“I…still haven’t arranged our very own forces yet. We are sending troops to our towns and cities to ensure their safety from the devils attack. Also, there’s a huge drawback from the lack of Ashfon’s presence that made the people anxious…”

“So, Violetta, are you unsure if you can even arrange the human forces then?”

“Yes. Morale is a very important factor. Without the most important authority figure, their motivation drastically drops.”

“Wait…but we have other plans for them.”

As I said that, I pointed at the formation I made on the map. Violetta’s eyesight follows and stares at the defensive line that protects the coast and shore.

“You are right. Our top priority is the safety of the civilians. If we lose so many lives then we only won this battle with the preface of bringing peace. We lose technically if we cannot minimize the death of the innocent.”

“That’s why I want only us, who knew of the real situation, to force ourselves into this matter. “

“To be honest, I don’t mind people dying. I have my own goals and that would be to ensure that the balance will be kept…like what Mrothgir always do.”

“Violetta!”

“That’s only a personal opinion. I won’t force such cruelty to you, Asagao.”

I have forgotten about this side of Violetta too. She doesn’t really regard of people’s wellbeing. She never showed neither compassion nor disdain to people other than those who are connected to Fonfon.

My master, Mrothgir, whose virtues is to bring balance and help people from the shadows. If he taught me something important about people, that is how wonderful and colorful they are, from our adventure from the border of Beast and Dwarven Continent up to our last trip in the demon capital.

I can only find sympathy for people through their circumstances. That was the case when I met Higan. If she wasn’t troubled back then, then we could have never had this special connection. Through master, I find it easier to understand people, how to build trust and how to distrust them. Both are beneficial and both are essential, just like the balance he would always preserve.

Regardless of how torturous his training regime for me and Higan, he would always tell the tales of his life regarding about people he meets. But that it in self is sad and painful as those times will never ever return again…

I looked up to him and I could say that before they became a lover, Violetta did the same too. But…Violetta never envisioned the path that caters the safety of others. No, it has never been her priority even now. The reason she agreed to my selfish plan must be because she is being considerate of me.

Before I knew it, I lost most of my selfish self and I became more selfless. My desire took a turn from wanting to be sheltered and kept safe from pain to someone who is stubborn that will willingly take risks and the dangerous situation just for the beliefs that I myself holds.

My resolve wavers from time to time. From what I experience…it was only natural. However, remembering such time where I am losing confidence in myself, it gives painful pangs in my chest.

Though, I do still think falling in love with Ichirou is a little…How do I say it?

I feel immoral like a guy loving another guy but the conflicting feeling is that I already acknowledge myself as a girl. Of course, I’ve been a man for twenty years so adjusting emotionally to a girl’s mindset is still a little difficult.

Also, remembering that I could really giggle like a little girl infatuated with someone makes me embarrassed.

Getting back on track, Violetta’s cold words surprised most of everyone here. Upon such behavior, Susanoo stands up.

“Violetta…”

“Hero Susanoo? I am sure you do understand my point, right? Since coming here and knowing Ashfon, Asagao has become his very pillar of salvation. I cannot let Ashfon loses such motivation.”

“He, Ashfon…is great king. However, the very nature…of your Arcana…is becoming more visible…which is disgusting.”

“What are you on?”

“You are using…Asagao as a medium to control Ashfon…That’s what I am pointing out. It’s befitting for you…Arcana of Domination, to control people…even if it is not…what you really intend to do…however…it is…disgusting.”

“Susanoo…”

“You don’t think that…you could also control…him whenever he loses his sanity. You are now…relying on Asagao. If that is the real case…then…I will just kill…Ashfon myself.”

“You…do you know the weight of your own words?!”

“You only…look at Asagao objectively.”

“T-that's not true! I care for her too just as much as Ashfon care for her.”

“Hypocrite.”

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

The last word…was uttered by Higan that stopped Violetta.

“Miss…Higanbana…”

“Don’t take us for fools because you have lived a few centuries ahead of us. Devils are not the only enemy. There is also the Order of whatsoever and that god of devils, Eresti. We don’t know what the odds that the Order of whatsoever also pursues the same goals as us. However, I will make it clear to you.”

“Make what clear to me?”

“Everyone has gathered here because of Asagao. Don’t think we will let her or anyone here die. Asagao’s desire and wishes aren't something you will understand in your lifetime.”

“Is…that so…?”

“That is so. So stay put in the safe zone together with master’s child. I don’t want to miss the chance of gaining an impromptu little sister.”

“Hahaha…Mrothgir does choose strong but odd disciples as his last…”

Putting me in the same league and oddness as Higan is not something I could casually accept!

I want to put an end to this endless discussion about ourselves though.

“Umm…If I may?”

“What is it, Asagao?”

“Violetta…we are…far off from the real subject…”

“You are right. So, I already have a gist of what you wanted to do. Tell it to us.”

“Right.”

This is like how I did in our battle against the giant devil in the sea.

I need to split up our forces and keep the outgoing devils at bay. The reason we don’t want to deploy forces to the inner grounds of the center continent is that to reinforce the defense in its boundary.

It is a big win for us we could destroy the source of the devils spawn and minimize the casualties, however, it is technically our lost if we let the devil flow out from the center continent. Those devils will kill more people than we could protect.

Powerful they may be but, Alstroe, Susanoo or even Violetta cannot be in multiple places at the same time. Chasing devils cannot be the task for them. The flooding would most likely spawn a wave of devils that a mere hundred thousand of soldiers may not survive, especially if we are talking about giant devils and archdevils. Flying devils are also a big threat and there are also aquatic devils.

We can leave the chasing of the devils to the pirate that I will give a deployment formation later so they could go rounds within the center continent perimeter.

Evaluating our forces, Senya and her group, the fairies, the humans, the devils, and the beasts are all there is to help us. Priscilla’s force is an impromptu one so we can only ask them to defend that shore of the dragon continent which is much more troublesome because the continent itself is vast.

It’s a shame that the elven forces and the dwarven forces cannot join us. We cannot force the dwarves to climb down their mountains and we cannot force the elves to clear out from the forest. Not to mention the two races had just a war recently.

In total, I can divide our forces by division and directions.

One of those divisions will be the Line Breakers. A specialized group where I will put Mana Minase in use, a specific group where they will force their way through the horde of devils and destroy the very roots. Since Mana is only with matured hero blessing, she is the only key to this battle.

Second is the vanguard. I want to fix the position of each of our forces as flexible as possible but every change in tide, we have to regroup and rearrange which is a drag. That’s why I am going to make a solid force of frontline people, mostly from our group.

The only group that will follow closely to the line breakers and support them…

King Folga, Queen Hinoki, the Fairy King, and the Demon Lord, Gria…

If all of them lead a four-way assault towards the center, then everything would be less hard. I plan to use Casablanca, Hibiscus, and Higanbana as front-liners too but it would be wise to let them dominate the air as Merissa ship, the S.S. Iowa, will be also participating in aerial battle together with Pr’thcor’s ancient dragon group.

Ichirou and Hasu will be by my side together with Mimi and Topaz. Alstroe and Susanoo will be the special vanguards as we will let them take care of the giant devils. Also, I cannot let Cattleya join as her power can cause friendly fire. Together with Cattleya is Shouko who cannot battle due to her condition.

If the summoned heroes could come at the frontlines, that would also be appreciated.

We now have a solid Frontline and Line Breakers. Next will the rear guards or those who will watch out for the back. They will also watch and slay any devil that got passed through as. Basically, they are those who will stay on the shore of the center continent.

If those devils got through them too, we have our battleships ready to aim at them. Lastly, if they get past our battleships, then our remaining troops that are waiting at the shore of each continent will chase them and slay them.

If that doesn’t stop them then I am at loss for words then.

However, I have to think that there will be a time limit or I should factor that the Order of Arcana will appear.

I wish they don’t.

I already got a gist of it when Nil simultaneously attacked three continents at the same time. I can speculate that he is drawing Eresti’s attention…away from us. This is a god we are talking about after all and we may not know when he is watching from somewhere.

I talked about everyone about the plan in detailed and carefully selected people to go with Mana in breaking through the horde of devils. I already know that Mana alone is strong enough, however, I want to give a little assurance.

Due to center continent’s geography, I am a little reluctant of the plan but this is what we all have. In hindsight, aren’t our forces overpowered enough?

The calamity called flooding won’t be even a threat to us.

But still, there’s a discomfort in my heart…like I am forgetting something…

We already have an arranged troops, we already have a fixed plan to set in motion, we have the people here that are strong enough, we have assured and secured our means of destroying the Passage of Evil, but…there is something that is bothering me…

The existence called Red Moon…where the devil spawns. There might be a portal in it where it sends devil here. However…what will happen to it once we destroy the passage?

As we are finalizing the plan…suddenly…

BOOM!

“Wha--?!”

I let out a shocked voice as a sound of explosion meets my ears. However, unlike Higan, Susanoo, Alstroe, Violetta, Ichirou, Shouta, and Diyu, their feet are already dashing out from the window. The rest of us acted weren’t able to act swiftly unlike them. They wordlessly dash out from the room leaving us flabbergasted.

“Mimi!”

“Yes, Master?”

“Stay here and protect Topaz and everyone!”

“Yes!”

“Casablanca and Hibiscus don’t go anywhere! Merissa, you stay here too!”

The elven twins nod obediently but Merissa pouted her cheeks as I stopped her from dashing out from the room. Topaz only stayed seated as Mimi holds her hands in worry. I don’t think Cattleya and Shouko would do anything stupid.

In hindsight, Mimi might be the only one who can readily fight here so I leave everything to her.

I jump out from the window and guided my landing with a barrier. The explosion came from the adventurer’s guild so I become more worried.

I started leaping from the ground. I bounce from one barrier to another to get past through the residential area. I jump from roof to roof until I arrive at the adventurer’s guild which now is in the wreckage.

Adventurers are lying down on the ground with either light concussion that led them to unconsciousness or in tattered stated but not in critical. However, the adventurer’s guild headmaster does his best to stand up.

I don’t see Miss Cecille anywhere…

Alstroe’s face pales as she saw the wreckage. Everyone else is watching the surrounding and helping the wounded but right now, only Alstroe cannot move from her place.

“G-Guildmaster…”

“Little Alstroe…”

“W-Where is…where is….Big sis?”

“……”

“Hey…she is in there…right?”

“Sorry…”

“Guildmaster!”

Alstroe lips started trembling and her hands become shaky. The guild master cannot look at her in the eyes as he knits his eyebrows in vexation.

No way…

“Cecille…was taken by someone…”

“Someone…? Who?”

“A…an old man…who introduced himself as…Dylan…The Arcana of Sloth…from the Order of Arcana…”

As soon as the guild master spoke the name of the culprit, Ichirou’s eyes darted to him and Alstroe fell on her knees. She already knows who Dylan is.

Damn…

While we are still making our plans, our enemy, Order of Arcana…

Already made their plans of attack…