The Time of Choice ④

Ariel's Perspective

"Look! People are like trash!"

"Ariel-san, that's a villain's line."

"Still, we're kind of villains ourselves, aren't we?"

"...Indeed."

"Balss!"

"Ariel-san, saying that causes this ship to break apart and launch into space."

"It's a spaceship. So it's not wrong."

"...Indeed."

We speak idle nonsense while enjoying the journey through the sky.

The vessel we're aboard was seized during the battle against Potimas.

The last escape craft Potimas prepared, which even White-chan blocked.

Since we seized it undamaged, we were able to use it.

All other weapons were destroyed by White-chan and taken away.

We had preserved the Potimas research data aboard this vessel without destruction, and it turned out to be useful as a replacement limb.

Had we destroyed this ship as well, we would have been stranded in the elven village, unable to move.

Movement relied entirely on Shiro’s teleportation ability. Without Shiro, that system would have failed.

Truly, it was fortunate this ship remained intact.

This vessel was originally a lifeboat prepared by Potimas for departure into space.

Designed to drift through space indefinitely.

Built with the intention of finding a habitable planet for Potimas and their companions.

As such, it includes living quarters for Potimas and their attendants, cultivation space for food production, grazing areas for livestock, and even recreational facilities.

What I'm trying to say is, it's excessively large.

It accommodated not only the reincarnated, but also the demon army and surviving imperial forces.

As for the surviving imperial troops, they were relocated to the nearest town to the elven village.

Additionally, some of the requested reincarnated individuals were likewise relocated.

Five in total: Tagawa Kunihiro and Kushitania Saka, and Kusama Shinobu, Ogiwara Ken'ichi, and Hasebe Yuka—the three from the Divine Word Sect.

"Regardless of the choice made, I can't continue moving alongside you."

Tagawa's words.

Both he and Kushitania had their homeland destroyed by Melazofis.

Following us—those who support Melazofis—was emotionally impossible.

Kusama, Ogiwara, and Hasebe, meanwhile, have ties to the Divine Word Sect.

We can no longer travel together now that we stand opposed to the Divine Word Sect.

Hasebe’s eyes were vacant. Is she still stable?

Hasebe, once a devout follower of the Divine Word Sect and a candidate for圣女, was indoctrinated by Natsume and participated in the imperial army’s assault on the elven village.

That alone was a significant psychological burden. Now, with this crisis on top of it…

…she may not survive.

Still, I wish her strength to endure.

The other four, excluding Ogawara, who infiltrated the elven village, possessed unusually high combat capabilities for humans. But being dropped in a town far from the Elro Great Labyrinth, near the elven settlement, leaves them powerless.

The only action left is prayer.

Which deity to pray to—this choice lies with them.

I have nothing to say on that matter.

Originally, two of us are adversaries, and three are affiliated with the Divine Word Church.

Praying to Shiro is not something I expect much from.

The majority of the remaining reincarnated individuals were imprisoned children from the Elf Village.

Having lived solely within the Elf Village, they knew nothing of the outside world.

Suddenly abandoning them in an unfamiliar land is excessively irresponsible.

It would be better to temporarily protect them under my care, then establish a foundation for life elsewhere once they stabilize.

The issue lies in whether they can stabilize at all, though.

As an exception, the teacher is forcibly accompanying us.

The teacher is Shiro’s benefactor and possesses a Dominance Skill.

Since the Dominance Skill is key to preventing system collapse, they must remain under surveillance.

Therefore, they are accompanying us.

With that, only the reincarnated and the members of the Demon Army remain aboard this vessel.

Excluding two.

One of those two was present here at this moment.

"Then? How is the battlefield?"

"Hard to say. Unfortunately, I cannot perceive the main body."

Saying this, the fragment of Hyrlins and the fragment of Gurye crossed their arms.

"Is that so?"

"Indeed. This body has been partially autonomous from the main body since inception. Normally, it operates as Hyrlins, entirely independent of Guryedistidies. Occasionally, the main body synchronizes with this form, but only the main body can initiate that. From here, it is impossible to contact the main body."

"Seems like I understand... and yet, I don't."

"The main body knows everything I perceive, but I know nothing at all about the main body."

"Hmm."

Feedback from the main body only occurs during synchronization. I am aware, of course, that I am Guryiedistidies, but my awareness as Hyrins is far stronger.

"Ah, so that's how it is."

That explains it.

I thought I was speaking with Guryied, but there was a slight dissonance.

This man before me is Hyrins, who has inherited partial memories from Guryied, but is not Guryied herself.

"...So that means Guryied's main body is aware of us?"

"...I don't know."

If Guryied's main body knows everything about us, it could affect the battle with Shiro.

That was my concern, but Hyrins' response was ambiguous.

"What do you mean?"

"Gyuliedistadies has no experience fighting gods in alternate space. Whether he can maintain connection with me while in that realm is uncertain. Whether he even has the capacity to assess our current situation is uncertain as well."

"Ah… I see."

Ultimately, it remains unknown.

Regardless of whether Gyulie is aware of our situation or not, we cannot act upon it.

No use worrying about it.

"Then? What are you planning to do as Hyrins?"

"How should I put it? The specifications of this body are relatively high for a human, but that is all. At this moment, as your prisoner, there is almost nothing I can do."

"Is there no divine power of some sort?"

"No."

No.

I had been slightly cautious, but given his demeanor, it seems safe enough.

"Couldn’t you at least pray to Gyulie?"

“…Are you praying for yourself?”

“Your consciousness is, at least, that of a Hyllins, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but… I still feel uneasy about it.”

Hyllins makes a face clearly showing distaste.

A dry laugh escapes me.

Perhaps I’d relaxed too much.

『World Quest Sequence 3. Statements from Representatives. Demon King Ariel』

“Muo!?!”

I startled at the sudden divine voice, letting out an odd sound.

The sudden direct address was part of the shock.

Then the odd sound echoed back inside my head—doubled.

“Eh? What’s this?”

My muttered question echoed inside my mind at the same time.

“Ariel’s voice… inside my head.”

“Eh? I’m not the only one hearing this, right?”

“Yes.”

Lars nods.

Hyllins nods in agreement.

A terrible, no — an overwhelmingly unpleasant premonition surged through me.

“Huh? This can’t be… live broadcast to all of humanity? That’s impossible, right?”

The World Quest Sequence had previously affected all of humanity.

That meant… could it really be that this is audible to everyone?

All of this — from the very first pitiful cry!

“U-aaahh!”

The realization struck, and I couldn’t help but let out a pitiful groan.

…Even this groan might be echoing across the entire world. I knew that.