Way of the Knights

Chapter 546 - Prelude To A Great Battle

---

There's bloodstains on Raven's nose and mouth. He's pale as a paper and his breathing was ragged. 

Everyone surrounded him with worried gazes but Raven only waved his hand and said: 

"I'm okay. Who's that by the way? A Sin?" 

"Most likely, yes." Henry solemnly stated as he patted Raven's shoulders. "We didn't get to see its face properly so we don't know which one is it exactly. Additionally, Sins can freely morph into shapes that as they deemed fit for the situation so there's no point in blindly guessing. By the way, what happened to you?"

"Pushed my ocular technique a bit too much." Raven groaned as he sat back on the chair. "Thankfully I managed to stop it before the that thing looked over. I had this premonition that it sensed us, I don't think I can risk peeking over there once more."

Raven took out some pills from his spatial ring and consumed them. After his complexion visibly eased-up, he said: "Are we enough to face it?"

"We can't say for sure." Theo replied with a frown. "We are the only War Gods who were free, the rest aren't present since they're out on a mission. We can still ask for reinforcements but its risky."

"Either we hope that whoever that one is, don't descend or we deal with it ourselves. Asking for additional reinforcements isn't a bad idea but they might become additional casualties instead of being helpful." Julia added. 

"Judging from their numbers, it seems that they're itching to descend anytime soon." Logan murmured, "Do you plan on using the seal right now?"

"I was hoping to wipe out the army first before I place the seal." Raven replied, "You see, the tainted seal is connected to the other side. Once we broke it, I'm certain that they'll be alarmed. Additionally, it'll take some time for me to place the seals. Depending on the situation, it might take me anywhere from, five to thirty minutes."

"Speaking of the army, can our really match-up to theirs?" Jessamine couldn't help but stare at the soldiers who were om standby around her. "We're severely out numbered. Even if we could boost their capabilities, how long can they even last? They're bound to be tired. Plus, they've been for a month already."

Her words caused the others to re-consider their state once more. Raven couldn't help but sigh, actually he noticed this problem too. Unfortunately he's out of ideas.

Just like Logan said, the devil army looked like they're going to invade anytime soon. Even they couldn't tell how much time they have left before they descend.

Everyone was silent for a bit. There was doubting that their situation remains dire. They don't haven enough man power even with the War Gods around. 

It would've been fine if neither the Sin's Children or the Sin the say, wouldn't descend but right now, they can't tell whether they plan on doing so or not. It's very likely that they will since sending this huge amount of devils would just cause chaos. They need someone to lead them and the Sin's Children fits that position. 

From what they saw earlier, there's at least nine or ten Sin's Children behind the massive troop of devils. Their main force were Raven, Kyrie, Anastasia and the War Gods. This line up aren't enough to deal with the enemy, and that's not even including the fact that a Sin might be personally coming down as well. 

They were outnumbered, yet again they just can't retreat. 

The situation looks bad. 

"How about we do it this way..."

"…"

***

-Greece-

*Dong!* *Dong!* *Dong!*

Every Inner Disciples who were roaming around Greece were alarmed by what sounded like enormous church bells echoing in every corner of the plane itself.

They all looked over to towards the tallest mountain within this plane which could be seen wherever anyone was. 

"What's going on?"

"Crap that's loud!"

"What's happening?"

"Calm down everyone." One student shouted amplifying his voice with energies in order for everyone to hear him. "That sound is some sort of a notice to all Inner Disciples. It sounded five times in total which means that there is an Emergency Mission. Wait for the announcement." 

Hearing this caused most of the Inner Disciples to calm down. Some were either annoyed, curious, apprehensive and etc. Other's not so much…

"Ahem…"

A rasp sound of someone clearing their throat sounded next to their ears, causing some disciples to jump in surprise.

"Everyone, listen carefully." The rasp voice said. "My name is Benjamin, Executive Elder of the Mission Hall. I am here to announce that there is an Emergency Mission issued by five War Gods." 

Upon hearing this, many disciples gasped. 

"Issued by five War Gods!? What the heck! I'm so curious."

"A mission issued by a War God is already bound to get tons of attention, not to mention five. Alright, let's hear it."

"Did something bad happened?"

"Tch, what a bad timing."

"This is ruining my practice."

The elder cleared his throat once more, causing the disciples to tone the talking down. 

"The Emergency Mission are as follows: Asphodel is facing a serious threat of being taken over. An army of devils reaching nearly millions in number were about to descend and lay waste on that place. We cannot allow their plans to succeed."

"Therefore, the War Gods have spoken. Those who are brave enough, arm yourself properly and go to Asphodel. Fight for our cause! Don't let the devils occupy Asphodel. This is a great chance for you to prove yourself and to earn Merit Points. The transmission gate is already prepared to transport you over to the outskirts. However, none of you are allowed to cross the Fog of Ruin unless you receive direct orders from the War Gods themselves. Anyone who does will be penalized or worst killed."

"That's is for the announcement." Benjamin concluded. "This message will repeat itself two more times, feel free to go or stay. Your choice."

The disciples were stunned at first. They heard the announcement repeating itself and that when some people moved. 

"Hey, are you going?" 

"Yep!"

"But the situation sounds ominous, are you sure?"

"Are you kidding me? Of course I'll go. Heck! I've been waiting for something like this." 

"What!? Why?"

"To earn merit points why else?" That student replied as if he just said something so obvious. "Look here, newbie. You're scared. I get it, I truly do. I was like you before. But thing is, being scared won't get you anywhere here. Fear won't make you stronger nor allow you to ear merit points to buy your cultivation needs. Killing devils on the other hand, does."

"From the moment we got accepted here and we wore this uniform. Slaying devils had become our duty and responsibility. There's no need to be afraid…" That student patted the shoulders of the scared disciple and smiled. "You're not alone in this fight."

***

"Is that enough?" Benjamin asked after making the announcement. He looked behind him and saw a crimson-haired beauty nodding at him. "Don't you think that this method of announcement is a little too unconvincing?"

"What? You plan on begging all the Inner Disciples to rush over and sacrifice themselves? Forget about moving them, I think it would even be counter-productive."

"But, if what you told me before was true then wouldn't we need all the help that we could?"

"Forcing those who are unwilling or scared will just end being killed worse, converted. Their army is large enough as it is, we don't want to just willingly offer the lives of the disciples to them." Anastasia explained. 

"Yes, what you said is true. We need all the help that we could, but if they'll ended up dying or converted due to us forcing them, then that wouldn't be considered as help. They will a burden and a casualty at the same time."

Anastasia looked over the window and saw numerous people with determined expression marching towards the transmission gate. A smile blossomed on her face, causing her beauty to intensify even more. 

"Give them a choice, don't force them." She said, "Behind the back of your enemy lies the path towards strength and there is fortune beyond the clouds of calamity. Those who doesn't have the will and determination to seek self-improvement will remain stuck at a bottleneck, only those who are brave enough to face dangers and go past their limits are the only ones worth nurturing."

"We can point them towards the way, but it's up to them if they want to go that way."

"In the end, what the sect wants are brave and battle hardened warriors who could relentlessly hunt the devils down and contribute to the greater good. How can they become experts without experience? Let them temper themselves and grasp the opportunity by their own hands. That…is the way forward."

Benjamin was shocked and speechless. Out of all people, Anastasia was the last person he's expecting to say these words. 

"I am awed by the wisdom behind your words, Madam."

"Ah! Those words aren't mine." Anastasia laughed, causing Benjamin's lips to twitch. "They're from a very interesting man. Hopefully, the father of my future child." 

Benjamin hurriedly turned around in order to hide his embarrassed face.