From the looks of it, we are above the edge of the city and it was a very large city. Since this should have been the capital city, that isn't very surprising. From the few pieces of stone that are visible, it looks like most of the city was made of stone.

There are a few groups of beasts roaming around, but not in overwhelming numbers. Although, the numbers do increase as we fly towards the center of the ruins. However, what I see after a few more minutes of flying is enough to make me start swearing.

There, in the center of the ruins, is a massive gate, it is an arch over two stories tall. There is a constant stream of demonic beasts coming out of it, dozens per second. No wonder the demons were able to have such a huge horde guarding the city.

At this rate, in a month or two, they would have enough beasts to overrun the entire continent. The archway is made of stone, yet somehow the gate seems to be fused into it. Even with my knowledge of gates, this is something I have never seen before.

My best guess is that the arch is somehow acting similar to my platforms. I can't know for sure unless I get a closer look, but that isn't going to be easy. Around the gate I can finally spot the demons, there are hundreds of them.

While I don't see any of the demon lords, I doubt that they are far away. They would want to be close enough to respond quickly if something goes wrong. Just as I am wondering where they might be, we hear the echoes of distant explosions.

They seem to be coming from back where we wiped out the demonic beasts. That probably means that the explosions have something to do with the avatar. It wouldn't surprise me if at least one demon lord went to find out what happened and ran into the avatar.

If that happened, it would actually be perfect since the demon would blame the avatar. If the demon lord defeats the avatar, it might even start a war between them. Making the demons fight on two fronts would be a great help to the peninsula.

However, it won't mean anything if this gate stays open and operational. I stare at the gate and do my best to memorize everything about it and its surroundings. Then I fly back into the clouds and hover there while I open a soulscape.

Once inside the soulscape, I recreate the capital city and the gate as best as I can. Then I invite Lin, Seronia, and Krenocia and wait for them to arrive. Lin appears instantly and it doesn't take long for the goddesses to show up.

Seronia says "Ash, Lin, what's going on? Where is this?"

"If I'm not wrong, this is the ruins of the capital of your empire. My problem is the gate. I thought you told me that a hero blew up the gate to the demon plane?"

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Krenocia says "That's correct and the gate wasn't even in the capital. This is a new gate that the demons have built. We didn't think they had the ability to build a gate."

Seronia says "It looks like we underestimated the demons. Sorry, Ash."

"It's fine. At least we found it now. So, what can you tell me about the gate? Do you recognize this style of gate?"

Krenocia says "This is the same type of gate that was originally used to summon the demons. Although, it looks like it isn't complete yet. So, there is good news and bad news."

Lin says "What's the good news?"

Krenocia says "With the gate being incomplete, only beasts can cross over, not demons."

"Alright. What's the bad news?"

Krenocia says "While the arch was built here, it looks like the gate was opened from the other side."

"Meaning that it was opened from within the demon plane? Why is that the bad news? What difference does it make?"

Krenocia says "It means that it is almost impossible to close the gate from this side. You would have to destroy the archway, which is protected by the energy of the gate. It would take a truly massive amount of force to break it."

Lin says "Is that the only way?"

Seronia says "No, there is another option, but it is far more dangerous."

Krenocia says "The only other way to destroy the gate is from the other side. It is more vulnerable on that side, but it would mean going into the demon plane."

Lin says "Ash! Don't even think about it!"

"Okay. Then you tell me, what are we going to do?"

Lin says "We will just destroy it with another joint spell. There is no need for you to get trapped in the demon plane."

"What makes you think I would end up trapped?"

Seronia says "Because she knows you?"

Krenocia says "That's exactly what I was going to say!"

Seronia says "Wait, what do you mean 'another' joint spell? What did the two of you do?"

"It was Lin's idea. Don't blame me!"

Lin smacks me and says "We used a joint spell to wipe out a large army of demonic beasts. It was the same one we used on the pirates, just more powerful. It should be more than enough to destroy the gate."

Seronia says "Ash, you are a bad influence on Lin!"

"It was her idea, why am I still getting blamed?!"

Krenocia says "Because we doubt that Lin ever tried to blow things up before she met you."

Lin says "I'm a mage, of course I did. Although, it was mainly smaller things. If anything, Ash just taught me to think bigger."

Seronia says "See, Ash, you are a bad influence!"

"Enough about that. So, we will try the spell, but what if it doesn't work?"

Lin says "You want to go through the gate, don't you?"

"Actually, not really. Demons and I don't get along, being trapped in their realm wouldn't be fun."

Krenocia says "You seemed to get along just fine with that one demon lord."

"No way, she wanted to keep me as a pet! And she tortured me!"

Lin says "What demon lord? Why haven't I heard about this before?"

"It was when I was captured by the demons, I told you about that."

Lin says "Yes, you did, but you forgot to mention this part. So, why don't you tell me now?"

"Her name is Lady Xinun, and she tortured me. She wanted to keep me as a pet. That's about it."

Lin says "Was she attractive?"

"Yes, in a sadistic succubus kind of way. I may be crazy, but I am not crazy enough to sleep with her."

Lin says "I'm surprised you didn't beat her down and turn her into your pet."

"At the time she was way stronger than me. I'm not sure which of us would be stronger now, hopefully me."

Lin says "If you are stronger, do you want to keep her as a pet?"

"Nope. I am perfectly content."

Seronia says "Good answer."

Krenocia says "Demons don't make good pets anyway."