Mika arrived at the conference as it gradually turned south. However, some of those who were present were not surprised by his arrival. Rather, they were surprised by the things Olivia accused Lucio of.

Apparently, Lucio was responsible for the mysterious disappearances of many second-year students two years ago, the incidents surrounding the yearly tournament in Loogam and the fall of both rulers of Malnor and Stakew.

But because of the interference of Loram, Eliza and Werena it was a lot more complicated to trace it back to Lucio.

"There’s no space for you to deny those words. We’ve spent the last two years gathering information on you." Mika stated from behind.

"..."

Sternly, Lucio glanced at him.

In those two years, Hunters took down many demons and while they did so, they forced those demons to speak about their origin and who the mastermind was.

Some of those demons remained loyal and kept their mouths shut whereas some others were loose-lipped. But in the end, everyone talked once Mika resorted to more violent and forceful methods.

And after putting the information together, the words of Xander back then were confirmed. The demons were able to cross realms thanks to the 67th relic, a mysterious relic that allowed the wielder to open a gate for people to cross realms.

Aside from that, the identity was also revealed, however, only members of Hunters knew for the time being.

"We know almost everything there’s to know about you." Olivia remarked with a mocking grin.

Even though they knew about Lucio all along, they had to act obliviously in public.

"Until the day of this conference, you tried to build an army consisting of demons in the shadows, am I correct?" Mika asked.

"You even know that much...?" Lucio huffed.

Mika knew that and took some countermeasures by smoking out the hideouts of some demons before they could meet up with their comrades. If they had allowed them to meet up, the demons would have increased their numbers to the point that they could actually be called an army. In order to prevent that, Hunters spread out and eliminated demons across the nations.

They may not have succeeded in wiping out the entire army but they managed to trim down their numbers significantly.

"Lucio! What’s the meaning of this?! Declaring war on us because you want to rule over our nations, too, is one thing but collaborating with demons is something that can’t be forgiven!" Cylia yelled, slamming her hands on the table.

"You tried all the time to move secretively. You handed over the task to oversee the movements of your little demon army to someone else so that you wouldn’t be caught until the day of revelation." Mika said.

"But I’m sorry to disappoint you."

"?"

"It’s solely because you didn’t want to take responsibility that you don’t know about that army’s current state." Mika added.

All eyes were on Lucio.

"Is that all?" he asked calmly.

He sighed before he turned to Mika.

"You all act as if you have finally cornered me but it should be me who has to disappoint you." Lucio stated sharply.

"..."

Mika looked fiercely into his eyes.

"It doesn’t matter to me how much time you wasted on trying to hinder my plan. In the end, the result won’t change as long as I stand."

The number of demonic presences increased in Loogam.

"You cut down the number of demons in my army? Congratulations. But sadly, that’s not enough." Lucio mocked them.

"And what if I admit to everything you’ve said? What if I’m the mastermind? Do you think that you have the upper hand against me now?"

He chuckled lightly.

Then, the three traitors of the Grand Order took up their stances again.

At the same time, Mika drew Excalibur and attempted to cut Lucio down.

"?"

But his hand stopped moving once the blade was about to reach Lucio’s neck.

"See? No matter if it’s now or in the future, I have nothing to worry about."

Lucio raised his leg.

"After all, your hands will never reach me!"

He kicked Mika in the abdomen, sending him out of the room.

"Mika!"

Following that, every one of Hunters moved.

But they, too, came to a sudden halt.

"I thought that you knew everything about me?" Lucio said, grinning widely.

"Yeah..."

Mika wobbled back to the room with a hunched back as he held his stomach.

"We know that you wield the 67th relic, allowing demons to cross realms, and that you have an additional relic, however, that’s the only thing we have no information about." Mika admitted.

"How foolish. You came here to pick a fight with me without knowing anything about my abilities?"

Again, the two ignored the noises and gasps around them.

"T-two relics...?!" Elsa stuttered baffledly.

"..."

Olivia had a tense expression.

"?!"

Suddenly, the whole room was shaking as the roof was crashing in.

"Sir Lucio, the first unit has arrived."

"What should we do first?"

"How about killing all the humans in this place?"

A handful of demons arrived from above and floated over the conference room with their wings spread.

"You’re late." Lucio scolded them annoyedly.

"But whatever. Kill everyone who stands in our way." he quickly added.

"Lucio...! What is your ultimate goal...?" Cylia asked tensely.

The sound of destruction and people’s screams were heard from outside.

Well, since I was apparently busted by those fools, I see no point in pretending anymore."

Lucio’s posture was firm and his expression was confident.

"Once I become the ruler of all nations, I will turn this world into a world full of demons." he declared.

"..."

Mika narrowed his gaze whereas some of the others were stunned and looked at Lucio with widened eyes.

"How do you intend to make this world into one full of demons?" Mika asked despite knowing the answer roughly.

Lucio smirked at Mika.

"It’s just like a trade. In order to let the demons come here, I will have to offer something in return. And that something will be the lives of every human."

The realm-crossing relic could only function once there’s for example enough magic gathered. However, if the summoned portal should last for a countless number of demons to step into the human realm, then Lucio obviously needed more sacrifices, be it magic or human lives, albeit the latter one would make the portal longer lasting.

In other words...

"You will kill every human in this world?" Mika said.

"..."

Lucio did not stop smirking nor did he utter a word.

"I see." Mika sighed.

"This is war then." he declared sternly. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

At that moment, the conference room was blasted once more as both parties launched their attacks simultaneously.

The Grand Order members and Hunters jumped out of the room through the blasted walls.

"We will deal with those bastards so handle Lucio and his other goons!" Elsa shouted as she was on top of Eliza, pushing her down in their fall.

"..."

Sara was grinning as she drew her relic against Loram who was flying away from her with his wind magic.

"I can deal with her on my own. Could you evacuate the others then?" Ophelia asked Lereon while putting on her black gauntlets.

"Shouldn’t that be your job as their headmaster?"

"Heh, I resigned from that position as of now."

"Is that so? Well, I still won’t back off. Let me deal with those who betrayed our organization." Lereon stated determinedly, glaring at Werena who was falling above them.

Meanwhile, Cylia, Olivia and Mika were facing the demons and Lucio.

"Deal with the others outside and don’t forget to use the items we gave you all." Lucio told the demons.

They nodded firmly before flying away.

"Can I entrust you two to take care of whatever is happening outside?" Mika asked Cylia and Olivia.

"Sure." Olivia answered nonchalantly whereas Cylia nodded.

Thus, it was only Lucio and Mika left in the destroyed conference room.

"I don’t think you will believe me but I truly tried to hold a peaceful conference." Lucio sighed.

"Peaceful? How could a conference be peaceful if you declare war against Grat and Rostanta?"

"Well, it was peaceful until you appeared."

"Really?"

Mika walked toward Lucio, gripping Excalibur.

"You will be branded as the enemy of the majority of the world. Are you fine with that?" Lucio asked with a smile.

"I don’t care about that." Mika replied coldly.

"But isn’t it cruel? You’re trying to save humanity but humanity will be your enemy."

"I don’t care. How often do I have to repeat myself? It never was my intention to save humanity."

"Oh~? Then what’s your reason for provoking me?" Lucio asked.

His smile appeared gentle but also threateningly.

"That’s simple."

Mika kicked himself off the ground as he dashed toward Lucio with his sword retracted.

Dreyar and Martha’s group were the main reason for his grudge, however, Lucio was the root of everything as he was the one who let demons enter the human realm.

"Because you’re also at fault for making me this way."