After we met with the pontiff, we were at a loss for what to do next.
To be honest, there aren’t any clear means of doing anything about this situation.
The ivory god’s army, including the Demon Lord, are holed up in the Great Elroe Labyrinth, which means we can’t really meet with them.
Though I figured it was worth a shot and went to peek at the situation for myself, I found that there was already a queen taratect guarding the entrance, surrounded by a swarm of her spider monster spawn.
Obviously, it didn’t look like they were open to talking things out.
Especially since our side includes me and Natsume, with access to that “ruler authority” thing, as well as former members of the ebony god’s side: the ancient Wind Dragon Hyuvan, Ice Dragon Nia, and Dark Dragon Reise.
If we approach, they might very well assume we’re enemies and attack.
As we were trying to decide what to do next, we spotted what appeared to be a UFO being attacked by monsters in the far-off sky.
Can you blame me if I did a double take at that?
I mean, what is a UFO doing in this fantasy world?
It wasn’t just me, either; Sue, Natsume, and the others were all stunned, too.
But since the pontiff mentioned during the meeting that the Demon Lord had taken possession of an elf-made spaceship and had flown to the Great Elroe Labyrinth, we quickly figured out that the UFO must be the spaceship in question.
So we decided to defend the UFO—especially since there might be someone from the ivory god’s side aboard.
What happened next was a slaughter.
“Bwa-ha-ha-haaa! You’re a hundred—no, a thousand!—years too young to try to take ME on in the skies!”
Wind Dragon Hyuvan whizzes around in the sky at speeds far faster than I would have expected from his giant size.
Once he transformed back into his original dragon form, Hyuvan wiped out the monsters swarming the UFO in a matter of seconds.
I rode on Fei’s back to fight a little, too, but honestly, he could’ve handled it fine without us.
That’s how overwhelmingly strong Hyuvan was.
So this is the power of an ancient dragon chief…
I don’t think I’d be able to beat him.
If the ivory god’s army is confident they can square off against several of those chiefs, there’s definitely no way I’d stand a chance against them.
From that point of view, I think my decision not to join either side was the right call.
If I’d joined one or the other, I would probably have died without contributing to the battle at all.
Once the monsters have been dealt with, the UFO lands on the newly cleared ground.
Then several familiar faces come climbing out.
It’s Ms. Oka, some of the other reincarnations, and even Hyrince and Anna!
“Heeey!”
I wave from atop Fei’s back, flying down closer.
“I’m glad you’re all right!”
“That’s my line, mister! Where in the world have you been?!”
Ms. Oka huffs at me crossly.
Ah, I guess she has a point.
From their perspective, it must have seemed like I just vanished into thin air.
“Well, I actually got teleported to who-knows-where by this little guy…”
I take out the little white spider that’s remained in my pocket all this time.
While a few of the girls draw back, Ms. Oka leans forward with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Is it alive?”
“It seems to be. It hasn’t moved at all, though.”
The white spider doesn’t react, even if I poke and prod at it.
This thing randomly fell on my head, then I was teleported to some sandy beach in the middle of nowhere.
Where Sue was lying in wait…
I managed to escape, thanks to Elder Ronandt, although we still have no idea where that place was, since we used teleportation to leave.
But I guess it doesn’t matter, since I’m sure we’ll never go back there again.
I put the unmoving white spider back in my pocket.
For some reason, even though it’s the culprit that sent me to that place, I can’t bring myself to throw it away.
“So, as you can see, we’re all safe. What about everyone else? I don’t see Tagawa or Kushitani, for a start…”
“The two of them said they were joining the ebony god’s side and left. Kusama did, too.”
“I see…”
I guess it makes sense that Tagawa and Kushitani would choose to fight, since they’ve worked as adventurers all this time.
And since Kusama was working for the Word of God religion from the start, that’s an obvious outcome, too.
But what about Ogi, who also worked for the Word of God?
“Who, me? I’m staying put. I was holed up in the elf village for so long that I wouldn’t be much help in a fight anyway.”
Ogi shrugs.
From what I’ve been told, Ogi has a unique skill called “Unlimited Telephone,” which he used to leak information through the elf village barrier to the outside.
He was apparently giving inside info to the Word of God church the whole time.
But he spent long enough in the elf village himself that he wouldn’t be much help to the church now, so he stayed behind.
I think that’s a perfectly fine choice, too.
“Well, I’m just glad you’re all right. Looks like you’ve been busy, too.”
Hyrince looks over my shoulder at the ancient dragon chiefs.
“I’m glad you and Anna are safe, too, Mr. Hyrince.”
I hadn’t seen either of them since I woke up in the elf village.
I’d been especially worried about Anna, since I revived her with my Mercy skill after Kyouya killed her.
Seeing her safe and sound is a big relief.
“Master Schlain, thank you. I owe you my life.”
“Not at all. I’m so glad you’re safe.”
I nod to acknowledge Anna’s thanks.
“We’ve got a lot of catching up to do, I’m sure, but we’ll have to save it for later. There’s something way more important that might change everything.”
Hyrince looks uncharacteristically grim.
Seeing that look on him when he’s usually so laid-back tells me that something really serious is happening here.
“What’s going on?”
“The evil god isn’t the ivory god.”
…What does that mean?