To better counter the Khaos Brigade, Azazel had maintained regular communication with the various factions. So, when Jalter expressed her desire to meet with the leaders of these factions, Azazel quickly relayed the message.
Naturally, Azazel didn't possess the influence to gather all the mythological leaders into one room. Just as Sirzechs was a junior to him, Azazel himself was considered a junior among the supreme deities of various pantheons.
However, once these gods discovered that the one who truly wanted to meet them was Jalter, each began harboring their own thoughts. The "resurrected Jeanne d'Arc" had stirred significant waves lately, catching the attention of these powerful figures.
Of course, not everyone was interested in Jalter. After all, she was merely human—so what if her recent battles were impressive? What difference did resurrection make, anyway?
Jalter anticipated their disinterest. Clearly, such things wouldn't be enough to draw these proud gods to the table, so—
"Tell them… in the recent attack by the Khaos Brigade, we captured several of their high-ranking members. More importantly, we successfully turned Ophis, persuading the Infinite Dragon God herself to leave the Khaos Brigade and join our side. This meeting will primarily discuss intelligence about the Brigade and lifting the wanted status on Ophis."
When Ophis's name entered the discussion, every faction immediately took notice. Such was the weight carried by the Infinite Dragon God's name.
"Lifting the wanted status on Ophis…" Azazel frowned deeply, troubled. "That'll probably be difficult…"
Azazel was well aware Ophis had been under Jalter's control for some time. He knew the many terrorist acts by the Brigade weren't directly Ophis's doing, but the others didn't share this insight. Besides, those terrorists had undeniably utilized the "snakes" granted by Ophis—whether willingly or manipulated, she had aided them.
But Jalter knew, with brutal clarity, that few truly cared about Ophis's past actions. Most were far more interested in exploiting her powers, looking for a chance to weaken her or seize part of her infinite strength. Many harbored such thoughts, though only Hades had acted on them openly.
"As if they could even do anything to Ophis." Jalter's face twisted into a scornful sneer. "Ophis represents infinity itself. Without a method to break her infinity, forget killing—weakening her isn't even possible. Without Samael, do they really think they have the power to punish her?"
Later, Azazel reminded Jalter that demanding every mythological leader attend personally wasn't realistic; if anything went wrong, the consequences would be catastrophic. Realizing this, Jalter reluctantly lowered her demands: each faction just needed to send a representative who could speak authoritatively—it didn't need to be the supreme deity.
The meeting was held in the Underworld.
Given the stakes, many mythologies cautiously sent representatives rather than their primary gods, uncertain whether this was some sort of elaborate trap.
Only a few gods personally attended:
The chief god of Norse mythology—Odin.
The chief god of Greek mythology—Zeus.
The Hindu God of Destruction—Shiva.
The chief god of Celtic mythology—Lugh.
Zeus notably brought along his two brothers, Poseidon and Hades, while other supreme gods came alone.
Odin trusted he was safe at this gathering, while Shiva and Lugh simply had absolute confidence in their strength. Shiva especially—despite looking like a young teenager, none dared underestimate him, ranked as he was only below Ophis herself.
In a grand hall at the heart of Lilith, capital of the Devils' territory in the Underworld, representatives from the various mythologies gathered around a large circular table, led by these supreme deities. Representatives from the Biblical factions—including Archangel Michael and the four Devil Kings—were also present.
As the meeting's organizers, Jalter and Azazel arrived fashionably late.
The door opened with barely a sound.
Instantly, Jalter and Azazel drew every eye as they stepped inside, one behind the other.
A suffocating silence filled the entire hall.
The oppressive gaze of multiple mythological deities converged on them, a pressure heavy enough to instantly shatter the mind of an ordinary person.
Even Azazel felt his heart clench painfully, his expression freezing momentarily.
Numerous figures here matched Jalter in terms of power—several ranked among the world's top ten. If this aura was fully unleashed without restraint, it could annihilate multiple cities instantly.
Yet, expression utterly indifferent, Jalter walked steadily into the hall, her vast, ocean-like magical energy coursing through her body, standing unfazed beneath the eyes of the gods. After a brief glance around the room, her gaze landed squarely upon one figure.
Or perhaps "figure" wasn't quite right… Though human-shaped, from one sleeve protruded a skeletal hand.
Clad in luxurious priestly robes, his hood pulled low to obscure his face, faint red lights flickered eerily where his eyes should've been. One sleeve hung empty, dangling limply; the other clutched a black-jeweled staff.
Dense, chilling deathly aura swirled around him.
The god of the Greek Underworld—Hades. Despite their first meeting, Jalter recognized him immediately.
His schemes already exposed, yet he dared to attend, openly standing before her. Was he truly so confident?
No—Hades probably considered himself safest precisely by attending openly. He feared Jalter might recklessly kill him regardless of consequences, destroying the world's balance. But here, with countless pantheons watching, even if Jalter tried anything, the others would surely intervene.
Hades was likely scheming further—to paint himself as an innocent victim, clearly distancing himself from the Brigade.
After a quick calculation, Jalter calmly withdrew her gaze, following Azazel to the head of the table. Azazel took a seat beside her.
Jalter, without hesitation, took the chief seat.
The atmosphere instantly plummeted further.
Normally, the organizer naturally sat at the head of a meeting—but context mattered.
What was the context here?
Leaders and representatives of the world's mythologies had gathered to deliberate, yet a mere human now took the head seat, placing herself above all the gods.
How could the mood not grow tense?
Indeed, the eyes of many mythological representatives turned vicious, barely restraining open hostility.
Only the mention of Ophis prevented immediate backlash. They were here precisely because they'd heard the Infinite Dragon God had changed sides.
But quickly, they realized Ophis wasn't present.
Someone impatiently spoke first: "Where is Ophis? Didn't she come?"
Without even raising her eyes, Jalter answered indifferently, "I didn't bring her. After all… it'd be troublesome if some cowardly fellows got scared away."
Instantly, hostility intensified throughout the room.
This contemptuous attitude, treating gods as mere nuisances, clearly bruised the pride of these deities. Even Azazel was startled.
Jalter had repeatedly assured Azazel beforehand she'd be diplomatic, urging him to trust her judgment.
Is this your definition of diplomatic?!
Repeatedly provoking every god present?
Maybe the real terrorist here is actually you…
Feeling the room's atmosphere rapidly chilling, Azazel tried intervening to diffuse tension.
"Now, regarding important intel obtained from the captured Hero Faction members, allow me—"
"Azazel, hold that for later," Jalter firmly interrupted. "Human or god, meetings always waste time dragging things out. I have no interest in wasting mine. So, I'll cover my two main points first. After that, discuss whatever you please."
This is hopeless...
Azazel helplessly covered his face.
At that moment, a youthful voice interjected, amused:
"Interesting."
Shiva spoke, instantly quieting all dissenting voices.
"Very interesting indeed. Facing countless gods, yet remaining so arrogant… I've never met a human like you. This alone qualifies you to stand among us. You've intrigued me, so let's hear it. What do you wish to say?"
Shiva's words forced the others back to reluctant silence.
After glancing at Shiva oddly, Jalter addressed them all clearly:
"First, I demand you lift the wanted status on Ophis."
Suddenly, a cold, sinister laugh echoed through the room.
"I expected something more from all this fuss. Yet, it's merely pointless nonsense?"
A grating, skeletal voice—Hades. Though hooded, Jalter clearly sensed his chilling gaze.
"Ophis caused chaos worldwide for years. Why erase her sins just because you say so? Besides… how can we even trust she's truly changed sides?"
Jalter finally glanced coldly at Hades, then smiled faintly.
"Hades, about your face—I can't seem to see it clearly. Ah? Even your right hand is missing? And that thick cloak—is it colder lately in your Underworld?"
Hades trembled visibly at her words.