Deep beneath the city, in the underground sanctuary—
Seated high amid the darkness was Uranus, Orario's founding god, the one who used divine power to suppress the Dungeon itself.
That suppression came at a price: he could not leave that throne. He had to remain there forever—an eternal offering upon the altar.
Because it was a choice he made willingly, he was, naturally, the god most revered by humanity.
At this very moment, Uranus was observing the battle raging above, using the Eye Crystal crafted by the sage Fels.
It was an astonishing creation—no need to worry about signal coverage; a "phone" that could make video calls; a "camera" that could start a livestream at any moment.
On ordinary days, when the weight of solitude became too much, Uranus would watch the outside world through the Eye Crystal to ease the tedium.
Of course, the Founding God was noble. He wouldn't secretly spy on specific people like some scheming "Third Hokage," nor would he peek into women's bathhouses like some shameless "lecherous sage."
This time, he used the Eye Crystal for its intended purpose: to observe the great war—and so he heard Erebus's declaration as well.
"Those who do not keep faith, who do not honor vows—the contract that began between the mortal world and the Age of Myth… today, I shall end it with my own hands!"
"If you call me arrogant, so be it."
"If you call me brutal, so be it."
"For darkness, the hatred of all of you is the highest happiness!"
Erebus was already intoxicated by his own stage.
Across Orario, members of the Dark Faction roared in jubilation as they followed the echo of his voice.
Far away, Ryuu had just finished another fight protecting Astraea.
Astraea herself was no weakling, and the enemies who came for her had truly been formidable.
Ryuu finally let out a breath of relief—only to hear that familiar voice again.
"That god… Eren? The one who lost 444 valis?"
Ryuu remembered it clearly: earlier today, she'd been with Aditi and Cid on a joint action, and she'd seen them help that god with her own eyes.
Back then, after learning she was a member of Astraea Familia, that god had even asked her what "justice" truly was.
A god who had felt strange—oddly unsettling.
But no matter how strange he'd seemed, Ryuu had never imagined he was a horrifying evil god like this.
Thinking of the civilians she'd managed to protect, the civilians she hadn't reached in time… and Cid, who was likely in mortal danger—
Ryuu finally understood what hatred truly felt like.
"'Greatest Evil'…"
Alise murmured as if speaking to herself, her thoughts unreadable.
After the initial shock, Kaguya immediately looked to Alise.
Because there was one grim question she had to face:
Would the captain of a "justice familia" come to hate the gods… and commit deicide?
Just like the Dark Faction did?
"…"
Astraea felt something was wrong.
By all appearances, the flow of the battle—every step—was under the enemy's control.
They held an overwhelming advantage… so why stop here?
Gods being sent back to Heaven was a crushing blow to certain familias.
But the gods of the two great familias would never commit such an error. They were hiding safely.
The enemy's actions almost felt like a warning to the gods who hadn't yet been targeted.
And if the goal was truly to cripple Orario, then the prime targets should have been the first-class adventurers—the strongest pillars of the city.
Yet from the intelligence gathered so far, most first-class adventurers had been defeated… but none were in immediate danger of death.
The situation was desperate, yes—
But the most steadfast, the bravest, the most tenacious adventurers might instead be pushed into transformation by this.
Was this truly a war to the death…
Or a trial of the highest possible difficulty?
Could this so-called "Greatest Evil"…
…be acting?
Very few could think as calmly as Astraea. Most adventurers were already drowning in fury, hatred, and fear.
But regardless of what anyone felt, the "Greatest Evil" showed no sign of stopping. His voice kept scraping raw at everyone's nerves.
"In the name of darkness, I proclaim this—Perish, Orario!"
At last, Erebus finished his announcement.
This night—beginning with the assault on Orario, and ending with the assassination of gods—had entered its final phase.
After something this massive, no one would sleep tonight.
Those who truly fell asleep… would never wake again.
And yet—
Tonight's performance wasn't over.
If anything, it had only just begun.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Applause sounded from behind.
Erebus assumed it was his subordinates from the Dark Faction, but something about it felt… off.
Before he could place it, Chardo barked out a warning—half challenge, half alarm.
"Who are you? And when did you get there?"
Chardo drew his black longsword, on full guard.
Alfia forced her eyes open again despite the strain, staring hard at the black-clad figure before them.
Seeing their reaction, Erebus finally understood what was happening—and why the applause had felt wrong.
"You two… didn't notice him just now?"
Under Erebus's gaze—equal parts shock and delight—the pitch-black figure strode forward, step by step, until he stood before them.
If nothing else, this level of concealment was likely unmatched in Orario's entire history.
"When did I start standing here? What a strange question. Haven't I been here the whole time?"
Cid approached the two "Overlords" and the god, releasing the concealment skill.
He radiated a presence that didn't lose to an Overlord, didn't lose to a god, and didn't lose to the "Greatest Evil" himself.
The two Overlords grew more shaken the longer they looked.
To completely suppress such a terrifying presence…
Was it even possible for someone to do that?
"Orario has an adventurer like you? Why didn't you show yourself sooner?"
Chardo could barely suppress the grin tugging up at the corners of his mouth.
To meet an opponent of this caliber in the Orario of today—his sword was starving.
"Was it you? The one who used that magic in the Dungeon?"
Alfia recalled the devastating spell that had shaken Orario itself.
Earlier, she'd confirmed through combat that the "old elf hag" hadn't improved much—so that attack hadn't been her doing.
Disappointing.
It seemed she'd been disappointed too soon.
In the war so far, only the man before her felt truly unfathomable.
In Alfia's long-silent heart, a rare emotion stirred—the thrill of the hunt.
"Adventurer… you've come before us. What is it you wish to say? Whatever it is, the 'Greatest Evil' will listen with rapt attention!"
Erebus's face was flushed, his voice utterly unlike the cold ruthlessness from moments ago.
Faced with such theatrically grand hospitality, Cid naturally had no intention of spoiling the mood.
"My name is Shadow—one who lurks within the shadows, and hunts the shadows.
You dared to cast me aside and call yourselves the 'Greatest Evil'…
Are you prepared?"
Cid extended his slime-forged sword, pointing it at the enemies before him.
Chardo moved first—beating Alfia to it—stepping in to meet Shadow's blade head-on.
"The title of 'Greatest Evil' is right here! If you want it… then come and take it yourself!"
....
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