Chapter 24: A Story of a King

His Class shall be determined upon Your advent.

The seat of the "One True God" is but a false throne.

He is the Great Calamity, the one whom humanity misidentified, the one who led Human History toward its greatest disaster.

A Beast bearing the Logos of "Truth."

An absolute logic that everyone clung to, and which in turn, has demeaned everyone.

That is the Beast Nature of ■■■■.

"The 'Resignation' of Lady Rias Gremory has been confirmed. The victory goes to Lord Riser Phenex."

Even upon hearing the broadcast and witnessing the conclusion, the heavyweights in the VIP seats showed no signs of surprise. The outcome had unfolded largely as anticipated.

"Boring. Had the Sekiryuutei (Red Dragon Emperor) been there, the situation might have been different," someone muttered.

As if in sync with that murmur, the surroundings filled with mocking laughter.

To summarize the flow of the Rating Game: Riser won through "sacrifice," utilizing his superior number of Servants (Peerage). While Rias possessed higher "quality," she failed to utilize it effectively. Rias's Rook and Bishop were eliminated after defeating the opponent's Pawns, caught off guard in a moment of negligence. Her Queen backed the enemy Queen into a corner, but the situation was reversed by the use of Phenex Tears. The Knight, having reached Balance Breaker, defeated the enemy Queen but was so exhausted that the result was a double-elimination.

Had Issei Hyoudou been there—if there had been high-precision healing, or another high-output attacker—the board could have been easily overturned. Furthermore, if the Queen or Rook had exerted their true power, the Knight would have had strength to spare.

The only result this game yielded was that the selfish princess and sister of the Maou would now take the third son of the Phenex family as her husband. That fact alone. There was no deep meaning to the victory or defeat in this game. At least, from the perspective of the world, it was merely the end of a trivial skirmish.

Everyone was wasting time on such trifles when they shouldn't be. And since there are even Gods who know this yet remain silent, it truly is a world beyond salvation.

The atmosphere is heavy.

If one were to describe the situation in a single word, that would be it.

The Knights of the Round Table, differing from those of this world's history, had been summoned by the Goddess Rhongomyniad (the Lion King) and were once again seated at the Round Table. However, several seats remained empty.

First, the King was absent. Furthermore, the King’s adoptive brother Kay and the Knight of the Sun, Gawain, were missing. And, as expected, Galahad was nowhere to be seen.

Tristan was also absent, as he had gone to retrieve Bedivere.

Bedivere had been wandering various countries in search of a Holy Sword. He alone had not been summoned by the Lion King. Hearing rumors that Holy Swords were being gathered in a far-eastern island nation by a cadre of Fallen Angels, he traveled to Japan, only to find that everything had concluded by the time he arrived.

While wandering the world searching for information on the missing Holy Swords, he reunited with Tristan, leading to the present moment.

"So, the reason he arrived in this world is the work of that Court Magus, then?"

"Yes. Tristan’s report confirmed as much."

Upon hearing that, everyone present let out a look of displeasure... or rather, a very deep sigh.

"For what purpose would the Magus do such a thing..."

"But, it is him."

"It's Merlin, after all."

"That old man again..."

"His Majesty might know, but..."

"To trouble the King with such matters..."

By unanimous decision, the true intentions of the Magus of Flowers were put aside. It was useless to try and predict the thoughts of a man whose values differed so fundamentally from those of humans. Caution was necessary, but given their long acquaintance, there was a baseline of trust.

"Then, let us organize the situation before Sir Bedivere returns. We must align our understanding to explain things to him."

In truth, not everyone present remembered the events of the Sixth Singularity.

For example, Tristan did not remember killing his comrades, challenging the one who claimed to be the Richard the Lionheart, or massacring the populace. He did not remember, yet because he did not, he could sense the lingering emotions of those who did. That was the cause of the foul atmosphere. It wasn't as if things were like this during their lives.

Agravain remembered everything, and thus believed Lancelot should be executed on the spot, though he knew full well the man was a necessary combat asset. One would hope there wouldn't be a third time. Incidentally, Lancelot seemed to have only vague memories. While it was a relief he didn't remember his final soliloquy, the fact that his only memory was "I feel like Galahad cursed me out something fierce..." meant nothing could be praised about the man except his combat ability.

Furthermore, Agravain felt it was a blessing that Gareth remembered nothing—

"Entering! Irina Shidou, I have returned!"

Thinking it might be Bedivere, it was actually Irina Shidou who entered. A warrior who formerly served the Church. By a twist of fate, she was currently one of the knights under Agravain’s direct command. She had just finished an important errand. The moment her figure was confirmed, Mordred clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"You're too loud, 'Self-Proclaimed Knight'."

"Sir Mordred! That's mean!"

"Fine, then 'Self-Proclaimed Japanese'."

"It's not self-proclaimed! I am properly Japanese!"

"Liar. Lancelot has more accurate knowledge of Japan than you."

Why does Lancelot know so much about Japan? The question popped into several heads, but they assumed he had been summoned to a Holy Grail War at some point and it was a remnant of that. Meanwhile, Gareth and Gaheris’s eyes sparkled: "As expected of Sir Lancelot! To be so knowledgeable even about a distant island nation!"

"...Sir Mordred. I understand your feelings, but she is a member of our Order. Do not be so cold..."

"Shut it! A woman who isn't a descendant of King Arthur, isn't a Knight of the Round Table, and just grew up as a Church warrior who received some factors... was using Father’s... King Arthur’s Excalibur! How can there be such a ridiculous story!?"

At those words, no one could say anything. It was only natural.

"Excalibur is a sword that exists alongside King Arthur."

That was a fundamental truth that didn't even need words. That was the reason for Bedivere's "return" of the sword. That was the reason for Mordred's rebellion. That was the reason for the downfall of the honorable Knights of the Round Table.

"Sir Mordred. I understand your feelings, but compose yourself. Showing any more of such a disgraceful display while seated at the Round Table will not be permitted."

Mordred reluctantly fell silent. At that moment, everyone noticed two knights standing behind Irina.

"I am sad. It seems everyone is so preoccupied they didn't notice my return."

"...I do not know if these words are appropriate, but allow me to say them. Bedivere, with shame, has come to serve at King Arthur’s side."

Noticing the empty seats at the Round Table, the first question Bedivere asked was only natural.

"Sir Agravain. Where is the King?"

Even as he asked, the answer was apparent. The absence of Gawain and Kay was related to it.

"It is obvious, isn't it? 'Diplomacy'."

"Proposal from Andromalius: We should utilize the information obtained from Cath Palug via Issei Hyoudou to devise countermeasures against 'Him'."

"Agreement from Decarabia: It is a waste of time to further discuss Zepar’s poor negotiation skills, Phenex’s independent actions, or Flauros’s oversight."

"Resentment from Flauros: You lot, remember this for later."

"Sympathy from Zepar: I can understand that sentiment."

"Follow-up from Phenex: It is wrong that we are the only ones receiving verbal abuse."

"Request from Amon: Reflect on yourselves, you disgraces."

"Advocacy from Foras: We should start by removing the abnormalities within us. Otherwise, the discussion cannot proceed."

"Proposal from Gamigin: Using reverse logic, how about trying to die once more?"

"Rejection from Andras: Absolutely rejected! I repeat! Absolutely rejected!"

"Agreement from Phenex: If this is to be executed, I recommend Gamigin as the test subject!"

"Opinion from Furcas: It is not a very realistic method. Furthermore, considering our characteristics, it is highly likely to end in futility."

"Point of order from Gusion: A discussion on what form our abnormality takes is necessary. However, it is useless for us to debate this point amongst ourselves."

"Request from Ronove: A collaborator is an absolute requirement. As we are now, even the fact that we are exchanging arguments like this might be part of His will. we need a God-Slaying collaborator separate from us."

"Presentation from Botis: The first condition is that they must be an existence unaffected by God. This implies a supreme-tier divinity."

"Supplement from Vepar: From the start, it is unknown when His plan began. Whether he thought of it during the Great War of the Three Factions, or if it had begun at Genesis. Or if the will sealed within the 'Spear' caused it."

"Presentation from Sitri: The next condition is the ability to build a cooperative relationship with us. In many mythologies, we are perceived as part of the Khaos Brigade. It is difficult to build an active relationship from scratch."

"Explanation from Naberius: Negotiations were held with numerous Hells, and they were successful. However, that does not mean we are trusted, nor that we trust them. We have not disclosed the entirety of the plan to them."

"Correction from Buer: Explaining His advent to factions outside the Bible would only lead them to doubt our sanity."

"Declaration from Forneus: However, I sternly refuse to negotiate with the Three Great Factions. They might exploit this. Therefore, the collaborator must not have their name recorded in the Bible."

"Concern from Gremory: We have given our Factors to the Hero Faction. Utilizing them is dangerous."

"Summary from Murmur: Our rebellion begins with searching for an existence that fits these conditions."

"Counter-argument from Valac: There's no way such a convenient existence exis—"

"............"

".................."

"..........................."

"There is."

"Yeah, there is."

"Certainly, there is, but..."

"Does that thing have the ability to solve such a complex phenomenon?"

"The inside is a dragon of pure, unadulterated innocence, you know?"

"But it shouldn't be bad as a candidate for the operation."

"Goetia to all Demon God Pillars: We are going to wake up Ophis, who is likely idling inside a Reality Marble."

"Goetia, did you call me?"

"Since when were you back? Well, it saves us the trouble. Ophis, sorry for the suddenness, but I want to borrow your power."

"————I have a condition."

"Fine. Normally, I'd want this as compensation for teaching you the Reality Marble, but this matter far outweighs that. So, what do you want? Is it help to defeat Great Red? Or the Holy Grail? Or perhaps knowledge of our world?"

"I want you to play with me."

"Hoh, a simple task. It won't hinder the plan. For us, it's child's play————Eh?"

"Goetia, you don't pay attention to me. I am lonely. This is different from the silence I sought. I want to be with Goetia. So, Goetia, play with me."

"Is... Is there nothing else?"

"I won't cooperate unless it's that."

"I... I can't exactly retract my words once spoken. V-Very well. I shall accompany you in your 'play.' We are capable of even the Incineration of the Human Order. Something of that level is trivial. It should... It should be trivial."

"I want to go to an amusement park."

"A-Ah. I see... Then, before the explanation, Ophis, I ask for an explanation from you. What is that strange creature you are bringing along?"

"Ehem!"

"...Ddraig...!"

Once upon a time, in a certain place, there was a King.

The King was a wise King. The King was a great Magus. The King was a kind person. But the King was always angry and never smiled.

The King hated God! Because God did nothing but act important up in the sky! He was always arrogant, bossy everywhere, and impossibly greedy!

He hated the Angels! Because the Angels did nothing but flatter God. They looked down on the King as a mere human. They looked down on the people of the King’s country as mere sheep. And yet, they would not allow the King or his subjects to speak ill of God. Humans had to praise God.

He hated the Devils! Because the Devils are always making trouble in the King's country whenever he isn't watching. They even stole his precious rings once. They trick humans and take them far away. On top of that, they throw away their unwanted trash there.

He hated the Fallen Angels! Because the Fallen Angels are always fighting with the Angels and Devils. Since God doesn't scold them either, they cause even more trouble. The Fallen Angels want to go back to the sky, but God doesn't want them anymore. So, the Fallen Angels bullied the humans.

No matter how hard the King tried, God, the Angels, the Devils, and the Fallen Angels wouldn't listen to him. The King heard voices he didn't want to hear. The King saw things he didn't want to see. The King’s country was already a mess.

So, the King thought of a revenge.

When he imagined the troubled faces of God and the Devils, the King smiled for the first time in his life! He couldn't help but smirk, grin, and chuckle!

And then, the King—cast a curse upon all of humanity.

The Usual Demon God Pillar Meeting (Paraphrased)

Note: Information from Fou-kun (Cath Palug) has already been relayed via Issei.

Andromalius: "Let's use the info from Fou-kun to cook up some countermeasures against that useless God."

Decarabia: "Agreed. And let's stop roasting Zepar, Phenex, and the re-confirmed incompetence of Flauros. It’s a waste of time."

Flauros: "You lot... I’ll remember this later."

Zepar: "Seriously, though."

Phenex: "Why are we the only ones getting yelled at?"

Amon: "Reflect on your failures, you disgraces."

Foras: "Anyway, let’s start with some bug-fixing. We can't get anything done as we are now."

Gamigin: "Maybe we’ll be fixed if we just try dying again?"

Andras: "Don’t even joke about that!"

Phenex: "If we actually do it, I’m killing you first!"

Furcas: "Well, it’s not like we can expect much from that, so let’s pass."

Gusion: "We need a third party to diagnose exactly what’s wrong with us."

Ronove: "We definitely need a collaborator."

Botis: "Baseline requirement: they must have a Divinity unaffected by 'Him'."

Vepar: "Since we don't know when His plan started, the older the better."

Sitri: "The fact that everyone sees us as part of the Khaos Brigade is becoming a real pain in the ass."

Naberius: "Our plan with the various Underworlds was 'don't interfere with each other.' Asking for sudden cooperation is probably a no-go."

Buer: "Besides, explaining His 'Advent' would just make them doubt our sanity."

Forneus: "That said, relying on the Biblical Factions is strictly out of the question."

Gremory: "We gave our Factors to the Hero Faction, so we can't use them either."

Murmur: "Is there anyone who actually fits these conditions?"

Valac: "No way there’s someone that convenie—"

All Demon Pillars: "…………………… Wait, there is. But are we sure about this? Well, better than nothing."

Goetia: "Call Ophis over here."

Ophis: "Did you call?"

Goetia: "Sorry it's sudden, but give us a hand."

Ophis: "Then play with me in exchange."

Goetia: "Fine. —Wait, what? It has to be playing?"

Ophis: "Yes. Let's go to an amusement park together."

Goetia: "Ugh, fine... (Wait, what do I even do? Are we seriously going?). By the way, where did you pick up that creature?"

Ophis: "Ehem."

Vali-who?: "Kill Ddraig."