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Chapter 93

This is a country on the border between the demon world and the human realm.
As far as the human realm is concerned, it is the remotest of frontier countries.

—It’s more a country in name than in reality, as it only has a population of only about a thousand.

In essence, it’s more like a village… this is that kind of place.

「Well… Ikoma-san? What’s the situation?」

「Hey, Moses-nii-san? It’s Zero Ikoma now, isn’t it?」

「Ah, my apologies. So, Zero-san—so what’s the situation?」

Within the meager residence that once belonged to the king, a bespectacled man and a silver-haired holy knight clad in silver armor exchange clinks of wine glasses.

「We bought off the king with gold and transferred the royal authority… After three months of us becoming the king through a legitimate swap, and the ‘Cradle’ was activated as you can see.」

As they survey from the terrace, corpses litter the village everywhere.
In homes, corpses lie in beds, as if asleep, or in fields, or by the river—none show signs of anguish, all with serene faces in eternal slumber.

「Indeed… three months, as the ritual’s information suggested.」

「More potent than the Great Calamity, it’s the direct intervention through system operational authority—what we call the ‘adjustment device’.」

「Yes, that’s what it seems.」

「But really… is it okay to use the adjustment device?」

Taking a sip from his glass, Moses grinned.

「The forces that held us down are no longer in this world. Of course, there’s no problem.」

「The moderate faction… was returned to their original world before, so I understand they can do as they please, but really, is it okay?」

「And what do you mean by that?」

「—I means this is the beginning of the end.」

「Yes, and that’s fine. The preparations are already complete. Human artificial evolution research is finished, and the production of mass-produced units (Overs) is also complete.」

「By the way, has the selection of the ark been finalized?」

「Those who can move towards a new future… have already been selected. They’re all outstanding individuals.」

Upon hearing this, the girl referred to as Zero grinned mischievously.

「But it’s ironic that things turned out this way because the hero tried too hard.」

「Lute Mclane. Due to his efforts, the system determined that adjustments couldn’t be made to the planned numbers for the next Great Calamity. If we don’t act—」

「—Then it would be the intervention of the Outer Gods… I suppose, in a way, we are the saviors who will save the world.」

At this, Moses pursed his lips as if slightly offended.

「It’s not like we’re doing this out of a sense of justice.」

「Yeah, I agree.」

「And what about your reasons?」

「My reasons? Well, let’s see… Recently, nothing seems fulfilling anymore. With abilities like cheats, everything bends to my will… It’s not satisfying to make a big fuss or indulge in luxury. So, I figured… Why not do something fun on my own? Giant fireworks are pretty fun, right? On the flip side… what about your reasons, Moses-nii-san?」

「—To carry the beautiful Valkyrie… Cordelia Allston, on the ark, and for our seed to become the first generation of the new humanity. Like Adam and Eve… Doesn’t it sound wonderful?」

「Cordelia-chan again… That’s all you ever talk about.」

「Do you find it disturbing?」

Given the grotesque grin, Zero shook her head from side to side.

「No, I don’t mind, really. I don’t hate psychopaths—kind of similar to me, you know? By the way, wasn’t Cordelia-chan supposed to be entrusted to my Holy Order?」

「There was interference. The villagers in question… used the Dragon King and others… politically, I couldn’t dispatch Cordelia-san to your place.」

「It seems we’re at a loss regarding the personal evolution of the hero.」

「Yes, indeed,」Moses nodded slightly, looking somewhat disappointed.

「Regardless, our trump card—the Overlords—are within our grasp. No matter what kind of force they may possess, they won’t threaten us.」

「Um, the Villager… Were he the brainless brutes obsessed with status?」

「Yes, he’s my childhood friend. While he was honing his personal strength, I… obtained organizational power behind the scenes.」

「He’s got plenty of cheat skills he received upon reincarnation… a group of reincarnates, and the Overlords. It’s like in chess… for the World Union, it’s like sacrificing everything except pawns.」

Then, as if she remembered something, Zero stood up and knelt on one knee.

「Oh, and Moses-nii-san.」

「What is it?」

「Congratulations on your appointment as Chairman of the Round Table—leader of the reincarnates.」

Upon hearing this, Moses also stood up, smiling.

「Thank you very much for your kind words.」

With that, Moses, while looking at the countless corpses visible from the terrace, said cheerfully:

「Now, shall we begin… the beginning of the end?」