The Heart of the Evil God, Holy Grail Divine Realm
This pathogen, created by Zildra’s research, is a manifestation of the calamity that once annihilated Alcal in mere days. This bioweapon, enhanced in lethality, infectivity, and magical resistance compared to its past iteration, underwent further transformation within Gerard’s armor, reborn into something truly uncontrollable.
“Gu, Guga, a, aaah…!”
For instance, there was the pain. Agony that would lead to instantaneous death, a searing pain, a torment, clawing at his entire body. He would die, yet he could not die. As if possessing intent, the pain was exquisitely modulated, stretching the fleeting moment of a single second indefinitely, consuming him as if his whole body were being tortured.
“I, I am no longer myself…!”
For instance, there was the erosion of memory. His treasury of knowledge, accumulated over an eternity, was plundered, Zildra’s treasures being stolen one after another. It resembled the aging of a brain that loses its memory with each passing year, as if all the accumulated debt had suddenly come due.
“My flesh, is falling off. Falling away…!”
For instance, there was the damage to his body. The intense heat emanating from within his body had long surpassed human limits, plunging him into an uncontrollable state. This was not a metaphor; his flesh was literally burning, and the moisture within his body was boiling. He was in a state of delirium, unable to discern whether it was he who was hot or the ambient temperature. Helpless, Zildra could only writhe and roll on the ground.
These were but a fraction of the symptoms Zildra was experiencing. What other judgments awaited him was a mystery that only Zildra himself, enduring infinite torment, could possibly know.
“I believe I’ll be taking my helmet back.”
Gerard stopped Zildra, who was rolling on the ground, with his foot and ripped off his own helmet. Gerard had not anticipated it would become this powerful and perhaps it was his inherent kindness that made him feel a sliver of pity for Zildra. Yet, he would do no more. No matter how desperately Zildra pleaded for help or how contritely he apologized, Gerard had no intention of relieving him of his suffering. He merely burned the sight of Zildra, his long-standing nemesis, into his memory.
(However, this plague is terrifying. Zildra is now completely consumed by the disease. I should remove my equipment. It would be disastrous if Efil were to become infected.)
The germs contained within his armor and helmet lost their enhancements from ‘Self-Transcendence’ the moment they were removed from Gerard’s equipment, returning to their original state. However, for those already infected, the case was different, and Zildra’s symptoms remained unchanged.
“Ggguuhh…! Is this, is this to be my end…?! Foolish, so foolish…!”
“Yes, you are a fool, a great fool. With such power, you could have used it for the good of the world.”
“Fuuuh, fuuuh… For the world…? What good would that possibly bring…! War creates new technology, and revolutions are built on sacrifice…! Ultimately, that is how this world works…! Gugaah…!”
“…How sad. You remain alone, forever isolated. Do you have anyone you could call an ally?”
“If you call a relationship of exploitation and profit… that, then, yesss…!”
Spitting blood, Zildra spewed forth words, appearing clearly on the brink of death. Even before being struck by the disease, he had overused his regenerative abilities, substituting them with Jin’s life force. There was no hope of recovery.
—Clink.
From Zildra’s chest, something metallic fell to the floor. A key of complex design, it was a Holy Key.
“…!”
“Hm?”
Gerard felt as if a faint sound had emanated from the Holy Key. He strained his ears. He heard Zildra’s pained groans.
(Was that my imagination?… No.)
It was not his imagination. The faint noise gradually grew louder, and after a while, the noise resolved into clear words.
“…Have I connected? Oh, yes, I have. Truly wonderful. Moments of reward for one’s efforts are sweet indeed.”
From the key came dramatically theatrical words.
“I have heard your story. Mr. Zildra, aren’t you being rather cold? You have me as an ally! You don’t need to agonize alone!”
“…”
The speaker seemed to have overheard their conversation, emphasizing the word “ally” repeatedly. Zildra, more quickly than the suspicious Gerard, managed to speak, his voice shallow.
“Guu… A Commander…?”
“Indeed, that is correct. I too was pushed to the brink, losing several Divine Pillars. It was fortunate I managed to escape, but reorganizing my forces has taken time. Alas, I am deeply regretful that I could not assist you sooner. This must be what they call heartbreak.”
Gerard began to sort the information via his subordinate network. Tristan Pharze, the former general under Commander Trisen, had been reported as slain by Shutra and his allies some time ago. However, Tristan’s corpse had not been confirmed, and it was noted that there was a possibility he had survived. Though the method was unknown, it seemed he had survived, evading Shutra’s surveillance network.
“You, to help me…? Kuvaha, Gahaa…! What kind of joke is this…?!”
“Hahaha, what are you saying? Precious allies must live, they must live! As long as my allies are alive, I will never abandon them! —However, it seems that most of Mr. Zildra’s body is already dead. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say he is dead. Furthermore, my power is insufficient to assist him, how cruel is fate? Ah, it is most regrettable, truly heartbreaking. If healing is possible, a Proxy or a Guardian would be suitable, but they too are busy. I wish to help an ally, but I cannot place other allies in danger… Ah, what a vexing choice! Incidentally, there is a possibility of this disease infecting me, so I must decline rescue.”
“Guu…”
“Now, now, there is no need to be so dejected. The important thing is to be alive! For the sake of you, my good friend Zildra, I shall extend a helping hand! Yes, you and I are good allies, so there is no need for ceremony. Therefore, for now, you should thoroughly enjoy this valuable experience!”
“You, until the end…”
As Tristan continued to speak, Zildra’s stamina seemed to reach its limit. His life force waned, and the sounds of his breathing and heartbeat grew faint. The flow of blood from his wounds diminished and then stopped. Finally, the light of life extinguished from his pupils.
“—Well, now that Mr. Zildra has died, this Holy Key will likely cease to function soon as well.”
“…For an ally, you seem remarkably calm?”
“Was it Mr. Gerard? Regrettably, I no longer have time to argue with you. Therefore, as a service, I shall offer a small piece of advice. If you have avenged your enemy, why not assist your ally? Unlike me, you still have time.”
The fortress of flame created by Efil was changing color from blue to red. This was proof that Efil’s body was weakening due to the disease left by Zildra.
“Now then, I do hope someone can cure this plague, courtesy of Mr. Zildra… As I am not affiliated with their faction, I can only pray from afar. Well, I personally owe that maid a favor, so I would not wish for her to die from something like this. Well then—”
“Mmph, wait!”
Gerard shouted, but the Holy Key had already lost its power.
