Dangerous.

It’s on a different level than before.

[Myungwang] is no longer calculating his profit and loss and is trying to crush us with all his power.

『You mortals who do not know the subject.』

[Myungwang] looked at each of us one by one and spoke to us.

The way we act has changed.

He no longer looked down on us and was wary of everyone.

『I pay my respects to you all for your tearful struggle, and I will teach you the victory conditions in particular.』

ridicule.

But the boundaries remain the same.

[Myungwang] is trying to forcibly turn the tide of battle in his direction at this moment.

You don’t have to play there.

Obviously not, but… … .

『Are there people who have the courage to step towards death?』

The condition that [Myungwang] put forward was not one that could be rejected.

The morale that was encroaching on the surroundings and fighting with Arrieta’s territory began to increase as if it exploded all at once.

The scam, which is obviously at odds with the divine power, is coloring the world with the ＜Underworld＞ with an overwhelming offensive.

And the medium that summons ＜Underworld＞ is none other than the staff Mari was holding.

“Ugh!”

Marie drools.

Even she, who is from ＜Underworld＞, can’t stand a scam that would stain the world itself.

“I know guys like you well.”

“What… … ?”

“Would you mind watching? Or will you block it like a moth rushing into a fire?”

A simple but effective taunt.

[Myeongwang] is our purpose. No, to be precise, he saw through Eleanor’s temper.

“of course… … !”

“Alexios, stop it.”

puck!

“Oh… … .”

Alexios stunned Eleanor as soon as I ran out of words.

Listens better than you think.

On the contrary, I feel bad because there is not even a hint of doubt.

“What, are you dissatisfied?”

Alexios might have noticed the embarrassment in my gaze and started talking to me as if to argue.

“No, because I want to act quickly.”

“This guy is already over. I was forced to hold on.”

“yes… … .”

From what Alexios said, it seems that he originally intended to knock out Eleanor, who was overdoing it.

There must be something you can know because they are from the same warrior class.

“What are you thinking about now? Is this also according to your plan?”

Even during this small talk, the key to [Myungwang] is twisting the world.

“Is that so… … .”

The purpose of this plan was twofold.

The first of these was to prevent [Pyeongwang] from exploring Tia’s secret, and the remaining one was to rescue Marie.

“It’s twisted.”

It was like this every time I made a plan.

I couldn’t get a perfect victory at all.

Even when I overpowered Gerard, his death eventually turned my eyes of suspicion on me.

Even when Alexios was defeated, all the magic stacks he had prepared for a long time were wasted.

Nothing really happens

Is it because of Oz’s luck or is it because of the poor plan I made?

“then? Can we go back and call the head of the academy? No matter how you look at it, you can’t stop it.”

“no… … .”

One thing is certain though.

“… … I have to do it anyway.”

『Really, did you think of becoming a moth?』

“Don’t give a damn. Yes, that improvised plan is full of holes at a glance.”

No matter what the outcome is, if it’s me who came up with the plan that will end in any way, then it’s right that I’m responsible.

“Arrieta.”

“Yes, Mr. Oz.”

“Is that possible?”

“… … I will try.”

Arrieta started singing again.

The wings sprouting from her back tremble as if they were unstable, and her voice also feels strained.

However, because she was a saint of hope, she does not sing of despair.

You are in a position where you should never give up even when everyone else is giving up.

Arrieta’s magic began to drive away the morale again.

But even that has its limits.

A space with a radius of about 10 m centered on Marie.

[Myungwang]’s morale, which has not yet been pushed out, is swirling.

This is Arrieta’s best.

“I will break the lock.”

So all I can do is seize the opportunity she provided.

You have to break the lock connected to [Myungwang].

Only me with the [Contemplation] can do the delicate work of destroying the key so that Marie doesn’t get hurt.

“number of animals.”

You step into a space where a terrible fraud is swirling.

[Myeongwang] does not stop me.

On the contrary, he only held a sneer as if he wanted to see it.

That cheeky attitude irritates me, but I’m not stupid enough to kick myself at this opportunity.

“Marie Sistus.”

With her head down, she called Marie’s name again as she swallowed the pain.

“why… … ? why you?”

“Are you disappointed, not Noah?”

“no!”

Mary screams like a fit.

Tears welled up in her eyes, whether from pain or for some other reason.

“You didn’t have to do this to me… … .”

“A friend?”

“But we were only close enough to say hello.”

It’s a bit embarrassing to say that, but it’s not wrong.

An acquaintance would be closer than a friend.

“That will do.”

“no… … . No matter how much you think about it, that’s no reason to risk your life for me.”

Well, actually, I knew Marie would say things like this.

Isn’t that an extremely objective indicator?

It was a short time, but the girl I met, Marie, was someone who valued relationships.

When Eleanor came running, she only expressed her refusal, but did not question it.

The reason is obvious.

reverse. It was because he thought that in the opposite situation, she would have made the same choice.

That’s why, even though he dissuaded Noah, he did not deny the decision.

“Then I think it’s just because I’m a good person.”

“lie… … .”

“That bastard is cheating again.”

“… … you shut up Alexios. Don’t ruin the atmosphere.”

Did you really have to say that in a situation like this?

“Okay, if you don’t like that, how about this one?”

The time I interacted with Marie was obviously a short time.

But even in a short amount of time, there are things you can learn.

“I haven’t heard back from the greeting I gave you yet.”

It’s that she values relationships above all else.

That’s why I decided to make one promise rather than building up the last name of friends.

“Remember when you were supposed to give me an answer about greetings?”

“… … remember.”

The words that I would like to hear the answer to the greeting.

Because I haven’t heard the answer yet. That’s enough for now.

“Then think about it from now on. I’ll tell you in advance, but I don’t intend to hear the answer until the work is over, so keep it in your head.”

“do not do that… … .”

“I’ll kick this bastard out and ask him in a little while.”

“Please don’t risk your life for something like that… … .”

Marie lowered her head and shrugged.

What was she afraid of? She was trembling.

“Is it just that?”

It’s a pity, but Marie doesn’t seem to know who I am yet.

It’s a pity that he should have been gathering information under [Myungwang]’s instructions.

“I’m sorry, but that can’t be ‘just’ for me.”

Rumors about me have already spread throughout ＜Skientia＞.

You should have known that if you recognized the existence of the country that corresponds to the rumor, you would not be able to say such a thing.

This is obviously Marie’s misjudgment.

“I have a dirty personality and I can’t stand it without getting paid.”

Yes, I am regarded as such. arrogantly and aristocratically.

[Erosion degree 40%]

It is more suitable for the existence of Oz that appeared in the game.

“So you’re thinking about the answer you want to give back to me there.”

Marie is looking at me with a puzzled expression.

He seems to be trying to say something, but he has no intention of paying attention and listening.

Like Oz, I only said my words and stepped into a space swirling with fraud.

“Kuh… … !”

The fraud that invades the body makes you feel the pain as if every blood vessel is ripped out.

You can survive nonetheless.

It allows mana to flow through the body and pushes away the erosion even a little.

I can’t even properly use advanced magic yet, but there’s no penalty for my ability to manipulate mana.

Yes, I have a talent worthy of being [the successor of the King of Sorcery].

“You’d better have the nicest possible answer ready.”

Marie quietly looks up at me.

Tears are welling up in those eyes.

“When this is over, that will be the only thing that will bind you.”

“yes… … .”

Marie passively but surely gives her own answer.

Yeah, who would want to die? In fact, she would have wanted to live too.

The distance is now about 5m.

It’s already halfway there.

“Whoa… … .”

And I’m starting to see my limits as well.

Of course, [Myungwang]’s morale gets stronger and thicker the closer he gets to the lock.

“How about stepping down now? If you accept defeat and resign, I will not pursue you.”

“You keep your mouth shut.”

“Can you come over? In fact, it must be difficult to endure, right? How long do you think you can hold out?”

The offer to run away sounds so sweet.

The further you go, the more despairing.

『Is it not enough?』

“Shut up… … .”

I try to spit it out, but I can’t deny [Myungwang]’s words.

lack. Even with Arietta’s divine power and my mana manipulation ability, it’s difficult to go any further than this.

“Whoa… … .”

Dangerous. I shouldn’t stop, but my feet don’t intend to go any further.

“Are you afraid of death now?”

I didn’t even have time to answer.

Cold sweat flows from the sense of death approaching in real time.

This is the first time I have ever felt death like this.

Even when chased by an assassin, he was able to cope with it with a calm mind.

Even when I was fighting Gerard, I knew he wouldn’t kill me because he was a professor.

Even when facing Alexios’ wrath head-on, he did not worry that he would die.

But now it’s different.

I tried to concentrate, but instead I was overcome with fear.

“Woo-wook… … .”

The calmer I think about it, the clearer the shape of death is, the more I feel like vomiting.

“Yeah, it’s good to quit. Dad is right. Because it’s not too late… … .”

Seeing me in pain, Marie twists her expression and starts persuading me again.

“Marie, don’t worry, you just need to remember two things.”

Because if you do that, your heart will be weak.

“The answer to my greeting and what you want to do next.”

“… … .”

“I’m only thinking about those two for now.”

“yes… … .”

I feel my fingertips tremble.

And whenever I feel that trembling, I realize that time is getting delayed.

『How long do you think the saintess can hold out?』

“… … .”

The words of [Myeongwang] are cunning.

It twists my mind as if it were trying to see right through my thoughts.

『Your expression distorted by pain is very good to see.』

Was I frowning?

Then, with what kind of expression are the people who are looking at me watching?

I don’t know what kind of expressions Arietta, Alexios, and Lucia are looking at me right now.

There was no time to even check Mari’s expression in front of him.

“… … Yes, even if I frowned, he was handsome.”

Anyway, the only thing I can do for [Myungwang] right now is to be sarcastic.

Concentrate all your nerves in one place.

“This is your last chance. If you step back now, you will be able to save your life.”

Concentrate on ignoring the words of [Myeongwang]. We have to move on.

“Ugh… … ?!”

The moment I took a step, my mind, which I had been concentrating on while holding my breath, collapsed again.

just one step.

Yes, it must have been just one step.

Still, it felt different from the space I was standing in just before.

No, it wasn’t that I felt different, it was distinctly different.

“Didn’t I tell you? I didn’t choose the means and methods.”

[Myungwang] did not stop me.

But it wasn’t an act of arrogance.

Rather, I was using it to buy time.

The incarnation of [Myungwang] that was surrounding Mari was already an empty shell.

“Nonsense… … .”

The incarnation’s mouth opened like a puppet with a thread cut, and I saw a completely different scene unfolding inside.

It is a door connected to ＜Underworld＞.

What can be seen through the crack in the door is the king of the dead with armor and wings stained black with fraud.

[KP King]

Thanatos

“How do you feel about seeing the master of death with your own eyes?”

The [Myeongwang] had invaded, bearing all the risks of stepping into the domain of the [Dragon Emperor].