In the secret meeting room attached to the command tower, the atmosphere was charged with a heavy silence, broken only by the humming of magical crystals displaying maps of the floating "Heavenly Empire."
Akira entered the room behind Hakuro. He was still wearing his torn combat uniform, and his face bore the marks of the past two days' bruises. However, his gait was much steadier, and his eyes... looked as though they were gazing through things rather than at them.
Benimaru sat at the head of the table, signs of exhaustion evident on his face. The moment Akira entered, Souei materialized from nowhere beside him, as if he were a part of his shadow.
"You have returned, Souei," Benimaru said in a resonant voice. "Tell us what you saw up above."
Souei nodded, and with a flick of his hand, the magical crystal projected an image of a massive structure floating among the clouds, surrounded by thousands of white wings.
"The Heavenly Empire has declared a state of 'Ultimate Sanctity'," Souei began in his cold tone. "They have summoned four of the 'Seraphim' commanders. Their armies are not just mobilizing toward our borders; they are also distributing 'light pamphlets' across all neighboring human kingdoms."
Souei pulled out a piece of paper glowing with a pale white light and placed it on the table.
"This is the 'Decree of Purification'. In it, they state that the 'Anomaly of the Void' has manifested in the Jura Forest, and harboring him is a declaration of war against the order of the world. They demand Akira be handed over... or face 'Judgment Day'."
"Judgment Day?" Akira muttered, turning pale. "All this... for me?"
"Kufufufu... It is not for you, Akira-dono, but for what you represent," a voice came from the corner of the room, as Diablo emerged from between the curtains. He carried a very ancient book in his hand, its cover made from the skin of an unknown creature, radiating a darkness that seemed to absorb the light in the room.
Diablo stopped in front of Akira, his smile even more terrifying than usual.
"I have dived into the deepest demonic records, into archives that have not been opened since the era of the 'First Demon Lords.' And I searched for this 'Void' that they fear so much."
Diablo opened the book, revealing illustrations of a black star devouring everything around it.
"In ancient times, before 'Veldanava' established the laws of this world, there was a legend about the 'Primordial Nothingness'. An energy bound neither by magic, nor spirit, nor matter. It is the energy of 'The End'. The records call it Dark Void Energy."
Diablo looked at Akira with eyes gleaming with a demonic obsession.
"The angels believe that Rimuru-sama's disappearance tore a hole in the fabric of the world, and that you are no ordinary human, but the 'Vessel' sent by the universe to fill that hole with Void Energy. They fear that if you master this power, you will be able to erase 'existence' itself... just as Rimuru-sama was capable of 'devouring' everything."
"I... I am not a destroyer," Akira said, clenching his fists. "I just want to survive!"
"Survival is the first step in destroying your enemies," Benimaru said, standing up as his red aura pressed down heavily on the room. "Akira, the message we received is not just a threat. They have given us a seven-day deadline to hand you over."
Benimaru looked at Hakuro. "How is his training?"
"His soul is beginning to harden," Hakuro replied solemnly. "Today, he managed to touch me with a skill I've never seen from a beginner. But his body is still far too weak to withstand a real confrontation with a Seraphim."
Benimaru nodded, then turned back to Akira.
"Seven days is not enough to become a warrior, but it is enough to become an 'unpredictable entity.' Souei, continue monitoring their movements; any further assassination attempts must be nipped in the bud. Diablo, keep researching... I want to know how Akira can control this void without his body exploding."
"At once, Commander," Souei and Diablo replied simultaneously.
"As for you, Akira," Benimaru said, looking at him with absolute seriousness, "tomorrow you will enter the Labyrinth. There, time flows differently on certain floors thanks to Ramiris's magic. Seven days outside could become a month inside. You will train there with Veldora and Shion."
Akira shuddered at the mention of Shion's name. "Training with Shion? Do you want to kill me before the angels even arrive?"
"Gwahahaha!" Veldora's laughter echoed from afar, as if he had heard his name mentioned.
Benimaru gave a bitter smile.
"The world trembles at the 'scent of the void' you carry. We will give them a real reason to fear. Go and rest now... tomorrow begins the phase that will decide whether you become the victim... or the 'calamity' that will bring Rimuru back."
Akira left the room, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.
[System Notification:] [Main Quest Updated: Prepare for Judgment Day.] [Time Remaining: 168 hours.] [Note: The Void Energy inside you has begun reacting to your absorbed 'fear'... The seal is weakening by 0.01%.]
Akira stopped and looked at his hand. Is he really the key to Rimuru's return? Or is he just a mere human drowning in an ocean of monsters and angels?