Chapter 87

Close to the capital.

Five minutes. It had only been five minutes, and the landscape in front of me had already turned into a bloodbath.

The horde of life, like an avalanche, was rushing towards the walls of the capital to destroy and raze everything that humans and half-humans had built, slaughtering, gnawing, and tearing the creators. They hadn't reached the wall yet, but the ground had already turned into a sea of red that stained the once green grass and dusty earth.

Arrows, spears, bullets, grenades. All of these pierced wings, tore fur, tore off limbs, turned every member of the horde they could reach into a bloody mess. There was no effect, however.

Still alive, with eyes glowing red, body parts torn off, and bleeding wounds, the fauna of this world did not slow down. It didn't care about the pain. It didn't care about the lack of limbs. The ominous roar did not cease for a moment. They were like an army of zombies trying to get to their prey no matter what. The dead were quickly trampled by the rest, the wounded crawled forward purposefully, dragging their wounded bodies. And, of course, the thousands of pairs of ominously glowing eyes and the light of the setting sun did nothing to brighten the picture.

On the walls of the capital, everyone was present, it seemed to me. Absolutely everyone. Soldiers of the Empire, soldiers from another world, children, old men, prostitutes, slaves. Everyone who could hold a weapon, or at least throw rocks at the heads of the horde, helped as best they could.

Their faces were wet with sweat, and their arms and bodies shook with fear and exertion. But most importantly, their eyes. In them danced the certainty that they would die. Die once and for all. Die without seeing the faces of those they held dear.

They didn't run away because they knew there was nowhere to run. Even though they were afraid, they realized that there were only two outcomes of the siege: they would survive or die. On their trembling feet, children, women and old men carried ammunition to the walls so that the fire would not stop for a moment. Everyone in the capital forgot their differences, working as one and helping each other.

I even saw military men from behind the Gate handing battle rifles into the hands of warriors, wired a very brief briefing. The liaisons shouted into their radios, demanding reinforcements while the gunners changed magazine after magazine.

A united front for the humanity of this world, eh?

Involuntarily I remembered the spirit's words about not wishing harm to those who came from behind the Gate, but I guess that rule doesn't apply if the latter intervened on their own. Though I do wonder if the beasts would attack those who came to this world.

Speaking of the spirit itself. In the distance, I could feel the divinity weakening. Drop by drop, dust by dust, it was submitting to the power that opposes it. Anma hadn't lied, that if it was consumed, the local gods could do nothing to counter the power of the spirit.

Slowly and surely, a dark aura was spreading through this world. It could clearly be felt in the very air even without the use of any magic. Such is the change in the world at the end of the Age, eh? The feeling is... ambiguous.

I clucked my tongue.

The man in me demands intervention. It demands that I save these people, their children and loved ones. But principles and personality... they say something else....

Watch and don't interfere.

And...looking at the picture before me I...don't know what to think of myself. The war for life in front of my eyes does not evoke strong emotions in me. Even if my enhanced hearing clearly hears the cries of panic and despair, and my sight hears the broken and blank stares of those who were weak in spirit. And choosing whether to intervene or not is more like choosing between two drinks at the supermarket. As if I have to choose between what's healthy or what I like.

It's like the empathy inherent in being human has shut down inside of me. That level of equanimity that now lives in me pushes me to analyze whether I need it, rather than when to move to action. It's a very strange feeling and...frightening.

When did human life become worth so little to me? I just watch and do nothing, even though my magic could protect these people, heal them, bring back family and friends...

Give them hope for tomorrow. Whether they'll see the dawn. Whether they will embrace the ones they love as they look upon it.

I looked at my palms. The rings hidden by magic and gloves.

Power corrupts, eh? If I didn't have Solomon's power, what would I do? I suppose I would have helped, since this horde will get to me and my loved ones. But now, in this case... I realize with my core, my soul and my heart that I am above them. Those who are now, pouring sweat and blood, trying to save their lives.

An irritated clucking sounded from my throat.

I've become like the gods, haven't I? The ones I thought were immature children and sources of trouble, with few exceptions. It's so...

Disgusting...

- Aaaaa~

Suddenly all of a sudden, I heard Tia's voice and felt a touch on my face, after which I looked up. Concerned, saddened and upset Tia was stroking my cheek softly and affectionately, looking directly into my eyes.

- Aaaaaaaaaa~

- I... don't know, Tia," I smiled weakly and uncertainly, bringing my palms together in front of me where she slowly lowered herself down, "It's... complicated... and incomprehensible to me... The debate inside has split me into two equal parts, and I just don't know what to do. I just don't know...

- Aaaaaa~" Tia sang soothingly, and then, placed her tiny hands on my face, and her head on my nose. I felt the warmth of her little body, and a wave of calm and harmony immediately traveled through my body. It was a very pleasant feeling.

- Ahhh~" she continued after a few moments.

- I know it's hard for you to watch this. I can imagine what you're going through, but... what am I supposed to do? It's like I'm standing on a thin rope over an impenetrable abyss. It's hard to explain, but I just can't decide to choose... Please, please forgive me.

- Aaaaaa~~

At her words, I rounded my eyes in surprise. And a few seconds later, my smile became gentle and soft.

''Whatever choice you make, I'll always support you, huh?

My gaze traveled over her tiny and delicate body as she gave me a smile full of confidence and hope.

Even though she was in pain. Hurt from the deaths that are down right now, she believes in me and will support any choice I make.

Tia, as the goddess of life, feels pain with every life lost. It doesn't matter whose life it is, human or beast. And she is willing to endure it for as long as it takes, just to make me feel better.

She's willing to endure it all just because she loves me. Me and no one else. I'm...

My gaze drifted away from Tia and traveled to the walls of the capital, and then to where the battle between gods and spirits was taking place.

Since the one who truly loves me is in pain because of me, then.....

Why not fix it if I can?

- Tia," I called out to her with a sincere smile, and Tia looked at me confused, "How would you feel about taking on the horde while I deal with the spirit?

She thought for a moment before nodding confidently. And it looked extremely cute that I didn't even hold back and kissed her on her tiny head.

- In that case...

And in the next moment, a summoning magic circle, the same one used to summon Servants, shone in front of me. A bright blue light illuminated everything in our vicinity, something that normally didn't happen in a normal summoning. At least not with this level of brightness.

It was so strong that for a moment I thought the light "outshone" the sun itself. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that the horde of fauna didn't pay any attention to it, unlike the defenders of the capital. They froze in shock, eyes and mouths wide open, stopping what they were doing. I guess to them it was like the light of hope itself, since blue is the antipode of scarlet.

After a few seconds, the light faded and in front of me stood a full-fledged Tia in her true body. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at me after examining herself.

- 'Do whatever you need to do,' I said, to which she looked a little worried as she realized what I meant, 'Don't worry. I'll take your pain.

- Aaaaaaa~" she nervously sang out, not daring to look me in the eyes.

- I'll be fine. No matter how strong it gets, I can handle it. I'm a true Magician, Tia," I grinned, then continued in a teasing tone, "Or don't you believe me?

She instantly turned her head, and then I swam over to her and gave her a deep kiss, which Tia, of course, responded to. I put all the love I was capable of into it, and when I broke the kiss, I smiled confidently.

- Go on. We have something to do, don't we?

There was confidence and faith in me in her eyes now, which gave them to me as well. And as I watched her head toward the capital, I focused on the place where the gods were battling the local equivalent of Sefar.

Well, maybe I won't have to restrain my Noble Phantasm this time, eh?

-0-

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