The assaults from the four heavenly beasts covered a huge area. The attack not only hit Satan but also the demons who had fled behind him. The attacks dealt large damage to the demons but didn't hurt Satan much. Satan continued to advance under the bombardment, but his advancing speed greatly decreased under the attacks. The defenders used this opportunity and increased their retreating pace.

"Bastard…!!!

" Satan cursed. He shot his Soul and Chaos bombs toward the four heavenly beasts.

The circle where the heavenly beasts emerged came forward and protected the four beasts. The soul and chaos bombs detonated on the circle but failed to destroy it.

Once the four heavenly beasts finished their attacks, the yellow dragon emerged from the center of the circle. Like before, it unleashed a blinding light that dealt soul damage. After damaging everything in a large area, this light focused into a single beam. The target of the focus was none other than Satan.

"Grrhh…!

" Even Satan had to stop advancing when this light focused on him. He put his two arms forward in a defensive posture.

After the light ended, Satan was still standing in the same position. The damage he suffered was only slightly more than Emris' mega spell. It couldn't endanger him. The Soul and Chaos Peak Flames were still burning on his body. He looked up at the ones who were responsible for the combination attack.

The four guild guardians vanished after carrying out the attack. Tip had unsummoned the entire guild army.

Satan redirected his gaze to the defenders, who had now retreated past the traps prepared to halt the demon army.

The demon army was still waiting behind Satan. They didn't dare to advance and give chase. Satan looked back at them, which gave them a chill. They took one step back involuntarily. Only Dajja dared to approach Satan.

"Should we give chase?

" Dajja asked.

Satan grunted.

"Hmph. Let them run. They will eventually run out of place to flee... By the way, do you notice the corrupted mana slowing down?

"

"Hm… Now that my lord mentioned it, it does seem so. How strange…,

" Dajja said.

Satan was now gazing to the West, where the main underworld portal was located.

"The next wave of reinforcement should be here by now. Why don't I see any demons coming from that direction?

"

"Perhaps they encounter some obstacles. Should I send someone to check?

" Dajja asked.

"Hmph. Never mind. Not like we need them. Let's continue our march,

" Satan commanded.

"As you wish, my lord. However, I need to point out that if the decrease in the corrupted mana's spread is not an isolated incident, we might need to slow our advance. Our troops will weaken if we advance faster than the spread of the corrupted mana.

"

"… I'm sure it only happens here. It's probably the handiwork of that true angel,

" Satan surmised.

"Perhaps,

" Dajja said.

The demon army moved again, following the trails of the upperworld defenders who had now gone out of sight.

*

Linda used the Army Haste Magic Scroll to increase the army's march. She monitored the map screen on the war table in case the enemies pursued them. Right now, the coast was clear. Still, she ordered everyone to continue at top speed.

The mobile fortress was limping as it crawled using its five still-functional legs. Even limping, its movement speed didn't slow the army's march. Its normal speed was close to the movement speed of a rare steed. With its current impairment, its speed dropped to that of an uncommon steed, which was what most soldiers in this army were using.

"It seems the devils still have some unknown powers,

" Tip said.

"Wilted did say they give the devils random skills,

" Saint Jonathan said.

"That power Satan had just exhibited didn't seem like a random skill,

" Linda argued.

"It is tailored for him. I'm starting to wonder if Wilted truly has any idea about her creation.

"Anyway, this is bad. This battle might resume into Themisphere's territory,

" Tip said.

"Don't forget there is only one month left before Master becomes a God,

" Linda said.

"I wonder why the other Gods haven't taken any action,

" Tip said.

"I'm sure my Goddess has her reason. She won't abandon us!

" Whitebeard, who was on Tip's shoulder, exclaimed.

"If you rely on the divines to solve your problems, you will more often get disappointed,

" Linda said.

"That is a pessimistic viewpoint. I think there is nothing wrong about having hopes in the greater power because that is where we might find miracles capable of helping us through our bleak situation.

"

"That's right! You tell her, Tip!

" Whitebeard exclaimed.

"Hmph, the only miracle that can happen is if we make it so using our own hands,

" Linda snickered.

"Rather than bickering about miracles, I suggest you two save your energy to think about how to deal with Satan's new ability. The next defensive line will be the last before we have to abandon Hydrurond,

" Saint Jonathan said.

"As for me, I have to go.

"

"You are leaving?

" Tip asked.

"Oh? Have you trusted me enough to leave me unsupervised?

" Linda asked with a mocking tone.

Jonathan chuckled.

"Despite what you think of me, we were husband and wife once. I know you. I've seen what you did in these last two months. You are not faking it. You are fighting with us for real.

"

Linda didn't say anything. She looked away instead.

"That being said, my opinion might also be biased because we were once a couple. So, I have asked this fine mouse to watch you while I am gone,

" Jonathan said while pointing at Whitebeard.

"I have my eyes on you, lady. Don't try anything,

" Whitebeard pointed his V-sign fingers at his eyes before pointing them at Linda.

"Did you teach him that gesture?

" Linda asked Tip.

"Hehe,

" Tip simply chuckled in response.

"Where are you going?

" Linda asked Jonathan.

"Sangrod,

" Jonathan answered.

"The Northern Palgrost front had fallen, and so was Horatio.

"

"The Sangrod emperor dies?

" Tip asked in surprise.

Jonathan nodded.

"This is bad… With the emperor gone, it will be difficult to organize that country's army,

" Linda said.

"Some stupid nobles might even use this chance to try to take over the throne, causing more chaos to that country.

"

"Really? With the world currently like this? They will just be doing the demons a service,

" Tip said.

"I did use the word, stupid, didn't I? Our old world was full of those fools. I don't think this world is any different.

"

"That's why I have to return,

" Jonathan said.

"Are you going to take the throne yourself?

" Tip asked.

"I'm not sure that is a good idea,

" Linda said.

"Players have advantages when it comes to the monarch system, but you will face strong opposition from the vampire nobles. Depending on how you deal with it, you might cause a setback to our effort instead of aiding us.

"

"I know. That's why I'm not going to gamble,

" Jonathan said.

"Although I would very much like to seize the throne, I don't think that is wise. No. We need someone who can be accepted by the vampire nobles to replace Horatio. At least until the current crisis is averted.

"

"Is there such a person?

" Tip asked.

Jonathan turned to the side. His gaze was on an individual who was standing at the corner. This individual was gazing to the West with a vigilant watch. He had been here defending the mobile fortress since the war started.

"Him?

" Tip asked with wide eyes.

"Ah… I see. He is a suitable candidate. You are quite perceptive to have noticed his lineage,

" Linda said.

"Well, I was rather surprised to learn his surname when I used Inspect on him during the first days of the war,

" Jonathan chuckled.

"When I heard of Horatio's demise. He came to my mind at once.

"

The person they were talking about was Arlcard. He was a Maxius. Though not a direct descendant of Marcus, he possessed the same bloodline. Currently, he was the sole vampire to bear the Maxius surname. It was an ironic turn to this royal family. Both Marcus and Horatio got rid of their siblings to ensure their rise to power. In the end, all their scheming ended up achieving was causing a situation where the only one to assume their family's mantle was someone they considered an outsider.

"Have you talked to him?

" Tip asked.

"I'm about to,

" Jonathan answered.

"Come, let me accompany you,

" Tip said. Arlcard was a cold person. He rarely talked to anyone. Tip was the only one who put in the effort to strike up a conversation with him.

This was actually Jack's request to Tip. Jack knew Arlcard was a solitary person. Still, he didn't want the vampire to feel lonely. Hence, Jack asked Tip to talk to Arlcard from time to time. It was slow progress at first, but Tip was an easy-going person. Whitebeard also helped in the conversation. Thus, Arlcard started to open up to them.

Jonathan and Tip explained the situation to him, which caused a crease on Arlcard's forehead. He couldn't deny a part of him desired Sangrod's throne, but he always believed that was a desire influenced by Cain instead of his own.

"… Jack asked me to protect this fortress,

" Arlcard said.

"I'm sure he will agree if we ask him,

" Tip said.

"I can send him a message.

"

"No need,

" Arlcard uttered. He didn't need permission from anyone to do anything. He turned to Jonathan and said,

"Let's go to Vacharest.

"