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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Cathedral Meeting
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After talking with Atlas, I spent some time reviewing the original story's content in my diary and information log.
Of course, I'd memorized most things related to Stardust, but the less relevant extras were a bit fuzzy in my memory.
With that in mind, before heading to the Cathedral, where almost all the leaders of villain organizations on Earth gather, I re-familiarized myself with information about those villains.
After falling into this world, I struggled for a bit, but then I pulled myself together and frantically wrote down all the details of the original story before I forgot them. Reading it again brought all the memories flooding back.
"...Javaposis, Raytre. Ugh, why are all their names like this?"
Perhaps because they weren't domestic villains, their names were already quite niche. Still, I couldn't afford to look clueless at the Cathedral meeting, so it was essential to memorize their names, appearances, abilities, and original actions beforehand.
"Ah! Thank you. Yes, I'll see you then. Alright. Goodbye."
Just as I was making these preparations, Atlas contacted me.
He'd received an invitation from Celeste to the villains' Cathedral meeting, and while he was at it, he'd strongly recommended me to be included. After he chuckled and told me to come on the specified date, I hung up and sighed. Phew, at least the biggest hurdle was over. Connections truly were the best. It was a good thing Atlas seemed to have an unusually high opinion of me...
Honestly, what I'd done for Atlas wasn't all that significant.
I'd just deeply sympathized with his ocean expansion project. Oh, and as a bonus, I'd warned him about a city that was about to be destroyed and saved his dying daughter, that kind of thing?
Hmm, come to think of it, maybe it *was* quite significant.
Anyway, with the date set.
I told my companions in advance that I'd be going across the sea for a bit.
"Yeah. Have a good trip. Bring back a Melona."
Seo Jayoung waved her hand nonchalantly, sending me off coolly.
"...Dain, isn't that dangerous?"
"Oppa. All the villains in the world are gathering there, so I'm worried..."
Soobin and Seoeun showed slight signs of worry, so I had to reassure them not to fret.
In reality, it was indeed something to worry about. This was a gathering of the elite among S-rank villains, specifically representatives who led other villains. It wasn't strange to be concerned about getting one's neck snapped if one misstepped among such a teeming crowd of powerful individuals.
"It's fine, don't worry."
"Even so..."
Of course, I assured them there was nothing to worry about.
That's because, through the original story, I had a rough idea of the atmosphere in that meeting hall.
One might think that a gathering of villains would inevitably lead to fights and explosions, but in reality, it proceeded in a surprisingly calm atmosphere.
From the start, those who attended were all intelligent individuals who led organizations and hadn't yet been caught by the Association. Naturally, they had the sense to be cautious in front of the world's most dangerous villains. After all, those who didn't and acted recklessly ended up dead later...
Moreover, I wasn't going alone, but with Atlas, who held significant influence among the villains, so there was even less to worry about.
Time passed, and finally, the appointed hour arrived.
Before heading to the Cathedral, I departed for the ocean city, where I was scheduled to meet Atlas.
Phew, a villain meeting...
Honestly, just thinking about going gave me a headache, but for Stardust, I had to do at least this much.
Having made up my mind again, I called the Lapis Order for the first time in a while and flew there by airship.
Old man Atlas, it'll be good to see him again after our last meeting.
***
Somewhere beneath the North Atlantic Ocean.
There lay a secret underwater city, designed to be unfindable by anyone.
It was Atlas City, built by the S-rank villain, Atlas.
A mysterious city where stone structures resembling turquoise ocean ruins coexisted with buildings made entirely of transparent glass.
In this city, which served as the base for the Lapis Order, who sought to expand their influence over the sea, I was meeting an old man in a stone building located at its heart.
"Haha! Egostic, our Egostic! Welcome, how have you been?"
"Yes, Mr. Atlas, have you been well too? It feels like a long time since I've seen your face. I apologize for not visiting sooner."
"No, no! You're busy, of course that's understandable. Still, it's good to see your face again with this opportunity!"
Atlas chuckled as he said this to me.
Soon, he stroked his long, bushy blue beard, speaking to me earnestly.
"And, if you ever have time, feel free to visit us here. Our Lapis Order will always welcome you. My daughter also misses you."
"Haha, I understand. Mr. Atlas, you should visit Korea sometime. I'll treat you well."
"Hahaha, I certainly will."
I smiled back at Atlas, who was laughing heartily.
It was me, laughing deep in the ocean with a muscular old man in a blue bodysuit.
This place, resembling a colossal temple, where through the glass walls outside, one could see ocean fish swimming by.
It was like an underwater kingdom from a fairy tale. No, seeing old man Atlas sitting on his throne, it really *was* a kingdom. The only problem was that he hadn't conquered the surface yet; it was no exaggeration to say the ocean was practically his.
"Alright. So, are you all prepared?"
"Yes."
"Good, then let's get ready to go."
As Atlas finished speaking and began to rise his massive body from the throne, his gaze suddenly fixed on something in the distance.
Wondering what it was, I turned my head to look behind me and saw a figure hiding behind a pillar.
They hadn't completely hidden, however, with long blue hair peeking out halfway.
Towards that figure, Atlas shouted loudly.
"Ariel! What are you doing back there! Daddy's leaving now!"
Ah, I wondered who it was, but it was Ariel.
Despite Atlas's words, she remained hidden behind the pillar, showing no intention of coming out.
"Haha, my apologies. She's not usually like this, but she seems to get shy whenever she sees you."
"It's fine, haha. I suppose I'll have to get to know Ms. Ariel better next time I visit."
I chuckled as I replied, glancing at Ariel, who was still hidden behind the pillar.
Ariel. Atlas's daughter, a character who slowly withered away and died in the original story. I had saved her, which was how I gained Atlas's favor.
Anyway, looking at her hidden behind the pillar, I thought to myself.
Ariel. I hadn't known it at all, but it turned out her abilities were quite strong. The power to control water. Among the highly-rated elemental abilities, water was particularly special, so I'd secretly been eyeing it. It would be great if I could somehow persuade her to subtly join Egostream.
...But why is she acting like this now, when she was perfectly fine laughing and talking with me last time we met?
Puzzled, I waved at her as she peeked her head out slightly. Her ears turned a little red, and she hid again.
...Why is a perfectly grown woman acting like that? Are the kids here normally like that? Come to think of it, I only ever see fish-people here, so I wouldn't know.
"Alright, anyway. Let's go. Take this letter."
Atlas said, handing me a letter.
A letter with only a red seal in the center.
This was the item that would take us directly to the Cathedral, then.
As soon as I took one side of the letter at his word, Atlas mercilessly tore it in half with a ripping sound.
At that moment, a blue aura scattered around us.
*Whoosh—*
Along with a sudden scattering of white smoke, we, who had been standing on marble just moments before, were now standing on hard, black brick.
"Hmm... so this is how it works."
Atlas waved his hand, clearing the smoke. As his vision cleared, a black space was revealed before us.
"Welcome, Lord Atlas. And... Egostic."
And beside it, a person in a white robe appeared before us as we looked around.
Hmm, so this was Celeste's famous White Priest.
"Alright. Where is this place?"
"This is the Grand Cathedral, the meeting hall of the Cathedral. If you follow the corridor straight ahead, you will arrive directly at the conference room. When the meeting concludes and you wish to return, please make your way back here."
"Understood."
I replied to his words.
The person bowed and withdrew, and Atlas and I began walking down the long corridor.
"Hmm. It seems I'll get to meet Celeste this time. Egostic, do you know about Celeste?"
"I know a bit, but this is my first time meeting her like this."
"Haha! There will be many villains here just as powerful as she is. Don't be nervous. Well, I'm sure you'll manage just fine on your own, won't you! Hahaha!"
"Haha..."
Atlas looked at me with eyes full of deep trust. I could only offer him an ambiguous smile. Seriously, why did this old man rate me so highly? Of course, Atlas himself was clearly one of the strongest here, capable of controlling the entire ocean and attacking the whole world simultaneously...
As I was thinking that, a wide-open circular doorway appeared before my eyes.
Stepping through it.
"Ohh..."
A colossal chamber unfolded.
Stained-glass windows stretched across both sides, and a massive chandelier hung from above.
And in the center of the room, a large round table.
There, a good number of villains were already seated.
On the far side, I saw a white-haired woman whose eyes were covered by a white veil, dressed in attire similar to a saintess from a fantasy game.
That woman was...
The one considered the most powerful among S-rank villains, and simultaneously the most secretive. And in the original story, the woman who only made her move in the very late stages. Celeste.
Surrounding her at the round table sat villains, each capable of easily destroying an entire nation on their own.
And amidst them, I quietly thought.
'Hmm...'
So, how should I conquer this place?