The Battleship Elpis
A giant white battleship piercing the sky. Now, contrary to its divine form, it is called the nest of angels or a mutated dragon by those who see it, and has become a symbol of disaster that unleates powerful monsters modeled after angels. Normally, this ship flies higher than the clouds, but it only appears beneath the eyes of surface creatures when dropping angels.
The scale of the entire ship is unimaginably vast, large enough to incorporate an entire capital city of a great nation. The giant battleship, which simply leaves observers stunned, is a breathtaking sight just by flying in the sky. How on earth is such a colossal object kept afloat, and moreover, made to fly? Calculations lead to an unimaginable amount of energy. Is this something that we could achieve even with hundreds of years of effort? Researchers and mages from all over the world can only twiddle their tongues at the sheer difference in technological prowess compared to their respective countries, and despair.
“As expected of you, Zildra! Such facilities, the crystallization of wisdom! How many sacrifices must have been made to climb to such heights! Someone of my meager talent can hardly imagine it, indeed!”
The man’s voice echoed in what was originally Zildra’s research facility, prepared for him in his now-deceased state. Gray, modern equipment, which shouldn’t exist at this world’s level of civilization, was lined up. Large cylindrical glass tubes were filled with cloudy liquid, and peculiar creatures slept within them.
The man, intoxicated with emotion in this space, was Tristan Pharze, the 10th Apostle, ‘The Commander’. It was unclear what had moved him so deeply about this facility, but Tristan, who usually acted with a theatrical flair, was genuinely excited from the bottom of his heart at this moment. The sight was quite strange to an observer, and the visitor who had come following the voice also found himself troubled.
“My, my, I wondered what all the commotion was, and it turns out to be you.”
“Oh, well, well… It’s the 5th Apostle, the Analyst! To think I would worry someone of your far higher rank. That is a profound regret, indeed.”
The one who had newly set foot in Zildra’s research facility was Riod, whom Kelvin had met just the other day. Riod adjusted his monocle with a look of exasperation and let out a clear sigh.
“The hierarchy of Apostles hardly means anything anymore. You must understand that well.”
“Indeed, we are now only three Apostles. The Assassin defected early, the Reviver changed his way of life, and the Judge returned to his old nest. It’s a shame about the other noble individuals as well. The Proxy became a stepping stone for our Lord, and the Guardian clings to her remnants. Above all, Zildra, the Creator with whom I had the most connection, was a treasure to humanity…!”
“…I don’t see a Survivor in your list?”
“Ah, now that you mention it, there was someone like that. For a time, he was a good senior who looked after me. Yes, I haven’t forgotten him at all.”
Tristan’s demeanor had completely returned to his usual self. It was an obvious lie, but Tristan himself didn’t seem to care about hiding it. Riod decided not to press further.
“So, Analyst, why are you here? Did you come specifically to talk to me?”
“That would be interesting, but I’m here to report something. The other day, the Selector and I met with Kelvin-kun.”
“What?!”
Tristan leaned forward in response, seemingly very interested in the name Kelvin.
“Why… why wasn’t I invited too…!”
“Oh? This is the first I’ve heard that you were so fixated on Kelvin-kun.”
“I too have a not-so-shallow connection with him. Above all, he is the fated love of our Lord, whom she has loved for countless ages. However, it’s now a difficult situation to have a direct conversation… I don’t know what excuse you used, but I envy you!”
“Heh heh, is that so? My apologies then.”
The Tanuki and the Fox exchanged shallow smiles, exuding a rather suspicious atmosphere.
“There’s no use dwelling on what’s past. I shall look forward to the next opportunity. So, what was your business?”
“Ah, right. I believe Kelvin-kun and his group will be coming soon. They will come armed with a plan to break through this battleship, to defeat us, and to fulfill their promise with Kuromel.”
“…Hmm, that’s good news. However, won’t they be bringing a considerable number of forces? We are now enemies of the entire world. As I said before, most of the Apostles have withdrawn from the front lines… No, in some cases, some may even join their forces. In fact, there are likely more of those.”
“On the other hand, our forces are just you, me, the Selector, and Kuromel. It’s true that we are overwhelmingly outnumbered. But we have this Battleship Elpis, don’t we?”
With that, Riod pointed to the deepest part of the research facility. That area was dark, and only a faint shadow was visible, but to him, who possessed ‘Divine Sight’, it was clearly visible. Tristan’s face softened with joy, and he seemed grateful that Riod had found something that looked like a creature or perhaps a machine.
“As expected of an Analyst, you have truly keen eyes!”
“Praising me won’t get you anything. So, is that the Creator’s last legacy?”
“Heh heh, this Battleship Elpis is indeed magnificent, but I am convinced that is Zildra’s greatest creation. Depending on the situation, it was meant to be presented to our Lord. As a divine body to descend into this world.”
“An insurance policy in case the plan goes awry… However, Kuromel obtained the divine golem as planned and absorbed the Proxy’s power. Isn’t its purpose fulfilled?”
“How dare you speak so blasphemously! This is a formidable combat power in its own right. There’s no reason *not* to utilize it. …That is also connected to my wish.”
“Your wish?”
Tristan’s tone suddenly changed. Riod looked at him.
“Analyst, what did you wish for from our Lord? As an Apostle, you must have wished for something in return.”
“My wish is something that would be utterly uninteresting and trivial to you. Instead, let me ask you, what did you wish for?”
“Me? Mine is also a very trivial wish. To usher this world into chaos and witness its end! It’s a common wish that anyone might dream of once, isn’t it?”
Tristan raised both arms to the sky. His voice was filled with joy, but to Riod, who could discern the falsehood in his heart, the gesture was an obvious act.
“Ah, yes. But perhaps you changed your mind midway?”
Tristan flinched slightly.
“…Yes, that’s right. Come to think of it, if someone as insignificant as me wishes for such a thing, our Lord will change the world to be so anyway. Wouldn’t it be more meaningful to resolve my lingering regret? That’s what I’ve come to think.”
“Oh? And what is this lingering regret?”
“It’s obvious! It’s that I let Zildra die right before my eyes! That supreme and ultimate being should have been utilized while alive! Ah, what a tragedy!”
“Hooh…”
Through his monocle, Riod watched the excitable Tristan intently. At that moment, Riod switched the type of his magic eyes.
(Hmm. I thought it was strange that he, who pays no attention to the lives and deaths of others, is acting so peculiar… He seems bound by some sort of curse. However, this might turn out to be interesting.)
Having completed his confirmation, Riod quietly closed one eye.
“Yes, that’s why I changed my wish. I am not a heartless person who would let my comrades die! My wish is—”
