Chapter 1647 (1/2)

As a giant group, they slowly descended the slope. DiOrtho Vant glanced around at the walking Pinnacle Seekers while his palms tingled. Each radiated an aura of power, causing him to inwardly sweat to be moving with them. He adjusted his leather armor and flexed his hands, refusing to look back to where they had left the Head Drill Sergeant and Overseer Helen.

From their original position about three-fourths up the crater slope, the Pinnacle Seeker group descended to the flat area nearest to the Nether King’s dais. They were not as close as the two orthodox factions, but DiOrtho was becoming quite aware of the rising pressure as the Nether sluggishly swirled above them.

At the Frost Matriarch’s gesture, the group stopped. And if anything, this made the ram demon’s experience even more strained.

Obviously, no one else from his group was coming, so DiOrtho felt rather… awkward to be simply standing here without any companion in such a tense situation. The Pinnacle Seekers were obviously waiting for Niermas Pence to move any closer, but what about the other forces? With the Nether King sitting visibly in front of them, why was no one moving past that final fifty meters? Even more importantly, the longer they waited, the more oppressive the Nether in the area became.

What am I missing… DiOrtho rubbed his sweaty hands together.

The only group that seemed immune to the changes was the Nether King and his two subordinates. They waited regally and languidly, allowing the Nexus forces to do anything they wanted.

DiOrtho could only grimace and try to look at the surrounding individuals for a source of distraction, without being overly obvious about it. The group that had taken up residence so close to the actual fighting was only nine individuals, so his options for conversation were limited. Claudette had practically evaporated from nearby when Randidly had announced that he wasn’t coming and DiOrtho was put off by the blank expressions both on Seeker Ozaer and her apprentice’s face.

Finally, DiOrtho sidled over to the descendent of Seeker Thunder Wing, Eashen. At the very least, the young man was visibly sweating, meaning he was probably just as nervous as DiOrtho was feeling right now. The ram demon cleared his throat. “Greetings. We… we will be working together, so I just figured… DiOrtho Vant.”

Eashen blinked at him. “What?”

“...that’s my name. DiOrtho Vant.” The ram demon coughed and suppressed his desire to reach up and rub his horns. Why was this so difficult…?

“Oh. I’m Eashen. Greetings to you too,” The kid finally said, seeming to catch the drift of the conversation.

It wasn’t the best opening, but it was probably the only one that DiOrtho would be able to get, considering the crowd. So he opened his mouth and charged forward. “Do you know why the other groups are waiting? It feels like the Nether is growing stronger every second. Aren’t they… worried about giving the Nether King more time to prepare?”

In such a grouping in such a small space, there was no way the other Pinnacle Seekers hadn’t heard him. Yet the fact that not a single one reacted to his question made him inwardly wince. These people have no qualms about ignoring you if aren’t related to them, huh…?

Eashen blinked, seeming to think about his question. The gesture made DiOrtho uncomfortably aware of how young his target was. It was almost like he was coercing him into a conversation. The young man started speaking with a half shrug. “Well… I don’t know what the hell the Engraving Guild is doing… that group is a bunch of weirdos. But the army guys should be waiting for reinforcements.”

Seeker Thunder Wing, who was standing nearby, nodded slowly and blessedly helped the conversation along by pointing his finger. “And here they are. The Xyrt Brigade. They will be the spearhead. Their assault will begin soon.”

But then Seeker Thunder Wing gave DiOrtho a sardonic smile. “But… perhaps you will regret your enthusiasm soon.”

With that cryptic comment, the other man turned away. As Seeker Thunder Wing had indicated, a group of ten individuals had arrived at the lip of the crater above the Engraving Guild forces. They ignored their orthodox fellows and marched sharply down toward the waiting location of Military High Command. DiOrtho frowned at them but was relieved to see that Lady Vualla wasn’t present. It was likely a sign that she was also not powerful enough to affect this battlefield.

So why am I risking everything to come down here and witness it…? DiOrtho thought, frustrated with himself.

Luckily, Seeker Thunder Wing hadn’t been kidding; no sooner had the Xyrt Brigade arrived than a group of about fifty individuals began marching toward the Nether King with their weapons raised. Without missing a beat, the giant Sable Rabbit took several bounds forward, moving from the central portion of the Nether King’s dais to the edge. There, it sat on its hind legs and flicked its ears, watching Military High Command approach. Its eyes were simultaneously bright and flat, like plastic.

The Dawn Jackal shook his head, his lower jaw loosely swinging in a very primal manner. “Heh…. ehehhehe…. So, it’s finally going to begin…”

“For the first time in a millennia…” Seeker Ozaer muttered to herself. “The Nexus is going to bleed.”

Below, the phalanx from Military High Command accelerated. Even from this distance, DiOrtho Vant could feel the powerful images radiating off of the front three individuals. Their valiant power cut through the oppressive weight of significance effortlessly. Their feet thundered against the ground as they accelerated forward.

The sable rabbit flicked its ears again and tilted its head to the side. Then it spat out a dozen small projectiles that zipped forward. As though the whole thing was choreographed, the military charge scattered as everyone leapt out of the line of fire. Unfortunately, the speed moved more quickly than it had in the rehearsal.

DUUN! DUUN! DUUN!