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"I do not acknowledge 'miracles.'
Supernatural phenomena that defy common sense. Divine acts that dispel disasters beyond human control. When humanity is swallowed by inescapable despair, they cease resistance and offer prayers to God, wishing for a miracle.
God is omniscient and omnipotent. Possessing a dignity transcending humans, and abilities beyond human comprehension, bestowing fortune and misfortune upon humanity. The absolute ruler of the world.
That is a mistake. I am by no means such an almighty being. If I were an omniscient and omnipotent being, I would have long ago brought peace to humanity. I wouldn't have lost that child.
I don't have that much power. Even if I am called a god, I cannot protect all the people of the world. That's why humanity must acquire individual strength, not relying on 'miracles.' They must seek permanent strength to carve their own way out of any crisis.
Therefore, I deny the 'God of Miracles.'
Such a thing is a fake, something for the weak who cannot face reality to cling to. God is 'evil.' Miracles are 'delusions.' They are unnecessary for the world to function correctly. Humanity is inherently a creature with the power and will to carve its own way through the world.
I distorted that. I only needed to create. I didn't need to interfere. Even a rickety bridge, they could repair and cross it themselvesā¦ yet, I created a sturdy bridge so it wouldn't fall or break. If there's a patched-up bridge and a flawless one, anyone would choose the latter. I've known for a long time.
Humanity was never weak. I made them weak. I corrupted humanity and stopped their evolution. I turned my beloved children into hateful enemies.
That's why I must correct this. My long-cherished wish will be fulfilled by returning humanity to its proper state and by them overthrowing me, this 'evil.'
That is my atonement, which I must accomplish even if it costs me my life.
ā------------
"āSuch a result is not what I desire."
"I don't care what you desire. The miracle performed by one man, Amanogawa Kouki, exceeded your expectations. That's all there is to it."
Aldias retorted calmly to Schupass, who spat with a distorted, resentful expression. He didn't care about the means. The despair Spassunleashed was completely annihilated. That was an undeniable fact.
"I do not acknowledge miracles. Such things are merely good luck. There is no guarantee that the same thing will happen if a similar situation occurs again."
"He wasn't expecting a miracle from the start. He simply carried through with what he could do, with his will. Don't misunderstand? A miracle didn't happen. He made a miracle happen."
'A miracle happening' and 'making a miracle happen.' These two have vastly different meanings. Mitsuteru was simply desperate. He didn't think he could win. He couldn't boast that he could save the world. Yet, he didn't want to give up, didn't want to admit defeat, and struggled frantically. If Mitsuteru had given up on living early, this outcome wouldn't have happened. Many casualties would still be occurring. It's because he didn't give up that the current outcome exists. It is undeniably a miracle brought about by Mitsuteru's strength.
"A miracle is not a phenomenon that visits just anyone. It is a blessing of fate that visits those who persevere to the very end."
"A blessing that visits those who persevere to the very endā¦? Impossible. That's just a delusion! If that were truly the caseā¦ then whyā¦!"
Schupass's eyes widened, and he screamed as if in agony.
"Why did that child have to die?!"
"ā¦That child?"
Aldias furrowed his brow at Schupass, who was showing more emotion than ever before. Aldias didn't know whom Schupass's 'that child' referred to.
"She was purer than anyone! Stronger than anyone! That child, who lived every day desperately, why wasn't she rewarded?! Why did she have to meet such an end?!"
Once he started, the flood of pent-up emotions, like a broken dam, wouldn't stop.
"I!! Iā!!"
"ā¦"
Aldias, who had been silently watching the agitated Schupass, slowly raised his hand towards him. Although he had thoughts about Schupass's change, what needed to be done remained the same. For this world, for humanity's peaceā¦ he would end everything here.
"......I don't acknowledge it."
"What?"
"I don't acknowledge it. I don't acknowledge it. I don't acknowledge it. I don't acknowledge such strength. I cannot acknowledge itā¦"
Aldias narrowed his eyes at Schupass, who was muttering softly, the previous rage having subsided. However, he immediately widened his eyes.
āAhā¦ it was no good this time either.
"ā!?"
In that instant, Aldias felt an intense surge of killing intent, piercing him to the bone.
What is this? His magic hadn't swelled. His fighting spirit was the same as before. Yet, the loudest alarm bells rang in Aldias's mind.
(Kill him.)
(Kill him immediately.)
(Kill him without a trace.)
(You won't make it in time.)
Astonishment. Speechlessness. Shock. Dismay. Bewilderment. No words could describe Aldias's current state of mind. Only one thing could be said.
Just now, the world changed.
If he didn't stop him here, everything would end.
Therefore, Aldias played his trump card at this moment. A straight sword appeared in Aldias's hand. It was the double-edged sword he used in the battle against Hajime and the others. However, its appearance had slightly changed. The once pitch-black blade had unfolded, and a bright blue magical light flowed from the guard to the tip of the sword.
Sword-type Artifact: "Claiomh Solais"
This straight sword, meaning 'Sword of Light,' was one of the artifacts Aldias created. Its ability was the amplification and control of imbued magic.
It amplified Aldias's magic flowing through the hilt. The embedded spell mechanism perfectly controlled the vast magic, which could even become uncontrollable for Aldias himself. To put it simply, it was like a staff for a wizard in an RPG.
In other words, any magic cast through this sword literally represented Aldias's full power.
A torrent of magic that could destroy the world swelled further through "Claiomh Solais," engulfing the world. Then, a black giant with fifty heads and a hundred arms, towering to the heavens, appeared. Its enormous, fan-like multi-arms covered the veil of light raining down from the sky, completely stealing the light from the ground. flickering like flames, unstable in form, it presented various aspects depending on the angle from which it was viewed from the ground.
Some saw a fool dominated by merciless joy, like a shinigamiā¦
Some saw a fierce warrior crushed by mighty resentment, like an oniā¦
Some saw a king confronting cruel fate, like a humanā¦
Some saw a madman mocking everything from the heavens, like a godā¦
"O cursed child of the imprisoned god. In the underworld, become the gatekeeper who oversees the evil godsā"
A clear, bell-like voice echoed across the battlefield,
"Utsurogami Hyakushikisou (Hollow God, Hundred-Knowledge Monk)"
The night sky fell.
"""HAAAAAAH!?"""
The screams of those on the ground echoed as if the world had reversed gravity and heaven and earth had been turned upside down. The giant's hundred colossal arms, which caused such a misconception, rained down to engulf Schupass. It was more than just filling the entire field of vision. It was literally like the sky itself was falling to the ground.
Truly a cataclysm. Far beyond being called a disaster. A bizarre phenomenon beyond human comprehension and explanation. The hideous giant, imprisoned deep underground, after eons, bit into the heavens.
"Be swallowed by darkness and vanish."
DefenseāInstant Death.
EvasionāImpossible.
CounterattackāOut of the question.
Regardless of organic or inorganic matter, everything was swiftly reduced to ashes. A hundred strikes mirroring those that transcended the underworld and reached the divine realm. The judgment of annihilation, swallowing the world, enveloped Schupass's formā
The giant vanished without a trace.
"āāāāHuh?"
Whose dumbfounded voice was that? Perhaps one of the soldiers looking up from the ground, or perhaps Aldias, who was the only one looking down at the scene.
Just moments ago, the giant that had enveloped the world had vanished without a trace. As if it had never existed, the veil of light once again illuminated the ground.
"This isā¦!?"
Facing such a fantastical sight, Aldias felt a sense of dĆ©jĆ vu.
(No mistake! That timeā¦ it's the same as god mountain!!)
At God Mountain, when Aldias first encountered Schupass, he activated "Thunder Spear: Blazing Crimson." At that time, Aldias had thought it was transferred somewhere when the world was reconstructed, but he later noticed a discrepancy. At that time, Aldias's magic was indeed erased. It wasn't moved to a different coordinate; it was deleted. If it had just been transferred, he wouldn't have failed to notice where his magic had gone. But the moment the light covered the world, his magic was certainly erased.
The conclusion drawn from this was that the reconstruction of the world and the disappearance of magic were entirely separate phenomena. However, could he take countermeasures? He could only shake his head. After all, he didn't know what had been done. It was practically impossible to take countermeasures against an unperceived event.
(As expected, I felt nothing this time eitherā¦ What was done?)
Schupass, who had been bowing his head like a ghost until then, slowly raised his face. The faint smile he had worn moments ago was gone. The expression of intense emotion was gone.
Nothingnessā¦ was there.
[CONNECT CONTINUOUS]
Initiating connection to causal information. Complete. Maintaining connection status.
[DOWNLOAD CONTINUOUS]
Initiating analysis of causal information. Complete. Maintaining analysis status.
[INSTALL CONTINUOUS]
Initiating update of causal information. Complete. Continuous optimization processing maintained.
[DELETE START]
Selection of exclusion items. Complete. Confirmation of application to the world.
Spasspointed his fingertip with an expression devoid of any emotion.
"'Fall.'"
"ā!?"
At that instant, Aldias's body obeyed gravity and plummeted headfirst.
(Gravity magic was erased!?)
He immediately cast magic on himself again, but this time the magic itself wouldn't activate. He was confused by this but quickly calmed his mind.
(Calm down. I can still use magic itself. But the spell formula isn't constructing properly. Thenā¦!)
Closing his eyes for a moment, Aldias focused his consciousness, then opened his eyes wide and gathered his magic, starting to ascend against gravity once more.
(Oh? You rewrote the spell formula. You shouldn't have a clear understanding of what was done, but you found an impromptu countermeasure just by looking at the result.)
Spasswatched Aldias with pure admiration. Butā¦
"It's a futile struggle. You cannot win against me. Absolutely."
"You talk big. Are you saying I can't reach you?"
"That's not what I mean. As long as you are you, it's impossible."
"What?"
Aldias narrowed his eyes at the incomprehensible words, and Spassopened his mouth. But what came out wasn't a continuation of the conversation.
"'Sever.'"
At the same time, a blade of vacuum sliced Aldias, gouging deeply into his chest. Aldias, having sensed the killing intent, had instantly shifted, so it didn't reach his internal organs, but he still gritted his teeth in pain. However, he immediately healed the wound with regeneration magic.
"'Revive.'"
But like a reverse playback, the closed wound opened again.
"Guh!?"
Putting off healing the wound, Aldias switched to offense.
GÅen (Blazing Flame)
Black flames erupted from the surrounding space, surging to engulf Schupass.
"'Quell.'"
But even that vanished with just a word from Schupass. He felt no magic, nothing. It was as if the magic had simply disappeared on its own accordā¦ Of course, Aldias would never willingly cancel his own magic. Yet, it didn't reach. It wasn't defended against, nor repelled, nor erased from above. With just a single word from Schupass, it vanished as if rejected by the world.
(What's happening!? Damn it! Don't stop thinking! Keep moving!!)
Aldias continued to observe Schupass, not missing a single movement, due to the phenomena that defied common sense. But no matter how much he observed, he couldn't feel anything from Spassother than the words he uttered.
(Wordsā¦ divine words? No, even then, the complete absence of magic is unnatural. Andā¦!)
Aldias tried to cast "GÅen" again, gathering his magic, butā¦
(As expected, this won't activate either!?)
Once a spell was erased by Schupass, its use itself became impossible. It was the same phenomenon as with gravity magic. He could imbue it with magic, but the spell formula couldn't be constructed. As if such a spell formula had never existedā¦
(I can easily rewrite a spell formula for flying. But anything elseā¦!)
The higher the level of magic, the larger and more complex the spell formula becomes. To change that is akin to creating new magic. In other words, unless he found the secret behind the magic's disappearance, his hand would dwindle with time.
"Thenā¦!"
He stopped the magical barrage and swiftly closed in on Schupass. He raised "Claiomh Solais" in his hand.
"Ā«HinderĀ»"
KAGIN!!
An invisible barrier suddenly appeared between Spassand Aldias, easily blocking the attack.
"'Fall.'"
With the next uttered word, Aldias fell sideways. As if the direction of gravity had changed.
(Kuh, calm down! Quickly regain my posture andā¦!)
However, Spassdidn't give him that luxury.
"'Roar.'"
"GAAHH!?"
A tremendous sound followed by a shock. Aldias's consciousness momentarily flew, as if his brain had been shaken. His sense of balance was disrupted, and he couldn't tell which way was up or down.
"'Surge.'"
Flames, erupted from a spatial distortion, became a torrent that scorched his body.
"'Burst forth.'"
Lightning raining from the sky became scattered blades that lacerated his body.
"'Stagnate.'"
A howling breath froze his body.
He wasn't even given time to deploy a barrier. He wasn't given room to heal. Disasters, powerful enough to obliterate a normal person's body with just one hit, assailed Aldias.
PAKIN!!
At that moment, a sound like cracking metal echoed from Aldias's body. Simultaneously, a necklace-like ornament spilled from Aldias's chest. The moment it happened, Spassfelt the protection that had enveloped Aldias's body being dispelled.
Aldias and Hajime had created numerous artifacts in preparation for the battle against Schupass, but the first thing they prepared for the battle against "God" was counter-equipment for "Divine Words." Since Ehit had used it, it was inconceivable that Schupass, who could be called its creator, couldn't use "Divine Words." If the entire army were incapacitated by "Divine Words" at the start of the battle, it would be a disaster.
For that purpose, everyone was equipped with artifacts that nullified effects directly influencing the human body, including the mind. Of course, Aldias was no exception. Furthermore, since there was a high possibility of a direct confrontation, he wore the most powerful one. Its durability was also perfect, butā¦ it was destroyed by the current shock.
"I thought you were wearing something strangeā¦ Well, this is the end then."
Spassslowly pointed his fingertip at Aldias.
(This isā¦ badā¦ with 'Shadow Star'ā¦ evadeā¦)
"Goodbye, Aldias-kun."
"'Explode.'"
Just like before, he only uttered a word. With that alone, Aldias's body ripped open, and blood spurted from his entire body like a fountain. It was as if his body had exploded from the inside, causing screams from those on the ground who witnessed the sight.
"I thought perhaps you couldā¦ butā¦"
Capturing the sight of Aldias plummeting, scattering blood, Spassmuttered sadly.
"It's regrettable. Trulyā¦ regrettable."
He fell. He fell. He fell endlessly. His wings torn off, plummeting headfirst. Burned in purgatory. Struck by divine lightning. Trapped in an ice prison. His body disintegrated.
Was he alive, or was he dead? Aldias, whose consciousness flickered, couldn't even tell.
(Notā¦ yetā¦ I amā¦)
With his consciousness hazy, Aldias desperately reached out to the sky. But there was no one to take his hand. The only thing in his sight was Schupass, looking down silently.
"My name is Aldias. And you?"
"ā¦I want you to name me."
Memories of the past came flooding back.
"To a parent, a child's happiness is the most important thing."
"Be sure to come back to us. It's a promise, okay?"
"Won't you let us bear some of the burden too?"
"After everything ends, I won't hold back either."
"Rely on your big brother a little."
"We're family, aren't we?"
Aldias's everyday life.
Words exchanged.
Unfulfilled promises.
Companions who supported him.
They believe in him, this kind of him. They've entrusted him. They wish for him to definitely win. He can't lose. He has to win. He has to do it.
(Don't be ridiculousā¦! In a place like this, Iā¦!)
Contrary to his thoughts, his body wouldn't obey. His consciousness continued to sink into a deep darknessā¦
āHow pathetic, Aldias.
A voiceā¦ he heard it.