58 Chapter 48: March of Desperate Mortals
The City of Merkabah.
The moon hung high in the sky as the night breeze swept through the city streets. But the wind wasn't greeted with the busying bodies and sounds of the alliance preparing for war. There was no sound to be made, as now was the time for reclamation.
The alliance forces formed into numerous rows and columns as they donned their black armor and masks. Weapon in hand, and spirits high, they were all preparing to begin their eradication mission of the Behemoths occupying the capital city of Shalzard, Sorshana.
The sight was imposing. Not a single faltering soul could be seen in a single soldier because they knew that should they fail, the whole world as they knew it would be beset by great peril.
𝙁𝙒𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊-
An ominous gust took over the serene night breeze. Casting one's sight to the horizon, an oppressive black storm could be seen. The converging winds of the Behemoth horde.
( i m a g e )
Just as the alliance had been making its own preparations, so too did the Behemoths. Every single member of their kind had now amassed and recuperated inside the vicinity of Sorshana.
Their strength improved as they rested. Their poison sacs began to lace their black winds with extreme poison.
The two sides were both at their peak. There will be no possibility of delays or setbacks. War was now inevitable.
𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥...𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥...𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥...𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥…
A lone pair of footsteps broke the tense silence the eerie winds had brought over the alliance forces. Standing on high atop a platform, Bell now stood in front of the entire alliance, the flags of Shalzard, the Hermes familia, and the Freya familia flew proudly behind his back.
The numerous engines of the desert warships welcomed his arrival, along with the expectant gazes of every soldier, adventurer, and god.
Bell would signal the start of the operation himself, so he prepared a few words in order to ensure that morale was kept high as they all plunged into the dark abyss of the Behemoth's stormy winds.
'I really wish I had the talent of Finn to come up with rousing speeches…but alas, I am no poet…but I was an avid reader and media consumer in my past life, so I have an advantage…'
𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚
"At the edge of our hope, at the end of our time…we have chosen not only to believe in ourselves but in each other"
As Bell began to speak, all ears focused on each word he uttered. Resting his hands atop the grip of his projection of the sword of thunder, Jupiter, he began to exude a majesty that slowly began to set fire to the hearts of the alliance.
"Today there is not a man nor woman in here that shall stand alone…not today…"
Igniting his power, Bell's eyes began to shift from their gray hue to a brilliant blue as he faced every single soldier under his command. Entrusted with the lives of thousands, there was no way Bell could not hinder the growing emotions within himself"
"Today we face the monsters that are at our door! And bring the fight to them! Today we are canceling the apocalypse!"
Bell's speech was answered with a thunderous war cry. To the reclaiming of their homeland. To the protection of their goddess. To the ensured survival of mortals. To the saving of the world. The alliance cried out to the heavens to witness their finest hour.
The entire alliance force began to board the numerous desert ships that awaited their arrival. Lines of men and women began to embark as Bell watched them all in silence. But he was soon approached by the representatives of each allied group.
"Quite the speech there, Bell. Didn't take you for a natural speaker like 『Braver』"
Hermes casually joked as he nonchalantly walked around. Seemingly unperturbed by the massive black storm that was slowly encroaching upon them.
"You're a natural, Bell. I already have one of my children documenting everything that is happening. That speech was simply too good to be forgotten in the annals of history"
Freya said as she cupped her cheek in joy. She had been enjoying every single experience she shared with her Odr, but that moment was when his soul shined brilliantly, leaving the goddess swooning at its beauty.
"Just as Lady Freya has said. You're making me self-conscious you know? You seem more like a king than even me"
Arry joked, wearing her armor that obscured her gender. Holding Caliburn as her waist, with Eos resting soundly in the blade.
『Like Arry said! You're awesome, Bell!』
Eos spoke with a child-like exuberance that exuded wonder and amazement. Having been extremely driven by the vigilante's words.
Bell smiled as he took in all the words of praise he had received, but he didn't let himself ride high on the feeling. His eyes would be constantly observing the situation, waiting patiently to respond to any unforeseen development.
He promised himself to no longer rely on miracles to achieve victory, and he would hold true to that promise for this entire battle.
Walking alongside the god, goddess, and king, they all decided to embark as well on the flagship of the alliance fleet. The capital ship of their force, Prydwen.
𝙑𝙒𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙈-
The magic engines of the numerous metallic black desert ships roared out as they soon began to strengthen in power. Deafening out even the howling winds of the Behemoth storm.
The fleet was divided into three classifications, the first was the escort-class desert ships, named 『Windbreakers』
Consisting of the smaller desert ships given to the alliance by neighboring desert nations, their main objective was the protection of their escort ship by drawing away the attention of Behemoths.
Carrying armaments meant to inflict as much pain as possible on the gigantic monsters to funnel its attention to them alone, and having been equipped with a structure that allowed swift and deft movements.
The second classification was the metallic black desert ships being protected by the escorts, named 『Stormbreakers』
Consisting of the larger desert ships, their main objective was the complete eradication of any Behemoth that had entered their range.
Though slower than their escorts, they were supplemented by a significant increase in firepower. Carrying the artillery cannons designed and produced by both Bell and Asfi, they were capable of firing the similarly designed and produced Anti-Behemoth shells.
Capable of piercing through the Behemoth's tough skin and defenses with extreme firepower.
Lastly, above all of them was the capital ship of the fleet. Located within the center, and dwarfing all the other desert ships in sheer size and power. The retrofitted Prydwen.
No longer a simple projection, it was now a powerful desert ship equipped with the best technology Bell and Asfi produced.
It housed the numerous magic items that would facilitate distanced contact among the entire force, and a near-constant radar to help navigate the fleet through the black winds of the storm.
It also carried numerous other important capabilities, but the most impressive of them all was its main artillery cannon.
An intimidating large black cannon with two massive rods protruding along its structure. Constantly emitting eerie sparks of electricity. Styled in the image of a barreled gun that imposed the concept of death, Bell had designed what was essentially the magical equivalent of an electromagnetic railgun.
『Replica of Barrel Replica: False Barrel』
Inscribed with numerous enchantments and magic circles, and powered by a vast quantity of high-quality magic stones sourced by Orario. It was capable of propelling a pure orichalcum projectile at immense speeds. As the precious metal was the only material that could withstand the immense force of the cannon.
It was designed to deal with outlier Behemoths whose size and defense exceeded the capabilities of the 『Stormbreakers』class of ships. Thus it was located in the center of the fleet to be able to respond quickly to any approaching enemy that could only be dealt with its caliber of firepower.
'Though the False Barrel was designed to be my trump card, my true trump card is the adventurers'
Bell thought to himself as he safely boarded the Prydwen. Turning his attention away from the busy main deck towards the back, he could see the numerous executives of the Freya familia sitting in silence. Preparing for the battle.
Donned in armor that was crafted with a higher concentration of precious metals and Behemoth drop-terms, and carrying weapons of the same composition. The first-class adventurers were now hyper-specialized in killing gigantic enemies.
The most imposing of them all was Ottar. The Boaz beastman stood in eerie silence with an imposing set of full-plate armor and a gigantic greatsword on his back.
"Are all the start-up procedures finished? Give me a status report along with the measurement of the instruments"
"Yes, captain!"
As Bell observed the adventures, the voice of Asfi soon reached his ears, along with the disciplined responses of the alliance officers.
The captain of the Hermes familia was assigned as the fleet captain due to her experience with monster combat, magic tool operation, and sailing expertise.
Speaking with confidence and moving elegantly, Asfi looked and acted the part of a fleet captain as she readied the Prydwen and all the other desert ships to begin moving towards the black storm of the Behemoths that was slowly encroaching on their location.
𝙁𝙒𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊-
The black storm of the Behemoths was slowly but surely growing in size and strength, and it would soon engulf the city of Merkabah.
Only the alliance forces that were trained in combat were currently present, while the rest of the alliance had been moved before the storm would swallow the city whole.
"..."
The black winds grew closer with every second as the force of the storm soon began to rock the ships. But they all remained firmly planted upon the desert sands. Their weight allowed the ships to resist the extreme forces of the storm.
𝙁𝙒𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊-
But soon enough, the observation deck of the ship was clouded in pitch black as the entire fleet soon entered the approaching Behemoth storm.
"..."
A silence fell upon the crew as they observed what lay in store for the world if they failed to repel the Behemoths. A world of darkness, inflicted with cold howling winds that sang a song of death and decay.
A black void which crushed any chance at life prospering…but faced with such odds, all the souls of the alliance still remained firm in their resolve.
"All start-up procedures have been confirmed, alliance leader. We are ready to depart. Awaiting your commands"
Asfi spoke so to Bell with a calm tone. Though she would normally flinch at such a sight, so long as Bell was present, the captain felt that it would all be fine.
"..."
Bell closed his eyes as he collected himself…and then he soon ordered the commencement of the operation. Gigantomachy had now begun.
"All ships! Forward!"
𝙑𝙒𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙈-
The fleet's numerous magic engines roared in unison as they slowly began to propel themselves through the storm. Numerous magic items sprung to life across the hulls of the metallic black ships. Breaking apart the wailing gusts as they moved forward with certainty.
Countless blindingly bright white searchlights were activated to give visuals to the numerous officers and captains aboard each ship.
The flags of the alliance waved high atop each vessel. The souls aboard each craft began to move to allow the ship to function smoothly.
Mortal kind has now begun their counter-assault to reclaim their home. The inheriting of birthright. The restoration of the desert. Reclamation day has arrived.
…
..
.
"Fire!!!"
𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈...𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈...𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈...𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈...
The deafening blare of cannon fire erupted all around. Deep inside the embrace of the storm of black ash, the alliance was tearing a path to Sorshana, leaving behind the dying carcasses and cold ash of the numerous Behemoths they had slain along the way.
The 『Windbreakers』fired numerous rounds of ammunition that inflicted immense pain on their target Behemoths, while the 『Stormbreakers』measured all the required variables with their instruments before firing their salvos.
Each shot tore through the bodies of the gigantic beasts with ease. Shattering their magic stones into numerous pieces. The cries of the monstrosities bellowed out into the air as they soon faded from life.
"No abnormalities have been reported, captain. The fleet can continue to forge on ahead"
An alliance officer reported the current situation to Asfi and Bell. The fleet had engaged in numerous battles on the journey to Sorshana.
As Bell had expected, in the time the alliance had taken in order to prepare, more and more Behemoths gathered around the Grand Behemoth, creating a flood of giants that threatened to crush anything in their path.
They all varied greatly in size, but none had inflicted any significant damage to the fleet thus far.
𝙏𝙎𝙎𝙃𝙃𝙃...𝙏𝙎𝙎𝙃𝙃𝙃...
Sparks of light could be seen in the numerous decks of the desert ships as the alliance soldiers performed maintenance on the burning hot cannons.
Equipped with the gas mask, oxygen tanks, and air-tight armor suits Bell and Asfi had developed, they were all able to walk just fine in the poisonous black storm. Even if they had yet to level up and attain the 『Abnormal Resistance』development ability.
"Maintain heading. We are almost to the border of the Sorshana territory. Advise all maintenance personnel to evacuate back inside the ship once we arrive…the storm's winds will only get stronger from here on out"
Asfi spoke succinctly as she continued to give out orders and receive reports. While she was busy with the coordination of the entire fleet, Bell was keeping his senses out for the appearance of particular outlier Behemoths.
Specifically two outlier Behemoths.
'In the side story 'Grand Day Tale', there were a total of three Behemoths that were extremely large in size. The Behemoth abnormal species which I can assume to be the demi-spirit, and two other extremely large Behemoths…'
'If that side story holds true, then it will be inevitable until we encounter them in our journey…in which case we need to utilize False Barrel…'
Bell thought to himself about how to best respond to the arrival of the two outlier Behemoths, but soon he no longer had to worry about that.
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■!!!
Loud roars erupted from within the dark expanse of the storm before the black winds made way to reveal the giant silhouettes of two Behemoths. The searchlights of the desert ships trained themselves on the beasts, illuminating the grotesque and horrifying features of the beasts.
'Someone really is fucking with me right now…'
Bell cursed whoever was playing with his fate before taking control of the operation from Asfi.
"All Prydwen staff. Begin initiation of the False Barrel and the loading of the Orichalcum Anti-Behemoth shell. This is not a drill. I repeat this is not a drill"
At Bell's words, the staff aboard the Prydwen immediately began to move and prepare the False Barrel to activate.
Bell did not doubt that the weapon he created could obliterate the approaching Behemoths, but the problem was that the cannon needed time before it could be fired once more.
Faced with this predicament, he knew exactly what to do in order to deal with the second giant Behemoth.
"Ottar. Warm yourself up for the big fight. Your itching to try out your new toys, right?"
Bell said so to Ottar with a confident grin. Having read the story of Danmachi, he knew plenty well just how much of a battle junkie the beastman was. Especially after spending so long with no battlefield that can entice him.
"I will get to it then"
Ottar simply responded curtly to Bell's words. His face was obscured by a bestial helmet that accompanied his armor, but beneath its black structure, Ottar was smiling wildly. He was itching to do battle with such a gigantic foe.
𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥...𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥...𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥...𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥…
The black swordsman stepped out of the Prydwen's bridge to begin heading towards the Behemoths. While Bell was watching him leave, Freya sneaked up to his side before whispering into his ear. A smile was laden across her face.
"You're really a good stepfather for my children, aren't you Bell?"
Hearing the goddess' words, a creeping feeling rose from his spine as he imagined the numerous executives of the Freya familia calling him father.
All of them were quite older than himself, with Allen being the youngest at twenty-five, and Hedin being the oldest at seventy-seven.
"Freya…I don't think that can ever really work…"
Bell said so with an awkward tone and expression, causing the goddess to laugh in amusement at her beloved's mental and bodily rejection of being her familia's defacto father.
"There's nothing wrong with being the dad that stepped up, my beloved~"
Bell and Freya continued their banter while the rest of the people on the bridge continued to operate the ship and the fleet.
"..."
But though the rest of the bridge turned their attention away from the flirting goddess and vigilante, the Freya familia executives were left deep in contemplation about what Freya had said.
"Bell Cranel as our father?... I feel sick-"
Allen felt an intense rejection of the notion from every part of his being. He was left conflicted between serving his goddess faithfully or keeping true to his moral beliefs of not wanting a fifteen-year-old stepdad in his life.
But though they all shared the same sentiments, the Gulliver brothers did not hesitate to take this chance to kick down the arrogant Allen.
As the opportunity didn't present itself, they would rather stick with the uncomfortable idea than let it go to waste.
"But he did discipline you as a parent would during the alliance's first meeting"
"The spitting image of a father and his rebellious son. Congrats Allen"
"You are the first among us to establish a familia relationship with Bell Cranel"
"You even think about him every day as you strive to improve yourself in training!"
The four brothers spoke in unison without delay as they ragged on their tsundere of a vice-captain. Inciting a violent response from the cat person in retaliation.
Though the alliance was no doubt knee-deep in danger, their hearts and minds were as cool as the nightly wind.
…
..
.
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■!!!
𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈...𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈...𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈...𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈…
The two gigantic Behemoths roared in pain as they were beset on all sides by immense firepower. The 『Windbreakers』and 『Stormbreakers』coordinated with one another to serve as diversions as the Prydwen continued to prepare the 『False Barrel』
All the while Ottar jumped from one ship to another as he slowly entered the range of the Behemoths. Clasping the greatsword 『Brutus』with immense strength. His eyes narrowed in on the rightmost Behemoth, while the other would be subjugated by the Prydwen.
"All maintenance checks have been confirmed. The green light has been given to initiate the loading sequence!"
"Initiate activation sequence of 『Replica of Barrel Replica: False Barrel』!!!"
𝙏𝙎𝙎𝙃𝙃𝙃...𝙏𝙎𝙎𝙃𝙃𝙃…
A red aura began to be imbued across the surface of the False Barrel as it slowly moved to be trained on the Behemoth assigned to it. Sparks of lightning manifested across the length of its two rods all the while.
『False Barrel-to-Prydwen connection: COMPLETE…Entering of bombardment stance: COMPLETE…』
『Activating of Giant Slayer Enchantment…Accomplish measure, start…Measuring difference of scale』
𝙑𝙒𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙈-
A low hum began to resound from the Prydwen as the False Barrel began to absorb the necessary magic from the cargos of magic stones within the ship, equaling the size difference between itself and the target Behemoth. All being accomplished through Bell's original enchantment.
『1000…2000…3000…4000…The scale has stopped and measures at 4700…Beginning imbuing of necessary mind…』
𝙏𝙎𝙎𝙃𝙃𝙃...𝙏𝙎𝙎𝙃𝙃𝙃…
『Observation of Bombardment Target: COMPLETE…Securing of Bunket Bolts and Recoil Absorbing Apparatuses: COMPLETE…』
Numerous bunker bolts protruded from the Prydwen, and numerous shock-absorbing magic enchantments began to spring into life.
The gigantic capital ship had transformed into a solitary artillery unit in order to deal with the incoming recoil.
『Orichalcum Anti-Behemoth Round has been Loaded…Bullet Frame, Armor-Piercing Mode…Mind Chamber has reached Critical…Entering Full Trance』
𝙑𝙒𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙈-
A swirl of red magical energy began to converge around the False Barrel as sparks of lightning erupted all throughout.
The orichalcum round began to be pulled with the electromagnetic forces of the cannon. Its surface began to heat up to extreme temperatures as a result of the condensing of such amounts of magical energy.
As the Prdywen readied its shot, Ottar stood at the bow of a 『Stormbreaker』which he had directed to sail directly towards his target Behemoth.
His mind stirred as his body began to exude more and more strength. Solitary and alone his warrior's spirit was for the last few years…and now…it would awaken with an immense ferocity.
Crying out to the wind. The king began to recite the song of his return. A chant of a magic that allowed him to go so far. One that bathed him in a radiance of gold, befitting his god-given alias.
『Silver moon's mercy…the golden wilderness…』
『This body is destined to encapsulate the wild boar of war』
『Run through all…and carry out thy goddess' will…』
A pillar of kingly golden light erupted through the black winds of the storm.
A swirl of ominous red radiance pierced through the veil of dark ash.
In the face of the two bellowing roars of the great monsters. Mortal kind responds with the fruits of their labor.
No longer will they be prey to the looming colossus…for they were now hunters of giants.
『False Barrel. Discharge』
The black cannon roared out to the heavens…
『Hildis Vini』
…as the solitary king lay waste to the earth.
…
..
.
𝘽 𝙊 𝙊 𝙈
…
..
.
Calm.
Dead calm.
From the manifestation and convergence of such wild energy, all that came thereafter was dead calm.
𝙁𝙒𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊-
The whirling winds of the storm were no more. All that remained was a gentle embrace of a soft breeze.
𝙁𝙒𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊-
Starlight. The pitch-black hold was nowhere to be seen as the alliance fleet bathed in the embrace of the starlight above.
"...they're…gone…completely eradicated…"
Hermes spoke out softly in disbelief at what had just happened. He had lived for millions of years. Witnessed the rise and fall of great civilizations. Observed the raising and felling of great figures…and yet…never once did he see something like what he had just seen.
𝙁𝙒𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊-
The black storm which seemed to be invincible was pierced by the force of the two attacks, leaving the nearby area to be freed, albeit temporarily, from the storm's hold.
The two Behemoths were nowhere to be found. Not even their ash had remained to mark their existence upon the world. All had been burned away like a purifying heat.
Looking up at the sky, Hermes wondered if any god or goddess had witnessed what had happened…looking up at the sky, Hermes stood with a beating chest at what the opulent and supposedly infallible divine had to say right now.
How long did he have to tolerate many of his kind living in arrogance and ignorance?...how many years had he waited for this moment?...for the arrival of one who could truly change the world?
"I truly can't wait to see it…the world that lies at the end of your dreams, Bell…the world only you can see"
Soon, the fleet was engulfed once more by the winds of the black storm, but in everyone's eyes, a light was burning bright amidst the dark. The coming dawn. The promise of victory. Assured hope.
…
..
.
The alliance fleet continued their battles for a while longer until their navigation instruments began to relay that they would soon be approaching the capital city of Sorshana.
The close they got, the fewer they encountered Behemoths, but the stronger and fiercer the winds became.
Dedicating all their resources to ensuring their ships continued to stay grounded, the alliance fleet pushed forward against the harsh winds…until they soon broke through the wall of turbulence and entered the eye of the storm.
"..."
The rocking noise of the ship soon turned silent as the winds were no more. They were now located within the center of the black storm of ash. In front of their eyes was the ruined city of Sorshana, and at its center…rested the Grand Behemoth.
"All ships, we have reached the drop-off point, Sorshana. All personnel are to begin forming a perimeter around the city's walls"
Asfi began to take charge of the operation and began to direct all the alliance's ships to begin their pre-planned formation.
With the Prydwen facing the city's gates, the accompanying ships are to form a perimeter around the city walls for a two-sided purpose.
The first was to fend off any straggling Behemoths that might approach while the team at the Prydwen do battle with the Grand Behemoth.
The second was so that the ships can provide assisting cannon fire should it be needed at any moment.
"Main subjugation force, be ready to disembark"
Asfi's command rang true as the main subjugation force prepared for the final battle. Consisting of the lead forces of the Freya familia, the strongest of the Hermes familia, and lastly, Bell and Arry.
"..."
All of the members of the main subjugation team were silent as they inspected their equipment and armed themselves. But words were no longer needed among all of them.
They all burned the contents of their strategies into their minds, and their resolve possessed no risk of faltering at any moment.
It was sink or swim with this operation. They had everything to gain and lose from this single battle…so there was no point for all the experienced warriors among them to deliberate what must be done.
Though there was one sole exception to this. One divine-sized exception.
"I'll be relying on you once more for protection, Bell"
The goddess Freya would be accompanying the main subjugation force for the operation, at the personal request of Bell.
His decision was met with a small amount of resistance among the goddess' children but was soon silenced into acceptance by Freya herself.
As for why Bell needed the goddess to be present…it was due to him needing the special properties of her divinity for a key phase of his plans.
"This is Gray Ghost to the bridge. Main subjugation force is ready to disembark"
Standing at the docking bay of Prydwen, Bell messaged Asfi that they were now ready. After a quick confirmation, the doors of the ship soon began to open, unveiling the image of the Grand Behemoth who currently rested atop the royal castle of Shalzard.
"..."
Arry grasped Caliburn tightly as she felt anger begin to boil in her heart at the monster's desecration of her homeland's pride and history.
The numerous adventurers began to clasp their weapons as they soon began to feel the rush of battle sinking in. They were about to engage such a monstrous beast that defied common sense.
The goddess Freya looked upon the beast with narrowed eyes. Seeing the presence of the monster slowly devour the spirit within itself, she personally wished to right this slight against the divine.
Though Hermes wished to participate as well, he was relegated to being assistant fleet captain to Asfi for the positioned dessert ships. So Freya alone would carry the grudge of the gods.
Lastly, Bell began to feel his body tremble at the sight of the Grand Behemoth. Something he had expected after learning about his unique relationship between himself and the world…as an unknown to him grand servant.
『「Grand: Station of the Crown」reacts upon meeting antithetical existence』
'Looks like my fears have been confirmed…blackened monsters and demi-spirits are the fill-in beasts of this world…not surprising given how their creators seem to hate the world'
Bell's mind soon began to go through numerous thoughts but was halted as another string of information appeared in his mind.
『Searching for causality of activation… causality confirmed… artificial antithetical existence identified』
'Artificial?...'
Bell was confused as to why the Grand Behemoth in front of him was considered artificial. But it soon became clear to him…for the Grand Behemoth in front of him wasn't a demi-spirit created by the original demi-spirit at the bottom of the dungeon but by the evil god Angra Mainyu.
'Wait…if that's the case, then that would mean the beast in front of me isn't Beast VI…so there would be no anti-falna bullshit this time'
Bell was relieved that he wouldn't have to deal with the anti-falna abilities of Beast VI…but it implied he would be facing it more as he encountered the demi-spirits of the dungeon once the canon of Sword Oratoria started
"𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙝…deep breaths, Bell..one step at a time…one step at a time…"
As Bell tried to clear his head from his revelation, a voice soon began to speak to his mind directly. A voice he had become acquainted with only recently.
『Mister Bell…my sister will be saved, right?...』
Eos spoke anxiously as to the possibility of having her sister extracted from the Grand Behemoth. Seeing how much worse her sister's situation became, Eos grimly considered the possibility…that Hesperides couldn't be saved.
『If it proves too much…you can simply subjugate her alongside the beast, Mister Bell…it's a spirit's duty to uphold the survival of the world above all…』
Eos called upon her duty as a spirit of Helios with great difficulty as memories of her sister began to flash rapidly across her long-lived mind. But just as the spirit was about to give up, Bell silenced all doubt in her heart.
'What are you talking about, Eos? I told you from the beginning, right? I promised victory to those who followed me, and the saving of your sister to you'
Bell spoke to the spirit through his mind. Smiling brightly and widely as he began to take the first step forward.
'How can I call myself a hero, much less a man, if I make a little girl cry?'
Hearing Bell's thoughts, Eos grew silent. But she soon began to feel the reassuring hand of Arry holding the blade of Caliburn, silently comforting her.
'Don't look down on mortals, Eos. We may make a fool of ourselves most of the time…but we can pull through when it counts'
'So just keep enchanting Arry's blade and body, and leave all the complicated stuff to me'
Seeing the back of the mortal man who led the way against such an oppressive foe…the spirit soon began to understand why so much of her kind sacrificed themselves in their service…the six great spirits who sealed Nidhoog with the Gate of Heaven…the great spirits Aria and Jupiter…and countless more.
The hero's light blinded her eyes with a radiance that rivaled the divine beauty of the gods ruling above.
"..."
Taking a deep breath, Bell readied to announce the soon-coming climactic crescendo of their war.
"Beginning the final phase of Operation: Gigantomachy….to all allied forces, godspeed"
…
..
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Editor:
Editor-kun#4796
AN:
Thank you for reading this chapter.
This one is a little over 5k words. Do you guys prefer reading shorter chapters like this? Or do u want me to go unga bunga 10k words per chapter again? HAHAHAHA
Next chapter will be the long-awaited battle against the Grand Behemoth. So I hope you will be looking forward to that.
Thank you for your continued support of this story, and may you all have a nice day!
