Considering the great distance between the Mist Kingdom and the Sharal Autonomous Region, I had already expected this scene when Donglan's reinforcements were ambushed multiple times by beasts.
"… What a spectacular sight …"
In the distance, there was a volcano erupting into the sky. A large amount of gas and volcanic debris were mixed together, forming a thick layer of gray smoke. Amidst the smoke and dust that filled the sky, the core of the volcano lit up with flames. Lava slowly flowed from the surroundings, and the high temperature began to burn the entire land.
The powerful eruption sent volcanic debris all the way to the stratosphere. The sky was filled with suffocating volcanic ash and floating rocks. Even though we were far away, we could still feel the great power of nature.
No matter what was in between, it probably couldn't survive.
"Sharal Autonomous Region is finished …"
Along the way, we met with more than ten interceptions. However, the total number of ambushes we encountered wasn't as many as the first time. There were also a few flying magical beasts wandering around. It was obvious that they were there to slow us down. If that was the case, we should have been able to reach the volcano last night. The volcano shouldn't have been activated yet.
However, those devils had taken advantage of the snowy mountain's terrain to create several avalanches and blow up two bridges, forcing us to take a detour and slow down. This was a typical devil tactic. Not only would they do anything to achieve their goals, they wouldn't even give us a chance to fight them head-on.
When our reinforcements were repeatedly delayed, we were already prepared for the worst. In the end, we saw a volcano erupt right before our eyes … Kakagar, on this day next year, I'll be sure to visit your grave.
"… The volcano really did erupt. Roland Crow Beak, how do you feel?"
[Ding. You have obtained the title 'Roland — Jinx'. After equipping it, you can use long-range causality attacks, but it is only limited to specific attacks such as' I think it's fine as long as it doesn't catch fire 'or' This volcano will definitely not erupt '.]
I helplessly stared at the sky. This definitely wasn't because of my foul mouth. This was obviously the enemy's plan. From the very start, we were a step slower than them, allowing them to successfully carry out their plan. How could I be blamed for my foul mouth!
"… Kakagar, rest in peace. Although you've been making a bit too much money over the past few years, I'll take revenge for you even if it's for the sake of the Mist Kingdom's remnant species …"
"Kakagalol isn't dead. Our people have already found him. Although he's in a sorry state, he's in good spirits. "
I wanted to say a few words to lighten the mood, but I was interrupted in the middle of my speech. I couldn't believe the terrifying scene of the end of the world in the distance.
"How did they survive?"
"… Originally, they were all waiting to die, but last night, the Beast Tide voluntarily opened up a path, and someone even shouted for them to be let go. In the end, all of them really walked out after one night."
I was stunned. You can do that?
"Wait, does that mean that the Beast Tide made way for them … No, does that mean that if they had continued to stand their ground, they could have held on until we arrived?"
"Calculating the time, that's indeed the case. It seems like this is also the reason why the opponent allowed them to escape. "
I was rendered speechless. It would seem that our traveling day and night had been effective. At the very least, the beast stampede and the Illusion Face Devil behind the scenes were afraid of our arrival, which allowed the Shawen people to escape.
Based on my understanding of Gagalol, he would unhesitatingly grab onto this life-saving straw to escape, even if he could faintly guess that reinforcements were about to arrive.
"Forget it. Since things have come to this, it's better to be alive than dead. How is that fat fox? He hasn't taken things too hard just because he went bankrupt overnight, has he? "
The attendant's expression became rather strange. Finally, he gave me the answer that I wanted to hear.
"He hasn't. The first thing he said when he met us scouts was, 'Goddess of Wealth, it seems that I'll have to change my business to volcano tourism in the future. I hope that I'll be able to earn back what I lost while I'm still alive.'"
"Pffft! He's actually thinking about making money? "
The moment I said this, everyone around me started laughing, which finally lightened up the atmosphere.
I shook my head and sighed. Eight years ago, when I first met Gagalol, he was still a farsighted leader and tactician. Now, after only a few years of doing business, he had completely transformed into a merchant.
But no matter what, it was a good thing that Gagalol was fine. Now, some of us were even taking off our thick winter clothes. It would seem that this year's weather was truly going to change drastically. Perhaps it really would be possible to start a tourism business.
“wagggh！”
At this moment, the angry roars of ferocious beasts in the distance attracted our attention.
Our aerial steeds brought back images of gigantic fire beasts walking out of the volcano. Countless middle-sized and small-sized fire elementals were also jumping out of the nearby lava. It would seem that the Fire Elemental Plane's Dimensional Door had opened as planned. We were in for some fun.
"Let's first construct a defensive line. Tsk, it's so hard to relax …"
…
We had already sent out orders to rescue the refugees. Due to certain reasons, the Mist Kingdom's warriors were quite experienced in disaster relief.
The sudden arrival of our reinforcements obviously gave the mastermind behind the scenes a lot of pressure. They gave up on their plan to surround and annihilate Sharal. Although the Sharal Free State Region was finished, the loss of population was still acceptable.
When the berserk fire elementals arrived from another plane, the first to fight them weren't the humans from the mortal plane. Instead, it was the beast wave that was still lingering here.
The moment that the volcano erupted, the Northlands beasts that were naturally afraid of fire broke free from their control. If the illusion face devils hadn't escaped in time, they would likely have become snacks for their own subordinates.
The remaining beasts were chased by the fire elementals and finally fell into a desperate situation. It would seem that we wouldn't need to worry about next year's beast wave.
From a certain standpoint, these beasts had become sacrifices for the opening of the Dimensional Door under the devils' control.
As the Northlands' combat strength increased, beast waves were becoming less and less of a problem. As long as one could find a way to deal with these irrational beasts, it wouldn't be difficult to deal with them. Regular armies didn't need to fear the beasts. If it wasn't for the fact that the Sharal Free State Region had been in such a terrible state over the past few years, it would have been possible for them to deal with the beast wave.
However, a beast wave was one thing, while an elemental invasion was another. The former consisted of irrational and unorganized beasts, while the latter consisted of an army led by an Elemental Lord.
"Try one?"
"Stop joking around. I don't have such an ability in my current state. Besides, even if I really try one, it might not be of any use."
As I looked at the volcano before me, I regretfully gave up on using a forbidden spell. It would be quite tempting to use an Ice Aeon spell while the devils were still unstable and would be able to earn countless points. Unfortunately, in my current state, not to mention a forbidden spell, I couldn't even cast an ice magic spell above the fifth circle. And even if the devils were foolish enough to make me chant a forbidden spell for several days, it would be meaningless to simply extinguish the flames before me.
The Dimensional Door leading to the Fire Elemental Plane would definitely be located at the place where the flames were the most intense. Right now, it was likely that the Dimensional Door was at the bottom of the volcano. Even if I used a forbidden spell to extinguish the flames, that would only be a temporary solution. Just like during the demon wave, as long as I didn't cut off the Dimensional Door, there would be an endless stream of elemental creatures.
This was the most troublesome aspect of the Holy War. Before the Holy War, there would be many restrictions placed on the Dimensional Door in the mortal plane. Any teleportation would require a high or low price. For example, once a Dimensional Door was opened, it would be impossible to close it. Teleportation would be as difficult as visiting a neighbor. An ordinary small-scale battle would easily become a meat grinder of a long drawn-out battle.
"Perhaps this is the devils' goal. They want to borrow the power of the Fire Elemental Plane to stall us …"
The devils' scheme had already been realized. Some things weren't difficult to guess. In order to overturn the Mist Alliance, which was becoming stronger and stronger, a sufficiently large price would be required. However, the residents of the lower planes were obviously unwilling to fight to the death against the Mist Alliance. However, the devils were most familiar with finding a third party to give the devils some trouble.
The flames in the distance were rising higher and higher. The opening of the Dimensional Door allowed the power of the Fire Elemental Plane to surge in. The rapid increase in temperature indicated a change in the environment. However, the violent fire elementals had no intentions of leaving the volcano. They were also accumulating power in preparation for the upcoming elemental war.
"It would seem that we need a sufficiently solid line of defense … Renée, summon all the leaders of the Mist Alliance. Don't forget to inform the Great Snow Mountain Magical Realm and the Contract Hero Guild that we need to have a proper discussion. Even if you don't want to make trouble with the Chaos Faction, the Chaos Faction will make trouble for you. "
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