Ultimate Dilemma ③

Pope Dustin's Perspective

Move from the collapsed structure into the inner sanctum of the well-fortified cathedral.

A stronghold built to serve as the final refuge during the invasion of the Holy Kingdom of Saint Aleyus.

The enemy is the enemy, so such defenses are little more than consolation, but better than nothing.

Sir Schrein, Lady Suresia, and Lady Carnatia, daughter of the ducal family.

We have taken refuge with these three, and now wait for the two who pursued the attackers to return.

Additionally, a female Guard accompanies us.

She sits on the sofa, elbow propped, expression weary.

Does not appear to be performing her duty.

Yet, this is likely a display of confidence—she possesses the capability to handle most situations, even while relaxed.

Her true identity was a dragon under the command of the Black Dragon.

An ancient dragon.

A moment passed. The door was knocked. Before I could respond, a voice answered from within, louder than mine.

The door opened in response.

"Neia. At least lock the damn thing."

The complaint came from a large man.

"Does it matter? I'm not going to be locked out."

The woman replied without remorse, voice dull.

"Stop fighting."

The genderless figure stepped in to calm the large man, whose veins strained visibly.

"Was he eliminated?"

I immediately checked whether the prior assailant had been subdued.

"No. He got away."

"Disgraceful."

"Whatever."

The large man glared at the woman. The genderless figure restrained him.

They vanished during the pursuit. Not through teleportation. That was likely a summoning. Ariel must have summoned them and brought them to her side.

I see. In that case, pursuit is impossible.

Summoning is a skill that simulates teleportation.

It has the constraint of only being able to reach the summoner’s location. But with application, it can be used for evasion, as in this case.

If Ariel summoned them, their destination is the elven village.

It is impossible to follow them to a place so distant.

Lord Schrein, you have not met them before. Allow me to introduce them. These are the three ancient dragons under the Black Dragon’s command.

Hmm. They appear human now, but their true forms are dragons. I am the Fire Dragon, Gen. Treat me accordingly.

I am the Ice Dragon, Neia.

I am the Shadow Dragon, Rayce. The other ancient dragons are strong, so if anything arises, rely on me.

"Speak of the devil, you piece of rotten flesh."

"Kukuku."

Hearing the ancient dragons' self-introductions, Sir Schrein and the others rise.

"Schrein Zagan Anarait."

"...Sulucia."

"Karnatia Seli Anabard."

Hearing Schrein's group introduce themselves, Lord Gen nods with calm composure.

"Hmph. Hero and his sister. And wife, I assume."

"Wife!?!"

"...What?"

Sulucia's voice sharpens with menace at Gen's final words. Karnatia lets out a startled cry.

"Hm? Misjudged?"

"...Yes. You are mistaken."

Schrein shifts uncomfortably as he clarifies Karnatia is not his wife.

Sulucia's expression settles into quiet satisfaction. Karnatia's face twists with subtle dissatisfaction.

Ah.

Schrein seems predisposed to attract female affection.

It might have been amusing to observe from afar had this not been an emergency. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

"Since we have both introduced ourselves, let us discuss what comes next."

"Indeed."

Lord Guen stood with arms crossed, maintaining a listening posture.

Lady Reise leaned against the wall near the door.

They are likely on guard against another assault.

The puppet-taratect known as Ael, a subordinate of Lady Ariel who attacked me earlier, has already been recalled to Lady Ariel’s side through summoning. There should be no further attack.

Still, vigilance is prudent.

I can no longer afford to die.

Now. I believe I have explained our division into two factions. For convenience, those acting to save the goddess shall be called the Divine Faction—Lady Ariel and her allies. Those acting to save humanity shall be called the Human Faction—us. There are two critical junctures in the conflict between the Divine and Human Factions. The first is the battle between the Black Dragon and Shiro. You may find it clearer to refer to them as the Young Leaf. This battle between two deities—our intervention is impossible.

We cannot reach the battlefield of these two, even if we wished. Their power is too far beyond ours. To attempt intervention would only be a hindrance.

This battle between the two deities determines the outcome of the conflict between the Divine and Human Factions. Yet we possess no means to intervene.

But we cannot simply sit and watch. There is another critical phase—preventing the system collapse.

The system collapse that Shiro is attempting to initiate.

To accomplish this, the key must be unlocked using the Sovereign Authority.

The mechanism that triggers system collapse—essentially a self-destruct switch.

Activating this switch requires Sovereign Skill Fourteen, and all its Sovereign Authorities.

Naturally, since I possess one of them, gathering all is impossible.

Yet Shiro appears to have forcibly broken through this barrier.

"But the legitimate key remains in my possession. Therefore, re-locking the system is possible."

In other words, if the key can be re-secured, the system collapse that the Divine Faction seeks to trigger can be prevented.

It is precisely because I hold Sovereign Authority that I am the decisive countermeasure against the Divine Faction.

That is precisely why I cannot die.

Through the power of the Restraint Skill, I can reincarnate while retaining my memories—even after death.

Thus, fear of death has long been absent.

The weight of needing to survive—this pressure—has not been felt since before I stabilized the Divine Doctrine as an organization.

I never thought I would come to fear death again.

If I die now, everything I have built will be lost.

To save the human race.

That has been my sole purpose.

To end without fulfilling even that.

That is unacceptable.

"I will now prepare and proceed to secure the key. … Likely, the more keys secured, the higher the probability of preventing system collapse."

"So you're saying you want me to come along?"

I shake my head in response to Schrein’s words.

"Truthfully, yes. But this is not something to decide lightly. The lock on the key likely requires the will of its owner. If Lord Schrein does not wish it, the key will not respond."

No proof exists.

Yet a sensation persists: a firm, unyielding will is necessary to secure the key.

"Therefore, whether you accompany me or not—this decision rests solely with Lord Schrein."

Lord Schrein listened to my words and lowered his gaze.

The burden of the world’s fate had suddenly fallen upon him.

An immediate answer was impossible.

Indeed, I did not wish for a decision made without hesitation.

The fate of this world is not so easily resolved.

"It will not be a decision made quickly. Our preparations cannot be completed instantly either. Use the time in between to consider. But treat the delay as no more than a few days."

I do not wish for an immediate answer, yet I cannot afford her the time to deliberate extensively.

The Black Dragon is fighting even now.

"Target: the deepest level of the Elro Great Labyrinth. The innermost chamber. The place where the Goddess is sealed."

Regardless of the answer Schrein may give, that location will be the site of the final confrontation.