Everyone turned to where Mizukonta was pointing her clawed paw, and they saw it. A bright beam of pure magic was being shot straight into the sky. Something terrible was happening, judging by the pressure they were feeling in their bodies as if suddenly, they all weighed more than they should.
The trembling diminished but didn’t stop, and Mizukonta stared at Hinotsume, who was looking at the beam of energy in silence.
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He then faced Nozomu and said, “It is time. We need to act fast. The Dragons know what to do, and by now, they are all flying to the Academy to meet us. We must go as well.”
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Nozomu looked at Taisetsuna, who was completely pale and staring at him. She immediately understood what Hinotsume meant, and despite the others being puzzled by his words, she was not.
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To their surprise, she spoke. “Everyone, let’s go to the Guild. Chujitsuna, when you get there, use your daggers to put everyone to sleep, including whoever will be in the Guild. I will go with Nozo.”
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Chujitsuna frowned and asked, “You want me to… What for? What is happening? Can someone explain to me what that light is and why do you all look so scared?”
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Nozomu answered while looking at Taisetsuna, “Raluth is emerging to cleanse the World. He does that by controlling and eating everyone. None of you can resist his Magic. That is why you need to be put to sleep. You too, Taisetsuna. You know what I have to do, and you can’t be near me. I won’t risk you trying to kill me.”
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Robert Keskula went to Taisetsuna and pulled her arm, saying, “Kill him? Raluth? What does he mean? Why you... I don’t understand…”
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Taisetsuna spoke without averting her gaze from the serious Nozomu. “Hinotsume told us. Raluth is not a God; he is some sort of monster that eats everyone when he awakes every three thousand years. Nozo wants to kill him, and he will probably die in the process. There is no way that I won’t be fighting next to him.”
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While everyone was staring at the serious Cat-kind girl, Nozomu said, “You can’t. You know that. He will control you like everyone else, and you, like all of them, will try to kill me to feed him.”
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Taisetsuna made a slight smile and said, “I wasn’t asking for your approval, Nozo. I was merely informing you. I will help you prepare everything for your mission, and I will protect you for as long as I can. The moment I feel I can no longer resist him, I will leave you. The Dragons are not the only backup you have. I love you, and there is no way I will let you fight this battle alone.”
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Robert, Hinen, and Tomiga stared at her, completely dumbfounded by her direct declaration. Nozomu was about to argue when Chujitsuna and Tresuria joined them.
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Chujitsuna shrugged and said, “I have no idea why you want to fight God Raluth, but if Hinotsume and Mizukonta are going with you, I guess we all go. We are a Party, and this is just one more Quest. We may all die from this Quest, but there is no way I will let you guys go without me!”
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Hinotsume growled, and his thundering voice made them cover their ears with their hands. “This is no joke, meat sacs! Almost three thousand years ago, dozens upon dozens of Dragons died in our last attempt to fight Raluth! Entire civilizations fell under Raluth’s Magical power, and you all think this is a mere Quest? None of you will be able to resist him! The moment he controls you, you will all walk straight to his open mouth to be eaten with a smile on your face! And you will all try to kill Nozomu to stop him from killing Raluth! None of you will go, even if I have to roast you right here and now!”
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Taisetsuna surrounded herself with Magic, and the others did the same while grabbing their weapons.
She spoke with such an icy tone full of anger that Nozomu felt a shiver along his spine. “Then I guess we are going for round two, lizard, because I won’t trust you to keep Nozomu safe. I will cut you into pieces before you eat him like you did to the one that came before him!”
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Hinotsume went silent, and Mizukonta spoke from behind him. “Let them come, Hinotsume. I will keep an eye on them. If I see any of them losing it, I will kill them myself. Your job is to take Nozomu to Raluth to carry on his plan. Our duty is to protect this World. Theirs is to protect their friend. We once fought side by side with Humans and Beast-kind. Even if this is our last fight, I want to fight with our Party members at our side.”
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The big red head snorted and lowered his body. “Fine, I will do as you want. Hop on, Nozomu, and bring that walking tree with you. Gailies are controlled like Humans and Beast-kind, but their pet plants are able to resist longer. He and that little one will be a good backup for you.”
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Nozomu took one dagger coated with the Sleeping Potion from Chujitsuna’s belt and climbed to Hinotsume’s back, followed by Oaky and Draiky.
He looked at Taisetsuna and said, “Go straight to the Magical Circle as fast as you can. I need to stop at the Guild to get the chocolates. We will meet at the Academy.”
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Taisetsuna nodded and ran to Furnace, jumping on her back and tapping her neck to make her run. The others quickly followed them after one last goodbye to the worried couple they had been helping for most of the day.
In mere minutes, Hinotsume and Mizukonta were landing in the middle of Ourelona, as close to the Guild as they could get, destroying a few buildings with their massive bodies.
Without even waiting to check for injured people from the falling rubble, Nozomu ran to the Guild’s door, followed by the two pet plants.
The Guild Master was in the main room, kneeling on the floor and praying with Koyaga, Seta, and all the new employees, and they looked at the trio that rushed inside like a hurricane.
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Nozomu shouted, and they all got up immediately, “I need blankets for the Dragons to carry the chocolates! Mister Azusake, I need those vials with the nectar from the blue flowers! Quickly! We don’t have much time!”
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While the others were running to get what he asked, Udo Eskola, the muscular Guild Master, asked, “Nozomu, what is happening? The ground doesn’t stop shaking! And there is a Magical beam outside!”
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“Raluth is emerging. He is going to cleanse the World by eating everyone. Everyone thinks he is a God, but he isn't. He is just a big, voracious monster that eats everything and everyone when he awakes.”
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“That… that can’t be… God Raluth cleanses the World if the people living on it are not worthy… you mean Will we all die?”
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“Not if I can help it, because I am going to try to kill him before he kills everyone.”
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The Guild Master gulped. “You want to kill God Raluth? But…”
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Nozomu explained with a serious face. “Either he dies, or everyone dies. Udo, it was an honour to meet you. Take care of Taisetsuna for me, because I am not sure if I will survive. Tell the Priest that I-“
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Then, a familiar voice came from the entrance, “You can tell me right now, my son. What are you saying? You want to kill a God? Where did you hear Raluth was a monster?”
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“I don’t have time to explain, Priest, but the Dragons outside fought Raluth three thousand years ago and survived by sheer luck. They already saw this happening two times, and this will be the third time that Raluth emerges in their lifetime. They always try to stop Raluth from eating everyone, because even if they won’t ever admit it, they like the Humans and Beast-kind that live in this World.”
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“But why do you have to go? You will surely die! Not to mention that what you said is completely against my beliefs!”
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“I have to go, Takara, because it seems like it is my destiny and my duty. You were once a soldier. You fought to protect this country and everyone living here. This time it is me, fighting to protect you and everyone I hold dear. Don’t try to stop me, because if I don’t do this, the World will end for you and everyone else. If I can do something to prevent it, I will.”
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The Priest blinked, not only because of hearing Nozomu calling him by his first name for the first time but also because of the seriousness in his eyes. He also didn’t fail to notice that Nozomu had his hand over the hilt of his sword as if he was expecting to be attacked.
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He nodded and said, “I will not stop you. You don’t need to be ready to fight me. Try to come back alive, because Taisetsuna will mourn your death forever.”
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“She already knows that it is almost impossible for me to survive. I will try because I enjoy being alive, but it will be difficult. It will all depend if the Dragons stand a chance against Raluth’s power.”
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The Priest nodded, and he hugged Nozomu and said, with tears in his eyes, “It seems I chose your name well, Nozomu ‘new hope’. When I found you, I hoped I could atone for my sins during the war by raising you, but I never would have guessed that you were going to bring hope for the entire World. What about Taisetsuna? Will she go with you to help?”
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“She and our friends are going to the Academy to meet all the Dragons in the World that are flying to get there. We will devise an attack plan, but none of us knows how long they will resist Raluth’s mind control. The Dragons told me he uses some weird Magic to control people, and they all march happily to his mouth to be eaten. When he is satisfied, he sheds his scales, leaving behind some of his Magic, and he wipes out the memory of the survivors before going to sleep for three thousand years again. There have been others before me that could resist Raluth’s power, but none of them killed him. This time, it is my turn, but unlike my predecessors, I have a few advantages and a plan. Pray for me, and if possible, help the Princess when this is over. She is expecting my child, who will be the new ruler in a few years.”
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“She is what? Nozomu…”
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Oaky arrived, carrying bags and bags of chocolates, and Nozomu told him to take them to the Dragons and to get back for more.
Koyaga followed the big pet plant, carrying a few blankets to make it easier for the Dragons to carry everything while the new helpers and Draiky were bringing more bags.
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Seta Azusake approached with two one-shoulder bags, which he carefully handed over to Nozomu, warning him. “The vials with the explosive nectar. They don’t explode easily, but you should be careful nonetheless.”
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Nozomu grabbed the bags and, as he was putting the straps over his neck, he said, “Thank you for everything, Mister Azusake. Do me a favour and find yourself a girlfriend, will you? You can’t be in that kitchen every day. When I was working here, I noticed a few of our female Adventurers glancing at you. You should give them a chance to at least try to conquer your heart.”
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Seta turned bright red and hugged Nozomu. “I am not sure what you want to do with all those things, but judging by the serious faces here, it is something dangerous. Be careful, will you?”
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“I will try, but I can’t promise. Farewell, everyone. Maybe I will see you tomorrow when everything finishes.”
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