As the Cult Leader's voice echoed, the identities of the seated individuals became apparent.
Their power and rank within the Cult instantly became clearly defined.
At number 1... it was still none other than The Martial Blade God.
He was a legendary swordsman and the Cult's mightiest warrior, as well as its first ever member, known for his unyielding strength and mastery over the Martial Arts.
His sheer presence radiated dominance as he sat confidently at the leader's right hand.
Then, there was Number 2—Neron.
The former Grand Mage of the Eastern Empire and one of the most powerful entities alive, now a dedicated member of the Cult.
His intellect and unmatched magical prowess had earned him a place near the very top.
Some said it was only a matter of time before he became Number 1.
At number three... was Karlia the Succubus.
A creature of beauty and terror, Karlia exuded charm and malice.
She had crimson skin and horns, clearly a Demon—one of the last of her kind.
Her incredible wit and charm were rivaled only by her raw combat ability, making her one of the Cult's deadliest assets.
Before Neron's arrival, she was Number 2 and also one of the Cult's earliest members.
At number four was a Fairy who wore a crown and had a constant frown even as the meeting was about to begin—Fairy King Beruel.
The fallen ruler of the Fairy Kingdom, and also regarded by nearly all his comrades as the most insufferable.
At number 5 was Reed Sterling – The former Headmaster of Ainzlark Academy and one of the Eastern Empire's only three Grand Mages.
His intellect and experience solidified his place among the Cult's elite.
"Let's start, shall we?"
********
The meeting progressed with a variety of topics, the most pressing being the current status of the Arcana.
Discussions flowed methodically, the air tense with strategy as the members delved into their progress.
The Cult Leader leaned back in his seat, his gaze unwavering as he addressed the group.
"Thus far, we have obtained 13 out of the 22 Arcanas." His voice carried weight, each word underlining the progress they had made. "This puts us more than halfway to our ultimate goal."
A murmur of quiet approval passed through the members, but the leader continued.
"Out of those 13, Neron has contributed four Arcanas, which is a significant feat. His strength alone is impressive, but his contribution has solidified his position within the Cult."
The announcement drew some looks of admiration, but also respect. Neron's face was calm, his mind working through the weight of his own achievement.
His presence alone brought him power, but these discoveries made it even clearer why he had earned his promotion to Number 2.
The leader cleared his throat, shifting the attention back onto the matter at hand. "We've discovered the location of two more Arcanas, and I'll be dispatching teams to investigate these areas immediately. Furthermore, there is another location that is suspected to hold an Arcana, but uncertainty remains due to a very strong magical barrier. This barrier is preventing us from confirming its presence there."
The room fell quiet at his words. A strong magical barrier meant risks and challenges—uncertainties that could quickly spiral into a battle.
"To that end," the Cult Leader continued, "I'll be sending a team to investigate this third location while others will explore the two confirmed ones. The assignments are as follows:"
His voice grew sharper now as he laid out the strategy.
"For the two certain locations, I will be sending Fairy King Beruel and his two subordinates. They've been eager for action for some time now, and this is the perfect opportunity to put their strength to use."
The mention of the Fairy King brought some small smiles to the group. His subordinates, loyal and powerful, were always a force to be reckoned with. They were ready to march into the unknown with confidence.
"Additionally," he said, his gaze shifting to the group once more, "Neron and Karlia the Succubus will head to the other confirmed location due to the dangerous nature of the region. Their skill sets and expertise are well suited for the mission, and their combined strength will ensure they can tackle the challenges ahead."
The moment Neron heard this, he frowned.
Something was wrong!