When the sun rose over the horizon, its rays cast a faint light over the blood-stained battlefield.
Over a hundred and fifty thousand corpses still lay sprawled across the bloody plain, cold and unmoving. The Empire's soldiers hadn't bothered to clean them up. The number was far too staggering. It couldn't be done in a single night, anyway.
Besides, they had other things to worry about. Far more important things. The Empire's Herbalists worked tirelessly to co up with an antidote to counter the poison.
Although only the Mana Foundation and Mana Liquefaction Magi had fallen to the toxins, the truth remained that everyone was affected by it. After all, Adam had insidiously poisoned the Empire's entire food and water supply.
If the surviving Magi did not consu the antidote, the poison would still continue to harm their body in subtle ways. So this took precedence over laying the dead to rest. The dead could wait.
After the bloody battle that unfolded the previous day, one would expect the Empire's forces to wallow in misery and the Union's army to seethe in newfound strength and determination.
However, the reality was far different.
The Empire's army, despite consisting of only a hundred and fifty thousand grievously injured soldiers, seed like it had received a second windfall. And it had. The commanders of the army had received word that reinforcents would arrive soon.
In fact, they might even arrive before the fighting for the day began!
As for the Union's forces, a hint of doubt had begun to creep into their hearts — hearts they had only recently hardened despite the cracks forming within them.
And no, it wasn't because of the Dark King's disappearance. They did not know that he was not even in the material world at present. The commanders had done a good job at safeguarding that secret. All they knew was that the pillar of their army was currently recovering sowhere in the vast camp.
What they truly felt uneasy about was fighting the devils. They had all been made privy to the existence of these otherworldly creatures and how these extraterrestrial beings wanted to destroy their planet.
But now that the ti had really co, they found their resolve waning ever so slightly. It was the fear of the unknown that had struck them.
How many creatures would they be fighting against in the coming days? Currently, they had an advantage in numbers over their enemies, but how long would that be the case?
They did not know.
Except for so vague details about the types of devil species they might battle, they did not know anything. But they could all take solace in the belief that the Dark King was still sowhere there with them.
Or that's what they were led to believe, anyway.
Within an hour, the atmosphere on the battlefield shifted. The air beca dark, heavy, and ominous.
At the forefront of the Union army, all the Mana Core-level commanders had gathered. The Hermit was the first one to notice the change.
"They're here." His grim words echoed in the air, turning everyone around him utterly solemn.
Then they saw it.
The northern skies were filled with countless flying devils, all surging toward the battlefield. Below, the earth trembled beneath hundreds of thousands of marching footsteps.
And soon, the infernal army ca into view like a dark tide sweeping across the land.
"That's… a lot," Edward muttered with a dark look on his face as he saw the approaching army.
Goro, who was standing beside him, turned to him and smirked. "Scared?"
Edward resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He couldn't help but scoff at the man's comnt. But at the very least, it helped him take the edge off a little.
anwhile, the Union army fell into uneasy silence as the massive devil host rged with the surviving forces of the Empire.
Ranks upon ranks of infernal soldiers stretched across the horizon, their numbers so vast that they seed endless. Winged devils darkened the skies while countless others marched below in disciplined formations. Their malicious roars and cackles filled the air.
The enemy army swelled rapidly. A hundred and fifty thousand beca three hundred thousand. Three hundred thousand beca four. Until finally, nearly five hundred thousand Magi had gathered. The sight alone was suffocating, let alone the aura of power and dread an army of that size radiated.
Many Union soldiers felt their throats go dry. Others tightened their grips on their weapons, trying to suppress the fear creeping into their hearts. The hope they had regained after yesterday's victory was shaken once more by the overwhelming reality before them.
So of them noticed that despite all the commanders gathering at the front of the army, the Dark King was still nowhere to be seen. But still, they desperately believed that he was sowhere around. He had to be. He had to...
"Why haven't those flying devils attacked yet?" Bai Tianji looked skyward and asked in an even voice.
"They're waiting," Anna replied solemnly. On her shoulder, Valerian sat with a slightly nervous look on his face.
"For what?" A Union Magus asked in a low voice.
"…I'm not so sure." Blackfire Balthazar looked utterly grim, his fists clenching and unclenching several tis.
Suddenly, as if to answer their question, the front lines of the Empire's army slowly parted.
From within, two figures rode forward toward the center of the battlefield, leading a small escort of humans and devils. Their pace was slow, almost casual.
One was Volgron, mounted atop an infernal red destrier that snorted smoke and embers with every breath. Beside him rode the Cult Leader upon a towering undead warhorse, its hollow sockets burning with pale flas.
Behind them followed a small procession of powerful Mana Core-level devils and humans alike, including the three Elders of the Cult.
Their arrival drew the attention of the entire battlefield.
When Shaw Jidu finally laid his trembling gaze upon the lich, he spoke in horror, "T-The rumors were true! The Brotherhood's archnesis… the Cult Leader has truly conquered death!"
This was the first ti all of them were seeing the Cult Leader in person. Until now, he had only existed in whispers and rumors. But now, he had finally appeared.
Strangely enough, it was the lich's presence that filled them with greater fear than the devils'.
"Do you think it's a trap?" One of the Union Magi couldn't help but ask suspiciously.
"With an army of that size and individuals of such power," the Hermit began, "I doubt they would resort to petty thods."
On the other side, as the small party of Mana Core Magi crossed the corpse-filled battlefield, the Blood Lord audaciously said, "Why must we participate in such customs? They're all going to die, anyway."
The Cult Leader remained silent. But the Volgron chuckled coldly, "You may not know this, but we are always looking for capable warriors to fight on our side in the Eternal War. I may just be able to sway the minds of so of the Magi on our enemy's side."
Marden's eyes flashed with a peculiar light. He didn't ask any more questions. Even as the other devils cast murderous glares at him, he remained calm and silent, completely ignoring them.
Suddenly, the azirai leader spoke, "You're right. He really is here."
The green flas in the lich's eyes flickered. His jaws parted, and he said in a cold voice, "That man is elusive by nature."
Volgron chuckled. "Well, do tell him not to kill anyone before we truly begin the battle."
On the other side of the battlefield, as the Hermit and the others discussed who should ride out to et the enemy leaders, a sudden and shocking change occurred.
One mont, there was no one. But the next, a tall figure draped in loose silk robes abruptly appeared in front of the commanders. None of them realized the man's sudden arrival.
The Hermit was the first to notice.
He instinctively turned around and swung his staff.
CLANG!
But the staff never reached its target. It was blocked easily by a… smoking pipe.
The newcor exhaled a plu of smoke to the side and spoke lazily, "Is this how you greet your sovereign?"
The Hermit's eyes widened as he recognized the man, and realized how casually he had blocked his attack.
He drew in a deep breath as understanding dawned on him.
Then, in a solemn voice, he said in a barely audible voice:
"Hidden Ruler!"
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