Chapter 216 Lucia Continues To Persuade
Lucia's words didn't elicit a response from Aaron.
However, he didn't show any signs of attacking Isaac immediately either.
Lucia judged that he was willing to listen for the time being and continued to persuade him.
"Isaac, Zephyr, Duncan, Nacht, I'll tell you this too."
This was a warning directed at the heads of the 4 families, advising them not to take any reckless actions.
"If Fiona disappears, it's not like the [Evil God] won't be able to get the Backdoor Jobs. On the contrary, if Fiona disappears, humanity's defeat will be sealed."
"T-that's... why, exactly...?"
Zephyr asked, still with a blade pressed against his throat.
"If Fiona disappears, think about how the [Evil God] will move. The [Evil God] doesn't necessarily need Fiona to possess the Backdoor Jobs. Right now, the [Evil God] is trapped in the [God's Remains Labyrinth], but if Fiona disappears, she'll escape the labyrinth and hide somewhere. If that happens, we won't be able to find the [Evil God]."
In other words, Lucia continued.
"There's almost no way to stop the [Evil God] from getting the next Backdoor Jobs holder."
――It was a lie.
Lucia had told a lie.
There was a way to prevent the [Evil God] from getting the Backdoor Jobs, and Lucia knew it. The Backdoor Jobs were Lucia's "eyes," and she could even temporarily steal their physical body. So, all she had to do was make the newly appeared 'Sword Dance Maiden' commit suicide each time.
However, that's not something humans can do. If Lucia Aron did that, she would lose her foundation.
Moreover, she didn't want to do such a thing in the first place.
That's why Lucia kept those things a secret and continued on.
"――And unlike in the Age of Gods, if the [Evil God] connects with the [God Realm] in the current situation, no one will be able to defeat the [Evil God]."
Not even Aaron was an exception.
Because――,
"As long as humanity can't obtain the original Miriallia through the [God Realm], it's unavoidable that the [Evil God] will grasp the system of the [God Realm]. It's the same with the Jobs System. If the Jobs System is stopped, we'll lose the means to fight."
That's the worst-case scenario shecan think of.
Even if Aaron, a 'Beginner Swordman', loses the physical ability corrections provided by the Jobs, the impact would be minimal. However, not being able to use skills is a fatal blow to Aaron.
――Because he won't be able to convert magical energy into aura.
Just as she explained that far, Nacht raised his voice with a blank expression.
"...Lady Lucia, if the problem is that the [Evil God] is hiding, wouldn't it be better to use the [Seal Temple] to activate [World Severance]? That way, the [Evil God] won't be able to escape from the labyrinth, and we can defeat her, right?"
"It's impossible."
Lucia's answer was curt.
"[World Severance] is a magic that's too burdensome to maintain for a long time due to its immense magical energy consumption. Moreover, it would also force the entire [Four Great Families of the Seals] to bear the burden of magical energy, so it's not something that can be activated by the family heads alone. The 4 family heads would need to request permission from Chronosphere and obtain his approval to activate it."
"As expected... the crucial one is Chronosphere... There's no God, after all."
Currently, Chronosphere refuses to even communicate through devices, so it's impossible to make a request, and even if they ould, it's uncertain whether he would grant approval.
And... Lucia didn't say it out loud, but even if [World Severance] could be activated, there's a high probability that the [Evil God] with "Possibility Perception" could escape beforehand.
In the past, during the Age of Gods, people were able to confine the [Evil God] within the labyrinth because they had the power of many heroes, including Aron and Lucia's sisters, who possessed "Possibility Perception".
When many people try to change the future using "Possibility Perception", the observable future becomes extremely unstable and almost invisible. It was only by cornering them with the heroes' army that they were able to prevent her escape.
She never thought the same thing could happen in modern times.
Anyway...
"I think we've finally understood why Fiona has to survive. From now on, let's refrain from making reckless comments."
Except for Isaac, the 3 main family heads couldn't move their heads, so they conveyed their agreement with their eyes.
On the other hand, Lucia turned her gaze to Isaac. But the person she was talking to was Aaron.
"Aaron, Isaac wasn't serious. He's probably trying to use Fiona's life as leverage to get your cooperation. He never intended to harm Fiona, and it's impossible for him to do so, as you threatened him yesterday. If he didn't understand that, he's just stupid."
"...Hmph...!!"
Isaac grumbled, but Lucia ignored him and continued.
"I know what he said was unforgivable. Even I think it was a childish negotiating tactic."
"Hmph... Hmph...!!"
"But please forgive him this time. Even if you want to kill him, please spare his life."
"H-Hmph...!?"
"And Aaron, you too, you always intended to help defeat the [Evil God] from the start."
"———."
Aaron reacted for the first time, slightly taken aback.
Lucia piled on, saying.
"The [Evil God] is targeting Fiona, so you must have intended to defeat her from the start. But if you kill the 4 main family heads here, it'll become even more difficult. It's better to cooperate and make things smoother... don't you think?"
"......"
Aaron didn't nod.
In that state, Lucia almost gave up... She should have understood that, in his heart, he needed to defeat the [Evil God] no matter what. But his emotions wouldn't allow it.
Unlike Isaac's plan, Aaron saw Fiona's value as too high. Even if it was just a threat to negotiate, he had made a fatal mistake in using her life as leverage. He shouldn't have tried to use her life as a shield for negotiation.
It might be too late now, and Lucia might have to hand over Isaac's head...
Just then, Fiona stood up and called out Aaron's name.
"――Aaron."
"......"
"I'm fine, don't worry. Lucia said I don't have to die."
"......Is that okay with you?"
"""――!?"""
Aaron turned to face Fiona. The expression on his face shocked those who knew him. It was an expression they had never seen before.
Deep wrinkles were etched on his brow, as if he was barely holding back his anger――or perhaps, he was on the verge of tears from frustration.
Aaron couldn't forgive Isaac. He wanted to give in to his anger and kill him. But if he considered Fiona's safety, he couldn't kill the head of the 4 families.
He didn't think he could defeat the [Evil God], who was said to be pursued by the entire world, all by himself――and still protect Fiona at the same time.
——He had to forgive the person who had threatened to kill his loved one for the sake of his loved one.
He couldn't help but feel frustrated with himself. It was something that Aaron himself couldn't have imagined, and it had crushed his heart.
"Aaron..."
Fiona was stunned for a moment, then broke into a warm and compassionate smile. She approached Aaron and gently held his cheeks with both hands, looking him straight in the eye.
"So, it's okay. You got angry for me, Aaron."
"......"
"But if you can't forgive him, then do as you please. I'll follow you no matter what, and I won't regret it. I'm not just a weak existence that needs to be protected by you."
Fiona was saying that if Aaron couldn't forgive Isaac, he'd kill Isaac. Even if that meant being pursued by the entire world, she'd follow Aaron and not become a burden.
"......I know."
And that was something he understood――that Fiona wasn't just a weak existence that needed to be protected. Rather, it was the other way around――Aaron thought that he was the one who had been protected by her all along.
But whether Fiona was strong or not didn't matter.
――Lucia had thought that Aaron didn't attack Isaac because he needed the cooperation of the 4 houses.
However, that was a mistake.
Aaron's true nature was not foolish at all.
When Isaac made that statement, Aaron instinctively understood that it was just a negotiating tactic, something that couldn't be put into words but was only faintly perceived.
Because he had crushed Isaac and the others with overwhelming power just a few days ago, it's obvious that he wouldn't be able to make such a statement in front of them and actually carry it out. Even Isaac understands that the probability of that happening is extremely low.
Their goal was to achieve world peace and human safety, and Aaron were trying to intimidate them, the 4 houses and the Council, to back down. That's why the statement was made.
So, the chances of really executing Fiona are extremely low.
He should have understood that, but at that moment, Aaron's vision was dyed with a scorching heat.
――At that time, for the first time, Aaron felt that an anger too enormous to move was paralyzing him.
He was overwhelmed by an anger far greater than he thought, and he was momentarily unable to move.
If his anger had been smaller, he might have attacked on impulse.
Calmness and self-control were in a distant place.
"What's wrong?"
Fiona asked Aaron.
Her tone and expression were like a gentle mother trying to calm down a crying child.
"......"
As she smiled, Aaron met Fiona's gaze head-on, and he felt an uncontrollable anger being sucked away by her eyes and the hands holding his cheeks.
"......I understand."
Aaron nodded.
At that moment, the killing intent that filled the room disappeared.
Aaron kept staring at Fiona from a close distance, and he reached out his right hand to gently grasp the hand holding his cheek.
(Somehow, my chest is fluttering...)
As Lucia watched the exchange between the two, she was overcome with an indescribable feeling. It was a lingering remnant of her distant youth. The sensation was similar to watching a romantic movie, feeling embarrassed and nostalgic at the same time.
However, as a maiden, Lucia was extremely interested, yet she shook her head vigorously, trying to avert her gaze. This wasn't the time to be entranced. Lucia took this opportunity to tell Isaac.
"Isaac, apologize to Fiona."
Isaac probably wouldn't be able to hold back his pride any further, Lucia thought. If he didn't apologize, Aaron wouldn't be able to hold back either. Lucia wouldn't be able to stop him either.
"Ugh... Hmm...!"
As expected, Isaac, with the aura sword still stuck in his shoulder, gritted his teeth in pain, stood up, and bowed his head deeply.
"Ackerman, I was too reckless earlier. As Lady Lucia said, I was too forceful in trying to get your cooperation, and I caused you great distress. I apologize for that. Of course, I promise that from now on, the 4 families, including myself, will not target your life. I reiterate, it was not a genuine statement. I am truly sorry. This is the truth."
Isaac, still bowing his head, received a small nod from Fiona.
"...I understand. I accept your apology."
"...Thank you."
"...Aaron..."
"...Haa..."
Prompted by Fiona, Aaron let out a sigh, looking helpless.
Then, he stored his sword in the ring. At the same time, the numerous aura swords floating in the room and the one stuck in Isaac's shoulder disappeared.
With a thud, Aaron sat back down on the sofa, his gaze piercing as he looked around at the 4 family heads, and declared:
"...The ≪Wooden Sword Way≫ clan will cooperate in defeating the Evil God. However, there are conditions."
The word "conditions" sparked a reaction, but their voices remained hushed.
Considering what had happened earlier, they probably thought that they couldn't refuse his unreasonable demands anyway....
(No, wait, could it be...!?)
At that instant, a spark of electricity ran through Zephyr.
(This timing, the word "conditions"...Aaron Gale, could it be...he was aiming for this? ...Then, the stupid act he put on during Lady Lucia's explanation was all just an act...!! In reality, he's a very clever man...)
The anger he showed towards Fiona was probably real.
But, if he had decided to forgive them, he would skillfully suppress his emotions and take advantage of their slip-up...such cunning...it's undeniable, Aaron Gale is a sly one...!!
What kind of demand would come out of such a man? Not just Zephyr, but everyone in the room held their breath, waiting for Aaron's next words.
Would he demand a guarantee for their safety, or a reward for their cooperation? Or perhaps he would seek social status or power to counter the 4 clans...all of these possibilities existed.
However, the family heads had no intention of refusing him.
On the other hand, Aaron spoke in a threatening tone, his voice like a sword.
"――――Hand over anything valuable."
"""......"""
Did they mishear? The possibility flashed through their mind.
Representing the others, Garon Gasterk asked again.
"Sorry, I didn't hear that clearly. What did you say?"
Aaron said the same thing as before in the same tone.
"――――Hand over anything valuable."
"""......"""
It wasn't a misunderstanding.
Garon slowly covered his head with his hands.
And then he shouted.
"――Why!?"
* * *
After that, they discussed various things about defeating the [Evil God].
Since the teleportation circle in the labyrinth was disappearing due to the ≪Great Transition≫, they couldn't afford to waste any more time on the operation. They discussed when to launch the operation, who would participate, and how to provide support, and finally finished talking about it.
As Isaac stood up from the sofa, a hand was placed on his shoulder.
"Hm? ――What's wrong, Eva?"
The one who placed her hand was Lady Eva.
By the way, Isaac's shoulder wound had already been healed with a potion.
"Father..."
Lady Eva turned to Isaac and ――thrust out her fist!
"――YOU BALDYYYYY!!"
"Ow!?"
Isaac's cheek was strongly slapped, and he flew backward, falling to the floor.
Lady Eva quickly mounted Isaac's body, restraining his arms with her feet and sealing off any chance of counterattack or defense.
Looking up at her father with a white-eyed stare, Lady Eva raised her clenched fists alternately and struck him multiple times!
"You said something stupid to my best friend! Fiona might forgive you, but I won't!!"
"Ow!? Bogey!? Ah, no way!! You're going to get it, Eva!!"
"You baldy!! Today's the day!! I've had enough!!"
"Whoa, seriously!? Oh no, someone help!!"
"I'll fix that annoying face with my fists!! And I'll pull out every last strand of hair lefttttt!!"
"Oh no, it's getting worse!!"
Thud! Thud! Crunch! Crunch!
Splat! Splat! Splat!
The room was filled with Isaac's screams, the wet sounds of flesh being hit, and the sounds of something being torn apart, echoing over and over. No one tried to stop it, and the screams continued for a while.
Noah, who was watching Lady Eva's fierce appearance from up close, sat in his wheelchair, his eyes welling up with tears as he muttered.
"Eva...!! You've become so strong...!!"
The next day, it was decided that Isaac Kirke would step down as the head of the Kirke family, and Eva Kirke would take over as the new head...
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