Chapter 164
Samygina asked Basago.
“How much has it progressed?”
“It seems to be about 70 percent.”
“Ha, that’s still far off.”
Before the portals leading to the Demon World, the Demon Alliance forces were bustling. Over two-thirds of them had already moved, but since there were originally many, there was still a considerable number remaining.
The reason for this, especially, was due to the Third Army, which had been ordered by Agreas to halt the Celestial forces, not being able to retreat completely. With the exception of Seere von Debata, who had previously retreated, and Citri and Gremony von Due, who had recently followed suit for similar reasons, most of the personnel remained.
“This mess wouldn’t have happened if Agreas hadn’t given the Third Army such unreasonable orders.”
“Didn’t you agree to it, Samygina?”
“How could I protest when the Supreme Commander says so? It was a command given knowing it wouldn’t work from the start.”
“Still, it doesn’t hurt you, so you didn’t oppose it either.”
Samygina squinted at Basago.
“…Why do you seem to be siding with Agreas?”
“You’re the one being too loyal to Agreas. You treat Belzebut with utmost respect, but why the different treatment for Agreas?”
“Because it’s foolish.”
“Yet Agreas possesses tremendous power.”
“Isn’t it possible to have both power and strategy like Belzebut? And if he’s sitting in that position on his behalf, he should act accordingly.”
Basago felt a slight agreement with Samygina’s words. However….
“Please, just keep such thoughts to yourself.”
If Agreas or Belzebut heard that, who knows what chaos would ensue? As Basago spoke, Samygina no longer continued the conversation.
“Still, aren’t we fighting hard right now?”
The reason they were able to command a safe retreat was indeed thanks to Belzebut and Agreas.
“Honestly, it’s surprising.”
Samygina agreed, speaking further.
“I never imagined we would stall so long against that Archangel.”
Belzebut was facing Mikael directly in battle while Agreas was holding off the Celestial forces who arrived with Mikael. Thanks to that, the Demon Alliance forces could return to the Demon World without additional casualties.
However, the range that Belzebut and Agreas could cover was limited, and the problem was that they could only utilize three of the many portals nearby. This was why the retreat was taking so long.
“Didn’t you say the summon you called couldn’t withstand a single clash?”
“Yeah, though the unfavorable compatibility contributed to that…”
Samygina honestly acknowledged it.
“Belzebut’s power is really something different.”
Bang!!
As soon as the words ended, a sudden loud sound startled Samygina. The sound came from quite a distance, but it was easy to deduce what caused it.
“They’re fighting intensely.”
“It would be helpful if they could retreat quickly.”
“It’s progressing as fast as possible.”
As Basago said, the retreat was proceeding very quickly. It was only because there were only three portals, but the work was ongoing without pause.
Minutes passed after the loud noise, and hopeful words came from Basago’s mouth.
“Now, the ones using the current portal are leaving, and we just need to go after them.”
“Who’s waiting over there again?”
“Seere von Debata. Apparently, they were staying on the 72nd floor, planning to return once their condition improved.”
“Really?”
Samygina briefly contemplated asking Seere von Debata what connection they had with Hell.
“Samygina.”
“…What is it?”
“Refrain from any strange actions. Belzebut said not to.”
“How would you know when I haven’t said anything at all?”
“I can just tell.”
“Tch, fine. I won’t ask.”
As Samygina obediently responded, Basago seemed satisfied and didn’t say any more. Just then, someone suddenly dropped in front of them.
“Agreas?”
“Finish the retreat work immediately.”
“What?”
“Belzebut is also nearing their limit. Noon is approaching, and they can’t hold out unless it’s a great demon.”
“…!”
“Once those leave, we just need to get on, and it’s done. There’s not much time left.”
Upon hearing Basago’s words, Agreas looked at the functioning portal and those waiting in line in front of it.
“…Those are the legions of Bune and Morax, weren’t they?”
“The Third Army came in combat, which delayed us a bit.”
“Get rid of them.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you hear, Basago? Or are you pretending not to hear?”
Agreas spoke irritably.
“We’ll leave first after clearing them out! Because Belzebut is retreating through another portal!”
“Wait, Agreas. That means….”
“What, then shall we all die here?”
At Agreas’s words, Basago fell silent. She frowned and looked at Samygina beside her.
“Samygina, clear them out with your magic.”
“…I can, but are you sure it’s okay? Marbas won’t just sit back.”
“I don’t care.”
“Alright.”
Samygina summoned her summons and threw them towards Morax, Bune, and their legion who were waiting in front of the portal.
“!?”
“Wait, what…!?”
The summons instantly ensnared their feet. Seeing this, Agreas shouted to their subordinates.
“Let’s retreat! All forces, move to the portal!”
“Y-Your Highness Agreas! What the hell is…!!”
“Let go of this, Lady Samygina!!”
Morax and Bune, completely bound, tried to move their feet as if they needed to leave immediately, but they couldn’t. The grasp of the summons held them firmly.
Meanwhile, Agreas stepped into the portal first. Following that, Basago and Samygina did the same. And Agreas spoke to Morax.
“We still have battles to fight in the Demon World, you know.”
“What does that have to do with….”
“Us surviving would be more beneficial for the war than you surviving, right?”
“Are you saying… you’re abandoning us?”
Agreas chuckled softly. Then, with the sound of the portal activating, she waved her hand.
“It seems it has come to that. Sorry for the sacrifice, would you?”
At those words, Agreas vanished. Basago and Samygina followed through the portal, and their forces also successfully moved.
However, Morax and Bune, who had to watch their retreat from being bound by the summons, could only face the ones who appeared next.
“…They all ran away, leaving just a few. They’re quick to cut off their tails.”
It was the Archangel Mikael. In his hand was a sword that blazed with holy flames. At that moment, the bindings that wrapped around Morax and Bune were released.
Though the bindings were undone, there was nothing they could do. That formidable Archangel would not let them escape while they tried to activate the portal.
Morax spat out curses with a frustrated expression.
“…Damn it.”
#
There were those watching from a distance as the Demon Alliance forces rushed into the 72nd floor.
“A lot survived.”
“Doesn’t seem like it to the girl, though?”
“Almost all the lower-ranked Demon Kings have died. The higher-ranked ones haven’t perished much.”
It was Nahun and Ersha.
“Quite a few higher-ranked Demon Kings have died too. 7th place Amon, 15th place Jepar, 18th place Salenos, 19th place Furson, 23rd place Naberus, 27th place Veris… a considerable number have died.”
Ersha added one more thing.
“Also, many Demon Kings have suffered injuries that can’t be healed, like Lezargie. Considering all that, we could say our potential enemies have greatly diminished. Yet, are you not satisfied?”
“At the very least, I was hoping the Equites faction would entirely collapse.”
“Even so, it’s practically a collapse, isn’t it? Although Barbatos survived, Veris, Salenos, and Jepar are dead, and Lezargie is in a state of being unable to fight…”
“The focal point survived. That’s the problem.”
At Nahun’s concern, Ersha replied simply.
“I’ve heard that even Barbatos isn’t in a great condition. They could die just like this, languishing away, right?”
“…That’s true.”
Nahun was not fully satisfied but acknowledged Ersha’s words. Given the immense damage Barbatos suffered in the Celestial War and his own severe injuries, he wouldn’t exert the same level of influence as before.
“What about Seere?”
“They’re still bustling down there.”
Seere was frantically weeding through the returning Demon Kings and troops, trying to grasp the status of their return on the 72nd floor. Although Citri and Gremony were with them, it was still busy.
“Seere certainly has it rough.”
“Soon, Nahun will be the one in more trouble.”
Just then, a portal activated. Agreas, Basago, and Samygina could be seen coming through the portal.
“…They’ve arrived.”
Their arrival meant that unwelcome guests would soon follow. Seeing that, Nahun spoke.
“Surprisingly, all three of them have survived.”
“Indeed. The Celestial forces must have been pursuing them continuously….”
Seere approached the three Demon Kings. She briefly exchanged words with them, appearing somewhat surprised.
And then she shook her head. Both Nahun and Ersha were left in simultaneous confusion.
“What’s that about?”
“Indeed. What were they discussing?”
“…Hmm.”
Nahun observed the scene for a moment before rising from his seat after finishing his thoughts.
“Seems Belzebut has returned.”
“Really?”
“They’re safe. Mikael wouldn’t let them escape easily. The only one capable of stopping him is Belzebut.”
“Oh… that makes sense. It’s hard to say Mikael simply couldn’t follow.”
Agreas’s appearance was evident to anyone who saw it; they could tell she had just come from a battle.
“The Celestials won’t come in directly.”
“They’ll have some time to manage things.”
They must have consumed a significant amount of strength to defeat Belzebut and Agreas. Nahun assessed it that way and stood.
“I need to hear what they talked about.”
“Yes.”
“You stay here and watch the situation a bit longer. I’ll be off to Seere.”
“Understood, Lord Nahun.”
Ersha bowed her head in greeting, and Nahun headed towards Seere.
