouts given the current circumstances it should be easy for her to incarnate into the mortal world now....

"She's waiting," Aunt replied cryptically when I asked about Mom's whereabouts.

"Waiting?" I echoed, puzzled by her response.

"Yes, don't worry about it for now. Step into the portal; you look really hungry right now," Aunt urged, diverting my attention away from further questions.

Hungry indeed, I obediently stepped into the portal. As I crossed the threshold, a wave of relief washed over me, and the scenery around me changed drastically. My eyes widened in surprise at the sight before me.

Enclosed within a birdcage-like prison were a group of winged beings, their forms tattered and broken. Despite their dire circumstances, a gentle aura of light surrounded them, a testament to their angelic nature.

"Angels?" I gasped, shocked by the realization of who they were. How many had Aunt and the others captured?

As I cautiously approached, the attention of the captive angels shifted towards me.

Panic spread among them at the sight of my arrival.

"Monster!" They all screamed in horror, their voices echoing in the enclosed space. At first, I was taken aback by their reaction, but as I glanced at my reflection in a nearby puddle, I finally understood their terror.

My appearance was no longer the familiar face I once knew. Instead, it was a grotesque visage of darkness, with no discernible form except for the countless eyes staring back at me and a menacing set of razor-sharp teeth. I had truly become a monster.