Kerta.

5:52 p.m. 18th Zelyr 1092.

1 Day to World's End.

"Oi, Ian, how much longer is this gonna take?"

"Argh shut it already! You've been badgering non-stop for 48 hours! Aygor's Hammer! I haven't even caught a wink of sleep, you know!"

Iason's Smithery, one of the most famous Smitheries in all of Kerta had been closed for two days. Suspiciously, however, sounds of clashing and beating metal rung out incessantly, as if the smith was hard at work. Furthermore, complaints from multiple voices occasionally rang out above the din. It made the curious citizens wonder just what was going on behind the scenes.

"Shut it, you two! Think yer the only ones ain't sleep in two days? Fuck! Who the fuck made this kinda deranged order, anyway!?"

"KASHI!"

Fifteen pairs of eyes turned to glare at a daeben who was hammering away at a metal ingot.

Kashi froze when he felt the intense killing intent. He looked up at the blacksmiths with a sheepish grin and then waved. "Uh... Ian take your time, take your time. I'm sorry I asked." Kashi cringed when he felt the glare grow even hotter. Well, he could not blame them. He was the one with the unreasonable order.

Two days ago, Kashi arrived from Serisis to stock up on items for the battle. His time at the Serian island had opened his eyes to a hint of the path he should take in future. Unfortunately, the future was the future. Right now, Kashi needed to use what he had to overcome this battle. With this line of thinking, he placed two massive orders for mana potions and arrows.

The mana potions were much easier to get than expected. Apparently, the Royal Family hired a Grandmaster Alchemist. No one knew why, but she claimed to be grateful to the people of Rosendun, and so, decided to teach Alchemy to any willing parties for a small price.

Naturally, students flocked in from far and wide, and through the Grandmaster Alchemists' teachings, learned much more efficient and cost-effective ways to concoct most potions. As a result, mana potions which were once ultra-rare products, now flooded the market and sellers were the ones looking for buyers rather than the other way round.

Kashi did not know the identity of this Grandmaster Alchemist, but he was immensely grateful for her help. Without her influence, it would have been impossible to find any mana potions on the market. Especially now that most guilds had vacuumed most of the potions in preparation for the battle.

The orders for arrows, however, was much more complicated. Kashi needed very specific requirements for his arrows. The common market did not have anything near his standards, so he needed to place a special order. Unfortunately, Kashi also needed an inordinate quantity, which was why he had Iason call upon his blacksmithing friends to assist.

And that brings us to the present time. Fifteen blacksmiths and one daeben heavily sweated under the sweltering heat as they pounded out one arrow after another. Over to a corner to the forge, rows upon rows of arrows were neatly stacked. Big, small, thin, fat. All sorts of strangely shaped arrows were piled up on the wall. In reality these were more than enough to outfit a small army. It was difficult to believe that one man needed so many arrows.

Three hours later, the fifteen blacksmiths crowded around Kashi as he ran Jingu Ross across the last arrow. The metal glowed with a bright light and then returned to normal as the runes solidified.

"HAAH!" A blacksmith pumped his fists into the sky. "Finally done!" He looked at the rows of arrows off to the side with a wary glance. "I'm never working for you again, kid. Fuck! You're a real slave driver!"

"Ah. You said it, Soares! Forget him, Kashi. You can bring your business my way anytime."

"Ah. Fuck Cedric! You know I was only joking! Forget him. You can always trust in Soares' Wares! You will never be sorry you shopped at Soares' Wares."

Pfft! Kashi failed to hold his amusement and burst out laughing. The smiths' constant bickering had been one of the few things that kept everyone sane during the past two days. The daeben chuckled as he raised his hands to placate the men. "It's alright, Cedric-san, Soares-san. The Hopeful Maggots will certainly send a lot of business your way." He paused, and then added with a sly grin. "Of course, it'll be even better if you choose to straight up join."

"Hehe. You've got a large appetite, kid."

"Hey, I had to at least try." Kashi rubbed his nose, and then said, "Even if you don't want to join the guild, you can visit the Maggots or the Royal Family to apply for a position in the new academy we're building. We need teachers from every profession. The pay's pretty good, I hear. Plus, it comes with a lot of promotion and credibility."

Kashi opened a portal, and sucked all the arrows inside. He then looked at the stunned smiths. "Think about it. Could be a real game-changer." He smiled and then made his way to the door. "But, really, thank you all for the help." Kashi paused after opening the door, and then said to Iason, "You know what to do."

Iason grinned and flashed a thumbs-up. "Don't worry. I'll happily bill the Hopeful Maggots."

"Thanks." Kashi pulled his hood over his head, and then said as he pulled the door shut. "See you all later."

Bang.

Kashi quickly shuffled along Kerta's streets after exiting Iason's shop. He tugged his hood tight when he passed by the Maggots' Headquarters, and then only relaxed when he made it to the fields outside.

Kashi ran into a nearby forest, and then climbed a sturdy tree. When he was certain no one would stumble upon him, he shut his eyes and willed himself into a light sleep. It would be one long dash to the battlefield once the daeben awoke. He needed the rest.

5:53 p.m. 19th Zelyr 1092.

6 Hours to World's End.

"What are you doing here?"

"You did not think I would let my orcs go on this expedition without me, did you?"

Brilith Loneheart wore a thin smile as she looked at the unexpected Orc Chieftain. Renark Ragelock, the newly crowned Orc Chieftain stood proud at the head of the orc army. The powerful orc grinned when he noticed Brilith's angry expression. Like hell he would let everything go as she wanted.

"We had an agreement, Renark." Brilith Loneheart warned. Her voice was low, but even Renark felt the pressure, not to speak of his subordinates. Many orcs nearly knelt in fright, but Renark shielded the orcs with his aura.

Renark snorted. "This does not break our agreement, Loneheart. Razznik's home has nothing to do with your conquest. This is an independent conquest for the orcs' future."

"Hey! It's the Holy Mother!"

A shout drew Renark's attention to a corner of the field, from which the Holy Mother emerged with Sophie at her side. Renark grinned and then looked at Brilith. "Looks like it's about to start." The Orc Chieftain hoisted his axes and then held them in a reverse grip. "I will see you on the battlefield." Renark chuckled. "Come brothers, we march."

Brilith's gaze grew dark as she watched Renark leave with the orcs. "That damned NPC." However, mere moments later, she smiled once more. "Never mind. This works as well. It would be heartbreaking if the Orc Chieftain were to meet an unfortunate accident."

The soldiers around her shivered from the frost in her tone. Still, no one dared to refuter her claim. That was because they knew Brilith Loneheart. When this woman proclaimed something, it always happened. They looked toward the Orc Chieftain with pity and disdain. Might as well begin planting daisies.

Brilith, meanwhile, calmed her nerves, and then walked up to the podium where the Holy Mother and Sophie stood. Following the Holy Mother's prompt, Brilith climbed the podium and joined them.

With Brilith on her left, and Sophie on her right, the Holy Mother took out the teleportation matrix scroll she received from Rider. She then looked over the thirty thousand-strong coalition as she unfurled the scroll. "It is not my wish to deceive you all. Oni Hill indeed holds a lot of riches, but even more, it holds plenty of danger. The reason we waited until the last possible moment to transfer you all is to mitigate some of that danger."

The Holy Mother, Anya explained further, "As you all know, we have a powerful clairvoyant on our side. She saw that a few minutes from now, Skyrm will begin the summoning spell for Razznik. However, in doing so, it will relinquish the 'cover' on the Chaos Orders' troops. This action would cause the undead to view the Chaos Order as enemies rather than allies. If we attacked earlier, then you would be facing a concerted effort from the Chaos Order on one side, and the undead at the other. However, now, rather than an organized front, you will engage in an all-out three-way brawl. The situation will undoubtedly be chaotic and messy. But it is exactly this messy situation that will give some of you a chance to break through and then infiltrate Oni Hill."

Jatakem, Imperium.

5:55 p.m. 19th Zelyr 1092.

6 Hours to World's End.

"Oni Hill is divided into 8 floors," Sayen recounted to the coalition, her small voice amplified by magic. "The natures of the floors are ever-changing, but the central theme remains constant. Each floor corresponds to the seven deadly sins. Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and finally Pride."

A hint of wariness appeared in Sayen's eyes as she warned, "Be very careful when attacking each floor. Razznik was not interested in simply strong warriors, but warriors with powerful will and characters. Each floor will test not just your physical prowess, but your mental state as well. I do not need to tell you what will happen if you fail. Razznik is famous for never taking prisoners."

Ygg, Ederwood

"Each floor houses several hidden riches and treasure. More than enough to satisfy this army ten times over. However, I suggest you curb your greed and try not to get lost in the treasures. Razznik would never give out anything for free. Please apply the greatest caution when looting Oni Hill.

Jatakem, Imperium

"When you arrive at Oni Hill, you'll find yourselves standing about a kilometre away from the mountain. There will be a large forest behind you. Expect the undead to flood you from there. To prevent being ambushed, you can either rush at the Chaos Order to quickly add them to the chaos, or have a few people stand their ground and carefully make your way to the Chaos Order. The first option will result in more casualties, but it will buy more time for the leading men and women to infiltrate. The second, will save more lives, but will use up a lot of time."

Sayen looked at Sonic. "Time or Lives. I will leave the decision up to you. It is not my place to interfere with military decisions.

Ygg, Ederwood

Brilith smiled as she weathered Anya's gaze. "Do not worry, Holy Mother. I know what to do."

Anya shook her head. "It is not my place to worry. Do what makes you feel comfortable. You are the commanding general for this mission after all." She then looked at the rest of the army and said as she raised the scroll, "Now is the time to retreat." When no one left, she revealed a bitter smile and then said, "May Sram look favourably upon your blades."

Riiip!

Jatakem, Imperium.

Sonic's heart accelerated as a blinding light exploded out from Sayen's scroll and then consumed the entire army. The kafu shut his eyes, excited at the knowledge that a magnificent battlefield would await him when next they opened.