Tension among the nations fizzled out once the news of Stefan''s loss and capture reached them.


    Apparently, the Eastern Kingdom had the showdown against the Fourth Seat of the Nether Cult, and they emerged victorious—boasting no casualty or damage at the end of their confrontation with the enemy.


    Once the nations got the news, relief spread through the people like wildfire.


    The tired soldiers were finally able to rest, and the Beastfolk were left with nothing to look forward to. Security was certain among their people, and the only location left to strike was the Nether Cult headquarters itself.


    And this was why Jane prepared herself for the important mission.


    ''I already know the people I''m going to employ.''


    The heroes from each nation, and the most useful personnel on the battlefield—those were the people she was after.


    ''Elrich is looking after Maria and the Seat member, so we''ll leave them as standy. For now, though, the rest of us will have to do.''


    Her thoughts focused on those she had in mind;


    Aurora


    Dulum


    Z''ark


    Gerard


    Jerry and Ivan


    Asa and Maro


    Of course, Beruel and Ana would apany her as well.


    Once Maria recovered, she and Elrich would join them if necessary.


    ''There''s the risk that we''ll end up facing just as much danger once we get there. If that''s the case, wouldn''t it be unwise to pack our strongest cards into the enemy''s base?''


    Jane wondered if she was acting purely based on emotion. While she was extremely level-headed in terms of objective analysis, she was well aware of her limits as a strategist. In battle, many unforeseen variables could surface, and she wasn''t very good at dealing with such unpredictable elements.


    That was why she needed Lewis.


    ''But, if we don''t make a move, the enemy will eventually wipe us out. It''s better we create a united front to fight against them.''


    Once she made up her mind, she decided to contact the affected parties. For something of this scale, they needed all necessary hands on deck.


    Only then could they show the true force of the alliance.


    ''Still… this all started going downhill when that guy''s Magic suddenly failed and I couldn''t even detect him at all.'' Jane thought to herself as she got to work.


    ''What the hell happened to you, Neron?''


    *


    *


    *


    Pitch ck darkness covered everything, and the whole expanse was filled with malevolence.


    One of the many figures in this dark world calmly stood, gazing into the abyss that enveloped him. His dark hair, pitch ck eyes, andpletely stoic face told of his identity.


    "Neron Kaelid!"


    "Wee to my domain!"


    "I''ve been expecting you."


    "Wondered if you''d actually fall for it."


    "I had no doubts."


    "And now you''re trapped."


    Various voices ovepped, echoing emptily in the vast expanse that didn''t seem to end. The voices all sounded like the same person, yet they were spoken by different people.


    "Legris Damien, I presume. I have to admit, I''m impressed." Neron finally spoke.


    He could feel the rigidity of his body, and how thews of this world restrained him to a terrifying degree. He could barely move, and it took a great deal of effort to speak.


    However, that wasn''t the scariest part about this ce.


    ''I can''t ess my Time Magic… and even [The Hermit] isn''t functioning properly.'' Neron could instantly tell why all of this was happening.


    "HAHAHAHA!"


    "As expected of you, Neron. You figured it out!"


    "That''s right! It is as you''ve seen."


    "This ce ispletely made up of Nether!"


    "This is my domain."


    The various voices seemed to approach Neron slowly, and he could feel the darkness around him closing up on him, pressuring him even more.


    ''A world filled with nothing but darkness and Nether. No wonder my Magic isn''t working. The concept of time, space, and the other things that Arcanas control aren''t present here.''


    It was simply a perverse world that Legris owned.


    "Who are you, Legris?" Neron''s eyes narrowed, glowing brightly as he focused Aether into them.


    Thanks to this, he was finally able to see.


    But, what he saw…


    "Who am I?"


    "That''s a funny question."


    "How to answer that."


    "I wonder…"


    "Make a guess."


    "You could get it right."


    "Or wrong."


    "Either way…"


    "It doesn''t matter."


    … What Neron saw defied logic.


    All around him—as far as his eyes could see and his senses could reach—were various versions of Legris Damien.


    They all had distinct markers, so Neron was certain they weren''t mere clones. Some had slightly distinct facial features. Others appeared taller, some looked shorter, some had different colors of hair, others wore various attires.


    However, they all had one thing onmon…


    They were all Legris Damien.


    "Ah… I see." Neron whispered as he closed his eyes.


    The numerous people surrounding him suddenly halted, and only one of them stepped forward. That was the Legris he was most familiar with—the Sixth Seat of the Nether Cult.


    "This is your trump card, isn''t it? Original Magic…"


    "[Who Am I?]" Legrispleted Neron''s words, grinning widely as he did so.


    With a single Legris right in front of him, and many around him, he was obviously trapped. He was in a world where his Magic was ineffective, confronted with many enemies that had powers and strength rivaling the one who stood in front of him.


    "It''s been a while since I''ve been pushed back like this. Who knew you were hiding a card like this?"


    "You do—or rather, you should." Legris gave him a knowing smile.


    That smile was enough to finally shatter the mask of ignorance that pervaded Neron.


    His bright eyes darkened a little, and his stoic expression slowly transformed into something else… something simr to a grin.


    Both men stood opposite each other, yet the tension that once filled the air was nowhere to be found.


    "Well said, Legris… or should I call you ''old friend''?" Neron finally spoke, his tone sounding a lot more confident than earlier.


    "I thought I told you already… I never considered you a friend."


    "Fair enough." Neron''s eyes narrowed even further.


    Images of his dreams slowly began to ovep, and the pieces began connecting. It didn''t take him very long to recognize the domain he was in, and the nature of the man in front of him.


    His smile widened the more he looked at Legris.


    "Still, Neron, I have to say…" Legris returned the expression. "... It feels good to have you back."


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    Ah, yes. I wonder what''s going on now...


    Also;


    New book release announcement!!!


    Please look up Chuunibyou Challenge!! on Webnovel, or simply use the link below. I promise, you''ll love /book/chuunibyou-challenge!!_25760893305800205


    Cheers!