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“Check the readiness of each army has been completed.”

In the conference room of the Unified Alliance, where military leaders from around the world gathered.

Although it seemed like all the leaders were present, the actual commanders were stationed at their respective forward bases, and the people assembled in this conference hall were mere clones created by the system established by the Magic Tower during the war.

“How is the defense of each country? If the home country gets attacked while we’re out, it would be chaos.”

The one conducting this meeting and checking the situation was none other than Newtrioat Now.

She is the representative of the Emperor Newtrioat Harnz of the mighty Keroa Empire, the second highest-ranked archmage of the Magic Tower, and the first to request cooperation from each nation for preparations for this war, so it was only fitting that she held this position.

“No problem. Although the gates have opened, the monsters have only started to rampage a bit, and so long as the northern defensive line isn’t breached, we can consider it safe from the gate’s influence. And once the advance begins, that northern defensive line will gradually move further away from each country.”

In the last war, with no defenses in place, monsters came pouring in from the north, leading to a full-scale war across all nations.

This time, after quickly securing the safety of the homeland and establishing prepared invasion defenses, the situation will proceed as a defensive war, not a full-blown war.

And as expected, there was nothing remarkable about the demon invasion that was already completely repelled, and we were on the verge of launching a counterattack to fully conclude the war.

The staff from the empire, who was Now’s advisor, reported first, and the other staff from each country similarly reported that there were no problems with the defenses of their respective homelands.

“Very well. This gate is an imperfect one that has opened after five years. Normally, it could lead to a disaster that could annihilate the humanity suffering from the wounds of war, but we have nearly completed the rehabilitation of both the soldiers and society as a whole, and knowing this situation in advance has allowed us to manage the war favorably. All thanks to Director Hop Harvey, who is here with us today. Therefore, before we depart… I have one request from you all.”

Now, as she praised my efforts, everyone turned their attention to her.

Everyone was listening attentively to her speech, waiting for the request she had for me.

“If you happen to spot the hero, Zion Laurel, during the battle, please use the signal flare immediately to notify us. The signal will be in purple to indicate a special situation. Since the hero party, including myself, Hanamana, and Director Hop, will be with the central imperial troop, please fire the purple flare even if the troops witness it and think the signal will not reach our central forces. As soon as our three move in the direction Zion is spotted, we will join her to complete the hero party.”

Everyone might have felt curious about why the hero Zion was acting independently during the gate assault, but everyone nodded silently to Now’s explanation.

Was it out of consideration for me? Or had Now explained it in advance?

Regardless of either, I would just be grateful for their cooperation.

Nothing else mattered to me except for Zion.

“Since the hero Zion is currently not with the main force, the purpose of this expedition is to completely annihilate the demon king and her aide, General Aurora. Therefore, the most critical aspect of our advance is to keep our troop intact. We will bring as much of our forces intact before the demon king, then assemble a party consisting of heroes to enter the final battle against the demon king with support from the main force. If Zion joins us, I will relay a separate prepared plan depending on the situation. Does anyone have any questions?”

A moment of silence fell over the conference room.

Everyone conveyed their agreement through silence, and Now nodded, looking around at the generals from each country.

“Then, we will set out simultaneously at the designated time. I hope you will strictly maintain the line and the integrity of the troops. I wish you all good fortune.”

With Now’s confirmation and encouragement, the meeting concluded.

Once I opened my eyes after disconnecting from the conference room, Now and Hanamana, who were also present in the meeting, opened their eyes and looked at each other.

“Are we ready? Director Hop.”

“What more can I do? It’s the princess and the soldiers who are doing the hard work.”

In this expedition, my sole role was to bring Zion into our ranks if I encountered her.

Thus, until I found her on the battlefield, I was merely a passenger accompanying the imperial troops stationed in the center.

“Still, I believe the most important role in this war is yours, Director. You’ve already played many roles, but the key part in this battle is the hero, Zion. Humanity’s overall power is overwhelming compared to the demons, but without Zion, I can’t guarantee we can catch the demon king or close the gate.”

Hanamana’s assessment of me always felt significantly inflated every time I heard it, but since she wasn’t saying anything incorrect, I couldn’t deny it and just nodded.

However, the reason I was here wasn’t to win the war or for the sake of the world.

It was solely because there was a possibility of meeting Zion in this place.

The spheres held by Now and Hanamana indicated that Zion was to the north.

‘Zion…’

If I had a reason to win this war, it would also be to share a future with Zion.

Once I could no longer be with her, what happened afterward was none of my concern.

The day when Zion would appear before me again would truly arrive, and I would seek love with complete faith in her.

With unwavering belief that her heart toward me hadn’t changed.

***

“Die, get lost, stay out of my way!!”

As soon as the gates opened, I charged ahead to the north on horseback.

The location of the gate was so clear that it was visible from anywhere in the world, so finding the direction was not a problem.

Slashing down all the monsters that came my way, I felt like they were not approaching me anymore after a certain point.

It was an oddly unsettling situation.

If I had drawn this close to the gate, the space itself should’ve been filled with monsters, not allowing me to set foot anywhere.

Even considering that the monsters might be avoiding me out of fear, it was strange that the assault from the demons and monsters didn’t seem significant.

The consistent attacks I faced were only from lower-tier monsters that appeared to lack intelligence.

Thanks to the reduced interference, I was fortunate to reach the gate without delay.

“…….”

The demon king, who had not even built her castle, was sitting on a throne placed awkwardly on the ground.

And behind her stood various high-ranking demons along with Mirae, who were all waiting for me.

“Mirae!!!”

The only one I had business with was Mirae.

I readied my sword and took my stance, and the demon king also rose from her throne, grabbing her sword.

What’s this? Is she not going to use the power of the throne and the gate?

The last time I’d entered here, the demon king’s castle had been established, and I had to retreat under overwhelming waves of monsters and magic, but now the demon king was personally drawing her sword—was something different going on?

“It’s been a while. For me, it was a fleeting moment, but still.”

“Are you going to hinder me?”

“Hinder? Are you not the one who came to hinder me?”

“I have no business with you. I’m here to kill Mirae.”

“Mirae?”

The demon king maintained her gaze and expression, pausing for a moment as if she was thinking, and replied without turning back.

“You mean Aurora.”

“Is that her name?”

Pointing my sword at Mirae, the demon king responded without even looking back.

“That’s correct.”

“In any case, if you plan to interfere, I’ll strike you down. Come at me whenever you want.”

“What if I don’t interfere?”

“What?”

What does she mean by she won’t interfere?

“Ma, Demon King?”

Mirae seemed to have understood the situation ahead of me, showing a look of panic.

“Run, Aurora.”

“Damn it!”

Mirae immediately flew back, fleeing.

“What, what are you doing?!”

Could it be that these guys are abandoning their comrade just to push me off the gate?

I knew that the demons had no concept of protecting their comrades, but naturally, they would protect and cooperate with important and capable demons.

But to discard a demon of Mirae’s caliber like that?

“Damn it!”

I moved toward Mirae with no resistance, but—

– Ting!!

The demon king swung her sword to block me.

What? Was I played?

“Are you indeed planning to interfere?!”

“It’s troublesome if you catch me quickly.”

Tch, just a simple stall.

Should I just take out the demon king first? If this bastard interferes again…!

“You can go now. If you send her away any further, she might use spatial movement.”

“Ugh…!”

Damn. I don’t like moving at the demon king’s will, but…

‘I can’t let the demon who took the life of my teacher go! If I hesitate, the demon king will get away with it!’

If I missed Mirae now, I might never see her again.

Thinking about Teacher Hop, the bloodstains spilled all over the floor at his house began to flicker in front of my eyes.

Dare, to dare – to touch Teacher Hop…!

Don’t forget your anger, Zion.

Remember what you became because of the results of living as a hero!

Now what remains for me is solely the final goal of killing Mirae, the one who took the life of my teacher.

A world without my teacher is meaningless anyway…

‘I will follow you soon, Teacher Hop.’

So gripping my sword tighter, I turned from the demon king and chased after Mirae.

In the end, I was neither a hero nor anything else.

 

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