“The current disaster is located in the capital of the Empire, at the heart of Imperidium.”
Ziiing.
With the knight’s words, a hologram made of mana appeared at the center of the long table.
A magical barrier of mana surrounds the city adorned with numerous golden buildings.
“We have made several requests for access to the Empire, but having been denied each time, the Alliance has decided we can no longer afford to delay and intends to enter the Empire’s capital directly. Right, Sagal?”
“Are you saying we will penetrate the magical barrier?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
At the knight’s response to Sagal’s question, a few people in the conference room gulped nervously.
In the skies above the Empire exists a ‘magical barrier’ that blocks any enemy approach.
Over the years, countless users have attempted to breach the barrier, but those who have succeeded are few and far between.
There are those who have entirely switched sides to the Empire, like the Sword Saint and Leo.
And then…
[Lily?]
[Wasn’t it Lily?]
[That barrier was pretty shabby.]
“Lady Lily has indeed breached the barrier before.”
“Yes.”
I once flew over the barrier with Sre.
It caused quite an uproar, and though I didn’t broadcast it, footage of me flying on Sre ended up spread across the internet.
Not just anyone can enter the Empire, but if we follow the ‘official’ procedures, entry is possible.
“I’ve visited the Empire multiple times since then. Getting in shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Yes. Actually, this part is something Lady Lily must assist with. If you could create a small ‘passage’, the Alliance will directly enter through that and execute the operation.”
“Isn’t there any way to do it through official procedures?”
“Yes. Currently, they are not allowing tourists or any outsiders at all.”
“Hmm… I see.”
Let’s agree that I’ll open the passage.
Creating a gap in the barrier isn’t particularly difficult.
Using the ‘division of space’ I learned in Teshiniria would make it even easier, but there’s currently a demon with ‘spatial’ powers in the Empire.
Using space-related techniques in an area affected by such powers might trigger some strange phenomena.
It’s better to avoid space-related abilities as much as possible.
Tarak.
“Once inside, our second objective is to enter directly beneath the royal castle where the demon sleeps, minimizing engagement with the Empire’s forces.”
“Wait, minimize engagement?”
“Yes.”
“That doesn’t make sense. They’re not idiots; they’ll definitely try to kill or incapacitate us.”
The man adorned with numerous swords spoke bluntly.
The man with the messy hair gruffly spoke.
“Was it Jackal?”
Like the man sitting far away with the Red Soul, he was a user I had never seen before and seemed to have pretty decent skills.
Several users sitting nearby nodded their heads in agreement with his words.
“No matter how secretly you go, you inevitably get found out. If it’s the Empire, they must have already planted spies here.”
“I agree. If it’s that Empire, they probably know all our plans by now. There are plenty of eyes watching us.”
This meeting was not one conducted in secrecy.
Numerous users and residents were coming and going at the Headquarters of the Challenger Alliance, and besides me, a few were even broadcasting.
In other words, this meeting was no different from declaring war right in front of the Empire.
The Knight nodded, as if this was the expected reaction.
“It doesn’t matter. Even if we get caught.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“As some of you might know, the Empire is a ruthless loser but also a ‘opportunist.’ They have a tendency not to take risks unless they’re sure of a fight.”
That’s why, even when the Empire had the greatest power and strength, it didn’t swallow the entire continent.
“They don’t take risks on wars they aren’t confident in.”
This has been proven by the history of their defeats in Sieges and my clashes with them.
In fact, the Empire avoided full-scale battles even if it meant giving up much.
[That’s definitely true.]
[The Empire is indeed a tricky one.]
[Nice analysis, Knight.]
[Duke Huangyeol is really a problem.]
[It’s about time the Empire crumbles.]
[But why is everyone speaking without a say? LOL.]
“This plan has been consistently mentioned in previous small meetings. Yet, for them not to impose sanctions or retaliate means—”
“They won’t be able to do anything even if we bold-facedly attack?”
“Not quite that. At the very least, it means they are experiencing some internal confusion.”
So much so that they can’t interfere with the outside situation at all.
“……”
“Of course, since we invaded the Empire, they’ll naturally try to deal with us some way. During this time, Lady Lily, you should focus on dealing with support like Duke Huangyeol’s Eight Swords. The rest, please take care of them, Guild Masters and Rankers here.”
Above all.
Tap.
The Knight’s feather stick was placed on the table.
“Our target is disaster. Unless the Empire completely turns to the side of disaster, it’s right to set our priorities that way.”
“Um…”
“Then… understood.”
“I understand.”
“Right.”
“Yes. Then let me explain the plan for when we enter the Royal Castle. Please pay attention to this…”
■
Three days after the meeting.
On the day of the plan, I arrived at the outskirts of the Empire, where people rarely visit, and placed my hand against the barrier.
Whoooosh…!
The barrier shook violently at my touch.
The plan is simple.
Once I break the barrier and create a passage, the users will enter the Royal Castle and defeat the disasters.
We have already learned the location of the disaster through me and information obtained from the Alliance, so it seems we can enter without much difficulty.
There may be damage caused by demon beasts or spatial cracks upon entering, but the users have also become quite strong.
“Hmm…”
[Why?]
[What are you talking about?]
[Isn’t it time to start?]
[We need to open it to begin, Lily.]
[Lady Lily?]
[It’s about to start.]
[Info) 30 minutes left.]
“It’s a bit concerning.”
No matter how strong they’ve become, can the users really handle the ‘Demon Race’?
If it weren’t for the ‘seal’ during the Kraken fight, it would have been impossible to face them.
The Bracelet of Sealing was essential; they could manage up to the 4th level doppelgangers, but they could never win against the 5th level.
“That’s why the Sword Saint almost wiped us all out when he released the seal.”
Even if they are weaker than the Kraken, the opponent is still a Demon Race.
Since they possess magic, they are not to be underestimated.
“This isn’t simply at the Intermediate level. With unique powers and magic, they’re several times stronger than monsters with the same power.”
[How much?]
[??]
[Is that so?]
[The game is called Devil of Angels, so of course, it’s going to be strong, lol.]
[It does look strong.]
To put it simply, they are monsters referred to as the reverse of Teshiniria that we recently encountered.
Those monsters possess power above Intermediate level, but when they meet the ‘real’ Intermediate Demon Race, they are utterly helpless.
They are superior to beings like ‘Baal,’ who are mimicry demon races in the Earth or Tower of Growth.
The divine nature and magic within the Demon Race possess powers that transcend all strengths, placing them several tiers above beings of the same class.
To face them, we would need to either possess the same power or rise to a higher level.
“Yes. So I’m a bit worried… But things are urgent on our side as well.”
Crackling!!
A part of the barrier crumbles.
But that doesn’t mean we can just run away.
If it’s to prevent the world from collapsing, I’ll challenge it even if it means cracking an egg on a rock.
“Moreover, we don’t have a limited supply of eggs here.”
Actually, all of this is possible because the users are immortals.
We have gained the special abilities that the demon race had in the past.
Whooooosh!!
Finally, my holy power shattered the magical barrier, and the barrier fell apart.
“I’ve opened it.”
─Entering now.
─Entering!
Whooooosh!!
With the knight connected to the alliance communication, the somewhat distanced technique squad entered the empire while riding the floating ships.
Numerous rankers, along with guild members from each guild and the troops from the kingdom that had turned against the empire.
Including mock ships used to distract the empire’s attention, over 900 floating ships filled the skies of the empire.
“Looks like they’ve made quite a few.”
Seems like they’ve all listened to my warnings well since then.
Crackle.
─First target achieved. All alliance members, please proceed according to plan. Warning. Unless the empire attacks first, do not strike preemptively. Also, the use of ‘space’-related skills is prohibited. Inventory is also prohibited.
─Once again, I repeat. All alliance members, please proceed according to plan…
“It’s begun.”
I don’t know how this fight will unfold.
Zing!
“Today, the demon race dies.”
“Let’s go.”
[Let’s dive in~]
[Demon Slayer entering the chat lol]
[Wow]
[This ship is sick]
[Why is the empire so quiet?]
[Demon rewards must be sweet lol]
[Let’s go kill Duke Huangyeol, let’s go!]
Holding the Kraken’s Spear and spreading my Wings of Light.
Using space division or any other teleportation technique would get us there faster, but that’s not an option.
Currently, the power of ‘space’ is spreading throughout the empire, so any technique that distorts space is extremely dangerous.
Even a ‘trivial’ space like the inventory could lead to severe distortions, causing demon beasts to pop out…
─Grrrrrr!!
“…I told you not to open it.”
Mana surged from some of the floating ships.
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