Chapter 346 - Trouble

# Kathedal.

A union of the world's most powerful S-class villains and the venue for meetings hosted by Celeste, the world's number one villain.

This transnational villain alliance has been maintained for quite a long time.

Especially considering that these individuals with overflowing personalities and uniform wickedness all gather in one place.

Of course, all of this is also because those gathered here have at least some common sense.

They aren't just S-class villains, but those who have created massive forces that oppose nations.

Since they each command numerous other S-class villains under them, leadership is naturally required to control them. In other words, communication is possible.

That's Kathedal—an unprecedented villain alliance where the strongest S-class villains operating on a national scale gather, led by the world's number one ranked villain.

...But in reality, Kathedal.

Despite its name, it hasn't particularly done anything notable until now.

They've never gathered to commit terrorism together; they just meet, talk, and disperse.

And there's only one reason for this.

Celeste, the head of this meeting, defined Kathedal as an information-sharing 'conference.'

That's why Kathedal has never stepped into the spotlight and has remained hidden in the shadows without any notable activities.

This is also why Kathedal wasn't even mentioned until Part 4 in the original work.

However, as the final chapter begins, the situation changes.

Under Celeste's leadership, Kathedal starts operating in the forefront as a villain group rather than just a conference.

That's how the S-class villain alliance Kathedal becomes one of the final bosses in the original work...

'...So, from now on, Kathedal is the key.'

And fortunately, I was a member of Kathedal.

In other words, I had that many more opportunities to interact with Celeste.

...Plus, I was already on Celeste's radar for killing the "Wish Granter" and stealing an angel. That was actually good. Having her attention, even in that way, was more helpful for advancing our relationship than being ignored.

I wondered what kind of reaction Celeste would show today.

With such thoughts, I headed to the meeting hall.

A dark corridor that automatically teleports you when you tear the letter.

Walking through it and opening the door at the end reveals a white cathedral.

With sacred-looking light emanating from the stained glass windows around, and a large round table right in the center, it truly looked divine.

"Egostic! Over here."

"You've arrived, Egostic."

I immediately went to where those calling me were gathered.

The Japanese villain Katana. The Chinese villain Li Xiaopeng.

These were the ones I could call my allies within Kathedal, along with Atlas who couldn't make it this time either.

As I arrived, I noticed other villains glancing in my direction, and I sat between Li Xiaopeng and Katana.

In truth, many villains must be very curious about me. I know all kinds of knowledge, receive the favor of the powerful Atlas, and... this time I showed up with an angel. Moreover, I'm the only person that Celeste, who always maintains a cold and indifferent attitude, shows interest in here.

Of course, I haven't really communicated with others until now... but with Kathedal's importance growing, I might need to start interacting soon.

By the way, Atlas couldn't come today either. He said he's almost finished dealing with those Cthulhu creatures after calling Ariel, so he should really come next time.

While I was thinking about this.

Click. Click.

Celeste revealed herself from the inner chamber.

"....."

With her eyes closed, her long silver hair flowing, walking in a white nun's outfit.

With a dazzlingly beautiful face and elegant gait approaching this way, she looked like a saint descended from heaven, but everyone here knows. This woman has the ability to change maps with just the flick of a finger.

"Everyone has gathered."

She sat at the full round table and spoke with a sacred voice that resonated throughout the cathedral.

Then, she looked in my direction.

...As she turned her head toward me, her voice, which had been cold until just now, became even icier as she addressed me.

"...But, it seems there's someone here who isn't a villain? I'm certain this is a meeting for villains only. Didn't this person say they were retiring from being a villain?"

Opening the meeting by picking on me right from the start.

As everyone's gaze turned toward me.

Looking at her who spoke with her lips slightly curled up toward me, I smiled back and answered.

"Haha. That was obviously bluffing to reassure the other party. Isn't it our villain style to say such things and then stab heroes in the back? It seems I acted so convincingly that even you, Celeste, were fooled."

I nodded my shoulders, saying it was obvious.

And simultaneously, I snapped my fingers.

Whoooosh

A bright sacred light pouring from behind me.

At the same time, our angel, Halo, appeared behind me, spreading her large wings.

With her arms wrapped around my neck.

Half-embraced by the angel behind me.

I smiled slyly and looked straight at Celeste and said,

"And, when God has given me such a wonderful gift."

"Of course I should use it for terrorism at least once, shouldn't I? Haha."

With those words, I snapped my fingers again.

Halo disappeared instantly, just as she had appeared.

"....Hmm."

"Hmm..."

With my angel show, the round table briefly became noisy.

Since this was the first time I had shown Halo to anyone except Celeste, everyone was confused after witnessing an angel for the first time.

They seemed bewildered by the tangible sense of divinity.

And Celeste.

"....."

Though she appeared calm with her eyes closed, I could feel she was furious inside. How? Because I could sense her killing intent...

Of course, she didn't show such signs, which made her first-class like me. That's what true villains are like.

"...I understand. Then. Let's start the meeting."

She turned her head to me and led the meeting through gritted teeth.

I quietly sank into thought while feeling the gazes directed at me from around.

In fact, from Halo's appearance to my lines, everything was pre-calculated. I had prepared how to respond if Celeste picked a fight with me.

I had even ordered Halo in advance about how to appear and what posture to take. Otherwise, Halo, who has been learning cooking with Ms. Su-bin lately, might have appeared in the cathedral wearing an apron...

The biggest reason why she, who can move mountains and split the earth with a gesture, can't touch me is the angel I obtained. If, as I said, I was chosen by the Sun God, harming me could potentially incur the wrath of the Sun God. As a devout believer of the Sun God, she probably wouldn't dare touch me as long as that possibility exists.

Anyway, the meeting proceeded like that.

...Meanwhile, I pondered how to win Celeste over.

As I was thinking about this.

Time flew by, and the meeting was suddenly over.

"Egostic, we'll go ahead."

"Yes. Take care."

Seeing off our Ego-stream members.

I quietly remained alone at the round table.

"......"

Even though Celeste didn't tell me to stay, I remained on my own.

After everyone had disappeared, glancing at us.

Finally, when only the two of us remained, Celeste revealed her true colors, frowned at me, and said,

"What is it? Why are you still here? I have nothing more to say to you, so leave quickly."

She spoke to me so coldly.

I grinned at her and approached her.

"Haha. Come on, don't be like that."

"...Wait!"

Suddenly, uncharacteristically flustered, she extended her hand to stop me.

Ting.

At that moment, I was blocked by an invisible wall.

...What's this?

"...What are you doing?"

"Don't come near me, speak from there."

"But..."

I retorted in bewilderment.

"...What harm could I possibly do to you by getting close? You could make me disappear with just a gesture."

"Enough. Stay right there if I tell you to..."

With a reddened face and narrowed eyes, she muttered through her visible golden eyes.

...What's going on?

"...Just try to kiss me, you beast..."

At that time, I couldn't hear what she, who had seen the future, was muttering softly.

"Well, I understand. Anyway, let me tell you. I've discovered another place where the Sun God's legacy exists."

"...Where is it?"

When I said that, her demeanor suddenly changed to serious.

As expected of a shining believer of the Sun God, her eyes changed when his story came up.

Of course, I didn't waver at her change in demeanor and smiled as I answered.

"That's not easy to explain in detail. It's only accessible with a specific trigger. Well, even Celeste, the Sun God's saint, didn't know about this place."

"...Do you want to die?"

"So! I'm saying I'll guide you there. Of course, the trigger might not activate if there are people who aren't 'believers of the Sun God,' so just the two of us."

"....."

After pondering with her eyes still narrowed.

She eventually closed her eyes tightly again and answered me.

"...Fine. When are we going?"

Yes!

Got the after-meeting.