Ch.13345. Secret Meeting (2)

Everyone at the meeting looked at me after Gerfield spoke.

‘This is uncomfortable.’

And it seemed Jeon Taehyun was already engaged in conversation here. The attendees didn’t give him any special greeting.

Jeon Taehyun said, “Now that Lee Minsu has arrived, we can properly continue the conversation we were having earlier.”

At his words, the attendees’ gazes changed. Besides Choi Seunghoon and Gerfield, there were other participants.

A priest wearing white robes with a red sash around his waist. Looking older than middle-aged, the priest wore a red clerical hat.

‘With that attire, he must be a cardinal from the Vatican.’

A Vatican cardinal is the highest-ranking priest just below the Pope. A priest of such high status that he would be treated as a state guest in any country.

But the other attendees here were also remarkable people, so it wasn’t surprising.

There were other participants whose faces I didn’t recognize, but they clearly seemed to hold important positions in various countries or organizations.

There were also people who appeared to be from Mu Nation and the Slavic Kingdom. They were probably close associates of Grand Duke Andrei and Cheonma Yeon Sehwi.

“Please take a seat.”

I sat down in an empty chair at the conference table. Both Choi Seunghoon and Gerfield looked like they had something to say to me, but they remained silent as Jeon Taehyun continued speaking.

“Now that everyone is here, it’s time to get to the main point.”

With those words, Jeon Taehyun also took a seat at the table.

The group’s gaze briefly turned toward me. But soon, as an aide entered the conference room and stood at the front, everyone focused on her.

“First, I should explain to you all about the guild called Flame.”

Several attendees responded to this.

“Flame would be the Small Priestess’s guild, correct?”

“Do you mean the Flame led by the Grand Duchess?”

People who appeared to be officials from Mu Nation and the Slavic Kingdom spoke up.

The Small Priestess would be Soso. And the Grand Duchess would be Yuri.

Both of them were nobles, or rather, equivalent to royalty in their respective countries. So it seemed they were well aware of the guild these women belonged to.

‘Well, everyone would know about Flame as it is now anyway.’

The aide continued her explanation. Like someone presenting a company history, she talked about Flame through the display screen.

And among the topics, she focused particularly on Flame’s achievements over the past six months.

“The manifestation of the Great Demon Crosel in the Korean city of Paju. Flame played a crucial role in that mission. Afterward, they established a regional base in Busan, acquired an SS-class license, and in that process, they eliminated Lee Seonwoo, one of the Twelve Apostles…”

At this explanation, one of the Mu Nation officials showed a surprised expression. He seemed to be an elder of the Cheonma Faith. The elder spoke.

“Hell Blood Demon Lee Seonwoo was our Cheonma Faith’s primary target. So when the Small Priestess eliminated Seonwoo, our order was very pleased.”

Jeon Taehyun responded to his words.

“The news that Cheonma’s daughter played such a role must have been pleasing for the Cheonma Faith. But would you listen to a bit more of my aide’s explanation?”

At the Association President’s words, the elder turned back to the screen.

“As you know, Hell Blood Demon Lee Seonwoo was the right-hand man of the Fourth Demon, Seo Munyeom. And his danger was underestimated in the hunter community. As you can see, he created a sacrificial domain across this entire island of Yeongdo.”

“A sacrificial domain? That magic is among the most wicked and… extremely dangerous high-level sorcery used by demon contractors…”

The attendees fell silent at the detailed report that followed. And when all the explanations were finished, they turned their attention to me.

Secretary-General Choi Seunghoon spoke.

“It’s true that Hunter Yeon Soso eliminated Lee Seonwoo. But as you saw in the report just now, the one who created all the conditions to capture Seonwoo with minimal casualties was…”

“This young man, Lee Minsu,” Jeon Taehyun finished.

At his words, the attendees who hadn’t known me changed their expressions.

The meeting continued. The aide summarized Flame’s achievements up to the recent manifestation of the Holy Maiden.

“Are you saying this hunter personally found and neutralized the Count of Ghouls’ core?”

The Slavic Kingdom attendee, who appeared to be a mage, spoke in disbelief. Secretary-General Choi Seunghoon, also a mage, answered.

“Yes. The Count of Ghouls, Rittenfeld. As a Tower Master, you would understand better than anyone how remarkable it is for a mage to personally subdue such a villain.”

The mage nodded at his words. He seemed to be the Tower Master of the Magic Tower in the Slavic Kingdom.

Shortly after, the aide’s report concluded. At the end of her report, she added not only Flame’s achievements but also an explanation of my profile.

“Then the reason the Association President called everyone here is…”

And not just the attendees, but I too finally understood the meaning of what Gerfield had said when I entered.

Jeon Taehyun nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. This Lee Minsu will be the key to stopping the Evil God in the future.”

The attendees murmured at his words. Jeon Taehyun continued, ignoring their reaction.

“The colorless key, literally speaking. Isn’t that right, Cardinal Artiani?”

At the Association President’s words, the cardinal stood up.

***

When the cardinal rose, the attendees fell silent.

He was someone who could directly represent the Pope. The words about to come from his mouth were as good as the Pope’s own.

“Before I speak, I should emphasize the importance of this matter once more. Everyone gathered here has the power to move nations, isn’t that right?”

Cardinal Artiani’s words were met with a nod from Gerfield.

“Except for me and Minsu over there, everyone here is essentially at the core of their respective countries. Though the Grand Duke and Cheonma aren’t present, their closest confidants are here.”

The cardinal continued after his remark.

“Indeed. As such, this unofficial meeting… may be crucial in determining humanity’s survival going forward.”

“Humanity’s survival…”

The attendees’ expressions grew serious at his words. Then Jeon Taehyun responded.

“You’ve all realized I didn’t call you here for simple networking. But you two must be wondering why we keep talking about the Flame guild and an S-class hunter who, by your standards, is relatively unknown.”

The Cheonma Faith elder and the Tower Master nodded.

“Hmm… Since this involves the Grand Duchess, I cannot simply ignore it. But to be frank, even the Grand Duchess hasn’t yet reached SS-class. I find it curious why the Flame guild led by her is being mentioned in this forum.”

“The Tower Master is correct. The same applies to our Small Priestess. In the current war situation, there are many guilds and organizations with achievements greater than Flame’s. Though capturing one of the Twelve Apostles is certainly impressive…”

The two were right.

The war against villains is a global conflict. In this great war, Flame’s achievements so far represent only a small part of the overall situation.

Even having captured two of the Twelve Apostles, the Red Lake’s forces remain strong. Without capturing Juan Soriano and Seo Munyeom, there hasn’t been a significant impact.

If the Evil God is resurrected, Flame’s achievements would be equivalent to success in a minor conflict. So for these two people at the core of major nations, the current meeting must seem puzzling.

Then, the Tower Master spoke again.

“But the colorless key you mentioned earlier. Doesn’t the cardinal have more to tell us about that?”

The cardinal nodded at his question.

“Indeed. And regarding that matter, it would be better for Lord Gerfield over there to explain to you all.”

“Very well. I’ll explain.”

Gerfield stood up. With his nearly 2-meter tall frame, his presence was commanding.

But he calmly moved to the front of the screen, and looking at the attendees, began his explanation.

“I should tell you the fundamental reason for starting this meeting. Would you look at the screen?”

An ancient book appeared on the screen. I recognized that book.

‘The prophecy book found in the ancient dungeon of Mount Seorak.’

And Gerfield spoke about that prophecy book.

“This prophecy book is officially certified by the Vatican as both scripture and prophecy. So its authenticity cannot be denied. Isn’t that right?”

“In the name of the Vatican Cardinal, I swear it is true.”

At the cardinal’s words, all attendees focused on the screen.

Even Secretary-General Choi Seunghoon seemed unaware of this prophecy book, as his expression changed. Gerfield continued.

“If the contents of this prophecy were made public, great chaos would ensue. Therefore, the two representatives from Mu Nation and the Slavic Kingdom must swear to speak of this only to your lords.”

The two remained silent. Ernst Gerfield was one of the Two Monsters, a figure mentioned right after the Five Great Celestial Beings and the Four Demons in terms of strength.

So it seemed the two couldn’t ignore the weight of his words.

The two willingly extended their hands over the table.

“I swear.”

“I swear as well.”

Then Cardinal Artiani’s hand glowed. Ayel’s Oath. If the two broke their confidentiality oath, the cardinal would immediately know. And the two would face divine punishment.

After a moment of silence, Gerfield continued. Unlike his usual self, his voice was serious.

And on the next screen, the contents of the prophecy book were displayed.

“Since many of you won’t understand the ancient imperial language, I’ll tell you the content I’ve personally decoded.”

Even Association President Jeon Taehyun waited with a stiff expression for the next words.

“I don’t want to say this with my own mouth, but I must tell you the truth. The resurrection of the Evil God is already confirmed. There is no way to prevent the resurrection of that God of Slaughter, no matter what measures we take.”

The attendees gasped.

“That’s impossible… If it’s the Evil God… we’re already struggling just to deal with the currently manifested Great Demons. With hundreds of thousands of people already dying… Has Ayel truly abandoned us?”

The Tower Master spoke. As he said, the Evil God is a being that transcends even Great Demons. A God of Slaughter who can use divine power on earth.

But Gerfield shook his head at the Tower Master’s words.

“If the Evil God resurrects, the world will inevitably head toward its foretold destruction. But my explanation isn’t finished yet.”

He looked at me once more before turning his gaze back to the screen. The next presentation showed a portion of the prophecy book with an English translation.

Gerfield explained its contents.

“This prophecy speaks of the Spear of Epitheus. The only holy spear, the dragon-slaying spear, that can stop the resurrected Evil God, the red dragon of the apocalypse.”

“A dragon-slaying spear…”

“And it also mentions an Eastern Sage who will find this spear. The colorless key is the one who will awaken this Eastern Sage.”

“The colorless key? Then who exactly are this key and the Eastern Sage?”

To the elder and Tower Master who questioned in succession, Gerfield answered.

“While not all Eastern Sages have appeared yet, so I cannot be certain, one of them has awakened. Holy Maiden Seong Arin. You all should know that name.”

“The Holy Maiden…”

“Yes. She is a member of the Flame guild that was just explained to you, the nun who recently completed her manifestation as a Holy Maiden. And the one who contributed most to finding this Holy Maiden is…”

At that moment, all attendees’ gazes turned toward me.

“This young man, Lee Minsu. He is the colorless key.”