Chapter 143 - The Empty City Stratagem

Let's rewind time just a little.

Southeastern Orario.

Ruins of the Ancient City of Shurim.

This fortress, built in the center of a hill-plain, was surrounded by open terrain—no forest in sight.

It had once served as a defensive outpost in ancient times.

Its purpose was to protect the cities and villages behind it from monsters that emerged from the Dungeon.

Or to delay their advance.

Several similar forts were constructed around Orario for the same reason.

But now—

Most of those strongholds had long turned to rubble and ruin.

Only the ruins of Shurim still retained a functional wall and basic structure.

This was thanks to the once-glorious Lakia Kingdom, which, about a century ago, used it as a strategic outpost to invade Orario.

That history was the reason—

Why the War Game was set here as the battlefield.

Nearby towns and villages had already received notices from the Guild—

Warning all civilians to stay clear of the combat zone.

Even the bandits who had taken refuge inside the ruins were purged two days ago by the Ganesha Familia.

At this moment—

Inside the most prominent throne hall of the fortress's central tower.

"Raven, it's almost noon,"

Through the window—

Ryuu looked up at the clear blue sky, observing the sun's position.

"Is that so?"

A composed voice echoed calmly through the spacious hall.

His eyelids twitched lightly.

Seated upon the throne, Raven Eltharion slowly opened his eyes.

Ryuu wore a green mask over her face and was fully cloaked.

A hooded green mantle, draped with another cloak, concealed her form.

To anyone who didn't know her identity, she appeared completely mysterious.

Raven stood and moved his lips—

His voice cool and effortless:

"Ryuu, Mikoto. Let's go."

"To the ramparts."

"It's time to welcome our guests."

"Understood."

Mikoto, who had been waiting quietly, followed closely behind.

Just yesterday—

The Guild's bulletin board had posted a shocking announcement:

The Hestia Familia had officially gained a new member.

And more than that—

The Heavenly Feather Demon Lord had reached Level 3.

The moment this news came out, it stunned the entire city.

That speed of leveling…

Shattered every conventional belief of adventurers.

He truly was—

The man known as the Fastest Level-Up in history.

Upon reaching the top of the fortress walls—

Directly below them—

Was the massive gate to the city.

And that gate—

Was wide open.

Mikoto brought over a chair and table.

Raven took a seat.

Ryuu and Mikoto stood on either side of him.

From his inventory—

Raven took out a beautifully crafted guqin and placed it on the table.

He had commissioned this expensive instrument from Todd the day after the War Game was announced.

Its body was made of mithril—a metal lighter and stronger than iron, and easier to forge.

Embedded inside were three high-grade magic stones, valued at 80 million valis.

To the side of the table leaned two legendary weapons:

The Heavenly Feather Magic Staff (9.9 billion valis)

The Heavenly Feather Magic Sword (8.8 billion valis)

A quick summary of the Magic Sword's capabilities:

Attributes: Wind, Fire, Lightning, Water, Ice

Requires mana infusion to activate spells

Longsword-type magic weapon; unbreakable

Exceeds even [Crozzo's Magic Swords] in power when resonated

High effectiveness against enemy resistance

Classified as a dragon-slaying sword, able to pierce dragon-scale armor with ease

At that moment—

Divine Pressure radiating from the gods blanketed the area.

Raven could feel it clearly. Countless divine gazes were focused on him.

"Divine Mirrors, huh?"

He smirked lightly.

"They're here…"

Mikoto, who had been observing the plains, suddenly alerted him.

There were no hiding places across the flat plain—just a few scattered boulders.

And from 3,000 meters away, figures began to appear.

Over a hundred people emerged in formation.

It was the Apollo Familia, 180 members strong.

"Nervous?" Raven chuckled.

"Not at all."

Mikoto shook her head slightly.

Ryuu narrowed her eyes, gripping the twin kodachi gifted by Kaguya.

"Finish this quickly—break the gates with a magic sword!"

The charging army approached to just 0.8 kilometers from the fortress.

Daphne, one of the commanding officers, shouted her orders.

"W-Wait!"

"The gates… look like they're… already open?"

Daphne's eyes widened in disbelief.

What did this mean?

A trap?

Or did they give up defending?

The Apollo Familia forces halted in confusion.

But the pallum Luan grinned.

"There's only three of them in the whole fortress. What kind of trick could they possibly pull?"

"This works for us. Everyone, just storm the gate and crush them!"

But Daphne, ever the careful one, had a flash of doubt.

"Hold on—"

"Something's off."

Yamato Thorne scoffed, his eyes filled with disdain.

"Daphne, you're overthinking it."

"Everyone, follow my—"

Before he could finish—

A flowing, elegant melody began to echo from the fortress wall.

Everyone froze.

Not only the Apollo Familia—

Even all the spectators watching the War Game fell into stunned silence.

"W-What's going on…?"

"That Heavenly Feather Demon Lord… is he putting on a talent show?"

Ibri, the host, was frozen with a bewildered expression.

"Lord Ganesha, do you know what he's doing?"

"Is this a—Ganesha?"

"If you're not going to commentate, then please step down, Lord Ganesha!"

Back at the Guild's live broadcast area—

Their voices, amplified, echoed across the entire city.

At the same time—

30th floor, Tower of Babel.

"I get it now! He's pulling the Empty City Stratagem!"

One god shouted in excitement.

"What a classic move! But… what good will that do?"

"Yeah, they know exactly how many defenders are inside!"

"But still… that Demon Lord's playing is surprisingly good."

"Wait—"

"Look, everyone! He's doing something else now!"

In the Divine Mirror showing the fortress walls—

The Heavenly Feather Demon Lord stopped playing and began to sing:

"—Frozen strings awaken, thirteen measures shimmer with moonlight."

"—The notes of Shang split the dusk, the Gong scale seals drifting clouds."

"—Fall now, into the unending etchings of sound."

"[Heavenly Silken Nocturne]"

This was the third spell Raven had learned from Meteria's Grimoire.

---

Access more chapters at patreon.com/dzeref887