Gathering②
Shun's perspective
"His Excellency, the representative of the Demon Clan, has arrived."
The steward's announcement, tense.
No surprise.
The Demon Clan had likely never set foot in the Holy Arelus Church Kingdom, the human territory farthest from Demon lands, in recorded history.
The figure who appeared was a young man—unexpected, unlike the image in mind.
Though aware that demons and humans appeared identical, seeing one in person confirmed the truth: no discernible difference.
"Barth Fisaro. Pleasure to meet you."
Yet demons lived longer than humans. Age likely did not match appearance.
His posture was confident. In a place that could be considered enemy territory, no sign of fear or tension showed.
"Welcome from afar. I am Pope Dustin of the Divine Word Church."
The Pope returned the greeting.
When Barto took his seat, the meeting began.
"Time is limited. I will forgo preliminaries. I assume all present here have come with intent to cooperate."
The Pope spoke on behalf of the assembly.
Attendees included Barto, representing the Demon Clan, and envoys from various nations.
The Holy Arelus Church served as the central sanctuary of the Divine Word Faith, with teleportation arrays established across all nations.
Additionally, thanks to Lord Ronant's efforts in traveling between regions.
This allowed for the swift gathering of envoys from across the world.
Still, many nations had not completed internal deliberations and chose not to attend.
My homeland, the Kingdom of Anarait, is among those absent.
In our case, internal division persists between the Queen Consort faction and the Reston elder brother faction due to the upheaval caused by Yugo’s rebellion. We were unable to attend.
To say that such a momentous conflict over the world’s fate was not our priority—though it may sound dismissive—is a fact both sides recognize.
Yet, to expect the factions that were recently at odds to reconcile immediately? That would have been difficult.
Had we more time, we might have arrived in person. Unfortunately, we cannot afford such leisure.
Considering this, the movements of the demonic faction are remarkably swift.
They acted immediately upon the declaration made by the Demon King and the Pope.
Barth first sent a swift messenger to the Empire.
In fact, Barth himself accompanied that messenger.
He relayed the message through the Empire’s channels and arrived here directly as a result.
The distance from the demon realm’s capital to the teleportation array located within the empire is unknown. Yet it is unlikely such a critical facility would exist so close to demon territory.
Perhaps arrived here without so much as a moment to sleep.
That alone indicates the gravity of the situation.
After years of war, the human faction entered a temporary truce—driven by a firm resolve.
Our objective is to prevent the system collapse caused by the Demon Lord Ariel. To achieve this, an individual possessing a unique skill known as the Dominance Skill must reach the innermost depths of the Grand Labyrinth of Elro.
I am present at this meeting not because I am a hero, but because I possess the dominion skill.
To my immediate left and right were Katia and Sue.
But the Demon King Ariel has already reached the Elro Great Labyrinth and is currently establishing defensive formations.
According to the Church of Divine Words' reconnaissance unit, a certain monster occupies each of the two entrances to the Elro Great Labyrinth—one on the Kasanagara Continent side, the other on the Dazdordia Continent side.
That monster is...
"Queen Taratect."
Upon hearing the name, the attendees collectively inhale sharply.
It is a myth-class monster.
A single instance of this immensely powerful creature stands at each entrance.
Moreover, spider-like monsters believed to be under the Queen Taratect’s command are being summoned in rapid succession.
The number is beyond visual estimation.
Thus, the presence of an overwhelmingly vast number of monsters is implied.
Not only that, but it is certain that subordinates of the Demon King Ariel are already positioned within the Elro Great Labyrinth. Without breaking through this barrier, victory for humanity is impossible.
Queen Taratect, a monster of mythic caliber, said to be beyond the reach of mortal hands.
Once, in ancient times, a hero led a vast army to slay Queen Taratect.
The outcome was mutual annihilation.
Forces were gathered to the utmost, heroes of the human race—those called legendary—participated in great numbers. Even so, the limit was only mutual destruction.
Now, two of such monsters.
Facing two Queen Taratects simultaneously is reckless. Therefore, we will concentrate on one, and force a breakthrough through the Elro Great Labyrinth with a small, elite unit. We ask all present to engage the horde led by Queen Taratect.
A low murmur rises from various corners.
The opponent of Queen Taratect.
This is not an easy task.
Total annihilation may need to be considered.
...Perhaps it must be assumed as a baseline.
Whether one, as a representative of a nation, can accept such a possibility.
"Departure in two days. We shall set forth from here."
Yet, the Pope interrupts the silence of the various national representatives.
A departure in two days—far too short a time.
Yet, a reason exists for this necessity.
"While we speak, the countdown toward system collapse advances by the moment. If those unable to arrive by the second day, we shall depart with only those present."
Even now, as the divine Black Dragon battles Young Leaf, Young Leaf appears to be actively destabilizing the system.
No way to determine how much time remains.
But if one remains idle, that moment will arrive all the same.
It may not be possible to rule out that moment arriving even now.
"If you cannot take your post, that is acceptable. Whoever wins, that will be the world's choice."
A human dies, or a god dies.
That is the nature of this battle.
And two days after this meeting—
The spark of the battle that would decide the fate of the world was finally struck.