Tsukasa used the [Fly] skill to hover high in the air, watching the entire camp below being lifted up by magic.
Ainz Ooal Gown's tactic was very simple: use magic to bring the army above the Goddess Cult's headquarters as quickly as possible, then drop their powerhouses as deep inside as possible. The allied forces would be responsible for fighting the Cult members on the periphery, while their own powerhouses would execute a lightning-fast decapitation tactic against the Goddess Cult's high-ranking officials.
The reason for choosing this tactic was the [Ritual of Sacrifice] being performed by the Goddess Cult. The effect of that magic was to absorb the power of the dead within a certain range as a sacrifice to open the "Divine Gate." If this magic was not broken, then when the war broke out, they would merely be helping to provide sacrifices for the spell. Whether it was the offerings from the Goddess Cult or the sacrifices from the allied forces, all would become part of the offerings for this magic. Therefore, no matter what, the casters of this spell had to be dealt with first in this battle.
The representatives of various countries and the soldiers of the allied forces watched the scene before them in utter shock. Ainz Ooal Gown was truly a frightening individual, actually able to summon clouds and carry an army of over a hundred thousand into the high sky.
"Everyone, the march begins now."
Ainz Ooal Gown sat on a throne, holding an incredibly noble staff. As his voice fell, the clouds began to move forward with the army.
Although they were flying, it felt no different to everyone than being on the ground. Perhaps it was because their entire camp was being carried aloft, or perhaps it was because the floor beneath their feet was actually piled up from individual Undead.
In short, the experience couldn't be called pleasant.
If they saw so many Undead normally, many people here would probably be shouting about justice and fighting Ainz Ooal Gown and the others. They truly never expected that one day they would unite with "demons."
Soon, the army arrived at the headquarters of the Cult of the Twilight Goddess. It was a ruin on the plains that looked like a discarded site with no search value. It was truly unexpected that the Cult of the Twilight Goddess would hide in such a place. At this moment, a large number of cultists in fiery red robes could be seen below on high alert.
"Although I knew it beforehand, I didn't expect so many people to actually join this evil Cult." Warrior Chief Gazef was very surprised. He knew that the members of this evil Cult were originally ordinary people. It was hard to believe that so many people had been brainwashed by such a crazy doctrine. This power was truly terrifying.
The Blood Emperor beside him sneered, "Faced with the cold winter produced by the struggles between nobles and royalty, the moment those trying to survive saw a light—even if it was a fire that would burn even themselves to ashes—they had no choice but to use it for warmth. And how do you know they don't truly want to destroy this world?"
"Your Majesty the Emperor, there are also citizens of the Empire in the Cult. Even so, do you still say that?"
"Do you think I am the kind of coward who doesn't even dare to admit the facts? Even I do not have the confidence to provide a happy and healthy life for all my citizens. When those people encountered the Goddess's revelation, how could they refuse such a temptation? Even someone like you, Warrior Chief, if you were in the same situation as them, you would make the same choice. A painful and mediocre life, with neither the talent to change the status quo nor the luck."
"If at this time you were given a chance to gain the power to say goodbye to all of that, and the price was merely to destroy this world you loathe afterward—and even then, the Goddess was generous enough not to force you to pay that price."
"I ask you, who could refuse?"
Gazef was suddenly speechless.
Suzuki Satoru looked at these two. Although he had long known that it would be impossible to unify opinions within this allied front, the situation was indeed quite serious.
The Emperor of the Empire and the Warrior Chief of the Kingdom were constantly arguing, as if they had some past grudge. The representative of the Slane Theocracy was even eyeing the Platinum Dragon Lord's puppet with the gaze of someone looking at prey. The Sword Saint had also run off because she didn't want to endure such provocative looks.
Those Paladins from the Holy Kingdom were even more haughty, disdaining to communicate with others, and these guys were even eyeing his subordinates. It was truly unbearable.
He covered his face.
It was simply a heap of loose sand.
The representative of the Council State was currently acting as a mediator between the Blood Emperor and the Warrior Chief
, fortunately, these two were also outstanding heroes of their time, so they wouldn't truly act on emotion.
The representative from the Holy Kingdom wasn't bad either, being able to restrain the Paladins he brought along; otherwise, Suzuki Satoru really wouldn't have been able to resist throwing them overboard.
The Sword Saint returned to the main camp.
She asked, "Is the battle about to start?"
"Whew..."
Suzuki Satoru nodded nervously.
Having come this far, there was no possibility of retreat. Moreover, he had the Guardians by his side, followed by strong individuals like the Sword Saint; the lineup was powerful enough.
In Suzuki Satoru's impression, the Bishops of the Goddess Cult were only around Level 40. He didn't think there was anything to fear. The opponent's trump card would at most be sacrificing themselves to summon an Archangel of Judgment of level 80 or 90. At this stage, it was absolutely impossible for them to summon the Goddess of Dusk; the amount of sacrifices was still far from enough.
"Then we will act according to the previously agreed battle plan. I will drop you down. At that time, Demiurge and Victim will command the Undead Legion to assist you in fighting the cultists. Please remember that your mission is to stall for time, because excessive sacrifices will only accelerate the opponent's spell effect. You need to buy time until we assassinate the Cult's casters."
"We can only do our best. As you know, the opponent will use self-destruction. If they are allowed to self-destruct, our situation will instead become very dangerous."
"Yes, so when necessary, you can use my Undead Legion as meat shields."
"This..."
"There's no need for concern. To me, it's just a small loss of mana. If this task can be completed this way, such a loss is truly nothing."
"I understand."
"Then, Warrior Chief, I leave the command of the army to you. Demiurge, remember to follow orders."
"Yes, Lord Ainz."
He finished arranging the details of the operation.
Suzuki Satoru lowered the allied forces, while only the members of the strike team remained high in the sky.
The remaining members were Suzuki Satoru, Albedo, Shalltear, and Cocytus.
The Extra Seat of The Black Scripture, Zesshi Zetsumei.
The Platinum Dragon Lord.
The Sword Saint.
These members comprised the strike team for this mission.
"Then we shall wait here for the right moment." Suzuki Satoru watched the scene below, which was on the verge of erupting. Although he could end the battle with a single Super-Tier Magic spell, doing so might cause the enemy to summon an overly powerful Judgment Angel.
After all, the upper limit of that angel was still unknown. If a max-level Judgment Angel appeared, things would become very troublesome. The effect of this sacrifice magic was also quite vile; even if the opponent summoned a Judgment Angel, as long as the ritual was still active, there would be no consumption. Instead, progress would continue to increase until it finally reached the standard for summoning the Goddess.
Don't be fooled by how easy the Goddess Cult seems to fight at this stage.
This is merely the prelude; later on, there will be the Angel Legion, the Archangel of Judgment, and perhaps even a major boss like an Avatar of the Goddess.
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