The Author's POV

[Alliance Headquarters]

―There's a sudden situation. This is the perfect time to strike the demons.

―I have just been informed that our forces and the demons in Idoania have engaged in full-scale warfare against one another. Even though there have been no requests for additional support, the situation appears to be rather grim. The Demon King is currently engaged in combat with the Leaders of our race.

―The mana on this planet also seemed to have drastically increased. Do you have any idea of what happened, Ren?

"One at a time, please…"

I massaged my head while I stared at the three projections in front of me. They were Gervis, Maylin, and Brutus. The heads of the three races on Earth.

The three of them had different facial expressions at the moment and were talking over one another, but I roughly understood what had occurred.

I looked at Maylin.

"So you're saying a war broke out on this planet called Idoania and that the Demon King is currently fighting against all of your race leaders?"

―That's correct.

Maylin, who was hidden behind the holographic projection, nodded her head. After staring at her for what seemed like an eternity, I eventually leaned against the back of my chair.

I had a sudden thought.

"There are seven Protectors, but as far as I can tell, there is only one on Earth. If I'm not mistaken, then it seems highly likely that the race leaders of the three different races are the other Protectors... right?'

It was a possibility.

If not, why would Jezebeth opt to move to them before heading down to earth? The more I thought about it, the more obvious it seemed.

… In the same manner, as on Earth, the Protectors kept a close eye on the three other races in order to ensure that they remained in their proper place.

Clean up and oppress those who have talent.

Their surveillance wasn't something that was exclusive to human beings alone, but it did affect the other races as well...

It was also abundantly clear that the Protectors placed a higher priority on the other races than they did on us, as evidenced by the fact that there was only one Protector watching over us as opposed to the two others for each race.

Not that I blamed them.

After all, mana was something that humans had only very recently begun to interact with. In addition, our population was noticeably lower than theirs.

It only made sense.

I turned to look at Gervis.

"Yes, the mana in the atmosphere did indeed become a lot denser. I don't know why, but I've received several reports from our side that many have broken through because of it."

―Oh? Is Octavious one of them?

"Yes."

I replied with a short nod.

Not even a day after my other self killed Waylan, a large phenomenon swept over the city, and Octavious broke through to rank.

The news of his breakthrough was met with a great deal of enthusiasm, and some news articles even suggested that he ought to take the reins as leader of the alliance in light of his recent success.

If only they knew...

"He's broken through to the next rank, and so have several other people. What about you?"

―Same for us.

Gervis heartily laughed.

us experienced a large increase in our powers. Although I don't know

"That's nice to hear."

friendly smile before turning my attention to Brutus. Even though he was hidden behind a projection, I was still able

eyes focused on me,

advantage of this

orcs didn't go through any of what you humans did,

"Hmmm."

had some reason behind

launch an assault, that time would be now. Not only did a good number of us become stronger, but because the mana was so concentrated, the demons were put in

needed to be tuned in order to

was only one problem

at me with expectant eyes. It seemed like they

the bottom of my chin and muttered my

just came off a pretty big war, and if we suddenly get into another

though I couldn't say for certain that this was the case, it was safe to assume that the general populace

picture all of the articles that would be written about me, calling me a

Not that I cared.

in the media, and I've become

I found them to be rather humorous. The vast majority of the time, all I would do to have a

currently recuperating and mourning the losses, but this isn't an opportunity that can be wasted. There's no better time to strike now, and honestly, since we're the ones attacking,

other two. From the looks on their faces, it appeared as though they were

one who held a contrasting viewpoint, and I adjusted the position of

I turned

scenarios began playing over and over again in my head, and I went through each and every one of them very carefully, analyzing the benefits and drawbacks of

many things to consider, and knowing the scope of

needed to bring most of

to

behind to defend the domain in the event that

to bring

there was a trap set up

the citizens would think of the situation and how to calm

to take into consideration,

with the aid of the chip, I was soon able to

"Haa…"

let out a

this is going

At this point, everything

have you made

I looked at her. Staring at her for a good

"Yeah."

stood up from

get ready for

***

"Here."

"What's this?"

fell on the small bottle he placed over my

and placed a small bottle on my table as I was preparing

With a little help from Melissa, we were

"Uh?"

a conversation I had a while back started to surface in my mind, and my eyes

"Isn't this…"

"Yup."

Ryan smiled.

from the Monolith. I figured you'd

"You're damn right."

clear and resembled water, and as I shook the bottle from side to side, I observed how

'Rather smooth.'

the serum I took, which was rather viscous,

"How are the effects?"

it into someone, they'll follow your commands, but in a limited manner since it takes several dosages