~Pyongyang Special Self-Governing City~
The entire city was packed for the proclamation of the Lionheart Federation ceremony held by Mayor Black Dragon.
[The moment the monumental Lionheart Federation is proclaimed]
[Proclaimed by His Majesty Leon Dragonia Lionheart, this new alliance is a joint response to the demons responsible for the Gate and──]
[This alliance unusually includes a number of Central Continent countries, and there is talk that it is actually an anti-Orc alliance──]
It's been a month since the Orc Continental Federation was formed.
The Asian continent has been undergoing tectonic shifts.
-Isn't that dangerous? The orcs are getting too big?
-Won't we be next if the orcs take over the entire continent?
-We have a lot of orcs in our country, aren't they going to stage a coup and join the Federation?
Murk quickly and swiftly created the Orc Continental Confederation.
Even though the world's satellites were neutralized, he was able to unite the forces of the orcs without anyone noticing.
The nations of the world, including the United States, barely recovering from the aftermath of the War with the Demons, have done little more than send perfunctory messages to the Orc Continental Confederation.
Reasons varied.
It could be internal affairs interference, or it could be that it was nothing new to them.
Above all, their own ideas of human rights and multiracialism were inhibiting.
Meanwhile, the Lionheart Federation that Leon had announced had gained the support of many countries around the world, especially in Asia.
The orcs were a real and present threat to them.
"Your Majesty, it is an honor to see you again."
"Good to see you, Mr. Takeda. Where is Prime Minister Fujisawa?"
"Ah, the prime minister---his term expired last week, now Mr. Matsumoto is the Prime Minister. Former Prime Minister Fujisawa asked me to send his regards."
"Tsk tsk. Changing leaders so often, how do you expect to keep your policies straight?"
"Haha------"
Seeing the results of their training and their growing faith in God, Leon patted President Takeda and his immediate Hunters on the shoulder, all of whom had been knighted at the TTG Temple.
Next to come forward were none other than Ahn Dong-gil, President of the Reunified Korea, and Oh Kang-hyuk, President of the Korean Hunters Association. Behind them were other members of the association, such as Chun Jin-soo and Kim Jin-soo, the head of the Divine Sword Guild.
"President Ahn. Friend of the Lionheart. Thank you for honoring us with your presence."
"Of course I should come."
South Korea, along with Japan and Taiwan, was one of the largest supporters of the Lionheart Alliance, especially since the organization's primary focus is East Asia.
'If it's a war that's bound to happen.'
President Ahn Dong-gil realized that given the movements of the TTG Temple, they could not coexist with the Orc Continental Federation.
A normal politician would have to weigh the conflict between the two factions and decide which side to take, but Korea cannot afford to do that.
This is because the immediate source of the TTG Temple forces is within South Korea, and South Korea, which is rebuilding itself under the strain of reunification, depends on the TTG Temple for everything social, political, and economic.
It meant that the orcs were an enemy with which the Pantheon could not coexist, that is, an enemy with which Korea could not coexist.
"By the way, there are quite a few of them, which is also due to His Majesty."
Ahn saw that there were more countries from mainland China and even Southeast Asia than he had expected, and he thought that was understandable.
Southeast Asia had embraced the orcs just as enthusiastically as Greater China, so they must be worried about an orc coup.
"Your Majesty."
Beatrice walked gently to Leon's side. As usual, she wore a dark dress and a cotton sash, and her beauty was undeniable.
"What is it?"
"They say they're here from America."
"Hmm."
Leon guessed the identity and was soon on his way to the American mission.
It was an unusual visit from President Hobson of the United States himself, but the greeting was short-lived, and he was soon confronted by the woman who had been waiting for him in a secret room.
"Long time no see."
Leon walked up to the platinum-haired beauty waiting for him and kissed the back of her hand.
"It's been a long time, Lionheart."
Meriel, goddess of fate, an otherworldly goddess that the United States has protected for decades.
"I knew you'd be visiting------"
"The U.S. government didn't want me to come here, citing security concerns, but that's an excuse."
The U.S. government was concerned that the goddess they had secured might fall into the hands of the Pantheon. For Leon, it's an unpleasant thought.
"How dare the lowly poke fun at the ways of the gods? It shows their lack of faith."
"Hoo-hoo, you're the only one who still treats me like a god."
"I'm just setting an example that needs to be followed."
Infinite respect for the gods. Indeed, he was a believer worthy of the love of all the gods.
Meriel recounted the story with renewed envy.
"King Leon intends to fight Murka Balak, does he not?"
"Of course."
"As you know, the Western world, with the exception of Asia, tries to avoid confrontation with the Great Khan as much as possible; their interests are too much at stake."
The principle that you can't single out orcs for multiracial human rights.
Orc immigrants are already overflowing, and orc warriors are too useful in gate raids.
The West assumed peace even as they watched the People's Republic of China collapse in a coup d'état; they were successful because they were such poor countries, and they were different.
"It's not even funny. They don't know the habits of the orcs, or at least the ambitions of this High King."
"There have been three beings whose fate I have not been able to divine."
One, the Demon Lords, for their power is already beyond the Gods.
"The second, King Leon. You, the singularity of history. A being with the power to become a god."
"------I am a demigod."
Leon frowned, as if he couldn't think of anything more, but Meriel continued.
"And the Orc High King. A being of great ego who did not allow me even a glimpse of his destiny. A 'singularity' that even the fierce Orc gods spared."
Leon's equal, Meriel was sure.
"No need to divine fate. The fate of this planet will change with the victory or defeat of King Leon and High King Murka."
"That's what I think, too."
"So--- I have convinced the United States."
The words surprised Leon; the United States had been the country that had been the most reluctant to deal with the Orc Continental Federation so far.
[I understand Your Majesty's intentions and concerns, but there are too many Orcs in the United States]
[Killing them all is not an option, nor is quarantining them, as human rights groups have argued------]
[The United States of America is not like the developing nations of Greater China; our power is strong and the orcs are a minority opinion]
The United States had refused to join the anti-Orc Federation, citing domestic politics.
Did you convince them?
"How far can you go?"
"If His Majesty decides to go to war, how many English-speaking volunteers will come forward? Considering the power of the United States, it would not be a small number."
"I don't think we'll be short of numbers."
That's a big help. The U.S. is a traditionally Christian nation, but that has been weakened since the cataclysm, and the Great War has spread through the cracks.
At the current rate of expansion, it's predicted that within 20 years, the number of Pantheon believers will outnumber Christians.
Already in America, there were knights under Leon's signature and many Man-At-Arms who had returned home from training.
Their faith is growing, and the gods of the TTG Temple confirm it.
"That was very helpful, but how did you convince them?"
"I gave them a choice: human rule or orc rule. I showed them their fate."
"Yes? But the Goddess doesn't control my fate or the fate of those orcs──"
[Leon, the power felt from the Goddess of Destiny is significantly less than before]
At Arianna's voice, Leon truly felt the holy power he sensed from her fade. A goddess who lived her life confined to the vessel of flesh had overdone it to the point of breaking her own vessel.
"How can you break the jade body of a goddess------?"
"Because this body means nothing unless King Leon is victorious."
At Meriel's smile, Leon squeezed her hand, determined.
"I will bring you victory."
Today, the Lionheart Federation, formed, will declare war on the Orc Continental Federation.
* * * * *
A rare helicopter flew over Pyongyang, a rarity in a place where flying is forbidden unless you're a drone or dragon. They were carrying reporters.
[This is over Pyongyang, the ratification ceremony for the Lionheart Federation is about to begin!]
Journalists from all over the world were eager to capture this historic moment on camera.
The mayor of Pyongyang, Black Dragon, and his dragon people.
Elves and tree men from all over the branches of the great World Tree.
More than 2,000 knights, and Man at Arms, who now numbered more than 30,000. In addition, there are many knights who have received knighthoods from all over the world.
News organizations from around the world watched the live broadcast of the ceremony and commented.
[It is a great army. The 33 countries of the Lionheart Federation, including South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Heilong, Chengdu, Guiyang, Lanzhou, Shenyang, and Harbin, have come together.]
[In other words, by ratifying this Lionheart Commonwealth Charter, they are creating a giant federation that will rival the European Union, the United States of America, and the Orc Continental Confederation]
[Most of the new countries are developing nations, with the exception of South Korea and Japan.]
[There are real gods, and the Holy Knights who represent those gods. They alone transcend the power of the great powers]
[Besides that, it's worth recalling that Britain and the United States are making some pretty aggressive gestures──]
It was then. Countless numbers of Kikiruks had begun to land on the Daedong River, which bisects the Pyongyang Special Autonomous Region.
This was a performance of the landing of the Kikiruk warriors who had traveled from Nampo City along the Yellow Sea coast to the Daedong River.
[And let's not forget the Kikiruks, who, according to the U.S. Navy, cannot be defeated at sea.]
[And they are united under the leadership of His Majesty, Leon Dragonia Lionheart.]
[It's been an age-old debate: can an otherworldly being be entrusted with the politics of Earth?]
[But over the past year, His Majesty Leon has responded with common sense and grace. Not to mention the infiltration of demons followers triggered by the UN Human Rights Commission inspections]
[It is often pointed out that the methods of the TTG Temple are so inhumane---there are strong opinions among citizens as to whether human rights should be respected for demons or their followers]
Leon is certainly far from the mainstream political ideas of Earth.
He despised democracy and believed in the theocracy of kingship, in which his rights came from the choice of the gods, not the votes of the people.
But he had other principles, too.
[He is an unusual medieval royalty in that he respects the laws of other nations; he has the power to trample on foreign nuisances.]
[But again, given the purpose of this Federation, the criteria is clear]
[Anti-Orc Federation, meaning the Lionheart Federation is likely to be at odds with the Orc Continental Federation. His Majesty Leon is a notorious 'Orc Racist'. He even holds the distinction of being the most prolific orc slayer]
[With the caveat that there is no such thing as respect when it comes to demons and orcs]
Everyone knew that Leon was a staunch Orc-hater, and that's what the Federation was founded for.
"Article 1 of the Lionheart Constitution. All power comes from the gods. The Lionheart King is the agent of the gods, and therefore stands above all law."
[I know--there's a lot to be said for that constitution]
[Regimes that leave everything to individual morality have always failed on Earth, but there's a lot to be said for this one being different].
[Absolute power inevitably corrupts...Is it because there are beings who can break that law?]
[The Pantheon, that is, the gods].
Living power given by real gods but that power can be taken back by the gods at any time.
The debate on the morality of the gods aside, the creation of a leader was fascinating to mankind, who had dreamed of an "iron man" since the beginning of time.
"This king vows to lead the world for good with the divine power bestowed upon him by the gods."
[But what's the point? The gods of the Pantheon have full faith in the Lionheart King]
"I, Leon Dragonia Lionheart, am also a knight. I will be the shield that protects all the people of the Federation and the spear that defeats their enemies."
[We have all witnessed him, the unstoppable superhuman who has defeated the Demon Lords, who has defeated the Slaughter Archduke, who has defeated the Lord of Chaos]
"Come, follow me."
[No one can be equal to the Lionheart King, and the Federal Ratifying States can only believe].
"Then shalt thou prevail."
[The birth of unquestioned absolute power].
─────────!!!!
The moment the ratification ceremony was announced.
In the middle of Pyongyang a 'gate' was opened, where the Holy Knights stood by, flanked by countless knights and soldiers.
"What?"
"A gate at this time?!"
As everyone looked on in bewilderment, Leon looked beyond the gate and felt the ferocious beastly energy emanating from it.
-Jab, jab, jab!
Just one step and the air is crushed.
In this world, in the world of Leon Dragonia Lionheart, an extraterrestrial superhuman, there is only one person who can crush the space he purifies.
"Murka?!"
"It's Murka!"
Orc Grand Khan Murka Balak has come to the center of the enemy camp.