The Wastes.
A group of demonic creatures floated atop the destroyed terrain where Elder Flock and Dartex have fought before.
"Do you sense them, Nish'taka?", said the figure in the middle.
His 3-meter tall body towered over the rest. The demonic wings on his back battered with scars flapped furiously, generating shockwaves every time.
Its large fists were gripped tightly on the sides. He was waiting for a reply from the slithering demonic creature down below who was busy smelling out any leftover scent from Elder Flock and Dartex.
"Their scent stops here, Der Henderral.", Nish'taka solemnly replied. A grim expression was plastered on her face.
The large demonic creature started fuming in anger. The two large horns on his head started to bend inward in a gruesome manner.
"Der Henderral, it is best to forget about this incident.", a demonic creature with crow-like features tapped on his shoulder, "The grand plan should take precedence. Dartex has already done his part. Regardless of where he is now, we would still be found out sooner or later."
"What is more important is that we should focus on disrupting our enemies for as long as we can. The moment that they realize what is happening, all will be too late.", the crow's dark eyes glinted coldly.
"Your suggestion, Allustro?", the large demonic creature asked. His anger was soothed under this crow's presence
After all, he was a respected strategist from the Otherworld.
Allustro stared at the northern direction with a serious expression.
"We have ordered Dartex to spread the corruption far and wide. Most of its victims have already developed to the mind retraction stage with the help of Minjax."
"The group of northern barbarians are on their way back to the Norva Assili, and Dartex stealthily intercepted the marching band of the Creed cultists on the outskirts of the Morning Star Empire Capital City before the Herald of the Dragons interrupted our plans earlier than expected."
The crow snorted in disdain. The Knights weren't as lazy compared to the old bastards from the League of Wizardry.
Despite this setback, it proved surprisingly good for their other plans, however.
Their recent attempts of abducting people from the rural areas attracted the attention of the Knights. As such, the Knight's ranks were thinned out from the inside by letting them freely investigate the incidents.
Allustro wasn't the slightest worried that the Knights would suspect them for now. Their escape methods were greatly improvised.
No one but the lone supreme archmage from the League could sniff out their presence in the area.
"We will first use the Norva Assili to create a disruption, while the Creed unsuspectingly breeds new followers which we will use on a later date."
"Our dear prophet has accumulated much ire from the public so this will take a little more persuasion to convince the public to gather their trust."
The large demonic creature snorted, "Then what about the elves? And the dwarves?"
"They aren't an easy force to reckon with.", he advised.
The armada of archmages from the elves, and the dragons who are now allies with the dwarves were an invincible force for the demonic creatures to face head-on.
Even though a portal was open for them to connect with the Otherworld and other worlds, a large amount of power was required.
This surge of power would be sensed by the Magi Elder, alerting the entirety of Aludia who would then respond to the existential threat of the demonic creatures and stop them from whatever they were trying to accomplish.
As for the empires and factions proactively attacking the Wastes, it wasn't a profitable investment. There was nothing valuable in this forsaken land.
Moreover, fully exterminating the presence of the demonic creatures would lead to surveillance problems from the League and the Knights.
At least, with the demonic creatures continuing to exist here in Aludia, they would be able to monitor their movements, though they were bound to regret such a decision for a later date.
Regardless of reasons, because of the absence of aggression from their enemies, the demonic creatures were able to empower themselves over the years.
Allustro nodded his head, "We are setting up a war between the Grurad Mystic Manor and the Alderian Terrestrial Sanctuary. The abducted elves are secretly stored from an inconspicuous place inside the Grurad Mystic Manor."
"Once the elves find out, it will be another war between the two.", the crow's eyes glistened in delight.
The Grurad Mystic Manor was a land full of demi-humans exiled from the Sanctuary because they were labeled as impure, or were convicted of heinous crimes from the past.
If the elves found out that their brethren were being locked up like rats in such a foul place, anger will erupt from the depth of their hearts and initiate a war until the other side is destroyed.
"The Vortex Ascendancy event is also near. The realm on the other side that the dwarves have been guarding for centuries is now populated with lesser and higher demons, the marasakas and karageros."
"The deathly surprise will surely earn them a quick trip to the death realm.", Allustro coldly laughed.
Those dwarves were highly arrogant and prideful as years passed mainly because they managed to establish an allegiance with the powerful dragon tribes.
This lowered their guard, giving way for Allustro and the other demonic creatures to sneak on the portal's entrance and make it a breeding ground for the demonic creatures and alike.
Hearing the good news, the large demonic creature smirked.
"Good, good. It seems like you have planned all of this secretly on our backs, Allustro."
"I was worried that if I tell everything on a moment's notice, Der Henderral, our demonic brothers and sisters would become complacent like our enemies. I wouldn't want such a thing to happen now, would I?", Allustro replied.
"If this grand plan works as expected, Lord Master Vahalla will come back and reign terror once again!"
Hearing his name gave rise to adrenaline for each demonic creature present. Their eyes widened in frenzy, raising their heads to the sky and loudly shouting.
Just as they were celebrating, another demonic creature landed on their position. When the dust settled, its four horns stood out.
A menacing look was plastered on his face. His two arms on the right, however, were cut off from his body.
Scarlet blood poured out from it, shocking the other demonic creatures.
"Simonte, what the hell happened to you?", the large demonic creature asked.
Simonte knelt in disgrace, "Der Henderral, I am sorry. I tried to hold the Herald of the Dragons for as long as I could, but I was unable to complete my mission."
"The Herald of the Dragons, Miguel Luchador? But how? You are supposed to be as powerful as him!", the large demonic creature was in disbelief.
"The-the divine flame dragon blood awakened inside him. It must be because of that thing that happened a day ago! That was why he was able to injure me this much!", Simonte explained.
"Divine flame dragon blood… divine, divine, divinity!"
A scarlet aura emanated from the large demonic creature's body.
"Miguel Luchador, you will pay for this!"
…
Dulrak's Ruins.
The members of the Creed and the League stood their grounds, wary of the surroundings for any incoming attack.
A dragon's roar was heard, alerting everyone.
From the sky fell a draconic figure with large draconic wings extending from his back. He landed fiercely to the ground.
"Settle down, everyone. It's someone from the Knights."
Magister Amos calmly approached the draconic figure, "Herald, what brings you here to Dulrak's Ruins?"
"Dartex, where is he?", Miguel asked.
"Elder Flock went out to pursue him. You won't need to worry about that.", Magister Amos calmly answered.
He didn't include Eluard's presence, nor the Heavenly Magic Academy. Everyone from before agreed to not whisper a word or story about the involvement of the Heavenly Magic Academy in this incident.
It was of utmost importance to hide this information for as long as possible.
"Is that so?", Miguel doubted Magister Amos' answer.
"You seem to have come from a recent battle, Herald.", Magister Amos noticed.
"Hmph, if it wasn't for a demonic creature blocking my way, I would've dealt with that Dartex instead.", Miguel harrumphed.
He had to thank the person who assimilated with the divine flame dragon's blood, allowing the sleeping blood in his body to awaken just in time to defeat the demonic creature.
"What? A demonic creature blocked your way?", Magister Amos was shocked. Or rather, he acted to be as shocked as he was.
They already knew of the Otherworld's involvement with Dartex.
Magister Amos have to set up a pretense that it was his first time knowing of this matter or else Miguel might sense something suspicious.
"Hah, you old fools from the League are always sloppy. Nevertheless, since Dartex is already dealt with, I will go back now.", Miguel jumped to the sky and disappeared in a flash.
He didn't give a damn about whatever business the League or the Creed have with the teleportation magic formation in Dulrak's ruins. He has to report what happened here back at headquarters.
'The recent abduction incidents must also be related to the demonic creatures. It seems like they are planning something big.'
He didn't think that the plan was about the direct revival of Vahalla. If it was, then the demonic creatures should have started plotting against them from centuries ago.
Why would they only start now?
Back at Dulrak's Ruins.
Magister Amos stared at the distance.
A commotion suddenly erupted behind him where the entrance to the ruins was located.
He turned around and saw Magister Jaggos approach him with a dark expression, "What happened, Magister Jaggos? Did the teleportation magic formation act up again?"
Magister Jaggos nodded, "Magister Amos, Elder Flock has returned. However, he seems to have encountered trouble."
---VOL. 1 END---
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