"You don't need to worry about that," Tatsuki sneered. "What you should be worrying about is yourself. I won't kill you just yet. Instead, I'll take control of you. You'll help the Saint rebuild the new world, preach the virtue of the Cursed Children… and only after that will Kisara kill you."
"How do you like that for a way to die?"
"What...?"
Kikunojou Tendo's gaze trembled. Preach the virtue of the Cursed Children? That was impossible! But it wasn't up to him anymore.
A starry glint flashed in Tatsuki's eyes. Kikunojou's expression returned to calm. With a cheerful tone, Tatsuki asked, "So, what do you think of the Cursed Children?"
Kikunojou's eyes gleamed with fanatical light. "The Cursed Children? They are children of angels! They're the children of angels!"
The sudden and extreme reversal in tone sent a chill through Kayo. The Saint was still lost in the collapse of her worldview, unable to pull herself out. Seeing this, Tatsuki resorted to a physical wake-up call—he shifted his hand and gave her soft flesh a firm squeeze.
"Ah!"
Her sensitive area struck, the Saint immediately sprang to her feet. Covering her rear with both hands, she glared at Tatsuki in shame and fury. Tatsuki casually commented while savoring the lingering sensation on his fingers, "Don't daze off. It's time to focus, my dear Saint. Check the messages."
He was referring to the Apocalypse Chat Group, where the others were discussing something serious. Apocalypse.
Exusiai: "Tatsuki, whoa—we just saw a gigantic monster crawling out of the sea!"
Shinobu Kocho: "Here's a picture. This is the creature."
Kisara Tendo: "That's a Zodiac-class Gastrea—Scorpius!"
Aqua: "Ugh, it's hideous. I want to purify it."
March 7th: "That thing's so ugly… is it really strong?"
Tatsuki: "Put simply, it's one of the strongest Gastrea in this world. But to me, not even close to an Apocalypse Beast."
March 7th: "Oh oh, so it's actually weak then!"
Saeko Busujima: "Still, its appearance is quite disturbing."
Exusiai: "I don't know why, but I feel like this thing is howling in grief and rage."
Reinhard: "I feel the same."
Tatsuki: "Maybe it's because it is a human-made tragedy. The Gastrea Virus is the result of human experimentation."
The Seven Stars' Legacy—just a child's bicycle—was the medium used to summon Scorpius. The connection could only mean one thing: Scorpius might have once been a child. A heartbreaking thought.
The Gastrea Virus was created by humans. Gastrea themselves were born from humanity. And yet humanity placed all blame on the Cursed Children. This world... really could use a reset.
Ainz: "Sigh… humans always create what will eventually destroy them."
That's how it was in his world. No blue sky, no clouds. No sunshine or trees. Only endless smog and poison.
Reinhard: "Do you need me to take it down?"
Tatsuki: "No. I may have a better plan… to change this world."
He looked to the panicked Saint. "Could you help me prepare a global broadcast?"
"Eh?!"
…
[Emergency Bulletin! A Zodiac-Class Gastrea, Scorpius, has appeared outside the Tokyo Area Monoliths!]
This single piece of news plunged the Tokyo Area into chaos and fear.
"We're all gonna die! Tokyo's finished!"
"What nonsense! Can't you see the Monoliths are still standing?!"
"Can those Monoliths really stop Scorpius?"
"Send the Cursed Children to kill it already!"
...
Despair, panic, and irrational rage filled every corner of the Tokyo Area. Scorpius brought more than just its own danger—it also brought countless Gastrea swarming in its wake.
Above the Monoliths—where few could see—several figures had gathered: Tatsuki, Kayo, Enju, Aya, Nion, and a handful of cameramen trembling in fear.
They were terrified of Tatsuki, a man who could even command the Saint. They had witnessed his power firsthand. An invisible force had lifted them onto the Monolith. But even more frightening—was the sight above them.
Scorpius was slowly approaching from several dozen kilometers overhead, along with a tide of Gastrea behind it.
"Tatsuki-nii, do you need my help?"
Enju's eyes were serious. She knew just how dangerous a Zodiac-class Gastrea was, but she still wanted to help.
Tatsuki smiled warmly. "I appreciate it, Enju, but just leave this to me. You all take care of the others."
Exusiai added. "Don't worry. My guns are fully deployed!"
As she spoke, hundreds of guns floated around, encircling everyone in a rotating halo. Exusiai called it:
"Gun Field!"
"..."
The abstractly dramatic scene made Kisara and the others twitch slightly. But Tatsuki didn't seem worried—not with Reinhard here.
He took to the sky.
"Gulp—no way. Are we going too?!"
The cameramen were stunned. Why were they flying?
As they neared Scorpius, the terrified cameramen turned toward the Saint, pleading with their eyes.
"Your Holiness! Save us!"
But the Saint had no way to stop this. All she could do was pray that Tatsuki would defeat Scorpius.
"Shoot properly. Don't worry—the Gastrea can't harm you."
With a wave of his hand, Tatsuki spread the four cameramen across four angles, each floating in position. Below them surged the swarm of Gastrea. Before them loomed the towering body of Scorpius, nearly five hundred feet tall.
Just looking at it made their souls tremble.
Its deep brown flesh was scarred and cracked like pox-ridden skin, with strange growths sprouting from the wounds. Eight jagged, scythe-like appendages pierced its skin—emerging from its neck, head, and right eye.
Its head was grotesquely bloated, with a hooked, beak-like object jutting unnaturally from its mouth. The remaining left eye was pitifully small.
"It's terrifying! Mommy! I wanna go home!"
One cameraman burst into tears—drawing the attention of a flying Gastrea. It lunged at him.
"No! Please!"
The others froze in horror.
But the next second shocked them all—as the Gastrea reached the cameraman, its body suddenly stopped in midair.
"Ragh?!"
Then, it was shredded to pieces by an invisible force—so completely that it couldn't regenerate.
"I told you. You're safe with me here. Now get filming!"
Tatsuki's voice felt like an anchor to their sanity. They finally understood what he meant—he really was protecting them.
They looked at each other, gulped, and shakily powered on their cameras.
...
"What's going on? Why did the emergency bulletin turn into a live broadcast?"
Those in hiding watched the news in confusion—only to be captivated by what they saw.
Tens of thousands of Gastrea.
The monstrous, towering Scorpius.
And a golden figure hovering in midair.
Who was that?
A person glowing gold… floating in the sky in front of Scorpius? That couldn't be real.
Some thought it must be CGI.
[To everyone across the world—listen.]
At the same time, the voice echoed in the minds of everyone on Earth.
Some thought they were hearing things and asked those around them—but everyone else heard it too.
As confusion spread, the voice continued:
[I will destroy the Gastrea, eradicate the Gastrea Virus, and bring peace to this world.]
[The human world will be reshuffled anew.]
[Twisted darkness will be purged.]
[A new set of rules will determine the future of humanity.]
[Those who hate the Cursed Children.]
[Those who abuse the Cursed Children.]
[Those who torture the Cursed Children.]
[Shall all be judged!]
"!"
Everyone on Earth heard these words in their minds.
Some were terrified. "I-Is this divine punishment?"
Some scoffed. "Tch, just some fraud pretending to be a god."
Some were enraged. "Who the hell are you to judge us?!"
Some seethed. "The Cursed Children deserve to die anyway!"
The world buzzed with conflicting voices—but the Cursed Children everywhere stared in shock.
That voice…
Was speaking up for them?
Was willing to go to war with the world for their sake?
Some of the Cursed Children wept—moved by the warmth that filled their hearts.
Others were furious— "Is this guy an idiot? He just broadcasted this to the whole world! He's gonna get killed!"
[If you cannot believe it—then witness it with your own eyes.]
[Look upon me, and see my power.]
At that moment, countless people stared at the live feed.
"It's him!"
The dazed Rentaro looked at the man on the screen, eyes widening. It was the man he had met that day!
On screen, Tatsuki—wearing his golden armor—slowly raised his hand. The wind surged. Countless ribbons of green-blue energy gathered from all directions into his palm.
In the blink of an eye, a glowing blue-white sphere formed. The surrounding air warped from the energy.
Then, Tatsuki swung his hand down.
The sphere dropped and struck Scorpius dead center.
A moment later—a burst of blinding white light exploded outward, followed by a deafening boom.
Everything on screen was engulfed in radiance and sound.
At the same time everyone in the Tokyo Area felt the ground tremble.
The explosion rumbled just outside the Monoliths!
As the light faded, they heard voices again.
"Gulp…"
The sound of someone swallowing hard.
"He's a god! That man is a god!"
The screen shook. The voice came from a cameraman. The camera refocused on the ground—what they saw made their scalps tingle, chilled to the bone.
A massive crater now lay where Scorpius once stood.
A crater broader than a lake, stretching for dozens of kilometers.
Everything inside it—gone.
Every Gastrea—killed.
Scorpius—eradicated.
Tatsuki lowered his hand calmly. He looked into the camera. His golden star-like eyes radiated divine might.
Everyone watching felt like they were being judged by a divine being.
He opened his mouth.
His voice echoed both through the livestream—and inside every mind on Earth.
[The world has four days.]
[Four days from now—judgment shall fall upon all evil.]
Snap!
The broadcast cut off.
The screen went dark.
The voice vanished.
...
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