Chapter 88: World War

The story rewinds a little, to an earlier time.

“Genbu-san! Is it true? You’re really planning to join forces with Odin?”

Camille rushed into Genbu’s office.
At this point, it was still only Genbu’s personal decision. But once Genbu decided something, it was as good as settled for the whole Central Military Command — and by extension, for the entire Asian Union.

If that was the case, then even the EU wouldn’t be able to object without a solid reason.

“Yes, please have a seat. I’ll explain everything. Besides… he should be arriving any moment now.”

“Arriving…? Don’t tell me—”

“Yes, he’ll be here. Our new ally will be arriving here today.”

Genbu’s narrow eyes turned to Camille, and for the first time, opened slightly wider.

—

Around a giant round table sat the three representatives, with military officers and various national envoys gathered around them in tense silence.

This was no friendly meeting.

After all, sitting right before them was someone who had once been the enemy of the entire world.

The prince of the very empire that had once declared it would destroy the world — radiating an indescribable, overwhelming presence.

The representatives:

Genbu — representing the Asian Union.
Camille — representing the EU.
And—

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t glare at me like that. Especially since I’m here to become your ally.”

The man said casually.

Odin Asgard, First Prince of the Asgard Empire.

“It’s not that simple. Your nation destroyed nearly half of ours.”

Camille replied coldly.

“It’s no longer my nation. My dear younger brother stole it from me.”

Odin answered with a faint smile.

“You said you were going to invade the Asian Union, and yet you let Lord Asgard snatch the imperial throne out from under you. Quite the gifted brother you have.”

At that sharp jab, one of Odin’s attendants, Lielbelt, who stood behind him, raised his voice.

“Mind your tongue! That’s an insult to my lord!”

His hand moved to his sword — and in an instant, every soldier in the room drew their guns.

The tension was thick enough to snap. It felt like blood could be spilled at any moment.

“Stand down, Lielbelt.”

“…Yes, sir.”

“My apologies. It was an outburst born from loyalty. I hope you’ll forgive him.”

Odin answered with a faint smile.

The other representatives knew exactly what this little exchange meant: a demonstration, not of rage, but of strength — a warning not to take Odin lightly.

Odin, as the leader, couldn’t afford to show anger himself, so his subordinate had done so on his behalf.

And Lielbelt, for all his loyalty, surely knew the consequences of drawing steel in such a room.

“Now then, Camille, may I speak for a moment? For Genbu’s sake, if nothing else.”

“…Very well. If Genbu insists.”

Genbu stepped in, his calm demeanor gradually easing the tension in the room. His voice was clear and composed, like the slow and steady rhythm of an old tortoise, and even the stiff atmosphere began to settle.

(So this is the representative of the Asian Union, huh… Quite the sly old fox.)

Watching this unfold, Odin could clearly see the sharpness beneath Genbu’s mild exterior — and the unmistakable hunger for power hidden deep in those narrow eyes.

“Odin, first, I want to know — after defeating Lord Asgard, what do you plan to do with the Asgard Empire?”

Depending on Odin’s answer, their future enemy might not be Lord, but Odin himself. Genbu intended to clear that up before any agreement.

“I’ll sign a peace treaty. We’ll restore diplomatic relations and open our borders to trade. And as for the colonies — the issue you’re all most concerned about…”

Odin smiled warmly as he delivered the line.

“I promise to grant them all their freedom.”

The room stirred in surprise.

They could tell the smile on his face was a mask — and yet, something about him made people want to believe. It was unsettling, but oddly reassuring.

“That’s… exactly the answer we hoped to hear and yet, because it’s the answer we wanted, it’s even harder to trust. It sounds too convenient. Is that truly your intention? Is it genuine?”

Camille stared at Odin with suspicion, locking eyes with the man’s unwavering smile.

But Odin’s reply was completely unexpected.

“Does it need to be the truth?”

“…What? Y-You’ve got to be joking!”

Camille slammed his hands against the table and shot to his feet.

Odin had all but admitted he was lying.

“I’ll say it again. Why does it need to be the truth? The people want justice, don’t they? That’s democracy, isn’t it? How carefree you all are.”

“Are you trying to start a fight?!”

“Now, now. Camille, there’s no point in getting worked up. You know as well as I do that no matter what’s said here, or written on paper, it won’t change a thing. Nations don’t hold to promises unless it serves them. When the time comes, there’s no punishment for betrayal.”

Genbu’s calm, steady voice gently reined in Camille’s anger.

Camille, normally a level-headed man, couldn’t help but lose his temper when it came to Odin — after all, he was from the EU. He had witnessed hell firsthand.

“…You’re right, but still…”

“Exactly. So for now, all we need is strength. We’ll lend him ours, and borrow his in return. Nothing more, nothing less. Let’s choose to believe, shall we? Don’t you agree, Odin?”

“Well said, Genbu. Your sharp mind makes this so much easier. In that case, I shall give the people the speech they long to hear — I’ll stand before them as the ally of the world, and the enemy of Lord.”

Watching the exchange, Camille finally calmed himself.

He tapped his finger against his temple, thinking it over carefully, and then, with a deep sigh, reached his conclusion.

“…Very well. But if you break your promise — you understand what will happen, don’t you?”

And so, the deal was struck.

They accepted Odin as their new ally.

“I understand perfectly, Camille.”

It was a situation that, under normal circumstances, would have been utterly unforgivable.
But when emotions were set aside, the logic was undeniable.

If it meant bringing down the world’s strongest empire — if it meant defeating the mightiest enemy, Lord — then even this smooth-talking swindler of a man was worth partnering with.

And so—

“For the sake of the world, I’ll put aside my personal feelings.”

With that, Genbu, Camille, and Odin joined hands.

Odin offered the same well-crafted, gentle smile as always, looking back at them with warmth.

“I hope you’ll place your trust in me, people of the World Union.”

—

Time moved forward, and now all eyes were on the worldwide broadcast — especially Lord and Kenya, who sat watching the screen.

There stood Odin, addressing the world.

“My brother used poison — a cowardly, dishonorable tactic — to defeat my knight Osiris at the sacred Imperial Sword Tournament! He stole the emperor’s throne from me, a man who only ever desired peace, and seized it by force, all for the sake of world domination!”

Odin spun lie after lie.
Every word was false — and yet the public had no way of knowing the truth.

For them, the truth was whatever the news delivered.
The real world was always out of reach.

“I once held a deep hatred for the Asian Union, who I believed had killed my sister. But the truth—! The real murderer was Lord Asgard! He did it to seize power! It was all part of his grand scheme!”

Without hesitation, he reversed the narrative of his past statements, painting Lord as the villain.

It didn’t matter who was good or evil.
In the end, the truth was whatever propaganda said it was.

“I desire peace. My brother has become the enemy of the entire world. That’s why I need your strength! And I promise you — when I become emperor, Asgard will change! I vow to free every last colony! To restore diplomacy! To bring peace back to the world! So join me, and let us fight together!”

Then Odin slammed his hand down on the podium, raising his voice for the final call:

“For world peace!”

“Wooooaaahhh!!”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

The people had been deceived.
They had no way of knowing who was good or evil — words alone were enough to shape their reality.

Odin’s speech had captured their hearts.

Now there was only one enemy in their minds: Lord Asgard.

It was easy for the people to accept Odin, the so-called enemy of their enemy, as an ally.

After the applause, Odin stepped aside and yielded the podium to Genbu.

“As you’ve just heard, Odin is now an ally of the World Union. With his strength, our forces are complete. The liberation of the colonies is close at hand! As the representative of the World Union, I declare this here and now — the Army of Freedom will claim victory!”

Genbu’s voice rang out, clear and powerful.

And then, at last, came the official proclamation — one never before heard in this world:

“I hereby declare the start of a World War against Asgard!”

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