Chapter 23

With the start of the [War], I summoned the [Oath-bound Beasts].

Quina, Rorono, Aura.

With this, our chances of victory are more than sufficient.

Just as the [Transfer] was completed, the voice of the Creator echoed in my mind.

"Let me explain the rules. The one who succeeds in killing the opposing Demon Lord or destroying the enemy's dungeon first will be the winner. This is a real [War]. There are no mercy measures, and what is lost will not return. The battle will begin in thirty minutes. Make your preparations by then."

Very simple.

These are the rules I am familiar with.

In this case, what's important is the balance between offense and defense.

And how to use the Demon Lord as a piece.

Under the rule that the game is over if the Demon Lord is killed, the standard strategy is to hide in the dungeon.

However, using the Demon Lord for offense has significant advantages.

Most importantly, the existence of [Storage].

While the dungeon can be set up floor by floor, and some floors are extremely difficult to advance through due to the lack of flight or aquatic abilities, or the inability to accommodate large creatures, it is impossible to create floors that are absolutely impassable due to such restrictions. However, floors that are extremely difficult to advance through can be created. Floors that do not allow large creatures are relatively easy to create.

No matter how powerful a creature is, it is meaningless if it cannot physically reach the deepest part.

Experienced Demon Lords intentionally place such fields on the path to the deepest part.

However, if you prioritize preventing intrusion too much, even your own creatures will be restricted from moving, so overdoing it is forbidden.

...I also use this method.

When breaking through such a dungeon, the Demon Lord's special privilege, [Storage], comes into play. As long as the Demon Lord can enter, the creatures stored in [Storage] can be summoned, which is extremely powerful.

Only S-rank slimes like Sie and Slime can store creatures like a Demon Lord, which is why it is such a powerful ability.

"Everyone, let's have a strategy meeting. For defense, we'll use Sie, Slime, the Golem Army, all the B-rank creatures I created here, and her who has been protecting me all along."

I had anticipated that today's [Night Gathering] would turn into a [War].

So, I used DP generously to make the dungeon floors more dangerous and purchased as many B-rank creatures as possible.

Additionally, Sie is equipped with weapons she had stored inside her body.

"Sie, how long can you use [Perfect Mimicry]?"

You must have consumed a lot of magic power when you mimicked Tiro just now.

"Pyu, probably about five seconds."

"Surprisingly, you have some left."

"More than I thought, because the [Transfer] from here didn't use much power, and Tiro worked really hard. It only took a little power to come and get me."

Tiro must have been considerate.

Though a dog-type creature, that child is very intelligent.

"Five seconds, that should be enough to take out one of the enemy's trump cards."

"Exactly! Defense is tough, but if they break through our defenses, we can take out one of their trump cards. With only five seconds, I won't have to hesitate about what to transform into. After all, I can't launch an instant death attack right after transforming!"

Well, that's true.

For an instant death attack, there's no one else but him.

This dungeon is makeshift, but the defense is solid.

The number of creatures that can break through is limited.

Most importantly, unlike in my world, my hand isn't revealed. They should suffer a significant blow.

The main defense will be the three patchwork Avalon Knights barely able to move and a considerable number of Mithril Golems. The B-rank creatures will provide support.

If that fails, Sie will use her power.

"The offensive team will be Quina, Rorono, and Aura, plus Chronos in [Storage]. Rorono and Aura will clear the way, and Quina and Chronos will unleash their power at the enemy's vital points. Quina, conserve your magic power and forbid any consumption that natural recovery can't keep up with."

In addition to the three [Oath-bound Beasts], I will use the temporal beast dragon Chronos as the main offensive force.

Chronos is a silver giant dragon with the mane of a golden lion.

It has [Madness], which can increase all abilities by one rank at the cost of losing rationality.

However, it can maintain rationality and nullify the drawback.

But, it is a troublesome creature that deliberately goes berserk.

...However, it is strong, overwhelmingly so.

It has power second only to the Heavenly Fox, a trump card.

Though difficult to handle, it won't be a problem to unleash it in front of the enemy's main force.

"That means, Master will also head to the front lines, right?"

"Yes. Using Chronos is unavoidable. Without his power, we can't push through."

When attacking a dungeon with a small, elite team, they will inevitably become exhausted halfway.

In such a situation, having a trump card to use at the end is necessary.

"Understood! I'll make sure not to let a finger touch Master."

"Pretty close, huh. With the remaining forces, they will eventually break through. It's a race to see if we can reach the [Crystal] first or if the enemy can break through our defenses. ...There's no other way."

Finally, I will leave my hidden trump card here.

"Rue, you must guard this place. Only you can protect the otherworld."

I shake the earring.

The earring contains water, and the water acts as a gate, allowing a creature to emerge.

"Phew, finally out. Did you know? There were quite a few people and creatures trying to kill patrons."

"I know. That's why I had you protect me. Thanks."

Rue of the Lulie Deiva.

The songstress of the otherworld. She looks like a gender-neutral girl with blue hair, and half of her body is marked with dark, ominous patterns.

Her ability is to use water as a gate to enter the otherworld.

From the otherworld, she can observe this world unilaterally.

Additionally, she can move through the otherworld and emerge from any water source.

I had her guard me in this world and gather intelligence.

Thanks to her, I haven't been killed, and I've obtained various information, while also protecting the information about our dungeon's structure.

I would like to bring her along, but only creatures with the ability to enter the otherworld can counter her.

No matter how solid the defense, it is useless against such creatures.

Therefore, I have purchased more B-rank creatures with the ability to enter the otherworld using DP, and prioritized their equipment.

Even so, it is insufficient. If the enemy has a high-level creature that can enter the otherworld, they can immediately reach the crystal.

Rue must stay here.

"But, I'm worried. You'll be completely exposed to the otherworld."

"[Storage] also has a veteran Ocean Singer, and the new ones will do their best. We'll manage."

"Ugh, I'm anxious. But, there's no choice. Patron, when you come back, I'll sing for you, so come back no matter what."

"I promise."

"If Patron is killed, I'll break the final seal and end this world along with the one who killed Patron."

"Heh, I'll have to be careful."

Rue of the Lulie Deiva is the songstress of the otherworld.

A priestess of Lulie, the land where the Outer Gods reside.

Through Lulie, she can draw power from the otherworld, but each time she draws power, she is invaded by it. Her power increases, but she leans more towards the other side. By the third time, she will completely shift to the other side and bring Lulie and the Outer Gods to this world.

Rue has already used this power twice. The black patterns on her body are the price she paid.

There is no next time.

Yet, Rue says she will use it.

I cannot allow that.

Therefore, I cannot die.

◇

We refined the details.

If the opponent is a top-tier Demon Lord, it will take time, but they will eventually fall.

With this in mind, our focus is on how to buy as much time as possible rather than eliminating the enemy.

The attack team and I enter the white room where our dungeons face each other.

Combat in the white room is prohibited, so we cannot be attacked here.

Moreover, once the battle starts, it will be difficult to send reinforcements from the dungeon for the attack, as the entrance will be invaded by the enemy.

The same applies to the other side.

The creatures for the attack are lined up.

"Dad, about five hundred."

"Hmm, four against five hundred. There's a significant difference in the attack team alone."

"Yep, as expected."

"Hey, aren't we being underestimated? It seems we can take our time to conquer with just this number."

I agree.

I look at the clock. Thirty seconds until the battle starts.

And then...

"Let the battle between [Creation] and [Tree] begin."

The curtain of battle has been raised.

I will win and claim this world.

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