---

It’s usually the case that meetings or agreements between nations aim to benefit one’s own country.

Ignoring the harm done to others, they focus on maximizing their own gains. This constituted most of the diplomacy of this age, but—

This time, things were different.

“By the way, I know that Rattkinia’s food production is quite substantial—how much surplus do you actually have?”

“Our agriculture in Rattkinia is doing reasonably well, but our consumption isn’t small either… so we don’t have a lot of surplus food.”

“Is that so? But I’ve heard that Rattkinia’s rat beastmen store food for as short as a year, or up to almost five years, thanks to their unique storage methods.”

“T-that’s…”

At the high priest’s words, the rat beastman’s tail twitched slightly.

The rat beastmen of Rattkinia were genuinely serious about food storage, after all.

Digging tunnels to create the ideal temperature and humidity for long-term food preservation and filling it with food in storage facilities was common knowledge in Rattkinia.

Well, they were that committed to food, which is why they could handle the explosive population growth of their rat beastmen.

“That’s… troublesome. Our emergency food supplies are specifically reserved for emergencies, so we can’t just use them without caution. If we were to use that food, think of the backlash we would face…”

“But right now is exactly that emergency. The numbers of monsters show no signs of decreasing, and they’re getting stronger by feeding on each other… if this situation isn’t an emergency, then what is?”

“…”

The Rattkinia delegation couldn’t refute the high priest’s statement.

Even the small but robust rat beastmen of Rattkinia were starting to feel the strain.

They had already suffered some damage, given that there were more cave structures they had dug than buildings above ground.

The demon king’s army was not something they could simply overlook, so they formed a delegation to participate in the meeting.

“Understood. We will hold sufficient discussions once we return to our home country.”

“Thank you. Now, let’s move on to…”

The high priest continued to speak with other nations to encourage as much support as possible. Food, troops, magic scrolls, weapons and armor, information, and so on. Everyone was urged to contribute what they had.

Occasionally, some refused, but the authority of the Church of Life was powerful enough to dismiss their refusals, and the Church itself was also putting in its share. Their opposition crumbled easily.

“Then it seems we have roughly organized everything. After compiling the support from each nation, we will use it to minimize the damage and adjust the overall situation. If anyone has objections even now, please raise your hand.”

At those words, no one could raise their hand.

Everyone understood that this was a necessary action.

So, each nation began to contribute what they had to help others.

Of course, it wasn’t voluntary.

As the atmosphere somewhat cleared up and the situation was stabilized—

“Wait a moment. What will happen regarding the demon king, the culprit behind all of this?”

Someone raised their hand and spoke.

The demon king. The entity pinpointed as the source of the monsters growing stronger.

If they couldn’t deal with it… there was little hope for a better situation.

The high priest, clearly aware of this, spoke with a serious expression.

“The demon king… as of now, there’s no confirmed sighting of that entity. But if the rumors are true, capturing the demon king could resolve all our problems.”

Most of the delegation nodded at the high priest’s words.

The demon king. The king of monsters. The ruler of all evils.

Though rumors regarding its existence were rampant, it had never been confirmed.

As one approached the presumed location of the demon king’s castle, they faced increasing resistance from many strong monsters.

There were no adventurers capable of breaking through the wall of numerous monsters yet…

Dragons? Those fellows could undoubtedly manage it, but they were currently focused on eliminating monsters that posed a threat to people under my orders.

It wouldn’t be too bad to have a story where an outstanding adventurer defeats monsters and slays the demon king… but really, it felt like only a hero could take on the demon king!

“Then, let’s start by gathering information about the demon king. We should commission capable adventurers to collect intel.”

“Commissioning adventurers… but most of them are too busy protecting others from monsters to spare a moment… can’t we do it after the situation’s a bit better?”

The high priest shook his head at this remark.

“Monsters are getting stronger and more numerous by the day. If we put this off until the situation improves, it’ll become even harder to gather information about the demon king.”

The high priest’s gaze painted a grim future. Well, it was only natural.

Even trying to mediate among countries that would take a bite out of each other at the first chance was daunting… what would happen if the monster army grew even stronger?

By then, other nations would care only for their own survival, focusing their efforts solely on protecting their land. In such a situation, how would they deal with the demon king?

Even if such actions only led to ruin in the end, the basic instinct would be to protect their own group and nation.

‘Can’t we help each other and live together?’

“The interests of each nation are bound to clash.”

The dragon priestess posed a naive question, but my reply was mercilessly cold.

Nothing in the world turns purely on ideals.

If one forcibly reigned in an ideal situation using brute force, everything would break and shatter.

Well, that might not be entirely bad, but right now probably wasn’t the time.

‘It’s a tough issue…’

“Yeah. It is.”

You can tell the depths of the waters, but you can’t read a person’s heart.

If I can’t even know one person’s heart, how could I understand a world made up of countless lives?

“We would sincerely like to obtain information about the demon king and defeat it… but we’re at a loss as to how.”

“Wouldn’t the gods lend a more direct hand in times like this?”

The discussions between nations turned towards the temple dedicated to the gods.

Given the clear limits to what they could do as a nation, perhaps something could arise from a temple that transcends national boundaries.

‘If it’s a temple, can we too?’

“Of course. It’s the most representative temple, after all.”

Although it’s called a church, it’s categorized as a temple.

The largest, most widespread, and most powerful temple.

It wouldn’t even be wrong to say there’s a temple on the other side of the continent!

“We at the church, along with the Divine Hall, are doing all we can to offer support.”

“No, we’re always grateful for the dedicated support from the Church of Life, but, ahem.”

“Has the Goddess of Life said anything in particular?”

The representatives from each nation spoke while watching for reactions.

As someone who had always worked for the sake of countless lives, they believed she wouldn’t overlook the crisis before them.

Desperate hearts, faith, and those hoping for a hand of salvation spoke.

“The Goddess of Life…”

Such words would need a response.

“She is already showing her intentions.”

“Hmm?”

“By that intention…”

At the high priest’s words, the gazes of the other delegates changed.

“The fact that the Goddess of Life is showing her intentions means…?”

“Surely… she has already descended!”

“Indeed, the Goddess of Life has prepared everything!!”

As they whispered among themselves, the expressions in the representatives’ eyes began to fill with hope.

‘The atmosphere just shifted suddenly.’

“In a situation that was difficult and despairing, they realized that there is a glimmer of hope.”

‘A light of hope?’

The dragon priestess questioned, not even knowing if it referred to herself.

Seeing her pure demeanor made me smile softly.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“This time, some unusual ones have joined the demon king’s army.”

“Unusual ones?”

I took the document handed over by Asherat and began to read.

Let’s see… hmm…

A large group of goblins? Strangely, not a single orc in sight?

What even is that?

“What do you mean there are no orcs?”

“Literally. It’s an army composed entirely of goblins. There were various goblin subtypes like hobgoblins and goblin shamans, but no orcs.”

What the heck is that supposed to mean?

And this, the one listed as the leader of the goblin horde.

“What’s a golden goblin?”

“Who knows. Apparently, it’s a goblin glowing with a golden hue. It was even using lightning powers—such a strange goblin.”

“What in the world? Did it eat something weird?”

It seems a host of strange goblins have joined the demon king’s army.

 

---