The Nebula's Civilization

The planes unleashed their bombardment. Despite the overwhelming firepower, the walls created by the Demons were sturdy and difficult to push back.

For some reason, the speed at which the Myriad Demons were pouring down seemed to increase. However, the Empire's firepower hadn’t hit its limit yet. The Itimo Group's coaxial machine guns lashed out at the old gods’ Sky Castles, and the breath spell from the guardian Dragon of Orazen melted the Demons.

A path opened up. Lakrak and the warriors charged at a huge Demon that had withstood the impact of the firepower. This Demon, resembling a crawling Human, had an empty torso from which small Demons continuously came out of, essentially being a Demon factory. While Lakrak and the warriors tied up its head, the fifth apostle of the Pantheon, Harvester Keiju, struck its neck with a giant scythe.

The battle continued in other Sky Castles. Player Bolt always believed that good items had more than one use. Realizing their gas was ineffective against the Demons, Bolt used it differently. The yellow gas ignited easily.

A massive explosion swept through the Sky Castle, turning the upper part into a sea of fire.

The ninth apostle of the Pantheon, Phoenix Aruna, quickly absorbed the flames with its power, securing the march route. Then the fourth apostle, Knight Redin BR Oser, secured the front line with his knights before the Demons could descend. In the rear, the Starkeeper's engineering troops took over an empty Sky Castle for backline support, setting up an emergency landing strip for rapid refueling.

Meanwhile, several fleets from the surrounding oceans were dispatched to the sea near this Sky Castle. Their goal was to clear the Demons pouring down like rain. The battle was unending, and the Demons wriggled endlessly.

"It's not easy."

There were those watching all these battles through video transmitters, from their respective locations. It was awkward to watch each other through dark, cramped screens, but they didn't mind. Some looked strange even compared to the diverse species of Avartin. They were players.

"It's not easy." Wisdom muttered while watching the screen.

Wisdom stayed in a safe house prepared by the Empire. In one corner of the safe house, various communication equipment was messily set up, enabling communication with players in other regions.

Wisdom joined the group call late, thinking the players would just be engaging in trivial chatter, as was their habit, and his assumption wasn't far off.

Crampus, lounging with snacks on the screen, said, "What about Noah, wasn't he with you?"

"He went to a local university hospital for a voluntary check-up."

"Oh? Is he unwell?"

"No, he's curious about the physical changes caused by causality. I almost got dragged along."

"Right. Rest is best. Think of it as a holiday. RD is on their third day of the festival."

Not all players exhibited the same attitude as Crampus though.

In another screen, HumanTracker said, "Shouldn't we be planning a backup operation? The number of Demons appearing is increasing. It's not just the quantity. Their power output is growing too, making it increasingly difficult to find a way through as time passes."

Wisdom pointed out, "HumanTracker, that's illogical."

"Me?"

"We've already agreed there's nothing we can do at this point. You're just anxious, and the reason you don't know that is because we're no longer gods."

HumanTracker nodded, seemingly accepting the point.

Crampus picked up a snack and shook it, "Why don't you eat something tasty and not stress?"

Vladimir, the robot with a monocular eye, laughed and said, "Hmm, food. That's interesting."

"Do you eat oil?"

"As you can see, yes."

HumanTracker sank deeper into their chair, "I'm not interested."

Wisdom realized the mood among the players in this communication network wasn't great. Never one particularly interested in human psychology, Wisdom couldn't think of a solution.

An awkward silence followed.

Eldar broke the silence to lighten the mood, "It's fascinating that they take the form of Demons. They look like beings meant to be revered and feared."

Jerome said, "But it's not just them. In Avartin, many monsters, divine beasts, and various species take forms from myths, legends, and folktales familiar to us from Earth."

Eldar added, "It's not a coincidence, is it?"

"No, it's not."

"Then, Jerome, which do you think is real?"

"Real?" Jerome shook his head. His beard made of books fluttered. "Both are real. Or both can be considered fake."

"I'd like to hear more about that."

Jerome adjusted his fluttering beard and said, "If the explanation of infinite possible worlds is correct, then there is definitely a possibility that entities with similar appearances exist in two different worlds. It means that worlds exist infinitely in various forms."

"But the connection between the two..."

"That must be because of a being with such intent.” Jerome continued, "We've already encountered such a being in Avartin, haven't we? Named Aldin."

Eldar nodded, "So they chose us from Earth, a world where we would revere or fear them."

"Exactly."

"But that still leaves a question. Because all of us..."

As Eldar was speaking, Crampus, seemingly bored, reached for another bag of chips. The rustling sound drowned out Eldar's question.

Crampus, opening another chip bag, turned and said, "Oh, but Lunda."

"What."

Hearing the irritated voice, Crampus thought about the times when he and Lunda didn't get along well, and thought those were the better times.

Crampus asked, "What are you doing right now?"

"Can't you see?" Lunda opened her tightly closed eyes and raised her head, but she didn't let go of her clasped hands. "I'm praying."

Crampus was about to laugh reflexively but then fell into deep thought, pondering.

Crampus asked Lunda, "Who are you praying to?"

"I don't know. Just doing it... Maybe, the Apostles?"

"Wait…Wisdom?" Crampus looked at Wisdom.

Wisdom's head moved slowly, "Yeah. That's a good idea. Pray." Wisdom clasped his hands. "Isn't it the only useful thing we can do in this situation?"

The other players glanced at each other and then clasped their hands. Eldar was the quickest, and HumanTracker was the slowest.

Lunda resumed her previous prayer posture. She pressed her furrowed brows to her clasped hands, looking more earnest than anyone. "I should pray to Hegemonia. If Nebula fails, War is the only thing to trust."

***

On top of a Sky Castle, the God of War riding on a beheaded black Horse checked her Faith points.

The Sky Castle Hegemonia pointed to was the Starkeeper. Annoyingly to Hegemonia, the flag of the Union Kingdom also hung above the high-committee room of the Starkeeper, indicating the Sky Castle's past affiliation, which seemed like mockery to Hegemonia.

Regardless of her feelings, Hegemonia saw the transmissions going through Starkeeper reaching satellites orbiting Avartin. This war was being broadcast throughout Avartin. Now, the Empire would have learned of the God of War's return and her struggle against the Myriad Demons.

While slashing through Demons with one hand, Hegemonia operated the system window with the other. Detailed statistics on Faith point acquisition appeared, and she quickly read through the necessary information.

The Pantheon and its gods had disappeared due to the Fall. Thus, the Empire had lost its faith itself. In that moment, three players returned, leaving only three gods for the Empire to have faith in. Many captured the war scenes, naturally leading to faith in war. At this moment, Hegemonia was the supreme god of Avartin.

If so, it was exceedingly unpleasant. Hegemonia did not enjoy being a pawn in someone else's game, yet she had no intention of giving up this power.

Hegemonia was initially confused to learn that the Demons gave almost no XP. This meant most of her planned strategy was ineffective. But when Lakrak and Starkeeper appeared, the possibilities expanded, and now with the restoration of faith, she felt confident in her odds, as long as she didn't Fall.

Hegemonia let Kazaha kick through the air and raised her sword high.

The flames of the Angry One rose. Hegemonia was fully prepared.

At the call of the Angry One, not only Salkait, but also the defeated apostles of the Angry One rose above the Sky Castle. The second apostle, Ankarde, with their kin, the deranged Goblin Bounda, Dragon slayer Werewolf Aruega Robe, and commander Alma Alloy, stood behind the Angry One.

Then the Angry One's third apostle, Laitla of Radiance, wiggled its massive body and rose.

The apostles of the Pantheon shouted in respect.

Shouts erupted from the apostles, warriors, and Starkeeper.

At this moment, every soldier of the Empire was a follower of the God of War.

No, now the entire Empire believed in War. Everyone watching through the screen transmitters raged at the insolent being who claimed to be their former owner. Such beings had never been permitted in Avartin, neither in the past nor now.

A voice from the battlefield said, "War! Grant us the opportunity to join in your anger!"

Just before the Angry One charged into the Demons, she said,

Then war stormed into the Myriad Demons.