The Black-tailed Swallow Legion’s call to arms held immense sway.
Under the one-eyed leader’s notification, kings or their representatives from over a hundred kingdoms worldwide emerged from the teleportation gates. The only exceptions were the Valen Empire, the fallen Qinglin Empire, and nations of non-human races.
The meeting room was relocated from the small chamber atop the spire to the central hall on a lower level. Previously, this hall had merely served as a venue for mediating international wars or conducting world-wide strategic simulations. It was now repurposed to gather all nations to discuss their joint resistance against a formidable enemy.
Kings and representatives of various nations, attired in distinct clothing, possessing varied complexions, adorned with diverse decorations, and exhibiting unique styles, took their seats according to their respective strength. With the Valen Empire having disintegrated, the Klenya Empire now stood as the strongest, while the Lake Heart Kingdom, having recently annexed the Qinglin Empire, ranked fifth.
“I have gathered you all here today to announce some very regrettable news,” the one-eyed leader stated, his expression grave. “The forces of darkness have risen again, and the Black-tailed Swallow Legion has suffered its most severe blow in five hundred years. The entire world teeters on the brink of annihilation, and thus, we must unite all of humanity to resist the encroaching darkness!”
His words sent a ripple of uproar through the assembly.
“What’s going on? The Black-tailed Swallow Legion has been severely damaged? That’s impossible! They are hailed as the strongest in the world!”
“It does seem so. Look, only half the usual members are present in the thirteen seats of the chiefs; many positions are vacant!”
“Heavens, what kind of entity could inflict such heavy losses on the Black-tailed Swallow Legion in mere days? Any one of these individuals could conquer a nation!”
“Could it be the Mother God Cult? I heard they’ve been quite arrogant lately, infiltrating many countries and orchestrating numerous coups.”
“While the Mother God Cult is formidable, they wouldn’t push the world to the brink of destruction. That’s a very serious accusation.”
“If you ask me, it must be some terrifying creature that has awakened in the Monster Forest. The Monster Forest has been expanding at an alarming rate, devouring entire towns overnight. If anything can destroy this world, it’s that!”
“Perhaps not. Have you heard? There’s a fearsome entity suppressed beneath the World Tower. What if that being is breaking free from its seal! It must be something far beyond our world to inflict such heavy losses on the Black-tailed Swallow Legion?!”
The crowd erupted in a cacophony of guesses, each more bewildered than the last.
“What I am about to say may shatter your perceptions, but it is the truth!” the one-eyed leader declared, his voice heavy once more.
His words immediately silenced the previously boisterous hall.
“It is the True God Cult. Using some wicked sorcery, they have resurrected an ancient deity of lust and depravity!”
“I am ashamed to admit, two of the Black-tailed Swallow Legion’s most exceptional female members, under the seduction of this deity, one has betrayed us, and the whereabouts of the other are unknown.”
This revelation ignited another uproar.
“What? Capable of making members of the Black-tailed Swallow Legion betray us? How potent must that seductive power be!”
“A deity of lust and depravity? Isn’t that a figure from ancient mythology? Do such things truly exist? It’s absurd!”
“If anyone else said it, I wouldn’t believe it. But if this man says it, I have no doubt. After all, he is a formidable being who has actually saved the world before!”
“We must never allow the True God Cult to rise! We cannot let humiliating history repeat itself!”
“Our kingdom is willing to join the allied forces to fight the True God Cult and uphold world peace and justice!”
“Our kingdom is also willing!”
“So are we!”
“And we!”
Cheers of agreement resounded through the hall. After a headcount, ninety-eight kingdoms pledged to join the allied forces, twenty-five agreed to dispatch elite squads to assist in the combat, and only six nations declared abstentions. These abstaining nations did not support the True God Cult; they were simply too weak to mobilize troops or provide resources and could only offer their moral support. However, moral support offered little practical help in this battle, so their representatives returned to their territories via the teleportation gates.
“I thank you all for your trust in our Black-tailed Swallow Legion. I will not betray your support!” the one-eyed leader declared. “Hereby, I announce the first rule of military conduct: no female soldiers or generals are allowed to participate in the battles ahead!”