Chapter 381 (Self Edited) – Receiving Explanation of Current Situation
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“Haa…!? The Holy City is on the brink of destruction…? What does that mean!?” (Aina)
“It means exactly what it sounds like.” (Eleonora)
“…Hmm, it’s not something that can be resolved easily.” (Sheila)
“Well, technically speaking, it’s not difficult, but…” (Soma)
Even so, it wouldn’t be appropriate to speak so casually. However, it seemed like it might actually be true. Eleanor’s face became serious as she withdrew the faint smile that had been on her face.
“I thought casually mentioning it might lighten the mood a bit, but… it seems that’s not the case.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm… So, something is currently happening in real time. Well, otherwise it wouldn’t have come to this.” (Soma)
“Yes, in reality, things are still quite dire. To be precise, the crisis has not yet pa.s.sed.” (Eleonora)
“So, are you saying that it’s still under attack?” (Soma)
“…But it doesn’t feel like that.” (Aina)
“Yes, it’s not under attack per se. The destruction isn’t coming from outside. It’s something internal.” (Eleonora)
As she said this, she turned around to look at what was behind her. Soma also squinted as he gazed at it. He nodded because he somehow understood it.
“I see… So, rather than preventing interference from the outside, it’s more about not letting what’s inside out?” (Soma)
“Preventing interference from the outside is part of it, but yes, the main purpose is to preserve the internal situation as it is. Therefore, the cause of the destruction still lies within, and it’s just being contained.” (Eleonora)
“So, is there nothing else could have been done?” (Aina)
“Yes. Or rather, it would have been easy to save only a limited number of people, including us. However, at that time, the Holy City would certainly have been annihilated along with everyone there.” (Eleonora)
“…What about the people inside?” (Aina)
“They are alive of course. This place is literally frozen in time, including everything.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm, halting time and involving the entire Holy City… That’s quite something.” (Soma)
“This is what it’s called. The cradle of the G.o.ds.” (Eleonora)
Those words made sense. In other words, Satya did this. With the power of G.o.d, it would indeed be possible to stop time in a confined s.p.a.ce for a moment or two.
“I understand that it’s impressive, but… still, you couldn’t eliminate the cause? Did Devils launch a suicide attack or something?” (Aina)
“…They weren’t particularly adept at attacking?” (Sheila)
“No, it’s not that. If it was just eliminating them, even I could have done it. But whether that would have stopped it is another matter.” (Eleonora)
“So, the outcome remained unchanged, is it?” (Soma)
“To be precise, even if we could have stopped it, I don’t think we would have.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm?” (Soma)
It seemed there was some reason behind it. However, without divulging that, Eleonora continued speaking.
“Furthermore, while time inside remains frozen, it doesn’t mean the time for those inside has completely stopped. They are all within a dream.” (Eleonora)
“That doesn’t mean you’re asleep, right?” (Aina)
“Yes. What they see is a dream that’s safe, peaceful, and happy, yet one they will never wake from. More accurately, one might say they are in the world of souls.” (Eleonora)
“…The world of souls? Why?” (Sheila)
“Was there a need for that?” (Soma)
“It’s half right and half wrong. In essence, this ‘cradle of G.o.d’ is exactly that. It heals the souls of those inside, providing them comfort. It’s a world at the end. There was no other way to avoid the situation, and consequently, the people in the Holy City ended up being trapped here.” (Eleonora)
“Terms like ‘the end’ and ‘being trapped’ don’t sound particularly positive, though.” (Aina)
“I’ll spare you the details, but it’s definitely something better left unused if possible.” (Eleonora)
While the way she phrased it raised some concerns, it wasn’t the time to dwell on it for the time being. Elenora hadn’t come here to explain such things in the first place.
“Anyway… so basically, the situation hasn’t been resolved at all, right?” (Soma)
“Exactly. This was activated because there was no other way to save them, but it’s merely a temporary measure. It hasn’t addressed the root cause.” (Eleonora)
“…Hmm, so when this is undone, we’ll move to resolve it?” (Sheila)
“No, it won’t be in time for that. The moment this world is undone, the Holy City will likely vanish. You can a.s.sume that there won’t be time to do anything in between. Also, we only know for sure that at the very least, the Holy City will disappear. It’s just that we don’t know how far the consequences will extend.” (Eleonora)
“So, what are we supposed to do then? You’re not suggesting we guide evacuations as if we’re prepared for anything, are you?” (Aina)
“Yes, of course not. None of us have any intention of giving up.” (Eleonora)
As she said this, her eyes shone brightly. That was enough to convey her seriousness.
“So, what should we do then? You must have brought this up because you want us to do something, right?” (Soma)
“Yes, I will explain that now. However, there is only one way to resolve this situation. It’s to eliminate the root cause.” (Eleonora)
“…The root cause… meaning, we have to go inside too?” (Sheila)
“But time inside is frozen, right? How do we aim for the ‘root’? Oh, wait… could it be in the world of souls?” (Aina)
“That’s correct.” (Eleonora)
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“Hmm… well, that’s not a problem, but how do we even find this ‘root’? Will Eleanor guide us there?” (Soma)
“No, ‘the root’ isn’t meant literally… It means when everything is ready. When the time naturally comes, it will become clear to you, even without anyone telling you.” (Eleonora)
“That’s quite vague…” (Soma)
But if it could be explained more clearly, it probably would have been. It seemed that Eleonora doesn’t know anything more than that at this point.
“I apologize, but please make decisions based on the situation on the spot.” (Eleonora)
“Does that mean you’re not going?” (Aina)
“It seems my affinity with this place is too strong. Satya-sama indicated that once I surrender myself, I’ll be completely absorbed.” (Eleonora)
“Is it safe to be absorbed like that?” (Aina)
“Don’t worry, it just means I won’t be able to do anything. There won’t be any issues once this world is undone.” (Eleonora)
“…So, should we be rea.s.sured?” (Sheila)
“It would have been rea.s.suring if you had helped.” (Aina)
“Sorry about that. But there’s no need to worry. I don’t think you’ll need anyone’s help. Though I’m annoyed, help is available.” (Eleonora)
At that point, when Eleonora mentioned being annoyed, it was clear who she was referring to. There was only one person who could be meant by Eleanor’s way of speaking.
“Is it Hildegard?” (Soma)
“Yes. …Even though I’m truly annoyed, her cooperation is essential, so I have to bear with it.” (Eleonora)
“Does that mean there are various complicated things going on?” (Aina)
“No, that’s not the case. I was about to explain, but in here, I probably can’t remember everything I said.” (Eleonora)
“…Can’t remember? Is memory restricted in here?” (Sheila)
“In fact, I don’t know how much you’ll be able to remember. That includes things about yourself.”
“What does that mean? Will I lose my memory in here?” (Sheila)
“That would be a relief. In the worst case, memories could be altered, and I could end up as someone with the same name but different person.” (Eleonora)
That was quite troublesome. If memories were altered, even Soma might not know what to do.
“…Is there a way to avoid this?” (Sheila)
“Basically, there isn’t. These are the laws established to sustain this world. As I said earlier, safety, peace, and happiness are guaranteed in here. Conversely, it means being forcibly adapted to a safe, peaceful, and happy world.” (Eleonora)
“So, if there are parts that can’t adapt, memories might be restricted or altered?” (Soma)
“Ah, I see… that’s why you can’t remember what we just discussed.” (Aina)
“Yes. If you remember what I just said, there’s a high chance that you won’t be able to enjoy the happiness that’s been given to you.” (Eleonora)
“…Then what do we do?” (Sheila)
“That’s where Hildegard comes in. She’s hardly affected even inside here. And through her, it seems possible to regain memories.” (Eleonora)
“So, we might be able to manage somehow…” (Soma)
“The problem is that because of that, she’s become a different sort of existence in here. Since she can’t contact you, you have to somehow get in touch with her.” (Eleonora)
It seemed like it would be a bit difficult to contact Hildegard, whose whereabouts were unknown, and there was a good chance they had forgotten what they had discussed here, but… there was no other choice but to do it. In other words, there was no option to not do it from the start.
“However, naturally, such an act is quite exceptional. I believe only one person can regain their memories.” (Eleonora)
“Only one… then it’s Soma.” (Aina)
“Hmm… no objections.” (Sheila)
“Well, I have no objections either, but the real issue is whether we can aim so accurately when there’s a high chance we’ll forget this conversation.” (Soma)
“If it’s you, I don’t think you need to worry about that.” (Aina)
“Hmm, agreed.” (Sheila)
“I agree.” (Eleonora)
Even Aina and Sheila, not to mention Eleanor herself, nodded in agreement, leaving Soma puzzled.
‘Though I don’t think that’s necessarily true… oh well. It’s not the time for casual conversation now.’
“By the way, we’ve roughly understood the situation and what needs to be done… but how do we actually get in?” (Soma)
“True… I don’t see an entrance anywhere.” (Aina)
“…Cut through?” (Sheila)
“No, it looks solid at first glance, but it’s actually like a liquid. If you want to enter, there shouldn’t be any problem just going in.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm, is that so…” (Soma)
Thinking that there shouldn’t be a problem, Soma pondered for a moment. He searched for any other necessary information, but quickly shook his head. Since he would likely forget the conversation here anyway, there was probably no point in asking more questions. Besides, if there was anything else we need, he could ask Hildegard when he met her.
With that thought in mind, he stepped forward and asked one last question.
“By the way, in the end, why was the Holy City on the verge of destruction?” (Soma)
“That’s right… I’d like you to hear that from Hildegard.” (Eleonora)
“Hmm?” (Soma)
Soma had a vague idea of what to expect, but it seemed there was more to the story. It didn’t seem as simple as being the work of Devils or anything like that. Although he felt slightly dissatisfied, there was nothing more he could do.
“Well then, let’s go.” (Soma)
“Yes… honestly, I’m a bit anxious though.” (Aina)
“…I’m a bit curious about what kind of place it is.” (Sheila)
“I apologize for burdening you with this… but please, I’m counting on you.” (Eleonora)
With those words and feeling Eleanor’s gaze on my back, Soma and the others stepped into the pure white sphere.
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