Chapter 109
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Declaration
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sephirot.
I've heard the name before.
The being who created the hero and scattered the oracle steles across the world.
An absolute existence governing the system of creation. Though I still wasn't entirely convinced.
I couldn't help but be shocked that Anonymous (6) knew of it.
No, perhaps I should be glad they even possessed information about it.
Aside from Anonymous (1), this was the first time anyone had uttered that name. And even I had only learned of it through them.
Back when I had just entered the chat room as Anonymous (4), Anonymous (1) had brought up Sephirot.
Among the great existences, the one gripping absolute authority.
They had speculated that this entity was the one granting power to the hero.
So, was Anonymous (6)... someone on par with Anonymous (1)?
Or perhaps someone who had touched upon even deeper truths?
Hmm.
Who is this?
Anonymous (1) seemed intrigued the moment Sephirot's name appeared, curiosity piqued about who this was.
They usually spoke via voice recognition, so the messages likely flowed in exactly as uttered.
Knowing Sephirot isn't hard.
In fact, it's easy... but also sad.
Anonymous (1), you've aged quite a bit, haven't you?
How much do you know exactly?
Well. I've never seen its face.
You're saying something interesting. No one has ever seen Sephirot's face.
The hero might have?
But I only vaguely heard about it, so I don't know the details.
I just happened to think of it because I have something similar.
...Something similar?
You already have it?
Anonymous (1) voiced the reaction on my behalf.
But I'm not certain.
It could just be me mistaking a square stele for it.
That would make fools of us for cherishing it as a holy relic all this time.
But there's no way to verify it.
That's precisely what makes it credible.
That's always been the case.
No one can know if the oracle steles are real or fake.
What are you talking about?
'(0)' can tell.
You mean '(0)' can verify if it's a real holy relic?
This place is no joke.
Yes.
You're not the only one who found one.
I've already gotten my hands on one.
I had it verified and paid the price.
You might get what you want too.
Explaining on my behalf was helpful, but...
The issue was whether I could grant Anonymous (6)'s request right now.
Anonymous (1) had so many curiosities, and I happened to hold the answers, making the price easy to pay.
But Anonymous (6) was different. I couldn't predict what they might demand or what conditions they'd set.
The mere fact that someone who already possessed an oracle stele had entered was unexpected.
If I truly were the '(0)' they believed in, it wouldn't be a problem. But I wasn't.
'How did Anonymous (6) obtain it, anyway?'
They said they'd cherished it for a long time, so perhaps they'd found it ages ago and kept it for many years, like Maron's faction had.
If so, that spelled trouble.
It meant there were few steles I could find right now, and some might be held by ancient groups.
I'd initially thought the oracle steles were blatantly scattered across the world, but my recent search proved otherwise.
Anonymous (1)'s find seemed to come from turning an entire area upside down.
What I want...
There is one thing I desperately desire.
After a brief pause, Anonymous (6)'s messages continued.
Can you save me?
To be precise, can you free us all from this curse?
...
What a strange one we've got here.
But you don't need to tell us.
'(0)' will verify and respond.
I'm not a 'guy.' Correct that.
No need for corrections.
Your gender doesn't interest me.
What's the big deal?
Gender is whatever...
That means don't violate the tone set by '(0)'.
Why do you think this place is anonymous?
Anonymous (2) made an appearance.
The conversation had been going on for quite a while, so they must have checked in amid their busy schedule.
Ah, I see.
Follow the rules, right?
Got it.
Be grateful for '(0)'s mercy.
Thank you.
Anonymous (2) didn't respond further.
I was curious how they'd react, but they chose to ignore it.
Normally, they'd be quite welcoming to new members.
Even ignoring Anonymous (1)'s nonsense was consistent, at least.
And soon, Anonymous (2) brought up their original business.
Reporting to '(0)'.
Preparations are proceeding steadily.
However... the surroundings are eerily quiet. We can't gauge how they'll infiltrate.
I was deep in thought.
Whether to respond to Anonymous (6) as '(0)' or not.
Their plea for 'salvation' lingered in my mind.
Someone who knew Sephirot's name and held an oracle stele.
The salvation such a being sought wouldn't be simple.
It was likely something far too troublesome for me to grant.
'For now... hold off.'
I replied to Anonymous (2) as if I hadn't seen Anonymous (6)'s words at all.
They won't go all out.
...They won't go all out?
Yes.
This battle isn't for total annihilation, so you should refrain from fighting them with full force as well.
But...
Right.
I was the one who told them to focus inward and guard tightly against outsiders.
But I didn't want the elves preparing so rigorously that the human transcendents were wiped out.
There is no true enemy among you right now.
Then what did you mean by guarding tightly against outsiders...?
Wasn't it about this incident?
I felt the moment had come.
To declare that the forces of evil were our true enemies.
That the forces of evil still stirred, and to imprint the great being ruling them.
That their goals opposed our own groups.
That a clash was inevitable someday.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I'd been waiting for this exact moment.
And then.
[Anonymous (7) has entered the chat room.]
Following Anonymous (6), a new member entered.
Of all the timings.
Two in a row?
It was the first time since Anonymous (1) and (2) had joined simultaneously.
In truth, when they discovered the manaphones was pure chance, beyond my control.
And above all, I couldn't miss this opportunity.
Why had I tipped off Anonymous (2) about the ambush?
Everything was a setup for this moment, this declaration.
There was no more natural timing.
I hurriedly scanned the new member's unique mana pattern.
'Not tainted by evil, at least.'
Confirming that much, I responded.
There are those who gnaw at this world's order.
Another one joined?
No, more importantly, order?
Hm?
Gnawing at the order...?
The chat room members each showed confusion at the rapidly shifting atmosphere.
I pressed on regardless.
And there is one who rules them.
One who stands in opposition to me, wielding the powers of darkness.
...Are you referring to the forces of evil?
Cautiousness seeped from their words.
It was just a simple stele fitting in one's palm, with text floating above it.
But in this moment, I sensed the chat room's atmosphere subtly shift.
He gnaws at the roots of this world, turning order into corruption.
For ages, he hid in the shadows, but now his roots are emerging, reaching out across the world.
Everyone seemed to sense it instinctively.
This conversation was different from the usual.
As Anonymous (1) foresaw, something major is about to unfold.
'(0)' has never spoken like this before.
That's not important right now.
So what does '(0)' want...?
He stands opposed to me, yet all remains within my plan.
Whether those who oppose my will or those who do not, none shall escape my grasp.
Thus, sheath your blades aimed at one another. All lies upon the canvas I have painted.
When the time comes, I too shall step forth.
At that time, by my side...
Before the sentence could finish, Anonymous (1) continued.
We will be.
There, I suppose.