Chapter 384 - Swiftly Passing Time
# Heroes and villains' powers are spiraling out of control as the world rushes toward chaos in Phase 4.
...Of course, if we're being honest, things will become even more chaotic after the divine judgment is announced, so these times are relatively peaceful.
Time has passed quite quickly.
During this period, I've been diligently fulfilling my role at Kathedal and living a devoted life.
Most notably, I've been actively participating in terrorism as part of Kathedal's world domination efforts.
...Now, as planned, we rotate members of our Ego-stream team, continuously imprinting on the world that I am a villain.
Though even this is actually coordinated with Stardust...
Of course, our members seemed to take their fights with Stardust quite seriously.
[Breaking news! Ego-stream has launched a terrorist attack at Gangnam intersection! The mastermind behind this attack is known as South Silver...]
["Hyaaah! Stardust. This time I'll definitely take you down!"]
["..."]
"Sigh..."
I sighed as I watched Seo-eun on the TV screen, declaring war against Stardust while piloting a giant robot.
...Well, since I've already explained the situation to Stardust, the fight shouldn't escalate too much. Come to think of it, this was a good opportunity for our members too. They could grow stronger by facing a powerful opponent like Stardust. For Stardust as well, it was a chance to maintain her skills.
And despite Stardust being overwhelmingly strong, our members were quite powerful in their own right.
Especially since Stardust is strong against those with the power of the sun, Seo-eun stands out by facing Stardust with pure scientific power without borrowing any supernatural abilities.
[KWAAAAAANG]
I watched the TV screen as the giant robot piloted by Seo-eun attacked Stardust with all sorts of advanced weapons.
Yes. Even though Seo-eun appears cute in front of me, she was originally one of the final bosses of Phase 3.
Of course.
[...Yes! The bombardment has just engulfed Stardust. Will Stardust be safe? As the smoke clears... Ah!]
The thick smoke from Seo-eun's bombardment.
As it cleared, at the spot where Stardust had been standing.
["....."]
Her gaze slightly fiercer and her suit somewhat torn.
But Stardust stood tall without a single scratch on her body.
That's our Stardust for you.
[Grr! Just you wait!]
...Anyway, that day's terrorist attack ended, predictably, with Stardust's victory.
In any case, this is how daily life in the Republic of Korea continued.
Other villains and I would launch terrorist attacks, and Stardust would stop them.
Of course, occasional incidents would occur.
[Kuhehe! Where is this hero called Stardust? I, Peruaa of Egypt, will defeat you!]
After rumors spread that Stardust was the world's strongest hero, some deranged villains from around the world started showing up.
They were undoubtedly dangerous individuals who weren't under Kathedal's control, but...
"Sigh... Oppa, what should we do? Should we handle them in advance?"
"No. I think we can leave them be."
I didn't pay much attention to villains who weren't famous in the original work.
Because...
[KWAAAAAANG]
[...The villain who identified himself as Peruaa has been defeated with a single blow!]
...This outcome was predictable.
Anyway, thanks to these frequent incidents.
Stardust's reputation continues to grow.
And this naturally helped me establish my position within Kathedal.
Though by now, I wasn't dependent on her to that extent.
"Then, I'll begin the regular Kathedal meeting."
And now.
...I was once again at the grand cathedral where Kathedal holds its regular meetings.
A high, open ceiling and a long rectangular table where villains from around the world sat.
And facing them, Celeste began speaking with her usual mysterious aura, starting the regular Kathedal meeting as always.
...However, what's different from before is...
"Yes. From here on, I'll be handling the briefing."
The fact that I'm now in charge of the overall meeting proceedings.
At the Kathedal cathedral.
There, wearing my usual white mask and with a grin, I stood up and said those words.
Recently, all of Kathedal's overall operations and major plans have been passing through my hands at Celeste's request.
...And when she suggested that I might as well explain the operations directly to them, I didn't miss the opportunity.
That's how I recently came to be in charge of Kathedal's operational command.
"Now, if you look at the map in the center here..."
I summoned a blue holographic Earth in the middle of the table and began my presentation.
And.
"Hmm... I see."
Fortunately, most villains accepted my command without much reaction.
Perhaps it's because of the image I've shown within Kathedal so far, or because I've provided information to other major villains in advance. Everyone seemed to listen to and follow my words.
...Especially those villains who were initially skeptical about me started following me after seeing all the operations based on my instructions succeed.
Of course. With the winning formula of my knowledge from the original work combined with detailed analysis of each individual through Seo-eun, it would be stranger if it didn't work.
After several meetings like this.
I've now completely succeeded in wrapping Kathedal around my finger.
These days I lead the meetings, and even Celeste, the actual owner of this meeting, gives me her full trust and support.
"Yes. If it's Egostic's word, it seems trustworthy! Hahaha."
Especially after all the continental-scale operations I led succeeded, everyone now listens to and trusts my words. Actually, the large-scale invasions of Kathedal were recorded in more detail in the original work than the minor operations, so it was easier to plan...
...And anyway, with things as they are.
I've been subtly steering Kathedal in the direction I want.
"...And everyone. Isn't Kathedal not just a terrorist organization, but one aiming for conquest? So let me offer some advice..."
Saying that, I presented Kathedal's direction.
"Don't harm civilians. After all, when we conquer a country, won't all the citizens living there become ours? We need their trust to maintain power even after overthrowing the Association. For example, take Katana who conquered Japan, wasn't it the support of the citizens that allowed him to bring down the government?"
In this way.
I was transforming Kathedal from a villain group into a conquering force.
Especially for countries where the government has become corrupt and it's actually safer to be under Kathedal's protection, I provided more information and support.
So that villains could feel a sense of belonging to their countries.
And thus, on the day of destruction, they could protect their own countries.
'...Well. Kathedal's influence is becoming increasingly enormous.'
Small countries with inadequate Associations have already had their governments fall into Kathedal's hands, and even well-known countries have lost their smaller cities to Kathedal, except for their capitals.
...And since Kathedal's administrative system is systematically and rationally led by Celeste, ordinary residents don't feel the difference between being under Kathedal or the government. That's Celeste for you.
"Then, I'll conclude today's operational briefing. Thank you."
After finishing the briefing, I sat back down.
"Thank you, Egostic. Now, please feel free to discuss."
With Celeste's words following mine.
The meeting room became noisy once again.
...Especially around me, who was in charge of the overall operation, quite a few people gathered.
"Hey, Egostic. What was that you were talking about earlier? Tell me one more time."
"Excuse me, Egostic~ Do you have time after we finish today~?"
"Listen, there's a part of your plan I don't understand..."
"Haha... Please speak one at a time."
"...."
I quickly answered the questions from other villains while receiving somewhat piercing glances from Celeste beside me.
...She gets upset these days if I don't follow her right after the meeting ends.
***
And so.
After today's meeting ended.
"Haah..."
I was sprawled out in my dedicated chair in Celeste's office, legs stretched out.
Looking at me, Celeste clicked her tongue and said.
"How can a man be so tired from just that?"
"What does that have to do with being a man..."
"...Hmph."
Unable to respond to my words, she turned her head away sharply.
...No, seeing her slightly reddened ears, there might be another reason? Anyway.
I sat there, looking towards Celeste.
Celeste.
The most crucial figure in preventing the Sun God's world destruction.
Recently, we've been growing closer.
Now she's practically like an office wife.
Nevertheless, I still felt it wasn't enough. For Stardust's happiness and world peace... I need to get closer, just a bit closer...
With such thoughts.
I casually threw out a question to Celeste, who was muttering something while closing her eyes and drinking coffee.
"Celeste. We have some free time for a while... Want to go on a date?"
"Yes, what... Wait, what?"
Celeste spilled her coffee slightly.