The following day...
The advanced army stationed beyond the country's borders had dispatched a report. The Army of Gluttony had resurfaced.
This time, the army was significantly stronger than before. Scouts had detected energy levels indicative of Shackled Realm powerhouses among the enemy ranks. There was no doubt that this battle would be far more intense.
The previous day's skirmish had merely served as a prelude.
Their enemies numbered approximately thirty thousand. Half of them were either C-rank or B-rank fighters. A significant contingent of A-rank and S-rank combatants was also included among the enemy forces.
Upon receiving these reports, the alliance army and the Five Master Clans assembled outside the city walls. They had been well-prepared, so it took them only half an hour to assemble. Virtually everyone was present.
The Heads of the Five Master Clans positioned themselves at the forefront, their forces advancing to the frontline.
Among the alliance army, their representatives occupied the front positions, supported by their trusted aides standing behind them.
Souta glanced at the Heads of the Five Master Clans. He understood that this battle wouldn't be as straightforward as the one from yesterday.
What would occur if they were defeated?
Would they retreat and seek refuge within their barriers?
However, that wasn't Souta's concern. His task was to stand the ground here, preventing the enemy from advancing toward the Selnes Country.
Souta shifted his gaze and directed it at the trio.
Vashno, Eztein, and Franklin.
These individuals hadn't been present during the previous day's battle, and Souta was unaware of their actions.
Souta turned his focus forward and inquired, "Tell me, what have you been up to? All I heard was that you were thoroughly beaten in the tournament."
"Boss, it's because of this old man. We kept encountering various situations where he wanted to find a powerful individual," Eztein explained, gesturing toward Franklin.
Franklin remained silent, his stance resembling that of a statue.
"And?" Souta said, his tone frosty.
Eztein felt a chill run down his spine. "I... B-Boss... It's not my fault! This old man! It's all because of him!"
Souta sighed.
These two guys were really troublesome. If he wasn't stronger, he wouldn't have any way to handle them except using the queen parasite to forcefully restrain their bodies.
Shen Yao, Naruse, Adel, and the other representatives of the large factions glanced at the Olympus group.
Genzu, who was nearby, just glanced at Eztein and Franklin. He then turned to Souta and asked, "Are they going to be fine?"
"Yeah, despite being idiotic, they are quite strong," Souta answered.
Vashno looked around before stepping forward. He flicked his finger and erected a barrier that covered him and Souta.
Souta noticed it, so he glanced at Vashno with a questioning gaze.
"I think we've discovered something," Vashno said.
"Go on," Souta said.
"Yesterday, Franklin was trying to find a strong person, and he mentioned sensing danger. We followed him, which led us to an old store. The store looked pretty normal, but after we left, I overheard the lady at the counter mentioning something about our conversation." Vashno paused before continuing, "Hearing our conversation despite us creating a barrier to prevent others from eavesdropping on us indicates that the lady at the counter is not an ordinary person."
"Are you sure about it?" Souta asked.
"Yeah, I clearly heard her words. This suggests that she's stronger than the three of us combined, or perhaps it's her specialty. Her energy control is probably superior to any of ours. She could mask it even though all of us were there," Vashno explained.
"I see..." Souta nodded. "After this, I want you to uncover the truth about that old store. Bring Eztein or Franklin with you if necessary. The upcoming battle isn't going to be easy, so I advise you not to confront that lady."
"I understand." Vashno nodded.
Souta rubbed his chin. As expected, there were still hidden experts in the Selnes Country.
So how is this going to impact the war?
He'll find out later.
The army arrived at the camp. The soldiers in the camp had already prepared themselves, forming up in tight formations as they joined the group.
Santu, who had remained in the camp, regrouped with the Olympus army alongside the other warriors. He briefed Souta, Genzu, and Heido about the current situation.
The representatives of the other major factions also received identical reports from their comrades.
Souta gazed ahead with a furrowed brow. He couldn't dwell on the information Vashno had given him about the lady, as the enemy had now arrived.
Boom!
A deafening sound reverberated, and the entire army fell into silence.
In the distance, tens of thousands of people could be seen marching in their direction. Their bloodlust seemed to permeate the air, casting a heavy atmosphere.
"Hey, hey, this is no joke. Their killing intent is too potent," Franklin remarked with a grin upon witnessing the scene.
Shen Yao, Schine, Souta, and the others frowned upon seeing the enemy's formidable powerhouses.
Suddenly, their eyes widened as they noticed hundreds of energy spheres hurtling towards them.
"Everyone, prepare for battle!" Schine shouted.
Boom! Boom!
A series of explosions ensued.
Some of the energy spheres were deflected, while others landed among their forces.
Boom! Boom!
"Charge, everyone! Let's show them we're not afraid of their tricks!"
Schine's voice reverberated amid the chaos of the explosions.
It was the signal they had been waiting for.
Thousands of soldiers under the wings of the Five Master Clans surged forward toward the enemy. One by one, their energy surged into the sky, accompanied by their fierce battle cries.
"Attack!"
"Move out!"
"Bring down the enemy!"
The Army of Gluttony clashed once again with the Army of the Five Master Clans.
A massive battle had erupted.
"Hahaha," Adel laughed and commanded, "Show them our strength. Eliminate those trash from the Army of Gluttony."
The warriors of Aaru charged the enemy lines at Adel's signal. Soon, the other representatives signaled their troops to attack the Army of Gluttony as well.
In a matter of seconds, thousands of warriors followed in the wake of the soldiers from the Five Master Clans, launching a ferocious assault as if their lives and deaths meant nothing.
Franklin and Eilish sprang into action too.
The only individuals who held back were Souta, Genzu, Heido, and the experts who had broken at least three shackles.
Souta turned and commanded, "Remain there."
Alice and Eztein nodded along with the other Olympus warriors.
The four Olympus representatives—Souta, Heido, Genzu, and Santu—hovered in the air, standing alongside the other faction representatives and the heads of the Five Master Clans. They kept a watchful eye on the experts positioned at the rear of the Army of Gluttony, individuals who emitted an unsettling sense of danger.
Souta shifted his gaze, focusing on the battlefield.
Hmm...
Franklin was locked in intense combat. He swung his weapon with unbridled ferocity, carving through opponents on every side, charging at the enemy line devoid of fear. In his mind, sustaining an injury was inconsequential as long as he felled his foes.
His speed, strength, and proficiency outstripped that of many on the field.
Only a few seconds had elapsed since the battle's commencement, yet he had already dispatched more than thirty S-rank opponents. His conspicuous prowess drew the attention of Gluttony's Shackled Realm experts.
Meanwhile, Eilish floated above, raining down potent spells upon the enemy ranks. Her fellow mages followed suit, conjuring spells that collided in mid-air.
Her mastery of spellcasting was remarkable. She seamlessly transitioned between various spells within seconds, not even accounting for her internal spells. The barrage of her magical assaults surpassed even Franklin's kill count in those few seconds.
She unleashed an area-of-effect spell that decimated a substantial number of adversaries.
Eilish garnered ever-increasing attention from Gluttony's Shackled Realm experts. One, two, three—no, nine experts at the Two Shackles Realm level surged toward her in an attempt to halt her onslaught.
This calculated pressure served her purpose: compelling herself to reach beyond her limits, motivating her potential, and driving her to shatter the third shackle within her body.
Franklin was compelled to fall back, joining Eilish's side to assist her against the onslaught of the Two Shackles experts.
Boom! Boom!
As Souta observed the battle, he was abruptly gripped by a momentary shiver.
'Hold on...'
Furrowing his brow, Souta resisted the urge to look upwards.
'This sensation... There's a foe above. They might be distant, but the unmistakable aura of killing intent is undeniable.'
Souta's inner amusement was palpable. The enemy was orchestrating an ambush, a scheme he found quite laughable.
With a sidelong glance at Eilish, Souta grinned.
Allow me to lend a hand. Concentrate on breaking through. No enemy above your tier will come close to touching you. I'll gather their attention.
Taking a stride forward, Souta's voice reverberated.
"The Sixth Grain War of the Tenth Set Pallas Division... It's time for war."
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