My jaw is still on the floor.
Elder Ronandt really is amazing.
He only just recently acquired Taboo, yet he’s already able to assess the ebony god’s personality and his likely course of action.
Now that he mentions it, I guess a god who’s willing to sacrifice himself, but hasn’t done it already, must have a good reason for holding off until now.
And that reason is simple: It wouldn’t be enough.
“And? What do you intend to do to make up for that deficit, eh?”
“I will destroy the Word of God religion.”
…What is the pontiff even saying?
I can’t wrap my head around all this anymore.
“The church has lost its authority in the wake of recent events. All this time, we have covered up the truth about this world, forced humans and demons to continue fighting, and been the cause of all major conflict. Our church is the root of all evil, the perpetrator that drove the Goddess Sariel to the brink of death. With all this to set the stage, the goddess religion will wage all-out war against us, and we will be defeated.”
I don’t understand. What does all this mean?
“So you would sacrifice yourselves alongside the ebony god, then?”
“Indeed.”
The pontiff confirms Elder Ronandt’s interpretation.
“…That will result in the death of many, if still less than half of humanity.”
“This, too, is a necessary sacrifice. We are far beyond the point of being able to settle things without any loss of life.”
Necessary sacrifices…
That probably includes the pontiff himself, too.
If things play out the way he described, surely the leader of the Word of God religion would not be spared.
The Word of God is the largest religion in the world, worshipped by most nations.
If they were to clash with the second-largest religion, the goddess worshippers, there would surely be a lot of bloodshed.
And while the Word of God has far more power originally, I’m sure many nations would side with the goddess religion instead.
Besides, given that the goddess religion has managed to thrive all these years despite being far outnumbered by the Word of God religion, they must be strong in their own right.
A war like that could easily divide the world in two.
So even if the world quest was over, we’d still be a far cry from peace.
“Even so, I do wish to keep the number of lives lost as low as we possibly can,” the pontiff continues. “And I believe there is a way we can do just that.”
“Of course…there’s another god.”
This last comment comes from Katia, who’s been silently listening until now.
Even sacrificing both the Goddess Sariel and the ebony god wouldn’t make for enough energy.
But there is one other god.
The one who’s fighting the ebony god right now: the ivory god…Wakaba.
In other words, the pontiff’s people are planning not just to defeat Wakaba, but to sacrifice her to the system.
“Damn, that’s cold.”
Even I have to agree with Natsume’s muttered comment.
I do have a grudge against Wakaba for killing my elder brother Julius, of course.
I’m sure Natsume resents her for using him, too.
But even then, the pontiff’s methods are so incredibly heartless that I can’t help feeling like it’s going too far.
Still, I’m sure the pontiff will do it.
Because it’s a necessary sacrifice.
The pontiff really does intend to kill every last god in order to save humanity.
“Though of course, none of this matters unless we can secure victory.”
The pontiff puts on a warm, guileless smile.
I don’t know how he can smile like that when everything he’s said is so cold.
It’s mysterious and downright disturbing, far beyond the realm of my comprehension.
But the words that follow seem to reveal a truthful glimpse at his innermost anguish, in stark contrast with his unsettling smile.
“At any rate, such is our plan of action. I am more than aware that it is built on an immense number of sacrifices; I know, too, that we are repaying the kindness of the gods with terrible ingratitude, a shameless and unforgivable act. Even so, we have no other option but to win.”
Maybe that gentle smile is really a mask to hide his true feelings.
His tone is so tormented that it makes me wonder.
The pontiff stands.
Then he bows his head to us deeply.
“Is there any way that you would be willing to lend us your strength to help lead humanity to victory?”
I’m the Hero, and I have the Mercy skill, too.
Elder Ronandt is a Spatial Magic master, and has even been to the Bottom Stratum of the Great Elroe Labyrinth.
With his help, they could easily teleport deep into the labyrinth.
Then there’s Natsume, who has the Lust and Greed skills.
I’m sure having more members with ruler authority would give them a better chance of success at accessing the system core and preventing its destruction.
We still have serious value in many ways, even if might not make much difference on the battlefield.
I’m sure the pontiff is desperate to recruit us no matter what.
That’s why he’s bowing his head like this.
A man who’s clearly so willing to go to any lengths necessary for his goals could easily cast aside his pride to entreat someone for help.
Elder Ronandt gives me a pointed look.
He’s signaling for me to explain things in my own words.
“Please, raise your head.”
At that, the pontiff looks up.
“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid we can’t help you.”
The tension in the room heightens sharply as soon as I speak those words.
All the stares feel like a blade held against my throat.
Swallowing hard, I force myself to continue.
“However, that doesn’t mean we’ll be siding with the ivory god, either. We will refrain from joining either faction and instead search for a way to resolve things without any sacrifices.”
The pressure seems to lighten just a little.
Instead, both the pontiff and the ancient dragon chiefs stare at me as if they’re dealing with a stubborn child.
From their perspective, I’m sure what I’m saying sounds naive, if not downright delusional.
Like the nonsensical babbling of a kid who refuses to face reality.
Even so, I refuse to give up.
“‘I know I’m just dreaming. I don’t care if people laugh at me for being unrealistic. But there’s nothing wrong with having a goal to strive for. Mine is a world where everyone can live happily in peace. And I’ll keep chasing that ideal until I die.’ …That’s what my elder brother, Julius the Hero, once said.”
The pontiff’s eyes widen ever so slightly at those words.
“I’m going to strive for the same goal that my brother did.”
Now the pontiff closes his eyes, as if he’s given up on convincing me otherwise.
“Heh-heh! You said it, kid! I might just hafta join ya, then!”
That bellowed declaration comes from Hyuvan, the mohawk-sporting chief of the wind dragons.