The Time of Choice ②

Continuing from Sophia's perspective

"Intercede in the gods' war through prayer."

Only that single sentence was conveyed.

No further words followed, despite waiting.

"...What does that mean?"

"Ah."

The moment Sophia voiced her question, Kyoya suddenly spoke up as if he had noticed something.

"What?"

"The Taboo menu has a new entry added."

Reacting to Kyoya's words, Sophia hurriedly focused on the Taboo menu.

She had been deliberately avoiding looking at it, as it made her feel ill, but there was definitely a new item that hadn't been there a moment ago.

'Taboo Menu

System Overview

Detailed Description of System Items

Update History

Point List

Reincarnation History

Special Item n% I = W

World Quest'

The final entry—the words "World Quest."

It feels as though it wasn’t there a moment ago, and even if it existed from the beginning, it doesn’t seem unrelated to this matter.

Turn attention to the world quest entry.

...Fhun. I see.

This... it's as if I've been outmaneuvered... or perhaps... I don't know...

—Ah. So that’s how it’s going to be…

Ariel also has her hands on her head.

Directing awareness toward the World Quest entry, the rules of this World Quest naturally flowed into mind.

In one word,

In other words, this isn’t just involving a select few like us—it’s pulling every human in this world into the conflict.

That is the case.

What it meant was, as previously stated, that one could intervene in the battle between the master and the god known as Gurye through prayer.

I never expected this... We believed Shiro would win. But now, I’m not sure anymore.

Prayer to the divine is faith itself.

As in many stories, the strength of faith directly determines the magnitude of divine power.

In essence, the more one prayed, the stronger the deity receiving the prayer became.

This time, it is not a significant enhancement.

Enhancement through a single prayer was negligible.

However, that applies only if it is just one person.

If every human being in this world were to offer prayers.

The reinforcement of each individual prayer is negligible, yet when accumulated,

A source of great power.

The population of this world, I do not know—but on Earth, there were billions of humans.

Less than that, perhaps, but even so, the combined strength of a single world's total population—its magnitude cannot be measured.

"Not about leaving it to others. Making the people of this world decide for themselves, as active participants. You're not exactly helping, are you?"

Said half in scorn, half in admiration.

This is indeed as Ariel said—neither side favoring, an impossibly fair rule.

Before this rule existed, only those with power—Ariel before losing her strength, me, Kyoya, those like us—held the right to choose.

After all, anyone unable to fight who stepped forward would simply be crushed beneath us.

But under this rule, even those without combat ability can make their own choice.

Even if weak, the strength of their choice is counted.

And the option to abstain is nearly nonexistent.

Because prayer is the means to erase Taboo.

Praying appears to consume Taboo skill experience points internally.

And when that reaches zero, the Taboo skill vanishes without a trace.

This Taboo—annoying even to me, who possess the Anti-Path immunity.

Ordinary individuals would find it unbearable. They would wish to erase it.

The method is clear: choose which god to support.

There’s no ambiguity. It must be one or the other.

To refuse to choose is to accept enduring the Taboo indefinitely.

To maintain neutrality with that resolve—few can achieve it.

If one possesses that resolve, then neutrality itself becomes a valid choice.

“Well done.”

“Not the time to be impressed. We need a countermeasure.”

Kyoya says, voice edged with disbelief. But isn’t this already beyond what we can do?

“A countermeasure, hm. Shall we eliminate all voters at once?”

They look at me, startled, as if surprised by my words.

"Why jump to such a violent conclusion so quickly..."

"Joking. Just joking."

Even so, Kyoya stares back, eyes heavy with doubt.

I wouldn’t do something so absurd, not even if I could.

It would be an affront.

"But if we don’t make a move this large, there’s no point in even considering a countermeasure, is there?"

Yes.

Now that this has happened, our options are few.

After all, the opponent is literally all of humanity.

Too large to be measured.

No—too many. That is the correct term.

Against such numbers, our small group can do very little.

We used to believe, before this, that our strength alone could force any outcome.

Now the situation has reversed completely.

Before the fairness of the gods.

He seems to understand, his expression grim.

Ariel sits quietly, eyes closed, deep in thought.

"Still, the gods are fair. They’ve prepared their own moment for us. So our task remains unchanged."

The newly added World Quest under the Taboo listed broad rules, advantages and disadvantages based on each faction’s victory condition, and the specific requirements for each faction to win.

"The deepest chamber of the Elro Great Labyrinth. We must hold it until system collapse. That is our task."

Attempting to manipulate public opinion now is impossible.

There are no televisions or networks, unlike in the previous life.

Whether to choose or not — that is now left to each individual.

Then we shall do only what we ourselves can do.

And.

"Regardless of what occurs, our master will win. Let us believe that."

Even if power is augmented through prayer, it is the master who fights in reality.

No matter how the enemy is strengthened by prayer, the master will prevail.

Act only with that belief.

"...Yes. That is correct."

Ariel opens her eyes.

Her pupils reflect resolve.

"Our course remains unchanged. We will hold the final fortress, believing that Shiro will win."

I nod in agreement with Kyoya, responding to Ariel’s words.

"Unfortunately, the opposition has an advantage in manipulating public opinion. But we might as well cause a little trouble."

She smiles, like a mischievous child.