“...Eh?”

Lana tilted her head as she opened her mouth.

“Mr. Dowd, you seem a bit out of it.”

“...”

Iliya couldn’t agree more with her words.

She looked at the dazed Dowd standing beside her, letting out a bitter smile.

While it was good that Sullivan and Faenol managed to find him before Atalante started smashing the Devil’s Vessel’s heads, he had almost always been in this state since then.

It was as if he had lost his mind, only staring blankly at space.

At this rate, there was no way anything good would come out of the Second Ordeal.

“...”

When she looked at the massive force field spread around them, Iliya let out a sigh.

Compared to the impressive artificial dungeon shown in Elfante, it was just a huge, incredibly tough hemispherical force field, but that was the thing that made it even scarier.

Because just from the sheer size of it implied that there was an entity that ‘could only be imprisoned’ with something like that.

If the First Ordeal’s goal was to test the candidates’ boldness and courage, the Second Ordeal’s goal was to test their patience, planning, and quick thinking. Or so they said.

And so, because of that…

‘...We have to survive among Demonic Creatures without any protection whatsoever.’

When she remembered how the ordeal would go, Iliya let out another sigh.

They would push the candidates into the areas near the Forge of Struggle that was infested with Demonic Creatures. Those candidates could only rely on their bare bodies to survive for two whole days.

Not only that, they also made the Demonic Creatures to be more aggressive than usual.

Considering that those candidates were people who hadn’t even reached adulthood, only people who were out of their mind would think that they could withstand such a situation. However, that was how heavy of a burden the title ‘Hero’ was.

And even after all that, there was still another problem.

“Miss Iliya, Mr. Dowd, since you both were ranked first in the comprehensive score of the previous ordeal, the other candidates will definitely try their best to hold you in check. Will you be alright?”

“...There’s no way it’ll be alright.”

Iliya said that as she looked around.

The other candidates, who would soon enter the hemispheric force field with them, had ominous glints in their eyes.

And…

“...”

Just like before, in the ‘spectator seats’ set up in the sky, the Empress of the Empire, War Chief Utad of the Tribal Alliance, and Archbishop Luminol of the Holy Land were sitting side by side.

The last figure in particular was a problem.

Because the gaze he sent to Dowd made it seem like he was his sworn enemy.

‘...I understand where he came from, though.’

Iliya broke out in a cold sweat as she inwardly murmured to herself.

If anything, considering what Dowd had done to Lana in the previous ordeal, it would be strange if he didn’t act like this. After all, he was her father.

They’d be really lucky if he didn’t blatantly try to mess with them during this ordeal.

“...There shouldn’t be any big issues, though…”

As soon as she muttered that, Lana sharply turned her head and looked at Iliya. Her timing was actually scary.

“Huh, Miss Iliya?”

“Yes?”

“Before, there shouldn’t be any problems, but since you said that, something will definitely happen now.”

“...”

‘What the hell is she saying?’

Iliya glared at Lana with narrowed eyes.

“...Stop telling such an ominous joke.”

“I’m not joking!”

Lana continued with a grin that didn’t fit the sentence she just spoke.

“They often told me that I have a good sense for things!”

“...”

“So, if there’s something I’m confident of, it’s safe to say that it’ll happen!”

‘Please, I beg you.’

‘Stop talking about such a meaningful foreboding with a smile!’

‘Seriously…’

Iliya sighed inwardly as she looked over at Dowd, who was still in a daze.

‘...When will you come back, Teach?’

‘If you don’t come back soon, things will turn very messy!’

She felt that in her very bones.

System Message

[ The ‘Sweet Play’ event is at its most critical juncture. ]

[ You must prevent tragedy from befalling target ‘Yuria’! ]

I let out a chuckle upon seeing that window pop up.

It felt like I was being yelled straight in my ear.

How should I put it? It felt like the White Devil kept giving me warnings such as, ‘You know why I brought you here, right? So, conduct yourself properly!’.

“...His Holiness is coming.”

Yuria said as she saw the elevator coming down from above the mansion.

Although she seemed to display the composed expression she always tried to maintain, her hands were trembling pitifully.

No matter how strong-willed and mature she tried to be, she was still a kid. There was no way she could attain perfect control at her age.

And next to her…

I was staring blankly at empty air.

“By the way, what exactly has Mr. Servant been doing since earlier?”

“I am checking the time, My Lady.”

“...?”

Yuria’s face seemed to be asking why I was staring at air instead of looking at a clock if I was checking the time.

Well, that was because what I was actually checking were the numbers next to the ‘System Window’.

I wasn’t trying to gauge how much time had passed here, but what time it was ‘outside’.

‘...Has the Second Ordeal started by now?’

Considering all the various conditions and elements, this should be around the time when Iliya would be forced into the Second Ordeal.

“...”

Which meant, I had to get out of here quickly.

I wasn’t exactly sure what would happen to her in the Second Ordeal, but strictly speaking, this Main Quest was Iliya’s show. In other words, she was the most important person in the scenario and the one who would be prioritized the most.

“...”

Of course, that didn’t mean I planned to neglect this current quest.

But, given the circumstances…

I probably needed to resort to a rather drastic method.

“Mr. Servant.”

As I was thinking that, Yuria tugged my lapel to get my attention.

In front of our eyes was the Pope, descending in the elevator.

While he was wearing a different outfit than I remembered, I could recognize his detestable mug in an instant.

“...”

And then, I closely observed the sword wrapped in a sealing device that he held in both hands.

Severer.

The sword that Yuria would continue to carry with her from this moment afterwards.

Despite it being covered in so many layers of seals, I could still feel the ominous feeling it gave off from a glance.

Even Yuria flinched a moment and started to tremble when she saw its appearance.

“...I’ll be back.”

Yet, she still forced a smile on her face. A pitiful-looking smile.

Her voice sounded as if it was squeezed out with much difficulty as she tried her hardest to suppress her fear.

She herself knew the impact it would have on her, that was why she reacted like that.

“...”

From here onward, I already knew what would happen.

The Pope would guide Yuria to grasp the Severer and then force her to slaughter everyone in the mansion.

And the event would leave an incredibly deep trauma in her heart.

Which meant…

I had to prevent it from happening with all my might.

“...”

Normally, I wouldn’t even think of attempting this method.

All the more so when the White Devil had struck all sorts of restrictions on me, telling me to not break character or whatever.

And even if I were to disregard all those… I’d still need to gamble for my desired aftermath.

But, it should work somehow if I just go for it, right? I mean, when had I ever thought things through before pulling some kind of bullshit anyway?

‘...Alright.’

I confirmed the means I needed to take to achieve my plans.

Well, you see, I’ve been saving something for this exact moment.

System Message

[ ‘Skill Copy Ticket’ is used! ]

[ You can copy 1 skill from target ‘Yuria’! ]

It didn’t take all that long to find the skill I was looking for.

System Message

[ ‘Skill: Curse of Severance’ is copied! ]

[ You will attack anyone who comes within three steps indiscriminately! ]

[ The effect in question will occur if you grab ‘Severer’! ]

There we go. That was what I was talking about.

“Have you been well, Yuria?”

When the Pope approached her, saying those words, Yuria’s body jerked.

His voice was polite, proper and rather melodious. He delivered it in such a manner as if he always spoke this way.

Some might say it was a demeanor befitting someone at the pinnacle of all clergymen.

But to Yuria, it was nothing more than the slither of a snake.

“Today is the scheduled day for your glorious ascension, Yuria.”

With a faint smile, the Pope extended something to her.

It was a long sword.

So long that it seemed almost as tall as her height.

“Why don’t you try holding it for now? It’s an object I’ve prepared just for you.”

“...Um, Your Holiness…”

Yuria spoke with a trembling voice.

“...D-Do I…have to hold it?”

I don’t want to.

It looks like it will hurt me. I’m scared.

Something terrible will definitely happen as soon as I hold it.

Such was the thought behind her words.

“...Yuria.”

Her body couldn’t help but flinch again at the Pope’s voice.

His demeanor was still gentle.

However, the eyes gazing down at her…

Those eyes that looked as if there wasn’t even a hint of hostility in them…

Felt like a cold gaze that was skinning her alive.

Contained in it was a pressure with the notion that the ‘worth of her existence’ laid only in this.

“Are you planning to neglect the duty assigned to you?”

“...”

“I’m sure you haven’t forgotten that it was the Order that fed and raised you.”

“...”

“Are you thinking of becoming a bad child who turns their back on kindness and favor?”

“...N-No…”

Hearing her response as she trembled, the Pope showed a kind smile once again.

“That’s what I wanted to hear, Yuria. Our Yuria is indeed a good child.”

“...”

Yuria tightly closed her eyes as the sword was extended in front of her again.

‘...Mr. Servant.’

She wasn’t sure why that person came to mind.

But strangely, at such a terrifying moment, she was reminded of his existence, the most reliable presence, even more than her sister.

“...”

However…

The outcome of the play had already been determined.

No one could help her.

It was her fate to accept the impending tragedy.

So, she reached out towards the sword with trembling hands.

“...?”

But then…

Before she could even grab it…

She could hear someone’s footsteps from close by.

“...Mr. Servant?”

Upon seeing the man who approached her from the side, Yuria reflexively let out a bewildered voice.

“What are—?”

Before she could even finish her question, his hand already grabbed the hilt of the Severer held by the Pope.

Following that, the ‘curse’ contained in the sword surged through Dowd’s body.

An age-old curse that had festered for centuries began to encroach his body.

Originally, it wouldn’t be strange for a human corrupted by such a curse to go mad from the pain and die immediately.

But instead, Dowd just casually drew the sword.

As if all the experience of someone who had dealt with the curse countless time before had been ‘transferred’ to him.

Then…

“Yap.”

With a Swoosh…

He swung it towards the Pope.

The edge of Severer smoothly passed through his neck.

Its movement was fluid, as if cutting through water.

Thud, Rolllll.

The Pope’s head rolled on the ground, accompanied by a graceless noise.

“...”

“...”

“...”

As blood spurted with a Pwoosh-...

Silence settled heavily in the surroundings.

Heavy, and deep silence.

It went on.

And on.

“...Hm”

While everyone was stunned in a daze upon watching this scene, the man who caused it opened his mouth with an ever so nonchalant voice.

“As expected, a play needs some kind of a twist.”

At the same time he uttered such words…

Hell unfolded in the vicinity.