Ch.200200. The Final Trial (4)

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Inside the conference room within the Grand Temple, tense voices were exchanged among the Holy Empire’s senior officials.

“…No one could have anticipated this situation.”

It was quite a strange sight to see middle-aged and elderly men, all powerful enough to boast of their influence, gathered in one place with gloomy expressions. But considering the circumstances, it wasn’t so strange after all.

The fact that one of the archbishops had raised such a concern was telling.

“To think that the most outstanding candidate would be rejected by the Holy Sword. What’s the point of holding this ceremony if…”

“Well, at least nothing terrible happened when he grasped the sword. Perhaps he just needs some time?”

“No. While it’s true that unqualified individuals who touch the Holy Sword die instantly, there was no ‘radiance’ that typically appears when past heroes make contact with the sword. This means he wasn’t acknowledged as its master.”

Yes. That was the root of all problems.

The person who had performed best in the trials wasn’t chosen as the Holy Sword’s master.

For such an incident to occur at an event hosted by the leaders of all three dominant nations wasn’t merely an accident.

“What about passing the opportunity to other candidates?”

“…That’s absurd. If we did that, controversy would arise over who should be given the chance, leading to a messy power struggle.”

“Is this really the time to worry about such things? If we’re not careful, the entire continent could fall into chaos!”

The worst-case scenario would be concluding that “there is no hero for this generation.”

The event was originally planned to quell the unrest caused by demonic signs appearing throughout the continent. The aftermath of such a conclusion would be unimaginable.

However, it was the Holy Empire that initially insisted on proceeding with the hero selection process.

“The Holy Sword.”

As that voice fell into the conference room, the noisy discussion immediately gave way to silence.

Of course, they were all senior officials capable of raising their voices in such a setting. But the authority of the person who had just spoken was supreme in this gathering.

“If you examine the records, it states that ‘the sword harms all who touch it except the hero.’ The fact that Elia Krisanax survived after grasping it means he is indeed this generation’s hero. Offering that opportunity to another candidate would only result in their death.”

“…”

In a situation where the Holy Empire objectively lacks the resources compared to the Empire and doesn’t possess the exceptional technology of the Tribal Union, there was only one person who served as the “balancing force” between these nations.

The absolute ruler and dictator of the Holy Empire.

The most powerful priest in history. The Pope.

“…”

“…”

Befitting his authority, everyone in the room remained silent.

As if every word he uttered was truth itself.

It was a scene that instantly demonstrated the level of authority the Pope wielded within the Holy Empire.

Compared to the fractured state of the Empire, his control was truly overwhelming.

“But the fact remains that there was no ‘radiance,’ the proof of ownership… There are two possible explanations.”

The Pope continued with a subtle smile.

“The hero himself has a ‘defect.’ Logically, this is the most likely possibility. Since this is historically unprecedented, it’s difficult to deduce what that might be…”

That was probably the possibility everyone was considering. After all, it’s hard to believe there would be an issue with a sacred artifact that has functioned properly for nearly a thousand years.

But those in the room weren’t foolish enough to miss that the Pope had mentioned “two” possibilities.

It meant there was another path beyond the obvious explanation.

“And secondly—”

The Pope twisted his lips into a smile.

“—someone has stolen the qualification through a ‘butterfly effect’.”

“…Pardon? Butterfly effect…?”

“What does that mean…?”

To such bewildered questions from around him,

The Pope continued with a meaningful smile.

“…It means there’s likely someone who has stolen the ‘hardship’ that was originally meant for the hero.”

Enough to cause a “malfunction” in the Holy Sword that recognizes only one master.

While everyone wore puzzled expressions, the Pope quietly rested his chin on his hand and closed his eyes.

‘…Soon.’

The beginning of the ‘Red Night’ that the Luminary had informed him about wasn’t far off.

And in such a situation,

A massive variable that would twist all plans had arrived for those who tried to prepare.

‘What do you plan to do now, Darwood Campbell?’

Without a doubt.

As the Luminary had said, this would surely be an ‘entertaining spectacle’ to watch.

●

“…Haaaaaah…”

[…Will the ground cave in if you sigh like that?]

Despite Calivan’s reproach, I really couldn’t help it.

I must have been completely out of my mind to wander aimlessly outside for dozens of minutes before coming back in.

Even though I should be devising solutions rather than wasting time like this.

“This is really bad…”

Faynol Leiphec’s rampage is scheduled for tomorrow. Without Elia to handle it, we’re definitely in trouble.

“…”

And it’s not just that simple problem.

Elia Krisanax = protagonist = hero is a core element that runs through the entire game.

Even if we somehow get past this chapter, everything that follows will inevitably be distorted.

“…”

The problem is, I don’t even know why this happened.

[…Really?]

“…What is it?”

I sighed in response to Calivan’s strange tone, and he continued with what seemed like a tilted head.

[No, are you sure you don’t know?]

“…”

[Somehow you seem rather calm for someone who’s been completely blindsided?]

“…I don’t know.”

I trailed off as I opened my room door.

Regardless of the situation, I can’t just give up and die.

None of the previous chapters went according to my plans anyway. This time too, I’ll have to survive by using every card I have left.

With that thought, I entered my room and immediately froze.

“…”

“…”

The figure sitting on my bed swung their legs playfully.

They had bunched up my blanket behind them as support, hugging my pillow against their chest, looking like a girlfriend who had come to visit her boyfriend’s place, ready to say “You’re finally back?”

Of course.

I know better than anyone that this person isn’t someone who would appreciate such fluffy sentiments.

“You.”

I finally spoke after a long silence.

It took quite some time to form a sentence because I was so dumbfounded.

“What are you doing here?”

“Hmm.”

In contrast to my low, cracked voice, the other person responded cheerfully.

“Paying a friendly visit?”

The masked woman.

The Luminary.

She sat on my bed, snickering.

●

“How did you—”

“—get in here, how come no one knows, and what business do I have? Let’s skip those mundane questions. Given our relationship, you know?”

“…”

“Ignoring me? How boring. Are you anxious because Elia Krisanax couldn’t become the hero?”

I close my eyes and quietly sigh.

“…Is this your doing?”

“Darwood Campbell.”

In that moment.

Her demeanor changes completely.

Though I can’t see her expression beneath the mask, that ‘malice’ I felt when I met her before rises sharply.

“You know, don’t you? That this wasn’t my doing. I have no interest in such insects.”

Her bewitching voice seeps into my ears.

“Pretending not to know something you already understand is rather unsightly. Is that appropriate for someone of your caliber?”

“…”

“It happened because of you.”

“…”

The malice.

It permeates the air thickly.

“Your very existence is a variable that ‘originally’ shouldn’t exist in this world. The cause of all the distortion happening in this world right now is the butterfly effect you’ve created. Isn’t that right?”

“…”

“Because ‘you’ have taken all the trials that Elia Krisanax was supposed to experience. While his ‘temperament’ is undoubtedly that of a hero, the ‘caliber’ of his soul falls far short of wielding the Holy Sword. He’s become someone far too inadequate to fulfill his originally assigned destiny.”

“…”

“Ah, of course, I don’t mean to blame you. You were just doing your best to survive, right? There’s no need to feel guilty and deny it.”

Her words seem to accurately expose what’s in my mind.

My deductions about the current situation.

I always think this.

This person knows a lot about me.

Excessively so.

“…”

So I don’t refute and just quietly observe her.

If my thoughts about her identity are correct,

Then she would know ‘everything’ about me.

She would easily perceive what I’m thinking right now.

“So. Is there a way to overcome the current situation? The Red Demon’s awakening is imminent, isn’t it?”

“…”

“This time you’re truly cornered. Haven’t you been driven by the sole purpose of putting the Holy Sword in Elia Krisanax’s hands until now?”

To be honest.

Nothing comes to mind immediately.

The other Demonic Vessels are also close at hand, but to suppress a rampaging three-piece vessel, they would need to rampage as well to have any restraining power. It’s like setting off a bomb to extinguish a fire—completely counterproductive.

“…So. Did you come to mock me?”

“No.”

She answered with a grin.

“I came to propose a deal.”

“…A deal? With you?”

I don’t understand what this person, who has endangered my life countless times, is saying.

As I glared at her with that thought, she rolled around on my bed and continued.

“Ah- ah- so cruel- I’ve been showing you nothing but goodwill all this time.”

“…”

“That’s why I sent the Talker during your trial, right? To protect you.”

“…”

“And who do you think postponed the Red Demon’s awakening by a day, which was originally supposed to happen ‘today’?”

“…”

I close my mouth and slowly look at her.

Meanwhile, she stretched on my bed and continued.

“I promise. It won’t be a bad proposition for you.”

“…Spit it out. Though I won’t agree to it.”

At my words, she smiled broadly.

Her smile was clearly visible even beneath the mask.

“Well then.”

She continued in a flat voice.

“Let’s have sex, shall we?”

“…”

After a long silence.

After a very long silence.

I finally managed to open my mouth.

“…What?”

“No, don’t tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about? Procreation, procreation. Let’s make a baby—”

“Wait. Shut up.”

I grab my throbbing head and take a deep breath.

It was a necessary choice because I felt dizzy from hyperventilating for a moment.

“What nonsense is this?”

“Hmm, you really are weak to this kind of thing. For someone who seduces so many women, you’re surprisingly vulnerable to lewd talk, aren’t you?”

“…”

“Don’t make such a scary face. It’s just a joke. A joke, okay?”

“…”

It didn’t seem like it.

She seemed serious enough to accept it if I had agreed.

While I was thinking that, the Luminary spoke again.

“You know, Mr. Darwood.”

Her voice was as light as when she was saying that crazy thing earlier.

But the content was anything but.

“Shall we kill the Grey Demon together?”

Those words.

They dropped so casually.

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