Shun manages to get Yuri to reluctantly back down.
Is it just me, or does it seem like the pontiff is gonna end up dead no matter how things shake out?
It is pretty awful that he was gonna kill the ebony god, his own ally.
Even if it’s for the greater good, you’ve gotta draw the line somewhere, y’know?
Nobody likes a backstabber for a leader.
“Well, that’s just one more reason that I intended to destroy around half of humanity, to make up for the lack of energy.”
“Right! That’s what we came to talk to you about!”
We got off topic when we realized the evil god was really Wakaba. I almost forgot that the real reason we’re here is to do something about her stupid plan to destroy half of humanity!
“It’s as I just said. The ebony god’s side’s methods wouldn’t create enough energy. The only way to complete the revival of this planet with the system still running would be to sacrifice approximately half of mankind. Which is why I intended to supply the remaining energy in the event of the ebony god’s victory. If the ivory god’s side wins, half of humanity or so would die anyway. Either way, half of humanity is either going to die or get destroyed. That’s just how it is.”
What she just said is basically a death sentence for humanity.
The pontiff sinks to his knees.
“But…that means everything I have done…”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to call it pointless. You were just too late.”
The pontiff hangs his head at Wakaba’s harsh words.
“Still, the planet will be saved, and half of humanity will live, when originally the planet would have been destroyed and all of humanity with it. I think that’s a solid outcome, don’t you?”
Yeah, it does sound like a win when you put it that way. But for those of us who currently live in this world, it’s a serious problem.
“Isn’t there anything we can do?” Shun presses desperately.
“Did you want to do something?”
“Of course it is.”
“Well, I could do something about it.”
“Please!”
“Then what will you offer me in exchange?”
That stops Shun’s enthusiasm in its tracks.
“The ebony god offered me that planet. He pleaded that I could do anything I wanted with that world if I would only restore it and save Sariel’s life. I accepted the offer, not that a dying planet has any real value, and decided to create the system and control it.”
Wakaba’s eyes flick toward Shun.
“Half of humanity. What can you pay me in exchange for saving it?”
Shun falls silent under Wakaba’s level gaze.
Wakaba was within her rights to make the planet into a game because she received it as fair payment from the ebony god.
Offering her something without any value wasn’t sufficient payment.
That’s why the system has been wringing energy out of this planet’s people all this time.
It’s like they’re paying off a debt.
We don’t have anything of value to offer, either.
If we did make a deal to save half of humanity, how long would it take to pay it off?
Would we be reborn in the same world over and over like this world’s residents, forced to pay off the debt ourselves?
Just thinking about it gives me the shivers.
Maybe a part of me still felt like this wasn’t my problem because I’m a reincarnation.
Like I wouldn’t become a slave to debt the way these people did.
But when I consider the possibility that I might meet the same fate, it scares me. No thanks.
And yet Shun responds without hesitation.
“I would give you anything that I have to offer.”
“Even the lives of all of your friends and acquaintances?”
“No. Those aren’t mine to give. All I can really offer is myself.”
“You want to pay for half of humanity with your life alone? How arrogant. And greedy, too.”
Shun has no response to that.
Obviously, no one could argue that Shun by himself has the same value as half of humanity.
Like Wakaba said, if he honestly thought that was an even exchange, then he really would be arrogant.
And at this point, maybe it is greedy in a way, trying to save the world without a single sacrifice.
“Even so, if there’s even the slightest possibility, I can’t let it go.”
“Yamada.”
Demon Lord Ariel utters Shun’s old name in a dangerous tone.
Negishi and Sasajima, who are also on the ivory god’s side, look equally displeased.
From what I’ve heard, Shun pissed off the Demon Lord during their weird little telepathic meeting, too.
The ivory god’s side hasn’t forgiven this planet’s people for depending on the gods to do everything for them.
So I bet they’re mad that Shun is begging a god for help now.
“This world’s problems should be solved by its own people. And at this point, a peaceful solution just isn’t an option anymore. You do realize that you’re just embarrassing yourselves by refusing to accept that and trying to wriggle your way out of it, don’t you?”
“…Maybe you’re right. But I want to keep trying, even if it is embarrassing. I guess I’m not gracious enough to accept the idea of making a sacrifice like that.”
“It’s not making a sacrifice, not really. Someone has already been sacrificed this whole time—Lady Sariel, that is. The people of this world have forgotten that. And now they’re freaking out because it might finally be their turn to pay the piper. Do you really not see how stupid that seems from my point of view? Hmmm?”
Demon Lord Ariel is still just sitting in a chair, looking frail.
But somehow, the anger she’s giving off is so intense I can barely breathe.
“I told you before, didn’t I? If you’re going to get involved in this battle, you’d better be seriously prepared. And you told me that you are, because it involves you, too. I’m sure that means you’re also prepared for us to take you out if we feel you’ve crossed the line, right?”
As the Demon Lord speaks, Negishi and Sasajima both reach for their weapons.
I automatically crouch into a fighting stance, but to be honest, I don’t think we can win this one.