Chapter 278: A Chaotic Emergency Meeting (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 278: A Chaotic Emergency Meeting (1)
What was Korea's international standing in this world?
Despite having a territory that could hardly be called large, it stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States, a nation occupying an entire continent. Geographically—a crucial requirement for a great power—Korea served as the spine of Asia.
This was partly due to its geographical advantage and its status as the birthplace of heroes known as Joaquin Academy, but that wasn't the sole reason.
Even setting Joaquin Academy aside, Korea demonstrated formidable national power in its own right. Among nations equipped with superior infrastructure, many still lagged behind Korea. Thus, there was good reason for the international community to place such trust in the nation.
Therefore—
The leaders from all over the world gathering at the Hero Association Seoul Branch and holding an emergency response meeting there was a more than suitable choice of location.
Whether the attendees themselves were suitable, however, was an entirely different matter.
"Demons invading out of nowhere?!"
A man slammed his palm against the round table and sprang to his feet. Dressed in a neat suit with a handsome face, he exuded an unmistakable air of wealth. His name was Ronald—the President of the United States of America.
"It’s barely been three months since the 4th Corps Commander, Permush, launched her invasion! Are they crazy enough to start a war now?! Isn't this just deliberate propaganda from the Association to whip up paranoia?!"
Ronald glared fiercely at the Spear Saint sitting across from him. The Spear Saint clicked his tongue quietly.
'If he weren't the US President, he wouldn't dare squeak a word.'
Even for the Spear Saint, the President of the United States was quite a troublesome entity to handle. Normally, he would have humiliated him outright, but... tsk.
"Let's sit down and talk. Sit down."
"Are you giving me orders right now? I am the President of the United States of America! In terms of rank and duty, I am your superior, Vice Association President!"
It was infuriating, but true. Within the Association, the only person who matched that Yankee bastard in status was Association President Victor Poison. But Victor was absent. The Sword Emperor, too.
The Sword Emperor was still hospitalized, and no one knew why Victor was absent. Only a madman understands another madman; a relatively sane person like the Spear Saint had no way of knowing.
'Dammit.'
Because of this, very few among those present could voice an opposing opinion to Ronald.
'At best, that bastard Saki Kojima might...'
The Spear Saint glanced to the side. The Archery Saint was merely sitting there with his arms crossed.
Then again, why would that guy speak up on his behalf? He was tearfully grateful just that Kojima wasn't nitpicking him.
The rest—the nobodies—did nothing but cough nervously and read the room. Old raccoons. Look at those eyes rolling dynamically.
With things like this, Medea's face flickered in his mind. If only she were here, this pent-up frustration in his stomach would clear right up. Unfortunately, Medea could not attend the meeting.
This meeting was reserved strictly for heads of state from around the globe. In truth, she could have joined as well, but that Yankee bastard had blocked her beforehand, forcing Medea to wait outside the conference room.
"Vice Association President! Richard de Myura! Say something, will you?!"
Even now, Ronald kept bellowing at the top of his lungs. Blue veins bulged on his neck, his carotid artery clearly visible.
For a brief second, the Spear Saint felt the urge to slit that throat right then and there. Fellows like Ronald were the type the Spear Saint despised most.
'If only that bastard weren't here, this meeting would go smoothly.'
In times of emergency, whatever happened could be buried quietly. A great war was right around the corner anyway. The Spear Saint was essential manpower for the war, but that Yankee bastard was not.
At the very least, his punishment would be deferred until the end of the war, and by then, it would likely fizzle out into nothing.
"Haha. Why are you acting like this, Your Excellency Ronald? Come, come, calm down."
Between Ronald and the Spear Saint, the President of Switzerland, Gaines, stepped in to mediate. Being the leader of a neutral nation, his mediation was smooth.
"Let us first hear what the Spear Saint has to say. There are many reporters outside as it is. If shouting echoes from the conference room, what will the press think?"
"Who said I raised my voice?! Hmph, fine. Out of respect for you, Gaines, I will hear him out for now."
Ronald plopped down into his chair. Then he poured himself high-end bottled water into a wine glass—specifically a wine glass. Completely unnecessary.
"Phew."
That's one relief. Gaines, breaking a sweat, gave the Spear Saint a subtle wink.
Only then did the rigid expression on the Spear Saint's face soften slightly. If not for Gaines, Ronald would have died at the Spear Saint's hands.
"First, allow me to properly report the current situation."
The Spear Saint fluttered the documents in his hand and tossed them loosely into the center of the round table.
"Since many of you seem unable to believe mere words, read it in writing like the scholars you are."
The eyes of everyone present scanned down the lines written on the documents. Meanwhile, the Spear Saint spoke.
"According to the investigation conducted by our Hero Association, the demons are advancing led by the 2nd Corps Commander, Kuarne. The total strength of the enemy force is estimated at 20 million. Thirty percent of the demon population has joined, and considering the inclusion of Magical Beasts, the number is expected to be higher."
"T-Twenty million?! Is it even possible for those uncooperative Majin bastards to band together like that? Could there perhaps be an error in your investigation?"
A cinnamon-skinned middle-aged man asked. The Spear Saint shook his head.
"Why would I gather you all here just to share uncertain information? 20 million. It is certain."
The middle-aged man's skin turned from cinnamon brown to pale white.
"Judging by their marching speed, until the demons break through the Gehenna Gate..."
The Spear Saint checked his wristwatch and drove the final nail in.
"...168 hours. Ah, since we wasted an hour squabbling here, that leaves 167 hours."
"167 hours... If that's true, doesn't that mean we have less than a week?!"
"Is that truly the truth, Spear Saint?"
The Spear Saint's fist slammed violently onto the round table. He bared his teeth fiercely.
"Haven't I been repeating it over and over for the past hour? It's true. If you can't trust my words, trust the documents right in front of your eyes. The demons have declared war, and the invasion is underway."
The room began to buzz with commotion. Humanity's hero population was roughly 50 million. While the number itself was about double, the situation was by no means optimistic.
A single Majin was ridiculously powerful on its own. It took a team of five heroes just to face one. Furthermore, it remained uncertain whether all heroes would even answer the mobilization order.
That was why they had somehow managed to seat these leaders here—to seek the cooperation of every nation.
'But looking at what they're doing now...'
Far from any intention to cooperate, they were secretly calculating their own profits and losses. It made him choke on his frustration.
In his heart, he wanted to wipe them all out right here. Just like the day Kang Geomma completely purged the Academy's Council of Elders.
However, the current situation was DEFCON 1, a state of wartime emergency. Spilling innocent blood here would make uniting humanity impossible.
That was why the Spear Saint gathered every ounce of patience to hold back. But that patience was rapidly reaching its limit. He was on the verge of exploding. The Spear Saint was like a glass filled to the brim with water; a mere flick of a fingernail would cause his murderous intent to spill over.
"I object."
And sure enough, someone didn't just nudge the glass—he flipped it completely upside down. It was none other than Ronald, President of the United States.
He spoke with a haughty air.
"As I see it, times like this are precisely when everyone should look out for themselves. Even if all our heroes gather, taking on every last Majin is impossible."
"..."
"As you said yourself, isn't there only a week left until war? How in the world do you expect to unite 50 million heroes in such a short timeframe? Unless an all-out war is absolutely unavoidable, wouldn't it be better to split up and conduct targeted strikes one by one?"
"..."
The atmosphere shifted subtly. Ronald sneered at the silently enduring Spear Saint.
"Ah. Just to be clear, do not expect any cooperation from the hero agencies within the United States. We are the stronghold of capitalism. If we threaten to slap heavy taxes on them, they'll tuck their tails and fall in line on their own."
He then curled up the corners of his mouth and scanned the heads of state.
"Raise your hand if you agree with me. As a side note, the United States has built its own independent defense system. If anyone desires, I can even spare a bunker for each of you."
A sweet offer. Dozens of pairs of eyes darted back and forth. If it meant surviving the war, they looked ready to abandon their countries and flee.
"Everyone, you must think this through carefully!"
Just as they opened their mouths to speak, Gaines raised his voice.
"Looking out for yourselves?! That is suicide! Look at the documents here. The demons' destination is Joaquin Academy. If they destroy that place first, humanity will have no future left!"
"Joaquin Academy is in Korea, not the United States."
Ronald scoffed. He had always been dissatisfied that Joaquin Academy was located in this tiny speck of a country.
"Besides, isn't it vacation period right now? There are no cadets, so what is there to worry about? In fact, handing over the academy to buy even a little time would be the far better option."
"W-What absurd nonsense is that?! You're telling us to just stand by and watch the legacy of heroes be destroyed?!"
"America's history is barely 300 years, yet we became the world's greatest superpower. Old legacies belong in the dustbin of history. Who knows? Once the war ends, a far grander academy might be established in the United States."
"What in the world..."
"Allow me to add one more thing. Gaines, you are the leader of a neutral state. Stepping forward like this shakes the very foundation of your neutrality. I will remember this."
Ronald's lips twisted into a smirk. He then spread his arms like a snake-oil salesman pitching his wares.
"Now then, I have plenty of spots left in my bunkers. Those who agree with my view, raise your hands!"
Gaines ended up covering his eyes. Ah, it's useless. Those who never stood on the front lines lacked any sense of reality.
Facing the apocalypse of humanity, they only sought a way out for themselves. Ah, how deplorable.
'...How many times did the Heavenly Sword throw himself into danger for trash like this?'
His forehead throbbed with heat. A heavy wave of disillusionment washed over him. Looking to his side, the Spear Saint seemed to have given up as well.
An enemy's enemy is a friend. Gaines sympathized deeply with the Spear Saint, who used to barge into the Swiss residence at every turn to dole out physical discipline.
"Hahaha..."
Right then, someone let out a dry laugh. All eyes turned toward the source of the sound.
The Archery Saint was laughing, covering his face up to his forehead. Even the Spear Saint's eyes widened. Did that bastard finally go senile too?
"...What is so funny, Prime Minister Kojima?"
"Ah, no, nothing. Please continue selling your bunkers. I merely suddenly recalled what the Heavenly Sword once told me."
"The Heavenly Sword? What did that fellow say that has you laughing like that?"
Ronald glared venomously. The Archery Saint wiped a tear from his eye.
"In the past, I once asked him, 'Do you intend to make an enemy of Japan?' Do you know what response I received? 'Just Japan? No, I can make an enemy of the US too.' That is verbatim what he said."
"W-W-What?! The Heavenly Sword—that wet-behind-the-ears brat said such absurd rubbish?!"
Ronald's face flushed bright red. At that moment, the smirk faded completely from the Archery Saint's lips.
"For someone so adept at pointing out rubbish, you certainly spew your fair share of bullshit."
"...!"
Everyone gasped in shock. Among them, the Spear Saint's reaction was a spectacle to behold; his face looked as if he were about to scream.
"Japan will actively comply with this mobilization order. I promise full support in supplies, personnel, and equipment. Furthermore, I will personally participate on the front lines."
Regardless of the shock around him, the Archery Saint spoke to the Spear Saint in a steady, low tone.
"Is this sufficient, Senior?"
The Spear Saint babbled nervously, nodding along.
"Ah, n-no! Th-Th-That's right! I accept Japan's decision to join! Absolutely. Of course!"
Immediately after, the Archery Saint closed his eyes as if nothing had happened. Belatedly, Ronald flew into a rage.
"Defending that pathetic little whelp of the Heavenly Sword—are you mocking the United States, mocking me?! If you think about it, isn't that brat the very reason the demons invaded in the first place?! If only he had stayed quiet, the demons wouldn't have been enraged—"
The doors to the conference room burst open. The stagnant air escaped outside as if fleeing.
Ronald turned his head toward the entrance. For a split second, the space around the doorway seemed to shimmer before his eyes.
■■■■■■■—!
Before he could even register a reaction, dark red intent to kill ripped into Ronald. Simultaneously, he clutched his chest.
"...Khrrrk."
A strangled groan burst from the lips that had been running nonstop.
Thud!
Before long, the President of the United States slammed his left cheekbone onto the table, his tongue lolling out long.
"Starting now, anyone who has a complaint."
Kang Geomma locked eyes with everyone present and spoke in a low, flat voice.
"Raise your hand."
The hands that had been hovering, hesitant whether to rise or not, slowly slid back down.