Episode 409: Reason for the Attack
The swirling angels increased in number, cascading down from the sky like an avalanche.
However, the “Annihilating Flash” unleashed by the Gold Dragon effortlessly obliterated tens of thousands of angels. Powerful lightning also erupted across a one-kilometer radius, tearing the angels apart.
The angel army, which had numbered nearly a million, was dwindling at an alarming rate.
The main reason was the rampaging giant Gold Dragon, but Rui and Akito’s valiant efforts were also remarkable.
The flashes emanating from Gae Bolg mowed down the angels, and the spear, moving with lightning speed, and its six prongs tore through the angels’ bodies.
In less than a minute, a thousand angels vanished into bubbles of light.
Rui’s slashes also accelerated. Flames burst from the Katana he swung in the air, transforming into dozens of Birds that soared through the sky.
The Birds of flame exploded, turning into hundreds of “arrows” that flew onward. The fiery arrows pierced the angel army, engulfing them in explosive flames.
The angels retaliated in swarms, but they were annihilated by the “Annihilating Flash” spewed out by the Gold Dragon.
Yuma further swung his tail, scattering dozens of angels, and unleashed multiple Lightning Strikes, taking down nearly a hundred angels.
Akito pursued the significantly reduced number of angels.
The spearhead clad in Lightning chased down the enemies, piercing the last one.
“Alright, I guess that’s about it?”
Akito, floating in the air, looked around and nodded in satisfaction.
The million or so angels had vanished without a trace. Akito slowly descended to the ground and looked at Rui, who was sheathing his Katana.
“Rui, you were amazing too. Your Fire Magic has leveled up!”
“Not at all. The one who’s really amazing is—”
Rui looked up at the sky. Akito said, “Ah,” and gazed at the descending Gold Dragon.
As the giant Dragon landed with a flap of its wings, it emitted a dazzling light from its body. When the light subsided, Yuma emerged from within, still clad in his Black Armor.
“You did it, Yuma!”
Akito raised his hand, and Yuma returned the gesture with a high-five.
“We managed to defeat them all for now, but… what were those angels? ”
“Who knows? But there’s no doubt they were hostile towards you. You must have earned some serious hatred, huh?”
“Ehh~ I have no idea why.”
Rui chuckled at Yuma’s grumbling.
“Still, with that many angels, shouldn’t a White Magic Gem have dropped? There’s a chance they’re scattered around…”
At Rui’s words, Akito frowned.
“No way! Searching for Magic Gems scattered over such a wide area is impossible. Besides, the angels Yuma defeated disappeared. Even if Magic Gems did drop, they probably turned to ash along with them, right?”
Yuma also thought, “That’s true!” but he shook off the thought, realizing there was no point in dwelling on it now.
“Anyway, let’s leave the Magic Gem collection to someone else and head back. We need to report to Honda-san and the others.”
Rui and Akito nodded at Yuma’s suggestion. The three decided to return to Elceed’s headquarters in Otemachi.
Perhaps they might find some information regarding this incident. With that faint hope, Yuma sprouted large wings from his back and took off.
Rui and Akito also took flight, following after Yuma.
◇◇◇
Back at Elceed’s headquarters, Yuma and his companions were greeted with concern from Tennoji and Ishikawa, who asked, “Are you alright?” They reassured them that they had managed somehow.
Afterward, they were led by Honda to a room in the office.
“This is a room used for meetings. It’s the only place where we can use Magic Tool communication.”
In other words, it was a conference room. Yuma stood before a stylish circular table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
Rui and Akito sat in the chairs next to him.
There was a large monitor at the front of the room, and Ishikawa was adjusting something. Inside the room were Yuma, Rui, Akito, Tennoji, Ishikawa, and Honda, making a total of six people.
Honda picked up a remote control and pointed it at the monitor, causing a flash of light and projecting an image.
“We’re connected to the Ministry of Defense now. They should be here soon.”
The monitor showed what appeared to be a room. There was a desk and a chair visible.
After a while, an elderly man entered the frame from the left. He slowly sat down in the chair and looked at the monitor.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Honda-san. I’ll share the information that the Ministry of Defense has gathered.”
“Yes, thank you. Please wait a moment.”
Honda paused and turned her gaze to Yuma.
“The person on the monitor is Mr. Tsutsumi, the Minister of Defense. He will explain what we currently know about the angels.”
Yuma straightened his posture. Honda said, “Please go ahead,” and Tsutsumi cleared his throat before speaking.
“We still don’t know much about the sudden gathering of angels. However, we have confirmed that they didn’t come from one direction, but flew in from all four directions.”
“Four directions? So that means…”
Yuma muttered under his breath. Tsutsumi continued.
“Presumably, the angels gathered from the White Dungeons located in various countries around the world. We have no idea what their purpose is, but Mitaka Yuma-kun, we believe you are the cause.”
“I knew it…”
Yuma made a bitter face. He had a feeling that was the case, but hearing it confirmed made him feel uneasy.
“Hyah hyah hyah! You’re super popular with Monsters, Yuma. You might have fans rushing to see you from now on.”
Akito said gleefully, but Yuma felt disgusted.
“Are you telling me I’m going to keep getting attacked from now on?” While Yuma was worried, Tsutsumi continued to talk about the angels. However, there was no information that seemed useful, and the Ministry of Defense would continue to investigate.
“That’s all from me. I’ll report again as soon as I find out anything.”
“Thank you very much.”
Honda thanked him, and Tsutsumi stood up and ended the report. Honda used the remote control to turn off the monitor.
“It seems the government doesn’t know anything accurate either. However, the most important thing is why the angels attacked now.”
At Honda’s words, everyone in the room fell silent. It was indeed a very sudden event.
Could Monsters attack without any trigger?
As no one had an answer, Rui spoke up.
“Could something have happened at 【Orpheus】?”
“Orpheus?”
Yuma frowned. He wondered why he was bringing that up so suddenly, but Tennoji nodded slightly.
“Indeed, there might be a possibility. If something were to happen in the world’s largest 【White Dungeon】, it wouldn’t be strange for changes to occur in White Dungeons around the world.”
“Eh? Does that kind of thing happen?”
Yuma was unconvinced and asked Tennoji.
He wouldn’t mind so much if he was affected by the Dungeons he had conquered, but he absolutely hated being caught in the crossfire of changes in unrelated Dungeons.
Next to Yuma, who was thinking that, Akito laughed gleefully.
“If you don’t understand, why don’t you just go and see for yourself?”
“Go and see… where?”
“It’s obvious, isn’t it!”
Akito grinned and pointed out the window.
“To the place where the world’s largest Dungeon, 【Orpheus】, is located!”