Chapter 369: _The Grand Hunters Conclave

Two Days Later, Geneva, Switzerland

It was finally time.

The day of the annual Grand Hunters Conclave.

Although the International Hunters Council’s headquarters remained in Vatican City, the unprecedented attendance of the Pantheon forced this year’s emergency summit to be relocated to Switzerland at the request of the Swiss Federation.

The Vatican lacked the space—and the security—to accommodate an event of such magnitude.

Even from several kilometres away, the Geneva Summit Complex dominated the shoreline of Lake Geneva.

The enormous structure stretched across the waterfront like a city unto itself, a seamless fusion of polished white alloys, black reinforced glass and silver-steel frameworks that shimmered beneath the afternoon sun.

From above, its curved architecture resembled an enormous crescent embracing the lake, while dozens of suspended sky bridges connected one towering section to another.

Ships and helicopters docked on the shoreline—including a huge white ship belonging to the Morozov Family.

"Thanks again for letting us use your ship, mother." Viktor glanced at Irina as he, Ambrose, Devon and the others descended the ramp.

Irina blew raspberries. "Please. It’s fine, darling. We’re both attending this summit today, so why not?" Her eyes flitted past her son, pinning on Ambrose. "And Mr Hale. Last time you attended one of these in Vatican City, you were merely a C-Rank. How does it feel now?"

Ambrose blinked.

He’d been preparing for this meeting for days since Kali’s invitation.

Now that he was here... gods above.

The Geneva Summit Complex’s main tower stretched over four hundred meters into the clouds, like a sentinel watching over the city and beyond.

Spatial awareness let him sense the high-end security tech—from anti-spatial barriers that would prevent teleportation to aether dampeners specifically designed to restrain the aether of upper Rank Hunters.

A and even S-Rank guards patrolled the wide tarred road leading to the complex, expressions calm but ready for war.

"Uhm," He rubbed the back of his neck, flashing an awkward smile. "It’s bigger than what I imagined. That’s for sure."

"It should be." Gabriel chimed in from behind before Irina could. "This place was built a couple of years after the world’s second SSS-Rank Rift was sealed. Where the Aegis Chamber in the Vatican is a sanctuary... Here is a fortified fortress."

All Ambrose could do was nod, his eyes still focused on taking in the sheer magnificence of the structure. Two large holographic screens hovered to the complex’s left and right, flickering between a welcome message and a list of today’s expected delegates.

’Hey, sugar stick.’

Ambrose nearly halted in his tracks. He’d just adjusted his tie when that familiar voice slid into his head.

Loki.

’Hey.’ He replied, head swerving around. ’You and your Pantheon friends are here already?’

’Yeah, we’re at the main hall. They gave each of us these fancy private booths. So dystopian.’

’That was your first hint?’ Ambrose walked past a guard who stared too hard at him. ’Christ. I’ve never been to a place so fortified. And the only reason is that you and the other SSS-Ranks are here.’

’Yes, but not just the five of us as usual. HE’S making an appearance today. Well, technically not an appearance since he’ll be hidden in his booth. But you know what I mean.’

The emphasis on ’he’ was enough of a hint on who Loki was referring to.

The world’s only SSS-Rank Guide.

Gabriel had mentioned how Kali was close to summoning him when he almost went berserk closing the Purple Rift. The Pantheon were practically legendary... but that guy was something else entirely.

’Well, that’s cool, I guess.’

’You don’t sound like someone attending a global meeting as one of the high members of Hunters society for the first time...’

’There’s a lot on my mind, Loki.’ He answered as the group made their way to the elevators. ’And I don’t see this as another vacation.’

’I mean, it could be a vacation for Orion, no?’

★★★★★

A Hotel Suite Somewhere Else In The City

"Aunty Aura? Why aren’t you in my daddy’s head as usual?"

"Because, little one," Aura finished checking herself in front of a mirror before spinning around to face the boy, "he’s busy. He, your papa and your uncles. Oh—and Loki."

"Okay, and?"

Aura pouted her lips.

She and Ambrose had been over this a thousand times for a couple of days. At first they’d considered getting Alisha and Trina to babysit... but quickly dumped that idea when remembering neither was aware of his reality warping.

Since she was literally the only ’person’ on the planet who could actively check on his abilities now that his seal was gone, it made sense that she’d be chosen to look after him.

Besides... it would be her first time walking out with humanity without Ambrose being by her side. There were so many places to see. So many delicacies to try.

’Freedom...’ Her silver eyes dazzled as they wandered back to Orion. "And we need someone looking after you because of your powers."

She crossed the room, crouching to ruffle his hair.

"Hey! That took a while for papa to get done." His complaint soon turned to giggling, Aura’s face brightening with something hauntingly close to a grin.

Pinching his cheek lightly, she rose back to her feet. "Come on, buddy. I heard there are castles along the lake that we can check out. You’ve been raving about those, right?"

Those golden orbs blew wide.

"Wait! We’re going to a castle?!"

★★★★★

’I guess you can call it a vacation for Orion.’ Ambrose rolled his eyes. ’I don’t know. Maybe I’m bored. Or maybe I’d rather be going to castles with my son than discussing Rifts and Hunter politics with some stuck-up assholes.’

’Hey! I resent that. I’m one of those stuck-up assholes too.’ Loki scolded.

’You know damn well you aren’t...’

Loki let out an exaggerated gasp. ’Did the mighty Ambrose Hale just compliment me? Somebody write today’s date down.’

’Don’t push it.’

’Too late.’ The Lord of Chaos snickered. ’Besides, you’re acting like you’re here to attend another boring Guild meeting. Half the people in this building have heard your name by now. Whether they believe the whole "C-Rank Guide to SS-Rank Esper" story or not, every Federation wants to see the miracle in person.’

Ambrose resisted the urge to sigh aloud. ’Please don’t remind me.’

The elevator doors slid open.

The sight waiting beyond them forced even Ambrose to slow his steps.

The Grand Assembly Hall dwarfed every conference room he’d ever seen.

It stretched upward in concentric tiers, forming a vast circular chamber beneath a transparent domed ceiling through which the Swiss afternoon sunlight poured.

Hundreds of delegates already occupied their designated seats, each section marked by floating holographic banners displaying Federation names, Guild emblems and International Hunters Council insignias. Translation devices hovered discreetly above every table while security drones drifted silently through the air, scanning the chamber without making so much as a hum.

At the very centre stood an elevated circular platform surrounded by layers of reinforced flooring. Every discussion, every announcement, and every decision that shaped the future of Hunters worldwide would happen there.

Then Ambrose’s gaze instinctively drifted upward.

Near the highest section of the hall rested six enclosed observation booths built into the wall itself.

Five identical black-glass chambers overlooked the entire assembly.

The Pantheon.

Nobody below could see inside them. The mirrored material reflected only the hall beneath, concealing whichever SSS-Rank occupied each booth.

’Third one from the left.’ Loki’s amused voice echoed inside his mind. ’That’s me.’

Ambrose looked anyway.

As expected... Nothing.

Not even spatial awareness could penetrate the reinforced barriers protecting the booths.

’Satisfied?’ Loki laughed.

Before Ambrose could answer, his attention shifted toward the final booth.

Unlike the other five, this one stood slightly apart from the rest.

Larger and higher too.

Its glass appeared darker, almost swallowing the light around it, while additional security arrays shimmered faintly across its exterior.

Even spatial awareness stopped altogether. It simply refused to move past whatever barrier surrounded that chamber.

Ambrose’s brows knitted.

’He’s already here,’ Loki said, sounding unusually respectful.

The world’s only SSS-Rank Guide.

Ambrose quietly tore his gaze away, pretending the strange pressure pressing against his instincts didn’t exist.

Unfortunately, several people had already noticed him.

A Guild Master from Germany leaned toward his colleague, whispering something while subtly pointing in Ambrose’s direction. Across another section, delegates from Japan openly turned to look. Representatives from Brazil, Canada and Egypt followed shortly after, murmurs spreading through nearby rows as more and more eyes landed on him.

"That’s him."

"The reawakened Hunter."

"I heard he surpassed S-Rank."

"So young too..."

Devon leaned closer, a grin threatening to appear. "Told you."

Ambrose pinched the bridge of his nose. "I miss being ignored."

"You never really were," Viktor muttered with obvious satisfaction.

Almost on cue, the lights throughout the enormous chamber dimmed.

The conversations gradually faded until silence settled over the summit.

A single spotlight illuminated the central platform.

Council Speaker Aileen stepped into its glow, her composed gaze sweeping across the hundreds of delegates before lifting briefly toward the six silent observation booths above.

"Distinguished Hunters, Federation representatives, Guild Masters and honoured guests..." Her voice carried effortlessly throughout the hall. "Welcome."

A brief pause followed.

"The Twenty-Seventh Grand Hunters Conclave... is now officially in session."