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.

quite smoothly for us. After the mana density rose, almost all of us experienced a large increase in our powers. Although I don't know what brought about this change, I'm

"That's nice to hear."

gave him a friendly smile before turning my attention to Brutus. Even though he was hidden behind

sharp eyes focused on me,

take advantage of this opportunity to attack the

energy in the atmosphere has become noticeably less potent as 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 advantage

"Hmmm."

had some

better time to 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

mana compressors needed to be tuned in order to convert the denser mana

was only one problem with this

me with expectant eyes. It seemed like they had already discussed the matter beforehand and were only waiting

massaged the bottom of my chin and

pretty big war, and if we suddenly get into another war

couldn't say for certain that 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 going to

be written about me, calling me

Not that I cared.

about me in the media, and I've

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

an opportunity that can be wasted. There's no better time to strike now, and honestly, since we're the ones attacking,

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

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

no one spoke at any point. I turned on the chip in my head and rapidly drummed my fingers across the surface

a hundred distinct scenarios began playing over and over again in my head, and I went through

the scope

saying that I needed to bring most of the human

I needed to

behind to defend the domain in the event that the demons decide to launch

bring

trap

the situation and how to calm down the

a decision, there were a lot of factors that I needed to

was

"Haa…"

let out a

tell that this is going to be a pain

this point, everything was a pain

have you

looked at her. Staring

"Yeah."

stood up from my

ready for

***

"Here."

"What's this?"

to stare at Ryan, my gaze fell on the

I was preparing

to analyze and replicate. With a little help

"Uh?"

had a while back started to surface

"Isn't this…"

"Yup."

Ryan smiled.

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

"You're damn right."

liquid contained within. It was clear and resembled water, and as I shook the bottle from side

'Rather smooth.'

the serum I took, which was rather

"How are the effects?"

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