The Coming Crisis

Soonwook shook his head.

“No. There’s still hope.”

King Madhan asked, “What do you mean?”

“If the Hero party had been completely consumed by darkness, the army of darkness would have attacked the Empire alongside them. But they haven’t. It’s also strange that the Hero party, consumed by darkness, is attacking the Forest of Shrieks, which is on the side of darkness.”

“Come to think of it, that’s true.”

“The Hero must still be sane. According to the data sent by the Kyle Holy Kingdom, Serina, Kyle, and Nisa are spies. They must be manipulating the Hero’s actions without the Hero even knowing.”

“That makes sense.”

“But if the Hero party joins hands with the Forest of Shrieks and comes out…”

“Then we’re finished.”

“That’s right. We must send the Information Knights to the entrance of the Forest of Shrieks and task them with confirming the Hero party. If the Hero party has actually attacked the Forest of Shrieks, they must be brought to the capital to eliminate the spies and re-arm the Hero mentally.”

The Information Knights are a knight order focused on thieves and assassins.

King Madhan agreed with Soonwook’s words.

“That’s right.”

“Now we must think about how to drive out the army of darkness that has invaded and consumed the Empire.”

King Madhan shouted, “Immediately think of a way to stop the army of darkness!”

Tara, the Lion Knights Commander, said, “The Raon Kingdom alliance and Marquis Naos don’t have the ability to stop the enemy. For now, we must abandon this area. If the enemy devours Antgeba City and the Shilla Marquisate, they will come straight to Bilan City, which is right here. Antgeba City and the Shilla Marquisate are our safety Maginot Line.”

One of the retainers raised his hand and suggested, “What if we send the army south by land to strike the north of the old Gaeil Kingdom?”

Another person objected, “According to informants, that area has been transformed into a jungle. According to records, the Demon Lord Army’s border was originally a field, but it has somehow become a jungle. The army of darkness has already taken measures to prevent their rear from being breached. Sending the army there would be like walking into the mouth of a Troll.”

King Madhan asked, “How can they create a jungle so quickly?”

“The soldiers who entered there encountered numerous plant monsters and fled. It seems they have relocated a large number of plant monsters.”

Soonwook argued, “The number of soldiers and supplies are limited. Sending the army into the jungle will only increase the damage. Stopping the army of darkness coming from the west is the top priority.”

King Madhan asked his retainers, “Is the south of the Hamel Empire safe? Is there no possibility of the Demon Lord Army invading?”

Tara replied, “We have periodically sent soldiers or Wyvern Knights to the south, but none have returned. The Demon Lord Army must still be strong. The south is also dangerous, so we must send the army to stand by.”

Soonwook objected, “I don’t think so. There are very many Dark Humans in the south. According to the Kyle Holy Kingdom, they are all servants of the God of Darkness. The Iosap Marquisate, Stojaña City, and Talka City are also dangerous elements. It’s a waste to send a limited army to the south. We must focus on stopping the army of darkness in the west and defending Bilan City.”

King Madhan agreed, “Soonwook is right. There are too many Dark Humans in the south of the Hamel Empire, and it’s a dangerous element. If we send the army and they get eaten, it will be a minus. We’ll leave the south to the southern lords and focus on defending the north and west of the Hamel Empire, where there are no Dark Humans. And we must recapture Stojaña City and Talka City.”

Simon suggested, “It seems like it’s time to use the combat weapons from the secret laboratory.”

Soonwook nodded and said, “We currently have 100 Giant Soldiers and Behemoth. How about sending the Behemoth to defend Antgeba City, 40 Giant Soldiers to defend the Shilla Marquisate, 40 to recapture Stojaña City, and keeping 20 in Bilan City?”

Then Simon raised his hand.

“I have a better plan. How about sending the Behemoth to the old Gaeil Kingdom using space magic? If the forces of darkness have absorbed the buildings of the Gaeil Kingdom as they are, then the northern region of the old Gaeil Kingdom will be the most prosperous and developed place. We can use the Behemoth to devastate their rear.”

Soonwook’s eyes lit up.

“Oh! That’s a good plan! Then we can send 30 Giant Soldiers to defend the Shilla Marquisate, 30 to defend Antgeba City, 30 to recapture Stojaña City, and keep 10 in Bilan City on standby.”

King Madhan made a decision.

“We’ll do as Simon and Omert say.”

The Hamel Empire devised the following strategy.

First, the capital, Bilan City, is surrounded by walls.

Bilan City has a population of 2 million, of which 200,000 are regular soldiers.

1) Send the Information Knights to the entrance of the Forest of Shrieks to confirm the Hero party and bring them to Bilan City.

2) Send the Lion Knights, 30 Giant Soldiers, and 50,000 regular soldiers to defend the Shilla Marquisate.

3) Send the Tiger Knights, 30 Giant Soldiers, and 50,000 regular soldiers to defend Antgeba City.

4) Send the Golem Knights, 30 Giant Soldiers, the Wyvern Knights, and 50,000 regular soldiers to recapture Stojaña City.

They will attack Talka City after recapturing Stojaña City.

5) 10 Giant Soldiers and 50,000 regular soldiers will be on standby in Bilan City.

Bilan City has a magic tower, so there is also high-level mage power.

6) Teleport the Behemoth to the north of the old Gaeil Kingdom to strike the enemy’s rear.

—

Here is Civic City, the capital of the Elia Holy Kingdom.

While the Hamel Empire was making war plans, Saint Angela was in her room, holding a cross and praying to Goddess Elia.

“Our Mother, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

Angela is the younger sister of Roshan, the Inquisitor Commander.

Angela was originally an Inquisitor, but Roshan used his power as Inquisitor Commander to support and help Angela, making her a Saintess.

Angela is a woman in her late 20s with jet-black pigtails, a red right eye and a gold left eye, a height of 157cm, and D-cup breasts.

Angela’s eyes each have special abilities.

Her red right eye can read the minds of others.

Her gold left eye can see the future a few seconds ahead.

Saint Angela continued her prayer.

Suddenly, a pillar of light appeared in front of Angela.

The pillar of light felt like the holiness of light.

Angela looked at the pillar of light and cried out in emotion.

“Ahhh~! Goddess Elia! Have you answered my prayers! Ahhh! I’m so happy!”

Elia’s figure emerged from the pillar of light like a phantom and opened her mouth.

“My beloved child, Angela.”

“Yes, Goddess Elia!”

“The energy of darkness is getting too strong. Your brother also died in the darkness.”

“Uwaaa! Darkness is evil! I want to tear all the darkness apart! My brother dared not fulfill his duty.”

“Your brother fought to the end and died honorably. You can respect your brother. Your brother’s soul has come to Heaven.”

Angela lowered her head.

“I was a little excited for a moment. I also like my brother. I’m glad his soul went to Heaven. I envy my brother!”

“I want to entrust you with an important mission. Then you too will be able to come to Heaven.”

Angela clasped her hands together, her eyes shining, and pleaded, “What can I do! Please tell me quickly! I’ll do anything!”

“There are too many people tainted by darkness around the Hero. The Hero’s lover is also tainted by darkness. They are causing the Hero to go down the wrong path.”

“This can’t be…”

“The Hero’s lover is the Succubus Queen and the Goddess of Purity. This witch is using the power of the Succubus and the power of Purity to make the Hero a slave of love. The mission I want to give you is to offer your purity to bring the Hero back to the light.”

Angela expressed concern.

“I can always offer my purity for Goddess Elia’s mission. But how can I restore the Hero’s mind?”

“I will give you a divine item called ‘Love of Virginity’. Only a pure person can possess the Love of Virginity. If you possess the Love of Virginity, you will receive the love of all opposite sexes. And if you possess the Love of Virginity and offer your purity, you can make the other person a perfect slave of love. The only thing that can overcome the divinity of purity and the power of the Succubus is to offer your purity. Once you offer your purity, the Love of Virginity will disappear.”

Angela was pure enough because she was a virgin and had never been in a relationship.

Angela nodded without a moment’s hesitation.

“I’ll do anything for the Goddess!”

“This item has side effects. If you possess this item, every member of the opposite sex you meet will rush to have sex with you. Are you okay with that?”

“I’m as strong as my brother Roshan. I will eliminate anyone who interferes with the mission.”

“That’s a good mindset.”

As Goddess Elia stretched out her hand, a white ray of light entered Angela’s body.

Angela felt the divine item ‘Love of Virginity’ take its place inside her body.

Goddess Elia opened her mouth.

“I will reveal to the female Inquisitors to help you with your mission. Now carry out the mission. After bringing the Hero back to the light, directly control the Hero to eliminate the darkness of the continent.”

“I understand! Thank you for choosing me!”

The pillar of light and Goddess Elia disappeared.

Angela got up from her seat to carry out the mission.

Angela’s face was filled with pride for being chosen and a sense of responsibility to succeed in the mission.

Angela went to meet Anushe.

On the way, a male priest approached Angela.

“Saint Angela-nim. You look beautiful today.”

Angela ignored him and walked on.

The priest shouted, “Saint Angela-nim! Are you ignoring me! Please listen to me for a moment!”

The priest reached out to grab Angela.

Angela took a step to the side and dodged, then continued walking.

The priest was furious and reached out wildly from behind to grab Angela.

Angela didn’t look back and freely stepped to avoid the priest’s hand.

Tak tadak tak tak

The priest was angry.

“Priest Angela-ssi! What is this rudeness! I’m serious!”

Angela muttered, “I will send a lamb to Goddess Elia. Please have mercy on the soul of this lamb, as he was inevitably caught up in this.”

Angela clenched her right fist.

Suddenly, a fist of light larger than a human appeared above the priest’s head and pressed down on the priest.

Kwajik kuuuung

Only the red residue of what used to be the priest remained where the fist had disappeared.

Angela was a powerful battle priest.

The magic she had just used was a divine magic called ‘Holy Hands’, which Angela mainly used.

Angela slightly moved her right hand, and the priest’s residue turned into a ray of light and entered Angela’s body.

It was a divine magic called ‘Holy Sacrifice’, which used the body and soul of a light race to fill her divine power.

To use it on a living person, the other person’s consent was required.

In the case of the dead, those who had recently died could be converted into divine power, but the amount of divine power given by the living was less.

Angela didn’t want to increase the sacrifice any further, so she ran to Anushe’s room at a rapid pace.

Tadadada

When she arrived at Anushe’s room, Anushe and several female Inquisitors were waiting.

Anushe greeted Angela.

“Welcome. We must carry out the mission that Goddess Elia has given us.”

They began to make plans.

—

Goddess Elia was looking down at this scene from Heaven.

Goddess Elia knew that Kyle was the incarnation of the God of Darkness, Kamaite.

However, Goddess Elia was unable to incarnate due to the rules of the universe.

If the divine Goddess Elia were to incarnate on the continent right now, her power would be limited by causality.

When the God of Darkness became a divinity, causality would open, and only then could Goddess Elia incarnate with her full power.

Goddess Elia was stomping her feet while watching the Hero party being consumed by darkness, but she eventually made up her mind and decided to intervene slightly.

Even intervening required divinity, so it was a huge decision for Goddess Elia.

Goddess Elia used a huge amount of divinity to create the divine item ‘Love of Virginity’ and gave revelations to Saint Angela and the Inquisitors.

The reason she chose Angela was because Angela did not consider human ethics for the sake of faith and did not discriminate in means and methods.

Goddess Elia was now short of divinity.

‘Please, I hope I made the right decision…’

Because the high-ranking God of Darkness was involved, Goddess Elia was unable to read the future of the continent.

Not being able to read the future meant that the future of this war was not decided.

This meant that either Goddess Elia or the God of Darkness could be the winner or the loser.