"No way!" "This idea is far too risky. If we lose, we won't have another chance to turn the tables."

"I'm also aware that this decision is risky, but the situation leaves us no choice. We must take a gamble; the decapitation strike is definitely worth it, compared to the slow-and-steady tactics."

Masato Yasaki presented his viewpoint.

The strategists present fell into deep thought; Masato Yasaki's proposal of a decapitation strike was indeed tempting.

After what had just transpired, they believed that it's hard to make foolproof preparations in a war against the Dread Emperor.

Their previous idea was to reference some great powers' proxy warfare tactics, but such tactics clearly only apply to humans, not to the Angel Envoy.

Because in human wars, one seldom uses such indiscriminate weapons that strike any location while evading anti-aircraft systems.

To the Dread Emperor, such attacks were just ordinary moves.

"But can we win just by gathering together?"

The advisor from England furrowed his brow, his expression particularly grave. "If we continue to scatter like this, we might gradually weaken, but there could also be a turnaround."

Once we gather and go all-out in an attack and lose, the reality we face will be the enemy's overwhelming assault.

The Expeditionary Force will be completely annihilated."

The heavy truth lay before everyone.

Masato Yasaki wasn't annoyed by the fearfulness of this colleague, as he knew the advisor's concerns were entirely possible.

"But do you really believe that dragging it out will bring hope? I don't like placing hope in that direction. Why not lock onto the Dread Emperor's location and concentrate our forces to attack?"

He insisted on his view; dragging it out offered little hope and would only lead to a slow demise.

An advisor spoke up: "How about we convey our thoughts to the higher-ups and let them decide what to do."

"That's the only way, as we can't make decisions on such major issues."

The strategists present all nodded in agreement, deciding to pass the decision to the leaders outside.

...

Emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Diplomats from fifteen countries gathered here, but today's main participants weren't them.

Instead, placed in front of them were tablets showing the leaders of these fifteen countries.

"...That's the situation. Are we going for a decisive battle, or should we devise another plan? Please consider, choose whether to speak, and finally, vote."

This session of the Security Council's rotating presidency falls to Brazil, naturally making Brazil's president responsible for coordinating this meeting.

After he spoke, the room fell silent.

The leaders of the other countries needed to contemplate quietly.

This wasn't something to be spoken of lightly.

But Mara from the United States clearly had something else in mind.

As the first female president in U.S. history, her name would naturally be recorded in history.

But she couldn't boast of any military achievements.

Mara believed she had to make some political achievements to leave a more notable mark in history.

She thought Masato Yasaki's suggestion was good; rather than slowly waiting to be wiped out by the enemy, it may be better to gamble outright.

As for the consequences of losing the gamble, Mara didn't seriously consider them.

She believed if this all-or-nothing bet succeeded, she would surely leave a significant mark in history with this decisive decision.

The world would praise her for her foresight and courage, and perhaps there would be hope for re-election next year.

As for losing, if humanity had no future, then she wouldn't need to consider those.

"I think the proposal for a decisive battle is good. Continuing like this is just a slow death—I'm in favor of a decisive battle!"

"A decisive battle isn't something that can be achieved by mere lip service."

Kochou couldn't help but mock this option.

On such an important issue, she didn't dare to casually go along with Mara's all-or-nothing words.

Mara's eyebrows arched; I was supporting Japan, and you rejected me?!

She wanted to speak, but outside the video, the Secretary of State subtly tugged her hand, signaling her to not continue saying such things.

In matters concerning the survival of humanity, he couldn't afford to let Mara speak thoughtlessly or make decisions unilaterally for the United States. They had to think carefully before they spoke!

The silence persisted for a long time until Kochou, after careful consideration, realized that given the Dread Emperor's current level of assault,

even avoiding a decisive battle and choosing to turtle wasn't an easy task.

As long as the Dread Emperor occasionally launched a fireball,

it wouldn't matter how many bases they built.

However, what the British Prime Minister said earlier might not be wrong. If they continued to delay, who could guarantee that a miracle wouldn't occur tomorrow?

Subsequent speakers from various countries either agreed, opposed, or chose not to speak.

In the end, the host of the meeting spoke: "I will now call upon the Security Council members to vote on this resolution draft.

Those in favor of a decisive battle, please raise your hand."

After careful consideration, Kochou raised her right hand. Due to the angle, she couldn't see how many others raised their hands, but she believed she was among the majority.

"Those who oppose, please raise your hand."

Kochou took a deep breath, leaning back in her chair, her right hand off-camera couldn't help but gently tap the tabletop.

At this moment, she deeply understood the mindset Kennedy must have had back then.

That slight movement of the lips that could result in a decision to destroy humanity, causing an unprecedented nuclear war between two superpowers.

The pressure and tension were undoubtedly suffocating.

If Kochou weren't in front of the camera, she might even have wanted to pull down her collar to try and take a few more breaths.

"Those who abstain, please raise your hand."

The Brazilian President was the only one present able to see the votes of the world's leaders.

He tapped the gavel, and announced solemnly, "Nine votes for, three against, three abstentions.

I hereby declare that the war resolution concerning the Dread Emperor is now passed."

No one objected.

The three countries truly qualified to use a veto agreed, which settled the matter.

Kochou exhaled deeply, ended the video conference, and left the following matters to the diplomats.

She tilted her head back, fine beads of sweat forming on her slender neck.

Was this decision right? Or wrong?

A sudden fear arose in Kochou's heart.

What if it was a mistake, what if waiting a little longer would have brought new hope.

What if...

Too many thoughts arose in her mind, and all Kochou could do was pat her cheeks, telling herself not to think about those things, and to leave upcoming matters to the General Staff.

Kochou dialed the General Staff, conveying the Security Council's resolution to Masato Yasaki.

...

With approval from above, the General Staff ceased any argument and quickly executed the Security Council's resolution.

The relevant decision reached Aozawa and Phoenix Academy Maggie.

A military helicopter carried medical personnel over, but Phoenix Academy Maggie didn't choose to evacuate from here.

In her view, retreating to a military base was not necessarily safer than staying by Aozawa's side.

Moreover, the effects of the gas she inhaled were gradually diminishing, her body no longer as weak as before, and after a short rest, she could rejoin the battle.

"Are we going to have a final showdown with the Dread Emperor?"

"Yeah, according to what's been said, the Dread Emperor's fireball attacks cover a vast area and can pinpoint targets precisely. They believe that delaying further will only worsen the situation, better to blitz the Dread Emperor!"

Aozawa answered honestly.

He used Fate Weaving to grasp the general direction, but didn't specify the details of the time.

Just setting the script where the Dread Emperor and Naraku are defeated.

As for the process, he skipped it all, leaving it entirely to the actors to freely perform.

Phoenix Academy Maggie sat up, clenched her fist, and asked, "Where is the Dread Emperor located?"

"According to the General Staff, Chitose and Emily encountered the Dread Emperor on the border of Catalivo and Salonas.

We don't know if the Dread Emperor has relocated, the General Staff has already prioritized sending drones for reconnaissance. If the Dread Emperor is still there, we will be notified to head to the scene."

"I see."

Phoenix Academy Maggie muttered, she hadn't expected the final showdown to come so quickly, but soon adjusted her mindset, her gaze passing through the open cabin door, looking at the forest outside.

The Dread Emperor's fireball did not attack the two of them.

Without battle, it looked so peaceful here.

The cool breeze brushed past, Phoenix Academy Maggie leaned against the cabin and said, "Hey, Aozawa."

"What?"

"Perhaps, defeating the Dread Emperor this time, and then dying together, wouldn't be a bad ending."

The girl brushed aside her gold locks blown by the wind, her eyes unfocused, like a Mona Lisa smile.

Aozawa didn't follow her melancholic literary topic, honestly saying, "But I don't like tragedies, I prefer saving the world.

Then being together with you, Chitose and everyone, laughing and living until the end.

As for children, having a football team would be enough, I'm not greedy."

"Who's going to have kids with you."

Phoenix Academy Maggie rolled her eyes at him, feeling his words had seriously disrupted her recently risen artistic mood.

Besides, having a football team doesn't count as greedy?!

Then she would need to redefine greed.