In an instant, the video conference, which had been buzzing with voices, fell silent.
On the screen, faces the outside world associated with power and authority all turned toward President Hodgson of America.
They had discussed how to deal with the Cthulhu Evil God countless times before.
But no matter how much they talked, they had found no solution beyond asking the gods for help.
And asking the gods for help... no country dared claim a god would answer its plea.
To those lofty gods, humanity did not matter.
As an American diplomat had said in the White House, "The Lord doesn't care." And "the Lord" could have been any god.
Why are you all looking at me?
Even though Hodgson was used to being watched, so many eyes on him left him uneasy.
After a moment of silence, Egyptian President Clemens asked, "I heard America has an 'Artificial God' project?"
"Who? Who told you that?"
At the words "Artificial God," Hodgson nearly jumped out of his seat. He blurted out the question before realizing his mistake and forcing an awkward smile.
"Artificial God? We do have such a project, but it's still on paper. For now, it's only a concept."
After that outburst, denying it outright would only make him look guiltier.
Admitting half and denying half, though, at least gave him a plausible cover.
Meanwhile, he cursed inwardly. Who had leaked a plan so vital to America?
Ever since America had glimpsed the mysteries hidden behind the world, it had realized how precarious its position was. It had made every effort to overtake the others.
But every plan and every effort had come to nothing amid shifts in the international landscape that no human could have foreseen. The United States had withered like a little yellow flower after