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.

gone, everything has been going quite smoothly for us. After the mana density rose, almost all of us experienced

"That's nice to hear."

was hidden behind a projection, I was still able

his sharp eyes focused

of this opportunity to attack the

a result of the significant increase in mana density that has recently taken place. Even though we orcs didn't go through any of what you humans did, we didn't lose any strength, in contrast to the demons. If we take

"Hmmm."

had some reason behind

time would be now. Not only did a good number of us become stronger, but because the mana

to be tuned in order to convert the

one problem

them, who were looking at me with expectant eyes. It seemed like they had

my

war, and if we suddenly get into another war right now, the people will start to riot…

the

articles that would be written about me,

Not that I cared.

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

be rather humorous. The vast majority of the time, all I would do to have a good laugh would be look at

we know that you've just gone through a war and that you're currently recuperating and mourning the losses, but this isn't an opportunity that can be wasted. There's no better time to

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

held a contrasting viewpoint,

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

hundred distinct scenarios began playing over and over again in my head, and I went through each and every one of

many things to consider, and knowing the scope of the attack, I knew I couldn't go alone

that I needed to bring most of the human

needed to take

the domain in the event that the demons decide to launch an assault when the situation

bring

was a trap set up by the

of the situation and how to calm

factors that I needed to take

aid of the chip, I was soon able

"Haa…"

let out a

tell that this is going to be a pain

point, everything

have you

pearl like voice reverberated through my office, and I looked at her. Staring at her

"Yeah."

stood up

ready for

***

"Here."

"What's this?"

my gaze fell on the small bottle he placed

on my table as I was preparing a series of documents regarding the

is the thing you asked me to analyze and replicate. With a little help from Melissa, we

"Uh?"

of a conversation I had a while back started to surface

"Isn't this…"

"Yup."

Ryan smiled.

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

"You're damn right."

I shook the bottle from side to side, I observed how the liquid mirrored my movements and moved in tandem with

'Rather smooth.'

I took, which was rather viscous, this substance was

"How are the effects?"

follow your commands, but in a limited manner since it takes several dosages to completely take