Chapter 1, part 3

“That one,” he pointed at one of the five humans gathered on a city wall. “He seems to be the leader and the one we have learned of from the humans we captured.”

“Yes, Jaldabaoth-sama. His equipment matches the description we got from the adventurers we’ve captured at this village.” Replied Yuri Alpha respectfully.

The other maids were looking at the image that was magically projected in front of them. [Observe] was the scroll used to watch the group gathered on the wall protecting Cressa. They did not take any measure to impede enemies from discovering their observation spell or even determining their own location. In fact, the possibility of being discovered, and counter-attacked was one of the myriad Demiurge had considered. That is why they wore masks, observing from Kolea village.

“He seems quite powerful,” remarked Entoma, while observing the person in question – he was clad in plate armor, with a sword and a shield. The sword appeared to emit white light, making it stand out from the weapons of his companions. “It feels that he is as powerful, no, slightly more powerful than me.” She continued.

“That is indeed the case. He’s quite an interesting specimen, one I would like to examine in more details in my quarters.” Said Demiurge, a twisted smile of an evil scientist on his face. “But,” the smile faded from his face “we’ll have to leave him be. It is a necessary step in order to make this kingdom taste the true meaning of despair”

“Then as we’ve discussed, we will begin in three hours. My Evil Lords will begin to summon their minions and sending them to the city. A bit later the five of you will engage this group of paladins. Despite, only the leader being on your level, their ability to work together is something to be aware of. I will be observing from here and will interfere if anything goes astray. If things go as planned, I will show up at the finale and push them into the deepest pits of despair.”

“Also you can easily crush this bugs, you should restrain yourself and work as a team, instead of crushing them with your personal power. Do you have any proposals on how to engage this group?” Demiurge asked Yuri.

After thinking about why Ainz-sama would take Shalltear along in his expedition to the dwarven kingdom, he realized that his master wanted Shalltear to gain experience and avoid making mistakes like she did in the past.

As a loyal servant Demiurge, wanted the same for the Pleiades. Entoma’s battle with Blue Rose's members revealed that while Pleidas were powerful compared to the natives of this world, their tactical combat experience was somewhat lacking. This opportunity would be used to allow them to obtain combat experience against an experienced foe, in what should be a safe environment. That was why he would not join the fight until his part, save for an emergency that would require his interference.

Yuri Alpha looked around at the other four maids before she began. As the leader of the battle maids, it was her burden to come up with the strategy to use against this group of adventurers.

“Although Solution is not allowed to reveal her true form, she should have no problems taking on the two of the paladins using two-handed weapons. Their strength will prove useless against Solution’s body. Entoma will take on the tall one with sword and shield. I'll take on the one with the mace and shield. Lupusregina will take on their leader, her main objective being to stall him. CZ will provide assistance to Entoma as well as a distraction as needed.”

“Once Entoma disposes of her opponent, it will create a domino effect where all but the leader will fall one by one,” Yuri concluded. After pushing up her glasses, she looked at Demiurge.

“A splendid plan, and a great way to show Entoma that she has the trust of the whole group.” Demiurge complimented her.

“I will show them the power of Nazarick!” Exclaimed Entoma, as the memories of her humiliating defeat incensed her. “I will not be defeated this time!”

“This is an opportunity for you to gain combat experience, to practice teamwork, to learn how to quickly assess enemy strength and abilities, and adapt to them,” Demiurge explained.

“Yes, Jaldabaoth-sama,” all the maids bowed to him as an acknowledgment of their understanding.

Three hours later in the palace of the Holy Kingdom's capital

“The attack has begun; join me in observing it,” Felvia Olan Valur told her adviser.

“Yes, your highness. We should observe the enemy, in the heat of a battle many details can get lost.”

She had asked her brother to [message] her once the attack begins so that she could observe it via scrying magic. In an office-like room with numerous cabinets full of parchments, she had retrieved several scrolls before sitting at the table with her adviser.

After unfurling one of the scrolls she activated it - [observe] Cressa, the rank 3 spell of observation was cast, and a picture appeared to hang in front of them. It was centered on the town of Cressa.

A wall of fire, some 30 feet high, burned about 500 meters in front of the main gates of the city. From those flames, she could see figures emerging. She manipulated the image in front of her to take a closer look.

She saw figures of various demons emerge from the flames. Hellhounds, devours, maulers, soul screamers, and other low ranked demons were pouring out from the flames in steady numbers. There was no end to them.

To meet this column of destruction, a line of adventurers had appeared from the city. Understandably they did not want to let the demons get inside the city, as it would be impossible to prevent civilian casualties in that case. At the center of the adventurer’s line was “Fortress” next to them were the five platinum ranked groups from Cressa. After them were gold, silver and iron ranked adventurers. City guards were posted on the walls, in case any demons managed to get that far.

The strategy employed by “Fortress” was simple but effective. Using A V-shaped formation, they would smash any demons in front of them, the remaining demons would be split into two groups and would be finished off by the platinum ranked adventurers. If any demons got by they would be finished off by the gold, silver and other adventurers that made up the flanks of the formation.

This strategy would bear fruits so long as “Fortress” did not run into enemies they could not decimate quickly. Observing the demons marching forward Felvia felt none of them posed such a threat. But what would happen if “Fortress” had to fight the maids or Jaldabaoth himself? The platinum ranked adventurers alone would be hard pressed to contain the demons due to their sheer numbers.

“They don't have enough people,” remarked Potemur, who came to the same conclusion.

“We don’t know the enemy’s strength. Sending additional reinforcement could result in the loss of these adventurers as well,” she replied. “If my brother cannot inflict damage on Jaldabaoth, then any additional adventurers would simply get slaughtered in vain.”

“I have faith in my brother,” she added in a soft voice.

Her adviser nodded in agreement.

Baur Olan Valur was an awakened God-kin. His strength alone was greater than the rest of the kingdom's adventurers combined. Equipped with shield and armor made of a metal no one in this country had ever seen – an heirloom of their family. His sword, which radiated white light, added holy damage to attacks. It also amplified any holy spells cast by the wielder.

If he could not even damage Jaldabaoth then their options for defeating that Demon would become frighteningly scarce. Pushing away such heavy thoughts Potemur focused his attention on the image in front of him. The battle was about to begin.

The city of Cressa

After sending a [message] to his sister that the demons have made their move, Baur assembled all of the adventurers in front of the city gates. He cast a quick look around at the adventurers, as they formed into a wedge formation.

The looks on the platinum ranked adventurers were tense, but not nervous. In contrast, the looks of the lower ranked adventurers were quite timid and in some cases outright scared. Thinking about it he quickly issued a command.

“Copper ranked adventurers, please join the city guards on the walls to make sure no demons get into the city!” The lowest ranked adventurers lacked both strength and experience, it was unlikely they would make a difference if the gold and silver ranked adventurers failed. On the other hand, they were at least as strong as the city guards, and would improve the chance of a victory should a stray demon make it to the wall.

“The rest of you, prepare yourself! We will win this battle for our Holy Kingdom!” He shouted, and a roar answered his call.

[mass fear ward] [mass protection energy: negative]

He cast his spells on the gathered adventurers. He could hear the voices of those near him as they cast their buffs as well.

[holy shield] [absorption] [holy armor]

He heard Beyrun cast his defensive spells, and Otoro was enveloped in the corresponding spell effects. It was their usual tactic, those that were already proficient in defense would cast defensive spells on Otoro and Leoh, allowing them to focus on damage.

[power of divine]

Otoro cast his signature spell. It was a spell he could only cast 3 times a day. It imbued his two-handed mace with power, and when released it would create a large area explosion and a shock wave. Combined with his martial art [overhead smash] it produced the sort of results that could make one an instant legend. Although it was a bit of a waste to use such a move on low ranked demons that posed no threat to “Fortress” Baur thought that opening with this move would bolster the spirits of the other adventurers, and would cause fear in the demon ranks. If demons could feel fear.

With the preparations complete they began to advance. Forming the tip of the V formation Baur was in front, beside him were Otoro and Leoh and next to them were Beyrun and Pilin. They were followed by the platinum ranked groups, with gold and silver adventurers forming the flanks. In contrast, the column of approaching demons was about ten demons wide. Baur hoped that “Fortress” would be able to eliminate 6 to 8 demons as they advanced, leaving the remaining ones to be finished off by the platinum ranked adventurers.

When the two sides were about 30 meters apart, Baur slowed his pace and allowed his comrade to get in front of the line. Otoro rushed forward, when he was about 4 meters from the demons he executed his move – he spun his mace in a 270 degree arc, facing his own friends momentarily, before turning to face the enemy line and using the momentum to bring the mace over his head and smash it into the ground, simultaneously releasing the power imbued in his weapon.

[overhead smash] [release]

The result was as spectacular as ever. The ground buckled under the enormous force of the attack, there was an explosion and a shock wave that ran forward from the point of impact. About 8 rows of demons were blown away, while the bits and parts of torn asunder bodies covered the ground where the first several rows of the demon column used to be.

A roar of celebration came from the adventurers' ranks as Otoro lifted his mace and moved back into formation. The demons responded with angry shouts and howls.

“Quite a show,” remarked Leoh “if there are any survivors this fit will surely become a thing of legends”

“I don’t feel like dying today,” replied Otoro “so you better not die either. It’s not good manners to tell your own legend.”

“We are just witnesses to his legendary feats,” laughed Pilin.

With the heavy atmosphere fading away among the laughter of the surrounding adventurers the two sides clashed.

Predictably “Fortress” easily smashed through the ranks of low-level demons and begun to push forward, splitting the demon column into two. Their goal was to reach the firewall from which the demons emerged.

They have been pushing forward for about 5 minutes but had made much less progress than anticipated. New demons would take the places of the slain ones, and “Fortress” just couldn’t kill them fast enough to make much progress in this never-ending cycle.

“Is it just me or are they getting tougher?” yelled Leoh.

“Oh, so you noticed it too?” -replied Beyrun. After blocking a Hellhound’s attack with his shield, he smashed its head with his mace. Immediately another Hellhound jumped into the freed space and took a swipe at him. Hellhound’s claw cut through the air as Beyrun evaded its attack by taking a step back, before moving forward.

[shield bash]

The mangled corpse of the Hellhound flew back with such force that the demons behind it were knocked back and Beyrun was able to advance several steps forward.

“Not good,” shouted Baur. “The others are getting tired and we are not making enough progress.”

He was right, while the demons in front of them posed little threat to the members of "Fortress," who slew them by the dozen while conserving their mana and mental stamina. For platinum ranked adventurers these demons posed an ever-increasing problem, one they had to use their martial arts and spells to overcome. If they exhausted their capacity to the point they could not cast spells or use martial arts, the entire formation would collapse.

There was no solution to this problem. The constant stream of demons put incredible pressure on them. He could not reproach platinum ranked adventurers for not being able to defeat the endless column of demons, where each one possessed a similar power level to a platinum rank. As he was wondering what would happen if the demons simply continued with their assault for hours, a shout had interrupted his train of thought.

“Oi, over there!” Shouted Pilin, and pointed his sword in a direction a bit to the side of the emerging column of demons.

“Ah, I see,” replied Otoro after following the direction with his gaze. “Looks like the real fight is about to start.”