Hero Alliance Headquarters — Chairman's Office.
Vacation—
Over.
Work—
Resumed.
Aiden Cross sat behind his desk, flipping through reports.
Most matters—
He had already delegated to Aizen.
Only major decisions—
Branch leadership changes…
Or disasters beyond Dragon-level—
Required his direct judgment.
"…So in just this short time—this many urgent reports?"
"Correct."
Aizen adjusted his glasses calmly.
"Both the African and European branches have encountered major disturbances."
Aiden Cross rubbed his temples.
This world—
Was getting out of hand.
…And honestly, I'm part of the problem.
Aside from one "special summon"—
Everything else?
Terrible luck.
He opened the European report.
Submitted by—
Lion King Artoria.
A quick scan—
Was enough.
"…Troublesome."
European Branch Situation
Personnel:
Lion King Artoria
Jeanne d'Arc
Seraphina
Hundred-Faced Hassan
Plus numerous D-Class heroes
The issue?
A new type of entity.
They looked—
Human.
Acted—
Human.
Until—
They attacked.
"…Imposters."
Aiden Cross muttered.
"Imposters?"
Aizen asked.
Aiden Cross leaned back.
"This isn't caused by monsterization."
"It's a curse."
"Apostle-level."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"The Eleventh Apostle—"
Ozma.
"Lord of Chaos."
Even if the Demon Realm hadn't fully located Earth—
A stray curse—
Had already reached Europe.
Blood Curse — Explanation
"These creatures are called Imposters."
"They look human."
"But inside—"
"They're already possessed."
Aiden Cross continued:
Victims of the Blood Curse
Initially normal
After ~2 months → fully mature
Begin attacking others
Spread infection exponentially
"They crave blood."
"The more they consume—"
"The stronger they become."
Aizen's expression grew serious.
"And identification?"
"That's the problem."
"No visual difference."
"Only a few—like Artoria, Jeanne, and Seraphina—can sense them."
Aiden Cross continued:
"In human mythology—"
"Werewolves."
"Vampires."
"They're likely just variants of these Imposters."
"And the worst part?"
"Paranoia."
Humans—
Begin doubting each other.
Families.
Friends.
Neighbors.
Trust collapses.
Society—
Follows.
"If left unchecked…"
Aiden Cross tapped the table lightly.
"Europe becomes a nest."
Population:
~1 billion.
Even if only a fraction turn—
Millions of Wolf-level threats
Potentially hundreds of thousands of Tiger-level evolutions
"At that point…"
"Either nuclear cleansing—"
"Or I sink the continent myself."
Silence.
Even Aizen—
Did not refute that.
"…So we act early."
"Exactly."
Solution
Aizen spoke first:
"Detection is the key."
Aiden Cross nodded.
"Three methods:"
Extreme intuition
Special abilities
Soul/perception-based energy
"But the simplest—"
He smiled slightly.
"Become… priests."
"Priests?"
"Not the fake kind."
Aiden Cross waved it off.
"A combat-oriented class."
Martial ability
Healing
Exorcism
Transformation
"Powered by Holy Light."
"Holy energy can expose Imposters instantly."
Seraphina—
Already possessed awakened-level strength.
And Aiden Cross?
Second Awakening:
Seraph-level.
Detection—
Was trivial.
Implementation Plan
Aizen: "What about manpower?"
Aiden Cross smirked.
"Europe has plenty of churches."
"Use them."
"Let Jeanne spread the message—"
"'Divine light descends. Chosen will become vessels of God.'"
Aizen paused.
"…You're starting a religion."
"Temporary measure."
Aiden Cross shrugged.
"Seraphina trains them."
"Filter believers."
"Only the devoted."
"No need for combat power."
"As long as they can produce even a trace of Holy Light—"
"They can identify Imposters."
"And immature Imposters?"
"Barely stronger than normal humans."
Efficient.
Scalable.
And—
Perfect for early containment.
Aizen closed his notebook.
"…Understood."
"The plan will be transmitted immediately."
Aiden Cross leaned back in his chair.
"…That's Europe handled."
But his eyes—
Shifted slightly.
Because he knew—
If one Apostle's curse had arrived—
Then sooner or later—
The others would follow.
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