Precisely ten days after my initial premonition, the world begins to tremble with an ominous tune.

To the ordinary folks, it might seem as though an earthquake of massive scale is going on, but to those who can feel mana, they must have realized the anomaly's source. That is, something dreadful is pouring down from the rift atop the dome.

Nighttime.

''Wow... I can't think of anything grosser than those.'' Chloe, who has been activating her divine eye, says in disbelief as she sits beside me. ''They're like insects—flying ones, mosquitoes...?''

''...''

Under the invaders' invasion, the aurora borealis, which has been illuminating the continent's nights for over a year, gradually loses its gleams. Instead, a grim crimson descends. Accompanied by distant buzzes, the faint flaps of wings, the starless sky is soon swarmed. In reality, it seems as though the world is falling down on us.

With this kind of number, we can only count on the people to defend themselves. We can't protect them while dealing with Buezrith and her clones, can we?

Nonetheless, it isn't the time for me to stay idle.

While the world is waking up to the threat, I turn around to face my allies, ''You guys... do your best, and don't die.'' I say, ''I'll go now. My battleground isn't here.''

''Let me follow you.'' Buezrith immediately volunteers herself, ''Since that person is also me, I bear the responsibility to stop her.''

''Alright.''

I can see the eagerness to accompany me in some of the girls, but they already have clear roles in this battle—to defend our land. Besides, even if they have become stronger than ever, the realm of divinity isn't so easy to reach.

''I'll leave this place to you guys.'' I softly speak.

''Hey! Um... come back safely, okay?'' Chloe calls out to me. ''You absolutely have to, okay?''

''...I can only do my best. And if everything fails... once again... no, I'll be back.''

After saying goodbye to everyone, I leave the dome with Buezrith. Following the traces of madness, we teleport to the barren land outside the caged continent. Dry wind blows, waves of heat wash over us, and we soon turn our attention to the sky.

There, the black sun gazes at us, having come closer than ever. Unlike the calm voids I am used to, its darkness seems almost ravenous, as if it will devour everything in a beastly way. Though somewhat similar to a black hole, it is also distinctly different.

The swirling crimson around the sun, as if reacting to our arrival, dances ominously, writhing as if a collage of tentacles. Then, they flare out into the air, merging and pooling onto the ground before us—a colossal waterfall of madness. It spreads like a flood, intangible, yet somehow chilling.

Beyond that film, a lone figure emerges, donning a long, elegant black dress.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

[...We finally met, my protagonist.]

A familiar face, familiar smile, and that unique presence—there is no doubt. This must be Buezrith—the only one we're looking for.

*****

The world is facing a celestial invasion.

Unknown enemies have descended upon this world from the depths of space, their numbers in the millions. Although the governments have been warned beforehand about the threat, no amount of preparation can sufficiently deal with this overwhelming show of force.

Countless unidentified monsters, large and small, swarm cities, burning down the buildings and people alike indiscriminately. Making physical contact with their burnt, charcoal-like skin rots the organic bonds within a creature's body, while being gazed upon by their blood-red eyes fuels an inexplicable frenzy in their mind.

In the dead of the night, the world is being violently and viciously torn apart. The flimsy security system of many countries soon falls short, and soon enough, perhaps those with ample preparations, like the empire, would, too.

Yet when the reality seems the bleakest, when the endless hours seem the darkest, sunlight once again smiles down upon the world. People look up at the sky, bewildered at the sun's sudden appearance, even though the time hasn't even reached one in the morning.

With it comes sudden messages from the system—an automatic pop-up from none other than Neveah, the one and only goddess of this planet.

[World Mission: Protect the continent.]

[Unidentified creatures have breached the world's boundaries, threatening to bring forth calamities to all living beings. With the goddess's provisional support, fight for your own survival, your family's survival, your country's survival, and ensure the continuation of civilization.]

[Reward: None.]

[Time Limit: None.]

[There is no second chance.]

Suddenly, those who find themselves powerless before the invaders feel a qualitative change in their bodies. Knowledge about magical skills pours into their heads, while their veins are filled with fresh mana.

Dawn has arrived, a last kindle of flame burns in men's hearts.

At the same time, a lonely figure can be seen within the core of the system, burying herself in the sea of monitors. Her fingers move tirelessly on the keyboard, filling the room with crisp clicks.

''Hah... this should be fine for now.'' Neveah stretches her arms, sighing.

''Do we move to the next phase right away?''

Behind the goddess stands a girl with crystal-like white hair and slit eyes, her beauty distinct.

''Yeah. I'll need to stay to operate the defense systems, but I want you to help those girls, Yggdrasil.'' Neveah says, stroking the girl's head. ''I know you have just been reborn... I'm sorry.''

''...No. It's my fault that I ended up like this in the first place. If anything, I'm grateful to you and Aurora.''

Without lingering for long, Yggdrasil returns to the surface and takes off to the sky. As she gains altitude, a blinding shine falls onto her body, catching the attention of the creatures in the sky.

Yggdrasil's dragon form still has pristine white scales, still a majestic yet elegant figure, yet her size has shrunk considerably. Within this assault, some of the insects on the other side even dwarf her.

''Pesks...''

The dragon's grumble holds a certain rage, a pointed, boiling hatred. Something close to pure divinity swells in her body, which materializes into a burst of white fire that sprays from her jaw.

Like mosquitoes before a flamethrower, the insects crumble into dust in batches.

Losing herself in a rampage, Yggdrasil continues to roam the sky while spewing fire, clearing the sky of Zircon diligently.

''W-Wait, what—?! Hey! Stop! Stop!''

''...?''

Until she hears a yelp too girly for a monster of madness—no, those things can't make such noises in the first place. When Yggdrasil finally eases her fire-breathing, she sees a fire dragon—quite a high-ranking one at that. Just... she is profusely blowing on her tail, which has been charred by Yggdragil's fire.

''B-Be careful, damn it!'' Ruby cries out. ''I almost got toasted...''

''...''

'Fire dragons these days are so weak.'

Yggdrasil can't help but have those thoughts.

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