Mutagen

The situation was getting more and more difficult for the people of the Reclaimed City. However, it was still far from utter destruction.

As the [Mechids] infiltrated Shinonome and the defenses there collapsed, the Defense Forces immediately moved a division of their troops to create another defense line on the eastern border of Ariake. On the other hand, the medical team received the people who retreated from Shinonome, checking for wounds and other injuries.

When the new team began moving to Shinonome, the members of Black Lotus decided to join them. The members of Evernight had already backed up the northern Defense Line. In this case, it was better for the Black Lotus to join the defense measures in other areas and properly distribute the firepower.

As for the Northern Front, quite a number of [Infected] had now filled the bridge to Toyosu. The golems managed to hold the front along with newly created barricades using tanks and vehicles. However, the speed the Defense Forces could manage to kill the [Infected] horde was slower compared to the speed the [Infected] were gathering. It was all due to the current horde composed of mostly [Armor Type Infected] that survived the fall from the throw of the [Abomination of Thousand Corpses].

And while the [Infected] horde on the bridge was a bad match-up against guns, the Defense Forces could not use powerful explosives that could possibly take out the bridge. If the bridge collapsed, there was no doubt that everyone would be stuck in Ariake for quite an uncomfortable and dangerous while, leaving them with no escape if things escalated in an unwanted direction.

It was when the members of Evernight fully took the reins on the ongoing battle over the bridge. But instead of maintaining the Defense Line, they chose a different option.

The members of Evernight began pushing forward.

With Odelina on command, the others followed her instructions. Aephelia took the lead on Logan, the [Gluttony Infected\'s] shoulder. With Logan\'s large hands, he grabbed any [Infected] that came his way, stuffing them all inside his stomach as if they were nothing but snacks. Then came the three little girls, exhibiting the abilities of their [Valkyrie Armors].

With the help of Cavall and Inaba, Miracle\'s punches and Abbygale\'s kicks were disgustingly enhanced to the point that they could demolish their way through the seemingly invincible horde. Of course, while also keeping on the advance, Iola kept the supporting role, keeping her little sisters from any danger from their blind spots.

Not every one of the Evernight joined the forward forces. Berrak, Emika, and Louis, for example. Berrak had to keep the blockade behind the forward forces in case a few managed to slip. He could also use his other summons to help with other dangers they were facing. After all, the [Mechids] were trying to climb the seabed wall, not to mention the horde of [Infected] trying to swim the waters.

Emika used her hair, turning each strand into vines as blockades over the coastal and seabed wall. Louis also began manipulating the seabed wall he created to push away those trying to climb the wall back into the water below.

And against the [Mechids] trying to climb the wall, Hannah was the most effective. Hannah\'s talent was throwing things, knives, and bombs, for example. Among the members of the Evernight, she had the most access to Mark\'s experimental bombs using the technology stolen from [Mechids]. Now, she was using those experimental explosives, eliminating at least one [Mechid] in every throw.

BOOOM!

Another explosion occurred in Shinonome, and everyone could see the wave of black flames. It was when everyone noticed that the [Mechids] that had supposedly invaded Shinonome was somehow lagging in their chase, even if some of the soldiers tried to hold them back. It must be because of those explosions and black flames. There was someone or something fighting the [Mechids] and intercepting their advance.

***

In the sky atop [The Cube], Mark observed what was happening in the surroundings. The struggle in the Defense Line, the movement of the [Infected], the advance of the [Mechids], the ongoing battle in Shinonome, he keenly observed everything.

One reason was to plan the next moves. The other was to ensure the safety of the people under him.

After all, Mark brought them here to help, not to die.

And by the looks of it, Mark\'s worries were quite unnecessary. As he watched Odelina take the command, it was clear that she was doing this job quite well. It would really make one wonder what kind of family of servants she came from.

Mark looked at his daughters leading the charge. He could not help but shrug his shoulders a little. Initially, while they had transformation capabilities, both Inaba and Cavall did not have a [Valkyrie Mode]. Only Brynhildr had that function. But the two younger girls requested Mark to give their golems a similar function, and Mark could not reject their request. Unfortunately, he did not have enough time and material to make the function at the same level as Brynhildr, but it was enough to pass for the two children.

And now, they were using the [Valkyrie Mode] to fight, overpowering the [Infected] and even the proud armors the soldiers of the Defense Forces had.

Well, those three were intelligent [Abysstech Golems]. Experimental robotic armors had no match for them.

Mark then turned his eyes to Shinonome. The waves of black flames continued flying everywhere as the battle there commenced. Of course, Mark knew what those were. It was Mako, using Ignis, as the two fended against the [Mechids] that reached Shinonome. She even managed to save the brave soldiers who tried to sacrifice themselves to bide time for the others\' escape. And now, all of them were fighting together, holding the line against the [Mechids].

And with the Defense Forces establishing another Defense Line and the Black Lotus joining the interception in Shinonome, Mako should be fine. In any case, Ignis would not let her die there as per Mark\'s order.

BOOM! BOOOM! BOOOOOM!

Explosions echoed one after another.

Mark turned his head and saw the Serpent God raining meteor-like fireballs at the Empress. She flew down, evading the attacks, but it caused the gigantic fireballs to cause more devastation to the already ruined surroundings.

To be able to give out counterattacks consistently, the Serpent God was slowly adapting to the barrage of attacks it was receiving.

Slowly but surely, the attacks coming from the Defense Forces and that high-tech battleship would end up losing their effects against the Serpent God.

The time they had to deal with this mess was getting shorter by the minute.

However, Mark could not make his move yet.

There was a reason Mark had yet to join the fight and why it was only the Empress who was fighting the Serpent God.

Mark turned his eyes to the side. The Priestess entered his sight.

After extinguishing the flames caused by Gar\'Vlam\'s death and making a counterattack against the Serpent God, the Priestess immediately began her next move.

But, if anyone were to look at her right now, they would only see her standing there silently with her eyes closed.

Mark and the Empress knew what the Priestess was doing, so none of them would complain.

It was Mark\'s current task. He needed to protect the Priestess while she did what she was best at.

The Priestess was trying to create a new barrier. It was a barrier similar to what she created to protect the Reclaimed City during the [Fusion of Dimensions].

And as one would expect, the Priestess needed some time to erect such a barrier properly. In fact, the Priestess had a few weeks preparing when she created the previous barrier. But now, the Priestess did not have the luxury to prepare that long. She had no choice but to do her best as much as she could.h

But why should the Priestess erect the barrier at this moment? Just like the previous one, the Serpent God could also destroy it.

However, it was still necessary. The barrier was there not only to provide stability to the territory inside it. The Priestess specifically created that barrier to deter the [Infected]. It would not make the [Infected] fear or hate the barrier and leave, but it prevented the [Infected] from detecting humans within the barrier. After all, whether the [Infected] knew or not, they would start lingering around areas where humans frequented.

The barrier kept the Reclaimed City from sieges from the [Infected]. And due to the [Mechids] having the same origin, the alien robots were also affected by the deterrence.

And now that the barrier was gone, everyone could see the effect. While the battle and the Serpent God attracted the hordes of both enemies, the moment the enemies detected the humans, they began charging at them.

In this situation, the Priestess needed to create a similar barrier. However, since only Ariake and the southern areas had to be protected, it did not have to be as large as the previous one. Nonetheless, she also had to make it stronger. It needed to be strong enough to block the ongoing siege from the [Infected] and the [Mechids].

Mark stared at the Priestess. Since he had [Miasma], he was more sensitive to magical energy than everyone here. And right now, he could feel the strong magical fluctuations gathering around the Priestess. But different from others where their magical energy would cause disturbance to their surroundings, the Priestess\' magical energy was calm without ripples.

It was gathering steadily, but barely anyone would be able to feel its intensity.

The Priestess was not the Priestess for nothing.

BANG! BANG!

If there was any disturbance around Mark, it was actually Mei\'s gunshots.

They were floating in the sky, up where everyone could see. It was to no surprise that some [Infected] would try to attack them. And that was the task they gave Mei.

On the other hand, that attack that killed the [Siren of Death] was not Mei\'s task but something Mark ordered on a whim. After all, leaving the commander of the [Infected] alive too long would not be a good idea. While the [Siren of Death\'s] death caused some annoying stuff, it was better than letting it do things who knew it could possibly do.

At this time, the magical energy around the Priestess began to intensify. And as it reached its peak, the Priestess opened her eyes.

"I\'m starting!"

The Priestess bellowed, telling Mark, Amihan, and Mei to be ready to protect her.

With the cue, the three readied to intercept anything that could possibly interrupt the Priesstess at this crucial time. It was not only the [Infected] or the [Mechids]. They were also ready to jump forward if the Serpent God\'s attention shifted away from the Empress.

The Priestess began chanting. Her voice echoed in everyone\'s ears. But no matter how clear her voice could be heard, no one could understand what she was saying.

Akin to a voice from the heavens, the Priestess\' words echoed like a revelation to mankind.

And at the sky above her, light began to gather. The strands of light from the heaves danced, weaving an image brighter than sunlight.

Just as expected, the Serpent God\'s attention shifted away from the Empress. The Serpent God looked at the sky. It could not feel any threat from the lights in the sky. However, as it stupidly stared at the lights far brighter than the blinding sun, its eyes felt hurt.

Feeling the pain in its eyes, it tried to retaliate.

It opened its mouth. It was the head capable of breathing flames.

This situation could be dangerous. Among all the attacks the Serpent God had shown so far, the only things that could heavily disrupt the Priestess would be Darkness, Lightning, and Fire.

Amihan might be able to use her attacks to block the fire breath. However, it would not be a reliable countermeasure. It was the same for the Empress and her golden flames.

In the end, the best way to avoid the disruption was to prevent the attack from happening.

The Priestess turned to Mark, about to ask him to do something.

However, she saw no Mark nearby. Mei and Amihan were still there, but the leader had totally vanished.

But then, the Priestess felt a violent gust of wind from above. She tried raising her head, but all she saw was a red trail of light which suddenly fell from the sky.

And then, with a bright red trail of light and a loud BAM, Mark crashed like a meteor onto the Serpent God\'s fire-breathing head\'s snout, forcing its mouth shut and even causing the Serpent God to almost fall from the sky.