Ch.175175. The Play (5)

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“…Huh.”

Lana tilted her head and spoke.

“Darwood, don’t you seem a bit out of it?”

“…”

I couldn’t agree more with that assessment.

Elia smiled wryly as she looked at Darwood standing blankly beside her.

Thanks to Sullivan and Faynol, they had managed to retrieve Darwood before Atalante could smash the heads of the Demonic Vessels, but he had been in this state almost constantly since then.

Just blank, as if he’d lost his mind.

At this rate, he definitely wouldn’t fare well in the second trial.

“…”

Elia sighed as she looked at the massive barrier field spread out around them.

Compared to the impressive artificial dungeon shown at Elphante, this was simply larger in scale—just an enormously solid, massive hemispherical barrier field—but that made it even more frightening.

It meant there was something that needed to be ‘contained’ by such a thing.

If the first trial was intended to test the candidates’ boldness and power, the second trial was meant to test their patience, planning ability, and adaptability.

And the result was…

‘…Surviving bare-handed among magical beasts.’

Elia sighed as she recalled the test method.

They would push the candidates into a magical beast-infested area near the Crucible of Struggle with nothing but their bare hands, and they had to survive there for two days.

And on top of that, the magical beasts had been made berserk, much more aggressive than usual.

At this point, any sane person would think this wasn’t something to make humans who hadn’t even reached adulthood do, but the weight attached to the title of hero was that heavy.

And the additional problem was…

“Since Elia and Darwood ranked first in total points from the previous trial, you’ll face intense scrutiny from other candidates. Will you be alright?”

“…Of course not.”

Elia said as she looked around.

The gazes of the other candidates who would soon enter that hemispherical barrier field with them were unsettling.

And…

“…”

In the “viewing seats” installed above, just like before, the Emperor of the Empire, Tribal Chief Utad of the Tribal Union, and Grand Archbishop Luminol of the Holy Empire sat side by side.

The problem was the last figure.

He was glaring at Darwood as if he were his mortal enemy.

‘…I understand.’

Elia inwardly muttered as she broke into a cold sweat.

Considering what this man had done to Lana beside him in the previous trial, it would be stranger if a father didn’t react that way.

It would be fortunate if he didn’t openly try something against them in this trial.

“…I hope nothing happens.”

No sooner had she muttered those words than Lana suddenly turned her head to look at Elia.

“Oh, Elia.”

“Yes?”

“Actually, nothing might have happened, but since you just said that, something will definitely happen.”

“…”

What is she saying?

Elia narrowed her eyes and glared at Lana.

“…I don’t need your ominous jokes.”

“It’s not a joke.”

Lana said with a grin that didn’t match her words.

“I’ve been told I have good intuition since way back.”

“…”

“If I’m certain about something, you can be sure it will happen!”

Please.

I wish she wouldn’t say such ominous and meaningful things with a smile.

‘…Seriously.’

Elia inwardly sighed as she looked at the still dazed Darwood.

‘When are you coming back, teacher?’

Soon.

If he doesn’t return, I feel like we’re in danger.

I strongly feel that way.

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< System Message >

[ This is the most critical phase of the ‘Sweet Play’ event. ]

[ You must prevent tragedy from befalling the target ‘Yuria’! ]

I let out a wry laugh seeing such a window pop up.

It feels like someone shouting in my ear.

It’s like the White Demon constantly sending warnings: ‘You know I brought you here for this, right? Behave properly!’

“…His Holiness is coming.”

Yuria said as she looked at the elevator coming down from the upper part of the mansion.

Her face wore the dignified expression this kid always tried to maintain, but her hands were trembling pitifully.

No matter how strong-willed and mature she is, she’s still a child. She can’t possibly have perfect self-control.

And I, beside her…

Was staring blankly into space.

“By the way, what have you been doing all this time, attendant?”

“I’m checking the time, young miss.”

“…?”

Yuria’s face showed an expression that seemed to ask why I was doing that instead of just looking at a clock.

But what I’m checking are the numbers attached to the ‘system window.’

It’s to figure out how much time has passed ‘outside,’ not how much time has flowed in here.

‘…I wonder if the second trial has started yet.’

Considering various conditions, it’s about time Elia would have been forced to enter the second trial.

“…”

That means I have a very clear reason to get out of here quickly.

I don’t know what might happen to her in the second trial, but strictly speaking, the main quest is on Elia’s side. That’s the highest priority.

“…”

Of course, that doesn’t mean I intend to be careless with this quest.

However, given my circumstances…

I’ll have to use a somewhat radical method.

“Attendant.”

While I was thinking about this, Yuria tugged at my collar to get my attention.

In front of us, the Pope was getting out of the elevator.

Though his attire was different, I recognized him immediately. I’ve never forgotten that unpleasant face.

“…”

I also carefully observed the sword wrapped in sealing artifacts held in both his hands.

The Severer.

The sword that Yuria will continue to carry with her from now on.

Despite being covered with so many sealing artifacts, it conveys an ominous feeling at a glance.

Seeing it, Yuria also flinched and trembled, but…

“…I’ll be back.”

She put on a pitifully forced smile.

It’s clearly a voice she’s squeezing out, barely suppressing her fear.

It’s a reaction that comes from knowing that it will have a negative impact on her.

“…”

From here on, I know what happens.

Yuria will grasp the Severer as guided by the Pope, and forced by him, she will massacre everyone in the mansion.

It’s an event that gives her a very deep trauma.

In other words…

It’s also an event that I must prevent with all my might right now.

“…”

Normally, this would be a method I wouldn’t even try.

Especially in a situation where the White Demon has attached all sorts of restrictions to me, like not breaking character and whatnot.

This is even for me… a gamble with difficult consequences.

But I believe it will somehow work out if I just do it. When have I ever thought things through before acting anyway?

‘…Alright.’

I check the means for this.

I’ve been saving something for this moment.

<System Message>

[ Using ‘Skill Copy Voucher’! ]

[ You can copy 1 skill from target ‘Yuria’! ]

The skill I was looking for didn’t take long to find.

< System Message >

[ Copying ‘Skill: Curse of Severance’! ]

[ Attacks anyone within three steps regardless of friend or foe! ]

[ This effect occurs when holding the target ‘Severer’! ]

That’s right.

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“Have you been well, Yuria?”

When the Pope, who had approached close by, spoke those words, Yuria’s body immediately trembled.

As always, his voice was polite, courteous, and sweet.

Some might say it was an atmosphere befitting someone standing at the pinnacle of all saints.

But to Yuria, it was nothing more or less than the sound of a snake hissing.

“Today is the day scheduled for your glorious ascension, Yuria.”

The Pope, with a gentle smile, said this while holding something out to her.

A long sword.

Almost as tall as her small stature.

“Would you like to hold it first? It’s something prepared just for you.”

“…Your Holiness…”

Yuria opened her mouth with a trembling voice.

“…Do I have to hold it?”

I don’t want to. It looks painful. I’m scared.

It feels like something terrible will definitely happen the moment I grasp it.

That’s what she was thinking when she spoke, but…

“…Yuria.”

Her body flinched again at the Pope’s voice.

His demeanor was still gentle.

But his eyes looking down at her.

Those eyes that seemed to contain not a hint of hostility.

Were a cold gaze that seemed to cut through her skin.

A gaze filled with pressure saying that this is your only ‘value of existence,’ so don’t deny it.

“Are you thinking of abandoning the duty assigned to you?”

“…”

“You haven’t forgotten that it was the church that fed and raised you, have you?”

“…”

“Are you planning to be a bad child who betrays kindness?”

“…N-no…”

At her answer, given while her body trembled, the Pope once again displayed a benevolent smile.

“That’s what I wanted to hear, Yuria. You really are a good child.”

“…”

Yuria closed her eyes tightly at the sword being held out before her again.

‘…Attendant.’

She didn’t know why that person came to mind.

Strangely, in this frightening and trembling moment, he was the first name that came to mind as someone she could rely on, even before her sister.

“…”

But.

The outcome at this moment was undoubtedly already determined.

No one can help her.

The only fate is to submit to the impending tragedy.

Yuria extended her trembling hand toward the sword.

“…?”

However.

Before Yuria could grasp it.

Someone’s footsteps were felt approaching.

“…Attendant?”

Yuria reflexively uttered such a question at the sight of the man who had approached her side.

“What are you…?”

Before she could voice her question properly, his hand grasped the hilt of the Severer held in the Pope’s hand.

Then, the ‘curse’ contained in the sword climbed up through Darwood’s body.

An age-old curse that had persisted for hundreds of years infiltrated his body.

Normally, a human infiltrated by such a curse would go mad from the pain and it wouldn’t be strange if they died instantly.

Instead, Darwood drew the sword as if nothing had happened.

As if he had somehow ‘inherited’ the experience of someone who had handled such curses countless times before.

Then…

“Yoink.”

With a swish.

He swung it toward the Pope.

The blade of the Severer smoothly passed through his neck.

It was a fluid motion, as if cutting through water.

Thud.

The Pope’s head rolled on the floor with such an unglamorous sound.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Around the fountain of blood that spurted out…

Silence fell.

Silence.

More silence.

And continued silence.

“…Hmm.”

While everyone was staring at the scene in a daze, the man who had created such a scene opened his mouth with a nonchalant voice.

“A play should always have a twist.”

And simultaneously.

A scene from hell unfolded around them.

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