Chapter 384: Time flies by

Phase 4, where the world is going to hell in a handbasket as the powers of heroes and villains explode.

…Of course, it’s actually going to get worse after God’s declaration of judgment, so this is a time of peace.

The time went by pretty quickly.

In the meantime, I’ve been diligently fulfilling my role in Cathedral, most notably, terrorizing the world as part of Cathedral world domination.

…Now, as per the original plan, I was rotating through the members of our Egostream, continuing to convince the world that I was a villain.

Even if it was in collusion with Stardus…

Admittedly, our members seemed to take the fight with Stardus a little too seriously.

[This is breaking news! Currently, Egostream has caused a terrorist attack at the Gangnam intersection! The leader of this terrorist attack is a so-called South Silver…]

[Hee hee hee, Stardus, I’m going to take you down this time!]

[“…”]

“Hah…”

I sighed as I watched Seo-eun on the TV screen, riding a giant robot and declaring war on Stardus.

…Well, since I explained the situation to Stardus, it won’t be a big fight anyway. In a way, this was a good opportunity for our members. For Stardus, it’s a chance for her to keep her skills up, and it’s a chance for us to improve against a powerful opponent like her.

And because Stardus is so strong, our members were able to fight well.

Stardus is especially strong against people with the power of the sun, but Seo-eun is fighting Stardus with the power of pure science without borrowing anything.

[Cackle]

I thought to myself as I watched the giant robot Seo-Eun was riding on the TV screen attacking Stardus with all kinds of high-tech weapons.

Yeah, but even if Seo-Eun just looks like a cute kid to me, she’s actually one of the final bosses in Phase 3.

Of course.

[…Yes! The bombing has now engulfed Stardus, will she be okay? The smoke clears… Ah!]

When the smoke from Seo-Eun’s bombing, Stardus stood where she was.

[“…..”]

Her eyes are a little fiercer and her suit a little torn but Stardus stood tall, seemingly unscathed.

It’s our Stardus.

[You’ll see!]

…Anyway, the day’s terrorism ended in Stardus’ victory, of course.

Anyway, life went on as usual in Korea.

I and other villains cause terrorism, Stardus stops it.

Of course, there were occasional hiccups.

[Hehehe! Where is the hero called Stardus? I, Peria of Egypt, will defeat you!]

Once the word got out that Stardus was the strongest hero in the world, some of the most insane villains from around the world began to arrive.

They were dangerous, and they weren’t controlled by Cathedral, but…

“Hah…What should we do, Da-in, should we take care of them beforehand?”

“No. I think we can leave them alone.”

I didn’t really care about the original villains, unless they were famous.

Because.

[Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaah]

[…the villain who identified himself as Peria, taken down in a single blow!]

…I knew it was coming.

Anyway, as these things often happen Stardus stature continues to grow.

And this, of course, has certainly helped me as I’ve gained ground in Cathedral.

Though now, of course, I wasn’t so dependent on her.

“Well, then, let’s start the regular Cathedral meeting.”

And now…I was, once again, in the great cathedral where Cathedral held its regular meetings.

The ceiling soaring to the heavens, the world’s villains seated around a long rectangular table and then, facing them, Celeste sat down and opened her mouth with her usual air of mystery.

The usual meeting of the Cathedral had begun…However, there was something different.

“Yes. Then I’ll take over the briefing from here on out.”

Wearing my usual white mask, I smirked, stood up, and said,

As of late, the entire operation and grand plan of Cathedral has passed through my hands at Celeste’s request.

…And when she suggested that I might as well explain the plan to them myself, I jumped at the chance.

Thus, as of late, I have taken over the command of Cathedral’s operations.

“Now, if you look at the map in the middle here…”

I began my speech, summoning a blue holographic globe in the center of the table.

“Hmmm… I see.”

Fortunately, most of the villains took my command in stride without much reaction.

Partly because of my behavior in Cathedral so far and partly because of the way I’ve informed the other major villains in advance. Everyone listens to me and follows me.

…Especially the villains who were distrustful of me were surprised when all of their operations after hearing my words were successful.

No wonder. The knowledge of the original and Seo-eun’s intensive analysis of each individual was a must-have in the first place. It would be even stranger if it didn’t work.

After a few meetings I’ve now succeeded in encompassing the entirety of Cathedral.

I’m the one running the meetings these days, and even Celeste, the de facto leader, supports me fully and rightfully so.

“Yeah. I guess we can trust Egostic, hahaha.”

Especially since all the large-scale, continental-scale operations I’ve led have been successful, it’s gotten to the point where everyone listens to me and trusts me. In fact, the large-scale invasions of Cathedral were more detailed in the original maps than the smaller ones, so it was easier to plan…

…And since it’s come to this I’ve been subtly pulling Cathedral in my direction.

“…And, gentlemen. We, Cathedral, are not merely a terrorist organization, we are aiming for conquest, so if I may offer some advice…”

I said, pointing in the direction of the Khedive.

“Don’t harm the civilian population. After all, if we conquer a country, aren’t all the people who live there ours? We need their trust to stay strong after we overthrow the Association. For example, Ms. Katana, who conquered Japan, was able to overthrow the government because she had the support of the citizens.”

In this way I was transforming Cathedral into a de facto conquering force rather than a group of villains.

In particular, we are providing more information and support to countries where the government has become so corrupt that it is virtually safe to remain under Cathedral’s protection.

I wanted to make the villains feel a sense of belonging to their country so that they can defend their country on the day of destruction.

‘…Well. Cathedral’s influence is growing.’

Smaller nations with weak Associations have already had their governments taken over by Cathedral, and even some of the more prominent nations have lost their capitals and smaller cities to Cathedral.

…The administrative system is so organized and rational under Celeste’s leadership that the common people can’t tell the difference between being under her and under the government. It’s Celeste, after all.

“Well, that concludes our briefing for the day, thank you.”

With that, the briefing concluded, I sat back down.

“Thank you, Egostic. Now, please feel free to discuss.”

Celeste concluded her remarks.

Soon, the room was once again in an uproar.

…quite a few people had gathered, especially toward my side of the room, where I was directing the entire operation.

“Hey, Egostic. What was it we were talking about earlier? I need to hear it again.”

“Excuse me, Mr. Egostic, I don’t have time after today.”

“I need to ask about a part of your plan that I didn’t understand…”

“Haha…Please tell me one by one.”

“….”

With that, I hurriedly answered the other villains’ questions, earning a piercing glare from Celeste beside me.

…These days, if I don’t go right after Celeste when we’re done, she’ll pout.

***.

After today’s meeting was over

“Ha…”

I’m slumped over in Celeste’s office, sitting in my own chair, legs outstretched.

Celeste looks at me and clicks her tongue.

“What kind of man is tired from that?”

“What does that have to do with being a man…?”

“…Hmm.”

As if she didn’t have anything to say to me, she turns her head quickly.

…No. I see that her ears are a little red, so maybe there’s another reason, but whatever.

I sat down and looked towards Celeste.

Celeste is the most important person in preventing the destruction of the Sun God’s world.

I’d been getting closer and closer to her lately and we were practically an office couple now.

However, I still felt I wasn’t enough. For her happiness and for the peace of the world…I need to get a little closer, a little more…

I thought to myself.

I mumbled something and turned to Celeste, who was drinking her coffee with her eyes closed.

“Celeste. I’m free for a while…Do you want to go on a date?”

“Yeah…Wait, what?”

Celeste spilled some of her coffee.