One hundred and eighty-three people are garbage.

While hesitating on what to do, the situation shifted.

A figure resembling a general stepped forward from the Outsu side.

A swift leap onto a horse—no, wait, what is that?

A qilin?

Something akin to that mythical beast appeared, leaping into the space between the opposing forces, mounted atop the creature.

"I am the king of Outsu, Gushuisk Emela Outsu!"

Ah.

Loud voice.

Some kind of skill effect—his declaration echoed across the entire battlefield.

Like a scene from a film. Slight excitement.

"Thou who brought calamity upon my nation, worshipping the beast as a divine creature, and even offering my own people as sacrifices to that monster—heretics, your sins merit ten thousand deaths!"

Wait—what?

What?

Is that old man saying I'm supposed to be the sacrifice?

No, I understand it’s a stretch—but what about the old man initiating contact?

You’re just going to ignore that completely?

Brief speech, but resonating deeply, amplified by a thunderous roar.

The soldiers of Ootsu Nation stir with fervor.

They shout in unison, but due to distance and the chaotic dispersion of such a large group, individual voices remain indistinguishable.

Not that I care to identify them.

The number of actual meaningful words being shouted is unclear.

Honestly, most are just screaming.

Then, cutting through the excitement of the Ootsu Alliance, a single commander emerges from the Salyera Nation.

This one rides a creature unlike the one the Ootsu king rides.

Wings spread across a coat of white fur.

Wait, that's literally a Pegasus.

As expected of D.

Knows how to hold back when needed.

"I am King Ziggs El Salyera of the Salyera Nation!"

The king announces himself, young!

Who is that nobleman with the white horse? So perfectly suited.

The king of Ootsu was the type to appear as a stern, disciplined warrior. But this king of Salyera resembles a prince from a storybook.

Hmm.

I prefer the king of Ootsu, to be honest.

"Servants of the Divine Word! Your narrow-minded arrogance—calling us heretics with your limited vision! The sin of harming the sacred beast, a divine creature who heals our people and judges the wicked! Even if the merciful goddess forgives, we shall strike down with the iron hammer of judgment!"

Ah, ah.

Not necessary.

I didn't ask for that kind of thing.

"Absurd! That spirit which venerates monsters is nothing but heresy! Return to the divine spirit of the Divine Word and begin anew in the next life!"

Hm.

That's what you say.

Feh.

"Unaware of the goddess's mercy, you waste your life on such delusions as the Divine Word! Are not you the ones who follow a heresy!?"

Hold on.

"Mockery! There is only one god in the world—the god of the Divine Word! The goddess is a mere fantasy! Have you ever heard the voice of the goddess!?"

"No. But the goddess's will is always watching over us! Our mission is to respond to that will!"

"Is that not the same as standing shoulder to shoulder with monsters!?"

"They are good neighbors! What is wrong with trusting one's neighbors!?"

"Because they are monsters!"

"Then what is it that you now entrust your body to!?"

"This is merely a tool!"

"That is mere nonsense! Humans and monsters shall join hands, and together with the goddess who is to descend, they shall annihilate the demon clan! That is the promised holy war! That is the goddess’s salvation!"

Huh?

"Demons and demon clans are both creatures of evil! They can never be understood!"

"Demons and demon clans are not the same!"

"Same thing! They both harm humanity! No further debate needed! All of you, punish these pitiful heretics!"

"Face your doom! Receive the goddess’s mercy, you fools misled by a false god!"

Both armies raise war cries and begin advancing.

Ah.

There is nothing to be done.

Yes.

I knew this would happen.

I knew it, but seeing it unfold before me, anger gives way to utter disbelief.

The goddess cult—she couldn’t possibly desire this.

The goddess descending to destroy the demon clan?

That is impossible. It will never happen.

The goddess struggled to the very end, even for demons beyond salvation.

The Church of the Divine Word—this is hopeless.

From gathering information in the city, I’ve learned a little about what the Church of the Divine Word truly is.

Essentially, it is a religion that worships the Heavenly Voice (hypothetical) as the voice of the divine.

Its teachings centered on raising skills and levels in order to hear the Heavenly Voice (hypothetical) more frequently.

The origin is understandable.

Someone long ago must have turned skill progression into a religion.

That person likely believed in the divine more than anyone else.

But judging from what I’ve seen now, that belief has become distorted.

The complete rejection of the Goddess Cult is proof enough.

The intentions of the one who started this war are clear.

To the Church of the Divine Word, the Goddess Cult was an obstacle.

So they destroyed it.

Why?

It’s obvious.

The Goddess Cult is correct in part.

The Divine Word Church does not wish to spread that truth.

It would conflict with their interests.

Hmph.

Trash.

Knowing that, they prioritize themselves.

How else would you call this but trash?

The Goddess Cult, having forgotten the true intent of the Goddess.

The Divine Word Church, sacrificing truth to preserve itself.

Both are trash.

Well, which one is more trash is already decided.

The Ouksu Kingdom is unfortunate.

Used as bait to destroy the Goddess Cult, fighting a war unaware of the truth.

Perhaps it's their own fault for lacking intelligence.

A nation should manage its own affairs properly.

Is it impossible for a small nation to do so?

If so, I sympathize.

I sympathize, but I will not show mercy.

The Divine Word Church may be necessary evil to the world, but I do not like their existence.

Therefore, I will crush them.