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Jin decided to convey his thoughts to Zipfel and Kinzelo at this moment.
What you need to do now is not to concentrate your forces in Grosh Castle to establish a stronghold against the invading forces of Zito but to disperse your troops to each territory. Otherwise, we will undoubtedly suffer significant damage in the Zito's transfer fracture.
Of course, Jin didn't do this just for the leaders of Zipfel and Kinzelo. It was a consideration for the powerless people living in their lands. It goes against Jin's beliefs to stand by and watch the lives of ordinary people being destroyed just because they are in enemy territory.
"Elder sister Luna, you should go to the Zipfel fleet, and Sir Hedo, you go to the Kinzelo fleet to meet with the commanders. Since there is a high probability of further fracture invasions, you should convey that they need to deploy their forces to each territory, not Grosh Castle."
"Understood, Jin."
"What if they don't listen?"
"Intimidate them strongly."
"Can I understand that as 'use force if necessary,' youngest?"
"Even though it's a dire situation, don't resort to violence, just create an aura of intimidation. Tell them that it's best to complete the territory defense preparations within three days, before the Field of Loss completely disappears. Just saying that much should make them understand."
Luna and Hedo left the meeting room.
However, at that moment, Veradin was already receiving a report on the situation Jin had anticipated from Drakka.
"Patriarch! The tower's calculations were wrong. There are simultaneous transfer fractures occurring in the entire federation territory...!"
Sartin Zipfel said with an urgent expression.
The tower's calculations.
Since the beginning of the True Demon War, or even before that, from the moment Zipfel secured Elona Zipfel, they had constantly 'calculated' the future using the Tower and the Demon God's Orb.
Especially for the calculations related to the True Demon War, a considerable amount of resources had been consumed. However, Sartin was now saying that the tower's calculations were completely wrong.
"...In the entire territory, simultaneously?"
"Yes, that's correct. We've confirmed 15 locations so far, and the number is increasing in real-time. My subordinates and I estimate that there are already more than 50 fractures open. We may even see fractures forming in Drakka and neighboring districts soon."
Veradin's pupils contracted.
Fracture invasions were not new. However, since the invasion of Grosh Castle by the human world began, the True Demon World had clearly demonstrated a show of strength. They had even withdrawn all the existing fractures while supporting Grosh Castle.
Moreover, more than 50 fractures at once.
Such a number was unprecedented even during the most serious fracture invasions, a figure that could only be achieved by combining all the fractures in the entire human world territory at the time, not just the Federation.
"Have there been reports from other factions?"
"Not yet."
"They're probably not much different from us. Right now, there's no reason for the True Demon World to selectively target only us Zipfel."
Veradin tapped his desk with his fingers for a few seconds.
The Tower's calculations were a mimicry of Az Mil's authority.
However, at present, Zipfel had not secured Euria, the contractor of Az Mil. So, the future calculated by the Tower was inevitably incomplete.
'...The reason we couldn't absorb Az Mil, but the calculations deviated this much probably because of Zito's eye. The immortal status of Zito is too high for the current Demon God's Orb to handle. Furthermore, Jin Runcandel's power of existence would have also put significant strain on the Demon God's Orb.'
Desperate footsteps continued to echo in the corridor.
"Patriarch! The Felyn Kingdom is collapsing. Due to the fact that the fracture formed directly over the capital, the kingdom's army was annihilated in an instant. Federation mages stationed there are holding on, but they can't last long...!"
"A new fracture has appeared in the Brakle Autonomous District! It's the largest among the confirmed fractures so far! We even detected demons attacking the city shield from outside. It's estimated that fractures have also formed in nearby plains!"
Veradin stood up from his seat.
"Consul."
"Please speak, Patriarch."
"Maintain the fleets sent to Grosh Castle as they are. The same goes for the fleet currently waiting there."
"What about Lady Elona...?"
"If the True Demon World were to attack even the Tower of Stories, Lady Elona might have to intervene, but I don't think that will happen. Right now, what the True Demon World is after is not us but the Eye of Zito in the Holy Kingdom. So, for the time being, it's best for Lady Elona to hold her position and prepare for any further emergencies."
Veradin was convinced that the two problems, the invasion of the Red Plutonian tribe Tribe in their homeland and the True Demon World's invasion in the Holy Kingdom, would only escalate further in the future.
From the perspective of the Red Plutonian tribe Tribe, who had been steadily pushed back recently, now was the best time to pressure Zipfel.
"As for the suppression of fractures, the Magic Golem Corps and the fleets stationed at the Holy Land will handle it. We haven't had a chance to play a significant role in the assault on Grosh Castle, and we can't afford to further diminish our prestige. It's inevitable that our foundation becomes more exposed."
Sartin nodded heavily.
"Understood."
Veradin stepped outside.
Above Drakka's sky, purple fractures were spreading. One massive fracture and dozens of smaller fractures were casting shadows over the center of Drakka.
And for some reason.
Veradin sensed a faint presence emanating from those fractures.
"Traitor, Kelliark Zipfel..."
"Patriarch?"
"Consul. Can't you feel it? It's subtle, but Kelliark Zipfel's fire is seeping into the demonic energy."
"...As per the calculation of the Demon God's Orb, it seems he truly escaped to hell. And if you can sense his fire, it means he has regained his strength. He's likely being used by Zito as part of the deal for his treatment."
"Well, we'll have to see who's really being used in the end."
Sizzle!
Flames wrapped around Hroti.
At the same time, a protective shield made up of fire formed across the entire airspace of Drakka. Veradin's mana enveloped the entire city.
Above the shield, a fire sphere resembling the sun rose.
Decimating Effusive Flame Orb.
Veradin's grand magic instantly melted the small fractures, turning the purple sky into a fiery red.
Then, before the screams of the demons could be heard, Veradin's pupils were filled with blue flames. With each sweep of his gaze across the sky, blue flames were drawn.
"Kelliark Zipfel, we will meet again soon."
***
At the same time, in Kinzelo's New Headquarters.
Pirops woke up from his sleep and made his way to the conference room. He had just received orders from Orgal through a dream.
While the fractures were appearing all over the lands of beastmen, Kinzelo didn't seem to be in as much of a rush as the Lutero Magic Federation.
Orgal had already relocated all non-combatants to the underground city once the full-scale attack on Grosch Castle began.
However, the residents, consisting of small beastmen, a few ordinary humans, and non-combatant demons, were unaware of their relocation. The evacuation had been carried out using Pirops' dream ability.
Orgal had no intention of revealing the underground cities that Kinzelo now controlled to the public.
Using that much power had left Pirops visibly fatigued.
"Daughter, if you had started opening up your dream ability a little earlier, your old man wouldn't be so tired now."
"Hmph, it's not like your lifespan is shortened just because you're a bit tired, Dad."
"That's true... That's a very kind answer."
"If you say anything more, I might just quit using my dream ability altogether."
"Oh, don't say that."
Pirops rubbed his forehead and looked at the demons gathered in the conference room, including Shagal.
"We will try to avoid direct combat with the True Demon World as much as possible and concentrate our forces only on the defense of key strongholds. Deploy the Plutonian-type living golems who are currently on standby to each of these key locations. The New Headquarters will be protected directly by Bianca and me."
"Understood."
"I'll say it again, there's no need to go to great lengths to defend minor strongholds. If the fracture invasion passes through small and medium-sized cities too aggressively, it's perfectly fine to completely abandon them. We can rebuild destroyed cities, and without any defending forces, the enemy won't go on a rampage. They have no reason to attack other areas beyond the influence of the fractures."
The demons nodded.
"While it's acceptable to lose some living golems, we must minimize casualties among demons and beastmen forces. Living golems can be manufactured as many times as needed, but the dead cannot be brought back. Not until our great cause is completed."
"Yes!"
After a short meeting, the demons left the conference room to carry out their orders.
Ainas remained and stared intently at Pirops.
"It seems like you have something to say, my daughter. Are you trying to apologize for what you said to me earlier? That's quite commendable."
"I didn't say anything offensive. I just wanted to ask something."
"I see. What is it?"
"Well, when our great cause is completed, will all the people who have sacrificed themselves really come back?"
The great cause, the resurrection of the Sun God, Kinzelo.
Pirops looked in the eyes of his daughter.
"Not everyone. But probably many people will come back, including your real mother. So, my daughter, you should work even harder on your dream ability from now on. There's so much that depends on you."
Ainas didn't respond and shrugged her shoulders.
***
Back in the now-ruined Grosch Castle.
An hour had passed since Hedo and Luna returned. The forces gathered at Grosch Castle, both from Kinzelo and the Lutero Magic Federation, showed no sign of returning to their respective territories.
However, Jin had already received information from his spies hidden within the lands of the beastmen and the federation.
"According to our spies, it seems that Kinzelo and the federation have revealed more of their cards, and both believe that they can stop the remaining fracture with that alone."
In the territory of the Vamel alliance, many of the transcendents who had been on the frontlines in Grosch Castle had already returned. Like other factions, there were battles happening in the alliance's territory as well.
Overall, the situation was progressing relatively well. The Vamel alliance had been the most prepared among the major factions to deal with the fractures from the beginning.
Now, all that was left for the Vamel alliance was to protect the Holy Kingdom.
Jin was waiting for call from the Holy Kingdom. If Lani requested support, he planned to go to the Holy Kingdom himself.
{Lord Jin!}
Suddenly, the communication device vibrated. It was Kashmir contacting him.
"Sir Kashmir, what's going on?"
{Thirty minutes ago, True Demon World started attacking the Holy Kingdom!}
"Thirty minutes ago, you say?"
Jin's eyes widened.
The attack had already begun thirty minutes ago, and there had been no contact from the Holy Kingdom until now.
{There was a way to block communication! I was only able to confirm the Holy Kingdom's attack thanks to Seven-colored agents who were nearby. It seems that communication was only possible once they were quite far from the Holy Kingdom. You should hurry to the Holy Kingdom.}
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