Chapter 299: Crown of the Mundane and Divine: Mundane Troubles 『 Part Three 』
"Heh, this professor's aura… it rather reminds me of those judgment scenes one might only witness at the Opera Epiclese."
Wriothesley leaned back against the armrest of the sofa, his fingertips drumming lightly against the rim of his teacup, producing a low, amused chuckle.
"What do you think, Neuvillette?"
"Indeed,"
Neuvillette did not deny it.
"His logic is rigorous, his phrasing precise; he certainly possesses the qualities of an excellent adjudicator."
"I have a premonition, Neuvillette."
Wriothesley raised an eyebrow.
"If Professor Ratio were to come to Fontaine and sit in your seat, the criminals would likely prefer a duel with Clorinde over submitting to his interrogation. Although comparing you to him is perhaps improper, in certain aspects, his oppressive presence is indeed stronger than yours."
Neuvillette finally turned his head, regarding him calmly.
"My duty is to ensure the fairness of every trial, not to manufacture oppression."
Wriothesley shrugged.
"But sometimes, high pressure forces out the most genuine reactions. Do you recall that man, Vacher? That case was resolved thanks to the Traveler… backing him into a corner until there was no retreat, finally tearing away his disguise."
"In all honesty, I think you could attempt to learn a thing or two from Professor Ratio's interrogation techniques. Besides, I also feel that you and he are quite similar in certain respects."
—
「 Stelle tried to smooth things over for Asta: "She didn't intend to hide it, it's just due to her position… some matters aren't suitable for public discussion."
Ratio let out a cold laugh. "What position is more important than Herta's safety?"
"…Let it be. Since I have tacitly allowed Mr. Ratio to participate in this matter, he is no longer an outsider." Asta sighed. "It's alright, Stelle. Tell him."
Only then did Stelle reveal the recent crisis of trust within the Space Station. If another malicious incident were to occur at this juncture, it would be tantamount to pouring oil on a fire, thoroughly igniting the internal conflicts of the Space Station.
"Oh, no wonder Miss Asta tacitly permitted my inclusion. After all, it is rather inconvenient for a representative of the Intelligentsia Guild to be involved with the Space Station, yet my stance aligns with the IPC. There is no need to worry about bias, and the Space Station's interests will be protected—killing two birds with one stone."
Ratio tentatively accepted her explanation. Just as he was about to continue his inquiry, Asta's phone suddenly rang. Someone had posted a short video in the group chat, and its content was nothing short of momentous.
"There is finally news regarding the attack on Madam Herta! The Annihilation Gang has claimed responsibility for the entire incident and will take the next steps. The Association expresses strong condemnation…"
The image suddenly began to shift. A grotesque silhouette appeared in the center of the screen—a burning goat skull with a monocle pinned to it, resting above the collar of a suit. Trails of flame writhed through the air, as if the screen itself were sizzling under his scorching heat.
"The Gods of the Starry Skies have abandoned the mundane, paying no heed to the insignificant masses. Only the Wounded Savior allows the worlds to bathe in the firelight of 『 Destruction 』."
"There are always cowardly wretches who vainly attempt to refuse grace and flee from the bestowal of wounds."
The flame demon spread his arms wide, his burning goat skull held high, his laughter like the roar of a hellish furnace.
"Flee, by all means, flee—no matter where you run, annihilation will eventually pay a visit!" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Frieren: Beyond Journey's End World〜
The flame demon in the Sky Curtain stretched its frame, the scent of burning sulfur seeming to pierce through the screen and assault their senses.
Frieren's pupils contracted slightly, and she subconsciously tightened her grip on her staff.
"Hey, hey… you're joking, right?"
Cold sweat beaded on Stark's forehead, his muscles tensing instinctively. Although it had only appeared indirectly, and he couldn't feel its aura or pressure, even a fool could see at a glance that the intensity of this flame demon was on a completely different level from the Seven Sages of Destruction they had encountered before.
Do demons really exist in the universe as well?!
"…The Annihilation Gang, Frieren-sama. It is an organization I have never heard of. It seems they are subordinates of 『 Destruction 』 Nanook."
Fern's expression was grave.
"This fellow dares to challenge an Emanator of 『 Erudition 』 . Could it be that he is an Emanator of 『 Destruction 』?"
"I'm afraid so. To act with such a high profile… if he didn't have the strength to back it up, he would have likely been wiped out by other factions long ago."
Frieren gazed at the flame demon on the screen, her expression puzzled.
"But I don't understand. Madam Herta is a key partner of the Interastral Peace Corporation. Declaring war on her is undoubtedly a challenge to the authority of the IPC's upper echelons. Is this Emanator not afraid of being hunted down by the combined forces of 『 Erudition 』 and 『 Preservation 』?"
Even Phantylia wouldn't dare to take such a risk, would she?
"Frieren-sama, but if I think about it carefully, although the Annihilation Gang worships 『 Destruction 』, it is possible they haven't received the blessings of 『 Destruction 』—they might be an organization similar to the Intelligentsia Guild, simply treading a different 『 Path 』,"
Fern concluded after some thought.
Frieren considered this carefully… it did seem to make some sense. But regardless of whether the Annihilation Gang had truly received the blessings of 『 Destruction 』, there was one thing she was absolutely certain of.
—This flame demon was ridiculously strong!
—
「 "A declaration of war and an announcement of what's to come — they have set their sights on you. The Legion's impact remains, and the Annihilation Gang is already paying a visit. It almost seems like this space station is more suited for the Path of 『 Destruction 』 than 『 Erudition 』." As Ratio spoke, he couldn't help but laugh at his own words.
"This Duke Inferno, Ifrit, is a lifeform born from the destroyed planet Fetora. The fire demons, who burn themselves at every moment, view Nanook as their Emperor, calling him their Savior, yet they have never received a glance from the Star God."
Ratio sneered coldly. "A pitiful bunch of lunatics. I am fond of Dr. Primitive's assessment: The value Nanook sees in the so-called Annihilation Gang is perhaps far less than that of an infant who deliberately smashes a vase."
"Fire demons are ferocious by nature; burning and destruction are their instincts. And Ifrit is particularly evil and cruel. The Ever-Flame Mansion he leads is even a mortal enemy of the Jepella Brotherhood, despite both being of the Annihilation Gang."
Asta lowered her head in recollection. "The Jepella Brotherhood… I seem to have seen that name somewhere…"
Screwllum: "On the Stellaron Hunters' wanted posters. They were accused of being involved in the Jepella Rebellion, which led to the Brotherhood's annihilation."
"The Palace of Jepella collapsed in flames, and afterward, Ifrit's power grew day by day. Do you believe this is a mere coincidence?" Ratio crossed his arms. "The same events are about to play out on the Space Station. As a fire demon, he is naturally adept at the trick of spontaneous human combustion. The disappearances of researchers and puppets are all part of the plan, and after this…"
"That video will soon spread throughout the Space Station. Just watch; it won't be long before the Space Station turns into a sea of fire." 」
「 ..... 」