Chapter 400 - Alliance With The Enemy

# After the Sun God's Declaration of Destruction

After the Sun God declared the world's destruction, I immediately succeeded in persuading the shocked Celeste and Kathedal to fight against the god.

With Celeste, I convinced her by asking if she had believed in the Sun God because she thought he would save the world. Now that the opposite was happening, there was no reason to follow him... After telling her this, I successfully persuaded her to rely on me instead when she had lost her place of dependence.

As for the other villains in Kathedal...

'As expected, this approach works best.'

I succeeded in getting them to join my cause through a different method—by exploiting the villains' characteristic competitive spirit.

If I had said, "Let's all join forces to fight against the god to protect this world!" would they have followed willingly? No. For villains, aggressive words work better than defensive talk about world peace.

"We worked so hard to conquer the world, and now some crazy so-called god is trying to destroy everything we've claimed! Are we just going to take this? Let's join forces and kill this insane god!" This kind of talk works well with villains.

My declaration to "kill that arrogant god by any means necessary" received quite an enthusiastic response from the villains. Afterward, I even succeeded in getting them to entrust me with full authority regarding the fight against that god.

After handling the villain side so quickly, there was only one thing left to do.

'First... I need to calm people down.'

That was preventing the chaos that would soon engulf the world's population. In the original story, the world rapidly descended into destruction not only because of Celeste-led Kathedal's destructive actions but also because people fell into extreme anxiety and confusion due to the fear of imminent death, leading to anarchy.

To prevent this, it's important to reassure people—to give them hope that we can all survive and to keep society from collapsing.

The opportunity is only now. People are still in shock and just standing around confused... but once their sense of reality returns, chaos will break out. So before that happens, I need to calm the entire world.

And for that purpose, I had already thought of one method—announcing an alliance between the worldwide Hero Association and the villain union Kathedal.

By showing people the seemingly impossible sight of heroes and villains uniting against a common enemy, we could give them both shock and hope. "Citizens, please rest assured. We have a plan. The Earth is safe!" That kind of feeling. Anyway, when people see those in charge responding calmly without panic, they tend to stay put even if they have doubts.

So after the Kathedal meeting ended, I was heading to Celeste's room for this purpose.

Knock knock.

"...Come in."

When I knocked on the door of Celeste's office, her voice invited me in.

As I quietly opened the door and entered, Celeste was sitting in a chair facing me with a tired expression. ...Still, she seemed somewhat calmer now.

"Celeste, were you resting?"

"Yes... So, Egostic, did you successfully persuade the Kathedal members?"

When she asked me that, I couldn't help but flinch slightly. I thought she had been in her room the whole time, but how did she know? Did she hear everything? More importantly, I had just been shouting about killing the god.

However, Celeste didn't seem to mind, which allowed me to answer more comfortably.

"Yes. I persuaded them all. They all said they would follow our instructions."

"...Thank you, Egostic. As expected, you're the only one I can count on."

At my words, Celeste gave a faint smile and responded.

Then, she naturally asked me:

"So, have you thought about what to do next?"

"Yes. Actually, about that..."

Seeing this as an opportunity when Celeste asked about the next plan, I smoothly explained the next strategy.

It was for the Hero Association and Kathedal to form a temporary alliance to prevent the Sun God's destruction of the world.

"...An alliance."

"Yes. It's nothing much—you just need to shake hands with the Association Director in front of cameras a few times. If you just do that much, I'll take care of the rest..."

As I said this, I carefully observed Celeste's reaction. Although the other villains had easily agreed to my proposal to join forces with the heroes, I wasn't sure how Celeste would respond.

But contrary to my expectations:

"Alright. Let's do that then."

Celeste answered without any hesitation, to the point that even I, who had brought it up, was surprised.

"...Um, are you sure that's okay?"

I was so surprised that I had to ask again.

She gave a slightly strained smile and answered calmly:

"Yes, well... Egostic. I've been thinking about what you said."

"What do you mean...?"

"About how the Sun God used me as a pawn."

With those words, as if the temperature had suddenly dropped:

Celeste muttered softly with a cold smile.

"If the god thought so little of me and betrayed me so easily..."

"I need to show him."

"That I won't just sit idly by after being fooled like that."

Seeing her like this—seemingly turning against the Sun God because of my words, completely opposite from the original story—

I felt a bit scared but also relieved. ...Well, at least this is better than seeing her shocked and haggard like before.

With that thought, I gave her a pleased smile and said:

"That's a good attitude. We can't just take this lying down."

"Yes. Of course, I'm not happy about cooperating with those Association people."

And then.

When she said that to me.

Just as I froze at her words:

"...But since it's your suggestion, Egostic, I'll go along with it."

Celeste stood up, smiled at me, and added those words.

"Haha... Thank you."

That was a close call.

Anyway, like this, I also obtained Celeste's agreement to cooperate with the Hero Association.

***

'I'll contact you and visit again. Please be ready.'

After saying that and leaving Celeste's office:

I turned on my phone while walking down the corridor.

'...Now that I've successfully persuaded Celeste, next...'

I just need the Association Director's approval. Actually, I had already met with the Director before the Sun God's declaration of destruction and told her in advance. I said that something like this would happen soon, and when it did, it would be best to accept our proposal for cooperation.

She didn't seem to believe me much when I told her, but I wonder how she feels now. Come to think of it, this is the first time I'm turning on my phone.

With that thought, I turned on my phone. And there:

*

[Missed Calls]

[Hero Association Director (17)]

*

"..."

In that short time, I could see that she had already tried to contact me many times. Well, I guess she got pretty urgent when the time actually came.

With that thought, I called her back.

[Damn it! Why are you answering only now!]

Before the dial tone could even finish, she picked up instantly and immediately yelled at me. ...Well, technically I called her, not the other way around.

Meanwhile, the Director, who seemed to have calmed down, apologized with a short sigh and spoke to me.

[Sigh... I'm sorry. I was just too anxious right now. So, is your previous offer still valid?]

"Haha, I understand. And yes, it's still valid. If you're referring to the alliance between the Association and Kathedal..."

...By the way, were you in a big hurry?

To my added question, the Association Director sighed deeply and spoke to me in a rough tone.

[You have no idea. Everyone from all over is harassing me about what we're going to do... What can I do? Did I ever think a situation like this would really happen? That a god would turn against us?]

After saying that and sighing once more:

She then glanced at me cautiously and continued carefully.

[Anyway... Let's leave the details for later and just form the alliance first, shall we?]

"Yes. That's possible. And well... I understand. You want to announce it quickly to calm people down first, right?"

[...Yes, that's right. I'm glad you understand. Or was that your reason for proposing this in the first place...]

As she muttered that:

"Yes. Then I'll come right away, so please wait."

I ended the call with those words in an amused voice.

Good. The plan is perfect.

Now, let's begin.

The dropping of a big bait to divert people's attention.

***

After the god's declaration to destroy this world was heard by everyone across the country:

The world was truly heading toward anxiety and chaos.

The government, which should have presented solutions in this situation, remained silent.

The media also didn't know what to do and just created a fuss.

People's anxiety was increasing, and the social system was shaking from its foundations.

...Yes, that's when it happened.

[Shocking! International Hero Association X Villain Union Kathedal. Declare Alliance to Fight Against 'Self-Proclaimed' God!!!]

Such an unbelievable news was delivered to everyone.