Chapter 29

The Flame Dragon said something that caught my attention, but for now, I put it aside and burst into the control room of the "Labyrinth of Reverence" to cut off the energy supply to the Red Gate. The research team was probably trying to stop the labyrinth's operation just like I was, but the method to actually stop it was quite complex and required the power of the "All-Encompassing." I left the bewildered researchers behind and returned outside, where black smoke was rising from another labyrinth. Other dragons were likely attacking from the outside. As I returned the "Treaty of Separation"’s innate pearl, the energy gradually subsided, and the supply to the Red Gate was completely cut off.

"Phew..."

Now, I can breathe a sigh of relief. I left the battle with the Mediator to the dragons, but in the worst case, they would subdue the Mediator.

This is the end.

This is the end—.

"…?"

I tilted my head. Even though the energy supply to the Red Gate had been cut off, the Red Gate was not closing.

The dragons who had finished destroying the labyrinths gathered at the Red Gate. They looked up at the Red Gate in confusion, but the Sealed Turtle Bone in the other world emitted light and continued to attack, so they dispersed.

Then, they formed a circle and began to rotate—

"What are you doing…?"

A massive magic circle appeared at the center of the circle. It was something I had never seen before, and it gradually rose to cover the Red Gate.

"Ugh!?"

A piercing high-pitched sound rang out, causing me to kneel on the spot with a severe headache and nausea. I later learned that many soldiers lost consciousness at this moment.

The magic circle interfered with the Red Gate and created a new spatial rift—so much so that it could only be called a "spatial rift," as it was an unusual phenomenon—perfectly overlapping with the Red Gate.

The Sealed Turtle Bone emitted light again, but it did not come through to this side; it only shook the atmosphere on the other side of the Red Gate.

The two dragons, having used a considerable amount of energy, almost lost their balance and fell, but they managed to hold on and fly away, leaving the scene.

The other dragons followed, and only the Flame Dragon flew toward me.

"…You've been had."

The Flame Dragon, looking down at me, said something incomprehensible.

"What do you mean…!? The energy has been cut off, and the Red Gate should only need to close, right!?"

"Can't you see?"

"Huh?"

"Your eyes can see the Treaty-Bearers, can't they? That's the power of the Treaty."

"What are you talking about—"

Indeed, the "Treaty of Separation" can confirm who the current Treaty-Bearer is. At that moment, I realized it.

The Treaty-Bearer of the "Underworld" had changed.

It wasn't strange for the Treaty-Bearer to change. If the current Treaty-Bearer, known as the "Adviser," had come to the "Surface World"—and considering the timing, she could have arrived in the Mule Margravate with Knock and the others, along with Asha—then the Treaty-Bearer of the "Underworld" would have changed.

In other words, the person who remained in the collapsed underground city became the next Treaty-Bearer.

It was an old man, but he looked strange.

He was sitting in a daze with hollow eyes, captured by the "Treaty of Separation."

"…This labyrinth has succeeded in converting human emotions into energy to connect the worlds. Focusing on human emotions is interesting. Indeed, human emotions can sometimes possess a powerful, radiant force."

Could it be… the Treaty-Bearer of the underground race.

"Conversely, as long as people are gathered, energy can be extracted."

"The Mediator captured them, didn't they?"

It was the worst possible scenario.

Just as there is a rift on this side, there is also a rift in the "Underworld." If energy is poured into that rift, it can be maintained from the other side—.

If the Mediator has captured the underground race and is extracting energy from them like a battery—

"Probably, yes."

The Flame Dragon's matter-of-fact answer made me feel a burning anger.

"Why!? The Mediator shouldn't interfere with the world, right!?"

"Yes, but they can interfere with the Treaty-Bearers."

"What is that supposed to mean! If they interfere with the Treaty-Bearers, it's the same as interfering with the world!! Besides, the meaning of offering 'Noble Blood' is unclear! That's also an interference with the world!"

"———"

At that moment, the Flame Dragon's eyes opened wide in realization.

"…What's wrong?"

"No… that method was also possible."

"Huh?"

"Child of Calamity. We value the 'Nobility' more than you think, and the 'Nobility' possess power."

With a flap of its wings, the Flame Dragon's body rose.

"Wait, wait a minute!! We're not done talking—"

"Rest assured. We have temporarily sealed that rift with our power. It won't break for several hundred years."

"Several hundred years? But the underground people will die before then!"

"The Illusion Demons are not fools. They will protect the underground people while offering sacrifices. They will maintain the rift and wait for the next one."

"Next!? The 'sacrifice' is the 'Nobility'—"

The dragon was already quite far away.

"—Prepare yourself."

My voice wouldn't reach him, but the dragon's voice was clear.

"The effects of the remaining rift will manifest from now on. If it concerns the continuation of the world, I will lend my wisdom—. We will rest for a while."

And with that, the dragon flew away.

"…What the hell?"

I thought that talking to the dragon would clarify things and make me feel better, but now it seems like I have more questions than before.

"What the hell…!"

The ominous miasma has dissipated, and the air is gradually becoming clear. Most importantly, no more monsters are falling from the sky.

However, a red, frozen rift remains in the sky.