Chapter 22: The Firestorm of Nova**

Mikhail's orders, relayed swiftly through Aiden, reached the eastern battle zone. The commanders, without hesitation, began to lead their troops towards the designated locations.

Barely had the retreat begun when the soldiers heard a series of deafening roars from the sky. Trails of fire streaked across the heavens, targeting the positions of the demons.

The soldiers, understanding the source of the fire, instinctively looked towards its direction. Moments later, the world seemed to darken as if light itself had been stripped away. Then, dozens of fireballs, brighter than the sun, appeared in their view. Fortunately, the soldiers were prepared and had donned their protective goggles just in time, avoiding blindness.

From a distance, the explosion's shockwave hadn't reached them yet, rendering the scene eerily silent except for the sound of swallowing, reminding them they hadn't gone deaf.

The soldiers stared dumbfounded at the distant fireballs, the world losing its color, overshadowed by the fiery spectacle.

Shortly after, a powerful gust mixed with the explosive roar rushed towards the stunned soldiers. The commanders finally snapped to action and issued orders.

"Hold your positions, don't panic, continue the retreat!"

Following the commands, the troops resumed their retreat amidst the gusts.

Simultaneously, in a seemingly coordinated effort, the western, northern, and southern battle zones also initiated nuclear strikes to reduce casualties.

Hundreds of fireballs blossomed across the surface of Nova, with more still emerging. Yet, this nuclear onslaught was like dust falling on a calm water surface, leaving no ripples on the vast expanse of Nova.

Meanwhile, in various underground shelters, the citizens of Nova wore complex and grim expressions as they held newly distributed notices:

**Procedures for Handling Demon Gene Virus Infections**

Reading the contents, anger, fear, helplessness, and despair erupted among the populace.

"Why? Why do we have to die?"

"I don't want to die! I haven't lived enough..."

"No, I don't want to become a monster..."

"I don't want to turn into a monster and hurt my family..."

"Mom, I don't want to become a monster..."

"Father, I..."

"Is there no other way?"

"Have you forgotten what our Sacred Leader taught us? This is our time to sacrifice..."

"But, I feel so unwilling..."

"Hmph, wasn't the Sacred Leader supposed to protect us? Why are we the ones who have to die now..."

"But if we get infected, Nova will..."

"Nova..."

Angel Hikan thought she would be caught by the devil's claw of Moni, but suddenly a flaming object descended from the sky, colliding with the claw and exploding.

Still in a daze and unable to react, Angel Hikan was blown away by the explosion but was caught mid-air by a figure.

"Are you okay?"

Ethan's voice reached Angel Hikan's ears. Still reeling from the data surge and engine failure caused by Xueyi, she finally regained her senses. Seeing her rescuer, she smiled.

"My engine failed earlier, but it's restored now. I'm fine. Please put me down."

Ethan nodded slightly and set Angel Hikan down, turning his gaze to the explosion site.

The devil's claw remained intact, and nearby stood a woman in black and purple tight attire with non-mainstream makeup and mechanical wings on her back.

The object that collided with the claw was actually a high-energy electromagnetic railgun from the spaceport. Under Ethan's orders, Aiden had been monitoring the entire battlefield, ready to fire at any moment. In the critical moment, Aiden fired the railgun, judging that if Angel Hikan were captured, the outcome would be dire.

"Is that Moni? Can you still fight, Hikan?"

"Yes, I can!"

After exchanging a few words with Hikan, Ethan looked at Angel Cold and Angel Chase, who had flown to his side.

"Are you guys okay?"

"Hmph, what could possibly happen to me? You should worry more about Hikan!"

"Thank you, I'm fine!"

Angel Cold, in her usual tsundere manner, snapped back at Ethan's slight underestimation, while Angel Chase responded more normally.

Moni, who had just been interrupted in her ambush by an unknown object, noticed Ethan and assumed he must be the leader of this planet. She addressed him:

"Hey, are you the one who stopped my devil's claw? Impressive! Interested in leading your people to join me? I can offer you immortality and everything you desire!"

Angel Hikan, who was initially happy about being saved by Ethan, was enraged by Moni's attempt to seduce him. She retorted furiously.

"How dare you, Moni! Your tricks are as vile as your appearance. Justice will burn you to ashes!"

Moni, nearly bursting with anger, struggled to find a comeback and could only curse repeatedly.

"Ethan, right? I don't care if you're the Demon King or an evil overlord. If you invade Nova, you will pay the price!"

(Ethan, despite his usual disdain for unnecessary talk, felt compelled to exchange harsh words in the heat of battle to avoid a dreadful fate. So, he braced himself and spoke.)

After finishing his speech, armor started spreading from Ethan's neck, enveloping his entire head and forming a helmet.

Ethan experienced a brief moment of darkness before his vision cleared, making it seem as if he wasn't wearing a helmet at all. The surroundings were vividly displayed with analytical data appearing in appropriate positions. The sensation was remarkable.

"Nova Armor 001, full combat mode activated. Welcome, Sacred Leader!" Aiden's voice resonated as Ethan adapted to this new sensation.

"BOSS, the high-energy electromagnetic railgun didn't destroy their weapon, but other targets should still be heavily damaged."

"Got it. Lock onto the targets in my view and engage ten high-energy electromagnetic railguns for continuous attack. Don't give the enemy any respite."

"Deploy all weapons from the spaceport to target and fire at all second and third-generation demons worldwide without limitation. Similarly, the high-energy concentrated plasma streams from all satellites should target first-generation demons. Fire without restrictions."

"Ignore issues of overheating and overload. We can rebuild if necessary. If we lose now, there's no future!"

"Before the enemy discovers these weapons, inflict as much damage as possible!"

Having adjusted to the helmet, Ethan immediately issued commands to Aiden.

"Understood, BOSS!"