On the Eve

On top of the highest point in Eerie Island, which was a steppe hill situated on its northern coast, the figures of five people could be seen standing still while facing the east direction.

Like immovable mountains, their postures were ramrod straight as their gazing intensely at the Europa mainland, while completely unfazed by the heavy winds that blow near them.

Each of these five had a unique appearance and body features, indicating that they were from different races: Three people possessed huge and towering physiques, their monstrosity appearances could cause anyone who sees them shudders and be terrified, especially the 'bull-like' horns attached to their heads that looked so menacing and full of power. They were the members of the infamous Devil race, the same exact race that was notorious for being the harbinger of destruction to many worlds connected to Heavenly Tower's 1st layer.

The last two people basically have the same body type, which was almost strikingly similar to humans, but both of their skin colors were so pale and unhealthily white, combined with their piercing crimson eyes and devilishly handsome faces, these two males looked so elegant but kind of scary at the same time.

They were originating from the so-called Vampire race, legendary creatures who prefer to dwell in the dark and held an intense hatred for the sun. Their habits of drinking fresh blood from other living beings had made them a common enemy for many races. In addition, their arrogant and proud natures also contributed much to their evil reputation.

Vampires hailed from Balestier World, a beautiful and huge world where they lived together with other races such as humans, wood elves, and mermaids. But even there, their reputation was also at the rock-bottom, none of their neighbors hold a favorable impression towards them. In fact, just like most of the other worlds' inhabitants, they also view Vampires as vermin and filthy beings without any redeemable quality at all.

Vampires' notoriety was so great and far-spreading to the point that even merchants would refuse to do business with them. However, although they have many enemies, they have also maintained friendly relationships with several races that shared similar ideas and dispositions with them, and Devils was one of those races.

"Looks like the natives have started their movements." Said one of the Devils suddenly, who possessed the largest and most menacing double horns among the three.

"You're right, Dalgaroth. I must admit it, though. These natives are a bit competent than the ones we have conquered, they were able to discover our incursion this early. Well, I hope they do give us a good fight. It's getting boring fighting against weak worlds all the time." Another devil spoke up, his face was full of disdain and arrogance.

One of the vampires glanced at the two with a dissatisfied expression, "I urge you both not to underestimate this world's inhabitants. After all, this place has given birth to a Star-class powerhouse in less than 150 years after it was connected to Heavenly Tower and ushering in martial age… How many worlds do you think can achieve the same?"

Hearing that, the rest began to contemplate.

The vampire was certainly correct. There were uncountable numbers of worlds out there, no one knows for sure how many, just like stars that dotted the grand sky, one can't simply count them. And once in a while, the connection between a random world and Heavenly Tower will be established.

Each of these worlds was populated by different sentient races that mostly possessed their own unique civilizations and cultures. Most of the time, martial cultivation would be an entirely unknown concept to these natives, thus when they discovered for the first time that their world has been connected to Heavenly Tower, they might experiencing a very confusing cultural shock.

Moreover, a world like that was extremely fragile because it did not have any rankers who were strong enough to protect it, making it a ripe target for conquest by the inhabitants of the more 'senior' worlds.

Originally, Gaia was one of the examples of those worlds.

However, exactly 15 years ago, the 'newbie' world which hasn't been connected to Heavenly Tower for more than 150 years suddenly managed to produce a remarkable talent who successfully rose to Star-class, shocking many other worlds to the core.

Normally, it would take dozens of generations or even thousands of years for a newly-connected world to nurture such talent. But Gaia was able to do that in the span of mere one and a half-century!

That's why, even though right now this world only had a single Star-class ranker, the vampire felt his allies shouldn't underestimate the locals. He was afraid that such thinking would cloud their judgments, which can prove to be fatal.

Overconfident was the bane of logical thinking.

Then, he continued, "Besides, it looks like the country we're facing currently has employed mercenaries from Violet Global Security belongs to that hateful purple woman. I don't know which rankers they've sent, hence we cannot be careless."

"Hmm… You're right. Our spies in Heavenly Tower have also reported that rankers from Gaia's Association already on the move as well. Their destination seems to be home." The one who spoke was the third devil.

"So we're gonna fight a combined force, huh? Interesting… By the way, what's the order from Lord Lycidas?" The second vampire asked.

The first devil by the name of Dalgorath glanced at him and answered with a stern tone, "Defend the island at all cost. He ordered us to not lose it and must hold back the enemy as long as possible. Lord Lycidas is on the way here together with reinforcements."

"Hah! With the Lord here, I'm sure the battle will be a piece of cake." The second devil exclaimed arrogantly.

The first vampire was looking at him with a difficult face, he was unsure whether the devil's words would turn out to be true or not. Gaia's Star-class protector was nowhere to be found. In this invasion, they were especially wary of the person.

It was said that ranker was incredibly strong, not just an ordinary Star-class expert. However, both of the Devils' and Vampires' intelligence apparatus were unable to locate her.

She might be still within Heavenly Tower's 2nd layer, staying and living there. If that the case, then the situation will be extremely advantageous for them. Her absence will render Gaia defenseless, and five Diamond-class rankers would be totally useless once one of the Vampire race's Star-class powerhouse, Lycidas, who was also the one in charge of the incursion, arrive in the island.

The first vampire believes that everything will be smooth for his side, but he couldn't help but worried as well.

"Oh! Look! The natives are trying to bombard the island again." Said the second devil loudly.

The rest begin to shift their attention towards the eastern sky. And they saw hundreds if not thousands of what the natives called 'missiles' shooting through the air towards the island.

These weapons possessed explosive power comparable to high-level spells, extremely lethal and dangerous. Even Gold-class rankers would be killed instantly if they were directly hit by one of these missiles.

Although the missiles can't do anything to the three devils and two vampires since the five were exalted Diamond-class experts, the same thing cannot happen to their subordinates.

"Quick! Return to the fort and activate the formation. The battle officially starts." Dalgorath sternly gave the order.

And the other four nodded their heads before retreating to the fortress in hasty.

After seeing his allies have left, Dalgorath aimed his vision toward the mainland once again, and a sharp glint flashed before his eyes.

***

"So… the enemy is led by three members of the renowned fifteen Devil Lords and two Prince rank Vampires, and they have approximately almost two thousand rankers from three different worlds, all above Iron-class? This battle would be a tough one." Said a woman with fiery red hair, who was floating high above the ground. She was Mary, one of the Amethyst Queen's subordinates.

"Those devils and vampires really put Gaia on a pedestal, huh? They even sent five Diamond-class rankers just to command an early incursion. Tsk… tsk." Said another woman in a playful manner, she had a bob-cut silver hair and tall but slender body.

Just like Ramon and Mary, she too was a subordinate to Helena. Her name was Lydia.

Aside from both of them, Helena, Ramon, and the White Sage could be seen floating in nearby as well.

Flying for a long period of time using one's power was the ability that only Diamond-class or above rankers can have. Thus, it wasn't surprising to see these five floating in the air since all of them possessed adequate strength.

Meanwhile, below them, hundreds of hovercraft and other mixed types of boats were clustering together on the sea as they proceed towards the island, each of them carried numerous Arguna's soldiers, marines, along with members of JTF-10, the Association's rankers, and other support elements. Their main mission was to assault the island and establish a beachhead.

The operation has officially begun the moment Arguna's side launch a massive barrage of rockets and artilleries to the island. Unfortunately, once again, the fire mission went fruitless once the powerful formation array protecting the island revealed its impregnable might.

Helena glanced at her two subordinates and spoke, "Alright, enough chit chat. We need to destroy that array or we can forget about retaking the island."

After finished talking, she quickly took a large double-headed Battle Axe with a jet-black color from her Space Ring, a magical artifact in the form of a ring that could store myriads of items within the space inside.

The Battle Axe emitted an ominous aura that makes nearby people quite uncomfortable and fearful.

In addition, there were also purplish electrical currents flickering all over its body. One could easily see that this weapon was imbued with great prowess.

While this wasn't the first time for Ramon, Mary, and Lydia seeing their mistress's personal weapon, they still cannot stop themselves from shivering before its sight. Even the White Sage also had goosebumps from seeing it with his own eyes.

Even though the weapon was long, longer than even Helena's own body, and also looked heavy, Helena didn't have a problem wielding it by using only one hand. It was as if the Battle Axe was extremely light under her grasp.

Seeing that Helena had readied herself, the other four followed her suit, they too start to equip their respective weapons and gears.

"Old Sage, you're ready?" Helena asked.

The White Sage nodded with a serious face.

Helena then turned her attention toward her subordinates. And they too nodded while keeping silent, implying that they were ready as well.

"Good, let us begin then."

Afterward, the five dashed toward the target island, aiming to complete their task, which was destroying the enemy's formation array.