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.

for us. After the mana density rose, almost all of us experienced

"That's nice to hear."

turning my attention to Brutus. Even though he was hidden behind a

his sharp eyes focused on me,

to take advantage of

has recently taken place. Even though we orcs didn't go through any of what you humans did,

"Hmmm."

had some reason behind

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 a position

in order to convert

one

three of them, who were looking at me with expectant eyes. It

my chin

off a pretty big war, and if we suddenly get into another war right now, the people will start to riot… The situation

this was the case, it was safe to assume that the general populace would be anything but pleased with the news that another war was

to picture all of the articles that would be written about me, calling me a war-hungry

Not that I cared.

worse things said about me in the media, and I've become somewhat desensitized

to be rather humorous. The vast majority of the time, all I would

can be wasted. There's no better time to strike now, and honestly, since we're the ones attacking, it shouldn't matter whether the citizens are happy or not. They won't be affected by all

Gervis's statement, I tilted my head back to take a look at the other two. From the looks on their faces,

only one who held a contrasting viewpoint,

of time, as no one spoke at any point. I turned on

I went through each and every one of them very carefully, analyzing the

things to consider, and knowing the scope of the attack, I knew I

that I needed to bring most of

needed to

the domain in the event that

to bring alongside

was a trap

calm down the panic and

were a lot of factors that I needed to take into consideration, and just thinking about all of those factors made my head throb

the aid of the chip, I was

"Haa…"

let out

this is going to be a pain in

what wasn't? At this point, everything was a

you made

pearl like voice reverberated through my office, and I looked at her. Staring at her for a good couple

"Yeah."

stood up

ready

***

"Here."

"What's this?"

to stare at Ryan, my gaze fell

a small bottle on my table as I was preparing

analyze and replicate. With a little help

"Uh?"

while back started to surface in my

"Isn't this…"

"Yup."

Ryan smiled.

serum used to create the supersoldiers from the Monolith. I figured you'd want to know about

"You're damn right."

the liquid contained within. It was clear and resembled water, and as I shook the bottle from side to side, I observed how the liquid mirrored my movements and moved

'Rather smooth.'

serum I took, which was rather

"How are the effects?"

they'll follow your commands, but in a limited manner since