"...A bit of a ruthless turnaround, wouldn't you say?"
Asem posed the question while staring down at the mangled remains of Rizevim, whose life had just been snuffed out beneath Fafnir's crushing jaws.
Until moments ago, this man had been Rizevim's accomplice. There was no doubt that their collaboration had been the catalyst that empowered Qlippoth, turning them into a genuine nightmare.
And yet...
"You were planning to use him from the very start, weren't you?" I managed to grit out. "It wasn't a 'betrayal.' He was just a tool."
"Guilty as charged," Asem replied with a casual shrug. "To be honest, invading another world was never my goal. But I'll admit, I was a bit careless. I never imagined 'Grandpa Rize' would force me to pick up the pace like this."
"Pick up the pace...?" I repeated. "Is your goal really to unify this world? Why the rush? You have to know that forcing something like that only leads to disaster. People will resent it. They'll rebel."
As he had told Rizevim earlier, his objective seemed to be the unification of the world's will. But if he rushed it, there would be an inevitable backlash—just like the coups that had already fractured the Three Great Powers.
Asem gave a wry, hollow smile at my words.
"You're right, of course. But we... we don't have the luxury of taking our time. However, the final piece has finally fallen into place. Right, Hero-kun?"
At his words, a look of confusion spread across the faces of Miu, Alice, and even Ignis.
We?
No time?
And that lack of time is Rizevim's fault?
It was no use. No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn't see the logic behind his actions. What was he running from? What did he want from me?
Slowly, the rainbow shroud covering Agreas began to thin. My strength was fading. I was reaching my absolute limit.
Asem looked up at the fading prismatic light reflecting off the floating city and spoke again.
"Didn't you notice? Or rather... didn't any of you notice?"
"Notice what?" I shot back.
Asem let out a long, theatrical sigh, his expression shifting to one of mock exasperation.
"Your world, and Ast Erde. Having come this far, do you still not see it? There are already two different worlds. Which means—"
Asem was cut short by a sound that tore through the sky.
GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!
A violent tremor slammed into us without warning.
The entire city of Agreas was bucking wildly. And that sound... was that a roar? I couldn't wrap my head around it. Was there a monster truly that massive? It didn't sound like Crom Cruach...
"This... this miasma!" Miu cried out.
An oppressive fog began to drift inward. It was a miasma so dense and malevolent that it made Nidhogg's aura seem like a child's toy.
Where is it coming from? Who could possibly possess this much malice?
Asem clicked his tongue softly.
"Grandpa Rize... I see. Well played. I have to admire your foresight... to wake that thing up at this exact moment."
I followed Asem's gaze. There, in the distance, stood... something.
I can't describe it with certainty. I'd never seen anything like it. But one thing was undeniable: it was a mountain of pure, colossal evil. A titan of shadow and miasma was slowly hauling its massive frame into view, ascending toward the heavens followed by a swarm of Evil Dragons.
"What... what is that?!" Alice's eyes were wide, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
It wasn't just her. Miu, myself—even Vali, the battle-obsessed maniac—felt a primal dread. Only Ignis and Asem remained unperturbed.
"Oh my," Ignis remarked airily. "Something quite impressive has decided to show up."
"Right?" Asem chimed in, matching her tone. "Something super-duper big came out. All thanks to Grandpa Rize."
"How are you both so casual about this?!" I barked.
""Tee-hee! ☆""
Ignis and Asem simultaneously gave me a wink and a peace sign. My God, they were identical. Two peas in a chaotic pod.
Vali let out a low growl. "So... these are the gods of the other world...!"
"No!" I screamed. "They're just the idiots of the other world!"
I couldn't stop playing the straight man, even now. These people were insane.
Beep-boop. Beep-boop.
"Oh, it's working! The camera quality on the smartphone Vika made is incredible!" Asem chirped.
"DO YOU HAVE TO RUIN EVERY SERIOUS MOMENT WE HAVE?!" I howled.
What was wrong with him? Why was he taking photos of the apocalypse? Was he stupid? Could I please just punch him once?
Vali growled again, ignored. "So... this is a God of another world..."
"Vali! Stop playing along with the bit! I'm going to get angry! I'm actually going to lose it!"
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