With our timely appearance, the planned attack of the Dark World that was camping in the moon was completely foiled. Or so I would like to think that.
It's always like this anyway. I could only infer on what their objectives were through the series of events. Had we not arrived, the possibility of them completely conquering at least one regenium mine and killing a Transcendent was high. As to who would be the unlucky Transcendent, it depends on who would be unlucky enough to be surrounded and fail in retreating.
But considering our past squabbles with them, mostly my Incarnation's memories, it always ended with everything not going according to their meticulously prepared plan.
During the initial widening of the Portal, their Transcendents immediately launched an all-out attack when their numbers were proven higher than the number of Transcendents existing. And that ended in their defeat against Nysia and the Heroes in a full confrontational battle.
That first defeat urged them to enter a defensive stance, holing up on the moon while resorting to the common tactics of recruiting Corrupteds.
However, when that was proven ineffective, that was the time when they approached the Anzeans, splitting the close group into two separate factions.
Soon afterward, although they tried attacking in full force more than once, my Incarnation that would irregularly appear successfully planted apprehension in their leader's mind.
The first time that happened was with at least 15 Dark World Transcendents. At that time, the three Heroes still hadn't returned to Earth.
Timing their attack right on the day where I sent my Support Incarnation in here, they experienced another major defeat.
At that time, my Support Incarnation led the whole Aegis Battalion and were all enhanced by my buffs. The result of that confrontation was a catastrophic loss for them. Their standard Darkgens were decimated in no time.
When they tried fighting our Transcendents, they also found that they're stronger than normal, hence leading to their immediate retreat after estimating their loss if they continued.
Following that, the skirmishes and plans to take over a faction or a mine were all thwarted because it was always timed whenever my Incarnation would be here. But whenever it wasn't here, they're just chilling on the moon.
That had me wonder whether their leader was a secret ally predicting my Support Incarnation's return. Naturally, it's all a coincidence. They're probably just unlucky.
Because there's no set time when the Incarnation would appear, the leader was probably gambling on the chances. Unfortunately, he's getting the jackpot every time.
Since I had the time when we're waiting on the update at the Confederacy, I contacted Alwyn to check on her current status.
Through my conversation with her, I gathered information as to what happened after Irja and I descended to the World of Barbarian as well as some news about the Mortal World Portals.
With the closing of their Portal at the World of Barbarians and with the higher-ups of the Basste Tribe learning about the massacre at that Portal Camp, they couldn't really point fingers at Illiana and the tribes under her.
The ongoing Dimensional Defenses at Illiana's territory became an alibi that steered the suspicion away from the Dafirae Tribe. Even with witnesses talking about a group consisting of three Dafirae Tribe members appearing at the last city with a Teleportation Formation before the gray territory where the Portals are located, it was easily dismissed as it was easy for someone else to disguise as the Dafirae Tribe to stoke the fires of hatred.
To be totally safe, she was advised not to come back inside the Dimensional Space immediately. Due to that, Alwyn hid somewhere near Illiana until the Basste Tribe rested their case. While she was there, since she didn't have anything to do or so she said, she used her time to gather news for me.
According to her, the new batch of Transcendents was soon to descend in a week's time. Moreover, with the four Portals closed, the Great Ones Halion and Miyae started making noise about the incompetence of the 19 tribes leading to some tension to build up. But she told me not to take those seriously as it was just them probing Zaraya and his group about their plans.
And at the moment, our conversation was still ongoing even after I received the update from Erin about their victory and that they were about to come back with Lunaria.
"You're working hard there. Are you trying to impress me?"
"No! I told you I don't have anything to do. Besides, the Great One told me to maintain a connection with you."
"Alright, don't shout. Your voice kept echoing in my mind, it will be harder for me to forget your voice and that will make me want to see you again." Adding in teasing words that I didn't dare do before, I then continued by changing the topic, "By the way, do you have any information about the movements of the tribes under Great One Zaraya and the others?"
"If you're here, I would really cut your tongue out! Anyway, what kind of movements? All I heard was that they sent out exploration groups to venture beyond our World Zone two months ago. As for the destination, it's unknown. Hmm? I haven't told you about World Zones yet, have I?"
Exploration groups. Beyond their World Zone… Is their destination the Mortal Worlds or is it Earth?
"Don't worry, Irja already told me about it. The descendant of the Great One Onimbus escaped outside the world before we could deal with him. What do you think? Will he survive?"
"If he's alone. Unless a Monarch or Sovereign picks him up, it will be up to his luck to go back given that the distance between here and there is too far."
"I see. That's great then. About those exploration groups… are they filled with Transcendents?"
"That's a matter of course! Only Rank 2 Transcendent and above can endure the chaotic nature of Space for a long time even without being inside a Space Vessel. Even if a Rank 1 Transcendent can go with them, they will surely not pick them if their exploration is about discovering new Mortal Worlds to conquer. Moreover, Rank 1 Transcendent's Energy Capacity will run out faster so they're useless for long-distance World Zone crossing."
Taking in the information from her and organizing them for others to understand easily, I looked on at the girls in front of me and to the Heroes waiting for me to relay what I learned to them.
Well, there's no point hiding that I'm talking with someone else even if the message that could be sent didn't need to be uttered out loud.
After a few more inquiries, we ended our conversation by me teasing her again. Although she appeared angry, her boredom for needing to hide was somewhat abated.
"Is that… Alwyn?" Irja narrowed her eyes.
Aside from Remilia, there's only Alwyn who I could contact after all so it's easy to guess.
"Un. I asked her for news on her side. Also, I teased her a bit."
"You could've omitted that last part."
"Well, when it comes to all of you, I won't lie."
After I said that, I saw Irja and Reinys clicked their tongues and rolled their eyes as their reaction to what I said. Surely, they think I'm trying to score points on them. But that's just the truth. I will never lie with them.
Following that, we waited for Erin's group to come back before I relayed to them the information I gathered along with the info about World Zones and the exploration groups.
"Does that mean it's possible for a group of Rank 2 Transcendents and above to come here?"
"It's possible. However, I don't think they will actually target Mortal Worlds when there are Portals already existing connecting the Dark World to the Mortal Worlds."
The highest possibility is Earth. Furthermore, there's the reminder of Illiana to beware of the other worlds encroaching on Earth. If their destination is our world… then an event worse than the emergence of the Dark Cult might happen…
"Let's set that aside for now. We're still lacking information. What we have to do is what we planned. Elise, how's the situation at the settlement of the Anzeans?"
"The Healing Faction retreated. Krond is on his way here." Elise answered after checking her communicator. Naturally, she has her own informant there.
"I see. Nysia, can I ask you to restrain him and get some answers?" I turned to my wife who made herself comfortable by rubbing her cheeks on my arm like a little pet animal who missed her owner.
When she heard my question, she straightened her body and nodded. Seeing her totally different attitude when she's with me, the others that were not used to it could only have a wry smile on their faces. Nonetheless, the majority of people in the room were my Companions and would-be Companions.
"Daisuke, do you think they're in cahoots with each other?" Leianne inquired. She surely considered all the possibilities why I asked Nysia to do that before asking me.
"No. Not him. Those around him."
I shook my head and upon seeing that, Leianne's eyes glittered brightly as her enthusiasm kicked in.
"I see. Then let me join or rather, let me be the one to interrogate him."
According to Elise, that guy truly cares for his people. There's a possibility that he's also trying to protect those advising him against the Alliance. He's the only Transcendent in their Faction, being aware of those was more than possible.
"Can you do it?"
"Un! I was taught by my father how to get the right answer from someone even without the use of torture."
"Alright. I will leave it to the two of you."
Leianne wanted to do things to stay relevant. That's what she said. It's only natural that I let her do that. Besides, I trust she can do what she said.
"Moving on, tomorrow, we'll be launching an attack on the Moon. Our main objective will be the Portal. But if possible, let's all bury their Transcendents there."
Although I don't really want to act as the leader, I already started it with my plan. It's irresponsible to pass it to someone. Either way, on the battlefield, I will still be their Ultimate Support.
"… Can we do it?" Amry suddenly asked in doubt.
As soon as Kazeyoshi arrived, I noticed the girl naturally moving towards him, checking if he got any injuries. Despite being a tsundere, she's that thoughtful to her man. I don't even need to guess that their romance finally bloomed.
"Of course. You can spar with any of my Companions to see if we had enough firepower."
"… There's no need to." As her gaze alternately switched on Yuko and Irja, Amry timidly shrunk back before hiding behind Kazeyoshi. She then peeked from his shoulder before sticking her tongue out to me.
The girl probably thought I was trying to bully her…
"Alright. For now, let's dismiss." Ending the brief meeting, the three Heroes along with Old Man Reol, Liam and Lyra left the room leaving me behind with my Companions and the four women that were waiting for me.
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