Chapter 245
The Archangel Kamael, who rules Gebura, is renowned for having powerful angelic subordinates who follow him.
While Mikael is a type who possesses overwhelming strength on his own, akin to a solitary unstoppable force, Kamael, although lacking in personal might compared to Mikael, commands a much larger following.
This was partly due to Kamael’s kindness and approachable personality. Maintaining such a vast following, many of Kamael’s subordinates were also strong.
Dobiel, who had previously reached the Demon World, was among the stronger aides of Kamael, but compared to Jeruiel, who had just arrived, any comparison was an insult.
Jeruiel stood apart even among Kamael’s subordinates. This angel was synonymous with ‘power.’ Perhaps that was why Jeruiel’s strength far exceeded that of ordinary angels and made him one of the exceptionally strong angels even in the Heavens.
“Who goes there?”
Much like Uriel, who unfortunately fell in the previous Celestial War.
Kwa-jik!!!
His power was of a different level.
The soldiers of the 72nd floor who came to investigate after confirming that the portal was activated were murdered in the blink of an eye, and the soldiers who accompanied them were decapitated before even realizing what happened.
Surprisingly, Jeruiel did not move an inch to kill them. It was a “spear” that extended and moved freely that took the lives of the soldiers.
Once the spear returned to its original length, it was held in Jeruiel’s hand. Having dispatched the soldiers in an instant, Jeruiel remained hunched as before.
Jeruiel slowly lifted his foot and began to move. His gait resembled that of a sluggish reaper, making onlookers instinctively tense. One soldier, having witnessed all his comrades die, calmly hid and waited for Jeruiel to pass by.
As Jeruiel slowly moved, he passed by the spot where the soldier was concealed. The soldier held his breath, thinking perhaps he might escape unnoticed. At that moment, Jeruiel suddenly raised his spear.
Kwa-jik!!!
The spear, stretching freely, pierced through the soldier’s chest and brutally killed him. It seemed that Jeruiel had sensed his presence all along.
“The place I need to go is…”
Jeruiel continued moving slowly. He then searched the body of the recently killed soldier and discovered an identification tag and notepad indicating his affiliation. As Jeruiel rummaged through them, he nodded.
“The 25th floor.”
#
The news that Seere von Debata had declared war against Astharoth von Hoda quickly spread to the surrounding floor Demon Kings. In particular, the Demon Kings of the Nobilis faction were particularly worried about it.
“…Will it be alright?”
Porneus, who had been asked to let them pass, seemed slightly worried about the damage that might come to him as well. Perhaps it was because Seere, who had become their fellow Demon King, was being given the route, he offered to provide slight support if needed.
However, Seere said,
“No. I appreciate your willingness to assist, but we have enough among ourselves. I will ensure that the 24th floor is not harmed.”
Seere smiled as she said this. Porneus looked at her for a moment before nodding.
“Marbas must have actively engaged you in our faction for a reason. I look forward to it.”
“Yes, I will repay the favor for letting us pass.”
Seere gazed at her legion assembled in front of the portal to the 24th floor. This time, one more legion was added, and through conscription, the size of each legion had increased significantly.
Though she knew Astharoth’s army would be larger…
“…It’s okay.”
Seere was confident. Her strength acknowledged by her teacher, and her strong belief in her legion’s capabilities gave her that confidence.
“Epsilon Commander, Zeta Vice Commander!”
Before departing, she called the two officers of the 5th legion who would be at the forefront this time. Epsilon and Zeta quickly rode up to Seere and dismounted.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You called, Your Majesty?”
As the two officers politely greeted her, Seere spoke to them.
“I believe in you.”
It was a short phrase, but it was enough. As if to repay the trust of their ruler, Epsilon and Zeta responded with vigorous voices.
“…Yes!”
Seere nodded. Then she shouted towards the assembled legion.
“Let’s march!”
“Waaah!!!”
In response to Seere’s shout, the legion shouted in unison. The portal to the 24th floor began to activate, and Seere’s legion crossed over to the 23rd floor.
The portal to the 23rd floor is unusually located in a vast plain. Considering that most portals are installed in defensible locations, this was an exceptional case since most of the 23rd floor consists of large plains.
Thanks to this, the food resources coming from here are truly immense, and it is known as the granary of the Demon World. What thoughts had Astharoth, who had once occupied this land in the 28th floor?
He must consider it a land overflowing with honey. Therefore…
“Have they come?”
Astharoth had no intention of letting this floor easily slip away. As soon as Seere’s army crossed over the portal, they were met by an enormous force. It was truly a sight worthy of the term spectacle.
That immense army of Astharoth was preparing to encircle and awaited her. Seere, surrounded, said,
“5th legion.”
Though they were encircled, Seere showed no signs of anxiety. She commanded the 5th legion at the forefront.
“Open the way.”
“Yes!”
It was time to prove their strength. At that moment, someone spoke separately to the prepared 5th legion.
“Commander Epsilon, take two companies to hit the left flank; Vice Commander Zeta, take the right flank to strike. I will lead the central army and break through.”
This was Jest, who had been temporarily incorporated into the 5th legion by Seere. Jest had successfully completed the task Seere had given him: to raise the mock combat win rate of the 5th legion to over half. This may have been a daunting task for the 5th legion, which had previously struggled to maintain a win rate below 30 percent.
“Do so.”
“Understood.”
He had pulled the win rate up to 52 percent. This was solely based on his tactics, command skills, and the latent potential of the 5th legion, which had not been adequately utilized.
Following Jest’s orders, the 5th legion advanced as the vanguard and split into three directions. Upon seeing this, Astharoth narrowed her eyes and said,
“Smash the relatively weak right flank. Simultaneously, apply pressure from all directions to ensure the other forces do not move.”
Astharoth’s army then launched their assault. One legion openly targeted the right flank as commanded, and Jest ordered.
“Vice Commander Zeta, simply follow the training protocol.”
“Got it.”
Zeta responded simply, but the situation was not looking good. The right flank she was leading was on the verge of clashing with Astharoth’s legion. Suddenly, Zeta halted the Bicon she was riding and shouted.
“Flank them!”
Then the army led by Zeta began to turn sharply to the side. The legion that had approached to intercept her hesitated for a moment, but then Commander Yuris made a quick decision.
“The waist is exposed! Just cut it off!”
He meant to cut off Zeta’s flanking legion at the waist. It was an excellent judgment. In fact, Zeta’s moving army had momentarily become vulnerable as they shifted sideways.
“Just as expected.”
Jest had anticipated this would happen.
While Yuris’s army clashed with the vanguard of the 5th legion of Astharoth’s army, it was clear that the vanguard was not the only one moving; other legions were also pressing against the Seere legion.
In that case…
Bam!!!
At that moment, Zeta’s right flank opened a gap, and cavalry rushed in, shattering Yuris’s helmet in one blow. While he wasn’t killed instantly, Yuris fell off his horse, and the soldiers, confused by the commander’s fall, were trampled under the hooves and lances of the cavalry.
“We’re not the only ones here.”
The dismounted Yuris quickly regained his composure and stood up, but he was astounded. The one who had knocked him off his horse was Lin El Lazine, leading the cavalry.
“The unique sword of Seir…”
When Jest set the 5th legion in the forefront, he intended to utilize this to the fullest. Splitting the 5th legion into three routes for deployment meant that whichever direction they focused on would receive the brunt of the onslaught.
While the targeted side would feint, the sharp lance positioned at the back would pierce through the enemy. Lin was the one who could best perform this role, and Jest had hinted at this from the beginning.
Of course, the flank of the right side had been cut off, whether by enemy action or friendly fire. However, Zeta was quick to move so as not to get isolated, staying close to the tail of the cavalry.
“Damn it.”
It was a clear disparity in tactics. Yuris realized this and bit down on his lip. Lin’s sword shone in the sunlight, and in an instant, Yuris’s head fell to the ground.
#
“…Interesting.”
However, even with the vanguard Yuris dead, Astharoth remained unfazed. She ordered,
“Move that. Surround the enemy and kill them.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Following Astharoth’s orders, something began to stir from the rear of her legion. Even as the vanguard broke, Astharoth’s army maintained their formation that encircled the Seere legion. Although Yuris’s legion broke through, there were still numerous legions behind them to quickly seal any gaps.
“The difference in numbers is evident.”
Jest believed that the key to overcoming this numerical disparity lay in the role of the vanguard. Since the same tactic wouldn’t work twice, he planned to move the 5th legion as swiftly as possible to disorient the enemies.
Then, the commanders, whether Seere, Lin, or Celestia, would intuitively recognize Jest’s intentions and execute appropriate tactics.
However, Jest had to reevaluate when he noticed something that came into view.
“Epsilon Commander! Retreat!”
“What do you mean? The vanguard we lead must retreat?”
Jest shouted urgently.
“The enemy is preparing their chariots!!”
“…!?”
And at that moment, a path opened between the tightly encircling Astharoth legions around Seere’s army.
Rumble! Rumble!!
The sound of rough wheels rolling could be heard. Two fierce Bicons were leading what was on top of which Astharoth’s soldiers were seated.
“Fire!!”
Kwah-glah!! Kwang!!!
The soldiers fired all together with compact artillery. While the weapon was lightweight enough to be handled and shot by hand, which reduced its firepower, it was enough to claim the lives of soldiers.
What Astharoth had prepared for this war was precisely this chariot. Led by two Bicons, they were faster than cavalry and equipped with modified lightweight artillery, making them formidable in firepower.
The chariots spun around in large circles, bombarding Seere’s legion, forcing them to shrink back. As a result, parts of the 5th legion and the 4th legion, led by Lin, began to become isolated, and Jest ground his teeth.
‘To break through this…’
They needed someone with overwhelming strength to act as the spearhead. Jest thought there was only one person here suitable for that role.
“Your Majesty!”
“…Do not look for the Queen, soldier.”
What stopped Jest’s words was Lin. Lin squinted her eyes and spoke.
“You must overcome this situation in order to earn sufficient trust.”
Lin’s sword was tinged with ominous magical power.
“Just once, create a gap for me.”
Lin glanced toward Epsilon and Zeta. She called out to them.
“Prove that you are worthy of being in that position.”
Lin raised her sword high. With both hands gripping the weapon, she swung it down. Simultaneously, vast magical power projected forth as a massive sword energy.
《 Wall Break Sword 》
Shrrrreeeeeeeek!!!
As Lin released her magic while striking down, Epsilon and Zeta, who shifted their gaze along the path that Lin’s sword energy had taken, were astonished, with Jest letting out a dry laugh.
“You’re stronger than I expected.”
All the chariots that had been in the path of Lin’s sword energy were destroyed. This weakened the offensive of the enemy’s chariot unit and created a void—just as Lin had promised to make a gap.
The stage was set. Epsilon and Zeta instinctively felt that now was their true last chance. Without hesitation, the two drew their weapons and advanced.
“Thank you, Commander Lin.”
“I will certainly prove myself.”
#
In a quiet valley on the 25th floor. A bizarre passage opened there. Unlike the ancient magic gate, a large door leading to a pure white space opened, and an angel emerged from there.
The being, slightly hunched over, slowly straightened up. Upon arriving, they immediately sensed an unpleasant yet vigilant energy.
“…There’s something.”
Kamael had instructed them to investigate those who crossed from the Demon World into the Human World. Jeruiel, having discovered that the lone master of the 72nd floor was connected to the 25th floor, had come to ascertain who had crossed over, but…
It seemed there was something more urgent. Jeruiel narrowed his eyes and stared ahead, where something appeared…
“Moo?”
It was a Massu resembling a small elephant.
