Akatsuki Translations

“Even if we just add a top priest to Uuga, as Black-sama said, distortions will emerge later on. After all, their power to exert control will weaken.” -Shizuku

The fact that Black brought to light was something that shook the fundamental common sense of this world.

That’s why many of those present were perplexed. Many of them were either the ruling class that governed the cities or the city dwellers who coexisted with those rulers. Shizuku spoke lightly, as if laughing at their fear.

“Perhaps it’s because the scale of Uuga is so large that you’re overthinking it? In Greed, there was a mobile fortress called the 【Island-Eating Turtle】. Was it managed by priests?” -Shizuku

The management and operation of the Island-Eating Turtle was handled by a skilled practitioner who excelled in handling that monster. He wasn’t a priest, nor did he rely on the power of spirits. She said it was just that the scale had become larger.

And considering the facts presented by Black, that was the conclusion that everyone would ultimately reach. However, there was one reason why no one spoke of that fact.

“So you people will become its rulers?” -Eckstein

Eckstein stepped into the true intention that Shizuku had led them to.

The priests were unfit to be the rulers of this city. Then who would become the ruler? Naturally, that position would be handed over to those who could manage Uuga. In other words, Ur and the others. Regardless of what the documents or contracts said, it would naturally turn out that way.

However, there weren’t many in this place who could easily say, “Then let’s do that.”

“The Island-Eating Turtle also had a great deal of power and influence as a mobile fortress. No one would be convinced to hand over something several times larger to a bunch of Nameless. It would still be better to have priests as figureheads.” -Eckstein

“We won’t become the rulers, you know?” -Shizuku

However, Shizuku denied Eckstein’s words.

“There is someone suitable to become the ruler of this Uuga. It’s Echelle-sama.” -Shizuku

“–Huh?!” -Echelle

Echelle, who suddenly had the ball thrown to her, showed a very dumbfounded face in front of the gathering gazes.

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The moment Echelle’s name was mentioned, Kalkara shot a sharp glance at Shizuku, but she didn’t seem to care at all.

“It’s not a difficult story. It’s just that she is currently the most appropriate person.” -Shizuku

With that, Shizuku stood up and stood behind Echelle, who was seated.

“Echelle-sama holds an official position in Gradol’s temple. She is currently a fourth-rank Loine, but she used to be a first-rank Shinra, just like the rest of the Caraleigh family. She is suitable as a city administrator.” -Shizuku

Originally, Uuga was supposed to be ruled by her, Shizuku smiled.

On the other hand, Shizuku didn’t mention why Echelle was currently a Loine. Echelle also remained silent. Even she understood that if she were to say here that she was actually the beloved child of an evil spirit, things would get very complicated. Among those present, aside from Ur and the others, there were some who knew that fact, but they remained silent.

“Isn’t it much smarter than having 【The Walkers】 with uncertain origins manage it? In fact, the current Uuga is being managed under her command.” -Shizuku

Echelle desperately tried not to show her emotions.

It was because Shizuku lied so calmly, naturally, and as if it were obvious, just barely avoiding being denied by the scales of judgment. Certainly, in terms of formality, she was the commander. She had been told that it would be better to do so, even if it was just for show. However, the actual work was done by Ur, and Echelle had come to rely on him almost entirely.

But of course, she couldn’t say that and deny Shizuku’s statement. So she focused all her nerves on desperately putting on the meaningful smile that Shizuku had taught her.

“However, I heard that she is close with 【The Walkers】?” -Eckstein

“Yes, we are getting along relatively well as friends.” -Shizuku

Echelle put more effort into her smile and tried to blur her focus so that nothing entered her field of vision. She couldn’t look in Ur’s direction. She was confident that her face would definitely twitch.

“But isn’t that dangerous? An ambiguous friendly relationship is a breeding ground for corruption. Won’t Gradol’s priests fear that it will lead a connection to Lust through you people?” -Eckstein

“Oh my, Eckstein-sama. You’re saying something interesting, aren’t you?” -Shizuku

Shizuku chuckled. In the conference room that was starting to boil down, she was full of composure. Her smile was bewitching, making one feel cornered just by hearing it. Echelle, who had to hear her smile right next to her ear, was assailed by a creepy sensation that made her body hair stand on end.

“Corruption, favoritism, such things are bound to happen, aren’t they?” -Shizuku

“…That’s…” -Eckstein

“To prevent that, we create rules and organize structures. That’s what governance and control are about. There’s no point in pointing it out now.” -Shizuku

“…You’re right, I apologize for my rudeness.” -Eckstein

Eckstein couldn’t argue back. Certainly, saying “let’s stop because corruption might happen” was just nitpicking. It would be correct to point out that the risk is high, but if that’s the case, they should think about what can be done about it.

Eckstein admitted his fault. Shizuku smiled at him.

“Thank you for your concern, Eckstein-sama. But we are bound by a healthy and certain trust. Please don’t worry.” -Shizuku

Echelle remained silent about the fact that, in exchange for asking Ur to assassinate her own brother during the Uuga recapture, she had blurted out that she would become his possession, and even now, she frequently snuck into his bed. She absolutely couldn’t say it. She felt like her back was sweating profusely.

When she glanced up at Shizuku, who should know everything, she returned a smile to Echelle. Echelle worked hard not to show it on her face.

“We may need to reconsider how to maintain a healthy employment relationship between us and her, but let’s leave that aside for now. And there’s one more reason I thought she was the right person. -Shizuku “

With that, Shizuku tapped Echelle’s shoulders.

“The fact that she currently holds the control formula.” -Shizuku

Everyone in the room could understand that this was probably the main point.

Echelle focused on the engraved mark on her palm. The mark created by the heretical cult, which she had stolen from her hated brother. The key to controlling the Dragon-Devoured Uuga.

“It’s true that multiple personnel are needed to operate Uuga. It’s a fact that skilled practitioners like Lynne-sama, who can use the White King Formation, are indispensable. However, only the mark holder can ultimately give instructions to Uuga.” -Shizuku

In other words,

“The control formula will become a symbol of faith and trust that replaces the power of spirits. If someone with an official position inherits this, it won’t deviate from the current structure of this society, and their power won’t be diminished.” -Shizuku

In a normal urban area, priests can wield their authority because they can exert overwhelming power in that area. Because there is power that matches their authority. If that power decreases in the Dragon-Devoured Uuga, then the ones who truly hold power within Uuga would be those who can give instructions to Uuga.

Her argument was certainly correct.

Eckstein fell silent as if examining Shizuku’s words. Then he asked probingly.

“It’s true that Uuga is exceptional, but the control formula is just a magical formula. It’s different from the blessing of spirits. Given enough time, anyone can inherit it and increase it. Isn’t it uncertain as an absolute symbol of power?” -Eckstein

“Oh my, Eckstein-sama? That’s strange.” -Shizuku

Shizuku continued to smile with composure. In contrast, Eckstein’s smile was starting to disappear.

“In the first place, why do you consider spirits to be a symbol of the absolute and unchanging?” -Shizuku

“Wha…” -Eckstein

“Didn’t Black-sama just prove it? Even faith in spirits has the possibility of crumbling.” -Shizuku

“…That’s…” -Eckstein

It wasn’t Eckstein who was shaken by those words, but the Sun Knights lined up behind Lacretia. From their perspective, Shizuku’s way of speaking was far too disrespectful. However, on the other hand, they had something in mind. They had witnessed the Temple priests and those in power, who should have been protected by the blessing of spirits, transform into miserable, amorphous monsters.

They had the blessing of spirits and held power. Nevertheless, they met such an end. And if asked whether there was no distrust towards the priests among those who had witnessed that fact, the answer would be no. Even if they aspired to unite and be noble, this distrust could not be wiped away.

“Temples, thrones, and crowns originally have no added value in themselves. They just compose a story, dress it up brilliantly, and make people misunderstand that it has absolute value.” -Shizuku

Then,

“We can make the formula that Echelle-sama currently holds into a 【crown】. Isn’t that right, Lacretia-sama?” -Shizuku

Lacretia, who was suddenly thrown the ball, showed no signs of agitation, as expected. She nodded at Shizuku.

“Originally, we were still in the process of examining how to handle the control formula for Uuga… but certainly, such machinations are possible. There are many things we can do, such as limiting replication, adding protective formulas to the control formula itself, creating quasi-control formulas, and so on.” -Lacretia

“Let’s impose some restrictions, and then, yes. Let’s add a story that Uuga and the formula are gifts from the 【Earth Spirit】. Probably the person who created Uuga originally intended to do that anyway.” -Shizuku

“–That’s right. It’s truly a nasty thing.” -Lacretia

The conversation progressed between the two. Eckstein couldn’t interject. The two deliberately kept the conversation going without interruption so that he couldn’t interrupt.

No one could interject or object, and then,

“The concerns raised should be resolved with this.” -Shizuku

Q: Can Uuga’s control only be done by Gradol?

A: It’s possible with 【The Walkers】 hired by Echelle, a Gradol priest.

Q: What about the issue of entrusting the management of the city called Uuga to a Temple rank holder other than Gradol?

A: Uuga is not a city in the first place. It’s inappropriate to employ normal city operation and management to it.

Q: Even so, Gradol won’t be convinced by the concern that a giant familiar will be effectively controlled by Nameless people.

A: Have Echelle, who holds an official position in Gradol, manage the control formula, which is the key to everything.

“There’s still room for consideration. But for now, I think the main problems have been resolved.”

Shizuku concluded. No one said anything. Seeing that, Shizuku nodded.

“Then, shall we confirm?” -Shizuku

With that, Shizuku stood up and clasped her hands together in the center of the table, addressing the still-swaying 【Spirit of Judgment, Fiar】.

“【Spirit of Judgment】. Your verdict, please.” -Shizuku

Then, the scales moved. They swayed greatly, tilting towards Ur. Slowly tilting, tilting, tilting–

“………”

It stopped just before that.

“Oh my? It wasn’t decided, was it?” -Shizuku

Shizuku let out a feigned voice.

“…Seriously, this is such a pain.” -Ur

Ur couldn’t help but let his true feelings slip out. But he thought it was probably the sentiment of almost everyone in the room.

It wasn’t decided. Since it wasn’t decided, the discussion had to continue. But what more could be done? Everyone knew they were so close, but no one could grasp what the deciding factor was.

“It was tilting towards Little Ur and the others. My guess is, they’re not unqualified, but they’re not qualified enough.” -Black

There, Black’s voice echoed again. He traced the scales that continued to sway in front of Ur and laughed.

“Well, of course. Adventurers who have been active for less than a year. Their achievements are brilliant, but the number itself is still small. That’s why its not enough.” -Black

“…Meaning?” -Ur

“Basically, the Spirit of Judgment is doubting. Even if the White King Formation girl’s individual ability is certain, can the 【The Walkers】 Guild do the job properly?” -Black

Hearing that, Gloria breathed a sigh of relief.

“Then, in that case, we still can’t entrust it to them–” -Gloria

“Whoa, that’s a hasty conclusion, Glo.” -Black

Black, with an enthusiastic expression, stopped Gloria, who was trying to rush to a conclusion. This man really seemed to be having fun all the time. Ur, who was almost suffocating from the scales swaying in front of him, felt like punching Black in the face.

Black, as if stroking the tip of the untouchable scales, asked the 【Spirit of Judgment】.

“Spirit of Judgment. What if, for example, 【The Walkers】 were to accumulate enough achievements to be trusted from now on?” -Black

The scales swayed. The tilt didn’t become deep, but they swayed left and right. If it were to be put into words, it would have been “Hmm, what should I do?” Seeing that, Black laughed as if it couldn’t be helped and added more words.

“For example, what if they were to be active in the world-ending war that’s about to happen in Proudia?” -Black

“—-Wait, Black! That’s…!” -Diz

Diz questioned Black in what was probably the sharpest tone of voice Ur had ever heard her use. Others, such as temple officials and Lacretia, seemed to have realized something. Black just laughed at them, and his gaze turned to the scales as he continued.

“What if they were active in the 【Sun-Devouring Ceremony】 of the 【Dungeon of Sin, Proudia】?” -Black

With those words, the scales tilted all at once. Not towards Ur, but deeply piercing the place where Black was. The Spirit of Judgment had judged his proposal as right and granted him the power to execute it.

“Whoa, spirits are really cash-oriented. When it benefits the Wise Heavenly King, they’re quick to do this.” -Black

Black laughed, and after laughing, he patted Ur’s shoulder next to him. When Ur turned his face, Black was giving a thumbs-up with a nice smile.

“Well then, do your best, Little Ur.” -Black

“—-Diz, I don’t really get it, but should I punch this guy?” -Ur

“I think you should punch him.”  -Diz

Ur punched him.

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Compulsory Quest: Surmount the 【Apocalypse War ・Sun-Devouring Ceremony】

The raw has officially concluded! Now all that’s left is to catch up.

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