One-way traffic

"...Does this mean the attack cannot be completely induced downwards...?"

"No, even if all the 'traffic control' devices are installed, the plan won't just go down the wrong path as the 'Last Will' said—"

This statement changed Rick's mind once again.

"Based on the calculations of all the Kai-type units, if the 'traffic control' is set at thirty-two individuals, the combined power of both sides on the final battleground will contract—and then spread out in all directions, directly targeting the entire planet's surface for a comprehensive attack."

This means that, instead of penetrating the planet, it would actually threaten the entire surface of the planet with death.

Whether it's humans or other races, they will all face the crisis of extinction.

"—However, the current number of 'traffic control' zones has remained at twenty-four, so the final attack will not be scaled back."

"Instead, it shifts—to the southwest."

“…offset, that is to say—!”

In just a moment, Rick realized the possibility of what was going on.

"If we direct the attack southwest, we can create a large hole in the ground..."

Because the power to create such a large hole is sufficient to penetrate a planet, it means that a huge crater will be carved diagonally through the ground, leading directly into the planet's interior.

But that's still not enough.

"The ability of us Machine Races is to imitate, reproduce, and gather corresponding powers."

Having noticed Rick's problem, Einzsch continued.

"As long as we rely on our strength, we can maintain that level of power—at least 70%—and copy and replicate it."

The Forest Elves' "Void Zero Blessing," the Goblin Race's "Marrow Explosion," and Altshu's "Divine Strike"—

Seventy percent of the power that comes from the convergence of countless forces.

"Penetrating the star core is no problem at all."

In that case, the Star Cup will appear.

"However, if the 'Star Grail' that has appeared is left unattended, there is approximately a 52% chance that it will end up in Altshu's hands."

"...What's the reason?"

"Because he possesses that level of spiritual essence."

The essence... this term again. What exactly is this so-called essence?

"If Alteshu's problem cannot be solved, the final outcome will still be the same."

In other words, no matter what, they could not escape the fate of fighting against that Althu.

"—As long as there's a way to keep that guy occupied, the 'Star Grail' will manifest, right?"

Another, completely different entity spoke.

In front of Einzshire and Rick, Accelerator took a step.

"So, the question is, how do you guarantee that these guys will start the war in time?"

"We, the Mech race, possess the ability to mimic the 'Sky Strike' of the Skywing race. In that case, we can use that power as a prelude to artillery fire."

"Let them think that the Skywing race started the war... and then the Forest Elves and Goblins will be unable to hold back and erupt, right?"

This is indeed a plan with almost no problems.

However, it is still unavoidable that we will eventually have to solve Alteshu's problem.

"Did you clarify beforehand that as long as you eliminate that guy named Altshu, you'll have a way to obtain the 'Star Grail' and reshape this world?"

"...We can't kill him."

Rick shook his head and continued.

"Rule number one: No one shall die."

"Tsk... whatever you want."

"All we need to do is extract Altshu's essence. Without that essence, a god will lose its vitality within about a hundred years, and then..."

"They really know how to nitpick. If this level of suffering can be called immortal, then they really deserve to be called the King of Torture."

However, one can basically imagine how to solve Alteshu's problem.

—The strongest combat force present, which even all the machine types combined could not match.

Isn't it right here?

"Well, there's one last question."

“The one with the will, please speak.”

"What price will you have to pay to create that weapon that can reproduce 70% of the destructive power?"

It's impossible to replicate something unconditionally without any cost, simply by standing by and watching.

Rick could guess this without even thinking.

"...It includes 4,807 machines, which will be lost in order to produce 70% of the power."

death.

That means that in order to end all this, they have to watch as more than five thousand of Hugh's compatriots face extinction.

But this does not violate the rules Rick mentioned.

Because—these machine species do not consider themselves to be life.

"We are machine-type beings, merely tools. We are mindless machines, acting only to obey orders."

This demonstrates that no matter what Rick says, his mindset cannot be changed.

"Therefore, please do not worry about our safety and devote all your energy to the plan."

"...That's it."

The person who responded to Einzsch was not Rick.

Instead, it's a one-way street.

"If that's the case, how many of you will survive in the end?"

"The estimate is approximately 21 interconnected units."

"Ha, this is practically the end of the family, isn't it?"

And so it is.

The entire plan was now complete, and Accelerator explained his role in the battle.

“Alteshu, right? I’ll take care of holding him off, extracting that guy’s essence, and preventing the ‘Star Grail’ from appearing near him.”

"please."

Even now, we still can't tell whether they are friend or foe, but—there's no other way.

Rick spoke without hesitation, using the most sincere tone.

"...and one more thing."

Accelerator looked at the young man in front of him and took something out of his pocket again.

A shimmering, silver ring.

"This is...Shubi's...!"

"That guy was fighting desperately to protect this thing until the very last moment. Even if he got injured, he would do everything he could to preserve it."

Now, what is Rick thinking as he looks at this ring?

Accelerator wouldn't care at all.

He was just unilaterally saying what he wanted to say.

"Like I said, how you plan to proceed is your own decision—but ultimately, it's your own future."

"Whether it's a future of destruction or a future of standing together and laughing, it's all up to you to choose."

He slipped the ring into Rick's palm.

So the first monster left without looking back.

"...Next."

So you're just a prop, so you don't need to care...?

Recalling Einzshi's words... that was also the plan of all the Machine Races.

To realize such a plan, it would inevitably cost the lives of more than four thousand machine gunners.

Because they are props, emotionless machines—so it doesn't matter if they die.

"...Yes, this is indeed your realization."

Accelerator grinned and uttered the most brutal words in the world.

"That won't stop me. I'll just crush all your so-called 'enlightenment' into pieces, leaving nothing behind."

—The war that will decide the fate of this world has now officially begun.

Chapter 573 The Butterfly of Slaughter

The sky was covered in darkness.

Originally, no matter how apocalyptic the world was, the sky should have always been a scarlet color.

But at this moment, the sky was driven by a color like chaos.

Ahead of Abant-Heim.

The place is a gathering place for the forces of various races.

"The eighteen 'Void Zero Blessings' are ready—! They are poised for launch at any moment!"

"All twelve 'Marrow Explosion' attacks are ready and we are poised for battle at any time."

The various trump cards of the Forest Elf Alliance and the Goblin Alliance.

And the power that belongs to each person, which is united in that alliance.

This is what "unity" means.

In order to resist the unparalleled attack unleashed by the supreme war god in Avant-Hheim, they joined forces here, pooling the power and effort of each race to create it.

Everything was done in order to eliminate the most overwhelming enemy.

Althu's "God Strike".

All the races and all the people present were waiting for the moment when that power would be unleashed.

"How is Abant-Heim doing?"

"There is no movement yet, and we are on high alert."

The leader of the Forest Elf race is a woman named Nina Cleaver.

…No.

That name was just a pseudonym.

"The goblin race is probably in the same situation as us."

"Yes, according to the report, the Goblin Alliance also seems to have reached a compromise with the Dragon Elves, preparing eight 'Collapse Roars' to boost their combat output."

The final, devastating blow unleashed by the Dragon Essence when it has exhausted all its life force is called "Collapse Roar".

Combining the "Void Zero Blessing" prepared by the Upper Forest Elf Alliance, the "Marrow Explosion" from the Goblin Alliance, and finally the power of the Dragon Elf.

We used everything we could.

All of this was merely to withstand the unparalleled blow from the God of War, Althu.

The forest elf woman, whose real name was Sink Nielbaren, kept her eyes fixed on the entrance area of ​​the temple high in the sky.

No one can be seen from here, and no one has come out of here yet.

Everything is currently at a standstill.

However, once war breaks out, this stalemate will erupt like a thunderbolt, and a battle that can be described as the most powerful in the world will break out in the center of this battlefield.