While Allen faced the Demon Great Generals, he decided to let Ignomas aid him.
"You want me to leave this place and fight the monsters instead?"
"Yes. I realize there's four enemies here, but there's 100'000 monsters coming. And they're all A Rank so…without your help, the capital won't survive."
Allen would take care of the four, so he wanted Ignomas to go north and fight there.
There was only one hour left before they arrived, so Ignomas could not spend time here.
(Now, they look really confident. I guess it makes sense they would feel that way, coming together like that.)
Kyubel's group seemed aware that Allen had been planning something, and did not attack right away.
They simply watched Allen and Ignomas talking.
Allen also did not attack, instead observing the situation first.
He needed as much time as possible to plan his next strategy.
"So you're saying we'll have more casualties if I'm not commanding the frontlines. Hmhmm."
Ignomas had a 4 Star Talent, Spear King, and had once commanded the Imperial Knights, so he had experience leading knights.
"Precisely. We don't have much time, please make up your mind soon!"
"Hmmmmm."
Ignomas had full control over the Imperial Knights who guarded the palace, the First Imperial Army that guarded Patlanta, and the Second Imperial Army that guarded the surrounding areas.
He would surely have no objections to taking control of the empire's army.
And there was little he could do fighting the Demon Great Generals here too.
The crystal flower's power was weakened now, so the A Rank monsters could approach Patlanta without issue.
Men and someone to lead them were necessary to protect the city.
If only one A Rank monster reached the city, there would be devastating casualties.
They were coming from the north of the city, so Allen had planned on bringing Allen's Army to a location a few dozen kilometers to the north.
He would have Ignomas and his armies take care of the monsters that managed to get through Allen's Army.
(The situation is quite dire. I guess they planned this from the start.)
There were many people to defend at once in this battle.
The Songstress Contest was clearly a convenient moment for the Demon King's Army to attack.
There were more than two million people gathered in Patlanta to witness that event.
"You said something about resurrecting the Evil God?"
While Ignomas debated on what to do, Allen spoke to Kyubel, trying to gather information.
'Yes. Our Evil God is sleeping beneath this crystal flower, or well, more like a part.'
"So the Sea Monster was a piece of the Evil God? And you spread the Evil Cult to resurrect the Evil God too. You've been planning this for a while."
Allen slowly began to understand what the Demon King's Army had been planning.
'Heheheh, I see you've been diligent with your studies. Did Merus tell you that? But yes, Allen, we've been planning this for a long time.'
"You sound quite confident to speak like that."
'Of course, none of my plans have ever failed. The Demon King told me to work with all our resources this time, but really it's simple, we just have to follow my plan.'
Kyubel's confident smile seemed almost visible through his mask, assured of his victory.
Allen had fought the Demon King's Army in Rosenheim and against the Evil Cult, but he always ended up one step behind their plans.
All of this was probably part of one such plan too.
Maybe the Evil God's resurrection was the ultimate goal of the Demon King's Army.
The Sea Monster sealed underneath the crystal flower was related to the Evil God the Demon King's Army was trying to resurrect.
That helped Allen establish a common element in all the Demon King's Army's movements.
[Timeline of the Demon King's Army's actions]:
-They spent decades creating and broadening the Evil Cult in the Confederation
-They used an attack of ten million soldiers on the surface as a smokescreen to steal Freya's Divine Artifact
-They used the large Evil Cult to fuel millions of souls into the Divine Artifact
-Sinorom plotted and carried out rebellions in Albahar and Prostia
-They were trying to use all the souls gathered as an offering to resurrect the Evil God (current day)
(And I guess Bek is also involved with all of this somehow.)
Kyubel had pushed Allen into a corner before, when the Evil Cult was still active, but there were millions of people on the line now.
There were still things he needed to think about, but there was not enough time for that.
"If you wait for too long, you won't be able to protect your people. Please make a decision."
The Demon King's Army was heading to Patlanta, so Allen hurried Ignomas to make a decision.
"Okay, I'll do it. But are you sure you can defeat these?"
"I'll hold them at bay at least. I would appreciate it if you came back to assist here once the orders to the armies are issued. I hope all of you don't mind assisting me either? We'll hold them here!"
Halfway through, Allen turned to talk to Shea's group.
"Of course."
While Allen had gone there masquerading as an ambassador, Shea listened to his orders.
They had already let Princess Rapsonile evacuate, and then they returned to Allen.
Shea also wanted to ask Kyubel about Bek's whereabouts.
But if they mentioned that while Ignomas was present, he could end up becoming dubious.
He was still debating on what would be the best decision.
Allen did not feel like Ignomas would be of much use even if he returned.
But if he voiced his honest thoughts, he would likely feel even less inclined to go command the army.
(Good, there are knights gathering in the north now.)
Through the Bird E summon, Allen watched a line of merman knights heading to the north.
"Well, I'm sending you there then, Emperor Ignomas. Good luck!!"
"Huh? You'll send-?!"
Ignomas vanished from there.
Allen had used the Bird A summon's Awakened Skill [Homing Instinct] to teleport him north.
When Kyubel appeared, Allen had sent two Bird A summons inside the mouth of the Fish C summon.
One of them had left a [Nest] in northern Patlanta, which would become the defense line for any monsters that went through Allen's Army.
'Are you sure about that? Though well, no matter how many soldiers you get ready, it won't change anything. This army is accompanied by General Bildiga's minions too. Don't think they're simply A Rank monsters.'
According to Kyubel, there were Bildiga's minions amongst the 100'000 monsters coming too.
'...'
Bildiga remained silent to Kyubel's announcement.
"A Demon Great General's minions? So Demon Generals? Or S Rank monsters?"
Kyubel had said something important, so Allen asked even more questions.
'...'
Bildiga remained silent, holding his serrated limbs against Allen, his alert high.
He did not seem to be willing to share information the way Kyubel did.
(I guess there are Demon Generals there then. But how many? It seems like there's more than one or two. That does sound pretty hard. I guess Merle and Merus will have to join the fight.)
The reports said the army of 100'000 were mainly A Rank monsters, but there was a possibility there were many S Rank monsters and Demon Generals amongst them too.
While Allen wasted time chatting with Kyubel, the Fish C summon continued traveling north with the Bird A and E in its mouth.
Allen was calculating they would clash with the enemy around 30 kilometers north from Patlanta.
Merus had used his Special Skill [Angel's Ring] to summon Fish A summons, using their Awakened Skill [Mimic] to turn all of Allen's Army into mermen. Which was done on Heavy User Island.
The Hero's Army's 1000 men had been training together with Allen's Army the day before, and were also joining in this mission.
Allen was giving orders to both Allen's Army and the Hero's Army, explaining how to fight the battle.
Allen was speaking through Merus, giving out orders.
They were 6200 people, who had all undergone Talent Changes, and they would have to confront the 100'000 A Rank monsters of the Demon King's Army.
On top of that, there were 4 Demon Great Generals present, showing how serious they were.
(So that's how badly they want to resurrect the Evil God. I wonder what would happen if they succeed. Somehow I feel like the world might end though. Can we defeat these four? I should bring Dogora and the rest here at least.)
Bildiga, Ramonhamon, and Basque had defeated the nearly 10'000 Insect A summons.
Allen had seen them then, so he knew their names and their power.
"Things are getting crazy here."
Dogora arrived with [Homing Instinct], transformed into a merman.
'I've been waiting for youuuu, Dogora!'
"..."
Basque exclaimed with a high pitched voice the moment he saw Dogora.
In response, Dogora glared at him and held firmly onto the Divine Artifact Kagutsuchi.
(How should we position ourselves? I wonder if the hero's Phoenix Sword will work on Demon Great Generals? I heard it didn't work on Kyubel at least.)
[Their formation for the battle]:
-Those atop the flower's style: Allen, Kurena, Cecile, Dogora, Kiel, Sophie, Formar, Shea, Luck
-Those fighting north of Patlanta: Merle, Merus, Helmios' party, Allen's Army, the Hero's Army
Doberg would be fighting under Helmios' orders.
He seemed to have a bone to pick with Sinorom, but Sinorom was nowhere to be seen, and he would likely struggle fighting the other Demon Great Generals.
Though Doberg's Extra Skill [Guard Break] could be quite effective.
Allen had told Helmios that he might call them in as one-point reliefs.
"Wait, are you going to fight these weirdos, Alec?"
"Yeah. Wait, Rosalina, you should get away from here."
For some reason, Rosalina had remained there, so Allen told her to go away.
"Hey, I can fight too. I won't forgive these weirdos for getting in the way."
The event had been interrupted, which angered her and made her want to fight them.
"Bu-?! No, hmm…alright. You can support us from behind, but these are strong enemies. If it gets too dangerous just leave us and run away."
Either she had a really courageous spirit, or she was too angry at Kyubel for ruining the event, but Rosalina stayed behind to fight.
Mermen were excellent swimmers.
All of them were able to evacuate the flower's style by jumping off it.
Allen told Rosalina to escape if things got too dangerous.
'Well well, I guess everyone's gathered then. I'm busy, so I'll leave the fighting to you. I have to resurrect the Evil God, heheh.'
Regardless of the battle formation Allen was setting up, Kyubel headed to the center of the flower's style without a care in the world.
It made one wonder how he was humming underwater.
Then he raised his hand, and a large vessel appeared out of nowhere.
It looked similar to the altar placed underneath Freya's Divine Artifact when they fought the Evil Cult.
Forming an altar, he then produced black flames from his chest.
That was also identical to the black fire burning atop the altar, when they fought the Evil Cult.
"Don't think we'll let you do that so easily."
That was some sort of ritual to resurrect the Demon King, so Allen wanted to interrupt it.
"I see, so that's your plan. We'll defeat the Demon Great Generals and then we stop Kyubel."
Kiel quickly caught up on what needed to be done.
He had been appointed as the leader of Allen's Army while Allen was away.
He could have continued assisting the armies in the northern side, but then Allen's group would lack healing.
"That's it, Kiel. We'll need to divide the work, Dogora will focus on Basque, Kurena and Shea will focus on Bildiga."
(They're dangerous Demon Great Generals, but I have to split up the party.)
As strong as they were, the party would struggle fighting those opponents.
The supports were told to stay a long distance away, and work from there.
"And what about that two faced one?"
"I'll fight Ramonhamon. He seems to be Kyubel's guard. Once you're done with your opponents, come help me."
Allen answered Cecile's question.
Seeing Kyubel, Basque, Bildiga, and Ramonhamon's positions, Allen guessed their roles.
Kyubel was in the center of the flower's style conducting his ritual.
Ramonhamon was near Kyubel, watching Allen's movements from a distance.
Basque and Bildiga were closer, ready to attack Allen's group.
"Well, I'm starting then!"
Rosalina, a 3 Star Diva began to sing.
(Oh, my Attack and Intelligence went up, and my Strenght and Mana are recovering.)
Rosalina used a Special Skill that combined four songs:
-Attack +18%
-Intelligence +18%
-180 Strength Regeneration per second
-180 Mana Regeneration per second
"Incredible! I might be able to fight a bit better like this!!"
With the boost to Intelligence, Cecile was rearing to go.
"What are you saying! That's not all I can do. Ruining my big moment is no joke! Princess of Mermaid!!"
Allen had never heard about it, but apparently the event had been made for Rosalina.
Her body became hazy, her body surrounded by glittering bubbles.
The bubbles flew around Allen's group, giving them even more power.
(Huh? All stats of everyone just went up by 5000.)
Allen was glad he decided to work with Rosalina.
He did not know how long the effect would last, but a boost of 5000 to all stats was massive.
'Hrngh, are you trying to harm my cute mermaids or what?'
The Sacred Fish Makris had been swimming overhead all this time, and now he seemed irked by the situation.
(Oh, should I try something?)
"Th-that's exactly it. We can't do anything against them. Sacred Fish, please help us!"
Allen, transformed into a merman, begged the Sacred Fish Makris.
At first Cecile was baffled he could act like that in such a situation, but she quickly focused on the fight again.
'Leave it to me then. Royal Guard!!'
"Huh?"
Bubbles seemed to envelop everyone in Allen's party, and their stats quickly rose.
Things were finally ready to fight the 4 Demon Great Generals, and the 100'000 monsters with S Rank monsters and Demon Generals, which would be a harsher battle than any Allen experienced before.
