Chapter 367- The Gathering of All

Avarco and Envidia had been killed, and as a result they no longer held their statuses as Hosts of Sin.

Their abilities removed, their powers stripped, they no longer held the strength which they once held.

The Elementals were a powerful race to begin with.

The average elemental was on the lower end of the 8th tier. The weaker ones would be on the lower end of the 7th tier, and the strongest among them- the Hosts of Sin, were previously on the upper end of the 9th tier.

Avarco was neither weak nor strong among elementals before his selection, and so right now his strength was equivalent to an 8th tier being.

Envidia on the other hand, was weak before her promotion among elementals, and so currently she held strength equivalent to a 7th tier being.

Evelyn, after training all her life, was able to make it to the top of the 8th tier, however she was never able to break the realm of the 9th tier.

This was because the 9th tier was the realm of heroes and legends.

Only those selected by the system were able to break such a tier.

However, before the antiheroes, such rankings were meaningless.

1st tier, 9th tier, it was all the same.

Weak.

That was the extent of the power of even the Hosts of Sin.

In four cells, five people sat together.

"Sister....."

Evelyn looked up to the flame elemental who had been born into the same household as her.

Looking her sister in the eyes, she felt pangs of guilt.

Regret.

Remorse.

"I..... am sorry."

Evelyn apologized, lowering her head with fervency before Envidia.

"All those years ago..... I never realized how much you were suffering while I lived an easy life. No.... I realized it. I just didn't do anything about it. I told myself that you were strong.... I told myself that you would be fine.... I told myself that there was no reason for me to butt in.... I...."

Evelyn held her head in regret, choking up as she apologized deeply to her sister.

Envidia looked at her sister with an irritated expression, frowning as she watched this display.

"Shut the hell up already. I already took more from you than what you had over me."

Evelyn was frozen at the harsh words, yet looked up with wonder.

"Sister..... do you not hate me?"

"Hate you? Hahaha..... yes. I hated you. And perhaps I still hate you right now. I hated the fact that you had more. I hated the fact that everyone gave you everything without question. I hated the fact that nobody gave me anything unless I lost an arm and a leg to obtain it, and even then they would ask me 'Why do you have that? Hand it over, and I'd have to give it up just like that..' I hated the fact that you were glorified as the future Captain. I hated the fact that the Knights respected you. And I hated the fact that you were born with the looks of our mother."

Envidia looked over to the cells, frowning as she continued to speak.

"I hated the fact that you had so many friends. I hated the fact that those very friends, teachers, and everyone who supported you would look at me like I was some sort of abomination. I hated the fact that I was considered a parasite, and that it was a disgrace to you for me to even call myself your sister."

Closing her eyes with a bitter smile, Envidia laughed.

"But it looks like in the end, I obtained more than you. Didn't I? And yet.... right now, we're here. With nothing. I killed a lot of your people, and I'm sure you hate me for that. I don't even really regret it either. However, I suppose I'll say it, since we're stuck in here, and I'm now powerless."

Envidia looked over to her sister with a sincere expression.

"I'm sorry as well. For the past hundred years."

The two became silent at this apology.

Not a word was spoken for a few minutes, after which Avarco broke the awkward silence.

"Now that you two have come to terms, I would like to ask.... what do you intend to do from now on?"

Evelyn looked over to the man and spoke with resolve.

"I will continue to fight for my people. If there is any way that I can continue to protect them, even as weak as I am, I will do so."

Without hesitation, she spoke with chivalry.

She was a true knight.

Even in the clutches of the enemy, even faced with one who was her enemy just previously, she was able to show her forgiveness, humble herself to apologize for her own wrongdoings, and continue to fight for her people.

Evelyn had been driven to the depths of despair on this day, and she knew of no way to win.

Even so, she would not give up.

She would continue to do everything she could, until her dying breath.

For that was what it meant to be a knight.

"I take it that means that you will follow their demands, in order to protect your people?"

"I..... see no other way to protect them."

Avarco grinned.

"Then we are aligned. I for one do not wish to see the demise of my people, however there is something else which I would like to see.... something which I believe I can obtain through following them. After all, a true merchant does not take the losing side of an argument."

"You are flippant and your goals reek of self centered profit.... but they align with my own. Therefore, I agree. It is best that we work together, for the sake of our peoples, and for a better future. I..... can only hope that we will not be forced to perform evil deeds under their orders.... yet if it is for the sake of my people..... then I will do what is necessary."

Evelyn responded to Avarco's comment with correction, yet she understood well that she was in no position to take such a moral high ground.

"You have truly changed, little sister. It seems that you've finally taken your knighthood to heart.", Envidia commented. "You know, it's strange. I feel pretty different after having been killed. I suppose the fact that I am no longer the Host of Envy has changed me."

Evelyn nodded.

"You certainly have changed, sister. I can tell."

"Fine. I'll work with you. I'll call it even. All the shit I went through and all the shit I put you through.... we'll say they even out. And I have no intention..... to go through whatever torment they have planned should we disobey their orders.", Envidia declared.

With this, the three agreed to work alongside one another- entrusting themselves to the antiheroes.

Their goals were all separate.

One was focused on protecting others. Another was considering profits. The third was merely trying to protect herself.

Even so, these three united together, forced to comply with the ultimate power of the antiheroes.

Whether one wished for good, evil, or self interest, the power of the antiheroes presented each of them with a choice.

Obey or suffer.

It was this ultimate level of power which brought these three together.

These three, who stood on a battlefield against each other just earlier in a clash of morals and ideals.

[Well would you look at that. It seems that the insects have a few brain cells after all.]

The mature voice of a succubus played in the minds of the three.

[Work well for us. And to the Knight..... do not expect that your hands will not be covered in blood.]

At this statement, Evelyn shivered.

'So they expect me to perform horrible deeds after all.'

With heavy heart, she bit her lip.

'I..... do not know what I will have to do. But I cannot sit here and do nothing. Not when the lives of thousands are in the balance.'

----

"You certainly have taken a liking to the torment of the justice lovers, haven't you?"

"It's funny to see an insect struggle with a choice."

"I cannot disagree. It certainly does prove interesting, no matter how many times I watch it happen."

The antiheroes walked through the fleshy halls of their mansion in the capital of the Dictatorship.

"Ah, didn't we make a bet before? Lemme think.... what was it on again?", Garett asked while placing a finger to his forehead in thought.

"Ah, it was on whether or not the leader would submit to us quickly. Right? What would you say happened? After all, I suppose I interfered a bit with her actions, so I guess we should consider her initial response?"

Placing a demonic hand to her lips in thought, Samantha frowned.

"Initial response..... ah, right. She gave in pretty quick, didn't she? She gave in so quickly that it was irritating. I didn't expect her to come to that conclusion THAT quickly. And yet, it seems that something changed in her once I gave her that chance. Well, the results were the same either way.... but this is your win, Gary."

"Hahaha..... well, it's not like we were betting anything anyways."

The four walked through the halls to their office, where they all sat down together around a circular table.

"Ughh..... we gotto get back to work?", Ashley complained as she laid her head on the table, stretching her spiritual arms out.

"Yes, we do. It is time to begin preparations for one final assault here in the monster realm, and this one will be..... all out."

"That last one wasn't all out?"

"Well, perhaps it was to an extent, if you mean that our mere presence is the full extent of our forces, given that the remaining forces are negligible in comparison. However, I mean to overwhelm the remaining foes by both quantity and quality. To put it simply..... I wish for a true war to occur. One in which not a single person on our side is to fall before we take the heads of the enemy commanders."

Trevor grinned sinisterly as he laid out his plan before the others.

"It is only after displaying this overwhelming difference in strength that we will truly and fully be known throughout this world..... as demon lords."

----

Within an office, an angelic figure sat.

A strained expression came across her face as one hand furiously scribbled at a set of documents, with a single eye focused on her work.

The other hand held a completely separate set of documents, and the eye on this side of her face flashed back and forth as she read through it.

This figure wore a pure white dress, and had the wings and halo of an angel.

In the background, a piano quietly played a beautiful melody.

Sitting at this piano was an elderly ratman who wore a monocle and gave off the aura of a high class fellow. His fingers strummed the keys gracefully as the angel worked tirelessly.

This angel had a single blemish which corrupted her beautiful appearance- a demonic left hand, which currently was holding the document she looked over with her left side.

"Looking good here.", a demented and corrupted voice stated as she placed down this set of documents, reaching for another.

"Can I really trust that you've actually gone through it properly?"

"Would you trust yourself?"

An angelic and concerned voice bantered with the corrupted voice, both emitted from the same person.

"You know what I mean. You didn't sneak any fine print in there or anything, right?"

"What am I, a lawyer? I may be pure evil, but I'm not that evil."

This statement prompted a sigh from the angelic voice as she put down her pen and cracked her knuckles.

"Ahhh... thank you for the music, Ramrod. I haven't actually listened to music since my visit to the birdmen, so it's a nice change of pace. I'm surprised though. You're very good."

"You have my thanks, your eminence."

"Oh, looks like I'm getting a call. Could you leave me alone for a bit?"

"As you order."

The ratman stood up, exiting the room and shutting the door behind him, leaving the angelic figure alone.

This figure was the Determined, Claire.

"Hello?"

[Determined. The plans have proceeded nicely. We have taken one more city, and we have destroyed another- relocating it's inhabitants to the first one. We've captured the former leaders, and will use them in the future if they are willing to cooperate. However, there is a greater plan which I have called to inform you of.]

"Oh.... sounds like you've been super busy as well. What do you need?"

[To put things simply, we are going to be heading to an all out war with the demons who remain in charge of the monster realm. I see that you've done quite well in improving your own public opinion among the ratmen. Will you gather your men and come to the capital so that we may launch an all out attack?]

"Oh.... I see. So we are going to war with the demons....."

Claire recalled the actions of Vex within her city.

She recalled the destruction and chaos caused by him, and smirked in a way that was anything but angelic.

"I understand. I will assemble my forces and accompany you."

[Very well. This will be a show of power, and it will officially establish us as demon lords, therefore your presence is necessary. After all, you are the one who will be crowned as the Queen of Demons following this battle.]

"Eh? Me? The Queen of Demons... I.... I see..... haha..... wow..... I understand. I won't disappoint you."

"I'll show those demons just who they are dealing with.", Clarice said in a sinister tone.

[Very well. That being said, I have a plan to deal with the ability of the current Host of Pride. He is the most troublesome opponent in this battle. I am sure you are aware of the annoyance that the Hosts of Sin can cause, given that the Host of Wrath caused you such grief in the city of ratmen.]

"Yes, he did cause quite a stir.", the demonic voice continued. "What a pest. I will eliminate all like him."

At this statement, Trevor grinned through the screen.

[Excellent. Ah, and I am aware that you carried through with your own plans today? I was very surprised when I heard the report from Oraguth, but this is beyond expectation. To think that you have already been hindering the actions of the Indeterminant in such a manner..... it was beyond my expectations. Perhaps I truly should leave the planning to you.]

At this statement the expression of the angelic figure became an extremely serious one.

"I..... would like nothing more than to make him suffer. He is..... the very plague which taints this world."

[I am aware of his actions due to the cameras which have been spread. I can only say that..... it is disturbing beyond measure. And it is for exactly that reason that we must take over the monster realm with all haste.]

Nodding, Claire seemed to smile gently.

"Then I had better become the Queen of Demons quickly. So we can face him..... without restraint. Heh...."

The call ended and Claire sat back down in her chair.

"So the time has finally come..... it was nice here in this city, but now that most of it's issues have been resolved, it's time to focus on another part of the world, eh?"

Claire looked out the window with a beautiful smile.

Touching her fingers to the cold glass, she looked out to see that it was lightly drizzling.

"There can be no light without darkness. There can be no good without evil. There is no such thing as a perfect world."

Closing her eyes, the angelic figure peacefully sat as the pitter patter of rain lightly played in her ears.

"I'll fight. For a new world. For a world where the only demon who is feared by any..... is myself."

----

A female spiderling with hair that draped down like bandages sat in a throne awkwardly, looking at the servants before her as they bowed.

"Our queen, is there anything you desire?"

"Just say the word and we will follow it to the last breath."

The servants before her spoke with complete dedication.

It was not just these two. The entire city was at her command.

This spiderling was Berith, and currently she was acting as the Queen of Insectoids.

"Er.... then..... could you leave me alone?"

Berith fought back her desire to order these men to take their own lives for her amusement, for they were the slaves of the antiheroes, her ultimate masters.

Even if she was dressed in a fancy dress which had the pattern of a spiderweb endowing it, with a matching set of gloves and a cute bow that tied her hair, this girl was anything but what her adorable outfit would suggest.

She was a bloodthirsty monster, who wanted nothing more than to rampage and slaughter those around her.

She took delight in acting as the trump card of her masters in the field of total annihilation of peoples, and so just why had they assigned her as a Queen of a territory?

Berith did not question their motives, for she understood well that they had a reason- yet even so, she desired to step back onto the bloody field of slaughter.

'Ah..... but I guess they're nice to me, so maybe I shouldn't want to kill them so much..... after all, they serve me with such loyalty.....'

Berith let out a sigh, wondering if perhaps it was these thoughts that their masters wanted to create within her.

"Of course, our Queen. We will leave you."

The two walked off, leaving Berith to follow them with all four of her eyes.

Exiting a room behind her, a woman came out. This woman was a butterfly insectoid who bore a gorgeous expression.

"Is something wrong, my Queen? You seem down."

"Is something wrong? Hahaha. I'm just not the type to do this."

"I see. But you are so good at it. All the people have fallen in love with you."

"Is that true?"

Berith put a spiderlike hand to her chin in thought.

Standing up, she stumbled around, barely able to maintain her balance in the constricting outfit.

"Please don't look at me.", she ordered.

"Hahaha..... you are truly adorable, Berith."

"I don't want to be."

The woman watched as Berith stumbled around, disobeying her order blatantly.

"Do you like seeing me like this or something?"

"It reminds me of who I am."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Who knows."

The woman walked back into the dressing room, leaving Berith on her own.

"One step.... two step..... agh!"

Berith fell to the ground, however before she did she shot out a wire from her wrist, catching herself in midair.

"Oh..... what if I do this....."

Spraying wires all over the room, Berith swung from place to place, her feet not touching the ground.

"Hehehe..... this is better. Alright. I'm gonna move around without my feet from now on."

"That is not how a Queen is supposed to transport herself.", the woman commented as she peeked out the door.

"Is that true? Agh!! Their excellencies told me to act like a queen, so I have to follow their orders....."

Berith lowered herself to the ground, standing in place.

"Do not worry. You are getting better with practice."

"Ugh.... I hope so...."

It was then that Berith received a call.

"Hello? Your excellency?"

----

The antiheroes sat at their desk together, consuming a freshly baked delicacy.

"Her mashed potatoes truly are otherworldly. I dare say they are even better than the ones back on earth."

"That's quite the statement, my darling. But I cannot disagree. The addition of meat surely adds to the flavor."

"Now then..... we have to gather all of our fighting forces here in the Capital. After preparations, we will set out."

Trevor laid out his intent to the other three, who nodded as he began to call up his subordinates one by one, who were spread throughout the world.

It was finally time to gather everyone.

Good and evil, just and unjust, intelligent and unintelligent.

Human and monster, rich and poor.

There was one link among them all.

Adversity.

Not a single person in this world existed without difficulties and sufferings.

However, as the antiheroes gathered their forces, movements were being made as well on the opposite side of the world.

A certain handsome young man was currently stirring up chaos, with similar plans of world domination.

And as a result of the existence of this man, the antiheroes continued living with a thorn in their side- a threat that they could never simply forget.

He was the force of good, destined to take on these beings of Evil in a bout of supremacy.

Justice vs. Injustice.

Light vs. Dark.

And so, this man plotted and planned, unaware of the impending fate which awaited him.