Ultimate Dilemma⑤
Balto's Perspective
"What in the world is going on...?"
I hung my head in the conference room.
At a time when the Demon Lord was on campaign, an unprecedented event had occurred.
No wonder I felt like lowering my head.
"How should I know what's going on?"
Sarnatria sighed, her voice tinged with exasperation and something like confusion, shrugging her shoulders.
Other legion commanders were present, though not many.
The previous war had claimed several, and others accompanied the Demon Lord on his expedition.
Only four remained here, including me.
Sarnatria, commander of the Second Legion.
Kogou, commander of the Third Legion.
Dorado, commander of the Fifth Legion.
And me.
The topic of this meeting, of course, was the sudden appearance of a phrase known as a World Quest.
What does it mean, "defeat the Demon God or cooperate"?
What even is a World Quest?
This shouldn't be possible. Not even in the long history of the Demon Clan has such a thing occurred.
"…Let me hear everyone's opinions."
I managed to force out those words, head lowered.
"Opinions? There's too little information. We don't even know what's going on. Debating won't yield any answers."
Sarnatria speaks the most reasonable opinion.
Exactly so.
"World Quest activated. Either prevent the Demon God's plan—designing to sacrifice humanity to avert the world's collapse—or cooperate."
A voice suddenly appeared, but frankly, I have no idea what it means.
From the investigation, it appears every Demon Clan member heard the same message.
Not every Demon Clan member was interrogated, so this phenomenon might be limited to the area around the Demon Lord's castle.
It is possible the Demons heard it, but the Humans did not.
Yet investigating this immediately is not feasible.
Even if we investigate, it is unclear whether progress will follow.
More pressing: who is the Devourer of Gods?
Whether to stop it or cooperate with it, the method remains unknown.
With only this phrasing, nothing can be determined.
Too many unknowns. No clear path forward.
Perhaps the Demon Lord would know...
But such an event occurring during the Demon Lord's absence—timing could not be worse.
"Even if we do not understand, something must be done. The populace is in disarray."
Even I cannot comprehend the meaning.
The common people, equally bewildered, are lost.
Not a few among them harbor anxiety.
It stems solely from the unsettling nature of the so-called World Quest.
After barely concluding a great war with the human race, this situation.
At worst, the fear could ignite long-suppressed resentment, provoking mob violence.
The populace already resents the impractical conscription and the subsequent war.
That resistance was held in check only by absolute terror of the Demon Lord.
Now that the Demon Lord is absent, even a minor provocation could trigger a breakdown.
To prevent such an outcome, the government must issue some form of official statement regarding the upcoming World Quest.
"Even if I say that, we don’t understand anything ourselves. We can’t just make something up. And we can’t simply say 'we know nothing'—that would be foolish."
"...Indeed."
That very statement could become the spark.
They might say the government is incompetent.
But since we truly understand nothing, perhaps that assessment is accurate.
……“Cogou, is there nothing?”
“Eh!? Ah… Sorry. I don’t understand complicated things like that…”
Expected nothing, yet as anticipated—Cogou has no viable solution.
“Darado?”
“Mmm. In peacetime, this matter should be left to the Demon Lord’s command. But that is not possible now.”
Arms crossed, Darado ponders.
Darado is a staunch believer in the Demon Lord’s supremacy, but aside from that, he excels in both martial and scholarly pursuits.
Even he cannot make a decision immediately.
That applies to me as well…
“Still, as Lord Balt said, we cannot simply do nothing. We must publicly declare the matter is under investigation and suppress any widespread panic.”
……“That may be the most practical course.”
It will only buy time, but we can at least demonstrate that an investigation is underway.
It won’t resolve all dissatisfaction, but some effect is likely.
“Increase patrols throughout the city and enforce a heightened state of alert.”
“But if we increase patrols too much, won’t that just provoke more anxiety?”
“True. …No, let’s send soldiers to each household under the pretense of interviews. We must verify whether everyone has heard the statement.”
“Indeed. That way, soldiers will naturally appear throughout the city.”
“Ah. We can also inform them simultaneously that an investigation is currently underway.”
Thanks to Dalaro’s proposal, the general course of action is now taking shape.
It won’t resolve the root issue, but it should at least suppress disorder within the city for now.
"Shall the execution be entrusted to the Second Army?"
"Yes."
"Provided that this area is handled, what of the other towns?"
" Ideally, we would address those as well, but manpower is insufficient. At best, we can dispatch a single swift rider to each town."
"Hmm. Then the Fifth Army shall assume that duty."
"Appreciated."
The decisions are made in rapid succession.
Before the meeting began, no clear path was apparent. Yet, a viable course for immediate concerns has been established.
...One individual, nearly a statue seated in place, remains uninvolved.
"The core issue remains: we have no understanding of what this World Quest truly is."
"Indeed."
Likely, it is divine revelation.
If so, its significance is immeasurable.
We cannot simply ignore it due to ignorance.
"Hmm. What to do about it..."
A sigh escaped before the complaint formed.
That moment.
"World Quest Sequence 1. Initiating Taboo installation across all humanity."
"……What!?! Ah! Gah!?!"
Once again, the sudden words echoed.
Before comprehension could set in, a surge of headache overwhelmed, forcing collapse onto the desk.
Unable to endure the sensation, as if scalding water were being poured directly into the skull, consciousness faded.
A kind god, offering truth to those who know nothing, with gentle intent.