Chapter 541: A Double Conspiracy

This wasn’t in the usual common room. In fact, it was Filaret’s private quarters, a place where few people entered. Filaret had a fever and she pushed herself a bit too hard earlier. So she needed a well-deserved rest, even though she was a bit stubborn.

「I see, so you want me to die! I’m not like those who want to fight, even if it means dying! 」

But the main focus of today’s discussion seemed completely different.

Shad brushed her copper-colored hair aside and showed her teeth.

These words sounded a little too frenetic for her quiet, childlike features.

「…Shad. 」

「But it’s a selfish request, isn’t it? Why do I have to fight that monster myself!? 」

Shad jumped in response to Leu’s exhausted words, twisting her shoulders in her chair. Come to think of it, Shad was probably the only one who Leu called by her first name so casually.

I turned to face Shad head-on after feeling a little intimidated by the cold, ruthless gaze Leu had shown me the last time.

「I’m not asking you to fight, or anything. I just want you to buy me some time. You wanted me to kill Zebrililith, right? Besides, this is the plan you brought up. I think it’s a fair deal. 」

「You only want to make deals that are absolutely advantageous. I don’t understand what an fair deal is…besides, if you want to do something impressive, do it yourself, Lugis. 」

Shad said this with a straight face, leaving everyone speechless for a moment.

Filaret looked at me with a confused expression. Well, I didn’t bring Shad here. Caria did. So speak to her, instead of me.

Meanwhile, Leu looked at Shad with contempt.

It was quite an unpleasant sight to see the copper-looking beauty being looked down upon by a young girl. They were often together, but it seemed they didn’t get along at all.

「I don’t understand. Why are you so pessimistic? You’re a dragon, aren’t you? Then, you’re unlikely to die. 」

I pondered after hearing Leu’s hateful words directed to Shad. I hated to say it, but I had never met anyone with a more pessimistic and negative outlook than mine. I had no idea what to say to her.

The bronze dragon that pulverized Vrilligant’s body after his death was the woman who stood before me named…Shadraput.

There was no doubt about it. I saw the same shades of magical energy as she did back then. How could a being with such magical capacity and heat be so afraid?

Worryingly, it didn’t seem like she was acting.

「So what if I’m a dragon? It doesn’t matter if I’m human or dragon. No, in fact, humans are far scarier! 」

「…I don’t understand what you mean, so please rephrase that properly. 」

Leu muttered quietly, and Shad looked at me with a tearful expression.

I’d be in trouble if I rejected her. First of all, why was Shad so weak against Leu? Did she have some kind of weakness?

「…Well. In the end, you, as former humans, just don’t understand. Humans are crazy people who sometimes risk their lives even if there’s a 50/50 chance. I’d rather not risk it even if there was a higher chance. 」

The dragon was saying such pathetic things. Were all dragons like this?

Shad opened both eyes, as if to blow my gaze away.

「In other words, humans are lucky. You die in a hundred years at most! …But we dragons don’t die that way. I’ve never seen a dragon die of old age. The longer you live, the greater the chance of encountering unfortunate odds. Even if the odds are one in a million, they might not be worth it in a hundred years. But what about two hundred years, or a thousand years? I might eventually die from some unavoidable misfortune. Those imperfect odds are synonymous with death. So shouldn’t I strive for perfection? 」

This was probably not a spur-of-the-moment idea. Shad’s tone was much smoother than her usual impulsive speech.

But it was a view of life I’d never considered before. It was a vivid reminder that she and I were of different species.

In fact, it was perhaps miraculous that we were talking to each other like this.

Shad was certainly an overly timid being. But it wasn’t blind fear; she had her own reasons.

When I thought about it, the dragon race, who once reigned supreme over the heavens with their vast floating castles, were now all but extinct. Right now, on this earth, the dragon species were undoubtedly heading toward extinction.

In fact, her overly pessimistic thoughts might be natural for her species.

While Leu and I looked at each other with wide eyes, as if taken aback, Shad spoke proudly.

「That’s why I want you to do your best this time! You’ll be fine even if you’re only half as strong or whatever! 」

「…」

My head was starting to hurt. If the Jewel Bar Agathos were still here, then she’d surely be spewing venom. She was someone I could rely on, no matter the situation.

I narrowed my eyes for a moment. But it seemed a trace of pain still lingered in my heart.

「Well, let’s think about it this way, Shad. 」

Filaret spoke up instead as my thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Her black eyes were tinged with fatigue. Though she was feeling better, the fever still seemed to linger.

「If we can’t defeat the Great Demon Zebrililith, then the world will continue to function per Altia’s wish, the one you’re so afraid of. And I wonder if she’ll spare you? 」

I doubt she would. Altia’s ultimate goal was to unify the continent through faith. To her, demonic powers were nothing more than a stage prop to unite humans.

It was obvious what happened to a prop once it had done its job.

Shad tilted her head as she sat, sulking. The timid look in her eyes had faded.

「Your plan is fatally flawed. Even if I cooperate and somehow manage to defeat Zebrililith, who will ultimately kill Altia? 」

Shad said there was no upside to that reckless idea as long as Altia remained alive.

No matter how advantageous this idea could be, the mere appearance of that monster in human disguise would ruin it all.

But would it be better to run away and avoid being noticed rather than engage in conflict?

Shad may have destroyed Vrilligant’s remains, but I was the one who killed him.

「…Well, of course, that’s something you cannot turn a blind eye. Still, you have to avoid the embarrassment of losing your patience and rushing out, dying in vain. Altia is surely surveying the board with ease even now. 」

After Shad had finished speaking, both Filaret and Leu found it difficult to say anything.

Her words were backed by experience. They weren’t the shallow, light-hearted words she had spoken up until now. Filaret, in particular, had witnessed what had happened at the Great Temple of Flimslat.

To begin with, these women here were good people at heart. They probably wouldn’t deceive others if they wanted to persuade them.

I was the complete opposite of them.

「…No, she can’t afford to be complacent. Altia is panicking right now. 」

「Huh? 」

I said, looking Shad straight in the eyes.

I formulated the words in my head and lifted my cheeks.

「This is Altia’s plan: to corner humanity with her demonic powers, then rescue them from the chaos and despair they’ve fallen into, gain their faith, and rule them. But look at what’s happening now. Most of humanity is united, but not in despair. Her assumptions have been distorted for a long time. 」

How many people still chant “Long live the Great Holy Church” in this royal capital?

All that had gone according to Altia’s plan was the appearance of the Great Demon, the magical devilish beings, and the helpless slaughter of humanity. But what happened after that was surely unexpected.

Once upon a time, magical devilish beings took over cities with just a smile and destroyed brave heroes… Controller Drigman, Poisonous Junelva, Gear Rabel, and Jewel Bar Agathos.

They were gone, but humanity had not yet lost hope. People looked forward, confident that they could resist evil.

And now, even the Great Demon Vrilligant had lost.

Humanity was no longer living in the miserable times of the past. This was a different story from the time when all the great nations collapsed, and humanity was cornered on a small part of the continent.

「If the Heraldic Order destroys Zebrililith, who the Great Holy Church has designated as a great demon, then there’ll definitely be people who will come our way. That’s why we’re stepping forward. That’s what she hates the most. Right, Shad? If we’re talking about probability, when will this opportunity come around again? It might not happen again. 」

Shad frowned and bit her nails.

She wasn’t looking at me, but somewhere off in the distance. It seemed she thought it was worth considering.

Shad’s claws and teeth clicked together, and after a few seconds of deep thought, she said.

「…Then, let’s make a deal. 」

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