130. International Organization Reconstruction Conference (1)
'Talk of the schedule is over, then. Now, I must know who this Protector is—the one who stands against you.'
Bahamut decided to question Alicia about the Protector now that she had laid out her plans for what lay ahead. He knew the man was this country's de facto ruler, the hero who had reclaimed London, and an aspiring usurper of the throne. But beyond that, he knew nothing—a frustrating reality.
"By the way, about this country's Protector..."
"Your Majesty. Time's up. You must return at once."
"Already!?"
Unfortunately, their time had run out. Anna entered and delivered the news. At her words, Alicia turned with evident regret, sighing that the hour had come so soon.
"Thank you, Dragon God!"
"Take care."
With their contract sealed and future plans discussed, Alicia offered her thanks and departed for her annex. She had slipped out secretly with American aid, but the Protector might sense something amiss from this excursion. No matter how occupied he was with the International Organization Reconstruction Conference, he wouldn't slacken his watch on his greatest rival. Even American help had its limits, so she had to return to the annex under Anna's protection before he noticed.
Bahamut halted his questions at the sight and simply saw her off.
"What a fleeting day."
"Indeed."
It had truly been a day like a storm. The sudden contract with this nation's queen and the wish she had voiced. Through this pact, Bahamut had secured a clear foothold on the international stage.
"But gaining another successor... it truly delights me."
"Does it."
"Yes. It's a chance to spread the greatness of the Balhut Cult overseas."
Yu-na's follow-up words brought a rotten expression back to his face. He realized once more that if a queen joined the Balhut Cult, her subordinates would inevitably be influenced.
No! This nation's state religion won't be that weak!
Indeed, how could a religion centuries old fall to a fledgling faith not even a full year strong? Bahamut comforted himself like this, trying to dismiss it as no real issue.
"Today, then."
...And so the long night passed, morning arrived, and the day of the International Organization Reconstruction Conference dawned.
"Still, will she be all right?"
"What do you mean?"
"The Protector will soon realize Alicia awakened in secret. He must have detection-type awakeners among his subordinates."
Unlike usual, Bahamut and Yu-na dressed in crisp suits rather than armor or priestly robes as they headed to the conference hall. Yu-na, worried about yesterday's encounter, voiced her concerns to Bahamut beside her. There was truth in her words, but after pondering deeply overnight...
"True enough. But in this apocalypse, what's wrong with awakening to protect oneself? If she claims she did it just to safeguard her body, he'd have no retort."
"Well, yes, but..."
They had agreed to keep the contract secret, and framing it as a simple self-defense awakening left the Protector speechless. Could anyone declare awakening as an Awakened for survival wrong in this end times? Sure, he might mock her for distrusting her own guard, sowing division. But with other royals dying pointlessly, Alicia could counter effectively...
"And as such a young queen, he might think one Awakened changes nothing."
"You think?"
From the Protector's view, it might not disrupt the power balance. As leader of the Awakened elite, he'd dismiss a single royal awakening as no threat to his superhuman might. The overwhelming level gap made it impossible for one person to upend factions. He might even mock her vain hopes without taking it seriously—especially since he knew Awakened limits all too well, breeding complacency.
"Word is, he's already stirred scandal with his usurpation bid. He might play it safe for once. Her awakening? He could just look the other way."
"I see."
Besides, the Protector had courted disaster pre-awakening. Even as the nation's strongest Awakened, operating brazenly after such a upheaval was odd. He had to watch not just the queen but the Liberal and Conservative parties too—perhaps ranking the young queen low.
"...That's the rational take. But if the Protector defies common sense, it's another story."
"What do you mean?"
"Deciding to usurp a stable throne marks him as far from ordinary."
Logically, one might expect caution after such a blunder. Yet he could double down. Shameless? Brazen? He'd already shattered norms, so political backlash might not faze him—he'd act on whim. Thus, her awakening could trigger another outburst.
"Makes sense..."
"We'll attend this conference, meet the Protector ourselves, and judge his character."
The Balhut Cult had secured all it needed from the organization. They could sit quietly through the key players' speeches. It might drag, but Alicia's presence made it worth hearing earnestly.
"Understood, Bahamut."
They proceeded slowly to their assigned seats and entered the conference.
Yu-na led as representative, with Bahamut following like her advisor. The hall featured a circular round table, symbolizing equality in diplomacy. Delegates settled into seats, and at the central stage, a woman spoke passionately to the attendees.
"Today—this day—is truly momentous. Even in this apocalypse, humanity endures with resilience! And now, we unite to show our brotherhood!"
She seemed genuinely moved by the guests, proclaiming this as humanity's love in action, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Who's she...?"
"Likely the Orleans Saintess. Matches the photos."
"Her?"
The woman on stage, addressing the participants, was the Awakener called the Orleans Saintess from France. At Yu-na's identification, Bahamut scrutinized her. Unlike others, she wore ornate armor over saintly robes, appearing a young maiden new to public life.
"I'm truly moved! Humanity fights back in this dark end times!"
"Passionate one."
"And for that light, brave souls have sacrificed willingly!"
She brimmed with fervor. Bahamut thought so as he eyed the next speaker mounting the stage—a man entering middle age, radiating stubborn conviction. In flashy marshal's garb, he took the mic slowly.
"Thank you for attending this International Organization assembly. I am the man called the Protector, host of this conference."
"So that's him."
He claimed not his name but his title, and many sighed at his appearance. Yet no one disputed his identity. He truly ruled Britain now.
Not his name, but his position. He owns it utterly. No wonder Alicia sought me out.
Exuding confidence, Bahamut resolved to listen closely to his speech. Expecting rote pleasantries to celebrate the conference...
"We must confront the global crises: apocalyptic threats, dire security, societal division and polarization. Distorted historical views and irresponsible nationalists threaten us still."
Wait—don't these occasions stress unity? Why harp on anti-national forces out of nowhere?
His radical words froze Bahamut's expression. He'd anticipated platitudes, not this aggression on a pivotal day. Too crude, mismatched for the reconstruction theme. The Orleans Saintess had at least evoked human love; this veered off entirely.
"Hmm..."
President Arthur looks baffled too. Did the Protector write this alone?
Arthur stared in genuine shock. America knew nothing of this.
"Lies, agitation, fabrications—these forces undermine democracy even now, lurking in shadows. They champion dictatorship, monarchy, absolutism while posing as democrats and human rights advocates worldwide. We must not be deceived. Humanity must fight and overcome such falsehoods."
Was this said at a unity summit? Bahamut glanced around skeptically. Delegates' faces soured. Not just America—even Japan's Fukuoka rep scowled. Only the Orleans Saintess and a few showed approval. All had shelved grudges for super-national cooperation amid apocalypse.
Chalk it up to Protector's whim. It's symbolic anyway.
They tolerated it due to prior backchannel deals on cooperation scope. His rant wouldn't derail things. No grand propaganda, but first post-apocalypse organization merited endurance—even if the host soured moods like a dog.
"Now, on the organization headquarters."
The Protector stepped down, and the Orleans Saintess reclaimed the mic, broaching the HQ.
"Hm? That's sudden."
Per American intel, no decision yet—talks stalled, deferred.
"I propose this: Establish it where humanity's path shines brightest! Yes—the revolution's symbol! Paris! Show those monsters we're unbroken!"
"""What? That's... scary, ignore it."""
Before all eyes, she declared Paris—the revolution's emblem—as HQ. Symbolism rang true; all grasped it. But...
Unlike reclaimed London, Paris is a monster den.
Why "Orleans" not "Paris" Saintess? Simple: Paris remained unconquered, a beast lair. Brazenly, she sought international aid to retake it—forcing unrelated nations into her war.
"Wait. London aside, Paris...? You know its state and still propose this?"
America, enduring the Protector's nonsense, had Arthur rise, mocking feasibility in monster-overrun Paris.
"Yes, we know. Paris, world's heart, suffers under monsters! Can you stand it!? Why must Paris hurt? It's revolution's core, democracy's origin!"
His sarcasm fell on deaf ears. She countered as if puzzled—why not act for suffering Paris? To her, it was humanity's center; untaken, no future existed.
"This wasn't negotiated! We won't bleed our precious Awakened for you!"
"Forgetting Lafayette's bond! This apocalypse is cruel!"
That's obvious.
Others drew lines, refusing their Awakened for Paris. She invoked Lafayette, turning talks chaotic. But...
"The Protector Cabinet supports the Orleans Saintess."
"Huh?"
Tragically, someone backed her sophistry—the conference host himself.
"Whoa, what's happening?"
Arthur eyed him incredulously; Yu-na mirrored the confusion, lost. Bahamut sat equally baffled, gauging reactions.
What just happened?