Conquering The Novel

While we were discussing the difficulties we would face if the demon lord's seals were released, we noticed that the conference organized by the Hero association was about to go live.

As we observed this, everyone fell silent and focused their attention on the holographic screen.

We soon noticed a middle aged woman wearing a black formal suit entering the conference room, and the media started taking pictures of her.

The woman had blue eyes, one of which was covered by a patch, white hair that was pulled back into a ponytail, large circular silver earrings on her ears, and a reaper hanging from her waist.

"... Jessica Spades, the Hero Association's president," I muttered aloud.

!?

"So she's the leader of the Hero organization?" Diana inquired, confused.

"Yes, she is," I replied casually, my gaze fixed on the screen.

"… How did you know about that? The hero association's president is well-known for not making public appearances.

Have you met her before?" Ayla inquired, intrigued.

"No, I hadn't met her before, but my teacher had told me a lot about her," I replied.

"...Hmm, well that makes sense because even Miss Tania used to talk a lot about her," Ayla said, returning her gaze to the screen.

While Jessica calmly walked onto the stage and took a seat in front of the microphone.

[Good evening to everyone in attendance, as well as to everyone else watching this broadcast in the convenience of their homes, offices, or wherever you are from—Fuck it!] Suddenly shouting into the microphone, Jessica tore the paper from which she appeared to be reading the speech.

!?

[Let's get right to it and discuss the main issue, shall we? I would prefer not to waste any of my time, or anyone else's who is watching this.] Jessica spoke into a microphone before pausing.

She then quickly began speaking even before the reporters could begin posing questions to her.

[Alright, I will start by addressing the concern with our ranking list, which was decried as unacceptable by everyone and became the most disliked article online.

...So, when it comes to ranking Ares Von Rothstaylor—I mean Ares—I still believe that ranking him on the Rank 10 is just about understandable.

I'd known him since he was a toddler, and I knew he had a manaless body, so he shouldn't really be able to use mana.

And then, seemingly out of nowhere, he began to use mana and an element of electricity... Though that does not make sense but I don't care how he is able to do so.

Before he made a dramatic entrance at his academy entrance exam, nobody knew who he was.

He then broke every record that previous Academy students had held, earning the moniker "Ares the Executioner" or whatever other childish name it was.

What I'm trying to say with this, is that it wasn't a monthly ranking list; it was a seasonal ranking list.

He wouldn't even have been in the top 10 if he hadn't become somewhat notable in the past month.

When the following seasonal ranking list is published, perhaps he will be ranked higher.] Jessica made it clear and resumed in her speaking.

[And I think it's just an overreaction from the crowd because I've seen plenty of students who are capable of doing what he did.

Take Rank 1 Hercules for instance, he eliminated most of the students at the entrance examination in his academy as well, but he didn't get as much recognition, was it because he wasn't as good-looking as Ares?] Jessica stated before pausing for a moment.

[So, Miss Jessica, you mean—]

[Quiet! Do not speak unless I ask you to.] Jessica said as she stared blankly at the reporter.

'Aren't we supposed to be able to ask questions at the conference? What kind of conference is this?' The journalists pondered.

[And secondly, the allegations he made against the Hero Association regarding the kidnapping of his half-brother and the fabrication of his death in order to place blame on him?] She stated.

[Boy— Does he really think that we need to do such a thing to handle some developing fetus who now doesn't even have his own identity?] Added Jessica.

[Does that mean his accusations were all unfounded and the Hero association wasn't behind that?] Suddenly, one of the journalists inquired.

Jessica just kept staring at the reporter before speaking.

[Get that idiot out of here! You are not permitted to speak until I ask you to, as I've already said.] As she pointed at the reporter, Jessica exclaimed.

The security then quickly arrived and dragged that reporter outside.

"…."

[What was I saying again? Oh, right, nothing is stopping us from dealing with him openly if that's what we wanted to do.

Even his own kingdom has abandoned him, and one of our members already defeated Mika Amami, his Master, who is now the only one on his side.] Jessica stated and paused for a moment before continuing.

[...However, the investigation revealed that some of the association's members were indeed responsible for his half-brother's abduction but they were paid to do so by none other than...the Queen of the Kingdom Escratia.] Jessica made a declaration.

After hearing her, there was a huge uproar in the conference room for a brief period of time before Jessica spoke again.

[I wasn't supposed to mention the queen's name, but screw that! If it pleases them, they are free to pursue me.

And I would have expressed regret to him for the corrupted association officials' involvement and would have severely punished them myself, but after seeing the horrific scene he created while rescuing his alleged half-brother, I don't think we owe him any sense of guilt.] As she projected images of the Hero association members' bodies on a screen behind her, Jessica said.

When the reporters saw the photographs of the dead bodies with their body parts severed, some with their guts pulled out, and many others dying horribly, they were left horrified.

[He was disowned because, in my assertion, he is nothing but a little maniac who is incapable of showing mercy to anyone including his own brother.

And if anyone still feels that it is unfair to rank him lower for any reason—especially considering that he is stronger than many people on the top list—then I will make amends to him if he can defeat the Rank 1 Hercules in the upcoming tournament.] Jessica commented.

[Now, Let's move on to the main subject, which is about the releasing of one of the demon lords' seals.

…Yes, It is accurate to say that one of the demon lords' seals has been broken.

We received this information just a few days ago as well, and when we dispatched a team of investigators to ascertain the information's veracity, we discovered that it was accurate.

And regarding the reason we chose to keep it a secret from the general public, ...obviously, it was not to incite fear among them not because we have some hidden agenda.

But Ares also made unfounded claims that some of our higher-ups worship demons, but we will still put the entire hero association to trial in front of everyone next week to prove his claims wrong.

....That's all I wanted to say. Accordingly, you are now free to ask whatever queries you want.] Jessica declared.

However, when the news of the demon lord seal's release was announced, there was significant unrest.

[Miss Jessica, Would you mind stating which demon lord seal was released?] one of the journalists questioned.

[...Yeah sure, the released demon lord is

The "Demon Lord of Sloth" Belphegor.

Because of his reputation for cunning and deception, I want to warn the populace not to be duped if someone approaches them and offers them a significant sum of money or makes an implausible promise of fame because he could be the demon lord in the human form.] Jessica stated.

[How does the Hero Association intend to handle demon lord Belphegor? Do you intend to take any protective measures against him?] A different journalist asked.

"…."

[Yes, we do have a plan, but we won't share it just yet. And don't make silly inquiries like why we are keeping it a secret from the public.

Naturally, this is done in order to prevent disclosing our intentions to the demon lord's followers.

...But soon a great summit with all the monarchies of the kingdoms will be held to discuss about the topic.] Jessica expressed.

[Could it be that other demon lord seals have been released that we are not aware of? And even if no additional demon lord seals have yet been released, do we have any safeguards in place to prevent the future release of the demon lords?] The journalist enquired.

[...Even though it sounds painful, it is possible that the other demon lord seals could be released unknowingly to us.

But because we lack a person who can restrengthen their seals, we currently have no way to prevent them from doing so.] Jessica answered.

...

...

The Conference continued for a short while before coming to an end. Jessica was about to leave when one of the reporters suddenly began to question her.

[Miss Jessica, why did you leave out the reason Mika Amami was ranked even lower than the S-Ranks?]

Before responding, Jessica stopped moving and gave the reporter a long look.

[It's just that she doesn't understand the worth of other people's lives, which is why I don't think she should be ranked any higher than that.

Moreover, if it were up to me, neither her disciple nor I would have kept her on the ranking list.] Jessica remarked before stepping out.

***