Chapter 391 - The Coming Sun

# After the meeting with the International Hero Association Director.

After completing most of the major preparations, I was now busy spending my time waiting for the rapidly approaching day of the divine prophecy.

'...Certainly.'

After the divine judgment declaration, time would pass in the blink of an eye until the day of destruction.

In other words, the end of the story was truly not far away.

'It feels like just yesterday when I first fell into this world...'

I couldn't believe the end of the original story was already right before my eyes.

Of course, I would have to do my best to prevent the end of the original story from becoming the end of this world.

For that purpose, I was giving a lecture at Kathedal today, which was the most important part of my plan.

"Do you remember when I mentioned last time that there are three gods in this world?"

In Kathedal's grand conference hall.

Standing there, I was speaking those words while looking at villains gathered from around the world.

This was Egostic's special liberal arts lecture, held with Celeste's permission.

Though called "liberal arts," this information was essentially high-level intelligence approaching the world's secrets, so everyone was quite focused on listening.

"These three gods are known as the Sun God, the Moon God, and the Star God..."

I began explaining about the three gods.

Naturally, the reason I was explaining about the gods was simple. So that when the Sun God's revelation came, everyone wouldn't panic.

Because I needed to arm them immediately and have them ready for the threat.

Anyway, as I continued my explanation, I observed the villains seated in the audience.

The common trait I noticed was.

'Hmm...'

They all seemed to be in quite good condition.

Perhaps it was because after constantly living under the threat of the Association, they were now like revolutionary leaders backed by Kathedal's support.

Some of them had even overthrown their governments and taken leadership positions, and having gained such social status, they looked completely at ease. Indeed, when your back is warm and your stomach is full, the world looks happy.

Looking at them, I thought:

'That means they're more likely to resist rather than agree when the god tries to destroy this world.'

I made that cold assessment.

This was also what I had been aiming for.

It would have been troublesome if the villains had said, "Great, let's just let the world end!" I needed to give them something to protect, let them taste the sweetness so they would want to continue living in this good world.

Anyway, the world was already in such chaos that it didn't matter who the current leaders were.

"Anyway... I don't know exactly what a god is. I only found this information through ancient texts. There are even theories that they might just be slightly more powerful beings, perhaps ordinary entities similar to us."

While explaining about the gods, I casually mentioned this perspective.

I needed to drop these hints early so that when the time came to fight against the god, everyone would accept it without fear.

"Ahem."

Of course, Celeste immediately cleared her throat uncomfortably at my words.

So I quickly made a U-turn, smiling as I hastily continued.

"Of course, that's just speculation. One thing that's certain is that among these gods, the Sun God was an extremely benevolent being who cared for humans. That's why our leader Celeste follows him. Isn't a kind god who watches over us worth following?"

I immediately praised the Sun God this way.

...Of course, even this was planting the ideas that "the Sun God is good" and "that's why Celeste follows him."

Why? Because I needed to establish this logical structure now so that later the argument "if the Sun God is bad, Celeste doesn't need to follow him" would make sense.

"...That concludes my explanation for today. Thank you."

With that, my explanation about the gods—every word carefully calculated and designed—came to an end.

I sat down to the sound of applause.

"Hahaha, I enjoyed that, Egostic."

"...Gods, huh. It's amazing that such beings actually exist. I wonder why they don't show themselves?"

"Heheheh. Mr. Egostic. Would you perhaps like to explore more about the gods with me privately? I'm so curious. Tehe."

After sitting down, numerous villains approached me. The last one, a woman wearing a pink cat headband, showed the most interest in me. She was a villain from France, if I remembered correctly...

Anyway, thanks to my efforts in helping everyone, they were showing quite a bit of goodwill toward me.

"...Then we'll conclude today's meeting here."

Celeste, who had been watching me uncomfortably as I conversed with others, ended the meeting and spoke to us with her eyes closed.

"And, Mr. Egostic needs to come with me, so please excuse us."

"Aww, Celeste, why are you like that~ Let me borrow Egostic just a little..."

As the woman with the cat headband was saying that.

Celeste quietly opened her eyes, looked at the woman with golden eyes, and coldly said just one thing.

"Move."

"...Y-yes. Yes..."

The woman who had been approaching me could only tremble in fear at that terrifying response...

"Fufu. I'm just joking, Isabel."

"...R-right? Haha. Ahaha..."

"Yes. But I do need Egostic right now, so I'll be taking him with me. I hope you understand. Okay?"

"Yes, y-yes..."

...Of course, Celeste closed her eyes again, smiled sweetly, and casually said it was a joke, but that made it even scarier.

That... it didn't look like a joke at all.

"Let's go, Egostic."

"...Haha. Yes."

Anyway, I was thus dragged by Celeste to the back, to the Room of Truth... no, to her office.

In any case, this was how my daily life had been lately.

I was spending more and more time with Celeste at Kathedal. Of course, the official reason was that we were planning strategies and leading the organization together... but well, was that really all?

Of course, with the Sun God's revelation approaching, I was also putting more effort into my relationship with Celeste.

So that she would feel happy in the current situation and trust and depend on me even more.

...Actually, it was fortunate that she trusted me much more than my original plan had anticipated.

So anyway, the result was the exciting working time with Celeste.

"Egostic. What do you think would be the best way to handle this?"

"Hmm... I think this might be..."

"Oh, have some snacks while we work."

"Um, yes. ...Mmm. Anyway, this..."

While I was working on various things with her like this.

She suddenly, as if in passing, asked me this question.

"Oh right. Egostic. When are you planning the next terrorist attack in your country?"

"...What? My terrorist attack...?"

"Yes. I'm curious how the Korea occupation operation is going these days."

Looking at her asking so naturally, I tensed up inside.

'What's this? Has she noticed that I've been coordinating with Stardust?'

Feeling the sudden danger, I quickly opened my mouth.

"Haha, no need to worry. It's going well. In fact, I'm planning the next attack in two days."

"Hmm... I see."

After a moment of silence at my words.

She suddenly asked an out-of-the-blue question.

"Will Stardust be there too?"

"...What? Um, since I'm the one carrying out the attack, she'll naturally be there. She's a hero, after all."

"Hmm. I understand. I was just asking."

With that, she turned her head back to look at the documents, ending the conversation.

...What was that about? Why did she ask that?

Anyway... she hasn't figured it out, right? Maybe she really just asked out of random curiosity.

I breathed a sigh of relief at that thought.

...And, though I didn't know it then.

I should have realized it at that moment. What was about to happen...

***

Two days later.

At the Ego-Stream mansion.

"Alright. It's time for the regular terrorist attack."

I thought to myself as I sat down.

Today, there was no need for me to take action personally. That's because lately, I haven't been carrying out the attacks myself.

The reason for that was...

'Brother. What exactly are you doing with Stardust every time you go out for these attacks? You two always disappear... It's suspicious. You're not doing anything dangerous, are you?'

'...Uh, what?'

As they say, a long tail gets stepped on.

Lately, I'd been saying I was going out for attacks but actually just dating Stardust behind the scenes, so the Ego-Stream members had started to get suspicious, and I had no choice.

Well. Anyway, there's no problem since I'm not doing the attacks myself but using the angel soldiers I got from Celeste.

Of course, there was the issue of viewers complaining that the broadcast was boring without me... but that wasn't a big problem.

Anyway, this remote terrorism had become somewhat established now.

Since it was all staged with Stardust for show, there wasn't much to worry about.

In other words, I didn't need to pay much attention.

...That was why I was lying in my room during what should be the time of the terrorist attack.

I had already had Uncle Desik summon all the angel soldiers in advance. I should be working during this time. Not much time left until the revelation.

And while I was drawing:

"Brother!"

Suddenly, Seo-eun burst into my room.

"We have a big problem!"

"...What is it?"

Seeing her suddenly panicking, I frowned and asked.

What could it be? There shouldn't be anything that could go wrong.

And my thoughts...

...were completely shattered by Seo-eun's next words.

"Celeste. That villain Celeste has just appeared in front of Stardust here? In our country?"

"...What?"

I jumped up.

At Seo-eun's words, which were so unbelievable I doubted my ears, I unconsciously leapt to my feet.

No. What is she talking about? Why would Celeste suddenly come here?

Rushing to the living room, what I saw on the TV was:

[[Breaking News] Kathedal's leader Celeste, confrontation with Stardust in 1 minute!]

A caption written in large letters against a red banner.

And the image of Stardust and Celeste facing off, glaring at each other.

Seeing that scene:

"This is insane..."

I squinted my eyes and could only grab my face in frustration.

No. What is going on?