Chapter 413 - 285: Bartley

Their mission was even more critical: to clear out the last remaining Demons in the Hengduan Mountain Range and close the Space Channel.

The only cause for concern was the Balrog Flame Demon. In the Abyss, it was a true Legendary Creature. Fatir and Bodoff were both High Tier Casters, and Mandela’s own Combat Qi had reached a Master Level comparable to theirs.

But none of them could guarantee they could deal with it.

...

「Meanwhile, within the Hengduan Mountain Range.」

This mountain range stretched across the entire border of the Debei Southern Territory, completely separating the Holy Sith Kingdom from the Southern Territory.

It was filled with vast pine forests, with trees so thick it would take two people to encircle their trunks. The mountains were rugged and craggy, teeming with wild beasts, and even Magical Beasts could be seen everywhere in its depths.

Unfortunately, at this moment, most of the mountain range had fallen into the hands of the Demons.

At its center stood a massive stone gate, over ten blades high, its four sides emitting a strange red glow. If one looked closely, they would see that beyond it lay a barren wasteland filled with lava and yellow sand.

Countless Demons were eagerly looking out toward the verdant mountain forest on the other side. Their scarlet eyes, filled with greed and ferocity, were enough to make one’s scalp tingle and tremble in fear.

Starting from this Teleportation Gate, the surrounding giant trees had all been felled, clearing out an area that was paved with stone.

And in the center of this area stood a tall White Bone Throne. A massive, terrifying figure stood upon it, looking down at two silhouettes below.

It was a creature with a pair of ox-like horns. Its arrogant expression was enough to make anyone lower their head, and the wings on its back were broad enough to cover its entire body.

The monster had a terrifying figure; even while seated, it was still three blades high. Its body was like a piece of Fine Steel, tempered a thousand times over, as if the Gods had poured all their meticulous craft into its creation.

It wore a suit of Armor that flowed with a bright red light, forged from Abyssal Hell Ingot. Besides being indestructible, it could also amplify its own Fire Element Spells.

A massive Flame Sword, taller than the creature itself by two heads, was plunged into the ground by its feet. It likely weighed over ten thousand pounds. Only a being with world-destroying Power could wield it so effortlessly as a weapon.

"Insignificant and lowly creature, report your identity to me." The massive, terrifying figure’s voice was like rolling thunder in a dark, rainy night sky. Its gaze looked down on everything, like a Giant from atop Thunder Cliff surveying the ants below.

This figure was indeed the Balrog Flame Demon guarding the Teleportation Gate. Only a top-tier Warrior among Demons could possess such a world-destroying presence.

"We are followers of the Faceless God, a group of pitiable people who wander in the darkness with nowhere to go," the hooded figure below replied respectfully, kneeling on the ground.

"Why don’t you dare show your true faces?" its voice boomed, like the fury of celestial thunder.

"My lord, we are followers of the Faceless God. Our faces are unbearably ugly; showing them would insult your noble and esteemed status," the slender figure replied, neither servile nor overbearing.

"State your purpose, and take off that secretive hood!" The Balrog Flame Demon seemed to believe his words, sneering as it said, "If you’ve come to scout this place to close the Teleportation Gate, or are brazen enough to seek profit for yourselves, then I, Bartley Fiat, Marshal of the Western Demon Army, ’Abyssal Melting Soul,’ will roast you weak little insects with scorching flames until you’re nothing but grilled meat to feed my Abyss Melting Dogs!"

"Allow me to explain, my lord!" The hooded man removed his hood, revealing a face with no eyebrows or nose. Even his remaining eyes and mouth were twisted and extremely ugly.

"We dare not oppose you. We have come here to help you successfully enter this world."

"Ever since the God we believe in was desecrated and sealed away by humans, we have hated them to the core! We think of nothing else but how to destroy those damned blasphemers."

"What a truly hideous group of creatures!" Bartley exclaimed, in a tone that was part lament, part mockery.

It was unclear if it was mocking them for plotting against their own kind, or if it simply couldn’t stand the sight of their weak and incompetent appearance.

"I know of the God you worship. Its goals are aligned with ours," Bartley said first, before continuing, "But you lowly creatures, how dare you speak of helping us? You’re not even worthy of being called dogs!"

"My lord, please allow me to explain. We are not underestimating you," the hooded man continued. "Your power is undeniable, but that fortress is too sturdy. It cannot be breached by manpower alone. Moreover, the humans have already dispatched reinforcements who will arrive any day now. The situation will only become more critical then."

"Therefore, we have decided to help you open the city gates and finish off these humans once and for all!"

"Oh?" Bartley was a little surprised.

It was no fool. They had been attacking the White Bone Fortress for so long without success, partly because it itself had to remain here to guard the gate, but it was also a testament to how easily defended and difficult to assail the fortress was.

Opening the city gates was inherently dangerous; after all, there was still a large number of those damned humans inside the city.

If they really did manage to open it, allowing the demons to seize the fortress and defend from within, they would be in an invincible position from the outset.

It was worth taking some risks to buy time and allow the Teleportation Gate to be fully stabilized.

"When do you plan to act?" it asked.

"The plan is for tonight, when the moon is high and the night-crier insects fall silent," the hooded man said with a respectful expression.

"I accept your offer, you lowly ant," Bartley decided quickly. "Sign this contract. Then you may go rejoice, leap for joy, and be eternally grateful. This is my gift to you."

With a wave of its hand, a pre-written contract appeared. It first signed its name before tossing it down below.

This was an Abyssal Soul Blood Contract. Once signed, neither party could violate it. Anyone who did would suffer consequences they would regret for the rest of their lives.

Bartley wouldn’t trust a human so easily, so it sneered as it looked down at the hooded man kneeling on the ground.

Its massive hand was already gripping the hilt of its Flame Sword. If the human below showed the slightest hesitation,

then its "Digen’s Howl" would send him to Hell!

But to its surprise, the man showed no hesitation whatsoever, quickly signing his name to the contract, which was tantamount to a slave pact.

The contract transformed into two balls of light that shot into each of their heads. Bartley could feel that the contract had taken effect; they were both now constrained by a special Power.

"Very good. Human, I hope you can truly do as you’ve said." Bartley was somewhat surprised, but seeing the man actually sign the contract, its tone softened slightly, though the arrogance on its face grew even more pronounced.

The hooded man bowed respectfully before turning to leave.

The Balrog Flame Demon watched until the man’s back vanished from sight before turning its gaze to the horizon.

Only five more days. By then, the Teleportation Gate would be reinforced and completely stabilized. More powerful Demons would be able to pass through, unlike now, where the weakness of the Space Gate only permitted the passage of scrawnier ones.

...

The battle on the main front was just as intense, with both sides desperately trying to push the battle line into enemy territory.

Here, life and blood were as cheap as air, expended at an astonishing rate with every passing moment.

On this vast battlefield, High Cliff Castle was like a reef in the ocean, standing firm no matter how the storms raged or the great waves crashed against it.

If the Six-armed Snake Demons could still put up a bit of a fight, the common Demons were utterly powerless to resist. The Beastman Barbarians didn’t even have to target them specifically; a casual swing of their Giant Axes could slice them in half one after another.

The Lord stood guard before a gap intentionally left in High Cliff Castle’s steel formation. Every swing of his sword sent fresh flesh and severed limbs flying, and countless corpses had already carpeted the ground.