Mushoku Tensei: Reincarnated as a Beast Race Chapter 364 364: 364 - Upheaval

Time flew by, and the atmosphere across the Six-Faced World grew increasingly tense.

Gradually, a palpable sense of an immense event unfolding permeated every continent, albeit in different ways.

On the Demon Continent, where the Kingdom of Gaia already held considerable sway, all major factions were on high alert, preparing for potential conflict.

This readiness extended beyond their own borders, encompassing all territories. The Kingdom's significant advantage stemmed from its advanced Teleportation Circles and Magic Words, which granted them unparalleled speed in movement and communication.

Furthermore, numerous Demon Kings and powerful subordinates had been directly enlisted for the war mobilization. They were already en route to the southern continent's deserts, with the formidable Immortal Demon King Atoferatofe and her devoted subordinate, Moore, commanding particular attention.

In the deep reaches of the Ringus Sea, the Sea Race also responded to the call. Their warriors were dispatched to bolster the Begaritt campaign, led by the skilled Crab Warrior Ku.

Unbeknownst to many of them, the notorious Pistol Shrimp had embarked on a covert and singular mission, a detail known only to Aisha and Jogord.

Further south, on the Central Continent, particularly within the King Dragon Kingdom, the unrest was equally pronounced.

An influx of foreign entities and formidable warriors traversing their lands simultaneously led to various troubles.

The young King Richard Kingdragon, now sixteen, had only recently solidified his reign and political standing with the assistance of the Iron Legion. Navigating this turmoil without offending any major powers presented a significant challenge.

Despite these complexities, the Continent of Gaia undeniably stood as the central hub of this large-scale mobilization.

This was primarily due to the concentration of most powerful affiliated warriors and fighters within the Kingdom of Gaia.

Adding to this strategic importance was the current Dragon Knights Division, stationed in close proximity to the Kingdom's capital. This division boasted over a hundred dragons, encompassing young and adult specimens of various colors and sizes.

Each of these dragons was a potent beast, ranked A or even S. Since the mobilization commenced, dozens of dragons had been observed streaking majestically through the skies above Tinaver's capital at high velocity, with more than ten making the journey to Begaritt daily.

The ports and seas mirrored this heightened activity, bustling more than ever.

A maritime power of such magnitude rarely committed such an extraordinary number of ships to the sea. Vessels arrived from all directions towards the deserts of Begaritt, brazenly announcing with audacious arrogance that entire cities would face evacuation without prior notice.

Such an undertaking would have been logistically insurmountable for any other Kingdom or Empire.

However, Gaia's Legions were equipped with mass transport capabilities, ample supplies, escorts comprising powerful warriors, and colossal, fearsome beasts that they treated as mere companions.

Even when local powers attempted to resist out of sheer obstinacy, their strength was consistently insufficient to mount any truly impactful opposition.

It was this operational method—efficient, militarized, and assertive—that elicited surprise, anger, shock, and even admiration from the inhabitants of the Begaritt Continent.

The primary reason for their astonishment was that the proclaimed motive for the evacuation sounded utterly preposterous.

The so-called "invaders" asserted they faced imminent total extinction.

This claim was difficult for many to accept at face value.

How was one expected to react when an army arrived, calmly declaring that their entire continent might cease to exist?

From that viewpoint, an all-out war between the two factions would have seemed entirely justifiable.

Yet, fundamental differences existed between them, preventing such an escalation from occurring easily.

In terms of logistics, order, routes, supplies, and security, the Kingdom of Gaia's armies were demonstrably superior in their preparedness.

This advantage was evident whether through specialized magical items or Mages capable of executing Chantless Magic.

However, the most decisive factor—the element that truly persuaded many peoples to yield without significant resistance—was the potent combination of their strength and unwavering unity.

The Begaritt Continent was globally recognized as the second most perilous. Its monsters were formidable, and its sparse cities and villages were scattered precisely due to the prevalence of these creatures and the harsh desert environment.

These harsh conditions rendered any substantial alliance or genuine unity among different peoples incredibly challenging. Many individuals spent their entire lives confined to their own cities, never venturing beyond their immediate surroundings.

Even setting these inherent difficulties aside, one of the most compelling factors that swayed the native populations almost instantaneously was the seamless manner in which large evacuation divisions from the Kingdom of Gaia traversed the deserts, suffering minimal casualties and facing little genuine hardship.

The most striking observation was their unfamiliarity with the desert environment. Many inhabitants were taken aback by the Iron Legion soldiers' profound lack of basic desert survival skills. In many ways, they demonstrated such ignorance that the natives genuinely questioned how such a group could endure, let alone flourish, in such a setting. Skepticism lingered until, with their own eyes, they began to witness events that grew increasingly bizarre as the evacuation escort progressed. An immense Blazing King Salamander, a Rank S beast towering over fifty meters, attacked a convoy, only to be obliterated by a single projectile from a gargantuan mobile Ballista, the bolt piercing its skull effortlessly. On another occasion, a horde of Rank B Humerus Wolves launched a large-scale assault, only to be annihilated by a seemingly ordinary human swordsman. Was the convoy experiencing thirst? No issue. A Magical Jug, capable of holding the water of an entire river without depletion, provided a constant supply of fresh water. The sheer disparity in power, knowledge, technology, confidence, and the mysterious, unyielding might of their 'captors' ultimately subdued any thought of resistance far more effectively than any verbal persuasion could. Faced with such overwhelming evidence, numerous desert dwellers accepted the evacuation orders with a much greater ease than they would have under any other circumstances. Naturally, the process was not entirely devoid of difficulties and obstacles. However, this was precisely the reason for the monumental scale of the mobilization. Across the entire world, a solitary civilization remained completely unaffected by the ongoing conflicts, regardless of any external tensions. These were the towering peaks of the Heaven Continent. Their entrenched isolationist policy, after all, continued to serve them exceptionally well. ---- Within the opulent Silver Palace of the Asura Kingdom, standing before Queen Ariel Anemoi Asura, was one of Her Majesty's Seven Knights. A youthful knight, adorned with blue hair and eyes matching the same hue. The Water Emperor, Isolte Cruel. Accompanying Ariel was another of Asura's esteemed Seven Knights, and concurrently their commander: Sándor Von Grandeur, the formidable Second North God. Ariel, while appearing even more captivating and seasoned than in years past, had undergone no fundamental alteration. Her commanding charisma remained as potent as ever, as dazzling as when she first ascended the throne. In truth, it could be more accurately stated that she had only grown more enchanting with the passage of time. Then, with a voice as soothing as a siren's enchanting melody, she addressed the assembled company across the grand Hall: "Have you reached your final decision, Isolte?" The young knight maintained eye contact with Ariel for a beat longer before offering a subtle inclination of her head. "I have, Your Majesty. My departure is set for this very evening." Ariel let out a soft sigh. Beside her, Sándor erupted into boisterous laughter. "Hahahah! Young individuals today are truly impetuous! Very well, I wish you the best of fortune in your endeavors, Lady Isolte. Now that that woman has regained her youth, I truly grasp the idiom she perpetually employs—'as vigorous as a bull'! Hahaha!" Ariel's eyebrows twitched instantaneously, and she redirected her gaze towards Sándor. He ceased his laughter abruptly and attempted to recompose himself, adopting a serious demeanor. Ariel felt a burgeoning headache. Her most reliable personal protector was departing. This was not due to Isolte being the most powerful among all her knights. Rather, in matters of defense, she was undeniably the most effective, a direct consequence of her mastery over the Water God Style. The crux of the issue was that Ariel found herself unable to prevent Isolte's departure, even if she harbored the desire to do so. First and foremost, Isolte had chosen to remain in the Kingdom to serve her of her own volition, propelled by a noble and fervent aspiration to aid her people during their most dire hour. And throughout the years of her service, this was precisely the commitment she had upheld. Presently, the Kingdom stood far more stable and was more firmly under Ariel's dominion. And Isolte, in her capacity as a Knight, had contributed immensely to this stability, both through her formidable strength and by serving as an emblem of uprightness and rectitude amongst the Kingdom's soldiery. Ariel already counted herself fortunate that Isolte harbored no intentions of desertion. Consequently, she could not genuinely impede her from pursuing her ultimate objective. Nevertheless, she ventured one final plea to dissuve her: "Are you certain of your ability to vanquish Reida Lia? She occupies a significantly elevated position even within the Kingdom of Gaia. Ascending to the mantle of the Water God will prove no simple feat... and then there is that new young man at the Sword Sanctuary, what was his name again...?" She looked towards Sándor, her expression questioning. He responded without hesitation: "Ajax, Your Majesty. He appears to wield a Demonic Magic Sword and employs Chantless Magic in conjunction with Sword God Style swordsmanship. His affiliations remain unconfirmed, but his prowess is exceedingly formidable." Ariel nodded slowly. "What I am conveying is that, even should you defeat your grandmother, there remains no definitive assurance that you will be capable of seizing the Sword Sanctuary from that young man and restoring it to the Water God Style..."

Isolte offered only a blank stare, her expression unchanging.

The same resolute reply was uttered once more:

"Whether victory is possible, I shall discover upon arrival. However, my decision is already made, Your Majesty."

A smile touched Sándor's lips as he glanced towards Ariel.

The queen still harbored reservations, but after a moment's hesitation, she relented from further persuasion.

"Very well. May your journey be safe..."

In response, Isolte offered a subtle inclination of her head.

Without further ado, she departed the Hall.

Her footsteps gradually receded, leaving Ariel and Sándor as the sole occupants.

The instant Isolte was out of earshot, Ariel settled back against the throne, her demeanor shifting to one of grave concern.

"What is the current state of affairs in Begaritt?"

Sándor replied with practiced calm, his hands clasped behind his back:

"Lord Rudeus, Lord Ruijerd, Lady Sylphiette, and Alek are presently engaged in exploring the Ever-White Labyrinth. Due to the perceptive Demon Eyes possessed by Lord Ruijerd, Lord Rudeus, and Lady Sylphiette, they are adept at circumventing traps and avoiding significant confrontations. Nevertheless, reports indicate a continuously escalating and unmanageable convergence of adventurers in the vicinity. Conservative estimates suggest that approximately seventy percent of all adventurers and mercenaries on the Begaritt Continent have been mobilized due to the Resurrection Stones, not to mention those who traveled from beyond its borders."

Ariel contemplated the information.

"And what of the armed forces commanded by the Treasure Mage?"

Sándor's brow furrowed.

"That is the most peculiar aspect. The troops under his command are vastly more numerous and formidable than expected, displaying an unusually high level of loyalty. Even Kensai, as a King-Level Mage, lacks such profound influence; it is likely that Lord Orsted's adversary, Hitogami, provided assistance."

He paused in thought before concluding:

"A substantial portion of the formidable combatants dispersed among mercenaries and adventurers has been subtly integrated into the Treasure Mage's forces over the past few years. Consequently, this represents an ancient and meticulously orchestrated plan."

Ariel began to rhythmically tap her fingers against the throne's armrest, lost in thought.

Her gaze wandered across the opulent ornaments, the flowing drapes, and the intricate details of the Throne Room as her mind worked.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips.

"Well, we have received assistance thus far, and it is only right that we reciprocate. You should also proceed to Begaritt."

Sándor expressed his surprise.

"I am to go, Your Majesty?"

Ariel met his gaze and offered a gentle smile.

"I am not entirely without defenses, Sándor, nor do I believe my position is so critical in this grand scheme involving the Gods. Moreover, Doga will remain here, and should he be absent, I have an entire army to ensure my security."

She then rose from the throne and continued with her characteristic composure:

"This is the opportune moment to place our wager. I possess a favorable intuition regarding this endeavor. Rudeus believes this operation could signify the final offensive against the one known as Hitogami, and from that juncture forward, we shall have Lord Orsted unequivocally aligned with us..."

Ariel then directed her attention towards the window.

Outside, sunlight streamed into the Silver Palace.

"Following that... we will still need to address the matter of mediating between the Beast God and the Dragon God... how vexing. He appears so tractable, yet proves so challenging simultaneously."

She concluded with a final directive:

"Regardless, maintain a constant stream of information for me. Ensure Alek does not undertake any rash actions..."

With those words, Ariel exited the Throne Room.

Sándor remained, not following her departure.

If such was her command, he would execute it without delay.