第３９２堀：神と神の対話 元凶我にあり (Part2)
"The scale is different, after all. You aren't just dealing with your own nation, but the nations of the world. It is impossible to imagine a path without sacrifice. I would not blame you for reaching that conclusion. However, where are the Heroes of the Holy Sword now? Since they have cores embedded within them, they are not undead, but living, are they not?"
"...You were aware of even that?"
"Indeed. My technical prowess may not have reached the level of that genius Comet, but I have always gathered information. I understand why you grew desperate regarding the state of the world. Yet, I am pleased to see you sheathe your sword and agree to talk like this. I know your temperament, after all. The stage you were truly meant to stand upon is one of peace. Such turmoil as this is better suited for me."
"Unfortunately, the former Heroes are currently guarding the Hifi Holy Kingdom, which we have vacated. I had considered having them escort us here, but since you, Noble, went to the trouble of inviting us, I figured you wouldn't do anything underhanded. Above all, even if she lacks a sense of self, the genius Comet remains as she is, even as an undead."
"...It would seem so. Such tremendous magical power. One would expect nothing less from the genius who forged the Holy Swords."
Noble stared at Comet as he said this.
...Comet remained expressionless, but inwardly, she was likely feeling quite disgusted at being scrutinized from head to toe by a man.
"Now, Lord Noble. You mentioned that this turmoil is 'suited' for you, but is the true intent behind this invitation as stated in that letter?"
As I cut to the chase, Lord Noble nodded without a moment's hesitation.
"That is correct. I intend to resolve the problems of this world. But, as I said, my own technical capabilities are inferior to what Comet left behind. That is precisely why, if I could cooperate with Lady Hifi and Lady Comet, we could save the world with greater certainty. Do you not agree? Naturally, I shall conduct the wars. I would like Lady Hifi to focus on the peace and security of the nation in the rear. The people are the greatest treasure, and I believe that protecting their tranquility is not a matter of military force, but of the power of healing—in other words, a role suited for Lady Hifi."
"...You haven't changed. No, you have. In the past, I felt you placed much more importance on fighting."
"...I suppose so. At the time, I believed that handling everything on my own was the way to answer the gods' wishes, and I was quite conceited. As a result, I lost almost everything in the Demon King's War. That is why I desperately accumulated power until I came to possess a country, just like you."
...Wait.
He lost almost everything in the Demon King's War?
In other words, the current Noble was forged by the aftermath of that war?
Well, I suppose I am the same, but after Comet was struck down, I also became quite self-destructive.
In other words... As I thought this and turned my face toward Comet, she looked away.
Was your lack of information transmission the root cause of all this!?
This is terrible. How am I supposed to report this to Yuki-san?
Am I supposed to say, "Noble worked so hard and ended up like this because of Comet"?
That is a guaranteed ticket to a punishment game, for sure!
No, stay calm.
Nothing has happened yet.
If we capture Noble ourselves and get our stories straight, the consequences won't reach us.
Yes, we just need to make sure that only Noble ends up in a miserable situation.
"What do you say? For the sake of the world's future, will you cooperate?"
"...However."
However, how are we supposed to capture Noble ourselves?
We have to capture and persuade—no, brainwash—him without Yuki-san and the others finding out.
Should we take him down all at once right here?
No, Kirika-san and the others are surely watching, and there is a possibility that the people of Ex could be put in danger.
"I understand your hesitation. You may be worried about clashing with the students of the genius Comet, such as Lady Popuri. But you need not worry about that. Before Lady Hifi and the others arrived, I had already brought Lady Popuri and her group into the fold. They were unaware of things like magical exhaustion, and once I explained the situation, they promised to cooperate fully. They do not believe you are still alive. I will introduce you later, so please, feel free to reminisce to your heart's content. You can give me your answer after that."
"...Is that so?"
Good, I've bought some time.
Conveniently, since I can talk to Popuri-san, I might be able to drag her into this problem as well.
"However, this is a matter upon which the survival of the world rests. I pray for a favorable reply."
Before the world is at stake, Comet and I are going to be rendered incapacitated by a punishment game!!
If Taizo-san sees any more of my shameful behavior, I... I...
I absolutely must strangle—no, persuade—Noble with my own hands.
"Officer, this is the culprit!"
That is the kind of situation this is.
And so, Hifi and the others begin moving on their own to destroy the evidence.
All to avoid the punishment game!!
Some have asked why the story is so long, but as for that—well, the outcome is obvious, but if I only wrote that, I would get thoughtless opinions calling it "convenient writing." That is why I wrote it out properly to show the process. It isn't that things ended easily and conveniently, but that they drew the outcome toward them through their own efforts. I wanted to write about how the Yuki side, the Hifi side, and the Noble side were all just desperately working toward their own goals.
Well, it’s already veered into gag territory, so now... don't laugh, okay? Seriously, don't laugh.