Chapter 137 Develop The World In The Few Hundred Years
Ail's response to Logan's piercing question was not a solution.
"...To be honest, no one knows when the Chronosphere God will reach its limits. After all, it's already been hundreds of years since that god went insane. ...So, the 4 houses think that there's still a few hundred years of leeway."
"...Are we going to do nothing?"
"――Is that even an option?!!"
Today was the first time Ail showed intense emotions.
His anger flared up like a fire, but he immediately looked down in shame, embarrassed by his outburst.
"...The 4 houses are working on a solution to this problem, even now. However, it will take an extremely long time. You might think it's a roundabout way, but if we don't use the [God's Remains], there's no other choice."
"...What's that?"
"We'll develop the world in the few hundred years leading up to the Chronosphere God's limits, just like in the era of the gods."
"......That's..."
Logan was speechless.
The reality was that it was almost like giving up, and it was hard to believe it was possible.
Ail himself seemed uncertain, his face twisted in distress, but he continued.
"The 4 houses have been investing in various fields with promising technological advancements for about a hundred years now. We're trying to raise humanity's technological level and develop civilization. ...Logan, haven't you heard? There's a rumor that the 4 houses' financial power has been declining recently?"
"No way...(Wasn't it because of Sir Isaac's bad habit...)."
"That's right. The Four Great Families invest most of their enormous income in developing new technologies without hesitation. Thanks to that, we've had numerous technological innovations over the past hundred years. Printing machines, airships, railways, and the development of large vessels powered by magical engines... There's no doubt that the world's development has been accelerated."
When he thinks about it, it's clear that the world's technological level has made tremendous progress compared to a hundred years ago. The speed of that progress is unmatched compared to the past few hundred years.
However, when he's told that they'll reach the realm of the gods in just a few hundred years, even someone like him who's not an expert in academics can't help but think it's impossible.
"That's why we're using our advanced technology to try and find a way to normalize Chronosphere, or establish a method to seal it without relying on Space magic, and figure out how to eliminate [God's Remains]."
"..."
Logan realized. The defectors from the [Four Great Families of the Seals] who are participating in Chronosphere... why are they doing that? 'Magus'――Noah is participating in Chronosphere
――Don't they feel hopeless about this?
They're facing a huge crisis that's definitely going to happen soon, and the Four Great Families of the Seals are stuck, not knowing what to do. There's no guarantee that they can solve this problem, and it feels like theyhave no way out.
On the other hand, some people are worried that they might be able to get out of this situation safely if they use the power of God's Remains.
But as one of the four families, they can't accept that method. It's just not an option for them.
So, the two of them are at odds, and it's impossible for them to cooperate. And yet, as one of the 4 families, they can't even defeat the original evil, the Chronosphere god. That's because if they defeat the god, they'll lose the Space magic needed for the seal.
"...Which one is good, and which one is evil?"
Logan mutters.
This isn't a simple, clear-cut story. Both sides are desperate. It's not like they can judge who's wrong until the results come out――it's a problem like that.
"Life is really unfair, isn't it?"
There are too many problems in life that don't have a clear right answer. But we still have to choose something.
"Logan... what are you going to do?...It might be cowardly to ask after joining Chronosphere, but tell me. If you can't agree with me or the 4 families, then you don't have to cooperate."
Ail asks, but Logan just laughs.
"If we team up and still fail... it's like, I'll be known as one of the worst villains in history, responsible for destroying the world. Ugh, what a terrible reputation."
"Yeah, I guess that's true... Sorry..."
"Well, it's not like it matters if we succeed or not. We'll still be known as bad guys. Ah, but I'll team up with you anyway."
"Really...? "
"Don't make that face. It's not fair to blame just the four families if the world gets destroyed. Everyone should take responsibility. So, I'll take responsibility as one of them and make my own choices."
Logan extended his hand from the bed towards Ail.
Ail hesitated, then shook his hand back.
"I trust what my friends say more than some unknown gods or people I've never talked to."
"I see... Logan, thank you."
The two of them laughed.
Then, Logan suddenly asked.
"By the way, why did you go that far? I've heard that you've been serving the Caduceus family since you were a kid, but you're not part of the 4 main houses or their branch families, right?"
"I don't want to say this, but..."
Ail smiled wryly, recalling how his friend had betrayed Chronosphere, and said, "Come to think of it, I never told you this..."
"Sir Jilva was quite the ladies' man when he was young."
"What? What's with this sudden topic?"
"He had illegitimate children all over the place. Well, it's not like his Golden Eyes appeared because of that. People like them couldn't become part of the 4 main houses, but he wasn't heartless. He provided financial support without expecting anything in return, and occasionally even visited us with gifts. He was more like a cool uncle who brought presents sometimes, rather than a father figure."
"No way..."
"I lost my mom when I was a kid. After that, I was taken in by the Caduceus family as an apprentice servant."
Logan's eyes widened in surprise as he looked back at Ail's face.
Today, he had learned many things, but this was undoubtedly the biggest shock for Logan.
"That person is... my father. So, I want to fulfill his final wish. ...As his son."
"I see. That's... a good enough reason."
* * *
And then, time went back.
"Shall we go?"
"Yeah."
Logan and Ail, who had finished their final preparations, left the room together.
They walked down the pure white, long corridor and entered the large hall at the farthest end of the underground facility. The mage from the 4 main houses, who would send them back to the surface, was waiting for them there.
And as scheduled, in the vast, empty room with nothing but white walls, a mage stood alone, wearing a robe embroidered with golden thread and holding a metallic staff.
A young man with golden hair and golden eyes, with a refined face.
"'Magus'..."
"Sir Noah..."
"Ah, both of you, I've been waiting."
Noah Kirke.
As Logan approached him, he opened his mouth.
"Will you be sending us up there?"
"Ah, yes. You two are the ground team...the ones who will hold them off, right? The explorers, the knights from the 4 houses, the mages from the 4 houses, and the peacekeeping troops will all be added to the mix. And on top of that, the monsters from the Stampede will also be attacking....We might not have another chance to meet again, after all."
"..."
"..."
Logan locked eyes with Noah.
To be honest, they had already had several opportunities to talk, and they had actually conversed many times. However, they had never had a genuine conversation since reuniting in the Chronosphere. Logan was a traitor who had infiltrated this organization to crush its purpose.
So, the two of them never had a casual conversation like they used to before.
But even so, if it was going to be the last time, there was something I wanted to hear.
"...I heard it from Ail. About the next pillar."
"Huh?"
The pillar was a human sacrifice to keep the Chronosphere god alive.
It couldn't be just anyone. Among the people of the four houses, the one with the best compatibility with the Chronosphere god would be chosen.
The previous pillar was Jilva Caduceus. But if Jilva's body reached its limit, the next one to be chosen as the pillar would be...
"You're doing it...for the young lady?"
Noah was smiling with a face that didn't show any emotions.
"So, what do you think? ...But even if that's the case, that's not the only reason, right?"
"...Let's move on."
Logan has heard what he wanted to hear.
As he thought, it's like that... and he's convinced...
(What's really not okay is my side... )
A bitter feeling wells up in his chest. He's in a position to crush Noah's wish, and that would increase the number of "victims" sacrificed by the Pillar, which is an undeniable fact.
Still, there's no going back on this Selection. Logan believes their Selection is correct.
"Understood. You two, go ahead. I'll pray for your success."
Noah grasps his staff, activating his teleportation magic.
Just as Logan and the others are about to be enveloped in magical energy and teleport――
"――Thanks for protecting that kid while I'm away, Logan."
"...Huh!?"
And with that, the two of them teleported.
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