System's POV

Chapter 965: Strength Beyond Death!

"Is everyone ready?" Vorren asked his subordinates. They had gathered at the outskirts of Averin City, where the main headquarters of the Marten Race was located.

"Sir, I have a bad feeling about this mission," said one of Vorren's subordinates. "I feel like we're walking into some kind of trap."

Vorren glanced at his subordinate and nodded in agreement.

"I feel the same," Vorren said. "The number of people on our side isn't that big, yet we haven't encountered any obstacles until now. We could very well be walking into a trap. But we have no choice but to jump headfirst into that trap if it means getting our Prince back.

"I'm sure all of you know what kind of person his father is. Even if we meekly wait for our reinforcements to arrive, the chances of us being spared once the General finds out we have allowed the Prince to get captured by the humans are nil.

"That's why, even if we have to make sacrifices… even if you and I die, we must do this mission so others may live."

The expressions of the 500 Skavari who accompanied Vorren in this mission hardened.

He could have brought more people on this mission, but he also had misgivings about it because Zion had been the one to set the time and place for the attack.

Three days.

That was more than enough time to make ample preparations for both sides.

He deemed they were really walking into a trap, so he had left half of the Elite force of their faction back at their headquarters.

The Skavari Commander had also left someone capable of taking command in case something happened to him.

"Our plan is simple," Vorren said. "Hit them quick and flee just as quick! Set fire to some of the buildings, and your missions are done. Do not engage the enemy if possible. We didn't come here to kill but to cause chaos. Do I make myself clear?"

""Strength beyond death!""

The Skavari replied, lowering their voice but still impactful enough to make Vorren understand they would follow his order.

But just as everyone was about to execute their mission, a voice filled with satisfaction reached their ears.

"Although you're our enemies, I have to acknowledge your bravery." The Prince of the Marten, Prince Orryn, said calmly. "As such, I will see to it that none of you will be able to leave this place alive."

"I knew it." Vorren sneered. "So you have become the borrowed knife of a human. As expected of the Marten Race—weasels, all of you. Did you also kiss and lick Zion's feet and pledge your allegiance to him?"

"Very funny," Prince Orryn replied. "However, I agree we are just dancing on the palm of Zion's hand at the moment. But worry not. I'll make sure to send him to the afterlife so the two of you can enjoy some rotting carrion together."

The Prince then snapped his fingers, and in an instant, countless Martens surrounded Vorren and his subordinates.

They numbered in the thousands, and clearly, they had no intention of letting Vorren and his subordinate escape alive.

Knowing his fate had already been sealed, Vorren raised his fist toward the sky.

"Strength beyond death!" Vorren roared.

""Strength beyond death!""

""Strength beyond death!""

""Strength beyond death!""

The Skavari replied in kind and followed their Commander as he charged toward the Prince of the Martens.

Vorren was a Rank 7 Overlord, and although he believed he would die before he reached the Prince, he still decided to go all out.

If there was even a small chance that he could take the smug-looking weasel with him to the afterlife, then his death wouldn't be in vain!

Unfortunately, miracles didn't always happen.

The full might of the Marten's army descended upon the brave Skavari, who all fought ready to die.

Despite the numerical advantage, Vorren and his people didn't bat an eye.

The Skavari had an innate ability to detonate their bodies as a last resort to take down their enemies.

Their bones were hard, so the moment they exploded, sharp shrapnels would be sent flying around them, potentially dealing serious injuries to anyone close to them.

As the Skavari's nemesis, the Martens knew this as well, so they unleashed a bombardment of attacks from a safe distance at their desperate enemies, who intended to sacrifice their lives to bring down as many of them as possible.

This was also the reason why many factions feared a full-scale war against the Skavari.

At most, a battle with them would lead to mutual destruction, which their enemies could use to reap the profits after their battle ended.

With enough preparations, the Marten were able to decimate nearly half of the enemies that were led by Vorren.

However, the Rank 7 Overlord wasn't an easy opponent to defeat.

A detonation of his rank could cover an area of a hundred meters, and anyone weaker than him trapped inside that killing zone would definitely die or suffer a grievous injury.

Princess Laventia watched this battle with a frown on her face in the distance.

Thirteen informed her about this night raid and told her to enjoy the show.

The Succubus Race was mostly a neutral faction in Gomorra. They neither expanded their territories nor did they antagonize their neighbors.

Perhaps to compensate for that, they were active in conquering other foreign worlds through dimensional gates.

With their abilities, they were confident enough to secure a territory amidst their many strong rivals.

In the end, Zorren died, but he also took three Rank 7 Martens with him in battle, making Prince Orryn livid.

He nurtured these high-level subordinates with his own precious resources, which most certainly didn't grow on trees.

So, for him, he suffered a greater loss than the Skavari Race in this exchange despite having an absolute advantage.

"Damn, I really hate these vermins!" Prince Orryn cursed. "But I hate you more, Zion Leventis!"

Thirteen, who was watching this scene through the eyes of one of his demons, smirked.

He didn't really mind getting hated by Prince Orryn.

The Marten Prince was just one of the many beings who hated his guts.

But did he care?

No.

"With this, the preparations are complete," Thirteen said before glancing at the person behind him. "Isn't that right, Prince Zorren?"

The handsome and cunning Prince of the Skavari knelt on one knee and bowed his head respectfully.

"Yes, My Lord," Kessari, who had taken over the Prince's body, replied.

"Make sure they don't get suspicious," Thirteen stated. "Feel free to curse my name a hundred times a day if that's what it takes for them to trust you completely. You can do that, right?"

"… Yes, My Lord," Kesari replied reluctantly. "I obey your will."

Thirteen nodded and tapped his communicator to contact the new commander of the Skavari Race.

"You have kept your word," Thirteen said. "Vorren and his subordinates have died bravely in battle. I will keep my part of the deal and return your prince to you."

"Zion Leventis, you will not die a peaceful death!" replied hatefully by Krag, the new commander of the Skavari Race. "The Skavari will never forget!"

The teenage boy shrugged because Krag and Prince Orryn could form the "We Hate Zion Leventis" Fanclub for all he cared.

"This is the location where we will do our exchange," Thirteen said. "I also have a deal with Princess Laventia, so she will be there as well."

Krag snorted before ending the conversation.

Right now, he wanted to kill Zion so badly. Unfortunately, until their Prince was returned to them, he couldn't do anything reckless, for it might make their faction's situation worse than it already was.

Vorren was the person he respected the most, and now that he was gone, Krag wished nothing more than to tear Prince Orryn and Zion apart before feasting on their flesh and blood.

"Wash your neck, Zion Leventis," Krag said hatefully. "Once the second Prince arrives, I'll make sure to tell him everything you've done to us."

Prince Zorren was the third prince of the Skavari Race and was doted on by the Emperor.

This was also why he was the one who was sent to Pangea to secure a foothold for their faction. It was supposed to be a learning trip, allowing the Prince to better understand what it meant to go to war in another world.

Unfortunately, the Prince's desire to make Erica his wife had made him act recklessly, which led to the current situation.

For the time being, Krag planned to order the Skavari to keep a low profile until their reinforcements arrived.

The Skavari were a vengeful race, and they didn't really forget.

But little did they know, the System of Cannon Fodders also didn't forget those whom he had a grudge against.

Die a peaceful death?

That was the last thing on Thirteen's mind.

If he could avenge his Hosts and deal with the System God and the Goddess of Fate, he didn't care what kind of ending he would face after his mission was done.

When he fought against the System God, Thirteen had been prepared for death.

For him, death was more of a reprieve than a punishment for the sins that he was about to carry on his shoulders.