Chapter 1199 (1/2)

Lord Miln didn’t attempt to stop the smile blooming across his face as he looked toward the new approaching representative of Nether. “Haha, I don’t know where that foolish woman got this sudden surge in power from, but it is enough that the Nether King will send one of his Heralds, eh? Perfect. This is exactly what we needed.”

Tutting lightly, Ileot closed his eyes and shook his head. “We must wait for a bit more. Of the Nether King’s seven Herald, we need at least four to be occupied if we want to assure success when we move. For my strike to land, I will need to be completely undisturbed for three seconds. Which requires you and your forces to keep the remaining Heralds off of me. How many do you believe you can handle, Tedric Miln?”

That certainly wiped the grin off of Lord Miln’s face, although he still was in a rather good mood at this development. Still, it was clear that Ileot was attempting to needle him purposefully by using his first name.

And also with the truth that Lord Miln would likely still likely struggle to handle three Nether Heralds.

Instead of replying directly, Lord Miln looked over to the partial clone of the Ghosthound that Ileot had created. The young man was meditating, acting the part of a genuine, living being. “Is everything prepared on that end?”

“Relax,” After ascertaining what Lord Miln was talking about, Ileot squeaked and rolled his eyes. “After we have antagonized the Nether King, both that demon of Nether and I, the two most powerful figures on the battlefield, will want Randidly Ghosthound dead. What chance will he have to survive?”

Licking his lips, Lord Miln stared out over the battlefield. Things were developing exactly according to their plan. To the right, the Nether Beasts were pushing further and further forward, slaughtering their way toward the Aether headquarters and trampling on the unfortunate camps in their way. To the left of headquarters, the battlefield had descended into an almost surreal peace, aside from the most recent batch of reinforcements thrown toward Lady Iellaya. Which, since it was accompanied by a Nether Herald, could be considered a significant force.

...thankfully Lady Iellaya seems capable enough to suppress this Nether Herald and draw even more ire. Lord Miln’s eyes glowed with pleasure.

Above the entirety of the battlefield, a palpable darkness swirled. It seemed that the grand formation had shifted into some emergency mode that Lord Miln didn’t recognize, but somehow the aura of grey-black energy that it produced was… invigorating. It seemed that the more Lord Miln breathed it in, the more that darkness became heat pumping through his veins.

He clenched his fist. So many sacrifices. So many pointless moments of enduring the stupidity of his commanding officers in his career, the stupidity of those who were blessed with superior circumstances and lorded it over him. Finally, after almost fifty years, Lord Miln had climbed to the rank of Supreme Commander of a battlefront.

All for this one opportunity.

“So soon,” Lord Miln whispered. “It will be worth it.”

Almost instinctively, Lord Miln took another deep breath of the darkness-laden air.

*****

As the newly arrived figure with more power than a Nether Gatekeeper streaked forward across the sky, the air around it cracked and twisted just from its presence. Even Lady Iellaya’s expression grew serious as she looked up toward the approaching figure and the trail of torn space it left in its wake.

“...I believe they are called Nether Heralds. The direct servents of the Nether King. In terms of attracting attention… mission accomplished.” Then she turned to Randidly and gave him a wink. “I don’t suppose you would still be willing to consider adding your potential to mine at this crucial juncture? I obviously can handle this foe alone, but think of all we could accomplish together, Randidly Ghosthound.”

Randidly laughed dryly and shook his head. “Trying to play hardball on the battlefield, Lady Iellaya? I don’t think things are quite that grim yet. Besides, my potential wouldn’t end up being part of the solidified base you have now. It would just be draped over it. An insignificant addition to something that was quite difficult to build and would be even more difficult to renovate now.”

“If it was your potential, we both know that its addition would be anything but insignificant.” Lady Iellaya turned back forward without pressing the issue any further. Then she shrugged. “But it was mostly a comment to add levity to the moment. Isn’t it exciting? We could die today. This is our chance. Let’s show the world that they cannot afford to overlook us.”

Above, the raven-winged serpent roared and writhed its way down to intercept the Nether Herald that rocketed toward Lady Iellaya. Yet Randidly’s ear caught on one phrase almost innocuously slipped into what Lady Iellaya had said.

Isn’t it exciting? We could die today. Randidly began to frown.

The raven-winged serpent opened its mouth and blasted out a thick gout of darkness before the arrow-like Nether Herald that was aimed for Lady Iellaya’s chest. The damaging aura of her image buzzed outward as the raven-winged serpent produced the darkness, but this time Randidly was prepared for the reverberations. He lifted his chin and endured the strange otherness that she produced. At least in terms of adaption, Randidly was rather confident in his own abilities.

Congratulations! Your Skill Monstrosity’s Appalling Physicality (A) has grown to Level 250!