I had a sudden feeling of vomiting. Gastric juices were flowing down his throat, and he was struggling to expel the contents of his stomach. I swallowed them forcibly and held my lips with my fingers.

　Before you know it, sweat is licking your forehead. Dohasura is smiling in front of me with his eyes wide open.

　It's as if he's asking me a question and waiting for me to give him an answer. I pointed my finger at him and said.

"...... This is the last time. Just one. Just one more thing.

　If you can answer, says Dohasura. The expression on his face is demonic. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea. Either that or the hexenbiests just happened to want to dance on their feet.

　I already knew the answer. I already knew half of what Dohasura was going to say.

　But I still had to ask. There was no way I was going to turn around and walk away without hearing it, without knowing.

　I don't know why, but I think. I'm sure I have a duty to listen to this.

　Dohasura's lips rippled as he spoke. I don't know why, but I think.

I'm afraid I can't answer that.

　Of course you can't. Yeah, he's very sincere for a hexenbiest. I'd even like to thank him. He didn't just duck and dodge, he said he couldn't answer.

　Doherty's only criterion for not answering was whether or not it was a betrayal of Altius. And if he can't answer the question I've just posed.

　If you can't answer the question I just posed, then you are saying that Altius is the one who created the catastrophe.

　My pulse quickens and my heart beats strongly. They gradually gained momentum, quickening the blood flow throughout the body. The back teeth, which had been biting together naturally, groaned.

　I see. I see, I see now. I understand now. Thank you.

　--That, slut.

　My teeth, they're not clicking. My fingertips were shaking like they were in a seizure, my guts were on fire.

　Something's wrong. That d*mned, unearthly catastrophe. A prelude to the ideals Altius spoke of. All those people died for that trivial prelude.

　Too many children died in front of their parents and parents in front of their children. I've seen babies' skulls crushed by Hexenbiests and women violated by them countless times.

　And my bloodless parents died there, as did my only teacher. I lost them all. The only person who had any connection to me back then was Alueno.

　That's how epic the catastrophe was. It was the worst thing that ever happened to me.

　And he... So that's what that wannabe did.

　My voice was raspy for the first time in a long time. I almost let out a dry laugh.

"So you want to run the world the way you want it to run, you're gonna start by tearing it apart. That's good. If I were a guest, I'd throw a bottle of liquor on the stage. Screaming at them to go f*ck themselves.

　My cheeks twitch. My head was so muddled. I feel like my thoughts have been turned upside down from the bottom up.

　Initially, I had thought that the best way to control the damage from the catastrophe was to unite the hands of the kings of the world.

　After all, that's what they used to do. If we can move things around a bit, if we can work together more quickly, if we can work together more closely. It might work out better.

　That's what I had in my head.

　But... But it's a different story when you've got a guy arrogantly claiming to be a divine spirit behind the scenes.

　No matter how hard he tries, things will be done until the end. Everything will be done for the sake of Altius.

　It won't end until all of humanity is begging him for help, as it once did. That's why Altius created the catastrophe.

　It's disgusting. I felt disgusted, as if my guts were being twisted inside me. Nothing could be further from the truth.

　Yeah, but think about it. On the other hand, it all makes sense now.

　Whether it's getting Alueno's body back or stopping the catastrophe.



　--Altius, stomp out the heart of the great hero Altius.

　Wonderful. It doesn't get any clearer than this. This is what I've always wanted. Cheeks lifted, forcibly.

"I don't care what you think. But Althea's ideals are better than you think. Better than watching tens of billions of sorrows fall from it. It's much better. Much better.

　Doha Sura says in response to my words. I could only vaguely understand what she was trying to say.

　It is true that in a catastrophe, everyone dies. Many die and only a few survive. And when they do survive, their thoughts are taken away, their wisdom is lost, and their books are burned.

　But what lies ahead is undeniable happiness. You don't have to think, all you have to do is ask. A supreme life ruled by a god, living peacefully under a unified will.

　It must be wonderful. It's the kind of happiness I'd fall down and wish for in the past.

　On the other hand, if humans continue as they are... Tragedy will continue to be created. Wars will be fought again and again, and everyone will confront each other as they please, and hate each other as they please.

　It's inevitable no matter how hard we try. That's just the way humans are.

　Altius is much better than that. That it's better to suffer a little now than a lot of tragedy in the future. So you're saying.

　A sigh escapes me. I take out a chewing tobacco from my chest and put it in my mouth.

　I wanted to calm my feverish heart, which was about to burst. I wanted to have time to speak calmly, even if only for a moment.

　Through the familiar scent in my nostrils, I said.

"Okay. I'll tell you what I think. DohaSura.

　Dohertysura's lips rippled for a moment, then he closed his mouth and listened to my words.

Altius would be great. She's a hero.

　She once raised a banner to save her people, and she did it with gusto, building a mighty nation. She laid the foundation for the human race.

　There is no other word that can be used to describe such a person but hero. Even the term "great hero" is inadequate. Let's even show some respect.

　It's always the heroes who change history and create a new era. She deserves it.

　But...

　If it's heroes who change history. Who do you think builds up those histories, works them, finds meaning in them.

　Just people. A mediocre, unremarkable person. Just people living their lives. They are the witnesses of history, the ones who can build it up.

　Heroes can't do that. Because they can't, they can change the world.

　But what Altius is trying to do is no longer change. It's domination.

　The Great Hero says that this time he will unite all of mankind and rule them all. He says he will teach us how to build up history without the need for wisdom or anguish.

That's ridiculous. That's not history. It's called a play. I don't call it living, being a character in a puppet show.

　I could see Dohasura's eyes narrowing spontaneously. He looked at me as if he was looking at something nostalgic. No more words were exchanged from there.

　He stood up and shook the treasure sword at his waist. My purpose is set. I know what I have to do. Then there is no point in resting at all.