Yuma moved behind Brenhild.
The snow-white Valkyrie advanced with her flowing white hair.
Suddenly, she thrust her spear forward. A powerful wave gusted through the air. The spinning spear pierced right through the white monster standing there.
“Did its form just change for a moment?”
Bel tilted her head and said. It did change momentarily, and the white monster itself was so distorted that it couldn’t settle on a single appearance.
Creeeak!
The grotesquely twisted white monster suddenly changed its shape again, like a cloud stretched in the sky.
“This creature undergoes organic, continuous transformations.”
Flames erupted at the tip of the spear held by Valkyrie Brenhild. The flames engulfed the entire body of the white monster.
Brenhild swiftly launched her body forward and took down the white monsters in succession.
Yuma’s eyes, using the Search Eye, turned toward the white monster.
[Lv.92] White Ghost
Race: Unknown, Celestial Monster
Rank: Expert Level Upper
Traits: Can freely transform its shape.
Yuma observed the White Ghost closely.
It was so powerful that it didn’t seem like a monster that would appear at the forefront of a dungeon.
“Is this the level for early-stage monsters?”
It was strong for something that came out in the early stages.
Yuma’s question implied that thought.
At that moment, perhaps because Yuma was a little ahead.
Kwaaaang!!
A white beam shot toward Yuma. A concentrated white beam erupted from the mouth of the White Ghost, which had transformed into the shape of a white serpent.
Yuma swung Balmung.
Kaaaanng!
The wave radiated out, and the white beam reversed direction.
Swoosh!
The reversed white beam ruthlessly annihilated the body of the White Ghost and pierced through the White Spirit right behind it simultaneously.
Valkyrie Brenhild blinked in surprise.
“…Yes, at this initial stage, they possess only this level of power.”
No, what she meant was that it was very strong for an early-stage monster.
It seems that not just Valkyrie, but everyone present accepted it with the question of why the monster was so weak.
Yuma addressed the members of the Empire who stared blankly at him.
“Everyone, work together and move slowly. Do not act individually; absolutely move as a team.”
At Yuma’s words, everyone nodded.
Bel moved forward, her blue hair fluttering.
If they defeated the monsters of this celestial realm, they could absorb the heavenly energy lingering in the celestial realm, which supposedly had the potential to transcend human boundaries.
Yuma looked at Bel’s determined back as she advanced. The back of the swordswoman moving forward without hesitation.
The sword shot up, drawing a sharp diagonal line from the lower right to the left.
Slash!
The body of the White Ghost tilted diagonally. The sight of the white demon being sliced in half left the members of the Empire in awe, wide-eyed.
The empire knights gaped in astonishment as the body of the white demon was sliced in an instant.
Bell was a being who had reached the realm of a Grand Sword Master. It was only natural that she should demonstrate this level of skill.
Running alongside Bell was Hestia, the Cat-Folk Swordsman, sprinting forward at full speed.
A crimson glow ignited on Hestia’s sword.
She stomped the ground hard and swung the sword horizontally. The red blade light scattered like a full moon.
However, she couldn’t split the white demon as cleanly as Bell had done.
Hestia’s body moved in a frenzy. The red sword light flashed and shredded the limbs of the white demons.
Bell glanced back at Hestia, who was following her.
“Hestia, let’s wipe them all out!”
In response to Bell’s words, Hestia cheerfully exclaimed, “Sure!”
Bell was secretly quite thrilled at the moment.
Unlike the situations with the Great Demon King Berzette or the God Barbatos, where only Yuma could shine, she was overjoyed to now have the chance to play an active role. Bell moved her body like a beast.
Diving through the gaps of the white demons, Bell moved tirelessly.
Limits.
She had already surpassed her limits, but she had to do it once more. That was her wish, and Yuma would likely share that wish too.
Cloney’s dark hair fluttered wildly in response to the wave of magic concentrating on her magic staff.
At the end of the staff, a gathering force was formed.
The lightning within that force continued to coalesce.
Crackle—
The energy of the thunderclap endlessly gathered until it became a pitch-black point.
A lightning bolt that could collapse everything.
The black lightning struck directly at the body of the white demon.
Boom!!
The body of the white demon hit by the black lightning crumbled like melted candle wax.
The mages flanking Cloney raised their right hands, holding their magic staffs.
Fireballs and ice spears surged towards the subdued white demon.
Kaboom!!
Thus, the white demons exploded.
Yuma watched Bell and Cloney dash forward, seemingly oblivious to everything around them.
While it might not be appealing to have to fight like this from the very first day in the celestial realm, they all had gathered out of a shared desire to grow strong, thus cooperating in battle.
Yuma observed the empire members banding together to take down groups of white demons, working together seamlessly as if they were long-time battle comrades.
At that moment, those holding their ground in this battlefield weren’t just the empire members. The celestial beings.
The celestial beings immediately intervened and wiped out the white demons whenever a situation arose where the empire members were at risk of being injured.
The simple reason they went out of their way to protect the empire members like this was to avoid sullying Yuma’s mood.
They were determined not to draw Yuma’s wrath with unnecessary casualties.
Yuma’s determination not to anger him was evident.
But Yuma shook his head at the consideration.
“When humans are pushed emotionally or situationally, they gain the drive to grow. Intervene only when lives are in danger.”
At Yuma’s words, the Celestial Beings nodded vigorously.
“Ah, understood…”
Cloney looked at the Celestial Mage who appeared beside her.
A Celestial being with unusually long black hair just like hers.
“Human, your mana density is quite impressive.”
Cloney’s golden eyes widened.
“My name is Serenen. The Celestial Sovereign wished for Celestial Mages to assist the mages.”
Serenen had their eyes closed.
“Oh, I am technically blind as a human would define it. I can read the position of enemies and allies through the celestial mechanics.”
Serenen raised their right hand and concentrated mana.
Black mana was densely condensed. Then it was released.
Kwahahahaha!
The bullet-like Brenhen shot out, incinerating the pure white monster.
“Let’s talk deeply about magic while we take down more of the White Spirits together.”
At Brenhen’s sweet voice, Cloney blankly nodded.
The members of the continent continued their training.
And before long, nearly two weeks had passed.
Adapting.
The members of the continent were now somewhat getting used to the Celestial environment.
While they were still only facing the White Spirits, their organizational strength in dealing with the White Spirits was solidifying.
“Take the left side, Older Brother.”
“Got it!”
Next to Cloney, her real brother Haven was pouring blue flames onto his sword.
Kwahh!
Cloney and Haven lunged out as they struck the ground simultaneously. The snake-shaped White Spirits on either side were cut down at an angle and collapsed.
Hestia synchronized with Cloney to take down the White Spirits.
Watching the growth of the Empire’s members, Yuma slowly nodded.
While he still wasn’t sure if they’d be able to surpass human limits here, it was clear that they were actively growing.
He didn’t feel it was a wrong choice to bring them here.
After all, catching those White Spirits wouldn’t have raised Yuma’s level, so there was no need for him to rush out to hunt them.
He only dealt with the White Spirits when the members were in serious danger.
Someone appeared next to Yuma, who was watching from the back. It was Brenhild, the Valkyrie.
Brenhild kneeled next to Yuma without hesitation.
“While overlooking the world through the Heavenly Eye, I spotted a blue flag planted in the golden spire.”
At Brenhild’s words, Yuma frowned.
Planting a blue flag on the spire.
Before crossing over to the Celestial realm, he had told Princess Brigitte to hang a blue flag in case of an emergency.
He had said that the Celestial Beings observing from the Heavenly Eye would inform him immediately.
“I’ll let you know.”
“That was fast.”
“I thought there would be an occasion for the flag to be raised.”
“But I didn’t think it would happen this quickly.”
Duke Yuma called upon Cloney, Bell, Hestia, and finally, the silver-haired swordsman, Aksion, the leader of the Empire’s 2nd Knight Brigade.
“It seems Princess Brigitte has summoned us. Something must have happened.”
The faces of the four stiffened.
Aksion spoke urgently.
“Is there a major incident in the Empire?”
Yuma slowly shook his head.
“If it were a dire situation requiring everyone’s return, they would’ve raised both the blue and white flags. Since only the blue flag is up, it’s likely not that urgent.”
Yuma glanced around at the gathered individuals.
“For now, I’ll go alone, so you all wait here.”
Trusting him vaguely, the members nodded quietly.
Yuma’s next destination was the Throne of Heaven, where the Celestial Sovereign Arten resided.
As Yuma approached Arten, the boy with white hair flinched at his presence.
“I need to return to the Empire for a moment. Leave the ones I brought here.”
“Is that so?”
Yuma continued.
“I wanted to ask if there’s a way to communicate with my allies here while I’m back in the Intermediate World.”
They had already made an oath that no harm could come to him. Yet, if there was a way to connect, it would be beneficial to take it.
After a moment’s contemplation, Arten turned to the Valkyrie Brenhild beside him.
“Brenhild, give him the Yetel.”
Brenhild nodded and retrieved a round, golden orb called Yetel from her bosom, handing it to Arten.
Arten held two Yetels in his hands.
Sssss…
The Yetels in Arten’s hands emitted a gentle glow.
After infusing the silver celestial energy into the Yetels for a while, Arten extended them to Yuma.
“Originally, this device works only for Celestial Beings. However, I’ve infused it with my celestial energy, allowing humans to use it too. You can communicate across the dimensional boundaries of the Celestial Realm and the Intermediate World.”
“Thank you.”
Yuma accepted the Yetel.
Standing beside Yuma now was Garenmoon. Garenmoon bowed deeply before speaking.
“I will escort you.”
*
Returning to the Intermediate World, the Astes Empire on the continent of Astes Gehergen, Yuma immediately headed to Princess Brigitte.
In Brigitte’s office.
“Yuma.”
Brigitte let out a sigh of relief.
“I see the blue flag was indeed raised.”
“Yeah, I came down alone to hear what’s going on and make my judgment.”
Brigitte took a map from the bookshelf in her office and placed it on the desk.
“The Resen Kingdom has sent a support request. Specifically for you, Yuma.”
