In the Central Temple of the Holy City of Destiny, on an open second-floor balcony, soft sunlight and a gentle breeze created by the magic of [Sky Manipulation] welcomed all who came. The atmosphere was so comfortable, as if designed to make anyone fall into a deep slumber.
Kael closed his eyes, leaning his head on Draudillon Oriculus's slender lap. A comfortable smile was etched on his face.
"You're truly not going to the battlefield?" Draudillon asked in a soft voice, her fingers massaging Kael's temples.
This war between the Church of Destiny and the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick would undoubtedly determine the fate of all human nations. It was a battle of immense importance, yet Kael, the Church's supreme believer, remained in the temple, enjoying this tranquil luxury. Draudillon couldn't help but wonder if this was too careless.
"What's the rush?" Kael slowly opened his eyes. He gazed at Draudillon's face, a smile on his lips, as if seeing her through a veil that separated their two states of mind. "This war is expected to last a long time. We only need to act as a reserve force, joining the battle at the most critical moment."
Draudillon Oriculus fell silent for a moment, then asked with a helpless tone, "You're truly optimistic. Aren't you worried that our army will be defeated, and all of Nazarick will launch a counterattack against us?"
"I'm not afraid." The answer didn't surprise Draudillon.
She knew that even if the Church's army were annihilated, it wouldn't have a major impact on their power. They were an immortal army, whose soldiers could be revived at the cost of time. Defeat was merely a pause, not the end.
This, however, was the Church's perspective. For the other human nations, if Nazarick were to launch an all-out counterattack, there was no guarantee they wouldn't suffer the same terrible fate as the Re-Estize Kingdom. Regardless of this risk, Draudillon hoped the Church could conquer Nazarick in one fell swoop to avoid further complications. She was sure the other human nations who had heard the news held the same hope.
Draudillon's fingers massaging Kael's temples suddenly slowed. Kael saw the dazed look in her eyes and smiled helplessly. She always worried about unnecessary things.
He explained that even if Nazarick managed to repel the army led by Lakyus, they would definitely expend a massive amount of resources. They would not have the energy to launch a counterattack anytime soon. If they weren't fools, they would realize that retaliating against the human nations would only provoke another attack from the Church. Their best choice would be to retreat and recover.
"And there's another major premise," Kael thought to himself, "they have to be able to win this battle." However, the possibility of that, in his view, was extremely small. A single underground tomb wouldn't be able to do it. Unless, all the True Dragon Lords in the New World suddenly went insane, somehow received news of this battle, and mindlessly joined Nazarick's camp as if they were controlled by a script. Only in that way might Nazarick have a chance.
Therefore, Kael could now confidently plant a flag: "We will not lose this time!"
Tap... tap... tap!
The sound of hurried footsteps came from behind them. Kael and Draudillon turned their heads. A beautiful young maid bowed respectfully and reported anxiously, "Your Holiness, Your Holiness, Master Zesshi Zetsumei has suddenly returned. Apparently, she faced a fatal danger on the battlefield and was transported back by a resurrection ring."
"Hmm?" Kael was surprised, instantly sitting upright. "Zesshi Zetsumei was forced to activate her resurrection item? This is truly interesting!"
Could the flag I just planted already be taking effect? Hmph, you want to slap me, Kael, in the face? I won't let you succeed!
"It seems we really must go to the Nazarick battlefield."
Traps and the Elite Battle
"Faster, faster, faster!"
"Surround them, don't let them attack our soldiers!"
"Damn it! I can't hold them back!"
On the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick's battlefield, the human army's neat formation began to falter. An endless stream of monsters flooded the front lines, throwing them into chaos. The magic casters hesitated to use large-scale attack magic for fear of harming their own comrades, drastically reducing the legion's combat effectiveness.
However, the army was equipped with many professional commanders. When the legion formation could no longer be maintained, they calmly broke the army into smaller units to hold the situation.
So, where were the war commanders and generals?
Inside the painting room of the [Map of Mountains, Rivers, and Countries], the high-tier fighters of the Church—Blue Roses, Enri, Leinas, Fluder—were all gathered. They maintained a vigilant posture, staring intently ahead.
Unsurprisingly, they were surrounded by a large number of the Great Tomb Guardians, led by Albedo.
"Everyone, be careful. It seems Zesshi Zetsumei and the others were drawn into this strange dimension and haven't appeared since," Lakyus reminded her comrades with a serious face. I was too careless.
Previously, Albedo led her troops to launch a counterattack. It just so happened that Aura had nullified the effect of the Map of Mountains and Rivers, and the two sides suddenly met. Then, other Guardians appeared and, together with Albedo, attacked the main formation of the Church's army.
Now, they realized the purpose of that attack: to gather and trap all their high-tier fighters here. With the outside army left without a command, no one knew their fate. This spatial blockade had to be broken immediately!
"So, our goal is to stall for as much time as possible and create an opportunity for the army outside, right?" Shalltear and Cocytus stood at the front of their team, observing Lakyus and the others, while whispering to Albedo.
Albedo nodded. "If these creatures are allowed to leave the Map of Mountains and Rivers, they will become a huge threat to Nazarick. We must ensure they stay here until the war is over. As for the outside world, with Aura leading, we are sure to win!"
If Lakyus and her group were not so powerful, they might have left more people outside. But for now, Aura and the others were enough to contain them.
"Then I will begin!"
Aura, who controlled the painting room, activated the effects of the [Map of Mountains, Rivers, and Countries]. Although the ability to forcefully pull people could be used repeatedly, the same field effect could not be used twice in one day. The "single-challenge" effect that trapped Zesshi Zetsumei was currently in its cooldown period.
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