System's POV - Chapter 1461: Zaphiel’s Desperation [Part 2]

Chapter 1461: Zaphiel’s Desperation [Part 2]

The Celestials and Fiends all stared at the portal, from which a giant’s head peeked out.

They could only imagine the size of this unknown creature if even a two-hundred-meter wide portal couldn’t fit its head.

All that could be seen was its massive eye, and its mere sight made the members of the Order of the Apocalypse shudder.

A sinister laugh echoed as the giant eye disappeared. A moment later, hordes of monsters never seen before in Solterra poured from the portal.

Then it happened. Powerful presences that wouldn’t lose to that of Celestials or Fiends had emerged from the red portal.

“Sh*t!” Dantanian cursed.

“You can say that again,” Camazotz commented.

“Sh*t!” Dantanian repeated.

Wanderers often used this word, so he had gradually adapted it.

Rahab, Belial, and Pharzuph didn’t know what was happening. The three distanced themselves from Zaphiel, who now had a crazed look on his face.

“I should have done this from the start!” Zaphiel shouted. “You fools, still tied down by old beliefs and prejudices. Why don’t you understand that there’s a bigger world out there!

“Had you joined hands with me willingly, we could have traveled the stars together! We could have conquered worlds together!”

Belial hissed. “You’re mad! I understand you want to break free from this cage. But don’t you see what you have done?! You brought invaders to our world!”

“So what?” Zaphiel snorted. “I’m tired of playing games. Since all of you are useless, then I might as well ally myself with those who could do their job right!”

The Infernal Army hovered behind Zaphiel. They sneered at the Celestials and Fiends, who would soon understand that the power they possessed was nothing special in the multiverse.

Over a dozen Celestial-Ranked Infernals had appeared, led by not one, not two, but three Demigod-Ranked Infernals.

Thirteen glanced at the red portal countless infernals were passing through. There was no end to them, even after their collective figures had started blotting up the sky.

The Celestial Army didn’t know if they were allies or foes. But even if they were allies, a part of them felt disgusted that other-worlders had invaded their world.

“Lord Zaphiel, our Warlord has asked us to assist you in this battle,” one of the Demigods bowed his head toward the Celestial. “We have come to ensure that no one else will stand in the way of your great undertaking.”

“Thank you,” Zaphiel replied before bowing toward the red portal. “Great Warlord Arkael.”

The two-horned Infernal on the other side laughed out loud before its booming voice spread in the surroundings.

“No need to thank me, Zaphiel,” Arkael replied. “Like-minded individuals like us can see the bigger picture. Forget about these narrow-minded colleagues of yours. I’ll give you the army that can take this world by storm.”

Zaphiel nodded in agreement. Even if all the Celestials fought together, they would not be a match against the Infernal Army that had just joined their side.

“Let me give you another gift,” Arakel said before a giant fist emerged from the portal and smashed the golden dome Thirteen had erected to bar the Celestial Army from joining the battle.

The golden dome shattered and fell apart like a castle built on a deck of cards. Forneus’ face turned solemn. Even with his immortality, he could tell that the Infernal Army was bad news.

“I will give all of you a chance to surrender,” Zaphiel said in arrogance. “Don’t worry. I am not a petty person. As long as you join me, we will conquer worlds together!

“We don’t have to be trapped in this cage called Solterra! We can be as free as the infernals, traveling across the multiverse unhindered!”

Zaphiel then reached out his hand towards his colleagues and smiled. “What say you?”

Before any of the Celestials and Fiends could answer, someone else spoke for them.

“I applaud you for wanting to be part of a bigger world, Zaphiel,” Thirteen replied, prompting everyone to look in his direction. “It takes a lot of courage to do what you did.”

Zaphiel stared at the teenage boy, whose clone had made it suffer in the Temple of Courage. He didn’t know if Zion Leventis was strong or not. But in this battle, he had seen firsthand that despite the Wanderer being weaker than him, he had given the Celestial a few surprises that he couldn’t ignore.”

“I will gladly welcome you to my side with open arms, Zion Leventis,” Zaphiel said. “You are an interesting mortal. If you wish, I will make you the Supreme Commander of my Celestial Army! An army that will conquer worlds!”

“Yeah… no thanks,” Thirteen replied. “While I do admire you for trying to see a better world, you made a mistake by summoning the Infernals to this world. They have this habit of sweet talking ambitious people, you see. They promise you many things, and they will keep their promise.

“However, they aren’t exactly upfront with the price they want you to pay for their services. That is, turning every single member of this world into their slaves—excluding you, of course.”

Zaphiel sneered. “And what of it? The strong always have the final say. The weak have no choice but to follow the strong!”

“You’re not wrong,” Thirteen replied. “But there’s one fatal flaw to your statement.”

“And that is?” Zaphiel arched an eyebrow.

“You’re not strong,” Thirteen answered. “The ones standing behind you aren’t as strong as you think either.”

The Celestial-Ranked Infernals, as well as the Demigod-Ranked Infernals, looked at the teenage boy before laughing out loud.

Their laughter caused powerful shockwaves that forced Stella and Tiona to stand in front of Zion, shielding him by activating their defensive artifacts and abilities.

“This kid is funny,” one of the Deimgods said with amusement. “Kid, your name is Zion Leventis, right? Wait… why does that name sound familiar?”

The Demigod frowned, believing he had heard that name before.

“I am the person who stopped the Infernals from conquering the world of Artem,” Thirteen said in an arrogant tone.

The Demigod’s eyes widened in shock, finally remembering the recent defeat of one of the Infernal Armies that invaded a world that was close to Solterra.