Shun's Perspective "The representative of the Demon race has arrived."
A butler's call, tinged with tension.
And for good reason.
This was likely the first time in history that a member of the Demon race had set foot in the Holy Areius Papal State—the nation in Human race territory farthest from Demon race lands.
The one who appeared was a younger man than I had imagined.
I knew there was no outward difference between the Demon race and the Human race, but seeing the real thing up close like this, he looked like nothing more than an ordinary human.
"My name is Balth Fisaro. Pleased to meet you all."
However, since the Demon race lived far longer than Humans, his true age was almost certainly not what his appearance suggested.
He introduced himself with a dignified bearing, and in this place—enemy territory was none too strong a word—he showed not the slightest trace of fear or nervousness.
"Welcome, and thank you for making the long journey. I am Dustyin, Pope of the Divine Word Religion."
The Pope returned the greeting.
Once Balth took his seat, the meeting began.
"Well then. We don't have much time to spare, so let's skip the pleasantries. I'll proceed on the premise that everyone gathered here intends to cooperate with us."
The Pope began speaking on behalf of the group.
Present were Balth, the Demon race representative, along with representatives from each nation.
The Holy Areius Papal State was the headquarters of the Divine Word Religion, equipped with teleportation circles connected to every country.
On top of that, we had Ronant to thank for dashing around to various places.
That was how representatives from each nation could be gathered so quickly.
That said, many countries had failed to conclude domestic deliberations and opted not to participate.
My own homeland, the Ana Reit Kingdom, was among them.
In our case, the internal conflict stirred up by Yugo had left the kingdom still split between the Queen's faction and Elder Brother Reston's faction—it simply wasn't the time.
Calling a battle that decided the world's fate "not the time" was harsh, and Elder Brother Reston and the others surely knew that.
But even so, whether two factions that had been fighting each other until just recently could immediately join hands was another question entirely. That would have been difficult.
If we'd had a little more time, we might have rushed over as well. Unfortunately, we didn't have the luxury to take things that slowly.
When you thought about it that way, the Demon race's movements were extraordinarily swift.
The moment the Demon King and the Pope made their declaration, they sprang into action immediately.
Balth had apparently first sent a fast rider to make contact with the Empire.
Or rather, Balth himself had accompanied that rider.
He'd had the Empire relay the message, and in this way made his way directly to this place.
I didn't know how far it was from the teleportation circle connecting the Demon race capital to the Empire's location here, but there was no way such a critical facility existed right next to Demon race territory.
He had most likely arrived here without a moment's sleep.
That spoke to just how seriously he viewed the situation.
He had come with the strong resolve to temporarily cease hostilities with the Human race—a race they had been at war with for years.
"Our objective is to prevent the system collapse initiated by the Demon King
The reason I was attending this meeting was not because I was the Hero, but because I was the one who possessed the Ruler Skill.
Seated on either side of me were Kathia and
"However, the Demon King Ariel has already arrived at the Great Ello Dungeon and established a defensive formation."
According to the Divine Word Religion's reconnaissance units, a certain Monster sat stationed at both entrances to the Great Ello Dungeon—one on the Kasanagara Continent side and one on the Dazdordia Continent side.
That Monster was…
"Queen Taratect."
Hearing that name, the attendees collectively held their breath.
It was a Myth-class Monster.
That colossal creature, one at each entrance.
On top of that, spider-type Monsters that appeared to be Queen Taratect's kin were being summoned in rapid succession.
Their numbers were beyond what the eye could possibly count.
In other words, there was simply a staggering, incomprehensible number of Monsters.
"Moreover, it is virtually certain that forces loyal to the Demon King Ariel have already been deployed inside the Great Ello Dungeon as well. Unless we break through them, there can be no victory for humanity."
Queen Taratect—a Myth-class Monster so powerful it was said that no human hand could hope to defeat it.
In the past, a Hero of old had led a massive army to slay a Queen Taratect.
The result: a draw.
They had assembled every fighting force they could muster, and numerous heroes of the Human race joined alongside the Hero at the forefront, yet even then, all they could manage was a stalemate.
And now there were two of those creatures.
"Taking on two Queen Taratect simultaneously would be reckless. Therefore, we will concentrate our efforts on one, using a small elite force to fight our way into the Great Ello Dungeon. We ask that all of you handle the swarm led by the other Queen Taratect."
Quiet groans rose up here and there.
Fighting the Queen Taratect.
That was no simple task.
One had to accept the possibility of total annihilation.
…No, more than that, one might have to proceed on that very assumption.
As representatives of their nations, could they accept that?
"We depart in two days. Our forces will march from here."
Yet the Pope's announcement cut through the somber contemplation of the national representatives.
A departure in just two days—far too little time.
But there were reasons it had to be so.
"With every passing moment, the countdown to system collapse draws closer. If any nation has not arrived by then, we will depart with those who are present, even if we must go alone."
Even now, the god known as the Black Dragon was locked in battle with
There was no way to know how much time remained.
But if we delayed, that moment would come regardless.
Perhaps, even at this very instant, it could arrive without warning.
"If your nation cannot join, that is fine as well. Either way, the outcome will be the world's choice."
People would die, or a god would die.
That was what this battle was.
And two days after this meeting, the fuse was finally lit on the battle that would decide the fate of the world.