When the connection breaks, the gate randomly locks onto another plane for a while. Then, once it has recovered some power, it attempts to connect to hell again. I am guessing that this gate is actually older than the one I destroyed, probably a prototype.

  After this one turned out defective, they used what they learned from it to build the other gate. That means that they definitely have the ability to build more gates. In fact, depending on how hard it is to build, they may have already built more.

  Following that train of thought, I take a minute to analyze the materials of the gate. Luckily, the materials of the gate are fairly rare from what I can see, the demons can't have too much of it. Although, the fact that they didn't bother to tear this gate down means they have some.

  Then again, the demons have been planning and working towards this for a long time. They also control a fairly large area and probably have mines of these materials. They could have amassed a large quantity of them over the centuries.

  I also know that they had dealings with a human merchant company, so they could have gotten them that way. At this point, I should just assume that they already have multiple gates. Even if they don't already, they are probably in the process of building them.

  That means that starting the war sooner rather than later would be the smart move. The longer we wait, the more hordes of demonic beasts we will have to deal with. That means I need to change my plans and move things up quite a bit.

  Of course, the other option is to search for the gates and nuke them with Lin's help. Now that I have analyzed one, I should be able to figure out how to find the others. As I am thinking, I am watching the shadow and demonic beasts fighting.

  That gives me an idea of how to cause some more problems for the demons. If I were to fix the gate and lock it on the shadow plane, the demons would have an invasion to deal with. Since I know how much the shadow demons and normal demons hate each other, it seems like a good idea.

  With that idea in mind, I turn my attention to studying the gate's enchantments. I want to make sure that I understand them before making any changes. Luckily, the enchantments, while powerful, are fairly simple from my point of view.

  Not only does it only take me a few minutes to understand them, but I see that my idea could work. In fact, I can make the changes needed fairly easily if I decide to do so. However, to avoid getting in trouble, I should probably ask for permission.

  "Krenocia? I have an idea I want to run by you!"

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Krenocia says "That is one of the most terrifying prayers I have ever heard! What horrible idea have you come up with now?!"

  "Haha! Well, I found what I think is the first gate the demons built, but it is defective. Instead of destroying it, I was thinking of setting it to the shadow plane and leaving it open. What do you think?"

  Krenocia says "I think you are insane, but also a genius! Shadow demons and hell demons absolutely hate each other! As long as this gate isn't close to human lands, it would be a major problem for the hell demons! There are some risks, but I think it is worth it. I can't believe I am saying this, but go ahead and do it."

  "Really? Just like that? I was expecting to have to argue with you to convince you."

  Krenocia says "If the demons built two gates, then chances are high that they can build more, or have already done so. That was outside of the considerations of my sister and I. Even if they can only bring through demon beasts, we still can't fight that kind of numbers. We have to take some risks at this point otherwise we will lose."

  "That was almost exactly the same as what I was thinking. I really wasn't expecting you to have the same thoughts."

  Krenocia says "You just had to ruin it! I was all excited thinking that I had made the right decision, but now I'm not so sure. If I am thinking like you, that is terrifying! Now I am doubting every thought I have!"

  "Haha! Relax! You are not anywhere near turning into me! Although, if I became a god and you became my wife, chances are that you would end up a lot more like me."

  Krenocia says "Ugh! Did you say that just to stop us from wanting you to become a god?!"

  "Maybe."

  Krenocia says "That is not funny, Ash!"

  "I don't know, it is pretty funny from where I am sitting!"

  Krenocia doesn't say anything, all I hear is a growl and then the connection breaks. It looks like I annoyed her, but that also means that I won the argument. Besides, she already gave me permission for my idea and that is what I was after.

  Unfortunately, by the time I am done talking to Krenocia, the gate is no longer connected to the shadow plane. So, I end up having to wait until it reconnects so that I can lock it in place. Of course, it doesn't reconnect to the shadow plane until it has gone through several cycles.

  While I am waiting for it to connect to the shadow plane again, I do some looting. There are plenty of beast bodies around considering all the fighting that has gone on. Shadow beast bodies fade away after they die, but they leave their cores behind, if they had one.

  I don't know if an angel can consume a shadow beast core, but it is worth a try. If they can't, then I can always find some other use for it, I can even absorb it myself. Although, I will have to be careful if I do, I need to watch what I use for evolution.

  Speaking of that, I need to finish this up and get back to the tower so that I can evolve. Only once that is done will I send the rest of the angel cores that I don't need to Seronia. Honestly, using just angel cores to finish my evolution worries me a little, I don't want to become part angel.

  However, I don't need much to reach my next evolution, I am hoping that it won't be a big deal. There is only one way to find out, but I am still a little worried about it. That won't stop me from doing it, I will just waste energy worrying anyway.

  I continue snagging materials when I won't risk being spotted as I wait for the gate. It seems that because I am waiting for it, the gate is intentionally avoiding the shadow plane. It is over two hours later that it finally connects to the shadow plane again.