Faced with such overwhelming strength, the members who always fought on the front lines were completely no match. They were truly vulnerable.

Such a scene was enough to completely discourage the remaining students.

Yuka and the others looked up, witnessing the gathering despair.

The world has been dyed black and red.

The air was so heavy that it seemed to stick to the skin. A spatial crack appeared above the collapsed [Sacred Mountain], and a black miasma like mud spewed out from it.

It was a nightmare-like scene, making it hard to believe that this was a scene from the real world.

In order to put an end to this nightmare, Shi and his companions just broke into the space crack in the sky, which was the space gate leading to the [Divine Realm] - [Divine Gate].

The cheers of the human coalition forces shook Yuka's eardrums.

Her body was shaking, and although she wanted to claim it was a tremor of excitement, it was actually a tremor of fear.

Next, a war with the survival of mankind and their own future at stake is about to begin.

This would be a fight to the death. Who knows, in a few seconds, I might die easily and inexplicably.

This is a battle between God and man.

Both sides are gambling on their right to survive, this is a real war.

How reassuring it would have been if Hajime and the others were also by his side. Their ability to pass through the [Divine Gate] was certainly cause for celebration. However, their absence inevitably made one feel uneasy.

Even so──

(Fight, I will fight. Simply hiding aside, simply relying on others, will not protect anything. I already understand this!)

Her whole body was shaking, and her teeth were chattering. So Yuka clenched her teeth to stop them from shaking.

What happened in the Demon King's Castle ignited her soul.

That man who never gives up, so strong, entrusted this place to Yuka, saying "You can do it."

So, there must be no problem.

Yuka reminded herself of this, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. A long, deep breath—

(Okay... no problem!)

Her vision and mind were clear. Yuka held the sacred necklace that had been given to everyone in one hand and looked around calmly.

This is on the roof of the fortress, with a great view, and you can see the entire battlefield clearly.

Located on the north side of the city wall are Emperor Gaharud and the Imperial Army.

On the east side were the Kingdom's troops, led by Knight Captain Kujeli. On the west side were the Desert Warriors—Lord Longi and his Principality's troops.

On the south side stood half of the Fjallbergen warriors. The remainder was distributed in the corridors above the east-west ramparts, and on the ramparts and towers erected throughout the battlefield.

The dragons led by Edel were also waiting there.

The adventurers who served as guerrilla forces were evenly distributed behind the various armies, providing support as needed. It was also their responsibility to prevent the enemy from advancing beyond the designated area.

The army, regardless of race or country, totaled hundreds of thousands of people.

Looking back, one could see a platform with a massive magic circle carved into it. Standing solemnly on the platform, waiting for action, was the new Pope Simon and the clergy he led.

Completely different from the previous Pope, this funny old man valued people more than God. As soon as he noticed Yuhua's gaze, he immediately winked at her playfully.

This man, having previously advocated for coexistence with the demihumans, was banished to the borderlands. Later, he was personally recommended by Liliana to become the new Pope. He was a unique figure among the clergy. Perhaps because of this, the clergy he summoned, regardless of gender or age, were all calm and composed, even somewhat arrogant. On the contrary, David and the other Knights Templar who were responsible for protecting them seemed more nervous.

"We will...win, right?"

Finally, Yuka turned her gaze forward.

My friends (classmates) held their breath and looked up at the sky. Everyone was so nervous that their whole body and expression were tense.

Like Yuka, everyone recalled the tragic past, especially the nine students who had locked themselves in their rooms, their faces livid with anxiety.

It was no wonder. Even a single monster had ravaged them back then, and it would have been a real problem; now, the number before them was as numerous as the stars in the sky.

At that time, it was because Yuka and the others fought hard that the apostles changed their judgment and considered those students "qualified to be hostages to restrain Yuka and the others", so they were not killed. Otherwise, they would have been easily and casually killed by the apostles, like squashing insects.

Fortunately, Hajime accepted the Demon King's invitation and went to the castle. Otherwise, the Demon King might have used the lives of Yuuka and other students as bargaining chips, killing them one by one to force Hajime and others to accept the invitation.

Now that Hajime and the others were no longer on the battlefield, it was normal for them to feel afraid and timid again.

"Don't worry! I won't let anyone die!"

At this moment, someone spoke with such decisiveness. She spoke with her head held high and her chest puffed out, a majestic presence. It was none other than Kaori, the strongest fighter remaining on this battlefield, and also the most formidable healer.

"Besides, Nagumo-kun and the others will definitely succeed! We must help and protect each other, and we must survive until he defeats the god! We can definitely do it!"

Aiko is still the same, her every move full of cuteness, like a small animal. However, she is also a reliable adult who cares about her students no matter the situation. For students, the words of such a teacher are particularly touching.

The words of the reliable Kaori and Aiko brought life back to the students' eyes.

However, the eyes of those present were finally focused on that one person.

She is the only leader recognized by everyone - Yuka Sonobe.

Kaori and Aiko also understood the reasoning and stood on either side of Yuka, smiling like adjutants, nodding to her. Yuka also nodded firmly, and after a pause, she said:

"Yes, we will definitely win."

At this point, the apostles seemed to turn their attention to the ground. They seemed completely unprepared for the Divine Gate to be breached so easily, and after staring at it for a while, they finally came to their senses.

Even so, Yuuka and the others remained unwavering. While fear was inevitable, their resolve and resolve remained unwavering, and this reaffirmed their power. Therefore, she could continue speaking with even greater conviction and force.

"Everyone should know how ruthless Nagumo-san is. Don't forget that we have the protection of that abyss monster."

She looked everyone in the eye with conviction. Then, everyone grasped their newly bestowed divine weapons.

"Accept God's judgment."

The ruthless declaration seemed to echo directly in her mind. However, Yuka smiled defiantly and laughed it off, as if trying her best to imitate Hajime's demeanor.

"It would be a lie to say I'm not afraid. But everyone, I'm more angry than afraid right now. The enemy has taken us away without permission, arbitrarily determined our value, and then wants us to die after using us. This is outrageous! We are not their playthings! Don't you agree, everyone?!"

"Yes!" "That's right!" The students' angry voices echoed one after another.

The unbridled and unreasonable fear inflicted by God's army was gradually overshadowed by anger.

Everyone knew she meant what she said, and so her anger was truly infectious, becoming the perfect fuel to ignite a cowering soul.

"I won't let any of my companions get hurt, I won't lose any of them! I must defeat those guys, and then—"

A large group of apostles began to fly here.

A single monster could destroy the world, but now there were nearly five thousand of them, approaching like a meteor shower.

Facing such a horrifying scene, Yuka's expression changed and she gave her companions a surprisingly gentle smile.

"Then, we're going home. Everyone, go home together."

She concluded.

Of course, her companions responded with eyes full of fighting spirit and powerful battle cries.

Then...

"Headquarters notifies all army commanders that the primary operation remains unchanged. Artillery fire is coming! Please prepare for defense!"

As Liliana's shouting command echoed throughout the battlefield, the final battle on which humanity's survival depended finally began.

The sound of the gong announcing the start of war was instantly followed by countless silver lights lighting up in the sky.

A massive burst of disintegration bombardment descended simultaneously. If there hadn't been any other beings like Hajime and the others on the battlefield, this sight would undoubtedly have been "divine judgment," an absolute destruction that was impossible to resist.

Therefore, for the apostles, even if they made mistakes at the beginning, allowing Hajime and others to defeat the [Sacred Mountain], losing the monster army, most of the apostles were shot down, or even allowing them to break into the [Divine Realm], the outcome that humans would face would remain unchanged.

What was about to begin was not a "war," but simple "destruction."

...That's how it should be.

"Please activate the Sky Canopy!"

The barrier that unfolded was not the original three-layer hemispherical type, but a "large barrier - cluster mode" that was condensed into a single area directly above.

A massive barrier, two kilometers on each side, stretched out in the sky, like a glowing eaves, enveloping the entire human coalition. While this barrier consumed a vast amount of mana, it possessed spatial blocking and regeneration effects, making it a truly advanced "Improved Great Barrier."

This supreme shield of mankind actually blocked the silver rain pouring down from the sky.

"Useless resistance."

The apostles narrowed their eyes, but their expressions remained unchanged. They hovered several hundred meters above the "Sky Canopy" and immediately began to launch an aerial bombardment with disintegration bombardment.

Unless the caster could adjust at any time, even the coalition's attacks—including electromagnetically accelerated ultra-long-range sniper cannons—would be blocked by the spatial blocking barrier deployed by the artifact.

Since it was impossible to counterattack, even a barrier of the Age of Gods level could not withstand the concentrated attack of the decomposition magic.

As expected, not long after, the barrier emitted a loud sound like shattering glass.

The light of destruction poured down mercilessly on the ground like a heavy rain.

But, in the next moment──

"Now is the time to strike back!"

Liliana's command rang out again. At the same time, the apostles all widened their eyes in surprise.

Countless sniper cannons, missiles, rocket launchers, and machine guns stationed in the fortress and the corridors above the ramparts roared simultaneously—but this was not a problem; it was an expected reaction.

What really surprised the apostles was the sight of a large amount of silver flashes approaching from before their eyes.

“““““Shift defense!””””””

Coincidentally, at this very moment, Hajime also launched a counterattack in the [Divine Domain] using the 『Large Variable Full Moon Wheel (Orestes)』.

Seeing their own attacks coming back at them like a rewind image, the apostles all dodged.

Of course, a large number of physical artillery shells would not miss such a flaw. After all, the human coalition had the advantage in numbers.

A torrent of bullets and shells rained down like a torrential downpour, surely numbering over ten thousand. Furthermore, among them was a sniper (Haoriya), capable of penetrating targets at distances of eight kilometers.

Of course, Kaori followed suit with a disintegration bombardment. There was even a barrage from seven "Solar Beam Laser Cannons (Hyperion)." Aiko took control of these seven weapons, and when Hajime and the others entered the "Divine Realm," she took advantage of the apostles' distraction to lower them to the ground.

Even the apostles couldn't ignore the intense bombardment, and were forced to respond. Some dodged, some slashed with their twin swords, and some deployed their silver wings for concentrated defense. Even so, individuals continued to be shot down.

"Hmm... I see. The barrier was set up to buy time and estimate the impact point."

The apostle narrowed his eyes seriously at the sight he saw through the gaps between the gunfire and the hail of bullets.

To be able to fly and unfold the crescent moon as freely as Hajime did, one must have the skill to directly manipulate magic power. Ordinary people without this skill cannot do it.

However, ordinary people could run to the impact point, and in groups of three, they would physically deploy the crescent moon wheel. Then, they simply chanted the incantation to activate the "Space Gate."

In this way, the attacks launched by the apostles will be deflected and fired through the "Space Gates" operated by other cooperating units and the "Space Gates" installed on the defense wall, returning them to the apostles intact. The purpose of setting up the "Sky Canopy" is to buy enough time to take these actions.

At the same time, at the lowest level of the walled city──

"Hurry up, Number Four and Twelve! Number Seven's repairs are taking too long!"

"Coming right up!"

"Number Seven is repaired!"

As the roar of the Kingdom's Chief Alchemist, Volpon, echoed, he and his subordinates were repairing the "Improved Great Barrier" at the utmost speed.

In the center is a transparent cylinder as big as a giant tree, which is the artifact used to activate the barrier.

The large transparent cylinder is composed of countless small cubes like a Rubik's Cube. As long as the parts damaged by the load are replaced with spare small cubes, it can be started again.

Connecting the components to the magic circle engraved within the main body requires sophisticated alchemy techniques. However, if this can be achieved, even an ordinary alchemist can repair artifacts of the Age of Gods level. This is the advantage of this mechanism.

"Report to Lord Wulpon, repairs are complete!"

"Very good!" After receiving the report from his subordinates, Walper nodded with satisfaction and immediately contacted the headquarters.

"Princess! The Great Barrier has been repaired!"

"Very good. Restart immediately. Please report the remaining parts and mana at any time."

"Yes, sir!"

After the conversation ended, the "Sky Canopy" immediately unfolded again.

"That's fine. Even with this level of attack, as long as we ignore the damage, we can still──"

There are as many as five thousand apostles, and they exist as a group without any sense of companionship.

As long as a few individuals were sacrificed, they should be able to forcefully break through the human coalition's counterattack. The apostles judged this and immediately formed an assault formation. Their bodies emitted a strong silver light, a force that simulated a breakthrough.

At this moment, Hajime's next plan to deal with the apostles was launched.

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