A month has passed since we arrived in Sanargia. The armies of various kingdoms are already in their positions and a high state of alert is in place. The total number of troops gathered was more than 300,000. There are enough people to fight.
The Allied force cleared the forest south of Zara and the headquarters was set up there. It was chosen because of its relatively gentle terrain. In addition, the view is good and it is easy to spot enemies from above. Another thing is that there is a river flowing nearby. The environment is perfect even if we spend a long time staying there.
However, there is a problem. There is not much information about the angels. We are arranging our forces around Zara just in case, but we have no idea where and how many enemies are going to attack us. From time to time, the World Tree is searching in the hundred square kilometers zone, but there is no such enemy detected. In this long and uncertain battle, the soldiers were slowly beginning to show signs of fatigue.
“Are the angels really preparing their forces? We have set up a defensive line just in case, but if the enemy doesn’t attack, we’re just wasting time.”
『That’s not true. I felt that there were a lot of them passing through the barrier, so I’m sure the angels will be here before long.』
“Can you tell?”
『The barrier is created using the life force of the Sacred Beasts, and since I am responsible for most of it, I have a stronger sense than the other Sacred Beasts. I know for sure that the angels have come to this world.』
I was discussing this battle with World Tree Treant. It’s already been a month so I wanted to make sure whether the enemy was coming or not. I am not the only one who feels impatient about this. There are also a lot of frustration from the militaries of various kingdoms about when the angels will come. But at least it is now certain that the enemy will be here.
“What do you think is the true purpose of the angels?”
『I don’t know either. But the God Tree-sama might know. 』
“God Tree? Where is it?”
『On the other side of this continent. God Tree-sama is on the forbidden island. But God Tree-sama is protected by the inhabitants of the sea, so it is not easy to go there. 』
“But if I can meet the God Tree, I will know what the angels are up to, right?”
『Maybe. But if you’re really going there, be careful. It’s a dangerous island where powerful magical beasts roam. It’s a realm of beasts that no one should enter. 』
The World Tree warned me. Historically, there are very few people who have gone to that island and returned. That’s what tickles my adventurous spirit. Forbidden Island. It’s a really fascinating phrase.
However, I can’t head there right away. In this situation, it is impossible to leave the Allied forces. I can send my clone to the island instead, but according to the World Tree, the island is inhabited by high-ranking dragons. If my clone goes there alone, he may be killed. That being said, I can’t bring my comrades with me either. The power of Homeless is indispensable to the allied force after all.
I’m very interested, but I can’t go right now. Suddenly, another question came to my mind. The World Tree is a witness to a long and living history. It might be a good idea to take this opportunity to ask questions.
“May I ask what kind of existence the Demon God is?”
『Hn? The Demon God is—ah! They are here! 』
Before answering the question, the World Tree reacts to something. Then, sliding down the trunk, Silva descended from the top of the World Tree.
“Little one, the time for battle has come. Get your soldiers ready at once.”
“Angels? I never thought that we have to wait a month.”
When I said that, Airavata, who was at the base of the World Tree, stood up. Then, as he stood up on two legs, he let out a trumpeting sound that echoed throughout Zara. It has porcelain-white skin, six legs and four fangs, clear blue eyes and a powerful body that exudes a divine air. It is indeed a sacred elephant.
“I don’t like fighting, but if you want to eliminate the Sacred Beasts, I’ll use this power to the fullest. Even if they are a messenger of God, I will defeat them.”
A large serpent slithered down from the top of the World Tree. Its total length is 100 meters. The body color is blue with a flaming red mottled pattern. Its sharp eyes were staring at the sky.
“There were some people who liked to come to kill me, I don’t know if they were angels or anything, but I’m going to swallow them whole. This Mabia-sama will.”
Mabia is the sacred beast of Kycilia Kingdom. It is said that it strangles huge enemies to death with its thick and long body. In addition, its fangs are venomous, and even the Gigant worm can die in a minute if bitten.
I hurriedly returned to the Allied headquarters and informed the generals of the angel’s attack. By the way, the generals are the same as in the Imperial War. The only thing that has changed is that Edner has become an official general.
Soon, the Allied forces formed the anti-angel formation. According to the World Tree, they are heading straight towards us from the south. There are about 100,000 of them. I can’t help but bite my tongue at the enemy’s force that was beyond my expectations.
The angels seemed to have been steadily building up their forces for the past month. I’d like to think that they are not, but if they are a horde of angels as powerful as Zazi, we have little chance of winning.
By the time the armies were deployed, the angels could be seen in the southern sky. They were forming formations while flying, and unlike the two-dimensional formations formed on the ground, they were heading towards us by forming a number of three-dimensional rectangular formations. What’s more, each angel holds a sword and shield that appear to be made of orichalcum in each hand, and their bodies are also covered in armor made of the same metal. That alone convinced me that they are a difficult opponent.
I activated my Analysis(+) skill to know the enemy’s strength as much as possible.
| 【Analysis Result: Norma: Ordered to eliminate the Six Sacred Beasts by the main god Goma. Rarity: L, Overall Ability: S】 |
| 【Status】 Name: Norma Race: Third-class angel Magic Attributes: Wind, Light, Holy Magic: ― Skills: Appraisal (Intermediate), Sword King Technique (Intermediate), Shield King Technique(Intermediate), Disguise (Intermediate), Presence Detection(Intermediate), Danger Detection (Intermediate), Search (Intermediate), Physical Enhancement (Intermediate), High-Speed Flight (Intermediate), Universal Adaptation, Intimidation (Intermediate), Leadership (Intermediate) Evolution: Conditions are not met < Evolution Requirements: Analysis (Beginner), Limit Breakthrough (Beginner), Stealth+ (Beginner), Ultra High-speed Flight (Beginner) > |
The third-class angel seems to be much inferior to the second-class angel, Zazi. But even so, the other side is overwhelmingly superior in terms of status. I immediately looked into the other angels and found that most of them were third-class angels. There are three second-class angels. Moreover, all of them are named Zazi.
I may have misunderstood. Zazi was not a name, but something like a number to call a second-class angel. As proof of that, all the third-class angels were unified as Norma. In that case, there is a possibility that they are not here to avenge the angel we fought before. No matter how much I ask reasonably, that guy just avoided the question. So naturally, he didn’t know about me in the first place.
As I was thinking so, the horde of angels are getting closer and closer. Gradually, it became possible for the soldiers to see the enemy with their naked eye. The atmosphere in the Allied forces instantly became tense. Everyone was in a cold sweat at the number of angels that seemed to fill the sky.
The angels stalled not far from the Allied forces, then one of the second-class angels descended to the ground.
Is he the commander of this horde of angels?
“Hello Mankind. I’m Zazi, a second-class angel. As you probably already know, we are the holy army sent by God to exterminate the Sacred Beasts. Let me ask your intention once again. Will you face God or not?”
“Before that, I have a question for you.”
I walked past the soldiers and walked in front of Zazi. He did not change his expression and just said, “I allow it.”
“Why would God want to kill the Sacred Beasts? I understand that this world is protected by a barrier, but I don’t think there is a need to break it.”
“We’re after a rebel. He’s a powerful man that a second-class angel can’t stand against. If anyone could win against him, it will only be a first-class angel or a god. However, the barrier of this world still rejects first-class angels. That’s why we were sent here.”
“Is that rebel also harmful to us as well?”
“Of course. Those who disobey God are evil. Just by him existing, it already has a negative impact.”
My hunch is telling me that Zazi is not saying the whole story. Perhaps their real purpose is something else. However, I think it is true to say that they are chasing after a rebel. He must have dared to mention one of the facts in order to force the Allied force to retreat.
“What are you going to do with us after you break the barrier? Are you going to let us go?”
“That’s impossible. God has in mind the recreation of the universe. In other words, it means the annihilation of humanity. Even if we capture the rebel, that won’t change.”
“Annihilation of humanity…… Are you also going to kill even those who believe in God?”
“I will notify God on that point. I’ll make sure that they can live a good life in the next life. It’s better for them to obediently die in peace.”
Zazi doesn’t seem to understand the human mind very well. I think that angels are far from the people. I drew my sword and pointed it at Zazi.
“I’m sorry, but I won’t let you kill the Sacred Beasts. We have no intention of dying either. God is going to recreate the universe? Afterlife? Don’t be silly. People live to be happy in this life.”
“……Why bother to give a helping hand? Humans are indeed foolish.”
He flapped his pure white wings and took flight. I couldn’t help but emotionally refute it, but maybe some of the Allies had accepted the angel’s proposal. Thinking about this, I turned around, and a voice that shook the air was raised. No one seems to have been deceived by the angel’s words.
“Mages and archers get ready for battle. Angels are coming!”
The archers aimed their arrows at the angels. The mages raised their staffs, gathered their magical powers and took aim. On the other hand, Zazi also gave the order to the angel army to attack. The battle between angels and humanity began.
“Leo!”
A golden fireball was shot, leaving a sound behind. Even though I hadn’t given the order to attack yet, Erna had gone ahead and launched a magic attack. The fireball exploded in the middle of the enemy’s army.
A mushroom cloud rose up, and immediately afterwards, a tremendous shock wave swept through trees within a radius of three kilometers, sending hot air that kicked up the dirt and burned the skin. Although the damage to the allies was extremely minor, some were blown away, so it seemed that it would take some time to get the formation back in shape.
“Eh? I was trying to be gentle. It was more powerful than I thought.”
“Hey, if you’re going to shoot, tell me in advance. There’s a set-up for this you know.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. The enemies were crowded together so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity.”
Erna replies with a smile without hesitation. Although there was a small amount of damage, thanks to it, we succeeded in drastically reducing the number of angels. Half of them were wiped out by the explosion, and the rest suffered damage, including the loss of parts of their bodies. Unfortunately, the three second-class angels were alive and well. There are some injuries but there are no body parts missing, only the noticeable burns. As expected, they will not be easy to defeat.
With the swift instructions of each general, the formation is quickly reorganized. Mages and archers prepared to attack once again, aiming at the angels who descend to the ground one after another.
“Fire!”
At my command, magic and arrows were released. It was the beginning of what would later be called the Sacred Beast Defense Battle.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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