The Demon King Army has invaded the Divine Realm. First Angel Lupto appeared from a magic circle and broke the startling news to Allen.

"Demon King Army? Hmm, I wonder who might be leading~."

"Hey, how can you be this calm?!"

Luck unwittingly jabbed at Allen for his lackluster reaction. Even Sophie, who would usually sing along Allen's thoughts, showed a surprised reaction at him. However, with anxiety seizing her, she didn't join in the conversation, and pushed for details.

(Well, yeah. Sophie had already seen her hometown being invaded in the past after all. Anyway, what else were we supposed to do with only a piece of news? This is Divine Realm, not Human Realm.)

Abigail or other beastkin had never had any confrontation with Demon King Army, so even their reaction could be chalked to 'a big event is happening, but they don't know what exactly is at stake.' Instead, they waited for the explanation.  

Allen had the same reaction, but for different reasoning; how could he know what to do without sufficient information? 

To him, he would even fight the Demon King if it's to protect his family, friends, and the inhabitants of Human Realm. They're his foremost priority, and he would've immediately rushed ahead, but he also knew rushing wouldn't help at all. After all, humans and gods were different. And only one of them was powerless to require the help immediately.

To put it concisely, Allen and his team weren't sure if they should be throwing themselves against the Demon KIng Army here without details. Why had Demon King Army invaded? Did they have an objective, or just to create havoc?

Many humans had lose their lives at the end of every Demon King Army's expedition. And there were many occasions where it wasn't clear what they wanted. 

It was the same action he engaged when Demon King Army invaded Rosenheim, or when Gushara, the founder of Evil God Cult, caused chaos in the Elmea Theocracy.

And yet, even with all their efforts, in the end, they were always a step behind, and victory was never absolute.

The invasion at Rosenheim turned to be a distraction, while their true motive had lied in seizing the sacred artifacts of Fire God Freya. 

And then, the same artifacts were used during the revival of Evil God to harvest souls who would become supplement to Evil God's Incarnation. 

In the same vein, just as they'd thought Demon King Army was chasing Beck, the former beast prince, in the Prostia Empire, they worked behind the scenes and revived the Evil God. Though the evil god was absorbed by the Demon King. 

Demon King's reason to seek Evil God was to breakthrough the Hell Mode territory. 

All of their action had been to make the Demon King more powerful. In fact, further investigation revealed that the Demon King's army had infiltrated the Albahar Beast Kingdom and the Prostia Empire years prior to these events.

(It's possible they're planning a simultaneous invasion of the surface as well. They must be aware we're in the Divine Realm.)

Allen sorted out the situation inwardly while Lupto's expression increasingly turned frantic. 

His body tensed up as he prepared himself for the next words of Lupto, and the explanation was... grim to say the least.

«We've received a distress signal from the Space-Time God. It seems the Demon King's Army has forcibly intervened with the Time God's space-time management system. They're desperately trying to contain the damage to the Magic God’s research facility...»

To put it short; Lupto had been taking action after receiving a signal from Desperado. However, what put Allen into frantic state wasn't the invasion but—

"Everyone, Cecile's in danger! We're teleporting immediately. Cast the blessing of Spirits now! Pecktan, bring out your defensive mushroom!! Formar, convert the demigod spirit crystal's into arrows! Merus, use Ponpon to raise agility!! Let's go!!"

(There's also Commander Larappa by Magic God Isiris side. I see, so they're probably targeting the entire Space-Time God's domain.)

It appeared that Lupto had been acting on the signal for help from Desperado, the Time God.

But for Allen, there was information far more pressing than these circumstances.

The team members, who'd been baffled at the news of invasion, showed a uniform movement to save their friend.

"Y-yes!"

"Let's go. Act up, Mutton and you all!"

«Burru!!»

"Understood."

«Indeed, that's the first thing to handle.»

Bearing a visage like a bloodthirsty demon, Allen summoned Pecktan and Merus by his side, and immediately pulled his comrades to act, entering the battle stance. He also brought out his fish summons to arm them with every buff possible. 

At present, Cecil and Commander Larappa along with his team were their first objective to secure among the other members that'd been spread out in the Divine Realm. 

Allen and his team positioning at a glance:

1. Paradise of Primordial Beasts - Allen, Sophie, Formar, Luck, and Abigail

2. Magic God Research Facility - Commander Larappa and his team mates

3. Space-Time God's System - Cecile

4. God of Martial Art Region - Helmios and his party, Allen's party member, Admiral Galara's party, and Dragon King Matildora

4. Divine Arena - Kurena

5. Earth Labyrinth - Blacksmith Habarak, General Zaurere and Golem Squad, also some professionals

«Hold on your horses for a moment.»

Lupto hurriedly put a brake on their plan. How could she let them go without finishing the briefing over the situation?

"What is it? I am sure we can immediately teleport to Space-Time God's domain. ...Let's do it. I will leave Merus for information gathering. Everyone will proceed as planned to rescue Cecile."

Allen hesitated for a moment to leave behind Merus, one of his strongest S-rank summons. They could simply use spirits to contact after all. 

However, with Lupto’s ability to summon numerous weapons and armor from the angel's system and Merus’ versatile skill set—capable of using the angelic rings and summoning skills—Allen judged that she would be more than capable of handling many different situations with Merus.

«It does sound like a plan. But do remember that the opponent is so strong that even Space-Time God would have trouble fending. I will be visiting the Divine Arena and seek support of battle experienced gods for assistance. Merus, you visit Heavenly King as soon as possible, and have him secure the defense of Heavenly Kingdom.»

«I guess this is all? Well then, I have already casted buff, so you can leave immediately, Allen. Abigail, you will be coming with me. We would've to explain the situation to the Heavenly King.»

"Alright."

Lupto summarised the entirety of the situation as concisely as possible, making sure he got the main details. 

(So, the Divine Realm is going to summon gods specialized in combat and prepare for battle. After all, they’ve already lost the Fire God Freya’s artifact before—it's only natural they would be planning a response. The absence of the great angels likely means they’re working behind the scenes. huh)

The Divine Realm already failed in limiting the Demon King's army from invading.

Now, in the wake of lost angels, over ten thousand angels were training under the eight gods of armaments in the Divine Arena, which was also meant to recover their numbers. It’s possible Gods of Armaments might also join the battle themselves.

It was a right call to leave Merus behind, for he could teleport vast amounts of supplies and personnel easily. And as a former First Angel, Heavenly King might be more inclined to take Merus seriously. 

Meanwhile, Lupto's presence was necessary in the Divine Arena as it was possible the gods might not budge without her appeal. 

Abigail had also adopted his battle stance after he heard the exchange between Allen and Lupto, hoping to fight together. But it appeared his need was at another place. Though he showed an expression of understanding over the situation.

As the guardian of dragon kin, he knew his responsibility well.

"You heard them, everyone? The battle has begun. It's time to join them."

"Let's gooo!!"

"Half of you return to the village immediately and grab your weapons."

A majority of the influential beastkin gathered there had 2 and 3 stars jobs, and Abigail was well aware of that when he had cooperated with them during the hunt for spirit beasts. Although their group was only a few dozen strong, they were eager to join the battle alongside the Dragonkin.

It was possible that the Demon King Army might target this place too, so the leaders left half of their force in the village, preparing for any imminent battle. A wise decision.

"All the buff's have been casted, Allen-sama. Great Spirits shall have no time in maintaining their manifestation."

Sophie and Luck both brought their four spirits. 

(Since the teleportation destination has enough space to accommodate even the Super United Golem and magic ship, I should charge forth with S-rank summons too.) 

Soon, the spirits also received their buffs. 

"Alright, we're now leaving for Space-Time God's territory."

«Understand, but pray move with caution. You're the hope of humanity, and this is something you mustn't forget.»

"Thanks for the warning. Then, here we go!! The transfer point is the First Floor of Space-Time God. We might teleport straight into the heart of the enemy's command line too, so brace yourself for that!!"

Once all the preparation was done, Allen intoned the Bird A's awakening skill. 

***

First floor of the octahedral structure, constituted of two pyramids, adjoined by their base. 

The uppermost region belonged to Magic God Isiris, acting as her research laboratory, while further down was the Faith Point Conversion system, and to receive rewards whenever Cecil accomplished a training.

The lower section belonged to the system of Space-Time God; a place that controlled the space and time of Divine Realm, Human Realm, and Dark Realm. It was also being used for Cecil's training place.

The First floor, located at the mid-section of pyramids, linked the entrances to both sections, and it was where the Bird A's nest was settled. 

The scenery around the team members blurred, transforming at the activation of skill. Allen promptly sharpened his five senses, and the first thing he noticed was... a burning smell. 

He couldn't be anymore familiar with this pungent scent, having lived through the war in Rosenheim. It was the stinging smoke of high heat from fire magic or fire-based skills, which caused rocks and other inorganic materials to burn. The smell was overpowering and unpleasant.

And, when his mind and vision finally synced, he briefly wondered if they'd teleported to the wrong location, for the sight before him was one of utter devastation.

The floor stones were shattered, and part of the ceiling had collapsed.

Fire raged in various places, and the remnants of fierce battles were evident. Even some of the magical ships and golem displays, neatly arranged by Larappa’s group, had been destroyed.

"Are you kidding me? Everything's like... ack, ugh!?"

Luck was the first one to break the silence, but perhaps the fumes got into his eyes so he waved his hands to blow it away. 

But in contrast, Allen immediately captured an uncanny sensation. How was it that the place was raged, but they didn't see anyone?

"Hawks. Quickly spread around and search for any survivors!!"

Allen summoned Bird E summoned beasts, and had them immediately look around when another voice echoed.

«Hey, cut it out, can you? You think you're the big shot, eh?!»

«Argh! W-who the hell are you, bastard!»

The voice came from beyond a collapsed golem, placed a bit away from them. Following the shout, they heard a scream and a sound of something or someone being smacked. 

The next thing they know, something was sent flying from the back of Golem's stomach, and up to where Allen and team was. 

"Space-Time God!"

Allen immediately captured that something, preventing it from falling on the floor, and shouted, already realising who the person was with their voice.

«Ah, is it you, Allen-san? Good, glad you're here!»

Bearing the marks—tattered clothes, or bruises from the heavy attacks all over the body—of fearsome battles he must have gone through, Space-Time's God eases his ghastly expression when he notices Allen. 

«Oh? If it's not Allen-kun~. Kikiki.»

A moment later, seemingly chasing after Space-Time God, Busk took his entry, jumping across the fallen golem with ease. 

«...So you're here to be an eyesore again?»

Belated, but soon Virdiga also shown itself, standing above the golem. 

Allen's team and Demon King Army were just moments away from breaking into a fight.

T/N - Heya everyone, it has been a while since the update had been quite unacceptable. I hadn’t meant to, but a sudden situation messed up my schedule. A close relative went through chemo, but to no avail, and after a few months of struggle, they passed away last month. The mourning lasts for nearly two weeks here, and I just found myself back recently.

Either way, I should be maintaining a healthy schedule starting today. Presumably at a quicker pace.