Chapter 627

「I see. If we could do that, maybe no one would have to die」

Weena Rhyn muttered to herself.

「But that doesn't change the fact that it's dangerous. Just because you won't die, that doesn't mean you won't lose most of your powers」

「I'm prepared for that. I'm not going to abandon Romio and Uncle Zelos Reed. I'll definitely save them」

Sierra seemed to have understood that from the beginning. Their main goal now also seemed to have changed to saving Romio and Zelos Reed, hasn't it?

「But if you want to save them, why don't you make her stop the ritual then?」

「...If the fully resurrected great magic beast is left unchecked, those on this continent will be annihilated. That's how bad that thing is. If that's the case, it's better to take the better chance of survival at all costs」

This was the second time Sierra had seen that great magic beast. He understood the horror of it. He even said that the continent would be destroyed if it was left unchecked.

In fact, Sierra's face was pale as he said that. He must have remembered the great demon beast and his fear of it.

That must be why they were willing to use the Sacrament of the Evil God to seal the great magic beast. Even if it meant putting themselves in danger to do so.

But was this a good thing from Rhyn's perspective?

Fran was trying to stop Weena Rhyn because she had been told that Romio and Zelos Reed were going to die.

But with Sierra joining them, the danger of death had been eliminated. In other words, there was no longer a reason for Fran to stop the ritual.

To be honest, I could understand Weena Rhyn, who didn't want to endanger her other half, Rhyn, and Rhyn, who wanted to free herself from it, and Weena Rhyn by being killed.

However, if we killed Rhyn, we would only be in a hostile situation with Weena Rhyn.

But when asked whether I wanted to take that risk and side with Rhyn... I'd probably stay on Weena Rhyn's side.

Rhyn seemed to understand that as well. So, she brought Sierra with her, but she looked somewhat troubled.

「It would have been better if they don't have to play a role in this though...」

I see. So, they were treated as insurance, huh? But as long as Weena Rhyn was determined to kill that great magic beast, we should be fine.

However, if she failed to persuade her, she would let her seal the great magic beast. But in that case, Sierra and Zelos Reed were necessary to use the Sacrament of the Evil God.

「Weena Rhyn...」

「...No matter how many times you ask me, I won't...」

The tension between Weena Rhyn and Rhyn, which should have been on the verge of settling down, began to rise again.

As far as I was concerned, the two of them were on the opposite sides and would never be able to agree as long as Weena Rhyn, who was taking the initiative, didn't give in.

And with the madness we just witnessed, I couldn't imagine a future where she snapped.

But of all people, it was Fran who stepped in.

Even though she was sandwiched in the middle of the intimidation emitted by the superior beings, she boldly asked a question.

「Hey. Is there really no way to make both of your wishes come true?」

「That's impossible. I want to be liberated. But Weena Rhyn――」

「I definitely am not going to let Rhyn be killed. One day, I'll bring Rhyn back to life, and I'll return to being just Weena」

「That's it」

Fran snapped her fingers at Rhyn and tilted her head.

「The reason why Rhyn wants to be liberated is because of Weena Rhyn, right?」

「That's right. I've been watching over Weena Rhyn through the spirits. But I can't stand to see her push herself so hard for my sake. Besides, there's something wrong with Weena Rhyn these days」

「Something is, wrong with me?」

「Yeah. But you know. Thanks to Master, I now know why. Regardless of how close we were as twins; it was a wonder how long two minds in one body could stay sane」

Oh! I thought Weena Rhyn's mental state was weird just because of her encounter with Rhyn... But actually, the fact that Weena's and Rhyn's consciousnesses were mixed was beginning to overwhelm her!

Wasn't that quite dangerous then? If Weena Rhyn went crazy and went on a rampage, the whole country would easily get destroyed. In terms of threat level, I'm sure she would get a threat level of A or higher.

「If I, the core of that magic beast, were to be destroyed, Weena Rhyn would be able to return to Weena. And not only Weena but many people will be saved too」

It would also bring Weena Rhyn back to her senses. Was that why Rhyn insisted on dying?

「In other words, if Rhyn returns to her original form and is freed from Weena, she doesn't have to be killed」

「But like I said, If I was separated from the great magic beast, it will regain its power」

「Can't we just do something about it with the Sacrament of the Evil God?」

I was impressed by Fran's words. She was right. Why didn't we just use the Sacrament of the Evil God to suppress its powers and separate Rhyn from it?

The current, incompletely resurrected, and weakened great magic beast could be defeated by Weena Rhyn, right? Then why didn't we use the Sacrament of the Evil God to weaken it further rather than letting Rhyn sacrifice herself?

But Weena Rhyn and Rhyn shook their heads in unison.

「We can weaken it. But we don't have any way to defeat it」

「Weena Rhyn can't defeat it?」

「I am the only one who can perform the ritual to weaken the great magic beast using the Sacrament of the Evil God. However, performing that ritual alone requires a lot of power. I won't have enough strength left to defeat it at that time」

「Can Rhyn do it in her place then?」

「I'm sorry. This body of mine is just a temporary one. I can use my inherent powers of Time and Water to some extent, but I can't do much more than that」

「I see...」

I guess things wouldn't work out that conveniently.

「If only that magic beast had been a little weaker...」

「What do you mean?」

「If only the magic beast's power was weaker, there's a chance I could defeat it with what's left of my strength after the ritual」

「Does that mean I can just damage it and weaken it?」

「That's not possible. You wouldn't be able to get closer to that magic beast」

Weena Rhyn muttered sadly.

We couldn't get closer to it? I could understand if it had a very thick barrier or its counterattacks were powerful, but what did she mean we wouldn't be able to even get closer to it?

Then they briefly explained it to us.

「You may not know it, but the Evil God has the power to control and drive all living beings mad. Unless you're a spirit like me, it's hard to resist it」

「Weak people would go crazy at the mere act of getting close to it. And the piece of the Evil God that lies within that great magic beast is the Evil God's throat. The voice it releases has a strong curse-like power」

Weena Rhyn said while pointing at the great magic beast.

「At this distance, don't you think it's strange that we can't hear the voice of the great magic beast? Even though we're still in the sealing ritual, we should at least be able to hear it, right?」

Now that she mentioned it, she was right.

「This stage is protected with a barrier to block out the voice of that great magic beast」

I see. I thought it was because of the distance, but it was actually because of the barrier that surrounded this stage.

「Even I can't get any closer to that great magic beast than necessary, as it could take control over me too. Although I can defeat it with a single shot, I can't weaken it by attacking it over and over again」

So, you're saying that if the attack can't bring it down, we would only be dominated by the magic beast? Therefore, we had to unleash one big attack that could instantly defeat it.

However, after hearing what she just said, Fran and I had some newfound hope.

『Control of the Evil God, huh...?』

「If it's Master, you should be fine, right?」

『Yeah, you're right』

Fenrir once told me. As someone from Earth, my soul was immune to the control of the Evil Gods.

『The only problem is, what would happen to my wielder, Fran...? Do you know something, Announcer-san?』

『What about Urushi?』

『Alright! I guess that means we can fight together, right?』

Sankyu, Announcer-san. You are so reliable!

『Fran, Urushi. You heard her too, right?』

(Nn! We can save Romio, Weena Rhyn, and Rhyn. And while we're at it, we can save Zelos Reed too!)

(Woof!)