Chapter 308: I Shall Take All of You

Chapter 308: I Shall Take All of You

The planes unleashed their bombardment. Despite the overwhelming firepower, the walls created by the Demons were sturdy and difficult to push back.

For some reason, the speed at which the Myriad Demons were pouring down seemed to increase. However, the Empire's firepower hadnt hit its limit yet. The Itimo Group's coaxial machine guns lashed out at the old gods Sky Castles, and the breath spell from the guardian Dragon of Orazen melted the Demons.

A path opened up. Lakrak and the warriors charged at a huge Demon that had withstood the impact of the firepower. This Demon, resembling a crawling Human, had an empty torso from which small Demons continuously came out of, essentially being a Demon factory. While Lakrak and the warriors tied up its head, the fifth apostle of the Pantheon, Harvester Keiju, struck its neck with a giant scythe.

The battle continued in other Sky Castles. Player Bolt always believed that good items had more than one use. Realizing their gas was ineffective against the Demons, Bolt used it differently. The yellow gas ignited easily.

A massive explosion swept through the Sky Castle, turning the upper part into a sea of fire.

The ninth apostle of the Pantheon, Phoenix Aruna, quickly absorbed the flames with its power, securing the march route. Then the fourth apostle, Knight Redin BR Oser, secured the front line with his knights before the Demons could descend. In the rear, the Starkeeper's engineering troops took over an empty Sky Castle for backline support, setting up an emergency landing strip for rapid refueling.

Meanwhile, several fleets from the surrounding oceans were dispatched to the sea near this Sky Castle. Their goal was to clear the Demons pouring down like rain. The battle was unending, and the Demons wriggled endlessly.

"It's not easy."

There were those watching all these battles through video transmitters, from their respective locations. It was awkward to watch each other through dark, cramped screens, but they didn't mind. Some looked strange even compared to the diverse species of Avartin. They were players.

"It's not easy." Wisdom muttered while watching the screen.

Wisdom stayed in a safe house prepared by the Empire. In one corner of the safe house, various communication equipment was messily set up, enabling communication with players in other regions.

Wisdom joined the group call late, thinking the players would just be engaging in trivial chatter, as was their habit, and his assumption wasn't far off.

Crampus, lounging with snacks on the screen, said, "What about Noah, wasn't he with you?"

"He went to a local university hospital for a voluntary check-up."

"Oh? Is he unwell?"

"No, he's curious about the physical changes caused by causality. I almost got dragged along."

"Right. Rest is best. Think of it as a holiday. RD is on their third day of the festival."

Not all players exhibited the same attitude as Crampus though.

In another screen, HumanTracker said, "Shouldn't we be planning a backup operation? The number of Demons appearing is increasing. It's not just the quantity. Their power output is growing too, making it increasingly difficult to find a way through as time passes."

Wisdom pointed out, "HumanTracker, that's illogical."

"Me?"

"We've already agreed there's nothing we can do at this point. You're just anxious, and the reason you don't know that is because we're no longer gods."

HumanTracker nodded, seemingly accepting the point.

Crampus picked up a snack and shook it, "Why don't you eat something tasty and not stress?"

Vladimir, the robot with a monocular eye, laughed and said, "Hmm, food. That's interesting."

"Do you eat oil?"

"As you can see, yes."

HumanTracker sank deeper into their chair, "I'm not interested."

Wisdom realized the mood among the players in this communication network wasn't great. Never one particularly interested in human psychology, Wisdom couldn't think of a solution.

'The Faith points are increasing significantly Is it because of that Sky Castle?'

The Sky Castle Hegemonia pointed to was the Starkeeper. Annoyingly to Hegemonia, the flag of the Union Kingdom also hung above the high-committee room of the Starkeeper, indicating the Sky Castle's past affiliation, which seemed like mockery to Hegemonia.

Regardless of her feelings, Hegemonia saw the transmissions going through Starkeeper reaching satellites orbiting Avartin. This war was being broadcast throughout Avartin. Now, the Empire would have learned of the God of War's return and her struggle against the Myriad Demons.

'Even so, the amount is high... I think I might know why though.'

While slashing through Demons with one hand, Hegemonia operated the system window with the other. Detailed statistics on Faith point acquisition appeared, and she quickly read through the necessary information.

'Of course.'

The Pantheon and its gods had disappeared due to the Fall. Thus, the Empire had lost its faith itself. In that moment, three players returned, leaving only three gods for the Empire to have faith in. Many captured the war scenes, naturally leading to faith in war. At this moment, Hegemonia was the supreme god of Avartin.

'Did you anticipate this too, Nebula?'

If so, it was exceedingly unpleasant. Hegemonia did not enjoy being a pawn in someone else's game, yet she had no intention of giving up this power.

'I'll enjoy it as much as I can.'

Hegemonia was initially confused to learn that the Demons gave almost no XP. This meant most of her planned strategy was ineffective. But when Lakrak and Starkeeper appeared, the possibilities expanded, and now with the restoration of faith, she felt confident in her odds, as long as she didn't Fall.

'If you don't return in time, I'll take all your followers to the Red Land...'

Hegemonia let Kazaha kick through the air and raised her sword high.

-Listen! Guardians of Avartin!

The flames of the Angry One rose. Hegemonia was fully prepared.

At the call of the Angry One, not only Salkait, but also the defeated apostles of the Angry One rose above the Sky Castle. The second apostle, Ankarde, with their kin, the deranged Goblin Bounda, Dragon slayer Werewolf Aruega Robe, and commander Alma Alloy, stood behind the Angry One.

-War rages against cowards who avoid pain and do not fight themselves!

Then the Angry One's third apostle, Laitla of Radiance, wiggled its massive body and rose.

-O Angry One!

The apostles of the Pantheon shouted in respect.

-War rages against those who fear change and neglect responsibility!

Shouts erupted from the apostles, warriors, and Starkeeper.

At this moment, every soldier of the Empire was a follower of the God of War.

-War rages against those who do not wish to die today!

No, now the entire Empire believed in War. Everyone watching through the screen transmitters raged at the insolent being who claimed to be their former owner. Such beings had never been permitted in Avartin, neither in the past nor now.

A voice from the battlefield said, "War! Grant us the opportunity to join in your anger!"

Just before the Angry One charged into the Demons, she said,

-Please die. Today, I shall take all of you to the red land.

Then war stormed into the Myriad Demons.