After Lucy Allen left, Erginius made a chair out of darkness and sat in front of the iron bars.
Seeing him, Agra laughed at the reflection of himself in Erginius’s eyes.
“If you’re thinking of cursing me, think again. You have no memories of anything.”
“Does that even matter? You’re still a public enemy of the continent.”
“I don’t care what the humans on the surface babble about, but I do pay attention to the words of a fellow deification.”
Even shrouded in darkness, Agra remained unfazed. As if it wouldn’t matter if he disappeared.
“What do you want from me?”
“I told you already. I wanted to place a dish above the Apostle of God.”
“You tried to persuade the Apostle of God to become your ally? You’re talking nonsense. That’s not your style.”
Within Erginius’s memories, there exists knowledge about the traits possessed by the Evil God of End.
The great wizard, who stood against the Evil God of End on the frontline under God’s command, defined him as planned evil.
He is a demon guiding towards his desired outcome after witnessing the end of all things in this world.
“I’ll ask again. What are you here for?”
“I came to be trampled by the Apostle of God.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Hey. Why are you taking me seriously? That was more of a joke than a statement.”
It was a perfectly logical response, but Erginius couldn’t bring himself to say so.
He couldn’t dismiss Agra’s words easily, especially with all the exceptions created by Lucy Allen still fresh in his mind.
Even the Fairy Queen, whom Erginius loved, was keeping an eye on Lucy’s every move.
“Well, you’re saying what doesn’t exist? That kid could ruin me.”
“Just as I thought.”
It was quite astonishing to see a human and a god being so manipulated by just Lucy Allen.
Agra chuckled at Erginius, who shook his head.
“However, that’s not my main goal. The kid whom the Lord cherishes is still a mortal, isn’t she?”
No matter how great a human is, they eventually fade away in front of time. Just like the hero who once blocked Agra, they will face destruction before the passage of time.
“All things in this world are racing toward an end. Even the kingdom that seemed eternal will fade away, the weaponry created by non-human entities will lose their luster, and even the glory of the gods will be forgotten. While the world may not desire destruction, time is wishing for an end.”
Agra had no reason to rush. After a long, long time, Armadi would be forgotten, and Agra would declare an end to the world.
“Thus, from my perspective, the work my apostle wishes to carry out is indeed a nuisance. To bestow eternity upon the beginning? How dreadful.”
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
“O God of Darkness. In the end, we are but proxies of concepts. We serve their will only because they chose us. If their only choice is Armadi, then surely that concept will be selected.”
The term “realism” does not apply to the powers possessed by the gods.
The concepts that form the world are indeed the powers they wield; declaring their intentions with mere common sense is impossible.
“Therefore, if you need my help, ask for anything. I will be glad to assist. Even if you gain glory for now, I will be the one winning in the end.”
Erginius squinted at Agra’s smile.
That guy claims to be bothered by the actions of his apostle, but his true intent is different.
Agra is forcing a choice.
Will he let go of the Pope and destroy himself, or will he confront the impending destruction by blocking the Pope?
The difficult part for Erginius is that it was hard to deny that fact.
Just as the age of myth came to an end and the age of humans began, someday the age of humans will also end, and the end will approach.
As time passes, Armadi’s authority will weaken while Agra’s will grow stronger.
When that time comes, will we be able to stop the end? Can we remain unfazed even in front of a predetermined end?
“That’s a story not worth listening to.”
The Fairy Queen, who had been quietly observing the conversation, scoffed and pulled Erginius’s shoulder, forcing him to stand.
“In the end, you will emerge victorious, right?”
“When everything fades away, it seems I naturally will.”
“You said the same near the end of the age of myth. Yet you were defeated by a hero. You said that when the day your seal is lifted comes, the land will face destruction, but again, you will be defeated—because the Apostle chosen by the Lord will block everything.”
“You prophesy with certainty over things that haven’t even happened yet. Sure. Let’s say everything goes as you say. Then what comes next? In the distant future, who will block me?”
“At that time, miracles fitting for that moment will stand before you. Just as the hero did, and Lady Allen will as well. The world will not allow destruction. Agra, you will never reach the end.”
The moment the Queen finished speaking, Agra’s smile vanished for the first time.
He lost even the slightest bit of composure, glared at the Fairy Queen, and slowly rose.
“What a dreamlike tale.”
“Once is coincidence, twice is inevitable.”
“Even if a third miracle happens, you won’t see it for four years. With the power of darkness, you will eventually be consumed by it. You’re holding on for now, but I wonder how long such miracles can continue?”
The Fairy Queen blinked and then raised the corners of her mouth.
“Oh dear. It seems you don’t know everything, do you?”
“…Are you trying to show off?”
“No? Why should I show off to you, who must forever suffer defeat without doing anything? I have a far more competent savior by my side.”
The Fairy Queen chuckled, recalling the plan Lucy shared among the Apostles, and forcefully stood Erginius up.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Farewell, incompetent Evil God. Please look forward to the day you’ll be sealed away again.”
After Erginius and the Fairy Queen left, Agra, left alone, stared silently into the darkness before sitting down with a sigh.
“How is that the Queen of Fairies?”
*
The day after Agra was captured, reports of strange phenomena began to flood in from cities with large dungeons.
“There’s volcanic activity detected where the Evil God of Fire is sealed. According to the report from the mages studying disasters, it seems an eruption will begin in two days. For now, we’ve issued evacuation orders to the city’s residents.”
The Evil God of Fire showcased his existence by drawing up lava that had been buried deep.
Since this warning had been given well in advance of the Evil God’s revival, the city’s people began their evacuation as planned.
“Strange hallucinations are spreading from where the Void Evil God is sealed. As our employer mentioned, we are responding based on the support from Lord Erginius and the fairies.”
The Void Evil God intended to weave chaos into the land with his powers.
However, knowing this would happen in advance, we dispatched great wizards and fairies to counter the powers of the void.
Seeing how Joy handled the situation with the power of the void, the chaos there should settle soon, as it was completed in just a few days.
“As for the Evil God of Destruction… um, there’s no response at all. Just as our employer indicated, the revival is in progress, though.”
The Evil God of Destruction quietly awaited the day his seal would be lifted.
Although it would be tranquil for now, when the day of his resurrection comes, a calamity more terrible than any other will arrive.
The force of the concept of destruction will approach with horrifying dread.
“Moreover, as our employer mentioned, dungeons are expected to emerge in five locations. Judging by their size, they seem to rival the most dangerous places our employer has tackled so far.”
With Agra’s complete revival drawing nearer, disasters began erupting all over the land.
This signified the beginning of the final battle, and it proved that the tale of Soul Academy was heading toward its conclusion.
Having heard all of Karia’s reports, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Even if everything goes according to my plan, in order to seize victory at the end, I must defeat the enemy.
An entity that ruled as a nightmare in the age of myth, regarded as the final boss of Soul Academy.
An Apostle of the Evil God Agra, who aims to become the Evil God itself.
A madman who seeks to lead everything into destruction alongside himself.
The Pope.
Until now, I had to overcome life-and-death crises each time I faced a formidable enemy.
In a situation where a slight stumble could lead to death, I gritted my teeth and stood up.
I would likely feel the same this time. The Pope will be even more formidable than any enemy I’ve encountered.
[So, are you thinking of going alone again this time?]
‘No. I now know that’s a mistake.’
Knowing that my self-righteousness, claiming to do it for my friends, had actually been tormenting them, I will not go to die alone while abandoning my friends.
If I die, it won’t be only me. It will be for everyone to survive.
To bring forth a miracle.
To ensure that all the lives that colored the land do not go to waste.
I must.
Taking a long, deep breath, I rose and draped the hero’s cloak over my shoulders.
“Let’s go.”
*
“It’s about time you come.”
The Pope, who had scattered the crystal orbs containing Agra’s seal on the ground, smiled as he contemplated the figure far away.
I hope you enjoy what I’ve prepared. Apostle of God.
Since the moment you learned a secret even you are unaware of, it’s a gift born of desperation.
“Let us begin, everyone. All for the great Lord Jushin.”
“All for the great Lord Jushin!”
“And for the noble Apostle of the Lord.”
“For the Apostle of the Lord!”
As the cries of the knights were heard, the moment the Pope stretched out his hand, cracks began to form in each of the crystal orbs.
Simultaneously, darkness emerged in the center of the magic circle, revealing Agra.
“Are you prepared for your last words, old master?”
“I am ready to hear your last words.”
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