Abyss Demon of All Realms (TL)

The next day.

At the Heart of the World, a place located at the very center of the Wizarding World, stood a colossal structure.

Built during the era of the world's first great unification, it had stood for millions of years, symbolizing the authority of Wizards over this world. Every brick and stone represented the endless passage of time.

Countless Soul Imprints of Wizards were inscribed here—some had faded completely, while others still shone brilliantly.

At the very center of the structure, dozens of multicolored orbs floated at varying heights above an ancient altar.

From the white orb positioned at the highest point, a weathered male voice spoke: "Out of 17 infiltrators, 11 were killed, and 6 were captured.

The world called Gainser has sent at least this many infiltrators that we've uncovered—and who knows how many more remain undetected.

The weakest among these infiltrators were at the level of a fourth-tier Wizard, while the strongest reached the fifth-tier.

They were also equipped with special gear that allowed them to evade detection to a great extent and significantly resist various attacks.

Initial estimates suggest their goal was to gather intelligence on our world. This is both a prelude to malicious intent and a provocation against us. We must retaliate."

After he finished speaking, another orb inquired, "Have we obtained any concrete information about their civilization from the captives?"

For Wizards who had built their power through external conquests, they knew all too well the steps of invasion. Since the enemy had already reached out, peaceful coexistence was unlikely. Gathering essential intelligence was inevitable.

The white orb replied, "Their souls are specially encrypted. Even with our Secret Methods, we could only extract extremely fragmented information. As for their physical bodies, most have undergone some form of modification, likely designed to mislead. They cannot provide detailed information about their species."

No one found this surprising.

These infiltrators had naturally been rigorously prepared before being sent on their mission.

It would have been strange if useful intelligence had been easily obtained.

However, it wasn't as if they had gained nothing. Another voice asked, "Then what information has been verified?"

"We've confirmed that their societal structure is primarily composed of machinery and a supernatural force called Psychic Power. It somewhat resembles the Kolen Civilization we encountered 177,785 years ago. But unlike the Kolen, who specialized in machinery, they also possess a highly developed cultivation system. It's hard to say which is more troublesome, but neither will be easy to deal with."

A previously silent orb in the corner muttered after hearing this, "The Kolen Civilization… I remember those self-proclaimed silicon-based lifeforms. They had an almost absolute advantage in numbers, and their weapons were exceptionally powerful. The last time we fought them, the Wizarding World suffered heavy losses. If you're comparing the two, it seems this problem won't be easily resolved."

The topmost orb spoke helplessly, "Judging by the technological prowess displayed through these infiltrators, I do believe they will be a troublesome opponent.

To that end, I've already reached out to Scarlet Void, intending to purchase information on the Gainser civilization from these intelligence brokers. There's been no reply yet, so I'm unsure if they even have it."

Another voice proposed, "But since the enemy has already shown hostility, and they pose a greater threat, we should sound the alarm and prepare for all-out war."

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

"..."

Seeing his colleagues unanimously in agreement, the highest orb said nothing more and accepted their decision.

Thus, in less than five minutes of discussion, the decision for global wartime mobilization was finalized.

From start to finish, no one hesitated due to the enemy's unknown strength or power.

Nor did anyone weigh the pros and cons.

Because they understood perfectly well—no matter the outcome, when facing a starving beast, there could be no negotiation without first exchanging blows. So, no matter what, starting with a fight was always the right choice.

As for whether the enemy was strong or not—that wasn't their concern.

The Wizarding World had endured for so many years. What kind of crisis hadn't they faced before?

Without clashing, who could say for sure?

One order after another began to be issued.

The long-dormant Wizarding World stirred from its slumber once more, its war machine rumbling to life—just as it had countless times before, hundreds of thousands, even millions of years ago…

And yet, none of this had anything to do with Olthagia.

Since finishing his roasted Lizardman head yesterday, Olthagia had resumed his leisurely lifestyle.

As for the trouble the edited Memory Crystal given to Hawthorne might cause—that wasn't his concern.

Whether the Wizarding World won or the Gainser world did, he wouldn't lose either way.

Warfare? He loved that stuff.

The Psychic Solidification-enhanced souls of those Lizardmen might be troublesome for Wizards to handle.

But Olthagia, as a Demon, was an absolute expert when it came to souls—proficient in every method of consumption!

Extracting memories and similar tricks were as natural to him as breathing.

With a little effort, he had successfully obtained every memory of that Lizardman named Glenvar, from birth onward.

He had even thoroughly dissected the civilization known as Gainser.

With some work, he could even use teleportation magic to infiltrate their world and pass as a local.

And precisely because of this deep understanding—

He knew that the highly aggressive Wizarding World and the equally aggressive Gainser civilization were bound to clash if they ever crossed paths.

This was something he was more than happy to witness, as it would spice up his otherwise dull existence.

That's why Olthagia, who could have pretended to know nothing, deliberately fed Hawthorne some intel—to ensure the potentially ambushed side would prepare in advance.

After all, blitzkriegs were no fun!

A proper head-on battle between armies—that was the real deal!

Preferably the kind of meat-grinder warfare that aligned with a Demon's aesthetics.

As he idly pondered how intense the conflict might become, Olthagia faintly sensed an obscure ripple emanating from the planet's core, scanning outward as if searching for something. Every non-native creature would be marked by it.

Facing this situation, Olthagia remained unperturbed as he summoned the aura of his Abyssal Contract.

The contract bore Hawthorne's Soul Imprint - this world's local VIP.

At this moment, that Soul Imprint functioned like a certificate of good citizenship, loudly proclaiming "I'm one of you" while shielding Olthagia, this outsider.

Thus, Olthagia remained completely unaffected by the scanning ripple. Unhurriedly, he turned his gaze skyward.

There, a massive translucent curtain was descending like an enormous glass dome, about to envelop the entire world.

He thought with amusement: 'Seems the upper echelons of the Wizarding World are decisive indeed, deploying something like this. Looks like they're ready to begin outright...'