At The Hero Guild.

“Cathedral”—the supreme headquarters of the Hero Guild.

Deep within its inner sanctuary, the guild’s ten highest-ranking executives were holding a discussion.

Each joined via a three-meter-tall rectangular block—a communication terminal.

“The Demon Realm Invasion Operation has ended in failure,” one of the executives spoke.

The number “01” glowed on the surface of his communication terminal.

The other communication terminals flickered in unison.

“While we dealt a decent blow to the Demon Army, high-ranking demons like the Demon King and the Demon Generals remain unharmed.”

“To deploy even the Sacred Edges, our strongest Heroes, and yield only this result…”

“Furthermore, one of the Sacred Edges was killed in action…”

“03”, “04”, and “07” spoke in succession.

“However, we were able to bring back That,” “01” said, as if to soothe them.

“That very member of the Sacred Edges released That—the ‘Power of God’—which was sealed beneath the Demon King’s Castle.”

“If only he had defeated the Demon King right then and there.”

“As expected, it would not be that simple. That Demon King is presumed to be a mutant born from a malfunction—a bug—in the laws of causality.”

“A Demon King with the highest stats in history, huh?”

“How troublesome.”

“05”, “08”, “09”, and “10” each chimed in.

“Nevertheless, we were able to obtain the ‘power’ to oppose it—or at least a fragment of it,” said “01”.

“With that alone, all our failures become trivial matters.”

“Has That already reached the Almighty?”

“It should be arriving soon,” “01” declared.

“Then there is no problem.”

“We will proceed with the plan as intended.”

“All according to God’s will.”

“All according to God’s will—”

The ten supreme executives recited in unison.

“Are your wounds feeling any better, Miss Fiore?”

Ludmila visited the injured Fiore.

Fiore was staying at a shrine near the Cathedral to recover from the injuries she sustained in the recent battle.

Ludmila’s injuries were minor compared to Fiore’s, so she had already returned to active duty, flying around to hunt down demons appearing sporadically in various regions.

“…Yes, they were minor injuries to begin with.”

There was no smile on her face.

In fact, no one had seen her smile ever since she returned from the Demon Realm.

Her expression remained pitch-black with gloom—all because of the death of her beloved younger brother, Elio.

She had changed, so tragically that it was painful just to look at her.

“I wonder when the next invasion operation will be. I can hardly wait,” Fiore murmured softly.

“I want to kill the demons soon. Soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon…”

Seeing her gentle beauty tainted by pure malice was unbearable to watch. Ludmila’s heart felt heavy.

“Miss Fiore.”

Ludmila wrapped her arms around her friend, holding her tightly while gently stroking her head.

“…I am fine. I am in my right mind,” Fiore sighed.

Yet the light in her eyes bore an icy chill that sent a shiver down the spine.

(Miss Fiore…)

Ludmila bit her lip.

Just then—

“So this is where you were, Ludmilla, Fiore.”

It was Shion who approached them.

“Good timing. There’s something I wanted to report to both of you.”

“A report?”

“Word is that the power of God has begun manifesting on a scale incomparable to before,” Shion answered in response to Ludmila’s question.

“God’s… power?”

It was said that in ancient times, this world was filled with the divine power of God and angels.

However, during a war between God and the Demon King in ancient history, that power ceased to reach the world.

Over a long period, God’s power had gradually begun reaching the surface world again, but it was still weak.

Did this mean it was growing stronger once more?

“It is thanks to Liawelt, who unleashed the ‘Power of God’ from the Demon Realm toward the human realm in his final moments,” Shion announced with a solemn expression.

“He lost his life, but his actions will surely carry us into the future. Those of us left behind will definitely forge that future—by striking down the Demon Army.”

“You’re right.”

“It isn’t just Mr. Liawelt. Every hero who fell in this battle—” Fiore spoke, her eyes remaining cold as ice.

“And Elio too… I am certain his actions will be praised for all eternity. I will slay the Demon King and make sure of it. I’ll make sure Elio’s name goes down as a legend, no matter what—”

“Miss Fiore.”

Worried, Ludmilla held her tightly once more.

“I know how much pain you’re in. Please don’t push yourself too hard. I’m begging you—”

“…Thank you, Miss Ludmila.”

“With God’s power growing, our Miracle Armaments will be able to draw out even greater strength. The empowerment of our Heroes will continue to advance.”

“The Third Demon Realm Invasion War might not be far off either,” Ludmila murmured, looking up at the sky.

“No, or perhaps…” Shion muttered to himself, as if trying to convince himself rather than addressing anyone else.

“The next one might be our final invasion operation.”

Humanity or demons.

The final war—where one side will face total destruction—was drawing near.