Book 5: Chapter 278: Emergency Air Rescue Operation In The Skies Of The Nameless Village

In a nameless village situated along the catchment area of the Ryder River that ran beside the outskirts of Kurus City, the largest city close to Angus City, at the central region of the Aldridge Empire, Bella and others were attacked by the abyss demonic beings and a swarm of Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes. The Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes formed a huddle around the small house where they were hiding, constantly attacking the Defensive Swords Array, which was put up by Kriss. 

Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes were already considered an intermediate-grade species in the abyss biological chain. Once they appeared, it proved that the opposite Abyss Gate had been opened for a long time. If nothing was going to stop it, when more terrifying abyss demonic beings appeared, Bella could only use her Demon’s God form to try and command and restrain these abyss demonic beings. 

Bella didn’t let the other girls follow. Only she and Kriss went to the door to observe the situation outside. Lisha remained where she was and looked at President Angelia and the rest. Bella did not wish to let them look at such a horrifying scene. Even the architectural buildings, where the Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes flew past, were smashed into powder by them. Due to Kriss’s Defensive Swords Array, the village chief’s hut they were hiding in was temporarily safe, but the rest of the houses were demolished. 

Misfortunes never came one at a time. There was a swarm of black insects crawling from the ground in the distance. They were like a tidal wave, spreading from the horizon to here. Bella took a closer look, and her formerly relaxed expression became more cautious. The marching insects on the ground were the Abyssal Army Ants, which were the same level of calamity demonic beings as the Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes.

The Abyssal Army Ants were crawling from the ground towards Bella’s hidden house. Wherever they passed, the trees collapsed and were being eaten cleanly by them. The Abyssal Army Ants and the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes seemed to have agreed to charge and attack the Defensive Swords Array set up by Kriss at the same time.

Finally, the first layer of the Defensive Swords Array shattered after not being able to withstand such a massive joint assault, leaving five to fend off the swarm. Several swords used in the array automatically recovered back into the sword space on Princess Kriss’s body.

After seeing that there was an effect, the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes and Abyssal Army Ants seemed to have taken stimulants, striking the second layer of the Defensive Swords Array even harder. The Defensive Swords Array put up by Kriss was overlaid layer by layer, gradually strengthening from the outside to the inside. Hence, the second layer was more durable than the first.  

However, no matter how strong the Defensive Swords Array was, it was not enough to defend the combined rush of the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes and Abyssal Army Ants. Soon, the second layer also showed signs of loosening. That tottering feeling was a warning before the Defensive Swords Array collapsed.

“Bella, my Defensive Swords Array won’t last long. Why don’t we retreat from the waterway behind the hut? We only need to fend off the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes from above.”

“Kriss, sorry to say, the Ryder River doesn’t seem to welcome us! Look over there…” 

Because the backyard of this village chief’s hut was right next to the Ryder River, Kriss suggested everyone go and look for wood boards and retreat from the river. In that case, they could temporarily avoid the Abyssal Army Ants’ attack. Coincidentally, the village chief’s hut happened to have a large amount of wood. Using them, it was still sufficient for everyone to use to transfer themselves.

However, the Ryder River was also occupied by unknown visitors. Bella came to the wooden window inside the room, which could overlook the outside of the backyard. She saw a group of shadows from a school of fish under the Ryder River. Those were not some ordinary fishes; instead, they were dense enough to almost turn the clear river waters into black color. 

Bella stared at the few black monster fish that jumped out of the surface of the Ryder River and instantly recognized that they were the Abyssal Devil-Tooth Fish. Their fang-filled mouth and ferocious heads were too easy to identify. The Three Demonic Nightmares of the Abyss World were all here. Bella didn’t know if those Abyssal Devil-Tooth Fish were coming for them, but one thing was for certain: they could no longer go into the Ryder River. 

Presently, the Abyssal Devil-Tooth Fish had the least threat to Bella and all. They were in the Ryder River. If they didn’t enter the water, they were not even as alarming as the Crypt Spiders they had encountered before. 

The most menacing were the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes and the Abyssal Army Ants, both of which were directly attacking the Defensive Swords Array put up by Kriss. The second layer had already been run through, and they were coming for the third layer now. 

The girls in the room were so scared that they were all huddled together, with President Angelia and Princess Effie hugging each other. Bella didn’t know the extent of their fear, but the environment here really wasn’t friendly to people who had Trypophobia. The large, black swarm of insects was intimidating just by looking at it. 

“Bella, there seems to be a strange flying object in the sky drawing near… that symbol… isn’t… isn’t it yours?”

“Yup, they’re my people. They finally caught up. I almost used the Demon King’s power to charge outside… Luckily, they are here.” 

In the sky of the nameless village, more than 20 airships were approaching, their outer appearances referencing the high-altitude airships from the previous life. Each airship was between 100 to 150 meters, and the largest had a length of more than 300 meters—it should be the flagship. 

Those airships were the magical airships that were developed recently by the Darkness Sacred Region from Bella’s side, named the Grim Airships. They were originally intended to be used as weapons in the war against the Beastmen. However, it was over before they were even developed. Due to that, the Grim Airships didn’t get the chance to be displayed on the battlefield, and they were lying idle in the Darkness Sacred Region, waiting for commands. 

The Grim Airship was developed by the Mechanical Creator Andrea and Magic Creator Bethia. It burned a special magical fuel to be used as the propulsion power. A typical Grim Airship could carry nearly a hundred fully armored soldiers, while the flagship, “Sky Ark” could transport more than 200 and still retain a sizeable free space due to its length of 300 meters. 

The captain of the “Sky Ark” was Demon King Bella’s personal maid, the former Kristoff Empire’s Princess, Annie. Bella entrusted her as the “Joint Fleet Commander” of the Grim Airships Group. With the help from the interdimensional teleportation magic by Extradimensional Creator Alfreia, this fleet was teleported from Sarni City, the capital of Sarnia Duchy, to the vicinity near Kurus City. Because they did not have Bella’s exact coordinates, the fleet had to start looking for their whereabouts from Kurus City. 

The airship fleet rescued the girls from Frederica Academy and Alexis Academy when it was passing through Kurus City. President Caroline, President Dinah, and President Anya were all saved. Under President Caroline’s guidance, the Fleet Chief Commander, Princess Annie, directed the entire fleet of Grim Airships along the Ryder River towards Andorra Town. They finally met Bella and the rest, who were stuck under the joint attack of the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes and Abyssal Army Ants.  

It was evident that the swarm of Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes was encountering such a colossal object for the first time. They didn’t know what to do momentarily. Other than the largest airship, “Sky Ark”, that had the smell of living people, the other Grim Airships were devoid of any intelligent life. The smell of the metal machinery caused the Abyss Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes to be in a bad mood. 

Each Grim Airship was equipped with cannons. The Grim Airship was actually a flying warship, which was a fusion of a ship at sea and a flying balloon. The designer, Mechanical Creator Andrea, originally wanted to design an interstellar warship but was dismissed by Bella. She was not used to driving a super warship with such a sci-fi element in the Other World. 

It was not difficult to manufacture the Grim Airship. If the Gnome Race and Dwarf Race joined forces, it would be possible to imitate a similar aviation prop. However, in view of the feudal relationship between the two races, Bella reckoned that she would probably not see a “knock-off version” of the Grim Airship.

In the face of the black swarm of Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes, the Grim Airship fleet chose the simplest yet roughest method: use cannons and bomb them directly. With a volley from the cannons on both sides of the airship’s body, the midair Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes were blasted away by the salvo.

The concentrated distribution of the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes caused them to be unable to dodge. A bomb from the Grim Airship could cause an explosion of a large bloody smoke in the sky. It was an amalgamation of all the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes that were killed from the blast and the blood which they’d sucked. It splattered out as their corpses exploded, forming those blood mists and painting the sky red.

After smelling blood, the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes became even more excited. They changed their target and attacked the fleet of Grim Airships in the sky, temporarily letting off the little hut, which Bella and the rest were hiding in. 

By this time, four layers of the Defensive Swords Array had already been destroyed. The Abyssal Army Ants were charging towards the fifth layer of the Defensive Swords Array. However, after losing the support of the mosquitoes, their attacking speed was obviously reduced. Thus, the teetering fifth layer miraculously stabilized temporarily.

The Grim Airship Fleet was already prepared. They spread out, covering “Sky Ark”, which was approaching the village chief’s hut where Bella and the rest were hiding. The cannon of the flagship was more than double that of an ordinary Grim Airship. It would be much harder for the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes if they wanted to get close. 

The Grim Airship fleet’s soldiers were all Skeleton Firearm Soldiers selected from Sarnia City. They had participated in the previous clean-up operation of the alien lairs in the underground of the abandoned Benedict Manor, and they were more skilled in the use of firearms. 

The Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes couldn’t suck bones, and they did not know where to go from there momentarily. In the midst of hesitation, many were once again struck by the Skeleton Firearm Soldiers on the Grim Airships by using the copper fire guns, which were similar to the shotguns from the previous life. 

The Abyssal Army ants on the ground and the Abyssal Devil-Tooth Fish in the Ryder River couldn’t attack the targets in the sky at all. They were useless, except for cheering in the “audience seats”. They could only watch the performance of the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes from afar. The Abyssal Army Ants could buy some soy sauce (Chinese slang for saying it’s none of my business, just coming to take a look) and continue to attack the last two layers of the Defensive Swords Array set up by Kriss, but the Abyssal Devil-Tooth Fish couldn’t even do that. Their only option was to paddle in the Ryder River waters from the beginning till the end. 

The purpose of the Grim Airship Fleet was to pick up Bella and the rest and not to fight against the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes. The fleet’s “Joint Commander”, Princess Annie, had already sent out a gathering signal. 

The Grim Airships that had come here not only consisted of the existing 20 plus airships. In fact, a total of more than a hundred had joined this operation. Princess Annie divided the Grim Airships into four groups, with each group having 20 plus Grim Airships to begin exploring near Kurus City. The other three groups were still searching in the nearby airspace.

Other than having living people on the flagship “Sky Ark”, the other Grim Airships were driven by the skeleton soldiers. To the greatest extent, the use of human soldiers was prevented. Once one or two Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes successfully broke through the fire defense line and entered the Grim Airship, there would be a possibility that its internal system would be destroyed and result in the destruction of airships and deaths.

Under the obstruction of the Grim Airships, the flagship “Sky Ark” successfully approached the village chief’s hut that Bella and the rest were obstinately guarding. Bella opened the backyard door and planned to retreat from there. 

However, after discovering the objective of the Grim Airships, the abyssal demonic beings from all sides started a crazy offense. Seeing the dozens or so beautiful girls, whom they were about to get, slipping away right in front of their eyes was like a “cooked” duck flying away in front of them. It was something that the abyssal demonic beings hated most. 

The Abyssal Army Ants on the ground increased the intensity of the attack and soon smashed the fifth layer of the Defensive Swords Array, heading onwards to the strongest sixth layer. Even the school of Abyssal Devil-Tooth Fish, which had always been in the Ryder River previously, many of them had jumped out of the water and flew towards the village chief’s hut by the river. 

The Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes in the sky rushed towards the direction of the Grim Airship’s flagship, “Sky Ark”, despite the number of casualties. Princess Annie, the “Joint Fleet Commander” of the Grim Airship fleet, had ordered to fire at will. Now, both sides had begun their final battle—success or failure would be determined here. Bella would definitely be alright since she was a Demon King. Those Abyss Demonic Beings wouldn’t dare to directly attack an existence that showed the power of a Demon King. 

The main people to be rescued were the girls following Bella. They could be considered as Princess Annie’s “sisters”. Since they were all members of Bella’s harem, it wouldn’t be a problem to be known as sisters. The Grim Airships covering the flagship “Sky Ark” let loose their cannons, creating an opportunity to save the girls. At the same time, they were afraid of accidentally hurting the people in the hut, so they dared not hurl down the explosive wooden barrels that were on the Grim Airships to attack the Abyssal Army Ants.

“Mistress Bella, hurry up and bring the sisters up. Put the suspension ladder down, quick. Inform the other Grim Airships, even if they are sinking, they are not to retreat. Defend till the end!”

Princess Annie came to the edge of the airship. She commanded the skeleton soldiers to lower down five or six wooden suspension ladders while ordering the Grim Airships nearby, which were providing cover, that even if they were destroyed by the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes, they were not allowed to leave their spot. The Grim Airships formed a four-layered circular defensive array to battle the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes, fully prepared to follow the command to a tee.

“Princess Effie, President Angelia, help is here. Quickly go to the courtyard. You guys… What happened to you guys?”

“Bella, you go. Both of our legs can’t move anymore…”

“Bella, if you guys can stand, just go! We are trapped by them…” 

At this critical moment, Princess Effie and the rest’s legs actually gave way. Bella thought that it was her fault for teasing them previously and making them too tired. But after turning one round, she found out that something was wrong. 

Other than her, only Lisha and Kriss were standing; the other girls couldn’t walk as their legs turned to jelly. This was too abnormal. For example, President Alephia and President Gladys, she hadn’t even teased them before, so why were their legs soft! 

“Bella, retreat. I saw them. Almost forgot! Go away…”

Princess Kriss discovered the problem. She took out the holy sword, “Weeping Soul”, and waved this legendary sword, which was said to be able to attack holy spirits in the air. Princess Effie and the rest suddenly felt that their legs were much more comfortable. Bella also saw many greenish-grey hand marks on their snowy white legs.

They were the wraiths left by the human race who were brutally attacked and killed by the Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes, Abyssal Army Ants, and Abyssal Devil-Tooth Fish. As they were killed by the abyss demonic beings, they couldn’t enter the Reincarnation Passage. They could only follow the abyss demonic beings—their killers—to harm other people, dragging them into the water to become their new members.

When they saw that Princess Effie and the girls were about to retreat successfully, the resentment and jealousy in their hearts made them stretch their hands out to grab the legs of Effie and the other girls, preventing them from escaping, wanting them to die together here. Bella didn’t have any Light Mage with them and hence, discovered the wraiths too late. 

Fortunately, Princess Kriss had swords to deal with various opponents and managed to solve the obstacles on the body of Princess Effie and the rest. The spiritual trauma suffered by the wraiths hacked by the “Weeping Soul” wouldn’t be healed in the next few years. They could only blame themselves for courting disaster, though,  fully deserving this ending for brewing ill intentions towards Bella and the rest. 

Bella, Kriss, and Lisha didn’t feel the wraiths pulling their legs. After all, the difference in the smell of their souls and the human race could be felt by them. Other than this trio, the rest of the girls in the hall, including Princess Effie and the student presidents of the three academies, all fell into the trap.

“Our feet temporarily don’t have any energy… Bella, sorry, we have no strength to climb the ladder. When you go back—”

“No, Angelia, I will not leave anyone behind. Don’t say anything, listen to me for the rest of the things.”

Bella interrupted President Angelia’s last words abruptly. No matter what was said, she was not willing to give up any of the girls here. It was not only due to the feeling of girls’ love, but also her dignity as a Demon King. If a Demon King failed to protect the people she wanted to protect, it would be very embarrassing for the Demon King.

Fortunately, there were girls from the Alexis Assassin Academy on the flagship, “Sky Ark”. After seeing Bella’s gestures, President Dinah and Vice President Anya quickly dropped down a dozen flying hooks that the assassins used to climb the walls. If Princess Effie and the other girls couldn’t climb the wooden suspension ladder, they’d use the flying hooks’ ropes and pull them up one by one. 

Bella intended to carry Princess Effie and the girls one by one into the yard and use these ropes to pull them up onto the flagship “Sky Ark”. At this critical juncture, Lady Luck once again stood on Bella’s side. A burst of a violent long-range cannon shot onto the swarm of Abyssal Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes, scattering them out. 

More than eighty Grim Airships formed a fleet of airships, coming over from several directions. They had received the gathering signal from the “Joint Fleet Commander”, Princess Annie, of the flagship “Sky Ark” and rushed here just in time to support them in this critical moment.

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