Idle Mage: Humanity's Strongest Backer

'...okay, great. I've been undetected so far...I hope it stays that way...'

Ashton controlled the Grand Library to fly closer to the base of the Celestials.

Their camp was beyond the clouds, built on the clouds too. On how that's even possible, Ashton genuinely has no idea. If he'd venture a guess, he'd say they probably used something similar to Gravity Magic and Transmutation.

Either way, the how isn't really important right now. Ashton has a mission here and that's what he should be focusing on.

'Okay, let's be careful now...' Ashton bit his lips and felt tense. He flew closer to the base before stopping just far enough to use his Identify on the whole camp.

[Celestial Warzone Base]

A place where Angels/Celestials gather to confront their enemies.

Consists of 1 Palace, 2 Halls, 10 rooms and 50 Camps.

[Notice! Three Super-Imposed Formations detected!]

'Scan and Identify the Formations.' Ashton ordered.

[Scan and Identification, complete! The 3 Formations were: Heavenly Eye Formation, Holy Land Formation, and Divine Heart Formation.]

'What are the functions of these formations?'

[Heavenly Eye Formation]

A Defensive-type Formation that detects intruders and also serves as a trap. Those who are not of the Celestial Race will be identified as an intruder and would automatically be imprisoned and trapped within it.

Note: Even Sorcerers will have a headache trying to escape this Formation.

[Holy Land Formation]

An Auxilliary-type Formation that converts Aether into Heavenly Energy that Celestials use for cultivation. With the Formation in place, the cultivation of the Celestial Race will see drastic improvements.

Note: This Heavenly Energy is harmful to humans, even more so than the Golden Corruption. Nevertheless, the Host should be fine thanks to the 『Trait: Purity』

[Divine Heart Formation]

A long-distance communication formation that allows this batch of Angels to send and receive orders from Laguna — the capital city of Celestials on Earth.

Note: This Formation is harnessed in this area for some reason. Host is greatly encouraged to investigate why that is.

Ashton frowned upon receiving that feedback. He's glad that this System Skill had been maxed out, the only thing that annoys him sometimes is the fact that, at times when it matters the most, the remarks of System are rather cryptic.

'...I should get used to this. After all, I can't expect the System to spoonfeed me just like that. I need to show some effort too.'

Ashton shook his head and looked at the clues he's gathered.

As expected, there really was a formation here. Moreover, they're superimposed, meaning that they're connected and/or function as one.

Thankfully, he was careful enough to consider his security with everything he does. With him suspecting that there might be a formation here it allowed him to move on relatively safe and hidden still.

'These formations shouldn't be able to detect the grand library, after all, it is hidden behind the enchantment of the System, which means that I'm also hidden as well. The alarms shouldn't be triggered once I drove this thing in there.'

While it still remains absurd how Ashton can control the library while it's 'technically' inside his Inventory, Ashton didn't dare to question it that much. So long as it's working properly, then that's all that matters.

'Okay, let's try this...'

Ashton took a deep breath and controlled the library to come closer to the base of the Celestials.

The moment he felt the membrane where the Formation begins, Ashton slowed the flight down to a crawl. He pushed it just a bit, this was him testing the waters.

Seeing as there were no reactions, he did it again, and again...until he felt the sensation of passing through a thin film.

Once he was inside, he waited for a bit. As expected, the alarms weren't triggered. Ashton felt a little more confident because of that.

He tried placing down the library onto the clouds, just to see if the clouds can support it. And to his surprise, it could! It didn't even dent when he completely parked it there.

Understanding that he could treat these clouds like solid ground, Ashton went back to driving the library regularly like a land vehicle.

'Thank god the actual size of the library doesn't matter when it's inside the Inventory, else it'd be troublesome to get inside the regular-sized doors with a whole-ass tower.'

As he controlled the library, Ashton discovered some Angels roaming and patrolling around in an orderly fashion. Some were just taking it easy and talking to each other while others were treating their duties seriously.

None of them sensed the library nor Ashton at all, which makes sense considering how the formations didn't even notice him, but Ashton could tell that the security here is quite lax and complacent.

The strictness shown was merely semantics. Ashton could tell that from the route which was decided rather haphazardly, there were no thoughts behind it. It's like those who were in charge of this place were whole-heartedly convinced that there wouldn't be any intruders daring to go here,

Which works beautifully for Ashton...

He could practically swagger in here undetected, do his mission, and leave like he was never here, to begin with. It couldn't be any better than this.

'Okay, if I were an important piece of document, where will I be?' Ashton mused to himself as he studied the layout of the base.

This place has 1 Palace, 2 Halls, 10 Rooms and 50 camps. From this, Ashton's initial guess would be at the Palace, cause of course that is the most obvious thing...

He could check those 50 camps one by one since he has time, but really...would any important intel end up there? He might find Porn Magazines in there but anything related to his mission? That's very unlikely.

'The 1st Sphere of Angels seems to be permanently stationed at the Palace though.' Ashton commented to himself. 'I don't know if they're sharp enough to sense if something's amiss or not.'

1st Sphere Angels are: Seraphim, Thrones, and Cherubim. They are roughly equivalent to Demon Kings/Queens. It is said that these angels were the ones closest to God.

Of course, 1st Sphere Angels are extremely strong! Ashton hadn't fought with any Seraph or Demon King just yet but he knows that he'd be in trouble if he meets one in person.

In his vision, the resplendent golden light representing the holiness of this place was reflected. Scanning his environment warily, he could tell that there were some scary beings inside the palace.

Going in there would be dangerous, moreover, Ashton could absolutely not step out of the library at his will since the formation will obviously notice him.

Dong!!

Ashton's thoughts were shaken by a loud church bell echoing across the base. He looked around in alarm, only to see that almost all of the angels were suddenly coming out of their abodes.

They gathered at the plaza in front of the Palace and waited for something. Then, a couple of minutes later, Ashton felt several strong auras coming out of the Palace.

It was the 1st Sphere Angels...

'System, Scan and Identify the 1st Sphere Angels...'

The system released an invisible and untraceable wave of energy that enveloped the targets he chose, not long after that, the profiles of his targets were displayed in front of him...

[Ulver]

Type: Throne

Title: Punisher of the Condemned

Celestial Bloodline Purity: 55%

[Neon]

Type: Seraph

Title: Usher of Worth

Celestial Bloodline Purity: 60%

[Adul]

Type: Cherub

Title: Bard of Worship

Celestial Bloodline Purity: 50%

[Joel]

Type: Seraph

Title: Observer of Liars

Celestial Bloodline Purity: 70%

[Bea]

Type: Cherub

Title: Darling of Aesthetics

Celestial Bloodline Purity: 59%

'2 Seraphim, 2 Cherubim and a Throne.' Ashton clicked his tongue, 'This is going to be complicated.'

Ashton kept watching since obviously these five have something to say for the rest of the angels that are gathered here.

"Alright you all, it is that time again." The Seraph—Neon spoke to them, "As usual, be on the lookout for the White-Cloaked Reaper. The moment you suspect that he's around, don't hesitate to summon us using the feathers and stall him long enough for us to get where you are."

"Sir, yes Sir!" The army of angels replied vigorously.

"Great, you may now descend and begin the act. Do your best everyone. The sooner we stomp this place flat, the sooner we can return to Paradiso."

"Sir, yes Sir!"

"May God be with you." The 1st Sphere Angels said.

"And also with you!" The army replied.

As soon as that was over, the angels flew in groups and descended to the land below. Meanwhile, the 1st Sphere Angels flew above the skies as if they were overlooking the whole world.

Meanwhile, Ashton was a bit dazed.

He heard the cryptic words that the Seraph said that could gleam some clues with them. He wasn't really focused on the fact that they had a trap prepared for him. What bugs him, is what they meant by 'stomping this place flat'.

'Stomping this place flat? What do they mean by that? Where is 'this place that they're referring to?'

'Ah! Whatever. I can't miss this chance. Since the 1st Sphere Angels are out, I might as well infiltrate the palace now.'

Once he's decided, he controlled the library and infiltrated the Palace.