CHAPTER 52 – QUALIFICATION OF SAVING THE WORLD
JOHNNY WOLVESBANE
The sharp ears of the blonde elf, Hiraya, continued to wiggle, resembling insect antennae as she surveyed her surroundings. Meanwhile, Alris, with his helmet on, scanned the area thoroughly. Their suspicions were palpable, and I couldn't blame them.
Hiraya offered a confident smile. "Looks like you went overprepared. There are lots of Neo Arcadians watching us. Can't you relax the security a little?"
"You can't blame me for being too careful, Hiraya. You've already defeated two of Neo Arcadia's Dragon Knights. You even orchestrated an obvious plan to raid our house with Lysander as your decoy," Maggie retorted with an angry expression. "We will never trust you and Alris." The tension in the air escalated, creating an atmosphere fraught with mistrust and the weight of past betrayals.
"I don't want to hear that from a traitor like you, Maggie. You tried to invade the school, so it is natural that we will retaliate. But bombing the whole town and killing innocent lives just to prove a point… I think that's too over the board," Hiraya retorted with a snarling smile.
I interjected, "There is a reason why Gazelle bombed the Tasty Town."
Hiraya crossed her arms below her ample bosom, her expression demanding an explanation. "And what is that?"
"It is to save the world," I explained, revealing a perspective that hinted at the complex motivations and moral dilemmas surrounding the actions of Neo Arcadia and its enigmatic leader. The gravity of the situation remained in the air, and the clash of opposing ideologies intensified with each passing moment.
Hiraya fell silent for a moment, shifting her gaze to Alris, who remained hidden behind his cyberpunk helmet. Alris, immobile, seemed to be engaged in a conversation with Hiraya through some mysterious means, possibly utilizing the Vesryn Pulse's telepathy magic for communication.
"How does bombing a town result in saving the world?" Hiraya questioned, her doubt palpable.
"The Purge of Humanity must be done," I asserted. "We must cleanse the planet from humans and eliminate the current Empress for it to succeed."
The weight of the statement hung in the air, underscoring the drastic measures Neo Arcadia believed were necessary for the world's salvation. The unfolding conversation exposed the profound ideological divide that stood between us and the enigmatic Oracle and her companion.
"That still doesn't explain why you have to kill countless innocent human lives," Hiraya insisted. "Look, I came all the way here to hear Gazelle's reason for destroying our town, hoping that there is some justification in it."
"Oh, there is a justification for it, Hiraya Misteltein," I responded confidently. "I knew I wouldn't be able to explain it in more detail, but Gazelle told me that I should show you something to get you to our side."
Hiraya's fist clenched, and her eyes bore into me with a piercing gaze, as if she were already strangling me in her imagination. Recognizing the escalating tension, I decided actions would speak louder than words. I turned my back and began walking towards the exit of the warehouse.
"Follow me." The invitation flew in the air, signaling a pivotal moment that could potentially alter the course of their interactions with Neo Arcadia.
After ten minutes of walking in awkward silence, we reached the foot of the forest. Concealed among the trees were our dragonoid freedom fighters, akin to a group of ninjas masking their presence. Our journey took us to the heart of Neo Arcadian territory in Stonehill City, home to the twin Cathedrals.
It was understandable for Hiraya to remain wary. Her sharp ears twitched at the slightest sound, a vigilant count of the potential threats surrounding us. The dense forest concealed our dragonoid allies, ready to unveil their presence when necessary.
Alris, on the other hand, remained silent, his cyberpunk mask still firmly in place. Although unfamiliar with him, I sensed he was not the talkative type. Our previous clashes, where sword and claws clashed, had made it clear he harbored no friendliness towards Neo Arcadians like us. The air went heavy with tension, anticipation, and the unknown as we ventured deeper into the heart of our secretive plans.
Alris Vortigern, a detective of the Imperial Police, had an air of suspicion around him. Maggie and I were initially against them coming to our headquarters, fearing that Alris might be using his position to tip off the empire. Gazelle, however, seemed unfazed by the potential risks. If worst came to worst, I could resort to using my Dragon Lord Commandment to control Alris, mirroring Gazelle's manipulation that led to the bombing of Tasty Town.
Yet, Alris continued to act more suspiciously, and there was an odd scent emanating from him. Concerned, I decided to address the issue. "You know, Alris, you can take off your mask," I suggested as I continued to lead the way through the forest. The invitation is a subtle attempt to unveil the face behind the cyberpunk mask and possibly uncover the mysteries shrouding his true intentions.
"He can't," Hiraya responded on Alris' behalf. "He sustained heavy injuries when fighting Lysander. His handsome face was burned, and his vocal cords suffered cancer due to radiation. He does not want to show his face because people will judge him."
"It doesn't matter. You and Alris will be one of us at the end of the day," Maggie interjected, clinging to my arm. "Isn't that right, Johnny?"
"Yes," I affirmed. "What I'm going to show you will flip all your beliefs upside down."
Finally, we reached the entrance of the Demonic Cathedral. Hiraya and Alris stood in awe as they beheld the entrance adorned with demonic dragon statues. The ominous aura of the place should have sent shivers down their spines, marking the beginning of an encounter that would challenge their preconceptions and thrust them into the heart of Neo Arcadia's mysteries.
"This place… this is not a Cathedral Exa branch, isn't it?" Hiraya inquired.
"No. It's the opposite," I clarified as we continued forward. Maggie, Hiraya, and Alris followed until we reached the gigantic wooden door. With a forceful push, the door creaked open, revealing the interiors of the demonic church. Acolyte dragonoids lined every side of the red carpet, armed with spell books—an indication that they were also part of Neo Arcadia.
I was confident that Hiraya and Alris would refrain from making any reckless moves. There were around two thousand of us in Stonehill City, and five hundred were within this very cathedral, monitoring every move Hiraya made. Their chances of survival if they turned out to be enemies again were close to zero percent. The atmosphere inside the cathedral was laden with anticipation as we ventured deeper into Neo Arcadia's secrets.
We continued walking until the Cross came into view, illuminated by the sunlight streaming through a hole in the ceiling. As it became visible, Hiraya took the lead and advanced. Her golden eyes widened in shock as the details of the cross and the impaled body became apparent.
"Ah!" Hiraya gasped, and tears welled up in her eyes. She covered her mouth in shock upon seeing the corpse of the Dragonoid Saint.
"You know who this was?" I asked, wearing a smile.
"...Goddess Exceria," Hiraya muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief and sorrow. The revelation of the identity of the impaled dragonoid saint unfolded like a dark chapter, adding weight to the already somber atmosphere within the demonic cathedral.
Hiraya pressed onward, each step echoing through the hallowed space. The air hummed with an unspoken reverence as she closed the distance to the cross. She moved deliberately, her gaze fixed on the sacred figure before her.
Closing the final gap, she reached out with a measured grace, her arm extending like an offering. The pale glow from the divine corpse illuminated her face, revealing a mixture of awe and trepidation. Her fingers hovered mere inches from the goddess's delicate foot, the anticipation hanging in the air like a silent prayer, when...
"Hiraya!"
The man in the cyberpunk mask shouted. The voice was not the same as Alris, and a sense of familiarity struck me. Puzzled by the sudden shout from the masked man we all considered as "Alris," Maggie went on guard, revealing her crossbow. I intervened, spreading my hand to signal Maggie to stop, as the unfolding scene held the promise of revealing critical truths.
Hiraya and the masked man remained motionless, creating a tense silence. The outcome hinged on whether Hiraya would become a Dragon Lord like me or not.
Yet, instead of reaching for the goddess's corpse, Hiraya gazed at the face of the dead deity and posed a question.
"Johnny Wolvesbane, I have a question for you," Hiraya asked with a serious tone.
"What is it?" I replied, prepared for whatever inquiry she might present, the weight of the moment hanging heavily in the air.
"What is the qualification for saving the world?" Hiraya inquired.
Pondering her question, I offered my perspective, "The ability to protect the peace and enforce justice."
"Good answer. You must be fit to be a great leader in the future," Hiraya acknowledged, bowing down. Yet, she turned to me and added, "However, my answer is different."
The air became charged with anticipation as we awaited her response, wondering what unique insight she held regarding the qualification for saving the world.
"May I ask what it is?" I inquired, intrigued by Hiraya's alternative perspective.
Hiraya gave a confident smirk. "Destruction."
"Destruction?!" I exclaimed, taken aback by the unexpected response.
"That's right. The destruction of the future!" Hiraya declared, pointing upward. My eyes followed her gesture, and to my surprise, I beheld a gigantic blue magical circle floating on the ceiling.
CHAPTER 52 – QUALIFICATION OF SAVING THE WORLD
JOHNNY WOLVESBANE
The sharp ears of the blonde elf, Hiraya, continued to wiggle, resembling insect antennae as she surveyed her surroundings. Meanwhile, Alris, with his helmet on, scanned the area thoroughly. Their suspicions were palpable, and I couldn't blame them.
Hiraya offered a confident smile. "Looks like you went overprepared. There are lots of Neo Arcadians watching us. Can't you relax the security a little?"
"You can't blame me for being too careful, Hiraya. You've already defeated two of Neo Arcadia's Dragon Knights. You even orchestrated an obvious plan to raid our house with Lysander as your decoy," Maggie retorted with an angry expression. "We will never trust you and Alris." The tension in the air escalated, creating an atmosphere fraught with mistrust and the weight of past betrayals.
"I don't want to hear that from a traitor like you, Maggie. You tried to invade the school, so it is natural that we will retaliate. But bombing the whole town and killing innocent lives just to prove a point… I think that's too over the board," Hiraya retorted with a snarling smile.
I interjected, "There is a reason why Gazelle bombed the Tasty Town."
Hiraya crossed her arms below her ample bosom, her expression demanding an explanation. "And what is that?"
"It is to save the world," I explained, revealing a perspective that hinted at the complex motivations and moral dilemmas surrounding the actions of Neo Arcadia and its enigmatic leader. The gravity of the situation remained in the air, and the clash of opposing ideologies intensified with each passing moment.
Hiraya fell silent for a moment, shifting her gaze to Alris, who remained hidden behind his cyberpunk helmet. Alris, immobile, seemed to be engaged in a conversation with Hiraya through some mysterious means, possibly utilizing the Vesryn Pulse's telepathy magic for communication.
"How does bombing a town result in saving the world?" Hiraya questioned, her doubt palpable.
"The Purge of Humanity must be done," I asserted. "We must cleanse the planet from humans and eliminate the current Empress for it to succeed."
The weight of the statement hung in the air, underscoring the drastic measures Neo Arcadia believed were necessary for the world's salvation. The unfolding conversation exposed the profound ideological divide that stood between us and the enigmatic Oracle and her companion.
"That still doesn't explain why you have to kill countless innocent human lives," Hiraya insisted. "Look, I came all the way here to hear Gazelle's reason for destroying our town, hoping that there is some justification in it."
"Oh, there is a justification for it, Hiraya Misteltein," I responded confidently. "I knew I wouldn't be able to explain it in more detail, but Gazelle told me that I should show you something to get you to our side."
Hiraya's fist clenched, and her eyes bore into me with a piercing gaze, as if she were already strangling me in her imagination. Recognizing the escalating tension, I decided actions would speak louder than words. I turned my back and began walking towards the exit of the warehouse.
"Follow me." The invitation flew in the air, signaling a pivotal moment that could potentially alter the course of their interactions with Neo Arcadia.
After ten minutes of walking in awkward silence, we reached the foot of the forest. Concealed among the trees were our dragonoid freedom fighters, akin to a group of ninjas masking their presence. Our journey took us to the heart of Neo Arcadian territory in Stonehill City, home to the twin Cathedrals.
It was understandable for Hiraya to remain wary. Her sharp ears twitched at the slightest sound, a vigilant count of the potential threats surrounding us. The dense forest concealed our dragonoid allies, ready to unveil their presence when necessary.
Alris, on the other hand, remained silent, his cyberpunk mask still firmly in place. Although unfamiliar with him, I sensed he was not the talkative type. Our previous clashes, where sword and claws clashed, had made it clear he harbored no friendliness towards Neo Arcadians like us. The air went heavy with tension, anticipation, and the unknown as we ventured deeper into the heart of our secretive plans.
Alris Vortigern, a detective of the Imperial Police, had an air of suspicion around him. Maggie and I were initially against them coming to our headquarters, fearing that Alris might be using his position to tip off the empire. Gazelle, however, seemed unfazed by the potential risks. If worst came to worst, I could resort to using my Dragon Lord Commandment to control Alris, mirroring Gazelle's manipulation that led to the bombing of Tasty Town.
Yet, Alris continued to act more suspiciously, and there was an odd scent emanating from him. Concerned, I decided to address the issue. "You know, Alris, you can take off your mask," I suggested as I continued to lead the way through the forest. The invitation is a subtle attempt to unveil the face behind the cyberpunk mask and possibly uncover the mysteries shrouding his true intentions.
"He can't," Hiraya responded on Alris' behalf. "He sustained heavy injuries when fighting Lysander. His handsome face was burned, and his vocal cords suffered cancer due to radiation. He does not want to show his face because people will judge him."
"It doesn't matter. You and Alris will be one of us at the end of the day," Maggie interjected, clinging to my arm. "Isn't that right, Johnny?"
"Yes," I affirmed. "What I'm going to show you will flip all your beliefs upside down."
Finally, we reached the entrance of the Demonic Cathedral. Hiraya and Alris stood in awe as they beheld the entrance adorned with demonic dragon statues. The ominous aura of the place should have sent shivers down their spines, marking the beginning of an encounter that would challenge their preconceptions and thrust them into the heart of Neo Arcadia's mysteries.
"This place… this is not a Cathedral Exa branch, isn't it?" Hiraya inquired.
"No. It's the opposite," I clarified as we continued forward. Maggie, Hiraya, and Alris followed until we reached the gigantic wooden door. With a forceful push, the door creaked open, revealing the interiors of the demonic church. Acolyte dragonoids lined every side of the red carpet, armed with spell books—an indication that they were also part of Neo Arcadia.
I was confident that Hiraya and Alris would refrain from making any reckless moves. There were around two thousand of us in Stonehill City, and five hundred were within this very cathedral, monitoring every move Hiraya made. Their chances of survival if they turned out to be enemies again were close to zero percent. The atmosphere inside the cathedral was laden with anticipation as we ventured deeper into Neo Arcadia's secrets.
We continued walking until the Cross came into view, illuminated by the sunlight streaming through a hole in the ceiling. As it became visible, Hiraya took the lead and advanced. Her golden eyes widened in shock as the details of the cross and the impaled body became apparent.
"Ah!" Hiraya gasped, and tears welled up in her eyes. She covered her mouth in shock upon seeing the corpse of the Dragonoid Saint.
"You know who this was?" I asked, wearing a smile.
"...Goddess Exceria," Hiraya muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief and sorrow. The revelation of the identity of the impaled dragonoid saint unfolded like a dark chapter, adding weight to the already somber atmosphere within the demonic cathedral.
Hiraya pressed onward, each step echoing through the hallowed space. The air hummed with an unspoken reverence as she closed the distance to the cross. She moved deliberately, her gaze fixed on the sacred figure before her.
Closing the final gap, she reached out with a measured grace, her arm extending like an offering. The pale glow from the divine corpse illuminated her face, revealing a mixture of awe and trepidation. Her fingers hovered mere inches from the goddess's delicate foot, the anticipation hanging in the air like a silent prayer, when...
"Hiraya!"
The man in the cyberpunk mask shouted. The voice was not the same as Alris, and a sense of familiarity struck me. Puzzled by the sudden shout from the masked man we all considered as "Alris," Maggie went on guard, revealing her crossbow. I intervened, spreading my hand to signal Maggie to stop, as the unfolding scene held the promise of revealing critical truths.
Hiraya and the masked man remained motionless, creating a tense silence. The outcome hinged on whether Hiraya would become a Dragon Lord like me or not.
Yet, instead of reaching for the goddess's corpse, Hiraya gazed at the face of the dead deity and posed a question.
"Johnny Wolvesbane, I have a question for you," Hiraya asked with a serious tone.
"What is it?" I replied, prepared for whatever inquiry she might present, the weight of the moment hanging heavily in the air.
"What is the qualification for saving the world?" Hiraya inquired.
Pondering her question, I offered my perspective, "The ability to protect the peace and enforce justice."
"Good answer. You must be fit to be a great leader in the future," Hiraya acknowledged, bowing down. Yet, she turned to me and added, "However, my answer is different."
The air became charged with anticipation as we awaited her response, wondering what unique insight she held regarding the qualification for saving the world.
"May I ask what it is?" I inquired, intrigued by Hiraya's alternative perspective.
Hiraya gave a confident smirk. "Destruction."
"Destruction?!" I exclaimed, taken aback by the unexpected response.
"That's right. The destruction of the future!" Hiraya declared, pointing upward. My eyes followed her gesture, and to my surprise, I beheld a gigantic blue magical circle floating on the ceiling.
