Once the deployment preparations were complete, I teleported the Demon Lord's Army.
My vision shifted from the training ground to a vast, rolling ocean.
The ships touched down on the water all at once.
I checked thoroughly, but it seemed no one had fallen overboard.
They had likely grown accustomed to it after experiencing so many transfers.
I immediately activated defensive magic.
It constructed a barrier enveloping the entire Demon Lord's Army.
This way, I could respond to a surprise attack.
There were no enemies nearby, but it was a precaution.
This was already a battlefield.
Anything could happen.
As the one holding the greatest power, I had to keep my guard up.
Next, I took to the sky, positioning myself to overlook the Demon Lord's Army.
Shifting my gaze, I directed it far into the distance.
A massive fleet of ships was advancing across the sea.
Even within my visible range, the number was considerable.
According to my detection magic, if I included the distance beyond my sight, the numbers would multiply several times over.
Those were the ships of the Allied Forces.
I had teleported to a slightly distant point to avoid immediate combat and confusion, and that judgment seemed correct.
Above the ships, numerous flight ships hovered in the air.
The vehicle's upper portion resembles a structure with cloth stretched across it, developed by one of the nations in the Allied Forces. Although cloth is used, most of its buoyancy is generated through magic. Powered by magical energy, it boasts a carrying capacity that surpasses horse-drawn wagons. Currently, it appears to be transporting soldiers. While I had only heard descriptions from scouts, witnessing it firsthand was a breathtaking sight. Even the Demon Lord's Army would want such a thing. Someone like the Director would be drooling over it, desperate to analyze its internal structure.
(…This is no time for admiration.)
I pull my straying thoughts back into focus. The Allied Forces had deployed a considerable fighting force. Moreover, this was not their full strength. This was merely a vanguard force; reinforcements would surely follow depending on the situation. The nations of the continent—especially those facing the sea—had mobilized their armies. I couldn't confirm it from here, but they seemed to be lying in wait on the sea a bit further out. However, resisting the Allied Forces with their military strength would be difficult. They could inflict some damage, but repelling them entirely would be hard. Their technological level was inferior, and above all, an absolute disparity in numbers existed. The continental nations possessed no means to overturn this. If the two armies clashed, massive casualties were inevitable. I wanted to stop this before it came to that, if possible.
I have no desire to intensify conflicts between humans.
If I am to deter it, the opening stage would be optimal.
The beasts, starting with the false god, are entirely disregarding human casualties.
Their sole objective was to occupy a position as allies of mankind, backed by the will of the world.
It is unthinkable they would adopt tactics that conserve their fighting strength.
Rather, if it meant eradicating me, they would mercilessly sacrifice pawns without hesitation.
'—Hmph. My patience has reached its limit. I am going.'
Without any preamble, Diera's murmur reached me through telepathy.
Before I could respond, an explosion erupted on one of the ships.
She had launched herself with tremendous force.
Soaring nearly through the air, she closed the distance with the allied forces in the blink of an eye.
(What is she doing...?)
I am bewildered by Diera's sudden, erratic action.
According to the original plan, she was not scheduled to move until a later stage.
I had intended to assign her the role of pursuing the attrition-weakened allied forces.
I had communicated this to her as well.
I had definitely not ordered her to charge at this juncture.
I telepathically addressed Diera.
"What are you doing?"
'My turn to shine, of course! The final battle is your stage anyway, so I might as well make a grand entrance here!'
Filled with fighting spirit, Diera gives an unintelligible response.
Immediately after, she projected chains of light from both her hands.
The downpour of chains pierced the ships of the allied fleet.
Some ships appeared to attempt a defense, but it was utterly meaningless.
The chains of light penetrated them and bit deep into the hulls.
"Take this!"
With a shout, Diera spun, and in that motion, yanked the chains back.
The chains sprang upward with a clear, ringing sound.
Along with it came a resounding roar.
The ships of the allied fleet, pierced by the chains, were flung into the air.