Published: January 24, 2026
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As I stepped into the Seeker's Guild in Celeste, the capital of the Principality of Hitia, one of the guild staff who immediately noticed us came over.
“I am Lucilla N. Edelweiss. I have come as a representative of the Nohitant Kingdom in response to the Seeker's Guild’s invitation.”
When I introduced myself, the guild staff bowed humbly.
“We have been expecting you, Lady Lucilla. From this point onward, we ask that you refrain from bringing guards or weapons. We apologize for the inconvenience, but please proceed alone to the inner room.”
Under normal circumstances, this would be quite a bold demand, but considering what is about to take place and the current situation, it seems like a reasonable request.
“May I keep my magical tools for self-defense on me?”
“Yes. As long as the magical tools are not actively used to harm others, you may keep them on.”
“Understood. Then, Loretta and the others, please wait inside this building. Be cautious to avoid unnecessary conflicts with foreigners.”
“We understand, Your Highness Lucilla. Please go ahead.”
Complying with the staff’s request, I called to my guards, Loretta and the others, then proceeded to the designated room.
It has already been nearly two months since the flooding of the dungeon occurred simultaneously around the world, and Orun and Belia fought in the Royal Capital.
At first, people were confused by the sudden changes, but humans, for better or worse, tend to adapt, and the chaos gradually subsided.
Well, it’s not quite back to normal compared to before the demonic beasts appeared.
When I entered the designated room, nearly ten people were gathered inside.
(Truly, an impressive lineup.)
Representatives and agents from various countries, like myself, were assembled here.
What was about to take place was a summit to discuss measures against the demonic beasts that have spread across the surface due to the flooding of the dungeon worldwide.
To confront the threat posed by the demonic beasts on the surface, humanity must set aside national boundaries and work together, or so the Seeker's Guild invited each country.
This was only possible because the Seeker's Guild had maintained neutrality until now.
Had any other country initiated this, past relationships would have obstructed even setting up a meeting.
(Still, the Seeker's Guild is quite bold.)
For the cyclamen cult—the Seeker's Guild—the Principality of Hitia is right in the heart of enemy territory.
No matter how central Hitia is on the continent, it takes nerve to designate such a place for negotiations.
Perhaps this indicates that the current power balance favors the cyclamen cult.
My position is that of the Amuntzarse faction, infiltrated as a spy within the cyclamen cult faction.
Following the recent incident in the Royal Capital, Philly Carpenter’s cognitive alteration made me believe that Orun killed the Seeker's Guild grandmaster, imprinting strong hostility toward Orun and favor toward the cult.
In reality, thanks to a function Orun implanted in my self-defense magical tool in Darane that nullifies cognitive alteration, the effect hasn't worked on me. But Philly Carpenter likely believes I am still under cognitive alteration.
I must not let on.
(Orun has kept his promise to save many citizens. Now it’s my turn.)
Thanks to Amuntzarse secretly hunting many demonic beasts within the country, damage was kept to a minimum.
Without their cooperation, chaos would still be spreading domestically.
“Lady Lucilla, it’s been a while.”
As I reaffirmed my resolve to fulfill my role, a blond man, whom I could aptly describe as a ‘gentleman,’ called out to me.
“Lord Lyle. It’s been a while. Are you the representative of the Stris Kingdom?”
“Yes, I’ve been literally running around all over lately.”
He is Lyle Howard.
A member of the ducal family of the Stris Kingdom, a neighboring country of the Nohitant Kingdom.
Three months ago, during the war with the empire, he responded to my call as the Stris Kingdom’s representative when we gathered neighboring countries in Darane.