Chapter 305:

Chapter 305:

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HELHEIM SCANS

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24 Hours Before Teleportation.

Theo closed his eyes and visualized a map of the Demonic realm in his mind.

The Demonic realm was home to a vast array of demonic creatures, so diverse that even the demons themselves hadn't fully mapped them all.

Among these creatures were mole-like beings that fed on the soil contaminated with demonic energy.

They were the deep underground patrollers whom Theo had subjugated and used as scouts.

These unnoticed creatures were currently tracking the movements of the human army, mirroring their every move from underground.

'... These bugs are really kicking up a fuss.'

Elite troops.

The defenses of the Demonic realm, left to face the humans who had fought against demons for a long time, were far too weak.

The human army was pushing forward like a tidal wave, turning the entrance of the Demonic realm into a mess.

Theo's wrinkled face twisted into a sneer as he felt a surge of old, pent-up anger, a sense of liberation, and pleasure.

'They don't even realize they're just decoys and bait.'

At first, Theo thought the humans were launching a full-scale attack and was ready to respond immediately.

But something felt off.

Although notable figures, including the hero, had appeared in various parts of the battlefield...

'They haven't stepped into combat situations. Why? Speed is crucial.'

Even after the demons had arrived and started holding the front line, they didn't take a direct role in the fight.

Theo instinctively realized he had been deceived.

'They're just soulless puppets.'

Thus, the humans were aiming for a diversion.

Theo was certain.

However, he couldn't withdraw the troops he had sent.

It would be troublesome if they reached deep into the Demonic realm unchallenged.

There would also be problems if too many of the stakes were destroyed.

Instead...

"Everyone's returned well."

Theo had recalled all the commanders back to the Demonic realm.

Now, on both sides, only shell-like forces remained.

It would likely just be a war of attrition for the next few days.

It was safe to ignore it.

"...We need to prepare for their real attack."

Theo looked at the commanders under his command.

Excluding the absent Third Corps Commander Malekia, there were four present.

Fourth Corps Commander Meragon, Priest of Solitude.

Fifth Corps Commander Astaon, Scholar of Madness.

Sixth Corps Commander Rakasa, Priest of Hatred.

Seventh Corps Commander Linnes, Seductress of Lethality.

Although they were flawed compared to the 'Old Three,' they were still the most powerful demons currently alive.

He planned to use these remaining demons and his remaining forces to block the main attack.

'Soon.'

In a day, all the demonic energy in the Demonic realm, except for the core, would be drawn into the Demon King’s Castle.

And the humans had a few high-level magicians capable of teleportation.

'They'll form a suicide squad and come via teleportation.'

Once the Demon King descended, all the battles would become meaningless.

The humans would have no choice but to gamble on this final move.

Theo chuckled and looked again at the Demon King's Castle.

The first stake driven into this world.

The towering structure was enveloped in a dome-like, blood-red barrier.

It looked like an egg. The red light was slowly, but surely, deepening in color as it absorbed the clouds of demonic energy gathering around it.

The moment that barrier turns from crimson to pitch black, the arcane ritual inscribed in the core of the Demon King’s Castle will be completed.

Then, the dimensional passage blocked by the humans will be torn open, and the ruler of the demon world will descend upon this land.

Theo shuddered in his emaciated body.

'Until then, we can enjoy a little fun with our guests.'

Suddenly, a painful, bubbling breath escaped his throat.

He had recalled a recent humiliation.

Although Theo had transcended many emotions over his long existence, that was something he could never forget.

"Theo, it’s time for your loss."

Eyes filled with hatred and disdain.

The beheading of his incarnation.

The tremendous power he had obtained by absorbing Yol was over half gone.

That hideous creature, pretending to be noble, with its ridiculous hypocrisy...

'They'll pay the price for their arrogance.'

Breaking through to the Demon King’s Castle?

Nonsense.

They will be swallowed by the Demonic realm and, in despair, witness the descent of the Demon King.

Theo would make sure of it.

The gloomy village.

The old artifacts from the water attribute.

The shadow of the stakes.

The old man sitting in front of his son’s grave in the abandoned mine.

A series of images quickly flashed through the Hero's mind.

"His deceased son was struggling to fulfill his unfulfilled desires in this world."

"......"

"Doesn’t that sound familiar?"

Noubelmag looked directly at the Hero.

"I just wanted to say that I understand you. How hard it must be to hold onto the wishes of the dead."

"Noubelmag."

"Well, in my case, I was digging myself into a hole by misunderstanding my son’s request, but you and Nihil saved me."

Noubelmag laughed just as he had three years ago when the Hero remembered him.

"If you have any guilt, let it go."

It was at that moment that Felson and Zion, who had been conversing on the side of the command room, approached and sat beside him.

Felson gently placed his prosthetic hand on the Hero's shoulder.

"I came because I also have something I want to say."

"Felson."

"To put it bluntly, I owe you a great debt."

Felson looked at the Hero with his eyes, which resembled Ban’s.

There was no trace of hostility or betrayal in them.

It was a surprising fact.

"A debt?"

"I'm talking about Van."

"......"

"After Jenny's death, he was suffering endlessly. You were the one who pulled him out of that demonic energy. The boy who used to tremble whenever he held a sword is now the leader of the Lotus Knights, known as the Torch of Humanity. The Dietrich estate receives letters daily from people saved by Ban. Just recently, there was a letter from a boy who almost lost his mother."

Felson placed his prosthetic hand on his chest and extended his other hand slowly forward, bowing his head respectfully.

"Jenny must be so happy and proud from above. She always boasted that her son was a genius and would surpass both of us as swordsmen one day."

"......"

"And now, I stand with Ban in this final battle for humanity. It is the greatest honour and pride for the Dietrich family."

"...I, too, am honoured to have known you and to have been able to teach Ban."

The Hero clasped Felson's calloused hand.

Zion, who had been watching the two with a gentle smile, spoke up.

"Noubelmag, Felson, and I—do you know what the three of us have in common?"

"I do not."

"Firstly, we were all endlessly foolish, gnawing away at ourselves and those dear to us."

Zion’s wrinkled eyes formed a crescent shape as she continued.

“Secondly, we were saved by you after being foolish.”

“Zion, I...”

“We cannot consider you a ‘fake.’”

The Hero, who had been about to say something, fell silent.

Noubelmag, Felson, and Zion’s eyes were all on him.

Zion spoke clearly.

“To Ted, you were a comrade who shared a dream, a child, and a disciple.”

The Hero, usually confident in his eloquence, found himself unable to speak.

“You will succeed.”

“...”

“He knew it, and so do we.”

* * *

[Coordinate setting complete]

[Magic power charge has reached 99%. Teleportation will be possible in 10 minutes.]

Ten minutes before teleportation.

A quiet silence filled the control room.

While all the humans stepped away from the control panels and prepared for battle, Avalon's internal voice began to report the situation instead.

[Expected remaining magic power after teleportation: 47%]

[Activating propulsion system]

[Barrier activation in progress, current status: 100%]

[Activating turret system, confirming all passengers' magic connections]

...

The sound of countless machines filled the air.

Holographic screens flickered and changed rapidly.

A man who had been watching this stood up alone and picked up the greatsword leaning against the wall.

As everyone in the control room watched him, he said,

“Well then, I’ll go ahead.”

A brilliant light of teleportation magic enveloped him alone.

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HELHEIM SCANS

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