Chapter 141: Ground Battle

[Over Mongolia, aboard a European military transport — Leo Garcia —]

"Almost there. Can't get too close or we'll get shot down. We’ll have to land a little ways off from the target."

Me, Freyja, Carlo, and the other combat personnel from the "Knights of the Sanctuary (Sanctuary Knights)," plus another transport carrying children.

Sure, bringing kids into a battlefield was risky—no way around that—but their power’s become too crucial for us to ignore.

"What’s the enemy’s layout like? Heard they’ve set up something weird…"

"Exactly the question we all want answered."

I unfolded a large paper map in response to Freyja and Carlo’s questions.

"This is our current position. Enemy warships—four of them—have landed, surrounding a single point. Soldiers are scattered around them, guarding the area."

"Can’t we hit them from above?"

"Yeah. There’s a powerful ‘Barrier’ blocking attacks from the sky—and even ground-based long-range strikes won’t reach. To get to the center, we’ve gotta go in close."

"Didn’t the army break through before?"

Luca asked, adjusting his bow.

"Repeatedly tried to breach the defensive line and destroy the central device, but every attempt fails."

"So the enemy soldiers are strong?"

"No… there’s something strange. There are people among them with special abilities."

"Like those psychics from the other side."

"Exactly. Think of them like a Black Knight."

"But if they’re guarding it this tightly, it must be something super important. Any idea what it could be?"

Luca’s words echoed what everyone here was thinking.

"Can't be sure yet, but the command center’s guessing it’s either a communication jammer or some kind of monster summoning device. Better assume we’re out of time."

"Shouldn’t we just all hit one spot and break through together?"

"Thought about that. But if we all go and fail, we lose way too much time—way too risky. Split the forces into four. Best case? The ones who break through the defense line keep going and destroy the central device right then and there."

"True, they might not be evenly split. If you hit a strong one, game over right there."

Carlo said it casually. But he was right.

"How are we dividing up the forces?"

"Freyja, you’re with the ‘Suzaku’ King (Wang). They should already be here… I’ve got the rest figured out. Get ready."

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

【Swiss Geneva, UN Headquarters】

"Sanctuary Knights and ‘Suzaku’ have merged. Looks like they’re spreading out to advance."

"Is that so…"

General Matthew Wade analyzed the situation with calm precision. Here, the UN, NATO, and European forces were under a unified command, coordinating their efforts.

Matthew was the one in charge of the entire massive operation.

"Any changes at the South Pole?"

"Affirmative. We’re monitoring the cave entrance that Gojo entered—no changes so far."

"Gojo’s power’s unreliable… How’s the ground unit?"

"Negative. Reports confirm they’re blocked by some special ‘human’ with abnormal abilities."

"An esper, then… Especs need espers. Leave it to Leo Garcia and the others. Pull the ground units back for now!"

Matthew didn’t hold prejudice against espers. He saw them as the hope of this world.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

【Tokyo Media Center】

"Hey, what the hell’s going on?! There’s barely any solid info coming in!"

"What am I supposed to do about it?!"

The Japanese media had gathered here, at the Tokyo Media Center. Right now, the UN was relaying global developments to the Japanese government, and they were releasing the information in bulk.

Shojo Newspaper’s Matsuda was stationed at the media center too, griping about how crucial updates weren’t being released.

"Something’s off… It’s not just panic. Feels like they’re deliberately hiding something."

"Are you overthinking it?"

"Then why’s there no info on Gojo?! If enemy troops are showing up, the hero’s supposed to be there first, right?"

"Senpai, you’re obsessed with Gojo."

"Shut up!"

Other reporters had asked about Gojo during the press conference, but the government’s PR team had refused to give any clear answers.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

【Southwest of the four warships landed in Mongolia】

A short distance away from the infantry disembarking from the warship, I leaned against the outer hull, eyes closed, arms crossed, back against the metal.

Even though it was the command of "Wang," this was just guard duty. And these soldiers from this world? They couldn’t even outmatch the average grunt like me.

I was bored out of my mind when, suddenly, the front lines—where gunfire had been echoing just a moment ago—fell dead silent.

Did the humans give up attacking?

Pathetic bunch… I was thinking that when a single man stepped forward from across the field.

He carried a sword. Wore armor.

This wasn’t one of the usual “grunts” we’d seen before. No—this was a warrior who’d wiped out our frontline troops in an instant. I can feel my face relaxing, grinning like an idiot.

I step forward, toward the warrior.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

『I didn’t expect someone to show up alone here. Impressive.』

The voice came from a man with long black hair, armored from head to toe.

“Can you understand me?”

『This is a skill called “telepathy.” I’m not speaking aloud.』

“Huh. Not really getting it, but you’re the boss of this defense line, huh?”

『Well, yes. But why come alone? A group would’ve had a better chance of breaking through to the center.』

“Maybe… but if there’s a strong enemy, we risk getting pinned. Just spreading the risk.”

『Hahaha, clever move. If we’d all gathered here, we’d all be dead.』

He laughs confidently. Not bluffing, that much is clear.

“Are you the strongest of all the异能者 who’ve come here?”

『Exactly. No one stronger than me has arrived.』

“Huh… If I’m the only one dying, that’s fine.”

『Noble. What’s your name?』

“Leo Garcia. What about you?”

『Chronos… a name granted by the “Wang.”』

I draw 【Durandal】 from its sheath.

“Still, I’m not just gonna stand here and get cut down.”

『Right.』

Chronos draws his sword too. No idea how long this’ll last, but I’m gonna push it as far as I can.

I slash forward, unleashing a blast of wind that blinds my opponent.

But his blade intercepts mine—perfect timing, no room to strike. I take a few hits, but the speed… the power… it’s insane.

One slip, and my consciousness gets taken.

‘You’re better than I expected. You must be pretty strong even in this world.’

‘Well, there’s always someone above you, you know.’

I deflect my opponent’s blade with my wind-infused magic sword. Cronos flinches slightly—just a twitch.

Now’s the time to finish it.

I summon a fierce gust from behind me using wind magic. It disrupts his balance, throws off his stance, and I surge forward, closing the gap in an instant.

I raise my sword and slash down.

‘Don’t get cocky.’

A blade so sharp it’s invisible slices through my torso, splitting me clean in two.

‘What!?”

My body wavers… then vanishes. Creating layers of air with different densities—bending light, conjuring illusions—

‘Wind Magic: Ghost Mirage!’

I wait, crouched low, watching Cronos swing his sword. As soon as the opening appears, I lunge—sword aimed straight for his side.

The armor shatters. The blade pierces deep. I feel it—solid resistance, real impact.

‘Yes!’

‘Impressive… I didn’t think you’d get this far…’

I’m sure of victory. But my memory blurs. I look up—Cronos’s sword is buried in my side.

‘Huh?’

I was supposed to stab him… but he’s unharmed.

‘…Why…?’

‘I rewound time by 0.5 seconds. I froze time. You have no idea what just happened, do you?’

‘Gahh!’

My sword is ripped out. Blood gushes from my mouth and the wound. What the hell…!?

I look up. Cronos is smirking, triumphant.

God General Cronos

Demon Beast Type Lv4428

[Unique Skill]

Spatial-Temporal Domination