I teleported to the continent, the very heart of the Combined Army's headquarters.
Hovering over the coastal base, I looked down at the scene below.
The Combined Army’s soldiers were running in every direction, gripped by panic. The air rang with the clash of steel and the thunderous booms of magical explosions.
The force they were struggling against was the Demon King’s Army—specifically, Luciana’s unit, which had been sent ahead.
Her troops were doing a magnificent job of throwing the battlefield into chaos. The Combined Army’s frontline had collapsed, and their chain of command was in shambles. The base, originally intended to provide reinforcements and logistical support, had been completely paralyzed. Far from fulfilling its duty, its personnel were being captured or slaughtered one after another.
Humanoid forms of the Beasts of the Outside World were lurking among the soldiers, but the Demon King’s Army handled them with precision, utilizing the techniques I had taught them to dispatch the creatures efficiently. In dangerous sectors, the undead units were pushed to the frontlines, ensuring the living soldiers were kept out of harm's way. It was clear their daily training was paying off.
(They’re doing well. Now, for the finishing touch.)
To give them one final push, I invoked Forbidden Magic.
I manifested a giant barrier that sliced between the shore and the ocean, extending the wall of light far into the distance. This severed the connection between the base and the maritime Combined Army, preventing any reinforcements from reaching the fleet. Conversely, the ships at sea could no longer retreat to the continent.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
Henry, Dorda, and Diera were currently dominating the naval theater. With them on the offensive, the trapped Combined Army fleet would be easily annihilated. It didn't matter if beasts were hiding among the crews; my generals could focus entirely on defending the waters.
Next, I activated another Forbidden Magic.
Countless Light Arrows materialized in the void and rained down. As if guided by an unseen hand, each one found its mark, piercing the beasts on the ground. The creatures struck by the arrows tried to retaliate, but they were frozen in place. The miasma within their bodies was undergoing high-speed decomposition, plunging their systems into total failure.
The undead swarmed them. Driven by primal impulse, they tackled the beasts and began devouring them with feral hunger. A few of my soldiers were destroyed by the beasts' special abilities, but the damage was negligible.
I exerted my Authority over the corpses of the Combined Army’s soldiers scattered across the base. The bodies rose as undead and immediately fell upon their former allies. As the casualties mounted, my subordinates multiplied.
This base would be neutralized in short order. Most of it had already fallen to the Demon King’s Army; there was no longer any need for my direct intervention.
I intended to press the invasion further. Skipping over the intermediate territories, I would close the distance to the False God in a single stroke. This would take me a considerable distance from the Demon King’s Domain, but I felt no unease.
I had already commanded Grom, Logan, and Yura to defend our home territory. Their orders included exterminating any infiltrating beasts and suppressing unrest in various regions. They were more than capable of handling such tasks.
I’d left Logan at the castle to serve as the command center. It was a vital role; while Grom and Yura tended to run wild if left to their own devices, I knew Logan would keep them on a short leash. Furthermore, the Great Spirit was available in an emergency, so my absence wouldn't be an issue. It was only because I could rely on them that I was free to act as I pleased.
"Luciana, can you hear me?"
『Heeey! What’s up?』
When I reached out via Telepathy, Luciana waved her hand from the ground far below. Even from this height, I could tell she was in high spirits.
"Continue your occupation of the base. The Combined Army will likely try to reclaim it, so I want you to suppress any such attempts. If the situation becomes too difficult, you’re authorized to retreat."
『Don’t you worry, I’ve got this. It’ll be a piece of cake.』
Luciana’s reply was fearless and brimming with confidence. She wasn't the type to make baseless boasts; her response came from the absolute certainty that she could dominate this battlefield.
(The time for the Decisive Battle draws near.)
Once I slaughtered the False God, the Demon King’s infamy would truly spread across the entire world. While I had originally intended for that to happen much later, circumstances had forced my hand. The camp of the beasts, led by the False God, had decided to pin all their atrocities on me.
Since we had come this far, I would simply use their scheme to my advantage. It was a perfect opportunity to let the world know exactly who they were dealing with.
I cast Sensing Magic to pinpoint the False God’s exact location. Though its presence had been carefully hidden, a thorough search allowed me to identify it almost immediately. It appeared to be within the territory of one of the nations belonging to the Combined Army. Specifically, it was located in their capital.
『Be careful, Demon King-sama.』
"I know. I’ll be back soon."
『Have a safe trip! I’ll be waiting for the good news.』
With a final word to Luciana, I departed for the False God’s location.