Chapter 185: Before the First Strike

The summons arrived without warning.

Across Liam’s world, those who carried a portion of his authority felt a familiar presence descend upon their consciousness. It was not a command that forced obedience, nor was it an attack that threatened their existence, but a clear indication that Liam wished to speak with them, and that the matter was important enough to demand their attention.

Wias was among the first to respond. He paused whatever he had been doing and raised his head, recognizing the summons before directing his attention toward its source.

"So, something has happened again."

He had grown accustomed to Liam’s decisions bringing unexpected developments, though that did not mean he had become comfortable with them. Whenever Liam called upon them collectively, there was usually a reason that could not be settled through an ordinary conversation.

One by one, the pantheons gathered.

Trias arrived with her usual composure, followed by Moleius, Odir, Olium, Calean, Rize, Catalyst, Le Von Dia, Pandi, Sebastian Flyde, Ragnir, and Wias. Some exchanged greetings, while others remained silent, waiting for Liam to explain why he had called them together.

The atmosphere gradually grew heavier as they realized that this was not an ordinary gathering. Liam had not summoned them to discuss the development of their world or to review the affairs under their respective authorities.

He had summoned them to announce something.

When Liam finally appeared before them, the conversations stopped.

"I have selected our next target."

Several gazes immediately turned toward him. Although Liam had not yet explained what he meant, the words were enough for the pantheons to understand the general direction of the discussion.

"Another world?" Calean asked.

"Yes."

The answer came without hesitation.

Liam looked across the assembled beings, taking note of their reactions. Some appeared curious, others thoughtful, and a few seemed to have already begun considering the consequences of another conflict.

"Our next invasion will be against Leo’s world," he continued. "I intend to begin soon, and I am informing you now because I want everyone to understand what is coming before the first strike."

Wias folded his arms. "What do we know about Leo?"

"Not enough to make reliable assumptions about his strength," Liam replied. "His world is inhabited by black slimes, and I intend to learn more about both him and his inhabitants during the invasion."

Odir’s expression changed slightly at the mention of the inhabitants. "Black slimes? Are they organized into civilizations, or do they exist as scattered groups?"

"I cannot answer that with certainty yet."

The response prompted several quiet exchanges among the pantheons. They had encountered enough unusual beings to know that appearances alone meant little, particularly when dealing with creatures whose nature differed from the races they already understood.

"Then we are entering unfamiliar territory," Wias observed. "We should not assume that a world populated by slimes will be an easy opponent."

"I agree," Liam said. "That is precisely why I am not making such an assumption."

He did not intend to exaggerate the danger, but neither would he allow his forces to become careless simply because Leo’s inhabitants looked different from the civilizations they knew. The invasion would reveal what observation could not, and he expected everyone involved to adapt to whatever they encountered.

"What do you expect from us?" Trias asked.

"For now, remain prepared. I will inform you when your direct involvement becomes necessary, but I want you to understand that another battle is approaching, and it may not unfold as predictably as we would like."

The pantheons accepted the announcement in their own ways. Some immediately began thinking about the abilities that might prove useful against unfamiliar opponents, while others considered the broader consequences of confronting another planetary player.

Wias, however, continued watching Liam.

"Will this be another straightforward invasion, or do you expect something unusual?"

Liam considered the question for a moment.

"I expect the unexpected."

Calean let out a short laugh. "That’s reassuring."

"It wasn’t meant to be."

The brief exchange eased some of the tension, though it did little to change the reality of the situation. Another conflict was approaching, and this time they would be entering a world whose inhabitants and defensive capabilities remained largely unknown.

Liam allowed the pantheons to discuss the matter among themselves for a short while before turning his attention toward the next group he needed to inform.

The constellations.

The announcement reached the twelve constellations soon afterward.

The Scarlet Queen was among those who responded, her attention drawn immediately to the significance of another invasion. Eris Pothoroa, the Magic Swordswoman, showed a more direct interest, while Thousand Petal and the Dark Emperor received the news with their own characteristic silence.

The Onyx Elf listened carefully. Lapace the Overproud appeared less interested in the announcement itself than in the challenge that might follow, while the Sky Devourer seemed content to wait until more details became available.

Beast Emperor Estoa, the Dark Elf Witch, the Fearless Demon, and the Mother of Evil also received the summons. Ducaya, the Headless Gnome who held the honorary twelfth position despite the saying that a warrior had no god, was not excluded.

When Liam explained the situation, the reactions were more varied than those of the pantheons.

"So we are going to war again?" Lapace asked, a hint of amusement entering his voice. "And here I thought things might become interesting without another invasion."

"They became interesting precisely because there is another invasion," the Scarlet Queen replied.

Eris Pothoroa paid little attention to their exchange. "What kind of opponents are we expecting?"

"Black slimes," Liam answered.

For a brief moment, silence settled over the gathering.

Then Beast Emperor Estoa leaned forward. "That’s all?"

"That’s what I can confirm about the inhabitants," Liam clarified. "Do not confuse the lack of information with a lack of danger."

The Beast Emperor leaned back again, apparently satisfied with the correction. Even so, the prospect had caught his interest, and Liam could already imagine that some of the constellations would be eager to see what the unfamiliar world had to offer.

The Dark Elf Witch spoke next. "Will we be permitted to participate directly?"

"That depends on how the invasion develops," Liam replied. "I am informing you now so that none of you will be caught unprepared if I call upon you."

The Fearless Demon gave a low chuckle. "Then we wait until you decide the time has come."

"Exactly."

Liam did not promise them a grand battle, nor did he guarantee that every constellation would have an opportunity to demonstrate its abilities. He wanted them prepared, not reckless, and he had no intention of allowing their enthusiasm to interfere with the operation.

Ducaya tilted his head slightly. "And if Leo’s world possesses something capable of threatening us?"

"Then we deal with it when we encounter it."

The answer was simple, but it carried the same certainty Liam had displayed when announcing the invasion. He would not allow an unknown possibility to prevent him from moving forward, though he would not ignore a genuine threat once it appeared.

After the discussion ended, the constellations dispersed with the knowledge that another conflict was approaching. Some were eager, others cautious, and a few had already begun wondering what kind of opponent could force Liam to gather so many of his subordinates before the first strike.

Liam watched them leave without adding anything further.

The announcement had been made. His pantheons knew, his constellations knew, and the angels under his authority would be informed as well.

There was no need for another meeting to discuss the same decision. Everything that needed to be said had been said, and the remaining preparations would be carried out by those responsible for them.

Soon, he would open an Astral Gate.

Beyond it lay Leo’s world, populated by black slimes whose true capabilities remained a mystery. Once the gate opened, the conflict would no longer be a distant possibility discussed among powerful beings.

It would become a reality.

And Liam intended to be ready when that moment arrived.