The Extra Can't be A Hero

Chapter 297: Changes In A Month (2)

When Amon and Yue's month-long retreat finally drew to a close, the Solaris Commanders and the Eldorin Knights returned to Solfea and attempted to resume their former routines.

Attempted… because their absence had not frozen the world in place. It had merely allowed its wounds to fester. Reports, petitions, and emergency summons awaited them in suffocating stacks, and for the Commanders and Eldorin's leadership, rest became a distant memory.

Solfea itself remained standing beneath the banner of peace, yet that peace felt increasingly fragile—an island of calm surrounded by a world in slow collapse.

Beyond its borders, the Hyades Republic was being worn down by relentless pressure from the Demon Empire. Not through grand invasions, but through constant raids, scorched settlements, and the calculated erosion of morale.

Each week brought new casualty lists, new refugee convoys, and fresh pleas for assistance that arrived faster than they could be answered.

As if war alone were not enough, the planet itself had turned hostile.

Earthquakes split open cities without warning. Floods swallowed fertile plains and trade routes alike. Entire regions were reduced to ruin in a matter of hours, their survivors left huddling in makeshift camps, dependent on foreign aid to stave off famine.

Granaries spoiled in the cold. Supply lines snapped under the strain. Hunger became a quiet, ever-present spectre. Yet these disasters were not random. Since the awakening of the Titans, the balance of the world had begun to unravel.

The climate shifted violently—this winter descended with unnatural severity, freezing rivers solid and killing crops before they could be harvested.

Even the air felt heavier.

Mana thickened across the planet, seeping into the soil, the storms, and the living beings themselves. Spells behaved erratically. Demonic beasts grew more aggressive and populous.

Those sensitive to mana spoke of an unceasing pressure, as though the world were drawing breath for something vast and dreadful. In the span of a single month, the planet had become a harsher, more unforgiving place.

And to those with the wisdom to read between the lines, it was painfully clear: these were not isolated crises, nor the aftermath of chance.

They were symptoms—warnings that the age of relative stability was ending, and that far greater upheavals were already set in motion.

Seated at his mahogany desk, Amon browsed the documents provided, deepening his unease. There wasn't a single report that bore good news. It was either reports of more cities falling or news that hinted at the Titans' awakening.

And the Solaris House… while they were considered a premier organisation, their intelligence gathering abilities were severely lacking. The only fortunate aspect of the reports was that Amon and Yue's personal intelligence agency, Echelon, was still functioning.

'Luckily, I had the foresight to keep Bane.'

Back in Zephys, Amon's premier intelligence agent, Bane Vallen, succumbed to Nirvana's seductive whispers and betrayed Amon. Due to his moment of folly, the spymaster willingly gave up Amon to the Pope of the Utopia Church, thinking that he could change Amon into the killing monster that he so desired.

Alas, that effort failed, and Amon overcame his mental demons, accepting his past and turning into the ascended version of himself.

But it begged the question… what was Amon supposed to do with Bane?

Normally, a betrayal of that magnitude warranted death, and even the spymaster wished for it. After becoming lucid, Bane realised the gravity of his mistake and offered his head up on a silver platter. But Amon didn't bite. Rather, he forgave Bane.

Not because he felt sorry for him, but because talent was scarce.

In a world where Demons and Titans roamed, Amon didn't have the luxury of wasting good talent. Besides, now that he's ascended, Amon has full confidence in himself that he won't fall for the same mistake again.

In the end, Bane was let off with a demotion and was leashed by Yue's spell.

One might think that becoming a mere field agent would make the former intelligence director dissatisfied. But, it was the contrary. A man possessed, Bane worked himself to the bone, travelling from town to town without rest. And the amount of information he'd gathered himself was enough to put entire intelligence agencies to shame.

'I should call him back and reward him.'

Amon found a little space in the doom to give a little smile. But his moment of joy was doused by a knock on the door. Leon entered the room, his face gloomy as he spoke.

"Amon, there has been movement from Hyarum."

"As expected, they couldn't wait, huh?"

"Yeah, they've finally moved… not against the Demon Empire, but us."

Amon rubbed the temples of his forehead, clearly displeased by the whole situation. Leon was likewise saddened.

"They claimed the Solaris House and Eldorin have kidnapped the Saintess and Hero… and they want our immediate return. Otherwise…"

"War?"

"..."

Leon did not answer, but his silence spoke louder than any words.

Colour slowly crept into his face, a flush of restrained emotion, while his blue eyes dimmed with unmistakable melancholy. Leon had grown up in Hyarum. Within its sacred lands were his childhood friends, his mentors, and people he had once considered family.

Yet now, that very land was preparing to turn its blades against the Solaris House—at a time when the world could least afford further division.

He could not comprehend it.

The Paladin Order. The Holy Knights. Swords sworn to defend humanity from annihilation… now poised to be raised against them instead of the Demon Empire. Instead of the Titans.

The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Of course, Leon lacked the full picture. He did not know what Amon knew. He did not understand the deeper truths guiding the Holy Church's actions—or the fears driving them to such desperate, misguided decisions.

'The Goddess… She's going to actively target us now.'

The Goddess Hyades suspected that Amon and Yue were trying to overturn the current divine order. That much was apparent. And when Leon and Ellahan disappeared into Yue's dimension, the Goddess's fears were confirmed. Yue possessed a hidden dimension that the Goddess herself could not access.

That much was enough to terrify the supposed omniscient being.

And now that Amon and Yue had control over her two greatest trump cards… It was safe to say that the overlord of the dimension, the one above all… was innately panicking.

"We'll issue a statement. Leon Solaris and Ellahan Araquiel are treasured members of Eldorin. If the Holy Church demands their release… they will have to deal with our legions."

Amon declared. One might say it was insane for Amon to speak on behalf of the Solaris House when he wasn't even the Solaris Lord, but everyone knew that Amon's words weighed more than Alrocks. If he commands the Solaris House's legions to march, they'll do so until the ends of the earth.

And fighting against the Holy Church was no different.

"I-Is there a need to go to that extreme?"

"Leon," Amon sighed as he rested his hand on his friend's shoulders. "Don't worry, if the Holy Church doesn't attack us, we won't retaliate. I don't wish for pointless bloodshed. The statement is just a threat, as Hyarum won't actually attack us. Not when they're on shaky grounds themselves."

Day by day, the Holy Church's popularity dwindled. Rather than help the populace defend against the Demon Empire, they remained hidden within their ivory towers. Contrary to the Solaris House and Amon, who had been actively fighting against the Demon Empire.

Even if the Holy Church waged a Holy War now, no one would come to their aid. In fact, perhaps they would actively target the Paladins to protect the Solaris House.

"Even so… I have no idea what the Pope is thinking… To attack us when we're in an active war against the Demon Empire."

"Yeah," Amon agreed, but didn't give details. Now that they were in the material world, the Goddess's all-hearing ears could reach them, and anything he said would give information to the corrupted deity.

"I'm sure there isn't a consensus within the clergy. For now, you should figure out where the Paladin Commander stands. I'm sure you have a way to contact Sir Arthur, don't you?"

Sir Arthur Pagiel was Leon's foster uncle and his father's best friend. Naturally, Leon knew of some secret ways to reach him without the Pope knowing.

"I will send my father to get in contact with him."

"Yes, among those within Hyarum, he's one of the few trustworthy ones. But don't let your guard down. If you're going to meet him, let me know, and I'll support you."

It wasn't that Amon didn't trust the Paladin Commander. Quite the contrary, in fact. Given his character, Sir Arthur would have been one of the few voices within Hyarum that would have marched out to fight against the Demon Empire if not for the Goddess's orders.

But even the mighty Sir Arthur was just a puppet in front of the Goddess.

"Okay, good."

Amon paused, but didn't dismiss Leon… for there was something far more pressing.

"Leon…"

"What is it?"

Amon passed over the document he'd just read, the one that Bane had collected. It was a detailed account of all the natural disasters that occurred, primarily in the polar regions. The rising floods, the constant earthquakes, and finally… the sound of divine laughter.

"The Titans have awakened."