Hell Mode: Volume 11, page 8
Current Locations
The Demon Lord Army is a hundred kilometers away from Patlanta
Allen is in the center of a massive crystal flower that’s around a hundred kilometers wide
Allen is around 150 kilometers away from the Demon Lord Army
The Summoner used accessories to boost his Intelligence and swiftly gauged his distance from the enemy. All the while, Ignomasu roared angrily.
“You bastards!”
Allen turned toward the emperor, who, flanked by his knights, brandished his trident as he glared at Kyubel. The Strategist and the other three Greater Demonic Deities all turned to face Ignomasu, while everyone around him scattered and fled for their lives, putting as much distance between themselves and the emperor as they could. Ignomasu had raised his voice on purpose—he wanted the enemies to focus on him so that his citizens could escape.
“Ooh, someone’s mad!” Kyubel taunted. “You’re only able to sit on your throne thanks to Shinorom. Does it feel nice to wear that crown?”
“What?” Ignomasu looked astonished. “Are... Are you saying Father Shinorom was your ally?!”
“Wooow! Sounds like you didn’t catch on at all!”
Finally, Allen was able to put the pieces of Ignomasu’s revolt together. I get it now. Ignomasu was tricked by Kyubel. But if the Demonic Deities aren’t focused on me, that means this is my chance... Though the Summoner was curious to learn more through Kyubel and Ignomasu’s exchange, he wanted to do what he could while Kyubel was still occupied. Bird G flew out from Cecil’s clothes and flapped through the water. But then, suddenly, the emperor’s voice filled the area via the magic tool.
“Citizens! Heed the words of your emperor, Ignomasu! A massive army of large monsters is heading for Patlanta from the north! I hereby declare a state of emergency for Prostia! Sound all the alarms! Knights, prepare yourselves for all possible situations!”
“Th-That’s my voice!” Ignomasu cried. “Wh-Who in the world?!”
Allen had guided Bird G toward the speaker that Kyubel had tossed aside and used Voice Mimic to warn the citizens. There were amplifiers, meant to relay commentary on the Songstress Contest, located not only in the contest venue and on the flower style nearby, but throughout Patlanta as well. The entire city should have heard that state of emergency announcement. Allen predicted that two scenarios would play out because of his actions: Either the people would panic and run for their lives, or they would swiftly bolster their defenses. However, he could have never guessed Kyubel’s next words.
“Yep, called it! I knew you’d come out and try to get in our way, Allen! So? Where are you this time? Care to show yourself?”
Yet despite his jeering, he had already locked eyes with Allen. He grinned and motioned for the Summoner to approach.
“I guess you’re well prepared,” Allen muttered. Taking a page from Ignomasu’s book, he slowly stepped forward, hoping to steal Kyubel’s attention and ensure that the citizens could escape.
“Duh!” Kyubel replied. “You’ve really been a thorn in our side, you know that? And you just won’t die! How could I not be wary of you?! Anyway, wow! Look at you, all spiffy in that merfolk form! You look good!”
“Heh heh, this is my true form, you see,” Allen replied. “You looked good as a starfish yourself. Nice way to copy me.”
“Arrogant as usual! Haven’t you thought of the possibility that you’re copying us? Nothing is impossible for the Demon Lord Army. You should know that by now.”
Kyubel sneered, but Allen was internally surprised. Back in Rohzenheim, when I played dumb, he had a witty retort to give. This time around, though, there’s no banter. Is he not gonna mention Pelomas? Allen had no idea how his friend was doing, and he could not even leave the area to save him before the effect of Mimic wore off in less than an hour. However, the Summoner deemed it foolish to ask Kyubel about the Magnate. It’s obvious that Pelomas is wrapped up in one of the Demon Lord Army’s schemes, but it seems like Kyubel won’t talk about him at all. While Allen was planning his next move, a familiar voice came from behind him.
“H-Hey!” Rosalina shouted. “What about the contest?”
Huh? Aren’t you gonna run? Screw the contest. Run. But also, it’d be great if you could help me. Allen swiftly looked around, but almost everyone had swum for their lives.
“The Demon Lord Army’s attacking,” Allen explained. “This contest is over.”
“Huh? ‘Demon Lord Army’?” Rosalina asked, confused. “What are you talking about?”
Ignomasu, who stood beside the Summoner with his trident in hand, spoke up. “The Demon Lord Army? You mean the ones attacking the people above the waters? Are these people its pawns?”
“Correct,” Allen answered. “And it seems like they’ve started to attack the ocean floor as well.”
“How can this be? So I was inadvertently helping the Demon Lord Army with its plot?”
Ignomasu’s face twisted with rage and regret. Allen, who was ready to fight the Greater Demonic Deities, decided to enlist his help.
“Unfortunately, that’s what it looks like. Your Majesty, I’d like you to take the First Imperial Army and fight the monsters.”
“What?” Ignomasu asked. “Are you telling me to leave this place and fight the incoming horde?”
“Yes. As you can see, there are four here, but an army of a hundred thousand will reach Patlanta soon. If there are Rank As in the mix...we won’t be able to protect the imperial capital without your help!”
“What are you saying? These enemies are plenty strong in their own right. I can’t abandon this place!”
Allen glanced at Kyubel. The Demonic Deities had beheaded Ajiray the moment they had shown up, but they had not done much since. It was as though they were certain that the Summoner would lose this battle. Kyubel and his friends are taking it easy. If nothing else, based on their attitude, it’s clear that they’re very confident. They’re here to corner me, huh?
If the enemies were not going to be quick to attack, the Summoner was going to utilize the opportunity. He needed to get a full grasp of the situation and required every second he could get. Patlanta sat atop a massive crystal flower, which was in a weakened state after expelling its seeds. That would allow the Rank A monsters to break through the power that repelled them and enter the imperial capital. At the very least, that’s what Kyubel thinks. And if the Demonic Deity’s prediction came true, it would be bad news. The imperial capital was far too vast, and there needed to be a commander who could lead the large army of soldiers to defend the city.
A Rank A monster could single-handedly destroy a large village or small town, so their power could not be underestimated. Places like that could only serve as the first line of defense, a bulwark until the Rank A monsters tore through them on their way to destroy the imperial capital.
Allen planned to position his army somewhere thirty to fifty kilometers north of the imperial capital. That would become the battlefield. His plan was to take down as many Rank A monsters as possible, but some were likely to break through and charge the city. The First and Second Imperial Armies would be necessary as the final line of defense to protect the innocent merfolk—and it was none other than Ignomasu who had full control over them.
Blessed with the four-star Talent of Spear King, Ignomasu was plenty strong on his own, but he was also the former captain of the royal guard. He was used to taking charge. Frankly, he’s the only one who can do it. Ignomasu had likely reached the same conclusion, and in a strained voice, he broke the silence.
“Even if we managed to stop these monsters here, if we can’t stop the ones on the front line and protect the city, it won’t change the outcome. Rgh...”
“Precisely,” Allen replied. “We don’t have time. Please make a decision, Your Majesty!”
“Ugh...”
Ignomasu emitted a low groan, likely because he knew that his First Imperial Army would have to handle the army of monsters while the remaining enemies would need to be fended off by the Second Imperial Army alone. This is a tough situation to be in. Maybe it’s exactly what the Demonic Deities were hoping for. On the day of the Songstress Contest, nearly two million people had gathered at the capital to enjoy the festivities. The Demon Lord Army must have had a very particular reason for launching an attack at such a specific time.
“You said you wanted to resurrect the Daemon God?” Allen asked.
“We sure do,” Kyubel replied. “The Daemon God is sleeping beneath this crystal flower. Well, part of it is, anyway.”
“Wait, so the sea monster is just one of the scattered pieces of the Daemon God? I know you guys’ primary goal is to resurrect this deity, but is that why you carried out that whole Daemonism plan? You’ve got long-term goals, I’ll give you that.”
“Heh heh heh. You’ve done your homework! Did Merus tell you all that? Because you’re right. We’re rather patient, you see.”
“And your schemes here have been moving along as well. You’re being awfully laid-back about all this.”
“I told you before, didn’t I? We’ve known how humans tick for a few dozen millennia now. We know how they think and react based on every scenario. In fact, it’s a little depressing to think that humanity hasn’t changed or matured one bit. But I can’t complain. Thanks to their stubbornness, I can confidently say that my plans have never failed. Not once.”
Kyubel’s face was concealed by a mask that resembled a laughing clown, but Allen had no doubt that he was wearing that same expression underneath it. Which means this battle is connected to Gushara, who appeared on Galiat a couple decades ago... Allen swiftly reorganized his thoughts to gauge the timeline of the Demon Lord Army’s plans.
Timeline of the Demon Lord Army’s Plans
Couple of decades ago: Gushara was sent to the Galiatan Continent to build a following for his Daemonism religion
Couple of years ago(?): Shinorom was sent to Prostia to plant the seeds of rebellion in Ignomasu
Couple of years ago: The Demon Lord Army used the invasion of this world as a diversion to attack the Heavenly Realm and steal Fire Goddess Freyja’s divine vessel
Last year: Freyja’s divine vessel was given to Gushara, allowing him to transform the followers of Daemonism into monsters
Last year: The daemonic incarnations took millions of lives and collected them in the divine vessel
Last year: Shinorom convinced Ignomasu to lead a coup
Current: The Demon Lord Army is trying to kill everyone who gathered for the Songstress Contest and offer their lives to resurrect the Daemon God.
Wait. Shinorom was involved with Beku’s revolt in Albahal too. That means Albahal was part of their plan for quite a while as well. There were still several factors that Allen was confused about, but he did not have enough time to think them through. His current objective was to protect the millions of merfolk and chase the Demonic Deities away. Unlike the Daemonism debacle, during which countless lives were lost before he could arrive, the Summoner now had the opportunity to save many. He turned to Ignomasu.
“If you don’t hurry, Your Majesty, your precious citizens’ lives will be lost!” Allen urged. “Please! Make your decision!”
“Very well...” Ignomasu conceded reluctantly. “I don’t imagine that you can take care of these enemies on your own, so I shall send the royal guard over. Will that work for you?”
“Please, you don’t need to worry about me. I’ll buy time. However, if at all possible, I’d like you to come back here once you’re done commanding your soldiers.”
Despite making such a request, Allen knew that Ignomasu would not be of much help, even if he did return. But if he were to call the emperor useless in no uncertain terms, it would cause another scuffle, so he had instead chosen to put him in charge of the soldiers. Then, the Summoner turned to Princess Rapsonil.
“Is that clear?” he asked. “We have to keep these guys here!”
“Crystal,” Shia replied as she stood up.
Cecil and Sophie followed suit, and the three swam to Allen’s side. All the while, Princesses Rapsonil and Carmine tried to flee, taking knights and ladies-in-waiting with them.
“Oh, I recognize him,” Cecil said, turning to the large, crimson man. He had been a Rank S adventurer known as the King of Shura before becoming a Greater Demonic Deity. “Bask, right?”
“Kyubel. Your cruel, heartless acts in my hometown of Rohzenheim and the Galiatan Continent haven’t sated you, I see,” Sophie muttered, her voice quiet yet irate. “Now, you insist on tormenting those on the ocean floor with your scummy ploys.”
Shia simply sized her enemies up without saying a word. She probably wants to ask about Beku, but if Ignomasu hears that name, he might change his course of action. She must be trying to figure out what the best move for her to make is. Allen had sent off his Bird E and used Sharing, through which he learned that the First Imperial Army was already marching toward the northern region. He was not sure if merfolk swam faster in water than humans walked on land or if the army was truly made of the most refined soldiers, but they had mobilized far more quickly than Allen had anticipated. Good, they’re grouping up in the north.
“Your Majesty,” Allen called, turning to Ignomasu. “I will send you there! I wish you the best of luck!”
“What? You’ll ‘send’ me?” Ignomasu asked.
A moment later, he was gone. Thanks to Bird A’s Awakened Ability, Homing Instinct, he was sent to a nest that had been built near the First Imperial Army’s marching path. Bird A could teleport those who were not part of Allen’s party, but only if their Intelligence was below a certain threshold and they did not have anything protecting them from status effects. It seemed neither of those had been a problem for Ignomasu.
“Oh dear, are you sure about sending him off?” Kyubel asked. “Will he be all right? I’m not sure he’ll be able to meet up with the army behind him, though. One way or another, he’ll be dead by the end of the day. After all, we’ve got Commander Bildiga’s excellent and powerful subordinates leading our army. You can’t treat them like any old Rank A monster.”
He pointed to a giant beetle that gave off a metallic luster, but Bildiga remained as silent as the grave.
“Bildiga, you said?” Allen asked. “Since you’re a Greater Demonic Deity, is your subordinate a Demonic Deity or a Rank S monster?”
Bildiga kept its jagged legs pointed at Allen, but said not a word. It’s a he, right? Guess he isn’t the type to prattle on stupidly like Kyubel. But his subordinates must be Demonic Deities too. And from the sound of it, there aren’t just one or two of them. How many will Prostia be up against? This is gonna be a tough one, so I’ll have Merus and Meruru help out the Allen Army.
Currently, Bird A and Bird E were headed due north with Fish C in their mouths. They would soon arrive ten kilometers north of the capital, where Allen had predicted the clash against the Demon Lord Army. There were still no signs of the enemy; Ignomasu and the First Imperial Army would stand guard there.
Formation North of Patlanta
Ten kilometers north: Ignomasu and the First Imperial Army
Forty kilometers north: The Allen and Hero Armies
Thanks to Angel Halo, Merus possessed Summoning skills that put him on par with Allen. He would use Fish A’s Awakened Ability, Mimic, to transform the Allen Army of fifty-two hundred and the Hero Army of a thousand into merfolk. They would be transported to the ocean floor a few moments later via Bird A’s Homing Instinct. Furthermore, Bird F’s Awakened Ability, Messenger, would convey information about Merus and the army to Allen. The Summoner would instantly know what he was up against. Helmios would also receive Merus’s reports and would formulate plans for the two armies.
Despite all this, the odds were stacked against them. Their opponent was an army of a hundred thousand that had a few Demonic Deities in the mix, and there were four Greater Demonic Deities present to oversee the situation. It was clear that the Demon Lord Army needed to win this battle.
That’s how badly they want to resurrect the Daemon God. What’ll happen if they succeed? I feel like the world’s gonna end or something. Anyhoo, I’m not sure if I can beat these four, so I’ll call for Dogora and the others too. The rest of the No-life Gamers had been transformed into merfolk, and the Summoner used Homing Instinct to swiftly bring them to what would soon be the battleground.
“Wow, didn’t really expect this,” Dogora said nonchalantly as he gazed around. He did not seem to mind that he had been teleported out of the blue.
Krena also looked quite indifferent, but Keel, Luke, and even Volmaar could not hide their shock. Some were used to Allen’s selfish antics, while others still were not. In any case, Allen, Cecil, Sophie, Shia, Krena, Dogora, Keel, Volmaar, and Luke were now together, and they would fight the Greater Demonic Deities.
* * *
Name: Krena
Age: 15
Class: Sword Emperor
Level: 60
HP: 4,150 + 3,000
MP: 1,832 + 3,000
Attack: 4,150 + 3,000
Endurance: 3,968 + 3,000
Agility: 3,510 + 3,000
Intelligence: 2,250
Luck: 2,688 + 3,000
Extra Skill: Limit Brea
Skills: Sword Emperor {6}, Slash {6}, Phoenix Smash {6}, Healing Blade {6}, Supreme Ruling Blade {6}, Valor {2}, Sword Mastery {6}
Equipment
Orichalcum Greatsword: +12,000 Attack
Adamantite Armor: +6,000 Endurance
Bracelet 1: +5,000 HP, +5,000 Endurance, halves Cooldown Time, +20% Attack Skill Damage
Ring 1: +5,000 Attack
Ring 2: +5,000 Attack
