System's POV

Chapter 1310: The Day Of Reckoning [Part 3]

Two hours before the all-out war started…

“Master, the Azothralls with golden and red patterns have started to pull out,” Tiona reported. “Only those with green patterns remain here under the ground.”

“Thank you for the report,” Thirteen replied. “Please return here for the time being. Also, tell Rocky and the others to rest for now. I believe the real battle will finally start in a few hours.”

“Understood.” Tiona then cut off her connection with Zion and relayed his order to the rest.

As soon as their discussion ended, Zion immediately ordered the Commanders of the Army to head to the palace for an emergency meeting.

This wasn’t the first time they held such a meeting, and they knew its significance, so the Commanders rushed to the palace as fast as they could.

As soon as everyone was gathered, Thirteen decided to share his conclusion.

“The High-Ranking Azothralls of the Rebel Army have been pulled back from the battlefield,” Thirteen reported. “I believe this is a sign that they will seriously attack Velgrande with conquest in mind.”

“You mean, they will now try to teleport directly inside the city?” Rana asked.

She did her best to keep her voice calm, but everyone noticed the tinge of anxiety contained within it.

That was enough for the Commanders to look grim, for this was a very important matter.

“Indeed.” Thirteen nodded. “I believe that they now plan to teleport inside the city with their elite forces. Today may be the day when the decisive battle starts.”

A heavy silence fell over the room as Thirteen’s words sank in.

Each Commander’s mind raced, anticipating the chaos that would erupt once the Celestials and their elite army appeared within the city walls.

Just like what the teenage boy had said, today might be the day when the conclusion of this month-long war would finally come to an end.

“Ladies and gentlemen, do not think of unnecessary thoughts,” Thirteen stated. “We have prepared for this war, and we will win. There will be no other conclusions aside from this.”

Thirteen’s confident voice spread inside the room, easing the anxious hearts of the Commanders.

They even felt a little ashamed for worrying too much while their Supreme Commander, who was several years younger than they, sounded calm and even confident about their chances of winning.

“I’ve already told you what to do if they successfully teleported inside the city,” Thirteen added. “Don’t worry. They have two Celestials on their side, and we also have two Celestials on our side.

“As for the High Archons and Archons who are part of their team, leave them all to our warriors. Rest assured, we will emerge victorious.”

Thirteen didn’t mention that inside the palace was a third Celestial who would assist them when the time was right.

Queen Miriamele was actually no longer in the Inner Palace but in one of the rooms overlooking the city.

From there, she would be able to act accordingly if the worst-case scenario happened.

As for Cranky, he was still submerged inside the medicinal pool that helped him recover from his injuries.

Until the enemies truly breached their defenses, he would remain there, recovering as much as possible until his turn to fight arrived.

“Everyone, go back to your stations,” Thirteen declared. “A few minutes from now, we will raise the threat level to a Red Alert.”

Rana and the Commanders nodded and hurriedly returned to their respective areas. Words of the all-out battle spread like wildfire, and these made the soldiers feel anxious.

However, Thirteen’s voice spread across the Aether Channel, telling them that this would be a war that would end all wars, and everyone present would become part of history.

After doing his best to calm the hearts of the soldiers, Thirteen met with Cranky and Queen Miriamele to tell them about the status of the battlefield.

“Are you worried?” Queen Miriamele asked as she hugged Zion.

“No,” Thirteen replied. “Actually, I’m glad that this war will finally reach a conclusion.”

“Even if the Infernals arrive?” Queen Miriamele arched an eyebrow.

“We will cross that bridge when we get there, Mom,” Thirteen answered. “For now, let’s focus on the enemies before us.”

“Right. I’ll make sure to keep you safe, Zion.”

“Thank you.”

While Thirteen and the Queen were keeping each other company, Stella also kept her two little sisters company.

The three of them were at the highest tower of the palace, and the two gluttons were filling their table with snacks they took out from their pockets.

“How did all of these fit in your pockets?” Stella asked in confusion. “You didn’t steal these snacks anywhere, did you?”

“Of course, we didn’t steal these snacks, sister,” Maple replied with a face filled with injustice.

“This Old God gave us a divine skill that allows us to take out snacks from our pockets,” Cinnamon pouted. “We don’t steal food, sister. Mama and Papa told us that stealing is bad.”

“Okay, I’m sorry.” Stella apologized. “But the two of you sure are eating a lot.”

“It’s because we might not have time to eat later, sister,” Maple replied. “Today’s battle will be the real deal.”

Stella’s expression turned serious after hearing her sister’s words. Although Maple and Cinnamon weren’t seers, they had this uncanny ability to predict things.

It was also that same power that made them realize that she was in danger, which was why they appeared during the war against the Artemians in order to save Stella and bring her back to their home world.

“Do both of you really plan to stay here?” Stella asked. “It will get really dangerous if your hunch is right.”

“Cinnamon thinks that we should stay here to protect you, sister,” Cinnamon answered. “Don’t worry, we will keep you safe.”

Stella didn’t know how to feel about being protected by her little sisters. However, since the two gluttons were powerful beyond their age, she believed that they would keep their promise.

She just couldn’t help but worry. If something happened to them, she wouldn’t be able to face their parents. After all, the twins had insisted on coming to accompany her.

As Stella brooded, feeling troubled, she suddenly sensed a shift in the tension in the air.

Maple and Cinnamon also perked up, looking beyond the walls of the city.

They could feel it.

The unnerving calm before a violent storm.

Stella tried one last time to convince her two sisters to leave, but they stood their ground and even offered her some snacks to calm her down.

While all of this was happening, a red-headed Half-Elf was busy taking long-distance pictures of his daughters, which he planned to show to his wives when he got home.

Everyone in the battlefield looked tense, but he and the old man beside him were just chilling, waiting for the final battle to start.