"Then let us begin this informal meeting between the Divine Word Church and the Demon race."
The meeting commenced with the Pope's words.
Did the Pope take the initiative first because he didn't want us to seize control, or something like that?
Honestly, I've always just shown my power and bulldozed through these situations, so I don't really understand all the subtle nuances and formalities.
Well, I don't care about who's leading anyway. If they want to handle things, I've got no complaints.
Actually, I've got no complaints about anything, generally speaking.
"Let's start with introductions. I'll go first. I am the fifty-seventh Pope of the Divine Word Church,
The Pope finished his introduction.
Following that, the members of the Divine Word Church introduced themselves one by one, but honestly, I have no intention of remembering anyone other than the Pope and Kusama-kun.
The Divine Word Church's papal line was on its fifty-seventh generation, yet the name he gave was Dustin the Sixty-First.
How many people in this world actually understand what that means?
It means he has completed sixty lives and is now walking through his sixty-first life.
That he's aware of that. That he knows. That he understands its meaning.
With all of that in mind — he declared his name.
Just giving his name, yet that name carries the weight of sixty-one lives.
Or perhaps even more.
"I-I'm a member of the Pope's Direc— sorry, I... Sazin. I am a Reincarnated person, and my name in my previous life was Kusama Shinobu."
Kusama-kun's voice trembled as he introduced himself.
Wait, he stuttered, didn't he?
What was that? "Chussuku"?
He probably meant to say "Direct Section" but totally stumbled over it.
From next to me, Oni-kun quietly muttered "Kusama?"
Come to think of it, the Oni-kun and Kusama-kun were on pretty good terms, I think.
Kusama-kun was part of Natsume-kun's group, but he was also the type to talk with other guys outside of that.
The reason he was in Natsume-kun's group was more about going along with the crowd than actually admiring him — it didn't seem like he really looked up to Natsume-kun.
That's the kind of ordinary, small-minded person Kusama-kun is.
Being in the lap of the most powerful figure among the Human race — looks like that hasn't changed in this life either.
"That concludes our introductions. Would you mind introducing yourselves as well? Nightmare of the Dungeon."
*Pff!?* Wha—! What kind of bomb just dropped out of nowhere!?
I knew people in human society were calling me by that embarrassing chuuni alias, but saying it right to the person's face!?
No, no — the problem isn't that.
How did they find out that I'm the Nightmare of the Dungeon?
Where did the information leak from?
Damn — I can't believe they'd hit me with a double-pronged strike like this. The Pope is truly terrifying!
He's completely different from Güli.
This is not something I can afford to be careless about.
Keep it cool!
It's still fine. The only thing that's embarrassing about being known is the name itself — there's nothing else to worry about!
I need to stay calm.
"My name is Shiro. Please call me that if you would."
Don't call me by that title, Nightmare of the Dungeon.
That's an absolute refusal.
And you, Vampire Girl — why are you staring at me with such a shocked expression?
My way of speaking?
Even I can use polite speech if I put my mind to it, you know.
"So, Shiro-sama, if I may be direct — what role have you been assigned among the Demon race?"
The Pope's piercing gaze.
He may look like a kindly old man, but there's a sharp blade hidden in those eyes that he can't quite conceal.
As expected of the head of the massive religion that controls all of humanity from behind the scenes.
He's not what he appears to be.
That said, I've been asked a difficult question.
I don't actually have an official position among the Demon race, do I?
If I had to say something, maybe the Demon King's close relative?
Hmm.
If I'd known it would come to this, I should have asked the Demon King for some kind of title.
I'll get a temporary position after this is over.
That'll make things easier going forward.
But that's for later — what do I say now?
"Please consider that today I am here not as a member of the Demon race, but as one of the Administrators of the world."
Safe answer!
And with that, I've declared myself an Administrator!
Praise my skill at defusing a crisis while simultaneously keeping the other side on guard!
Even I can talk when I try, you know!
If I spin my brain cells to the point of rupture and force words out of my mouth while coughing up blood!
So don't push the conversation my way!
To signal that I have no intention of opening my mouth further, I gesture to the two people flanking me to introduce themselves.
The Vampire Girl and the Oni-kun exchanged glances across me, completing their silent conversation.
It seems the Vampire Girl will go first.
"My name is
*Pff!?* Another idiot dropping bombs from our own side!
Wait, you're going to say that NOW?
No, well — I did bring along this unpredictable explosive hoping it might lead to some kind of growth for the Vampire Girl, but still!
Read the room a little and time your revelations better!
Don't just drop it all at once and leave nothing but scorched earth!
"I am Lars. I'm also a Reincarnated person, but like Sophia, I'll refrain from disclosing my previous life's name. If you really want to know, please ask Kusama over there later."
Oh.
The Oni-kun gave a safe introduction.
Good, good.
"I'm of the Demon race — an Oni, evolved from an Ogre."
*Pff!?* I don't know what the Oni-kun's intention was in saying that, but the look in some of the Divine Word Church members' eyes changed!
Especially the Pope!
That look says he's thinking at lightning speed.
Huh?
That's strange?
Just from introductions alone, things are already this chaotic?
Am I the only one who can't see a future where this meeting ends peacefully?