"Let''s start with you, Stefan Netherlore. You''ll be AWOL during the attack." The Cult Leader stated, ncing in the direction of the young teenager who seemed to be younger than him by only a year or two.


    "W-what? I won''t be around? But—"


    "I understand your desire to have a rematch with Jared Leonard, but you already had your fun. Your responsibilities to the Culte first. Don''t you agree?"


    Stefan gulped upon seeing how the leader''s gaze narrowed at him, forcing him to nod his head in defeat.


    "You''ll be in charge of attacking the allied nations. Use the resources at your disposal properly—the Nether Beasts and the Corrupted." Their Leader added.


    "U-understood."


    Stefan''s face was dark with annoyance, but he was too powerless to resist orders from his superior.


    ''Damnit! I wanted to be the one to face Jared this time around. I wanted to defeat him fair and square!'' What was the point of his big reveal to Jared, and disying a fragment of his power to the boy?


    It was all to build the situation up to an epic climax where he would finally assert his superiority over Jared and prove himself peerless among everyone his age. However, all of that suddenly seemed to go down the drain.


    ''How frustrating!''


    "Hey, don''t look so glum, Stefan. You''re attacking the allied nations, right? Things are bound to get very interesting." Legris patted him on his shoulder, eliciting an immediate reaction from Stefan.


    "Take your hands off... now!" An ominous re filled his face, depicting nothing short of pure animosity.


    "Whoah! Rx. I''m just saying... Maria Helmsworth is bound to remain in the Eastern Kingdom. Don''t you have a score to settle with her too?"


    "How are you so certain about that?"


    "I know Jared''s personality well. He won''t let Maria or Ana invade somewhere as dangerous as here." Legris smiled, as he slowly removed his hand from Stefan''s shoulder.


    The young boy didn''t seem to be in such a foul mood anymore. Rather, he appeared to be in deep thought—ruminating well on his options.


    "I see. Well, if it''s Maria... I can manage. But, will she be as strong as I hope?" A smile began to break out on Stefan''s face.


    ''I also think Jared won''t let the weaker onese here. He''ll leave Maria, Ana, and a few other members behind because of that. But if I tell Stefan that, he won''t be satisfied with fighting Maria. It''s better this way.'' Legris shrugged at Stefan''s words, hiding his thoughts.


    "Who knows? But I doubt she would be weak. I mean... she''s a genius, right?" Of course, this statement sparked greater interest in the Netherlore boy, making him more eager to engage in his mission.


    "Very well. I suppose this is enough to appease me, for now. I should also be able to face interesting opponents from other nations. This should be fun."


    The Cult members were amazed by how Stefan''s disposition took a big turn simply because of Legris Damien''s persuasive words


    ''He''s incredible.'' Thought Karlia as she subtly nced in the man''s direction. ''Yet he''s pretending to be ipetent. How interesting...''


    With Stefan''s job settled, the Cult Leader proceeded to state the tasks assigned to the rest of them—or rather, he intended to. However...


    "About Neron Kaelid... is it alright if I take care of him?"


    Everyone was, once again, struck by surprise when the most unexpected proposal came from the most unexpected individual.


    Legris Damien, the most underqualified member of their group, was asking to be allowed to deal with the most dangerous person recognized by the Nether Cult.


    Of course, the Cult Leader and his maiden maintained a neutral stance—no, thedy in white even smiled a little.


    "Why? I thought you were more interested in Jared Leonard?" The Leader''s voice boomed, containing a tinge of amusement.


    He wasn''t the only curious one.


    Legris had always appeared to be veryx and not particrly strong. Sure, he was intelligent and cunning—but that should have told him how much of a stretch it would be for someone of his calibre to ''take care'' of Neron.


    Besides, when did Legris be as ambitious as to demand prey from the Cult Leader himself?


    This sudden switch in his personality made everyone amazed; some were amused, while others were unsurprised.


    "Jared is interesting, but… not as much as Neron. We have a history together, so… I just thought it would be fitting."


    "History? As in fellow lecturers at Ainrk? I don''t think that kind of history is enough to generate such an interest." Stefanmented.


    Everyone''s eyes were now on Legris, awaiting his response—or rather, the justification he would give for his unwarranted and sudden interest in Neron.


    "I mean, I''ve known him for so long. He probably doesn''t remember, but we were quite close before."


    "I was unaware of this." The Cult Leader mentioned.


    "Hahaha. Well, it''s just in my head. You don''t need to take me seriously." Legris burst outughing, causing the members to either shake their heads in disappointment or even smack themselves in the face for thinking—for even a second—that Legris was about to make a valid point.


    "I just… want to have a go at him. What do you say, leader? Pretty please?" Legris sped his hands together and made his best puppy-eyes impression.


    It was honestly a pretty good try… if it hadn''t been for his stupidly mature face which ruined the expressionpletely.


    "You haven''t given me a valid reason for this, so… well… fine, then… Legris, you''ll take care of Neron Kaelid."<novelnext></novelnext>


    "WHAT?!" Stefan and Karlia expressed shock at the same time.


    They had all expected the Cult Leader to instantly shoot Legris down, request be damned. This development was utterly unexpected!


    "Do not fool around, Legris. Neron is dangerous." The Cult Leader ignored everyone''s objection and focused his attention on the rejoicing Legris Damien.


    "Understood. I''ll give it my all."


    "It''s settled, then. Legris will handle Neron, while Stefan takes care of the Allied Nations. As for the two of you…" The Cult Leaderpletely settled the topic and moved on as naturally as possible.


    It was such a bizarre development that the people present in the room had to express surprise. However, the First Seat simply nodded calmly, the maiden in white smiled broadly, and the Cult Leader was simply indifferent.


    Everyone simply had to take it as it was.


    "First Seat and Second Seat… you''ll be in charge of eliminating all the trespassers. Prevent them from advancing any further. Leave no one alive."


    "Yeah… sure." Karlia sighed.


    It felt surprising that the lower-end members were left with such burdening responsibilities while the most powerful were relegated to cleanup duties. Then again, eliminating the main team of invaders was the most vital aspect of this mission.


    As Karlia digested the task she had to aplish, a hand was raised beside her. It immediately caught her attention—as well as the attention of everyone else in the massive hall.


    "I would like to make a selfish request." The Fist Seat spoke in his calm tone.


    His unfazed expression, stern and strong, caught everyone''s notice. His unwavering gaze and humble persona were one of the things that gave him the honour he currently had, and his simple personality could not be despised.


    "What is the matter?" The Cult Leader''s tone was just as respectful.


    "I would like to be left in charge of exterminating all the invaders." This bold statement roused the attention of everyone.


    The bulk of the opposition''s force—determined topletely obliterate the Nether Cult—being intercepted by only one member sounded absurd. However, everything made sense once everyone allowed it to settle in that the First Seat was the one in question here.


    Everyone knew he was impossibly strong. Nevertheless…


    "Any reason in particr?"


    "I desire a challenge. The prospect of their strength is high, so I''m interested. Besides, they shouldn''t pose too much of a threat to me. If they do, I''ll be sure to call for backup."


    "Hmmm…"


    "I mean, I don''t mind. It gives me more time to do my research, so I''m in support of the First Seat fighting all of them." Karlia added.


    No one particrly doubted the strength of their strongest member. Nheless, the decision was up to the Cult Leader, wasn''t it?


    "Very well. Karlia, remain on standby, just in case…"


    "Understood."


    "As for the First Seat… I will leave them to you."


    "I greatly appreciate it." The Martial de God bowed his head in response.


    ? "Since your roles have been settled, all we can do is wait for the presence of our opposition." The Cult Leader gave an undaunted smile, and his expression was shared by all who were present.


    The Martial de God.


    Karlia, the Subus.


    Stefan Netherlore


    Legris Damien


    And even the maiden in white.


    They all smiled fearlessly because they knew the end result of the imminent confrontation. It was in as day to them.


    "Jared Leonard and his allies… will onlye here to die."


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    What do you all think? Will Legris stand a chance against Neron? Who wants to make a guess on the oue of this inevitable sh?