The conference chamber gradually settled into silence. President Julius slowly looked around the circular table before speaking.

"I know this emergency session comes as a surprise to many of you. However, recent developments have forced me to move that timetable forward."

"It would appear that our continent is facing a greater risk of a demonic incursion than we initially believed."

The atmosphere within the chamber became noticeably heavier.

"For that reason, I requested Agent Dark Nova’s immediate presence."

He turned slightly. "I believe it would be best if everyone heard his findings firsthand."

Dark Nova nodded before beginning.

"As many of you are already aware, the Kingdom of Gritnia has recently experienced a series of incidents connected to demonic activity."

His report proceeded calmly as he detailed the attempted demonic infiltration of the capital, the Beelstones that had been secretly distributed throughout the nation, the scale of the operation, and the existence of Lord Krygon himself.

Hearing this account laid out in sequence caused several expressions around the table to grow increasingly grim.

King Carson, meanwhile, had no visible expression on his face at the time. He simply watched the Hero speak.

Dark Nova continued. "There is, however, one matter that I personally find more disturbing."

His gaze shifted directly toward Carson.

"It concerns the King’s repeated tendency to sympathize with demons."

Carson’s eyes narrowed. "What is the meaning of this?"

Around the table, several rulers exchanged glances before quietly turning their attention toward the King of Gritnia.

Dark Nova continued as though the interruption had never happened.

"Time and time again, His Majesty has shown a willingness to lower his guard whenever a demon claims that it bears no ill will toward either his nation or this continent."

"He has allowed this sentiment to cloud his judgment, evn his own daughter is married to a demon."

Several murmurs immediately spread throughout the chamber.

"And that same demon has been allowed to thrive within Gritnia, going as far as housing more demons, which of course all fall under the King’s protection."

The whispers became noticeably louder.

Dark Nova allowed them a moment before continuing.

"Crime throughout Gritnia has steadily risen. And what concerns me most is that those entrusted with stopping such matters have instead become contributors to them."

Carson’s expression hardened further.

Dark Nova looked toward President Julius before continuing his report.

"The Head Enforcer of Gritnia has repeatedly accepted bribes in exchange for overlooking the illegal transactions and the very activities which led to a widespread possession of our people by demons."

"He has also falsified official investigative records. For example, the official report surrounding Audrey’s death."

"The report submitted to the Coalition omitted numerous critical details, painting an entirely different picture from the events that actually transpired."

He went more deeply into a few more things after that, then ended the conversation not long afterward.

Every gaze around the table slowly settled upon the King of Gritnia.

King Carson continued staring at Dark Nova with an increasingly distorted expression.

"So this... This was your purpose for coming to Gritnia? To fabricate lies against me?"

His eyes immediately turned toward President Julius. "And you, was this the fucking reason you sent him into my country, without even asking me?"

Rather than answer directly, Julius calmly threw in another question.

"Carson... have you, in fact, been sympathizing with demons and placing the security of this continent at risk?"

Carson stared at him for several long seconds before letting out a short laugh of disbelief. "What rubbish is this? Sympathizing? Listen to how stupid that even sounds."

One of the female rulers seated across the chamber spoke at that point. "Then answer the question instead of hurling insults."

Carson’s jaw tightened, and his eyes shot a glare at her. "Phillipa... You will remain quiet while I am speaking."

Phillipa shut her mouth and averted her gaze as the room grew more tense. Asides being a nation’s leader, Carson was also the only member of the Grand Class amongst the leaders present and, as such, commanded an even greater amount of respect within them.

He turned back toward Julius.

"This Coalition exists because I repeatedly fought for its creation. I was the one who clamored for the nations of the West to stand together against a common threat."

He gestured toward himself.

"And you believe I would be foolish enough to jeopardize the very objective I struggled to establish?"

His gaze then returned back to Norman.

"The fact that I allow some demons to walk free in my country does not mean I sympathize with them. The purpose of this alliance is to stop, by all means, anything that would be an extermination of our species, of humanity, by the demons."

"And that can happen without the need to warrant savagery. Moreover, it seems Agent Dark Nova conveniently forgot one very important detail."

"The same demon he criticizes was the individual who put an end to Audrey Desdemona’s attack on my country."

"The same demon has also produced technological advancements that almost every nation in the Western Continent currently enjoys and benefits from."

He paused before saying plainly, "Yes. I am referring to Ethan Stark, the head of Stark Industries."

A wave of surprise spread throughout the conference chamber.

Every ruler present knew that name. Whether directly or indirectly, nearly every nation seated there had, in one way or another, gotten involved with Stark Industries.

Some of them had constructed entire airship docks, others had purchased airplanes. Even those who had yet to purchase them had already begun negotiating future contracts.

The atmosphere around the table gradually changed. Several rulers who had initially been watching Carson with suspicion now leaned back into thoughtful silence as they reconsidered Dark Nova’s accusations.

Norman remained completely expressionless as he stared back at the King of Gritnia.

President Julius, who had remained silent for several moments in thought, then asked the Hero, "What about the other investigation you mentioned to me? The one you said was still ongoing."

Dark Nova gave a nod. "I have not reached a conclusion. My investigation was interrupted as the appearance of another demonic threat within Gritnia demanded my immediate attention."

King Carson scoffed. "I acknowledge the threat demons pose. But I have never required outside assistance to deal with affairs within my own kingdom, and I do not intend to begin now."