Ultimate Dilemma ⑥

Lars (Kyuya)’s perspective

The divine word reached their ears.

It appears a Taboo has been installed in all humanity within this world.

Yes... um, yeah...

Ariel lets out a sound, caught between confusion and a slackened expression.

We had timed our intervention to coincide with the transmigrants’ discussion, but the situation had already deteriorated beyond the point of negotiation.

The reincarnated ones huddled with hands clutching their heads, or lay unconscious—miserable in their state.

“Ugghh!”

On the opposite side of me, separated by Ariel, Sophia was rolling on the floor, clutching her head.

Not a single fragment of elegance.

When pressed to the wall, a human reveals their true nature.

Then this sprawling, writhing form of Sophia’s… no more of that.

Melazofis, who would normally rush to Sophia’s side when she is in distress, instead rests a hand on her head and leans against the wall.

Fermiina’s form is invisible.

Perhaps she concealed herself, unwilling to show her suffering.

Regardless, only two remain unharmed here: myself and Ariel, as the Taboo had already reached its maximum limit.

As for Ariel, she stands motionless.

A face that matches the sound effect of "sniff."

She had arrived with determination, pushing her weakened body—severely depleted from battle with Potimas—only to face this state.

Such a reaction is unavoidable.

It is unbearable.

Yet, this state cannot be left unaddressed.

"Me and Shiro’s subordinate—also failed?"

Fermiina has vanished. Shiro’s subordinates are likely all dead.

A human who has fully mastered the Taboo skill is unlikely to exist.

Achieving the Taboo skill itself is difficult without performing extraordinary actions; reaching mastery is not something ordinary individuals can accomplish.

Even Sophia and Melazofis did not fully master the Taboo, so among the remaining personnel in this elven village, only I and Ariel remain unharmed.

And I cannot rely on Ariel, weakened as she is, to care for everyone.

That means I must care for this large group alone...

There is no alternative.

Given Jun’s situation—mastering the Taboo mid-battle and remaining unconscious until the conflict ended—everyone is likely to be incapacitated for about a day.

Leaving them lying on the floor is not acceptable. At minimum, they must be moved to beds.

"Ariel, you return to the others. I’ll handle this side."

"Ah, right. Before that—Aelru!"

Ariel shouts toward the outside.

In the next instant, a girl in maid attire lands near the door.

She appears to be Ariel’s subordinate.

Likely responsible for the assassination attempt on the Pope, which failed.

She escaped by being summoned here.

Parts of her maid uniform are burned—likely from the fire ancient dragon guarding the Pope.

"Ael, assist Lars."

Nods silently. Follows Ariel’s instruction.

Honestly, helpful.

Was beginning to think it’d be too much to manage this mess alone.

"Take care."

Nods again, silently. Ael complies.

Her survival is not due to having a fixed Taboo, but because she does not fall within the definition of 'humanity'.

She is a puppet, a creature born from Ariel’s egg-laying skill, and a subordinate of Ariel.

She appears as a girl, but her outer form is a doll.

Her core is a small spider-like monster, manipulating the human-shaped doll from within using threads.

Upon reaching this conclusion, a sudden realization dawns.

Monsters can move freely, as they did earlier.

Likely, only the top figures on both sides—Ariel, the Pope—can move with full functionality.

Because only these two possess a fixed Taboo.

Everyone else is an exception, like me.

Yes, I am an exception.

Whether or not I, a demon, qualify as human is uncertain. Regardless, I am able to move because I have a fixed Taboo.

And there is an exception in the Pope’s camp too!

The ancient dragon—an exception that pushed back Ariel!

If those beings know of Ariel’s weakening, would they miss this perfect opportunity, where both sides are paralyzed?

“Ariel, wait!”

I call out to Ariel, who is turning to leave.

I relay my earlier thought.

“...Possibility exists.”

“Yes. So please, stay by my side.”

“Got it.”

Right now, only I and Ariel are capable of combat.

Sophia collapsed, thrashing until she struck her head on the doorframe and lost consciousness.

Melazophis leans against the wall, unconscious.

All the reincarnated ones are unconscious.

“Given the circumstances, immediate assault seems unlikely. For now, we should...”

I was about to suggest carrying him to the bed when I sensed a presence approaching at high speed.

It came straight from the north, moving in a direct line toward us.

Fast.

Unnaturally fast!

"Seems my concerns were justified."

This speed—no ordinary dragon.

I cannot determine the exact nature, but it surpasses even my speed before the Rage was activated!

"Ariel, step back. Ael, please look after Ariel-sama."

I spoke and launched myself forward.

Fighting someone with this much power, I cannot expect no collateral damage.

We must begin the battle somewhere slightly removed from this place, where everyone is asleep.

I feared the worst—that they might ignore me entirely and charge straight toward Ariel—but they stopped right in front of me.

"Hey, hey, what the hell—this ain't right! Why's there a damn alive one still standing!?"

"Who cares. Either way, just kill it. Problem solved."

One dragon, large, resembling a pteranodon.

The other, smaller, lithe like a leopard, wings sprouting from its back.

Both emanate power beyond normal bounds.

"True enough."

"Of course. I'm the smart one, after all."

No, not the mind—more like the strength.

But the power is real.

Dual blades drawn.

This fight—far more exhausting than tending to the fallen.