Elga was severely wounded. Reinheit’s healing magic had closed up any fatal injuries, but he wouldn’t be able to walk for quite some time. Reinheit himself was covered in injuries as well, his armor was completely destroyed, and the aftereffects of using Limit Break had him struggling to stay upright.
“I never thought the day would come where the hero, of all people, would be lending me his shoulder. I guess it was worth it to live this long.”
“I also never imagined I’d be fighting side by side with a demon general.”
The two of them smiled awkwardly at each other. It would take a while before either of them could move, but fortunately, they wouldn’t need to.
“Oh, it looks like the battle’s over already,” Elga said, looking up at the sky.
“Thank goodness you won...Miledi-san.”
Reinheit gazed up at the hologram of Miledi and the others.
“People of the world, what did you feel as you watched today’s events unfold?”
Elga and Reinheit breathed sighs of relief as they settled in to listen to Miledi’s speech.
Outside the east gate, Rasul had finally overpowered Outar.
“What is that...?” Habeel muttered as she looked up at the sky. At the same time, Outar and the Shadow Emperor both crumbled away.
Smiling, Rasul replied, “An artifact called Skynet, apparently.”
“Sky-what?”
“Skynet. It lets you project your appearance and voice over long distances. I imagine you must realize what this means?”
Habeel narrowed her eyes in confusion, but then a second later, the realization hit her and she gulped.
“What did you think of the way the church’s knights fought...and Pope Lucifer’s words?”
Habeel’s blood ran cold as she realized everyone across the world must have been watching everything.
She stared at Rasul, praying he would deny her suspicions, but Rasul simply shrugged and said, “I’m sure all the countries, cities, and even villages around the world are in an uproar right now. After all, they saw the whole thing from beginning to end.”
That was the true purpose of the Skynets Oscar had developed. Miledi had wanted a way to broadcast their fight with the church to the whole world. She’d wanted everyone to hear the bells of revolution.
“I have to stop her!” Habeel shouted, flapping her wings. But before she could go more than a few meters, Rasul’s bloodred sword blocked her bath.
“Don’t waste your life. Just sit there and listen,” Rasul said, still smiling. And unfortunately, all Habeel could do was glare at him.
In the sky above the central plaza, the church’s airships had stopped attacking Lac Elain. Salus was taking advantage of the lull to watch Miledi’s speech from the bridge.
“All that running about was worth it,” Salus muttered.
In order to broadcast the battle to the whole world, the Liberators had first had to set Skynets in every major population center. Of course, they’d put some down in the theocracy’s capital as well, and the citizens had all been watching through the Skynet in the plaza.
“Us mortals are Ehit’s pawns, so we shouldn’t complain regardless of what he wants to do with us. Can any of you truly accept that philosophy?” Miledi asked.
Of course, many of the capital’s citizens hurled insults at her when she said that. Their faith in their god was unshaken, and the mere insinuation that they should turn their back on him filled them with rage. But at the same time, many of the people in other countries were heeding Miledi’s words, and there were even a few within the theocracy itself that seemed like they were being swayed.
“I know I can’t! And that’s why I want to change the world!”
Most of the other nations’ leaders looked like they’d come to a decision as well. And upon seeing their resolve, Salus breathed a sigh of relief and settled back into his chair.
“Good luck, Miledi,” Mikaela said. A second later, Salus whispered the same.
“Do you really think we’ll be able to change the world?” Sui asked as she walked over to Sim, who was still keeping an eye on the remaining knights. Now that things had calmed down, she’d returned to her usual self.
Miledi was explaining how the battle between humans and demons had all been instigated by Ehit, and that there was no reason for them to fight each other.
Sim smiled wryly and replied, “Who knows. If the world was that easy to change, someone else would have done it by now.”
“Huh?”
“But if you don’t take action, then you won’t be able to accomplish anything. The real battle is just beginning, but that doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause.”
“Oh, count me out for that battle. I’m tired of working.”
“That’s fine,” Sim said, patting Sui on the head. She’d already done more than enough, and he was honestly grateful for all her hard work.
“I’m not asking you to throw away your beliefs,” Miledi said. “But...”
Her earnest voice echoed all over the world. Every person on Tortus waited with bated breath for her next words. They could tell her speech was from the heart, and not a bunch of rehearsed platitudes. Her heartfelt words grabbed the people’s attention far better than any pre-written speech could have.
“Won’t you please at least part ways with a history that was written for us by a god who doesn’t even care about our lives? Our history should be created by our own choices, don’t you agree? Wouldn’t you—?”
I wonder what the remaining knights will do... Sim thought warily. While the Schnee clansmen had shown up to reinforce the beastmen, they were all in pretty sorry shape. If the fight resumed, victory would come at a heavy cost.
Back at the Divine Mountain’s summit, Miledi sucked in a deep breath.
“Wouldn’t you like to be free to choose your own path in life?!”