Chapter 156: The Ultimate Mastermind Behind the Scenes

At this moment, the surviving Digimon on the human side were AeroVeedramon, Shawujijimon, MetalPhantemon, SaviorHuckmon, and Paildramon. On the Digimon side, there were LoaderLiomon, Astaamon, and Etemon.

From this, one could see how tragic this battle truly was. Sixty percent of the twenty top-tier Perfect-level Digimon had been lost. And this was just among those still alive; the number of those genuinely capable of continuing to fight was likely even smaller.

While Paildramon achieved victory, some individuals from Mon-ken's side had also stepped forward to negotiate with Astaamon. However, right at this very moment, a massive magic formation unexpectedly appeared upon the ground. The coverage of this magic formation spanned across both the human and Digimon camps.

[It's here...] Watching this scene, a strange flicker crossed Mon-ken's face. Although he had anticipated this event happening quite a long time ago, he had not expected it to occur at this exact moment.

Simultaneously, within the range covered by this magic formation, a figure slowly walked out from the right side of the human faction and the left side of the Digimon faction. Moments later, everyone could clearly see who it was. It was none other than Mephismon.

Mephismon, a Fallen Angel-type Virus species, a Perfect-level Digimon, with its signature move being [Death Cloud].

It was a Fallen Angel-type Digimon in the form of a gigantic ram. Legend had it that it was a dark entity born from the residual consciousness data of Apocalymon, who had desired the annihilation of all life. Its behavioral principle was identical to that of Apocalymon: to eradicate all life. In addition, it excelled in dark-attribute magic and possessed an extremely cruel personality. However, its intelligence was very high, making it a strategist.

"Mephismon..." Mon-ken looked at Mephismon, recalling that rumor. However, Mon-ken had once asked Apocalymon about this matter, but Apocalymon had simply sneered at it with utter disdain.

According to Apocalymon's account, Mephismon was indeed created from his data fragments—specifically, fragments contaminated by malignant digital thoughts, to the extent that they could not even be considered mere avatars. If it had truly been created from his primary data fragments, its combat power would have at least reached the eighth tier of the Ultimate level without any doubt.

However, observing the appearance of Mephismon, Mon-ken suddenly felt that this was not entirely unexpected. After all, if Mephismon was the one plotting all of this behind the scenes, then it was indeed entirely logical.

Astaamon's expression shifted drastically the moment he laid eyes on Mephismon, and he immediately demanded in a stern voice, "Mephismon, what are you doing here?"

Mephismon let out a cold laugh and said, "Astaamon, although we are both Virus-species Digimon, to be honest, you have disappointed me far too much."

Astaamon gazed coldly at Mephismon and stated, "Hmph, I advise you, no matter what you are attempting to do, you had best stop right now. Otherwise, you will simply be unable to bear the weight of my wrath."

"Even at your absolute peak, I did not fear you. Let alone now?" Mephismon sneered, "You are currently struggling somewhat just to deal with an ordinary Perfect-level Digimon. What makes you think you can handle me?"

Astaamon rebuked coldly, "Aside from the two of us, are there truly no other Digimon capable of dealing with you? Do not forget, this world is vast."

"Naturally, I have not forgotten," Mephismon said loudly. "Strike."

[Not good!] The moment those words fell, Astaamon seemed to realize what was happening, but it was already too late.

Astaamon was well aware that Mephismon excelled in dark-attribute magic. And among all dark-attribute magic, the one Mephismon used most proficiently was brainwashing magic—or more accurately, mind-control magic.

However, if this type of magic were applied to a single Digimon, even Astaamon could not guarantee with absolute certainty whether his own willpower would allow him to break free completely. Moreover, the greater the number of targets affected, the higher the probability that the controlled Digimon would be able to break free.

In other words, if Mephismon desired to control a vast number of Digimon, he could only choose to target those with weak willpower. This raised a question: were there Digimon with weak willpower among their ranks? Yes, of course there were, and quite a few of them at that.

Suddenly, just as Mephismon finished speaking, a portion of the Digimon army on Astaamon's side—ranging from top to bottom, from strong to weak—suddenly turned their weapons against their own comrades beside them.

Their numbers accounted for roughly one-third of the total. After launching surprise attacks and cutting down the Digimon beside them, that initial third was effectively dead. In other words, out of the original three-thirds of the Digimon army, one-third had perished, leaving two-thirds. Yet these remaining two-thirds were now hostile toward one another, instantly erupting into a fierce battle.

However, the situation on the Digimon side was not the only one; the human army was faring no better. Just as chaos erupted within the Digimon forces, a number of humans in the human army suddenly had their eyes turn crimson. They began commanding their own Digimon to attack the Digimon of their comrades, while they themselves launched sneak attacks against their allies. In an instant, both factions plunged into complete disorder.

Witnessing this scene, Astaamon's expression shifted dramatically once more. "This is impossible. You cannot possibly control this many Digimon and humans."

The sheer volume was truly staggering. On the Digimon side, nearly one-third were affected. On the human side, roughly another third as well. Astaamon could even see that out of the ten individuals renowned as the strongest champions of the human faction, a portion of them had actually been placed under control.

"First, I utilized this grand array to amplify my ability." Mephismon gestured toward the magic formation beneath their feet, and then pointed at the various individuals scattered around the surroundings. "Second, I merely conformed to the depths of their hearts and guided them along."

Astaamon spoke in a cold, harsh voice, "What on earth is your ultimate goal in doing this?"

Nodding with absolute confidence, Mephismon replied, "I wish to leave this place, and I wish to evolve into an Ultimate-level Digimon. No Digimon would ever reject the possibility of growing stronger. I am no exception, and neither are they."

Frowning deeply, Astaamon retorted, "Yet on the human side, evolution is an impossibility."

Mephismon laughed heartily. "You have all persistently believed that these humans came here to invade us. But in reality, they are merely pathetic people who accidentally strayed into this world. It is true that they cannot evolve themselves, but they undoubtedly harbor a desperate desire to return home."

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Astaamon asked, "Then, there remains one final question: where on earth is your true physical body located right now?"

"Oh? Have you figured it out?"