Chapter 297: A New Rule

Chapter 297 - A New Rule

I'm conscious, but I can't see anything. As if my body is wrapped up by something...as if I'm floating...what a mysterious sensation.

――!

Experiencing this sensation, no, being kidnapped into this space...it's my second time.

Fuck! That's too much of a surprise attack, isn't it!?!

『Hello, everybody! Good day to all of you Demon Kings!』

The unpleasant voice of a girl reverberates inside my head. This pointlessly high-strung, annoying voice...I guess that settles it.

It looks like I've been kidnapped by the Mastermind once more. And I'm not the only one, but apparently all Demon Kings.

――?

Demon Kings?

What does that mean? Last time, she addressed [Chaos] all over the world.

『Okay, okay, okaaaay! I hear youuu! Your inner voices are reaching me! Yep, yep, you're confused, right? You're surprised, no? But, won't you listen to me first? Won't you? Listen to what "I" have to say』 1

The Mastermind's voice echoes in my head, though I cannot tell whether she's scolding or belittling us.

『F-O-R S-T-A-R-T-E-R-S, this time I have called over all living Demon Kings! Somehow, many of you have been repeatedly shouting in your mind, 『Demon Kings? I noticed that something's off here! Tehe!』, but...pffthahaha. All of you thought the same, how hilarious!! You guys aren't as special as you thought you are!』

She was clearly making fun of us.

『It's not [Chaos] this time since your subordinates are a part of [Chaos] as well, and if I called over everyone, it'd become impossible to keep things in order. Anyway, the reason why I summoned you on this fine day is to add a new rule since the progress isn't going well. Do you understand?』2

Progress? A new rule?

『Now then, let me announce the new rule! First off, the special restrictions of Domains will be aboooolished! And, since that would become too advantageous to [Law], [Chaos] will now be able to leave its Domains without any restrictions! Yaaaay! That's great news, right!? With this it'll become easy to carry out Reigns without the need to slowly build up armies of kin!』

――Haah?

『At first I added the special restriction to protect [Chaos] since you guys were outnumbered by a lot, but you don't need it anymore, do you? This will help with battles starting to gain in intensity once again, riiiight? It'd sure be nice if it did. With that said, the new rule will be introduced in one week! Let's get ready to conquer the world! Fight-oh!』

Until the very end, the voice of the Mastermind carried a very casual tone as if she was dealing with idiots. After her last remark, my consciousness sank into the silence of nothingness once more.

◆

"...n-san! Shion-san!"

――!

Once I open my eyes, my visual field is filled by Kanon who's worriedly calling my name.

"...Kanon?"

"Pheew...I got totally startled when you suddenly dozed off although you shouldn't need any sleep, Shion-san!"

"How long was I out?"

"Umm, around 10 minutes, I'd say?"

"10 minutes, huh...?"

"Yes! I was shocked by you suddenly falling asleep despite there being a huge turmoil all over the world right now!"

"A huge turmoil all over the world?"

"Yes. There was a revelation by the goddess. The first ever since the 『Cataclysm』."

"A revelation by the goddess?"

"Yes. I've memorized it so I'll recite it just like that. 『Lost humans, my dear children, right now, the enemy is trying to break my seal. If the seal is destroyed, the enemy will likely attack you with forces a lot mightier than so far. The seal will be able to hold on for one more week. My beloved children, you must not weep. The seal will be broken, but at the same time, the enemies' walls will fall as well. My dear children, join forces more than you have done so far, and liberate the enemy domains with that common effort』 was the revelation."

Kanon repeated the revelation the goddess passed on to the whole world word-by-word thanks to her <Instant Memory>.

"Seal and walls, eh..."

"Yes. Seal and walls...what's that about? Enemies...that's about us, right?"

"Seal refers to the rule that only kin and their direct subordinates can leave a Domain. Walls refers to the special restrictions of Domains."

"Hee, so that's what it was...wait! Why do you know about that, Shion-san!?" Kanon is surprised about my smooth answering her question.

"I blacked out just now, didn't I? I was kidnapped by the Mastermind and received an explanation during that time."

"Eh? Kidnapped by the Mastermind...you mean the thing from the day when we became Demon Kings?"

I nod, "The world's rules have changed drastically. I guess it's time to assemble our leaders and hold an emergency meeting."

I call my leaders through telepathy, and begin the preparations for the emergency meeting.

◆

"――So, as you've heard, we can predict even more ferocious invasions than before."

I explained the new rule to my leaders.

"Hmm, I see. In that case, I'd like to increase the number of subordinates working on defense."

Yataro, the one in charge of our defenses, is the first to react to this news.

"At first, I'm going to deploy the leaders to defense and see how things develop. We'll take things from there."

"Please do. By the way, what are we going to do about the 『Farms』 with the special restrictions gone?"

"The 『Farms』, huh...? We'll close them for a while, I guess. If things go as the Mastermind plans, humans and other Demon Kings should flood our sectors even without us preparing 『Farms』 for them."

"You think they'll attack us who are listed as part of the 『Thirteen Evil Stars』," Kanon tilts her head upon my answer.

"The special restrictions will be abolished in all domains. If they don't attack, we'll just need to aim for Domains that can be attacked."

"So in the end, we'll sound out each other's intentions, huh?"

"Well, anyone would want to increase their land if it's easy enough."

In the end, it might develop in all powers only sounding out each other. I wonder what will happen if the lull continues, thus thwarting the Mastermind's intention.

"So, what's my part in this 'nyway?"

"For a while, we'll see how things go ― in short, you're going to join the defense."

"Defense, eh? Are masses of enemies really goin' to come?"

"We'll see how things go because that's unclear as of yet."

"Kyahahaha! Taka-cchi! You're such an idiot!"

"The fuck!? Sarah, ya bitch, come outside with me n' I'll show ya who's an idiot!"

"I don't mind going outside with you, but Taka-cchi, you'll get scolded by Shion-cchi!"

"――! Shion! It's 'kay, right!?"

"As if it'd be...don't make such a fuss and behave yourself."

"Ha ha ha! No choice! This is my time to receive Master's punishment instead of――"

――Shut up!

Watching a part of my leaders who didn't feel a shred of impending danger, I spat out a deep sigh.