Ultimate Dilemma ②

Demon Lord's Perspective

"Is that so."

Hearing the report from Fermina-chan, who had arrived panting from a full sprint, the only words I could utter were these.

Fermina-chan, trained in stealth by Shiro-chan, had run at full speed—unusually, to the point of exhaustion—to deliver the latest intelligence.

Therefore, I must act immediately in reward for her efforts.

Yet my mind refused to shift gears.

I had believed I had long since made my peace with this outcome. But now, face to face with the moment, I am so thoroughly unsettled.

No matter how many years I have lived, I am still just a child, and this truth strikes me with clarity.

Yet I must accept it.

The path I walk—alongside Guriel and the Pope, Dustin—is set here.

My relationship with Guriel and Dustin has spanned years.

The relationship was not one of complete companionship, but I believed I had maintained a balanced, detached rapport with Potimas—neither too close nor too distant, reasonably stable.

Conflicts arose occasionally due to differences in strategy.

Yet, because our ultimate objectives remained clear to both parties, a definitive break had not occurred.

But that, too, ends here.

“Ael.”

To conceal the complexity of my emotions, I focused on maintaining a flat, neutral tone as I continued the mental transmission.

The recipient was Ael, my subordinate stationed as liaison with Dustin.

“Kill the Pope.”

A command issued.

There is no turning back now.

No.

The moment Guriel laid hands on Shiro, the path had already been sealed.

The trigger had already been pulled.

And my order now accelerates the inevitable.

I had still believed there was time—until now.

We intended to make the most of the given leeway, Sophia and I.

Yet, Lady D did not approve of it.

Once set in motion, the current cannot be reversed.

It will erupt as a torrent, triggering the final battle of this world.

If so, the most efficient course is to have the troublesome Dustin exit here.

Under normal circumstances, killing Dustyn holds no significant meaning.

He inherits memory upon death due to the effect of the self-restraint ability, a skill among dominion abilities.

Several years passed between death and reincarnation.

Even if several years must pass before the body fully matures, the Church of Divine Words has maintained the void left by Dustin’s absence, sustaining the world in a stable condition.

The gap left by Dustin is never small, but it is not so vast as to be unfillable.

It was clear from Potimas's inability to dismantle the Divine Word Church thus far.

The situation remains unchanged whether Dustin is present or not.

But this time is different.

If Dustin were to disappear now, the Divine Word Church would collapse into a disorganized mob.

Moreover, it would create a vacancy in the Dominance Skill's authority.

One of the key authorities responsible for system collapse could be rendered vacant.

It does not grant an advantage directly—since we cannot claim it ourselves—but it does equalize an unfavorable situation.

Therefore, eliminating Dustin at this moment is optimal.

However, the opposing side must understand this as well.

"If you determine it's impossible, withdraw immediately."

An additional instruction delivered to Ael.

It is unlikely that Dustin would be without precautions.

Ael is the second strongest among my retainers, after Queen Talatekt.

Still, it's hard to believe he'd fall behind. But with Gurye stationed at their camp, optimism is unwarranted.

Gurye's presence there means the dragonkin and draconic beings loyal to her are also aligned with their faction.

Among them, the Ancient Dragons are particularly difficult to contend with.

Each Ancient Dragon is a master of their respective element—undoubtedly superior to Ael.

If they serve as Dustin's Guard, assassination is certain to fail.

This is all Dustin is capable of.

With Shiro—the space mage—absent, we face an absolute barrier of distance.

Considering the distance from the elven village where we now stand to Saint Aleyus, the headquarters of the Divine Word Church where Dustin resides, issuing even a single command to Ael is our maximum capacity.

Whether Ael succeeds or fails, we must act as well.

“About Shiro—there’s nothing we can do but leave it to her.”

This is beyond our intervention.

Given the circumstances witnessed by Fermina, Shiro and Gurye are engaged in combat somewhere we cannot access.

We cannot determine where the teleportation led.

It may not even be within the real world.

Even if they are fighting in the real world, searching for them across this vast expanse is impractical.

We must trust Shiro.

Then, what remains for us to do?

“…Right. Then, let’s go.”

“Where?”

Lars, who had been silent, speaks for the group.

“Obvious. We bring the remaining holders of Dominator Skills here. First, the one right there—Miss Okazaki.”

The Dominator Skill holders are key.

To dismantle the system we aim to disrupt.

Conversely, it could be said that holders of Dominator Skills possess the means to lock it.

Thus, this conflict becomes a preliminary battle over which faction secures more Dominator Skill holders.

Currently, there are three such holders unaligned with either side.

Miss Okazaki, whom Shiro reveres as a teacher.

Yamada-kun, the Hero.

And Princess Syrilis, Yamada-kun’s sister, who appears to have acquired a Dominator Skill as well.

After the discussion concluded, Shiro left abruptly. At that time, he made a remark along these lines.

He said he would take Yamada-kun to meet Princess Syrilis. Therefore, Yamada-kun is likely located in the Holy Aelius Church Kingdom, where Princess Syrilis resides.

Based on what I’ve heard from Fernina, Yamada-kun hasn’t returned yet.

That means two individuals with Dominator Skills are now under Dustin’s control.

Shiro-chan.

Got you…

If Yamada-kun and Princess Suresia are both at Dustin’s side, it’s safe to assume they’ve been assimilated into his faction.

Therefore, we must secure the remaining individual—Okazaki-san—at all costs.

Use any means necessary. Persuade. Manipulate. Break them.

If that fails, ensure they don’t become enemies.

Shiro-chan is said to be the reincarnated benefactor of her past life. I’d prefer not to resort to harsh measures, but if required, I won’t hesitate.

This is a battle that will decide the fate of the world.

Sentimentality is no longer an option.

So, Guriel, Dustin.

Prepare yourselves.

I have made my decision.