Clockwork Bride

Page 322

“That depends on how he performs before the very end. Fate will test him,” Angela said thoughtfully. “But that’s a bit off-topic—my sister, time is limited. Have you thought it through?”

The seven-headed, ten-horned crimson dragon no longer showed any trace of the listlessness and lethargy she had displayed before, nor did her playful attitude remain.

Okay, I'll tell you. Anyway, I'm also curious to see how things will turn out.

Asmodius said coldly

【Little Hayden, it's impossible for my dear sister to regain her full power in modern times, because Mithra has personally blocked the way.】

[However, things impossible in the modern era become possible in a different one. My suggestion is that you travel back in time four hundred years and restore your sister's powers there. After that, you can do whatever you want.]

…………ah?

Hayden had been eagerly anticipating what solution Asmodis would come up with, but she surprised him with these words. Now it was Hayden's turn to be shocked: "Huh?? What did you say??"

"I suggest you two go back four hundred years and restore your sister's power before Mithra blocks the way," Asmodeus said dryly. "Is it that hard to understand?"

"No... but that's simply impossible!" Hayden exclaimed, bewildered. "Time travel magic doesn't exist!"

"Didn't you just use time reversal magic to bring back 100,000 monsters who died four hundred years ago?" The red dragon flicked its tail. "I saw it all here. 100,000 souls were suddenly pulled back from the underworld by time magic."

"Modifying time for a specific target and actually going back in time are completely different things! It's simply not technically possible!" Hayden's pride as a master magician wouldn't allow him not to complain. "Even if you said going back in time would work, I don't know how to do it!"

But the corner of Asmodeus's central head twitched slightly; this was her expression as she suppressed a laugh: "Generally speaking, it's impossible, especially in the material world. But this isn't the material world, is it?"

...Indeed. Susanoo had said before that four hundred years ago, on the last day of the war between the old and new gods, the eight great bodhisattvas fought a great battle with Asmodus here, breaking the boundaries of time and space and obliterating all reason.

Since then, the spacetime state of Ashihara Province has been very unstable. That's why it changed from Ashihara Province to the "Yomi" (Underworld) Province.

Moreover, Hayden had previously considered that such technology would be difficult to implement even today, let alone four hundred years ago. It was probably only because Asmodeus summoned the power of the Outer Gods that the aftershocks alone obliterated the Great Dao, causing the Yin-Yang, life-and-death, and time-space of Ashihara Country to become the "Land of the Dead".

If a spell is cast in this space, and Asmodeus provides assistance, perhaps... perhaps it really is possible to travel through time and return to four hundred years ago?

Four hundred years ago, when I was driven to the brink by the despicable Mithras, I tried to summon a god to descend upon this world.

Asmotis turned his neck and murmured memories.

[Since we were going to lose anyway, I figured I might as well summon the gods to burn us all alive—that's what I thought at the time. Unfortunately, the gods didn't support my idea. I only managed to beat Mithra half to death and terrify him half to death, but I still lost. The terrified Mithra is sealed here.]

"Summoning a god?" One question after another arose, Hayden's astonishment growing even greater. "Can Outer Gods be summoned actively? Is such technology even possible? How exactly is it done?"

If he can learn this technique, it should be useful for Hayden's future plans.

...Of course, strictly speaking, Hayden may have successfully performed the summoning, but his wish cannot be considered a "technique" but only a "miracle," which is probably impossible to replicate.

Unfortunately, Asmodius's subsequent response could not be considered helpful to Hayden.

It's not really a technique, just a ritual. For a devil whose army is collapsing and has entered a hopeless situation, it's a perfectly normal ritual.

The Demon King chuckled and replied.

[I seized the goddesses Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, and in the ritual, I dressed them up as substitutes for the angels of the sun (Michael) and the moon (Gabriel), respectively. Then, I brutally tortured, humiliated, and desecrated them, subjecting them to all sorts of torment until they died. Afterward, I piled up mountains of corpses and seas of blood, committing blasphemous acts upon them—I used this ritual to attempt to summon divine punishment, to summon the archangel of war and the trumpeter of doom… but it failed, and things did not go as I wished.]

The archangel of war did not come, nor did the trumpeter of doom. Mithra was terrified, which ironically led to my own fate of being sealed away.

Do you think this kind of ceremony has any reference value?

It was at this point that Hayden finally understood many things.

First, he understood why Susanoo hated and feared Asmodius so much.

Secondly, he understood why Angela hadn't been polite to Asmodis at all.

These demons, even if they seem to be able to communicate, cannot change their utterly evil nature.

Asmodius, the Lord of the Devil, is undoubtedly a creature of unparalleled evil.

"Alright, let's stop with the historical accounts." Asmodius said leisurely, "Young Hayden, are you planning to try some groundbreaking time magic, to go back four hundred years and reclaim my sister's full power?"

“I will go. I must go.”

Hayden replied,

"But there's something I must say upfront."

“In ancient times, people said that the root of all evil was a snake. I used to think it was just a story, but I only realized it was true today. It turns out that there is indeed a terrible basis for the ancient legend. You are the kind of evil described in the story. Although Angela said that you also have the opportunity to turn over a new leaf and reform yourself, I don’t believe it.”

"On another note, I've never read a story where such evil could escape punishment. So, although I'll go today, and I'll be busy saving the world first—I bet you will one day."

"I'll settle the score with you after I'm done saving the world."

Please proceed.

Asmodius bared his teeth.

I'll wait and see.

400: All sentient beings suffer all kinds of pain

Just do it.

Now that Asmodius has pointed out a way for Hayden to solve the problem, there is no reason for Hayden to stagnate any longer.

Go back four hundred years? To a time before Mithra Bodhisattva ruled the world, to help Angela find her true name?

Let's go!

...Hayden was well aware that he was seriously overconfident and about to make a reckless attempt. The whole plan was a mess, or rather, there was no plan at all; it was utterly reckless.

But he still has to do it.

"If you don't want to die a miserable death and be captured for reincarnation, there is no other way but to defeat Mithra Bodhisattva!"

He piled up logical arguments, only to arrive at a rash conclusion. Of course—for Hayden, this was just commonplace.

If there is no other way, then of course we can only run frantically on the only path.

However, on the other hand, despite Hayden’s confident and resolute words, there was actually a rather awkward problem standing in his way.

"Asmodius, do you have magic that allows you to travel through time?"

"How could that be?" the red dragon scoffed. "You yourself said that time travel technology doesn't exist. It's only possible to travel through time here because the power of the gods distorted this spacetime four hundred years ago. I've been sealed here for four hundred years; do you think I have the ability to develop new technology on my own?"

Hayden was speechless for a moment upon hearing this: "You want me to develop time travel technology on the fly? Are you serious?"

"You're not starting from scratch without any technical skills. I saw you just handled that 100,000-time-reversal resurrection quite smoothly, didn't I?" The Demon King scoffed. "Even though I'm imprisoned here, I can still hear the news from the outside world. From what I hear, you should have that ability."

Can rumors be believed?

Hayden had no other choice but to bite the bullet and perform a hastily improvised spell. Fortunately, as Asmodius had said, he could still use his usual time-reversal spell... but this obviously still needed some time.

So let's not focus on Hayden, who is calculating new values, for now, but look back at the other two sides.

First, there's Momiji, who was forcibly taken away from the edge of Ashihara Province by Susanoo, and the 100,000 resurrected demons.

Susanoo did not resort to violence against Momiji, because he was not stupid and there was no need for it. He simply pulled Momiji and the 100,000 resurrected ancient gods away from this northern wasteland and back to Neo-Tokyo, back to the [Kasumigaseki Castle] built by the Yamato gods in the capital.

This is the largest complex structure in Japan, towering in the heart of New Tokyo. While its design resembles a typical ancient Japanese castle, it stands 1000 meters tall and is exceptionally massive, more of a colossal city within a city than a building. Inside, it houses not only the core administrative facilities of the Japanese government but also the headquarters of major Japanese corporations, as well as living facilities such as canteens for civil servants and state-owned enterprise employees. Surrounding the castle are roads and moats, with walls built on seemingly divinely raised rock faces, protected by eight types of twenty-four layers of protective barriers. Heavily guarded 365 days a year, the castle exudes an awe-inspiring majesty that deters any desire to attack.

This near-impenetrable defense, constructed by combining traditional Japanese Shinto magic with new mystical techniques, could not possibly be sustained solely by the capitalist faith of the Yamato people (especially since their capitalist faith has recently begun to decline). Therefore, it also incorporates traditional magic, relying on the abundant natural spiritual energy overflowing from the rich ley lines directly beneath New Tokyo to meet this enormous demand.

The spiritual energy released by this main ley line is so vast that, depending on how it is used, it can even slightly interfere with space and time.

However, the true strength beneath these layers of imposing authority, and the extent of any bluff, can only be truly tested in a major battle. This is the de facto ruling institution of modern Japan, the seat of supreme power—and also its highest-level military base: Kasumigaseki Castle!

Susanoo brought Momiji and the 100,000 demons here, not so much to protect them, but rather to guard against them. Surrounded by layers of troops, the 100,000 demons probably can't cause much trouble.

...So what happened next was something even Susanoo hadn't fully anticipated.

Not long after returning to the castle, he received an urgent report from his subordinates: "Lord Susanoo! Emergency! The army of the Mithra Group—led by His Majesty the Third King of Hell, consisting of Vajra Warriors and Arhats—has broken through the Kanto Defense Zone's perimeter and invaded the [Imperial God Defense Barrier], and is attacking!"

"The enemy now has an air superiority and is using air strikes to disrupt the Yokosuka Coast Guard's defensive capabilities. Almost all defensive points and artillery positions have been destroyed! Requesting emergency support!"

Yokosuka is a naval port city located at the entrance to Tokyo Bay and forms the first line of defense for the bay. A rapid breach there would mean the enemy was truly advancing directly towards Shin-Tokyo Kasumigaseki!

"Not even a greeting?" Susanoo was furious upon hearing the report. "We haven't officially broken ties yet. Even if war were to break out, there should be some formalities and etiquette. Even if no prior notice is given, there should at least be a declaration of war. What utterly disrespectful this is!"

That was indeed rude. Even in war, there are still some formalities to consider. Susanoo had always thought that the Mithra Group would at least ask what had happened before, why Susanoo had killed Dajini Ten, before resorting to force.

Strategically speaking, it is certainly more advantageous to strike first when the enemy is unprepared... However, Mithra Bodhisattva probably did not regard the Yamato Gods as equal opponents, so Susanoo thought he would first consider aspects such as diplomacy and political influence. He never expected that Susanoo would launch a direct attack before that.

At this moment, Hongye said calmly, "Lady Karen once said that social etiquette and rules are just a dream that everyone is willing to indulge in. Since Bodhisattva Mithra has obtained absolute power that transcends social rules, he can certainly shatter this dream and discard etiquette, rules, and forms."

Susanoo glanced at the demon possessed by a fragment of his sister, then turned to his subordinates and ordered, "No matter what, the enemy has reached Tokyo Bay. We have no choice but to fight. This time, we have no way out."

The Three-World-Transforming King (Tāraṇīṣānwāra) is a great wrathful deity who, with a compassionate heart and the Vajra-like power to subdue demons, eliminates all greed, anger, and ignorance in the world. He is one of the Eight Great Wisdom Kings, leading Arhats, Vajra troops, and celestial soldiers and generals—in short, the world's strongest military force equipped with the latest technology.

Four hundred years ago, the Yamato gods chose to surrender without a fight and joined the Mithra group... but this time, they didn't even have the chance to surrender.

Thus, the war between the Yamato army and the Mithra army officially broke out. The Mithra army didn't even bother to issue any announcements, and the Third King of the Underworld didn't contact Susanoo either, before ordering the Vajra Warriors to begin bombarding the outer defenses of Neo-Tokyo. Thunderstorms fell on the various fortifications built by the Yamato gods, burning and destroying all the defensive structures.

Susanoo did not send reinforcements to them. Instead, while the outer defenses were being bombed, he quickly transferred all the troops in the entire Kanto defense zone back to [Kasumigaseki Castle].

Momiji, who had some military knowledge, was somewhat surprised to see Susanoo's order: "Abandon coastal defense and pull everyone back to the castle to defend it to the death? Is this in accordance with military strategy?"

“Reinforcing other places now will only result in a rout when things get chaotic,” Susanoo said with a grim face. “Abandoning the coastal defense battle and concentrating our forces to meet the enemy at Kasumigaseki Castle is the choice we’ve reached through the process of elimination.”

If there is no other way, then of course we can only run frantically on the only path.

That being said, if we continue to hold our ground without any chance of a turnaround, we certainly won't have any chance of winning.

"It is impossible for our Yamato army to defeat Mithra's army of gods with our own strength. The only chance of victory is to hold our ground, buy time, and wait for Kannon's plan to be implemented so that we can defeat Mithra."

This was the strategy that Susanoo had planned from the very beginning.

And so, not long after, the forces of the Third King of the Vanishing God broke through the city of Neo-Tokyo and approached [Kasumigaseki Castle]. The battle between the two armies officially began.

On the walls of [Xiaguan Castle], there are infantrymen with rifles, cannons spitting fire in the same direction, and armored vehicles waiting for their chance. They all unleash an endless hail of bullets at the invaders.

The Mithra Group disliked using firearms, but the Yamato Army did. This was partly to maintain their cultural uniqueness, and partly because the use of firearms was a distinctive feature of their culture.

Besides firearms and chariots, armored warriors also guard [Kasumigaseki Castle]. Just look up at the sky filled with the dense glow of weapons, and you can see these warriors in winged power armor taking to the air, flying freely, wielding katanas, and attacking the Mithra army from above.

The Vajrapani warriors of the Mithra army naturally raised their vajras to meet the attack.

...So what was the actual outcome after the fighting started?

The answer is, it can't even be called a battle.

[Vajrapani] wielded the vajra, blocking the armored warriors' attack! Then, the Arhats in the back row launched a supernatural attack.

"Burn them all! Destroy all afflictions!"

At the summons of the Arhats, the power of destruction surged forth, forming a white-hot vortex of flames that crashed directly toward the Yamato warriors!

What followed was an incredibly horrific scene. The Yamato armored warriors, who had drawn their swords, brandished their spears, and charged forward with valiant courage, couldn't even mount a single effective attack. They were easily defeated by the bombardment of the Purifying Flame, their bodies burned to a crisp. Some died instantly, while others fell to the ground, writhing in agony and screaming until they died.

In this way, over 90% of the hundred or so Yamato warriors who launched the first attack perished instantly. Their bodies turned to charcoal, and their souls were all taken away by [Reincarnation].

The sounds of metal clanging, gunfire, and explosions filled the air. One life after another was swallowed up in this dazzling vortex of battlefield. The sky and the earth were quickly stained crimson.

Looking at this scene, for a moment, despite her dislike for the Yamato God Clan, Momiji couldn't help but feel sorrow for the tragic deaths of these samurai.

The new technology developed by Mithra Bodhisattva is enough to completely eliminate the swordsmanship and martial arts of the old era. The warriors of the old era will not only be eliminated as aristocratic class (which Momiji didn't really care about anyway), but they will also be eliminated as a fighting force.

At this moment, Hongye can truly understand the sorrow of those who are abandoned by the tides of the times.

"How much longer can this castle hold out before Guanyin Bodhisattva implements her plan? Two days?"

Honestly, we'd be lucky to last another day. At this rate, we'd all die.

"We can hold on. Whether it's three days or five days, we can hold on."

Susanoo stood in the castle tower, glaring at the Mithra army below with a fierce gaze that seemed to want to slay fate.

"This battle is crucial to the survival of Yamato. Unlike four hundred years ago—we have no second chance! We must survive this!"

"The Yamato army still has a million cavalry, and both Takemikazuchi and I are still alive. Before Mithra Bodhisattva falls, I will protect the country to the very end! No matter what happens!"

Even so, Momiji could sense that Susanoo's thoughts were being pulled in a murky and dark direction. Pressure, the painful reality that would never change no matter how long one endured it, and the anger that arose from an unreasonable world—all of these things only pulled people's thoughts in a negative direction.

If Karen and Guanyin don't quickly reverse Mithra's time and assassinate him, [Xiaguan Castle] will soon fall. Then everyone will be exorcised and cast out of [reincarnation].

So what exactly is Guanyin Bodhisattva doing at this very moment?

In fact, they have already taken action.

"Hayden has thrown Japan into chaos, even sending Mithra with a Myō-ō and a portion of his troops to suppress it. Although it's only a small force dispersed, we can't afford to waste this opportunity. Let's strike now!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva acted decisively, immediately gathering her sisters and setting off. At this moment, led by Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and followed by several powerful deities including Karen, this "assassination squad" had arrived on the moon and was silently attacking Mithra Bodhisattva within the Tusita Heaven!

Although this involves the combined forces of three Bodhisattvas and a host of powerful deities—enough to destroy the Earth three times over—the plan is still incredibly risky. While the idea of ​​three Bodhisattvas assassinating one sounds easy, everyone actually feels that Mithra Bodhisattva might be even more terrifying than five Bodhisattvas combined.

However, Guanyin Bodhisattva still decided—now, let's do it! Use the magic of reversing time to attack Mitra, and then kill him as soon as he is weakened by the reversal!

Since there is no other way, the only option is to run desperately down the only path!