253-Prophet




 The Demon King's hymn echoed in the distance, and soon the song would come to an end.
 With that merry tune at my back, I stared out into the alleyways of Geolheise.

'Anos,'

 A flake of snow and moonflower descends and it turns into Arcana.

'The ahide has appeared?'

Ah. It seems that you've been impersonating a hymnal, but it was a magical imposter. I have traced their magic to them.

 I drew a magic circle in the alleyway in front of me and blew away the dirt with .
 I beckoned with my index finger, and the pact beads buried there flew out.

''Apparently, they used this as a decoy to escape.

 The pact bead is filled with the magic power of Ahide.
 This must have triggered the magic and supplied the fake body with magical power.

"The magic of Dagan, the replicated earthling who 'possessed' the 'Hidden Dragon (Vista)' and 'summoned the possession' (Azepto). It is able to replicate a person's body from a clod and control it. Even though the magic power can be supplied by the Azepto, the Dagan cannot think independently. It is controlled by a sorcerer.

So you're saying that the magic wire was connected.

Yeah. I just cut to get away.

 Arcana wraps her hands around the Alliance Pearl.
 Its body shines dazzlingly in the light of magical power.

''That pact is inseparable. The bond is unbreakable, tracing back to the original.

 When I looked into my eyes, a magic line quickly extended from the pearl of honor.
 It's the power of Nutella dehiana, the guardian god of regeneration. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it happen.

''Hm. I'm sure they've taken countermeasures.

 Four more magic lines grew out of the pact.
 The number increased quickly, and in total, thirty-three magic lines were connected.

 Beyond that, every one of them could feel the magic power of the ahide.

I'm sure at least 32 out of those 33 magic lines are connected to the Confederate Spirit. So you put your own magic power into it and dazzle them with where they were.

Would the rest of them be ahide?

 Arcana is staring at the end of multiple magic lines.

It's also possible that everything is out of line and he doesn't plan to use his magic power to escape on foot. The song of the divine dragon echoing in Geolhaise seems to have a similar effect to a dragon's cry. My eyes can't see the whole area of this city either.

 It's easy to trace the thirty-three magic lines in a lick.
 Considering that, it's reasonable to say that the magic lines are also decoys and are escaping without using magic power.

 Now, how will they catch us?

 From the direction of the divine dragon's spiritual land, the singing voice of Eren and the others resounded loudly at once.
 It was the climax of the Demon King's hymn.

 Soon, a loud chorus of Ku Ick, Ku Ick resounded through the skies of Geolheise.
 The enthusiasm in their voices is proof that their song has been accepted by the people of the earth.

 It's a joyous occasion.

'Ku-ic, Ku-ic, Ku-ic, Ku-ic.......'

 Suddenly, a reluctant singing voice echoes from a side street in the alley.

"Ku-ick, Ku-ick, Ku-ick-woo.......

 When I turned around, I saw a large man wearing a crimson knight's uniform and armor, lightly crooning a hymn to the Demon King.

 He had slightly long hair and a fine, trimmed beard.
 His outward appearance could be around forty. However, his appearance conveyed a weight characteristic of someone who has lived for a long time.

Ha. I love this guy.

 The man laughs loudly and looks at me.

I'll tell you what. You know, it's nice to hear an earthly song. Will you come and sing at my house next time?

 Hmm. Well, a funny man just showed up.

"Have a good day.

 Arcana bared her wariness and glared at the mature man.

'One of the Eight God Selectors, the Sword Emperor who rules over the Agaha, Prophet Diedrich Kreitzen Agaha.

Hey. If you know what you're talking about, you'll be talking to me sooner than later.

 Diedrich walks straight up to me and holds out his hand.

''We are also the Eight Divine Selectors. We may fight in the holy war, but let's go without a grudge, demon king of the earth.

 He's a pretty bold guy.

Anos Voldigord.

 He shook hands with Diedrich.
 With a grin he gave a toothy grin.

'If you're here to play selection judge, you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of chasing after a man right now. You can challenge me if you want, but I don't have time to play around with you.

Hey, I'm not here to argue with you today. I'm here for the Pope of Zioldar and this guy you're after, Ahide.

''Oh. Speaking of which, when Ahide invaded Azation, he brought this thing called the King's Dragon with him, didn't he? I heard that it belonged to the country of Agaha?

"Oh yeah. The king-dragon is the guardian dragon of Agaha. The Pope and the Pope of Giordar must pay for the the theft of the dragon.

It's a bad thing. That guardian dragon, or whatever it is, was destroyed by my men.

 Diedrich laughed loudly as he said this.

You're a nice guy," he said. It's not your fault. It's the work of the Cardinal of Geordal and the Pope who didn't see it coming.

 Hmm. That must be it.

"And then? Did the king himself go out of his way to make the pope take the blame for Ahide's mismanagement?

"You can't send messengers and expect to be swept away. If they are left to their own devices, they won't be able to show their people that they are wrong. If he is not careful, he will end up in a firefight with Geordar. That's just not the kind of person I want to deal with.

 I suppose that means the teachings of the Agaha will be taken lightly by Geordar.
 That's not what a king wants.

"Then it's no time for greetings from me. Now is not the time for me to greet you.

I'd like to, but the Pope in Geordal seems to be busy praying. He has no intention of seeing you. I think it would be best if I said hello to you.

Hmm. I don't know what you're talking about.

 Then a clean voice rang out from behind Diedrich.

'The Prophet Diedrich is a man who knows many futures. He is able to see factors into the distant future that cannot be seen by the eyes of ordinary people, and he is able to see the right future.

 The space behind Diedrich distorts languidly, and then a woman in a blue-green robe appears.
 Her shoulder-length hair was indigo, and her two eyes were closed. She was holding a crystal ball in both hands.

 The magic power that she wears is not that of a dragon man, as you can see.
 Like Arcana, it's probably the divine race.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I've been called a prophet, well, it's because of Nafta that I'm called a prophet.

 Diedrich says.

 Future God? If Nafta really is in charge of the future order, then I suppose the title of prophet doesn't raise any eyebrows, unlike the time of Ahide.

'In other words, if you greet me here, you can go around and reach the Pope. So you've already seen that future?

'Oh. If I were to prophesy one more thing, this man Ahide would appear in the divine dragon's spiritual land.

 Did you think I'd think you'd never go back to a place where you'd show up once?
 It's a place with that many dragon men. I wouldn't be surprised if he's planning to hide in the crowd and escape.

"When will he show up?

I think it's time to move on.

Well, let's find out.

 I turn my magic eye to the gap in the dragon region. It looks like it'll work.

 <I'll use the "Transference (Gatom)".
 For a moment, I thought my eyes went blank in front of me, and then I saw a huge bonfire.

 This is the sacred ground of the divine dragon.
 In front of the altar, the Geordal Choir was singing a chant.

 Turning my gaze to the area, I briefly looked around and saw a figure moving unnaturally in the midst of the many praying congregations.

 It's Ahide.
 He must be trying to make his way through the crowd and flee like this.

 He gingerly walked away from the divine dragon's spiritual land and aimed out of Geolheise.
 When the crowd had lessened somewhat, someone grabbed his shoulder.

 It's Diedrich.
 He must have moved on like me.

You're the former Cardinal of Geordal. You've done a lot of things for me while I was away, haven't you?

 Ahide's face turns pale.

''.........Diedrich.......?

"You'll have to finish the king's dragon off.

You are...!

 A magic circle is stacked on the pact pearl in Ahide's hand.
 <The Possession Summoning (Azepto) and Power Dragon (Deilo) were activated.

 Having gained the power of the dragon, Ahide grabbed Diedrich's arm and tried to rip it free.

 But he didn't falter.
 Ahide opened his mouth and tried to spit out the flames.

 As if it was known beforehand, Diedrich grabbed his hand to cover his mouth with his hand and put up an anti-magic.

''Guho-ooh...!

 The flames spat out, flowing backwards and burning the fool's guts.

'Ku-ic, Ku-ic, Ku-ic........'

 While showing the room to hum a song, in the moment when Ahide was frightened, Diedrich assembled him on the ground as it was.

'Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Be quiet.

 Ahide shouted, his face stained with humiliation.

'Kah, there is no God! Everyone wake up! <The almighty brilliance of Eques is a lie, a lie invented by the Pope! Isn't it strange. Although the divine dragon's voice resounded, none of them had ever seen a divine dragon before. There is no such thing! There is no God--Gobbledy...

 Moving to Ahide, I stomped on its head and covered its mouth.

'Don't make so much noise. It's a nuisance to the devout congregation.

 He grunts as he presses his mouth to the ground.

''........Why? Why won't he wake up? Why can't I wake up from my dream after all this...! 

"Let the Pope tell you the answer.

 I lightly kick Ahide in the face with my foot and then grab him by the head.
 The congregation stares at us in amazement, emitting a murmur.

'You've interrupted me. Continue with the ritual.'

 With that, I grabbed the back of Ahide's head and started walking in the direction of the church.
 Diedrich lines up with me.

'I'm going to turn this man in to the Order, but in addition to that, I'm going to ask you to make an opportunity to meet with the Pope. I'm thanking you for your help. Do you want to come with me?

That one is superimposed. Let us be grateful for the favor of the Demon King.

 Diedrich laughed vigorously.

'But it's a strange thing to be able to see the future, isn't it? For example, if I had wanted to pull off your prophecy in a fit of mischief, wouldn't there be a future where you wouldn't be followed?

Hey, that's a prophecy that includes your knowledge of the future god Nafta. All I know is that you're a man who puts righteousness before mischief.

 Did you know all about Ahide's whereabouts, my desire to bring Diedrich to see the Pope, and that I would never cause any mischief.

 'It seems to be true that you can see the future.

"If you can foresee the future, why did you let them steal the king's dragon?

You can't protect the king's dragon, but you can't protect anything else. I've been trying to protect the king's dragon, but this time it's not possible to protect anything else. It's our job to get rid of this invisible danger.

 Is the future of abandoning your own country's guardian dragon for the best?

Hmm. How far into the future does this prophecy go?

Yeah.

 Gazing into the distance, Diedrich said.

'I suppose we could prophesy until about the end of the underground,'