Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou (WN)

The Situation Leading to the End Second

The atmosphere was choking.

It was due to Yue and others. They were looking up at the vortex of light that showed no change ever since they parted with Hajime. Currently they were watching from the rooftop of the building that was used as the base of the worshipper organization ”Us”.

The atmosphere of the city showed the bustling of everyday life because some time had passed ever since the early morning. The commotion that happened at the start of this was already calming down.

Just in case MCB and Detroit polices were still continuing to blockade the area for several blocks. They were also dealing with the mass media. On the surface they were explaining that they were blockading the area for suppressing a terrorist organization hiding there as well as disposing and investigating the crime scene for explosives and the like.

There was also practically nobody trying to break through the blockade to learn the truth. Before Hajime departed, he activated the large scale Neural*zer New Satellite. It was literally a satellite artifact.

Of course, there were also people outside the firing range, but in the first place there was nobody, including such people whocould get the ideaof stepping into the crime scene.

They were also already becoming unable to perceive the ”vortex of light” itself.

Because Kaori was deploying a powerful perception blocker barrier to the surrounding area.

And so, naturally the stifling atmosphere wasn’t because of chaos in Detroit where the supernatural phenomenon manifested.

It also wasn’t because they were worried for Hajime.

「The world’s……destruction……she said?」

「Even at the longest the world only has a hundred years……? Haha……what kind of joke is that……」

The father and son Takehiko and Kiyotake were covering their mouth with one hand. It was just as they muttered in exactly the same pose, yes, the cause was the world’s destruction.

Actually, the conversation between Hajime and Manager Mercurys were also wholly transmitted to Yue and others. Bluntly speaking it was ”wiretapping”.

As expected the noise was horrible using only the interworld communication device the moment it entered the space that contained the ”God Tree’s core”, but by reinforcing that connection with soul magic, they succeeded in listening to the conversation by Hajime acting like a mike replacement.

In that state only those who could use soul magic were able to listen to the conversation clearly, so Aiko went further and connected everyone to be able to listen.

And so, currently on the rooftop everyone could be seen falling completely silent and standing motionlessly. Just in case two MCB agents were standing guard at the entrance, but they were looking at each other with bewilderment seeing the strange sight as well as the abnormally heavy atmosphere.

「……No good. I can’t keep up with the talk at all.」

「This isn’t that kind of movie……right, right?」

Agent J raised both his hands in surrender. K was looking around restlessly at the others while saying that this must be some kind of mistake.

It couldn’t be helped.

――World’s destruction

Saying it out loud made the topic even felt cliched. It was just as Agent K said. It felt like they were being told a movie setting that had been used up to death. It didn’t feel realistic at all.

Vanessa, Claudia, and even Hinata and Zhu also felt the same. It looked like their mind still couldn’t keep up with the scale of the talk. Their expressions looked somewhat dazed.

But, people who had experience facing the danger called ”destruction” although in smaller scale――like Yue and others who had gone through the final battle in Tortus, and Hidzuki who came from the fairy world that had actually just a step away from ruin naturally understood the weight of the truth. Their expressions were grim.

What was unexpected was the bus guide, Amai Anju had gone completely pale and holding her head in her hands. To her who was aware of the outsider gods and the abnormality of the foreign monsters, the preposterous words of ”world destruction” might feel truly weighty. Unfortunately for her.

「When the world is destroyed, I thought it would definitely be the work of the outsider gods but……for the situation, to be that hopeless……」

The mythological life form girl of indeterminate form――Sathla who was similarly aware of the outsider god’s threat better than anyone muttered with her eyes that were shining in iridescent color radiating emotion that was similar to resignation.

There was nothing to be done.

Certainly that was true. After all it was a phenomenon that rendered the age of god magic that was their last ray of hope unusable. The source of power of Yue and co were completely negated.

Just what in the world they could do against such thing?

Hearing Sathla’s murmur, the grave atmosphere’s thickness became even thicker. Everyone was at a loss for words.

There,

『Unacceptable.』

A voice that was unwavering like a large tree reverberated in their souls. It wasn’t from the effect of the soul magic. It was like the voice blew away the stifling atmosphere and directly reached the soul.

Yue and others gasped and lifted up their faces all at once.

『There’s always a way, no matter when, no matter what kind of situation.』

There was no despair and resignation. Such concept didn’t exist. It was like the words were filled with such powerful will and strength that proclaimed so.

Yue and others looked at each other and smiles naturally formed on their faces.

The confounded Hinata and others also tightened their expressions. Takehiko and others also began rallying back from their shaken up feeling even while holding their breath.

The words, were truly like magic.

Like that, Manager Mercurys consented to Hajime’s words and the two shook hands. As soon as everyone learned that,

『Heh, that Hajime boy……as I thought, you bastard is a real man.』

「I’ve been ignoring it but, just what in the world is this creature?」

Lee-san who was remaining behind in order to explain the situation was making a smug face inside the cockpit of the modified airship for water and sky Triana. His words caused Yue and others to also get smug faces proudly like it was them who got praised. Agent J seemed to have calmed down enough that he was able to make a tsukkomi.

A beat passed and Hajime and Manager Mercurys were starting to talk again, Yue listened to them while moving her gaze at the surrounding.

「……Aiko, link us to Laila. She need to hear this too.」

「! You’re right, I’ll do so immediately!」

「……Nn. Shia, you call Lutria at the star spirit world and Enti at the miniature garden. Tio, call Meeres at the sky dragon world. Shizuku call G10, Kaori call Foltina, and Lily……call Adol-dono for the time being.」

「Command acknowledged desu!」

「Understood.」

「Leave it to me.」

「It’s good that there was preparation to enable the gate to be connected already.」

「Certainly Adol-dono is in a possession of communicator. Informing that person is the best path to take for Tortus that doesn’t have an avatar of a great tree. I understand!」

It was a danger to all worlds. It was essential to share the information to all the people standing at the top of each world.

Shia and others understood the meaning of Yue’s instruction and started responding immediately.

「Myuu, are Lucifeer and others listening to the talk just now?」

「Myu? Nn~, myu! They said they’re listening nano!」

Myuu turned her gaze to behind her. Remia looked puzzled but, it looked like Myuu wasn’t looking at mama but at her own shadow.

Myuu’s shadow jiggled and then it extended out. Seeing that it was forming a different silhouette from Myuu――the figure of an adult person with wings――it seemed that Lucifeer-san had slipped out from the living golem and lurked inside Myuu’s shadow to be her guard in preparation of the worst case.

An arm extended from that shadow to the side and formed a firm thumb up. Remia who was coincidentally standing near the face part cutely shrieked 「Kyah」 and leaped back.

A girl’s shadow forming a shape that was clearly inhuman……Yuuka and others reflexively smiled wryly seeing such sight. The agents and Amai’s expressions became astonished. Combined with the familiar name of the demon lord, they all muttered 「T-this is the demon god’s daughter……」 with their voices shuddering in fear.

「……Next, Endou.」

「I get it, Yue-san. The fairy world right? I’m calling Emily. The manly goddess(Blau) should be right beside her too.」

Nn,Yue nodded. Seeing that Zhu took out her smartphone, however, she looked thoughtful for a little bit before shaking her head and putting the phone back into her pocket.

「I was thinking that we should also contact our organizations but……we should focus on the talk first I guess.」

「Yes, Zhu-san. Even just keeping up with the talk is taking everything we have. It’ll be difficult to communicate the key points while listening at the same time.」

「True. It’ll be a different story if we can allow other to listen in real time using soul magic though……」

Vanessa looked toward Yue with a slightly hopeful look but, Yue was showing an unwavering focus that couldn’t be explained with just the severity of the content of the talk.

Actually, there was something else Yue was doing other than interfering and reinforcing the ”rainbow bridge”.

It was vigilance.

That was the greatest reason why Hajime left Yue and co, no, why Hajime left Yue especially behind.

Of course there was the consideration of the risk that Yue who specialized in magic would be rendered powerless in the calamity world but, even more than that, there was no guarantee that the ”god of gate” or perhaps other ”void gods” wouldn’t make a move while Hajime was absent from earth. Therefore he wanted to leave the strongest magician as reserve here.

The opponents couldn’t be located even using the compass. That was why, in order to answer the trust Hajime put on her, Yue was exercising every kind of magic even right at this moment to spread out a detection net with all her powers.

Even though she couldn’t detect ”void gods” themselves, she wouldn’t overlook any incident or phenomenon that occurred when they made their move.

And so, the mood made it difficult to ask her to also use soul magic so communication could be held with the leaders of each organization too. Or rather, Director Magdanese and the others leaders too would only feel bewildered if they suddenly got told a story about the world destruction without knowing the full picture.

「In the first place based on what they’re talking about……it’s vexing but, this talk is in a scale that’s beyond a single organization can do anything about……it’ll be necessary to report it but, it should be fine to do it after it’s all put together.」

Rana patted the troubled looking Claudia while nodding.

「If it’s boss then he might even go all the way to getting the solution. At the very least we have an extension of a hundred years. First let’s listen to the talk until it finish.」

All the people who belonged to organization nodded at Rana’s words. And then, they focused once more at the talk that was still ongoing even now.

It seemed that Manager Mercurys was following what Hajime told her ”from the beginning till the end”, she was talking from the ”history of the calamity world”. In other words, the history that led to the collapse.

Apparently it would in the end connect to the details about the ”void gods” and ”the true reason of the world’s destruction”.

「……I don’t wanna say this but, as expected from the world that gave birth to that bastard Ehito. It’s unreal.」

「Right……」

Ryuutarou who was standing straight with his arms folded frowned deeply while muttering his words. Beside him Suzu also nodded with a bitter smile.

Seeing them, Atsushi, Noboru, along with Nana and Taeko also agreed even while looking at each other unconsciously.

If it was Ryuutarou in the past, he would say something like 「I don’t get the complicated talk. Just tell me what we gotta do!」 and threw the towel early.

And yet, right now he was showing the gesture of standing firm to take everything in. Combined with his thoroughly trained sturdy body it made him looked very reliable.

It was like, yes……it reminded them of the knight commander Meld Loggins.

「Something like defeating the God Tree’s avatar to replace them……the avatar should have the absolute advantage against that world’s beings right? To defeat something like that……」

「The proof of obtaining god’s authority, the ”God King Proof of Authority Tree”――for short ”God Tree” is it? That’s a horrible implication different from our imagination.」

Ryuutarou’s words were followed by Yuuka muttering with a grimacing face.

According to Manager Mercurys.

Apparently it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call the calamity world’s history as a history of magical technology development race.

Magical technology was developed through a long history and before long it arrived at the law technique. The techniques were systematically organized, established, and the mastery difficulty was getting considerably reduced.

Of course, it seemed that a complete liberation from aptitude and talent was still in the stage of research but, at the very least an advanced magic civilization where they could say that ”mankind was evolved” was established.

The prime result of that was the transformation of mankind into a long-lived race. And even a part of the transcendents had managed perpetual youth and longevity. Of course, the risk of death because of incident or disease had also been sharply reduced.

The mankind of the calamity world had half conquered the concept of death.

What happened as the result of that?

The explosive increase of population. It was natural that just a single planet met its capacity limit in the blink of eye. And it was also only natural that things developed to expansion to outer space.

The research of space travel also advanced. By riding on the flow of magic power flowing to the universe――the origin flow from planet to planet, interstellar travel too became easily possible, so mankind was expanding to outer space and other planets in the blink of eye.

Also, apparently using this technology for riding on the origin flow, magic to protect the traveller from the origin flow and designated the destination made them temporarily shined in rainbow color so it got named as the ”rainbow bridge”.

It seemed that the vortex of light didn’t shine in rainbow color was because it was converted to energy that was closer to element.

「Goshujin-sama hath mentioned before.」

Tio listened to the talk while muttering in a small voice. Everyone’s gaze turned toward her.

「One day, the time wouldst come for us to choose our end. He’s correct. Something that began hath to have an end. That art the laws of nature.」

The calamity world was unable to do that.

Expansion to space was nothing more than postponing the problem of population oversaturation. Naturally the calamity world would run into the same problem once again after several thousand years.

And like the natural flow of things, the calamity world entered the era of warfare. Dispute over resource, or perhaps for a direct reason like reducing population, wars broke out, in order to regain the concept of death once more, or to consign the transcendents and technology to oblivion, etc.

But, all sides used law technique and they were all difficult to kill.

The war didn’t end. It was because there was no end that technological research advanced even further to gain advantage over the opposite side.

Like that, mankind finally arrived at concept magic. And even further they also established the technique to activate concept magic arbitrarily.

Shia spoke with a sigh. The sigh wasn’t because of exasperation, but it seemed to be filled with caution for themselves too.

She must feel that this story wasn’t completely unrelated to themselves considering the vast power that they possessed. Tio and others were also making the similar expression to her.

「And from there concept magic got recklessly used and finally the world principles began to go out of order wasn’t it.」

「But, it still wasn’t fatal. The God Tree and its avatar were alive and well and they were correcting the world’s disorder……」

Hmm? Wait?There Shizuku’s expression became dubious.In that case the Breaking Down Principles Phenomenon can be stopped as long as there are the great tree and its avatar? Or rather, in the first place the effect of Breaking Down Principles Phenomenon is getting prevented with just the ”God Tree’s core” over there even though only locally isn’t it?

The moment she mentioned that, they could hear that Hajime was also asking the same thing. He seemed to have the same thought.

Now that you mention it that’s right,Yue and others thought while looking at each other.

Manager Mercurys said that question would be answered later and she continued the story.

It seemed the ”world’s destruction” wasn’t solely caused by the Breaking Down Principles Phenomenon.

「For now, we should just keep in mind that even when concept magic is recklessly used and caused disorder to world principles, it’s possible to correct it with the power of God Tree and the avatar. Just like artifact, even something that originally has permanent effect couldn’t display its power sufficiently forever. Do I get it right?」

「This is, in the end it’s with the condition that the type of energy of the concept magic is matching with the world managed by the avatar isn’t it?」

Yuuka asked for confirmation to Kaori while looking slightly unsure. Kaori too could only barely keep up with the story, so she also looked toward Yue with a slightly unsure face.

「……Nn. I think it’s something like that. Also, based on that fact, no faction in the calamity world was in possession of a decisive trump card.」

In that case, what about ”expanding to other worlds” that the people there were already aware of their existences at that time?

However, naturally the avatar also didn’t allow that.

The same like Lutria. Interference to other world wasn’t permitted, nor was interference from other world. The avatar thought that a world ought to be completed with just that world alone.

「Human is born, and then die……such natural providence, everything would be alright if they were just able to accept that once more……」

Liliana spoke while shaking her head. She had a face of someone thinking that what she herself said would be impossible to do.

Everyone also had the same thought like her.

This is a what-if story. A severe problem was happening to the environment so let’s abandon the modern life and reform society back to the primitive culture. Throw away electricity and also electrical appliances and let’s return to the living of Middle Age era or older.

Could earth’s mankind band together and practice such thing?

Perhaps there were some individuals and small groups that could. There must also be some people who understood that they ought to do that.

But, the majority would undoubtedly refuse. Some minority would practice living an inconvenient life for real but once they realized that what they were doing was meaningless because of how few their number was, even the enlightened people would continue living the convenient life even knowing that ”they shouldn’t do that”.

And if what they were asked to give up here was ”long life” or ”immortality”, it would be even more impossible for them to let go of it.

「……Although their circumstance is different from us, this isn’t just someone else’s problem. If it’s us there won’t be any problem……surely, we shouldn’t think like that.」

Yue’s murmur was heavy. She was an undying vampire princess even before she got her hand on age of god magic. The thought of self-admonition was seeping out from her voice thicker than anybody else whether she wanted it or not.

Shia and others were also nodding with complicated expressions from this negative example they were hearing.

「I couldst not relate with such feeling. To exist until your end arrive. I think that’s already enough 」

「Haha, well, apparitions are like that huh.」

「But, humans are……you understand right, Hidzuki. We are not that sensible. Therefore the path the calamity world had walked is, in a sense, the natural conclusion.」

Kousuke smiled wryly at Hidzuki. Hinata also smiled wryly, however, she let out a heavy sigh at the continuation of the story.

Mankind seriously rose to defeat the avatar.

The avatar boasted absolute advantage against existences living in their world. No matter how mighty the powers wielded by the residences of the calamity world were, as long as the source of those powers were ”magic power”, they absolutely wouldn’t be able to win against the avatar.

That was the absolute rule no matter what world it was.

But, ”mankind’s possibility” also included possessing the power to surpass that ”absolute”.

The research for defeating the avatar began to be carried out by all countries.

「”The one to control the God Tree, control the world”……how did the God Tree’s avatar must felt at that time.」

Shia spoke with a pained expression. She must be recalling the pained scream of Lutria.

「Why didn’t the god of the God Tree stop it nano?」

Myuu’s eyebrows scrunched as she asked the question. Nobody could answer her. Hajime also felt the same confusion and asked the question but, Manager Mercurys too said that she didn’t know why.

Perhaps the avatar was unable to lay their hand on the children of man that they loved.

Or perhaps, they had no interest in what the children of man accomplished, and they were too prideful to consider the possibility that they could be defeated.

At this point of time, even Manager Mercurys only knew that the God Tree’s avatar――was a male god with humanoid good-looking figure. People who knew about him in detail when he was still alive had been annihilated, so there was no way to ascertain what that god had in his mind.

In any case, mankind succeeded in overthrowing their god. A nation that ruled over a certain planet finally obtained that method.

It was the technology to turn magic power into element, and to meddle with the element.

The technology wasn’t so advanced they could directly control the element. But, applying great debuff to the avatar, or making mankind’s magic possessing enough effect……if it was something of that level then it was possible with the technology. After that what was left to do was just violence of number.

As the result the avatar was defeated and the victorious country obtained a part of the avatar’s body and the God Tree. Using those as the basis, they created an artificial avatar.

That was an existence that ought to be called as Holou’s predecessor. A system that was created as the control terminal of principles――the principles controlling assist system, in short ”controller”.

The designation had ”-er” in it because the predecessor was humanoid.

Naturally there wasa reason why it was humanoid. Possession. The principles controlling assist system was a system that enabled one to replace the avatar by possessing an empty vessel of the avatar.

The king of the victorious country who succeeded in replacing the avatar called himself as the ”god king” and established a new country in the planet of the God Tree as ”the country of god where only the chosen people could live”.

And then, they immediately faced a grave problem.

「Aa~, in the end, it’s a power too great for a mere human huh.」

「That simply stands to reason.」

There might not be any problem if this happen when their civilization is at the level around earth huh,Atsushi and Noboru reflexively spoke out.

The difference between the calamity world and earth. The difference of civilization level.

Earth couldn’t exert its influence to outer space. But, the calamity world was different. The effect of reckless uses of concept magic and, special grade magic tools that were still working even then existed. Neutralizing the effects of those until the end of universe and managing the environment was none other than the avatar of God Tree.

The god king was unable to do that.

It was simply the problem of processing power. Managing the whole universe, to do that with human body, or to be more accurate human mind was impossible even after he stole the avatar’s body and no matter how much law technique and concept magic were used to cover up for his deficiency.

The abrasion to his mind was advancing bit by bit even when he didn’t wield the avatar’s authority. Despite his immortal body he reached a point where a replacement was required in merely several centuries.

Taeko held her as though to sayDraa~~ts.

「The result was the Principles Breaking Down Phenomenon became unstoppable, and its influence was also spreading out rapidly……」

「How should I put it, just because the effect of the Principles Breaking Down Phenomenon could be held in check if the range was limited to the area centered around the God Tree’s planet, he decided to completely abandon the remote regions of the universe……that god king guy was seriously screwed up. That’s too much war crime.」

Just as Nana said with twitching face, the god king handed down a decision that ought to be called a type of defiance.

In a sense, the overpopulation problem can be solved with this isn’t it, the king said.

In addition, his control was unable to reach until every corner of the universe, Who knew when new technology might get developed somewhen and somewhere and what happened to the first avatar would be repeated to him. In that case he could just shrink the world to a size that he could manage.

And then, the problem of processing power would be resolved as time passed, and at that time he could return to regaining back the whole universe.

He was different from the previous god. He could select only the capable people and also firmly managed the population.

Even just listening to that way of thinking from outside, that was clearly an extremely shallow decision.

And then, sure enough.

「……”Mu”?」

Yue wasn’t groaning 「Mu?」 just now. Through the soul magic they could also hear Hajime similarly muttering 「Mu?」 while tilting his head.

Manager Mercurys nodded and spoke it once more. She was referring to ”無(Mu)” that meant nothingness.

Then she continued, that was none other than the ”void god” and ”the true cause of world’s destruction”.

「……Further outside the nine universes? The gap with the ”world of possibility”?」

Yue ruminated Manager Mercurys’s words while looking clearly bewildered. Looking around, Shia’s group and Ryuutarou’s group, also Kousuke’s group were also all looking at each other with questioning expression and not knowing what to say.

Through the soul magic, they could hear Hajime muttering 「There huh……」.

It sounded like Hajime had an idea about it. Certainly, when Hajime told his guess about the true identity of the ”outer god” inside this building, he mentioned ”Perhaps they are creatures of the calamity world that got affected by the collapse of the principles?”.

But, 「Or perhaps……」 he also almost mentioned about one other possibility.

It seemed that other possibility was the right answer.

Perhaps Hajime was keeping in mind that Yue and co were listening, or perhaps he was also anticipating that they were feeling confused. He intentionally began to ask questions to confirm things one by one. He was also choosing words that were easier to understand.

Yue and co started focusing even more to the talk.

At the same time, Amai-san was quietly walking to the edge of the rooftop where her look became pensive. It seemed she realized that she wouldn’t be able to keep up with the story any more than this and gave up.

Or rather why am I present in this kind of scene that’s like the endgame of the story where the major players are gathering……it’s like a villager standing among the hero party when they’re having a strategy meeting in front of the demon king castle you know, the feeling of being out of place is so great it’s painful you know……I want to go home you knoww……she lamented while sitting and hugging her knees. Tears were gathering at the corners of her eyes.

Lee-san’s Triana quietly flew to her left side. His eyes were like they were saying 『Alone by yourself……is lonely right?』.

The approach of a fish with middle-aged man’s face caused her expression to spasm for a second.

Just right below there’s a large garbage box filled with a lot of cardboard boxes, I might make it if it’s just from the height of fourth floor?She checked the escape route because of her usual habit, but the human faced fish uncle had very kind eyes so Amai-san’s thought came to a stop and she nodded.

Hidzuki-san quietly came to her right side. Her eyes were saying 「Listening to a complicated story any more than this wouldst make me die before the world couldst end」.

The horns growing from her forehead and the inhuman atmosphere radiating from her made Amai-san’s face convulsed for a moment.

This time she almost decided to perform eagle dive like a certain assassin for real following her instinct as well as conditioned reflex, but sympathy and affection were transmitted from Hidzuki’s gaze so her thought came to a stop and she nodded.

One person, one fish, and one oni.

The trio who couldn’t keep up with the talk all peacefully turned their back on the serious mood behind them.

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「The ”void gods” aren’t creatures of the calamity world that transformed because of the Principles Breaking Down Phenomenon, but existences from parallel world huh?」

Hajime confirmed that while taking out two chairs from his ”treasure warehouse”. They were talking following the flow but, the problem here wasn’t something that could be dealt with ordinary means. He had to talk with his full concentration.

Holou was also still sucking out magic power, and he could easily imagine Yue and others were getting even more confused, so even though he was feeling restless he too should calm down……that was what he was thinking.

Manager Mercurys obediently sat on the offered chair and nodded deeply.

「So you also know about the parallel world’s existence?」

「Yeah, I heard from a goddess. Foltina called his existence as ”calamity” and told me that he was an existence that came from even further outside the ”nine universes”.」

The mastermind of the tragedy that attacked the desert world and the existences attacking the calamity world were the same beings.

「You said that these guys came from this so called ”Mu/void” but……what’s this ”void”?」

「It means exactly as it is but……let’s see. If I have to give it a definition then perhaps I should described it as ”a space that is defined as nothing is existing” perhaps.」

Apparently it was a complete darkness, a space where not a single object existed.

And, anything that entered that space would have their body and mind overwritten with ”void” and vanished.

Nothing existed there, even existing wasn’t allowed.

Perhaps it also ought to be called as a type of conceptual space with the concept of ”nothing exist”.

「Just now I explained the difference between our and your method of travel right?」

「Yeah.」

「It seems that you have the same imagination of ”the world tree and the branches growing from there” as the structure of the world, so I matched my explanation with yours but」

The origin flow surrounded the world tree. So to speak it was the pipes that brought water and nutrition to the tree. In one branch, that was ”the world containing nine universes” the pipes were extending and flowing to each other.

Riding on that flow, or forcefully advancing inside the pipe.

That was the difference in teleportation methods between the calamity world and Hajime.

But, those methods were possible because they happened inside the range of the ”same branch”.

In a ”different branch”, which meant the parallel world, there was no flow of the origin flow. Of course, it was another branch that extended originally from the world tree so the origin flow was connected but, it would be like going against the flow to go through the main branch and then detoured to go to a different branch.

「……It’s not something human body can endure huh.」

「Yes, it’s impossible.」

In case of a compressed and hardened lump of sugar merely going with the water flow and in case of it going against the current, which one would be able to maintain its shape longer? It was that kind of image.

「Then, what about ignoring the branch? What is there between the branches, and between the leaves?」

「Normally there’ll be air. Aa, so it’s that kind of image. In the place of air there’s this ”void” huh.」

「Yes. And, there are people who can endure the ”void” that ordinary people shouldn’t be able to endure. You and hero-dono too are surely one of them.」

「Ancient time――you’re saying that people who can use law technique or concept magic can possibly endure.」

In other words, ”void gods” were powerful beings of parallel world that possessed the power to endure the ”void”.

「……Obsession to life, fear toward something.」

Hajime recalled what Sathla said. Beings who were powerful, and yet feeling such emotions that could be said worldly.I see,he thought.

「There’s nobody who would ever go to that kind of place because they like it. So either they had no choice but to go there, or because of accident. Either way, they must be harboring will of utmost limits of wanting to live even within such extreme condition.」

「Especially when they had already met the end at the parallel world, that’s why they want to escape to another branch world――aa, I mean parallel world. Perhaps it’s something like that.」

Either way. Even if they managed to survive there, it didn’t mean they could immediately go to another branch world. After all, there was nothing. Whether it was left, right, up, or down, even the concept of direction didn’t exist.

There was nothing to be felt. Nothing could be seen, and nothing could be heard. In such world, they drifted for a time that might be equal to eternity, while praying that they would arrive at a branch world somewhere.

There was no way they got out of it safely. Whether physically or mentally.

「So, ”void gods” are the ruins of what once were powerful people of another branch world huh.」

「It seems their soul itself has become altered. They have almost no ability to think and become extremely instinctual. Of course, that also depends on how long they’ve been drifting though.」

Beings with godlike power who came from the world of ”void”. But, those beings had lost their original body and mind. Beings who shouldn’t exist in this world line. Therefore they were called ”void gods” it seemed.

「In that case……the bunch attacking the calamity world right now, they don’t want to escape to another world, they want to run away to another branch world huh……no, wait, in that case isn’t it strange?」

They drifted inside ”void”, and then they drifted ashore at the calamity world. Then, they could just get out from the place they entered. No matter how he thought about it, in the end they were trying to cross to other world one more time. Then why?

「I told you right? Going against the origin flow is suicide but, it’s still connected to somewhere.」

They didn’t know when they might drift ashore to somewhere else. Perhaps they would never reach anywhere else for eternity. Rather than drifting in such ”void”, swimming against the origin flow was better.

They also only needed to go against the flow like that until they arrived at the main branch. From there they could ride on a flow to another branch.

Taking that into consideration, the objective of the ”void gods” might be the great tree of other world. They wanted to use it as gate to enter the origin flow.

「These are beings that can endure ”void”. Certainly, if they can do that then they’ll do so huh……」

「Yes. But, it’s not like there’s really a pipe like in actual plant here. It’s possible that they won’t be able to swim against the violent current until the end, where many of them would get thrown out and in the end ending up in the ”void” again. Conversely, it’s also possible that while drifting they would end up entering into an origin flow somewhere.」

「I see……in that case……the fresco we found at the sky dragon world……it’s something like that huh.」

Manager Mercurys tilted her head with a questioning look. Meanwhile Hajime recalled back.

In the fresco of the sky dragon world, black shadows surrounded the Dragon Tree, and further outside around were the figures of white dragon and warriors surrounding them.

He completely thought that it was a picture invasion that couldn’t be completely repelled and reached the Dragon Tree, and the defenders were desperately trying to defeat them from the outside but……

Perhaps it was the opposite.

People who got reduced into ”void gods” tried to get out from the Dragon Tree. That was why the positions of both sides were reversed. And then, realizing that it was impossible to completely prevent the invasion……

Surely, the white dragon destroyed the Dragon Tree and made it into sky cores that rained down on the world wasn’t for defeating the ”void gods”, but for destroying the invasion corridor itself. No doubt about it.

「By the way, it’s not like there’s a gap between the edge of the universe and the ”void”. That’s why, regardless of the Principles Breaking Down Phenomenon, there’s enough possibility of ”void gods” drifting ashore from outside the universe. Even so, it’ll be like someone arriving from inside the ocean on a small boat.」

「You’re saying that it would be unknown from which world and how many of them can arrive……」

Hajime fell into thought for a little bit and,

「Then, that’s the situation. The great tree of each world will have to raise their security level too.」

「I guess?」

Hajime said that as though to make even more emphasize. Just now rather than saying that to Manager Mercurys, those words were directed to Yue and others who should be listening to this conversation right now.

He believed that Yue would be able to give out well thought out instructions with just that.

「Now then, let’s return to the talk.」

The ”void” and the true identity of ”void gods” were simply premise that came to light in the middle of following the history of the calamity world.

The god king ignored the Principles Breaking Down Phenomenon. And then, that led to a different phenomenon.

That was ”void’s encroachment”.

This phenomenon wasn’t a phenomenon that accompanied and progressed along with the Principles Breaking Down Phenomenon. It was a new phenomenon that was triggered by the Principles Breaking Down Phenomenon.

「? What do you mean?」

「……We’re calling this the ”pruning phenomenon”.」

「Pruning? You mean like removing branch? That’s……no, wait. Wait a second. In other words that……it’s something like that?」

What kind of thing?Yue and others must be feeling confused, but Hajime seemed to be so immersed in his thought that he couldn’t spare any thought to them. He covered his mouth with one hand and dropped his gaze with his body curling a little.

From there he was saying his conjecture like talking to himself.

「The true reason of the destruction isn’t the breaking down phenomenon itself. Yes, the branch world where the breaking down phenomenon occurring is a ”rotten branch” so to speak――for the world tree.」

In situation where a part of the branch rotted or diseased, removing that so the damage wouldn’t spread until the tree’s main body was called pruning.

This was a what-if. What if the world tree was in possession of a function to cut down a branch on its own so that a broken world wouldn’t infect other parallel world? What if that was a ”principle” in the origin world that was the world tree?

「I see. That’s why it’s anti-concept huh. You created the concept of ”the principles aren’t breaking down” in respond to the ”principles are broken” is not simply for stopping the breaking down phenomenon. It’s to deceive the world tree. That the calamity world is still well. That there’s no need for pruning.」

「……Astonishing. There’s no need for more explanation just by simply saying a sentence.」

Apparently that was the correct answer.

It was the truth.

It was calculated that several galaxies worth of area was definitely protected by the God Tree and the god king but, in reality the continuously expanding ”void” had started to overtake the scope of the Principles Breaking Down Phenomenon and swallowed the God Tree’s protection.

In front of the ”pruning phenomenon”, even a great tree couldn’t resist.

「In fact, the progression of ”void” is stopping due to the anti-concept of breaking down phenomenon. That’s the greatest proof of all that the world tree has the ”pruning function”.」

「That means, to restore the world back……」

「Yes. Either we need to fix the breaking down phenomenon itself, or to deceive the world tree even better than before. Furthermore we need to do that for eternity.」

Anti-concept magic couldn’t completely stop the Principles Breaking Down Phenomenon. Therefore, the calamity world would perish if the limit came one day.

If that happened, there would be no more way to stop the ”pruning phenomenon”. Even if all the other worlds held back the ”Principles Breaking Down Phenomenon”, they would still got swallowed by ”void”……

Apparently that was the ”true reason for the destruction”.

Fuu~h, a deep sigh leaked out from Hajime. As expected even Hajime had to sort out various thoughts and couldn’t say anything right away.

Someone who enjoyed smoking would surely take a puff around here. It suddenly reminded Hajime of the employee uncles who often waved their hands at him behind the glass of the smoking room in his father’s company where they often shut themselves in. They were there especially frequently when the deadline was approaching and errors kept popping out one after another.

Expressions that were like a mix of sorrow and resignation and resolve, and then because of gulping down too many energy drinks, their eyes alone were unpleasantly glaring fiercely even though their expressions were gentle.

Was it a kind of escapism?

But, right now Hajime understood their feeling very well. He took out an energy drink from his ”treasure warehouse”. It was a bare steel can without any label slapped on it at all. It made it like a dangerous drink instead.

「Here you go.」

「Ah, thanks.」

Manager Mercurys reflexively accepted the kindness. She pulled the can’s tab *pshew* even while feeling a bit bewildered. She took a gulp, two gulp……T-this is!?She gulped it all at once-!!

「Other world is really wonderful!」

Manager Mercurys’s eyes also became unpleasantly gleaming even though she was expressionless.

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「……Hajimee」

The figure of the first wife holding her head could be found there because of her husband’s barely legal (?) proselytizing of beverage. She was keenly feeling the premonition that another fanatic of energy drink was born.

「Ahaha……w-well, I understand his feeling of wanting to drink desu, right, Yue-san.」

「Even us want to take a breather right now.」

Shia and Kaori patted Yue’s shoulders with wry smile, but from their atmosphere it could be seen that what they were saying wasn’t simply for soothing down Yue but their true feeling.

In fact, everyone looked like they wanted to take a break due to the overwhelming amount of information.

Myuu and Remia looked like they would soon get swirly eyes, Agent J and K had given up in understanding and simply desperately taking memo just to obtain information for the time being.

Though Ryuutarou’s group and Kousuke’s group unconsciously let go of the tension in their shoulders a little watching Hajime’s energy drink cultural exchange and Yue being at her wits’ end.

Aiko who was similarly relaxing her tension slightly seeing that let out a chuckle. And then, her gaze wandered at empty air.

「Even so ”void gods” is it……Laila-san, is everything alright over there? Has there been any change?」

It looked like she was checking with Laila of the King Tree who was connected to her with soul magic, just in case.

『Yes, there’s no problem. Just as cautioned I’m also spreading out my detection net but there’s nothing particularly――』

「Hm? Laila-san?」

Laila’s words were suddenly cut off. The telepathy was still connected with soul magic so it was transmitted to everyone.

Yue and co looked at each other.

Right after that.

「……!!」

Yue’s face snapped up. Her eyes opened wide and stared fixedly at the ”rainbow bridge”.

「Yue, art there something――」

「……Everyone, on guard! There’s interference!」

Sharp voice that felt like it slapped them on their face reverberated.

Everyone gasped and they felt bewildered at the same time. They all looked toward the ”rainbow bridge” but, from a glance it didn’t look like there was anything strange.

「……I think it’s a barrier that envelop the ”rainbow bridge” itself. It’s extremely sophisticated. It’s not affecting the bridge itself at the slightest. But, the communication is cut off. It won’t be easy to negate it right away.」

「We can’t see anything even now. Yue must’ve realized because you have been meddling with the ”rainbow bridge” from the start. In that case……the ”god of gate”? Or else other ”void god”? They’re making their move aren’t they?」

Thanks to Shizuku describing the situation concisely, putting aside Shia’s group and Kousuke’s group that were already in battle readiness, the confused Agent J and others managed to understand the situation just barely.

That monster might come again. That realization caused their faces to turn pale. Amai-san too dashed from the edge of the rooftop and slid to Yue’s side.

From where will they come? How will they attack? What’s going on with the King Tree?Everyone was looking around while staying on guard, then,

『This is Laila. Can anyone hear me? We’re under attack! It’s undoubtedly ”void god”!』

Laila’s voice finally reached them.

「……the god of gate?」

『I don’t know! But――』

Laila tried to tell them something but, another voice loudly spoke out over her voice.

『This is the machine world, G10 main body. Currently we are under attack. Enemy unknown. There’s something like black mist covering them.』

That was the start.

『Sky dragon world, Meeres. It’s most likely ”void gods”. Two of them, confirmed.』

『Shia, can you hear me? An army of something is approaching. It looks like they’re the ”void gods” you’ve been telling me.』

『To otherworlders from Foltina. It seems that calamity wasn’t completely annihilated. I’m sorry. Those with power, can I ask for reinforcement?』

『Princess Liliana, it’s me. Adol. I was heading to the great tree just in case but, something is approaching the sea of trees from the northern mountain range. I can’t see it clearly due to black mist! But, I sense outrageous power from it!』

『Kousuke! A message from Blau! She said we lost the small Divine Tree at the east!! Something is also heading over here!』

「Fue? Ah, Yue-oneechan! Lu-chan……err, he said a terrible earthquake assaulted the hell world, after that, something is moving under the ground! He said he got reports from his demon underlings!」

Reports flooded in one after another from every world.

The ”void gods” who were staying in hiding in order to live had started moving all at once. It was like they were becoming desperate thinking that they had to make a move no matter what right now in order to live.

「What the hell, what’s going on here. Nagumo is pouring in unlimited magic power so it should be peaceful for a hundred years right? Can’t the ”void gods” sense that? The ”god of gate” also conveyed that the time limit is approaching because he can sense it right!?」

「For the outsider gods, perhaps whether it’s several years or a century there’s not that much difference……」

Kousuke raised his voice in bewilderment, then Sathla spoke her conjecture. But, she seemed to be also somewhat bewildered, and sounded half in doubt with her conjecture.

「But, if they want to get out then can’t we just let them leave?」

Yuuka offered a suggestion even while showing anxiety. They didn’t know how strong the ”void gods” who were appearing right now but, it was a fact that specimens that could possibly defeat even a goddess existed in the past.

Won’t getting them leave quickly rather than fighting them better……it was only natural to have such thought.

「No, that might be dangerous instead. This so called god of gate art seeking a lot of souls in order to cross to parallel world. And from what we heard, the so called worshippers art also doing something similar even though they art worshipping different god.」

「I see, so it’s something like that. In the end we don’t know whether the ”void gods” attacking right now have that much energy. If they don’t then from where they will get the energy?」

「The great trees themselves, or perhaps from the avatars……that might be it, Shizuku-chan!」

「Wait. If they don’t care about appearance anymore then……perhaps there gonna be some who come out in the middle of normal city to directly gorge on souls ain’t it!?」

Ryuutarou’s concern was valid. At the very least nobody could deny it.

In the situation right now they didn’t know where and what kind of ”void god” would appear and indiscriminately attack. And this was happening in all the worlds.

「W-we need to do something quickly nano! We need to go help Ku-chan!」

「Fuck-, there’re too many places getting attacked. I’ll go max depth right from the start and bring out clones――」

「If we don’t also secure the cooperation from the apparitions and demons……」

「We’ll also contact our organizations――」

「But, the combat strength of the ”void gods”――」

「First we must somehow contact him――」

The rooftop was enveloped in commotion.

Facing the situation where all worlds were under attack of absurdly powerful and troublesome monsters from parallel world, and the possibility that it would get even worse from here on caused everyone to be agitated. Words about what they could do, what they should do were flying around in the middle of their agitation.

The reports and questions, along with requests from each world also kept coming through the soul magic.

It was then.

*PAAAAAAANN* A clear sound resounded. At the same time, impact that felt like it directly slapped them on the soul ran through them.

Everyone gasped and turned their gazes.

Over there they found Yue with both her hands pressed together in front of her chest as though she had just clapped.

Her closed eyes quietly opened. The pressure that could even be called as kingly majesty radiating from her ruby red eyes made everyone gulped.

「……Don’t lose your calm.」

Is this ”Divine Word”?The voice quietly seeped into them to a degree that it made them questioned that.

There was no anxiety, bewilderment, or even impatience. The voice was firm like a king.

「……For what we are here?」

It was obvious. Because they were trusted.

It was none other than Hajime who gave him his trust. That if it Yue and others, if it was his friends, then even if by some chance it became difficult for him to return from the calamity world, he could leave everything here to them.

「……I’m taking command. Any objection?」

Silence. But, it wasn’t because they were swallowed by Yue’s atmosphere.

*Za-* That sound played out. It was the sound of everyone straightening up and turning toward Yue. There was no more restlessness on their expression at the slightest. Like loyal subjects awaiting the command of the queen.

It was also conveyed through the soul magic. The atmosphere of awaiting Yue’s words, and, the will to obey her command.

「……Very good.」

Yue’s figure transformed. From a university student to adult mode. Her outfit also changed to a dress with white base color.

「……Let’s proof it. That there’s no need for Hajime to shoulder everything alone.」

She lightly floated. The halo on her back was beautiful. But, her figure that was showing her dignity like a queen was even more beautiful.

In front of that overwhelming beauty and vast power they felt,

「……We’ll protect all the worlds from here on. Everyone, listen to my voice carefully, alright?」

It was slightly different from Hajime’s fearless smile, but, it was the smile of ultimate bewitchment that granted similar absolute sense of peace. The reply anyone could make when such smile was turned toward them was only one.

Anyway, the loudest 『Yes-』 came from Lutria-san of the star spirit world.

Surely, over there she must be turning bright red while defending herself 「I-it’s a misunderstanding! Just now! I unconsciously-!」. Toward the divine spirits around her.

AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.