In an instant, a pure white light exploded.
“Ugh!? What is this———”
A tremendous blast of wind urged my body, but more than the shock, I was astonished by the presence of magical power that I felt all over my body.
This sensation intensely stimulated my sixth sense. It wasn’t just familiar; it was something I could never forget, the most fearsome, and the ultimate presence.
Beyond the settling white flash, I could see the figure of Nero standing up, appearing hazy.
What rose in thick clouds was neither white smoke nor steam… this was magical power.
A glimmering aura of white-silver magical power surged from Nero’s entire body. It spun powerfully, as if it were infinitely springing forth from him.
Clad in an overwhelming aura of white magical power, he looked as if he was—
“…an Apostle, huh?”
“Ah, that’s right———”
Nero said languidly, looking straight at me.
His eyes, which should have been red, now shone cold and ice blue. When I realized it, his black hair, just like mine, had transformed into shimmering silver hair.
“———I am the Thirteenth Apostle, Nero. That’s who I am now.”
“No way, are you saying a new Apostle has awakened!?”
Why? How could this happen at such a time? And more importantly, why did Nero become an Apostle?
Damn it, is the ‘White God’ able to interfere with reality so conveniently?
“Haha, this is amazing! So this is the Power of Blessing. It’s the kind of power that makes serious training feel pointless———’Holy Sword: Radiance.'”
Slowly and grandly lifting his right hand, brilliant white light began to concentrate. In an instant, it transformed into a massive sword of light, stretching several meters long.
“First, let’s test it out. This won’t turn you to ash in one strike, right?”
The massive sword of light came crashing down.
The radiant blade, filled with incredible magical power and heat, approached me as if it would completely engulf me.
“‘Steel Demon King’!!”
I activated my second Blessing. I braced myself with my maximum defense.
An incredible force of light attributes slammed against me. It was hot. Heavy. I felt a shock that seemed poised to shatter my entire body and an intense heat that could melt me away.
However, it wasn’t enough to kill me. I managed to endure somehow.
“Ugh…”
I heard the sound of the ground bubbling up.
My body didn’t take serious damage. However, most of ‘Devil’s Embrace’ was burned away.
Damn, I should have worn the ‘Tyrant’s Armor’. My only outfit is ruined.
“So, Chrono, can you still act like you could capture me alive? Sadly, now———I am stronger than you.”
Ah, I’ve been bested; he’s absolutely right.
When facing an Apostle, I have no chance in a one-on-one. The only reason I could corner Misa was that she wielded the power of an Apostle but was still an amateur.
However, Nero was an active Rank 5 Adventurer.
If he has transformed into an Apostle, gaining an exceptional ability that elevates an ordinary amateur to the strongest class… he would be impossible to deal with.
He is likely stronger than Sariel was as the Seventh Apostle. Sariel had openings since he didn’t possess ‘specialized abilities’.
But Nero should be presumed to have that alongside his already high combat abilities.
“…”
I briefly glanced toward Fiona.
I hoped she would receive the message not to make a move just yet.
Nero had just awakened as an Apostle… but he didn’t appear to be confused or out of control. The aura of infinite white magical power exuded a pressure and density comparable to Sariel. He should already be displaying complete combat capabilities.
In contrast, we were missing Lily from our member composition.
Moreover, Charlotte and Nel were important figures that shouldn’t be allowed to fall into Nero’s hands right now.
The best I could do in this situation was to find a way for all of us to escape.
“…I never imagined you would awaken as an Apostle at such a critical moment. Nero, were you a believer of the Cross Religion from the beginning?”
“I had no intention of believing in the so-called ‘White God’… but now, I might be willing to believe.”
It didn’t seem likely that Nero was secretly a Cross Religion believer like Silvarian. If that were the case, then it would mean that Nero must have come into contact with the Cross Religion after meeting Linfeldt.
The conditions for awakening as an Apostle didn’t seem to be simple faith. The ‘White God’ must have its unique conditions for designating an Apostle.
Judas likely knew those conditions, which is how he could make the artificial human Sariel the Seventh Apostle.
And now Nero had coincidentally met those mysterious conditions… it all felt too neat.
The ‘White God’ may have had its eyes on Nero from the start. The one carrying the blood of Demon King Mia.
“That power isn’t just strong; it’s surely aimed at the people of the Pandora Continent. They call races other than humans the Demon Race. The power of the Apostle is meant to obliterate the Demon Race, the enemies of God.”
“Is this a warning? It’s too late for that. The ‘White God’ answered the call of my desire for power. No one else, not even the Dark Gods, but only the ‘White God’ gave me power. At the very moment I truly desired strength.”
“The ‘White God’ can’t possibly be a god that grants wishes conveniently. Once you become an Apostle, you cannot defy the will of God. Just like Sariel, you will also be used as a pawn to massacre the people of Pandora.”
“If it’s to protect Lin, I won’t choose the means. Besides, the one who cornered me to the extent that I needed this power is none other than you, Chrono!”
“How many people are you planning to involve for the sake of that one woman?!”
“You, who have never lost a woman you loved, are acting all high and mighty and spouting your hypocritical nonsense.”
Hypocritical.
Nero, you don’t understand… people will die. Really, many people will be killed.
The scenes I witnessed in Irz, the sights in Alsace, will now unfold all across the continent. Allowing the invasion of the Cross Religion is precisely that.
“If I can’t protect her, it doesn’t matter how many others I save. She’s the most important. She takes priority over everything and everyone. That should be obvious.”
“Even so, that doesn’t provide you with a reason to impose any number of sacrifices. Your betrayal threatens not only Avalon and Spada but the peace of all of Pandora.”
“I don’t care about that. Listen, Chrono, I will kill you with this power. And I will continue to protect Lin. Everything else is trivial.”
Regardless, once Nero awakened as an Apostle, there was no going back.
Even if I died here gracefully, Nero wouldn’t stop. Because he’s an Apostle. I can’t predict the extent of the slaughter that would unfold due to the will of the White God.
At the very least, the White God wouldn’t grant him Blessing just so that he could live happily with Linfeldt.
“Damn it… there’s no room left for persuasion, huh…”
“Ah, that’s right, so give up. And despair. Just like me on that day, curse your own powerlessness———”
With that, Nero raised his hand again.
The sword of light he held in that hand expanded to double its size from before. It was an incredible density of magical power. This was no mere bluff.
If that struck directly, even the ‘Steel Demon King’ might not be able to withstand it.
Nero likely had nothing left to say to me. From the start, he had no ear for my words… but the palpable intent to kill directed at me was already unmistakable compared to before.
“You won’t get away with this, Big Brother.”
At that moment, the one who intervened between me and Nero was Nel.
It wasn’t a thoughtless emotional response. She was also resolute, standing directly in front of her traitorous brother.
“What are you planning, Nel?”
“There’s nothing to plan. Do you think such an outrageous act would be overlooked?”
“Who gives permission for me to do what I want?”
The immense fighting spirit emanating from Nel’s back was likely an expression of anger towards her arrogant brother.
Her fist was tightly clenched, yet she didn’t swing it.
“…Then I should just cut him down along with myself.”
“What did you say?”
“If I have to kill Chrono-kun right here, then I will die alongside him. However, if you still have feelings of preserving my life as your sister, please, retreat from this place.”
“You’ve really learned to speak up, Nel. I never expected you to use yourself as a hostage to negotiate.”
I see, Nero wanted to kill me but didn’t want to slaughter everyone present in the process.
If Nel shielded me with her body, then surely Nero wouldn’t be able to strike.
However, that doesn’t mean I could wholeheartedly praise that suggestion.
“Stop, Nel. Nero isn’t in his right mind right now.”
“Yes, I don’t see how he could be in his right mind. However, if my brother has become a monster that has lost his reason and is rampaging, then I must stop him at the cost of my life.”
“Hey, hey, just because he’s stronger doesn’t mean you can treat him like a monster.”
Nero mocked our exchange with a scoff.
Do you not care at all that your sister has spoken to you this way?
“Well, whatever. With the power of an Apostle, I have nothing to fear anymore. I might let Chrono go. But, Nel, you will return with me to Avalon.”
“What do you think will happen if I return? Do you intend to go to war with Spada?”
“You are my precious sister. I would be troubled if you were taken hostage. That’s why I will protect you.”
“Tying me with chains of violence and calling it protection is laughable. Even a slave merchant wouldn’t boast that much.”
“Say whatever you want. One day, you too will understand. That to protect what’s important, you shouldn’t choose the means——— that’s why, I’ll forcibly take Nel with me.”
Though he dismissed the gigantic sword of light, the swirling white-silver aura still emitted a powerful pressure, and it wouldn’t be surprising if an instant-death level attack came at any moment.
Should I have shouted to prevent Nel from going without delay?
But facing a Nero who had awakened as an Apostle was too dangerous. It wasn’t a situation where I could recklessly challenge him without any preparation or countermeasures.
Then again, could I really let Nel go back to Avalon like this? Given how things stood, that nation was already destined to fall into the hands of the Cross Religion.
“Chrono-kun, please don’t worry about me. This is Avalon’s issue. Therefore, as a princess, I bear responsibility as well.”
“That may be true, but…”
I didn’t want to let Nel go. The dangers were too severe. Trusting Nero was out of the question now that he had become an Apostle.
Yet, even so, I couldn’t find the words to stop Nel.
“And, to settle this situation without hurting anyone, there’s no other way.”
Ah, that’s right, as Nel said, I couldn’t see any outcome without casualties no matter how I struggled.
I didn’t want anyone to die. Not even a single Homunculus should be killed.
“…I’m sorry, Nel.”
As I could only look down helplessly, Nel smiled slightly, a hint of sadness in her expression.
“I will return to Avalon. But, surely, we will meet again, right?”
“Of course… I will definitely come to see you.”
So please, stay safe.
I will definitely obtain enough power to defeat the Thirteenth Apostle, Nero.
“Have you finished your goodbyes?”
“Yes, that’s more than enough.”
“Ah, right. Shal, have you decided what you will do?”
“There is no way I would go along with the lowest traitor. Shal is the proud third princess of Spada; she will never abandon her country. Unlike you.”
Nero shrugged at Nel’s scathing words.
As she gazed at Nero, Charlotte trembled and said:
“Nero, you idiot! You’re saying whatever you want! I don’t understand! Why are you doing such reckless things without consulting me… or any of us!!”
“Ah, right. I completely forgot to mention. My bad——— ‘Wingroad’ is hereby disbanded.”
“W-Why… why are you saying that!?”
“After all, I was the leader. If I’m declaring a disbandment, I should be the one saying it.”
Nero announced the disbandment with a calmness that suggested he felt nothing at all, and Charlotte couldn’t find any further words and covered her face as she began to cry.
“What the hell is that? Stop joking, Nero. Did you not care about us at all!!”
Kai shouted in place of the weeping Charlotte.
“Shal and Kai are important childhood friends, companions to me. The days spent as ‘Wingroad’ weren’t bad. I thought they could last a lifetime.”
“Then!”
“But I told you, Kai. I made my choice. Not you guys; I chose the person I thought was most important. This power of the Apostle is the evidence of that choice and resolve.”
“Don’t spout such beautiful words! You suddenly got this great power and just turned into an idiot!!”
“I never thought there would come a day when you would call me an idiot… but I’ll forgive you for that. Because you’re my friend, Kai.”
“Stop joking around…”
“Is that all you want to say? If you want to come with me, this is your last chance. You all saw the power of an Apostle during the Galahad War. That ultimate power is now mine. No one can stop me. Throw away any nationalistic sentiments, noble pride, or rubbish pride, and come to my side. I will gladly welcome you.”
“You idiot. Until I smack you hard, you won’t realize how ridiculous you sound.”
It was the first time I saw Kai, who usually laughed everything off, radiating such anger.
But that was only natural. Because he was facing his friend, Nero.
Nevertheless, the reason he didn’t recklessly draw his sword and jump in was likely because he had already witnessed Nel’s determined actions.
“Kai, you’re truly nothing but a fool. Choosing the strong side is the obvious choice and the best survival strategy.”
“Safi, you really intend to betray us after all?”
Along with Celis, Safi had been watching the unfolding situation. However, there didn’t seem to be any significant change in her expression. Even after Nero awakened as an Apostle.
Perhaps she already knew that Nero had long since defected to the Cross Religion. And it was without a doubt that she chose to side with Nero knowing that.
“Spada is finished. With the Crusaders and Avalon attacking from both sides, there are no more moves to make. Above all, Nero has awakened as an Apostle. The current Nero is the strongest in Pandora.”
“That doesn’t mean you can accept such a Nero!”
“I don’t understand why you’re so angry. Nero is saying that if you choose to side with him, he will accept you. It’s akin to the bonds of old comrades.”
“Ah, I see… damn it, it’s true that someone who doesn’t even consider evil to be evil is the worst.”
“That ‘evil’ might be seen as ‘justice’ by another. If Nero and the Cross Religion conquer the continent, we will become the just ones. Those of you clinging to that antiquated country of Spada will only become foolish losers.”
“Stop, Safi; that’s enough for now. It seems Shal and Kai have chosen to part from me.”
“Of course, we’re not so rotten that we’d wag our tails at a traitor!”
“Kai, while I didn’t dislike your stupidity, right now I find your foolishness pitiable.”
“Damn it, hurry up and get back to Avalon.”
“Ah… then, Shal, Kai. I hope we won’t meet on the battlefield.”
Nero once again turned his back on us and began to walk away.
Charlotte, crouched and quietly crying, and Kai, who could only slam his fists against the ground in unrestrained anger. I too had nothing to do and couldn’t find the words to say to either of them.
Nero left us behind without looking back.
Leaving only the worst situation that he had awakened as an Apostle and the sorrowful fact that the ‘Wingroad’ Rank 5 Adventurer party had disbanded.