1073——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Zhuge Bu immediately set up a retrieval team for the Crystal Stele. He expected Dokgo Uncheon, Han Baek-ryeong, Cheon Woo-jin, and Seo Mun-hye to play the most crucial roles, so he quickly summoned them.

[Looks like something big is going down.]

Seeing Sagong Lin lying on the bed, Dokgo Uncheon spoke shortly. Then he turned to Zhuge Bu.

[Where do we have to go to find the Crystal Stele?]

“We’re still searching.”

[Is there a method?]

“Computer Person.”

At that, Dokgo Uncheon fell silent and then said,

[Didn’t you say AI development was still in its early stages?]

“Much progress has been made since you stepped down as Emperor of the Great Bear Empire. Thanks to Dr. Faust sharing a lot of information about gravitational theory, we’ve greatly advanced AI through alchemy. Currently, the computer can handle 27 petaflops of computation.”

Zhuge Bu continued,

“And to supplement the insufficient performance of the computer, Dr. Faust specially shared Mephistopheles’ brain. Initially, he ignored my request, but perhaps due to the invasion of the [Old Ruler], he permitted it… With this, we should be able to locate it.”

[I understand that AI has advanced quickly, but I still don’t get how we’ll find it.]

“I’ll start searching now.”

With a click, Zhuge Bu pressed a button on the electronic device, and a small girl hugging a raccoon doll appeared on the screen. Zhuge Bu then gave her a command.

“Computer, find the location of the Crystal Stele.”

[Executing command.]

Beep beep beep—

A mechanical sound rang out, and the screen briefly displayed the war territory of the Eurasian Continent. Numerous dots and lines appeared across the continent, glowing brightly until they eventually converged into one single dot. Once it focused into one point, the girl’s voice emitted a mechanical sound.

[Location: Neuhausen-Nymphenburg Palace. Underground floor 66 of the palace of the Duke of Bavaria, Maximilian II. City name: Munich.]

“…Understood. Well done, Computer.”

Buzz

The image of the computer vanished.

“This is how it works. We’re using this device to explore the distribution of resonance particles existing all around the world… The location has been pinpointed.”

Seo Mun-hye, who had been watching in fascination, spoke up.

“That’s impressive. Does that computer girl possess her will?”

“Unfortunately not. Although it’s an AI, it hasn’t surpassed the singularity yet and is merely an operating system with excellent computing power. Compared to a robust AI like Mephistopheles, it’s lacking. But I believe it’s still dozens of times faster than normal scientific advancement.”

“Then why does she look like a little girl?”

“It was made using important resources sent by Faust, and that was her basic form. When I asked, it appeared to be the likeness of Dr. Faust’s daughter when she was alive. It seems he honors his lost daughter.”

“Hmmm….”

Zhuge Bu continued speaking.

“The fact that it’s on underground floor 66 suggests it’s not built with human technology. The [Old Ruler]’s magical palace has surely been summoned into reality.”

[So, is it saying we need to go into the tiger’s den to catch the tiger? The Crystal Stele is being guarded by the [Old Ruler]?]

“That’s unknown. But one thing is for sure… If we let the Crystal Stele slip away like this, we stand no chance of winning. They could use it to devise all sorts of tactics.”

[What kind of tactics?]

“They could simultaneously summon millions of demon soldiers to launch an attack, or there’s even a chance to summon other [Old Rulers]. Artifacts like the Crystal Stele are incredibly rare in this world.”

[…Zhuge Bu. Then let’s use the computer to find the location of Peng Zuo as well.]

Dokgo Uncheon’s eyes glimmered.

[If we can even retrieve Peng Zuo, it would be half a victory.]

“Got it.”

Zhuge Bu then issued a command to search for Peng Zuo. Shortly after, the computer revealed Peng Zuo’s location, and Zhuge Bu’s face showed a hint of joy.

“He’s in Berlin. Then let’s reclaim Peng Zuo first.”

We must also retrieve the Crystal Stele, but the risk of doing that immediately is quite high due to the likelihood of the [Old Ruler] guarding it. It made more sense to handle the relatively easier target of Peng Zuo first.

[Sounds good. Let’s move out.]

Whoosh!!

The retrieval team of five, led by Dokgo Uncheon, set out. Though few in numbers, they were all exceptional fighters, so there wasn’t much to worry about. As expected, upon arriving in the demon-occupied Berlin, Zhuge Bu revealed Peng Zuo’s location with a spell, while the other four charged in, destroying everything in front of them.

Boom boom boom!!

At the forefront, Dokgo Uncheon was annihilating everything before him without a hint of fear, facing thousands of otherworldly foes. Following him, Han Baek-ryeong swung her twin swords, slicing through the enemy lines with her sword strength.

Fire Spirit Techniques

Thunderclap Flame Slash!

Swoosh

“……That’s some impressive power!”

Zhuge Bu, trailing behind, was astonished by the might of the Thunderclap Flame Slash. The current demon-infested Berlin felt like a living blob of malice—thousands of demons were incessantly spilling out. As the Thunderclap Flame Slash swept across one side of the city like a wave, all those beings momentarily disappeared!

‘Originally, Han Baek-ryeong’s ultimate technique wasn’t even this powerful. Has she taken it to the next level?’

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but Zhuge Bu felt that Han Baek-ryeong was qualitatively different from previous Dharma Guardians or Heavenly Spirit Pill cultivators. Meanwhile, Cheon Woo-jin, who had followed somewhat absent-mindedly, began shouting in frustration.

“Uwaaaaaaa!! Damn it! I don’t want to work! But once this is over, it’s a 100-year vacation!”

Whoosh

Cheon Woo-jin obliterated waves of evil entities using illusion techniques. To say he was an invincible shield wouldn’t be an exaggeration, allowing their allies to fight without any significant tension. Zhuge Bu then remarked to Cheon Woo-jin.

“Cheon Woo-jin. First time hearing that! Did His Majesty really say something about a 100-year vacation…? ”

Cheon Woo-jin gritted his teeth as he yelled.

“ Of course, he will!! I’m working so hard, there’s no way he wouldn’t give it to me?! Right? Morally speaking.”

“……”

“If they don’t offer that much, it’s basically labor exploitation!”

What a futile hope…

Zhuge Bu glanced at Cheon Woo-jin with pity, realizing it was time to organize the situation. Thanks to the formidable allied forces overwhelming the demon city, the dark forces in Berlin were beginning to recede, slowly releasing their otherworldly grip.

Sssss….

“Looks like Peng Zuo is here.”

After a moment, Zhuge Bu used a spell to open the barrier to subspace, retrieving Peng Zuo from inside. However, his face scrunched up due to the stench.

“Ugh.”

Peng Zuo’s entire body was decomposing, covered in filth and blood like a scab. Tentacles were sprouting from the wounds all over his body, and grotesque demon eyes seemed to have attached themselves, as if he had been consumed by the otherworldly flesh.

“Whew… Hehe… Hehe….”

What kind of torture had he endured? Peng Zuo’s mind had completely shattered, leaving him in a state where he couldn’t even utter divine speech. Captured by genuine demonic beings, he had most likely seen a living hell that surpassed all expectations. Looking at that sight, Dokgo Uncheon remarked.

[Where did all the ancient treasures go? There’s nothing important here.]

“Wait. Clearly, when we searched with the computer, we detected the essence of the treasures at Peng Zuo’s location. Why….”

Feeling perplexed for a moment, Zhuge Bu suddenly had a realization.

“Could it be!”

With sharp eyes, he stared at Peng Zuo and then swung his sword, severing his neck. From Peng Zuo’s mouth, a divine incantation flowed out—one of the techniques from Baek Woong’s memories regarding celestial spells, the Breaking Soul technique. After years of training, Zhuge Bu infused that power into his blade.

“I break all techniques.”

Swish!

The moment Peng Zuo’s head floated into the air, Zhuge Bu reached for the severed neck and forcefully yanked something out.

Crack

“The Essence of the Fusion Mountain!”

What clattered into his hands, stained with fresh blood, was none other than the legendary ancient treasure, the Essence of the Fusion Mountain! Unusually, even as it was plucked out from Peng Zuo’s throat, his body wasn’t shattered to bits. Zhuge Bu holding the Essence, addressed Dokgo Uncheon.

“This guy must have devoured it to prevent losing the ancient treasure, melding it with his own flesh. The demon lords must have been torturing him alive while extracting the essence of denial flowing out.”

[He might have been able to pull it out, but it probably wasn’t worth the trouble, so they just tortured him.]

“…I should make it easier for him.”

For a moment, Zhuge Bu allowed his sword to envelop Peng Zuo in the Breaking Soul technique, slashing wildly.

“Grrhh! Ugh! Guhhh!!”

Despite being torn apart, Peng Zuo seemed to smile in a way that suggested he had given up on everything, and that smile looked like pure despair. A moment later, Zhuge Bu successfully extracted all the ancient treasures from Peng Zuo’s body.

“Self-inflicted consequences. May you find peace.”

Fwoosh

As Han Baek-ryeong’s flames engulfed Peng Zuo’s body, they returned to their main camp. First, Zhuge Bu began checking the retrieved ancient treasures one by one before issuing the next operation plan.

“We need to equip these ancient treasures. After gearing up, we will familiarize ourselves with their usage before launching the operation to reclaim the Crystal Stele. I believe the plan requires a feigned assault tactic.”

[Equip them? The usage of ancient treasures is very tricky. I’ve learned the methods through Baek Woong’s memories, but it will take at least several days’ time to become proficient, and we don’t have that long.]

“Still, we must do it. If we charge recklessly without preparation and encounter Halchi Olleifra….”

Zhuge Bu hesitated for a moment.

“It’s risky. We absolutely need those ancient treasures. Find a way to equip them.”

[Specifically, how is it risky?]

“What I witnessed of Halchi Olleifra’s powers is….”

As Zhuge Bu continued explaining, everyone was shocked. Even the most confident Dokgo Uncheon showed signs of distress.

[No matter how vast the world is, how could there be such creatures? The world of darkness truly is a chaos zone.]

“Dokgo Uncheon. If you put forth your full effort, you might be able to fight him on similar footing. However, he has even greater strength… We must unite together and use the ancient treasures to amplify our potential!”

[Alright. I’ll follow your lead, Zhuge Bu.]

“We might even encounter the true form of the [Old Ruler] briefly. This battle will likely become the largest since the founding of the Great Bear Empire.”

Once the operation plan was set, Baek Woong’s companions moved very quickly. Without wasting time, they learned the ignition methods for the ancient treasures and concentrated on practice. Meanwhile, they also kept a watchful eye on whether Nazi Germany was preparing for an attack.

Thus, eight tense days passed.

‘If only time could continue to pass like this….’

The longer time stretched, the more advantageous it would be for the Great Bear Empire. If time passed a year at this rate, then by then, Sagong Lin would have sufficiently recovered her strength and be able to rise again. However, Zhuge Bu’s hopes were rendered pointless due to a sudden calamity.

“Countless monsters have appeared nationwide, creating chaos!”

“…….”

“We can hardly maintain order, let alone eliminate these monsters….”

Zhuge Bu gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath. This was a situation he had anticipated.

“They’ve summoned millions of demon soldiers and otherworldly beings to our land using the Crystal Stele all at once…”

“What!?”

“No. First, send orders to all the Lords nationwide to defend the inner city without exception. Everything will end today.”

“Honor!”

Zhuge Bu issued his command and rallied the allies.

“Our victory conditions rely on eliminating the Apostle Halchi Olleifra and annihilating the true form of the [Old Ruler]. However, this is essentially a difficult task. Initially, our goal should be to reclaim the Crystal Stele from their base. Just snatching the Stele away will count as half a success, so don’t push yourselves too hard.”

[Understood.]

“We will instantly gather all elite troops from the Great Bear Empire in one spot through the Transference Gate to divert the enemy’s attention while we infiltrate. Let’s move out!”

Whoosh!!

Thus, the assault on Munich began.

Zhuge Bu swiftly transported the meticulously selected elite legion from across the Great Bear Empire using the Transference Gate. The total number of troops was 200,000, all armed with the latest scientific weapons and sorcery battalions, with Peak Experts and Peak Masters also in abundance. As the elite legion of the Great Bear Empire awaited out front, a massive army of otherworldly beings revealed themselves on the plains near Munich.

Roar…

‘There are so many…’

Counting was pointless. The allied 200,000 soldiers appeared as just a fraction, implying at least 500,000 enemy soldiers or more, making even such estimates seem trivial. Zhuge Bu used magic to call out to the Great Bear soldiers.

[Soldiers of the Empire, do you know what we are fighting against?]

No answer came back. A deathly silence swept across the battlefield.

Zhuge Bu continued speaking.

[What we fight against is this world’s darkness, fate, and the future! Those monsters are born from darkness and combating them is the destiny of our Great Bear Empire. And if we win this battle, the future will come!]

As he spoke, a sudden thought crossed Zhuge Bu’s mind.

‘…You and I are in the same situation.’

Yes. We are in the same situation.

A common pawn for the reincarnated Baek Woong, a small cog in the machine, and just a mere pebble in the tide of time. While there are differences in capabilities, everyone ends up being consumed by the passage of time. Even now, the 200,000 elite troops gathered here are not aiming to exterminate the enemy, but simply acting as fodder to shift the attention of the enemy, allowing our elite to reclaim the Crystal Stele.

But…

‘Does that make their lives pointless and futile?’

In the face of this internal question, the past Zhuge Bu would have likely answered affirmatively. In the cold logic of a strategist, everything would be reduced to mere chess pieces for the king’s victory. But now…

It was no longer easy to think that simply.

Because he had gained a broader perspective.

“……”

Zhuge Bu found himself momentarily at a loss for words due to a sudden wave of emptiness.

Murmuring….

As Zhuge Bu’s silence stretched on, the soldiers of the Great Bear Empire began to murmur restlessly.

Zhuge Bu turned his gaze to the soldiers standing in formation. Some had automatic rifles, while others carried spears or swords on their backs. However, what shone in their eyes was pure fighting spirit.

While staring at them, Zhuge Bu had forbidden thoughts as a strategist.

‘I want to imbue them with meaning beyond efficiency.’

They were alive.

Living human lives—each of their lives, even if deemed as mere weeds.

Zhuge Bu wanted to provide them with pride.

Because he was the same as they were.

Zhuge Bu swiftly discarded the speech he had memorized and, with no script, poured out his feelings spontaneously.

[The first Emperor, Baek Woong, declared that he would never give up… and we, upholding that will, live as humans. To never relinquish the right to live as humans is the pride of those living in the Great Bear Empire!]

Zhuge Bu’s eyes reddened.

He bit his lip tightly and then erupted with a blood-curdling scream.

[Do you understand? To protect your pride and dignity, you must fight! That is the law of this world!]

Zhuge Bu’s hand rose sharply, fist clenched.

[So fight! Show those monsters that we are the strongest troops of the Great Bear Empire!]

Ooooh!!!

At that moment, the morale soared high. The 200,000 elite troops were among the finest within the millions of the Great Bear Empire’s forces, having undergone intense training and possessing exceptional patriotism. Moreover, Zhuge Bu’s words had become a command that powerfully suggested the troops.

Whoosh!!

At the outbreak of war, Zhuge Bu and his comrades instantly teleported to Munich. And as soon as they reached the entrance of Nymphenburg Palace, they wiped out all the demon beasts nearby with a single spell.

“Charge!”

Boom!

High-ranking otherworldly beings were shredded apart at Zhuge Bu’s concentration. After years of training, Zhuge Bu’s magical abilities had reached the level of Great Immortal. Just as Zhuge Bu and his fellows attempted to enter Nymphenburg, someone blocked their way.

Swish…

“Oh dear. You can’t enter from here.”

“……”

“Hehe, it’s been a while.”

Zhuge Bu glared at the being obstructing his party’s path and spoke.

“Demon King Zhuge Sa.”