Virdiga turn to check out on Bask, having being slammed into ground by Luvanka's single strike. An arrow, shot with such precision and stealth neither noticed its presence, was embedded into one of his eyes.

«......Tch. Beating down the horse even when it's dead. I give it to you for this one.»

"Damn it. I was targeting his brain, but his thick skull saved him."

Formar clicked his tongue in frustration when he saw his attack failing, something that was his role too. 

He had already caught up to Virdiga's spinning slowing down under the barrage of everyone's onslaught promptly. Positioned in the mid-guard, and protecting Sophie behind him, he concluded it would be better to keep an eye on Bask's movement and awaited varily, casting «True Snipe» twice to increase the might of his next attack.

And then came the moment. Luvanka effortlessly slammed Bask down into the ground, and the impact left him defenceless and full of openings. 

Formar exploited the opportunity and shot an arrow aiming for Bask's eyes, activating «True Golden Archery»---a skill with high penetrating power.

«Kikiki!! Look at ya, you become a total hunk. Hahaha! Hey, how about you smash that second eye two, eh? Woah, he's actually doing it!»

«Shut the hell up, Onuba. Just stay the sword for goddamn second.»

Bask also got to his feet and, as if he had felt no pain, pulled out the arrow along with an eyeball sticking to it, tossing it into the ground. He gave the sword in his hand a shake, and chided it to keep quiet.

While Onuba's unscrupulous laughter boomed throughout the 1st floor, Space-Time God moved back to Allen's position, apparently done with his incantation.

In current battle, Allen Party's formation was following---

Vanguard: Allen, Luvanka, and Leon.

Mid-guard: Luke, Formar, and the Great Spirits.

Rearguard: Sophie, Kuwataro, Makris, and Magla.

The rest of summoned beasts and so on were also at their respected position they specialised in, unleashing a formation to restrain the movement of two Fiend Kings as much possible.

«Allen-san, all entries to the other floors have been successfully locked, rendering anyone's attempt to enter theirs useless. Ah, and of course, the same goes to the training place of Cecile-san. Only my permission can grant access.»

Safely, Allen party had succeeded in holding back their opponents, allowing Space-Time God to change the teleportation permission. 

«...That's great. It's one less worry to shoulder."

Allen spoke with an evident sigh of relief, glad that the damage wouldn't reach non-combatants like Commander Larappa or another else, locking the way to Magic God's research laboratory.

«Hey, Onuba. It's about time you cut the crap.»

While Allen and others prepared themselves for battle, Virdiga couldn't help but rebuke the magic sword Obuba for its unceasing laughter. 

«Huh? Buzz off. I had to stuck to this backwater meathead as his magic sword only because you glazed that axilion-whatever to high heaven. I was just that close to victory too! But noo---they went and disarmed themselves right at the end! You should be ashamed for Amenty-sama, you dung beetle!!»

«I said it's not time to delve into these matters. Let's focus on why we came here.»

However it seemed like Virdiga's words only fueled magic sword's indignation who lashed out with even more sharp remarks. 

(This one is quite... a talkative magic sword, eh. Still, having gone through Paradise of Primordial Beast capture, Virdiga and Onuba's status is more clear to me. Virdiga is the definitive Insect S candidate. ---A bug daring to fly toward the Divine Realm, huh? I will definitely catch him this time, with or without the net.)

Allen mused to himself, recalling the history of Divine Realm of post, something he had learned while they were running around Paradise of Primordial Beast's to accomplish the trials of Shea. 

Once, it was under the dominion of gods, one the God of Law Axilion, and the other being God of Light Amenty. They were supported by the 12 pillars that were the beast gods---also called the Heavenly Law Beast God Corp., and were under the banner of Garm---and 8 Radiant Feind God Generals, also led by Fiend God Ordo respectively.

[Reader's Note - On Name Origins & Structure]

Affiliation to Amenty: 8 Radiant «Fiend» God General

Affiliation to Axilion: «Heaven»-ly Law Beast God Corp.

Affiliation to Demon King: 6 Great «Heavenly» «Fiend» 

※ (From Author) Changing 12 Beast God to Heavenly Law Beast God Corp.

But the two divine rulers were defeated by Creation God Elmea, and this was how the current world came to be.

At present, a substantial number of gods who once ruled the world---in simple words, the 8 Radiant Fiend God Generals, also counting Verdiga and Onuba, had been enlisted among the executives of Demon King Army for reasons incomprehensible to many.

«Excuse me, Space-Time God. Would it be possible to seal their movements? We're about to launch our offensive...»

«Absolutely. This is where I am best at, after all.»

Allen utilised the skill of Bird F to communicate with Space-Time God, making sure the two fiends don't get a sense of their plan. 

Space-Time God readily agreed, his intent clear that he would be sure to stop the damned demons  who not only made a hell out of his place, but were also trying to invade the territory of his wife. 

«Luvanka and Leon. You both pick a side, left or right, and lunge at opponents together. Luck, focus on debuffs, and Formar make sure to keep up supporting fire!!»

Allen decided to make short work of this battle, and swiftly explained the plan to his comrades so that they'll be in sync when they launch their onslaught. 

He had no idea what kind of trickery the opponent might be hiding in the shadow, but he wanted to quickly defeat them, moreso now that they'd support the Space-Time God. And it seemed Space-Time God was just as raring to go, given his confident reply. 

(Hmm... they should've realised by now that we have already cooked a counter strike plan against them, and yet they made no follow up attacks from them huh. I presume they're now cautious after having their initial opening moves blocked.»

It was clear the opponent needed only a glance to tell what were their party were intended to do from their positions, weapon style stance, or expressions. 

«......»

«......»

Amidst the silent stare contest, Space-Time God had also amassed sufficient divine power. 

«Dimension Bind!!»

In an instant, compressed, colorless rings snapped around Bask and Virdiga's limbs---locking them in place, pinning them midair as if space itself had turned to stone.

(Hm? Why didn't they strike immediately this time? It almost looked like they were deliberately giving the Space-Time God the moment to activate their skill...)

A subtle unease crept into Allen's thoughts---something felt off about this battle.

«Wh-what the hell is this?! I---I can't move! Nnghh---AAAAARGHHHH!!»

---Crack!

Bask flailed around in desperation and panic at the sudden turnaround, or was it really so sudden for them? Allen thought, but he couldn't find any fallacy in Bask's movement as he put his overwhelming intelligence to use. 

He couldn't read Virdiga due to his insect face, but both Fiend Kings were clearly trying to brute-force their way out of the divine restraints.

Allen had his doubts, but he chose to strike them down for the moment. 

"Now!"

At Allen's command, the summoned beasts surged forward, launching a coordinated assault on the immobilized Fiend Kings.

"Tch---damn it! Let's go already!!"

Bask's flailing only worsened the situation, his struggling caused visible cracks to form in the restraints.

«I won't let you!!»

With a sharp cry, the Space-Time God rechanneled their power, trying to reinforce the bindings before they gave way.

---Crack!

(Wait... the ground?)

Just as Allen and his parry pressed forward, a sound rang out beneath their feet. It was a deep, splintering noise.

A jagged web of cracks tore across the floor, and from within, the ink-black darkness surged upward like a rising tide, and in tandem they heard a deep, guttural, and commanding.

"Inferno Blade!!"

---Flash.

---Slash.

A shockwave of pitch-black darkness exploded outward. ripping through the stone floor, cleaving the battlefield, and soaring high enough to scrape the ceiling. The shockwave struck both hands of Space-Time God, whom he had extended to keep the hold tightened on the bind of two Fiend Kings.

The damage conferred was so massive Stone C summoned beast, who had been meant to take brunt for any attack with skill «Sacrifice», exploded into a light bubble.

«Guh---! T-there shouldn't have been any other movements possible! I should have sealed all the access to the divine territories!!»

The Space-Time screamed God in disbelief, both arms severed cleanly at the elbows. He couldn't comprehend how the enemy could find a chance to attack from below the floor when he had affirmatively sealed the paths using his full power.

"Why the surprise? My ability severs God's principle. It's impossible for a lowly lesser god like you to ever stop me.»

A bottomless despair overflowed from the floor beneath them. The voice completely aloof, ignoring the Space-Time God's injuries as if they're not worth getting into its eyes.

The owner of the voice slowly appeared from the crevice of the shattered floor, floating, and carrying a broadsword wra[[ed in dense jet-black darkness on the shoulder. 

His cloak billowed behind him as he floated upward. His upper body was bare, revealing sculpted muscle and blue-toned demon skin. His hair was cut cropped short, and the twin horns jutted from his temples. His sclera---normally white---were pitch black.

«Hehe, it's been a while, Allen-kun. Looks like everything is going exactly as planned. Mara, well done interfering with the Space-Time God's territory. In any operation, the opening move is the most important, after all.»

It was Kyubel, the Demon King's advisor, dressed in the ever-so familiar mocking jester-esque attire.

«You honor me, Lord Kübel. i, Mara, have long awaited this moment to finally prove myself useful to you.»

Chiming a reply following Kyubel's remark, another figure---Mara, one of the Six Fiend God General and director of Demon King's army, appeared from the crevice. 

As usual, he boasted a hulkish physique rivaling even Kyubel. His skin offered a shade of purple, with his eyes a mirror of complete darkness, horns growing out of his temple, and three pairs of jet black wings unfurling from his back. 

(Heh, now that's a lineup of Demon King Army's executives straight out of Prostea Empire scene. And they also got the same power up as Virdiga and Bask huh. What're they now, Fiend King?)

«...So the Demon King Army has begun its warfare in the truest sense, huh.»

(Oh, this does seem so. Haa, so Bask and I were a pawn piece.)

Merus gave his opinion, having shared vision with Allen, and Allen nodded in understanding of the situation.

«What the hell. Didn't I say leave it to us? Then why are you jumping like you owe it!?!»

«I mean, it's not our fault you ignored the strategy meeting we had. But I guess that worked out in our favour quite alright. They do have the saying after all; Tell a fool the whole plan, and the whole thing falls apart.»

«What was that?! So you were in on it too, you damn bug?!"

Bask snapped when he realised he was the only one left out of the loop, however Supreme Commander Ordo intervened to cut off their quarrel.

«...Anyway, you got the gist. We've a plan to follow right now, so keep quiet for a moment, can you? You will have enough time to release your pent up frustration.»

Lifting the massive greatsword resting on his shoulder, Ordo swung it once through the air and---

*Crack.*

In an instant, the restraints binding both Bask and Ordo shattered like brittle glass. 

"W-what's in the name of creation god is happening? W-why are the top executives of the Demon King Army together..."

"Sofiarone-sama, please retreat further behind!"

A startled remark left from Sophie, meanwhile Formar stepped in front of her, shielding her with his own body. A few cracks could already be seen on his otherwise expressionless face out of tension. 

On the other hand, Ordo disregarded all the summoned beasts that had circled around him, or even Allen's party, and turned his gaze to the shattered floor. It appeared their strategy was all in his mind right now.

«Well, then. How's the preparation for the overriding transfer system ongoing, Chief Shinorom?»

«Haha!! In just a few more moments, the entire place will be ours to control. Hihihi!! Gii-boy! Connect that wire over to this port, would you?»

«Gii!!»

It turned out their opponent's were already trying to hijack Space-Time God's management system, moving in the floor below.

«No way. It's absolutely impossible for you to take over the entire management system!!»

«Oh, no. No, we absolutely can. It's for this reason I am present here indeed. It helped that you were more focused on using your power to seal the floors.»

Mara, the Fiend King, spilled a grin in response when he captured the startled behaviour of Space-Time God, and declared assertively.