Before Souta could process his thoughts, the first person to reply in the group chat was unexpectedly Altair.
Altair: "Viewers of a manga... can actually be considered believers?"
Souta: "No, they don't count as true believers. Only a small percentage of readers who deeply resonate with the protagonist can provide a diluted form of faith energy."
Altair: "But if a manga becomes explosively popular, the sheer number of readers can stack up that faith. This concept feels somewhat similar to how it works in my world."
Souta: "Yeah, there are some similarities. Faith energy shares traits with your world's Recognition Power—if enough of it accumulates, it can allow for all kinds of self-imposed modifications. It's essentially an 'omnipotent' power, but unfortunately, it's not easy to collect, and its interference capabilities are somewhat weak."
Altair: "If you want to gather faith, you could also come to my world and try. Meteora and the others are working on something called the 'Birdcage Plan' recently. From what I've gathered, it might be helpful to you."
Souta: "Wait, I almost forgot about that!"
Souta: "Right, the 'Birdcage Plan' is actually a great method for collecting faith!"
Kurumi Tokisaki: "The 'Birdcage Plan'? What's that?"
Shinobu Oshino: "You all seem to be discussing something very interesting."
Souta: "Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade! Long time no see!"
Shinobu Oshino: "I've told you before—there's no need to use the name from that work."
Souta: "Got it, I just find it nostalgic. Let me explain the 'Birdcage Plan.'"
The "Birdcage Plan" is essentially a strategy where a confined battlefield is set up and filled with cameras. The battles inside are filmed and then broadcasted to an audience through filters, making them believe they are watching an animated show. This, in turn, generates Recognition Power.
The number of viewers outside the "Birdcage" is massive, as the Japanese government is backing the project—it's no exaggeration to say they're using the entire nation's resources for it.
This plan was initially proposed by Meteora and her group, hoping to gather enough Recognition Power to defeat Altair—using "stories" to end a "story."
However, in the end, Altair turned the plan to her advantage, directing all the Recognition Power toward herself.
Souta: "That's the general idea."
Altair: "The number of external spectators will be enormous. That's why I suggest you take on a role inside the 'Birdcage'—this way, you can collect faith energy."
Kurumi Tokisaki: "That plan is feasible, but the role you play has to be striking. Otherwise, if the audience doesn't find you appealing, you won't collect much faith."
Chelsea: "How about playing the Demon Lord?"
Kurumi Tokisaki: "The Demon Lord? Why?"
Chelsea: "Kurumi, after reading the Akame ga Kill manga, which character left the strongest impression on you?"
Kurumi Tokisaki: "Esdeath."
Chelsea: "Exactly! She's powerful, imposing, and incredibly attractive. From the moment she appears until her last scene, she exudes an aura of dominance. A character like that is the most unforgettable!"
Rin Tohsaka: "I agree."
Souta: "Rin, you haven't even read Akame ga Kill. What are you agreeing with?"
Rin Tohsaka: "I mean, I agree with Chelsea's point. After watching the Fourth Holy Grail War's events, as much as I hate to admit it, Gilgamesh left the biggest impression on me. That line—'The King permits, the King acknowledges, the King shall bear the weight of the world'—is so over-the-top, but undeniably cool. I have to respect him for it. Villains really do have the most charisma."
Illya: "I think Rider's King's Way was really cool too!"
Souta: "It seems that being overly dramatic is actually a charisma-boosting trait in fiction. Of course, it depends on the person—if done wrong, you end up like Kiritsugu Emiya."
Souta: "Ahem, just kidding, Illya. Don't take it personally."
Altair: "So, in your eyes, I'm actually pretty cool?"
Souta: "Of course. Out of all the characters in Re:Creators, you left the deepest impression on me. The second most memorable would be Magane Chikujouin."
Altair: "It seems villains are truly beloved. Perhaps deep down, people yearn for that unrestrained, chaotic nature."
Souta: "Then it's decided—I'll take on the role of the Demon Lord when the time comes. Altair, make sure to call me when the 'Birdcage' event happens."
Altair: "No problem. I'll have Setsuna create some stylish concept art for your Demon Lord persona and spread it online. You can use it as a reference for your appearance."
Shinobu Oshino: "I'll participate as well."
Shinobu Oshino: "Souta, you lack the proper aura of a Demon Lord. I need to teach you how to carry yourself properly."
Kurumi Tokisaki: "Oh my? A villainous presence? That's something I excel at as well. Shinobu, you wouldn't mind if I join in on teaching Souta, would you?"
Shinobu Oshino: "You're quite the schemer... but I don't mind."
Souta sighed slightly at the subtle tension between Kurumi and Shinobu.
Kurumi seemed wary of Shinobu, but the latter's composed demeanor made it difficult for Kurumi to gain any ground against her.
Souta: "@Altair. It's settled then. I still need to head to the Date A Live world, so I'll be logging off for now."
After sending that message, Souta set his phone down.
The "Birdcage" event was still a while away. Though he was excited to play the Demon Lord, for now, his main focus was on the Date A Live world.
"I wonder where I'll be teleported this time..."
When teleporting to a friend's world, he would usually appear directly beside them.
However, if that friend wasn't in their own world at the moment, the teleportation would be randomized.
Would it be random in space only, or also in time? The system hadn't provided a clear answer.
Feeling a surge of curiosity, Souta couldn't wait any longer.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke to the system:
"System, teleport me."
A flash of white light enveloped him, and Souta vanished from his apartment.
When he felt solid ground beneath his feet again, an overwhelmingly pleasant sensation washed over him. It was as if every pore in his body was breathing freely.
Faith... He was surrounded by a warm, abundant stream of faith energy.
His unconscious Divine Realm seemed to react excitedly, as a vast amount of faith energy continuously flowed into it.
Even though each individual fragment was weak, the sheer volume was staggering.
"So saving those tens of millions of people wasn't in vain after all." Souta's face lit up with joy.
His awareness sank into his Divine Realm, where he saw the faith energy fueling his divine fire, rapidly converting into divine power.
His previously depleted reserves were filling up at an incredible pace.
At that moment, Souta felt deep gratitude toward Setsuna, someone he had never even met.
"What a great person... She's helped me so much."
Just as he was about to exit his Divine Realm, he suddenly heard a powerful voice calling his name.