Chapter 287
“It’s ridiculously easy.”
Meanwhile, the Pontifical Palace, or rather, the Great Temple of Chaos Evil.
With Reed secluded in the Sanctuary for some reason, the throne of the Grand Chapel now belonged to Abyssinis.
She sat on a grotesque chair, seemingly made by crumpling and wadding up a pipe organ, her right eye stained purple.
In the void before Abyssinis’s sight, a colossal map of the Serentra Continent, as if drawn by scattered colored sand, unfurled wide like a folding screen.
This world map didn’t just display geographical features.
It completely depicted the process of red dots gradually devouring white dots, dyeing the territories black.
Abyssinis’s Demonic King power, ‘Conquest’s Clairvoyance’.
It allowed her to view the real-time conquest status of the human world at a glance.
This was an incredibly deceptive ability, coveted by any commander in wartime. And it was especially true in this apocalyptic war, Har-Magedon.
Black silhouettes squirmed up from the Grand Chapel floor. This was how she communicated with the Demon Apostles who had conquered churches in various regions.
The silhouettes rippled and reported to Abyssinis.
<The occupation of the southeastern side is proceeding smoothly, O Apocalypse Seer.>
<Please designate the next occupied territory quickly!>
<We shall spread the gospel of the almighty Chaos Evil God, who will corrupt heaven and earth, to all corners of the world.>
Despite her subordinates’ urging, Abyssinis was unhurried.
“Wait, my beloved children.”
She too waited. Until the hourglass on her right dropped its last grain of sand and was overturned.
Only then did she finally look at a point on the map and speak.
“This will be a good place for the next one.”
Faint horizontal and vertical auxiliary lines were faintly drawn on the colored sand map.
Abyssinis’s scepter tip touched the intersection point.
Clink.
A demon that sprang from the scepter spatially teleported, and shortly after, a white dot on the map transformed into a red dot.
And at that moment, the inner territory surrounded by red dots also instantly turned black.
Before long, over 30% of the Serentra Continent’s area had fallen into the Demon King’s grasp.
As if to prove this, three of the ten Deadly Bloom flower buds decorating Abyssinis’s left side were fully bloomed, and another one was slowly opening as if to blossom.
Reed had commanded 67% of the area.
In other words, by the time seven Deadly Bloom flowers fully bloomed, she would have completed her mission.
“I shall certainly bring that true form, like deep darkness, to the human world, O Chaos Evil God.”
Her blue and purple odd eyes turned towards the hourglass.
She eagerly awaited the time when she could make her next move.✠An emergency cross-border meeting was held concerning the current situation.
The venue was Raimian House, the Duke’s Castle of Hispenril Duchy.
In the reception room, gathered were not only my grandfather but also Marquise Lekandro and the Night Eagle Guild Master, along with other powerful figures of the continent and their subordinate forces.
There, a strategic meeting began. The one leading the meeting was, of course…
“I will begin the explanation.”
Me.
[
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With the aid of the system window, I began to speak.
“The name of the current disaster and war is ‘Har-Magedon’. Abyssinis’s side, which initiated the first strike, has primarily sent 6,666 Demon Apostles to occupy churches. Each church acts as a bridgehead, expanding the demonized area like the starting point of a Dungeon Burst. If the demonized area continues to increase and covers 67% of the entire continent’s area, then the Chaos Evil God will be unleashed upon this land. Everything will be over.”
“……”
I surveyed the gazes of everyone present.
Confirming that everyone was listening intently, I continued.
“Initially, they sent a large number of demons simultaneously for an all-out assault, but from now on, it’s different. Abyssinis can conquer one additional target church every 5 minutes. Her conditions for making a move are only three: a church must be established, she must wait 5 minutes for a new conquest, and she must wait 2 hours if re-conquering a church recaptured by humans. Other than that, there are no restrictions.”
“Um, Your Excellency.”
A magic swordsman from Ragneif cautiously raised his hand.
It was Winard Van, the general commander of the magic army, whom I had encountered when the Silver Citadel Knights and I went to save Gehennid during the Walpurgis Night.
“Pardon my presumption, but I have a question regarding the first condition, ‘a church must be established.’ As you know, our Magic Republic, which pursues truth, has little influence from the Order Religion. Therefore, even though there were almost no churches, we were still occupied by demons. In fact, our situation seems more severe than other countries.”
To this, Fliegel Knight, the Night Eagle Guild Master, also added.
“Your Excellency, our Night Eagle Guild had dispatched people to Gaiyak Village, Muriel Philise’s hometown, to investigate her. However, a recent report states that it has been completely demonized. Even though Gaiyak Village was a village where the church had been lost in a fire several years ago.”
Of course, I had the knowledge to resolve their doubts.
“Currently, the entire Serentra Continent should be considered under the influence of Dungeon Bursts. And when it comes to dungeons, rules cannot be excluded. The rules of Har-Magedon are as follows:”
I unfolded the map and drew vertical and horizontal lines.
Like a Go board.
No, in fact, it is a Go board.
“North, South, East, West. If an area is demonized and surrounded on all four sides, the land within it also falls into the enemy’s grasp.”
“H-huh!”
“Th-that’s…!”
“Gaiyak Village was exactly in this situation. And the Ragneif Magic Republic is located on the northeastern edge of the continent, surrounded by the sea. If only the inland access routes are blocked, it is judged as being cornered and surrounded.”
“Th-then, Ragneif became like that because, perhaps, the village churches in other countries beyond the border were taken over…?”
“Yes, that is precisely the reason, Sir Winard.”
The Ragneif Magic Republic, having lost its escape route in the corner, was entirely judged as surrounded and became demonized.
I turned to look at the people from our Hispenril Duchy.
“For the same reason, our Duchy is also in a situation where it could be surrounded and demonized at any moment. Just because our churches haven’t been occupied doesn’t mean we can ignore the crises in other nations. We must recapture nearby churches to break through and prevent falling into the surrounded area.”
“Your Excellency.”
This time, the one who raised her hand was Marquise Lekandro, the Aura Master of the kingdom.
“I have a report and a question regarding recapture. In our Winchester Kingdom, we intended to raise a large force to drive out the demons occupying churches in various places. However, the demons are immortal. Do you know how they can be defeated, Your Excellency?”
Her voice was cautious and polite, yet filled with confidence that I would know.
Of course, I had no intention of disappointing her.
“Did the resurrected demons perhaps say something like, ‘Those who do not believe are unworthy’?”
“Yes, that’s right. How did you know…?”
“That phrase is the hint. This apocalyptic war is also a religious war against the Chaos Evil Cult. The one who delivers the final blow must be a divine power awakener of Divine Power Tier 6 or higher.”
“Ah! Hah, so that was it… To think I shouldn’t have delivered the final blow.”
In this situation, no matter how much military strength there is for subjugation, it’s useless.
Moreover, it’s difficult to find a Divine Power Tier 6 awakener suitable for the attack.
This is especially true in the current situation where the Pontifical Palace and churches, where Order Religion followers gather, have been heavily attacked.
“It makes me regret only having awakened aura.”
“Indeed, Marquise Lekandro.”
Marquise Lekandro and my grandfather lamented.
Then, Fliegel, the Night Eagle Guild Master, also earnestly affirmed.
“I should have attended church a bit more diligently.”
“Does that mean you did attend church?”
“Yes, Duke. I still go occasionally for confession after work.”
“……”
One could imagine what he confessed. No one probed any deeper.
It was Bianca’s calm voice that brought the subject back after it had nearly strayed.
“Your Excellency, Holy Saint. May I also speak?”
“Yes, Young Count of Gillette. Gladly.”
In accordance with the formal setting, Bianca and I spoke respectfully to each other.
[‘The Eye that Oversees All Chaos’ fantasizes about a unique relationship.]
“Your Excellency. Before forming a strategy, there’s a point we must clarify. According to your recent explanation, is it correct to assume that our forces capable of meeting the conditions to eliminate bosses are limited to Your Excellency the Holy Saint, the Holy Sword’s Master, and Vice-Bishop Hilde?”
“Not entirely. There’s a workaround.”
“What is it?”
“A Divine Power Tier 6 awakener doesn’t necessarily have to attack directly. It’s effective if someone who received a support skill from a qualified cleric attacks. For instance, a buff skill like Holy Chant would be sufficient.”
“Ah!”
Everyone’s gaze gathered on the young priest with long black hair braided down.
“Huh? So I can do it too?”
Divine Power Tier 6 awakener, Hestio. It was the moment his status instantly rose.
Just then, a royal knight with long light-brown hair abruptly pulled Hestio’s forearm.
“Decision made. Compatibility, no, the combination is perfect.”
“Huh? U-um, Sir Knight? So, C-Chez, Sir?”
“…Chez, politely, like a knight.”
“Politely? Then I’ll swear the knight’s oath right now…”
“Why are you always so extreme!”
Cheryl smacked Chez’s back, embarrassed.
However, I also approved of the combination itself.
“Our delicate Hestio should indeed go with the royal army, which has sufficient military strength. Please take good care of Hestio.”
“Hey, Aillet. Are you just suddenly deciding my assignment like this?”
“Your role is important, so it can’t be helped. Hestio, go stick close behind Sister Chez, no, Sir Chez.”
“Hah, alright. You’ll give me travel expenses, right?”
“Of course.”
Privilege for Possessors