Eventually, we arrived at the center of Zogral.
It was a swirling space of black, ominous haze.
"It's ominous…"
"There's an eerie feeling in the air…"
"…I feel a sense of danger."
"Guuuuuuuu."
Everyone else seemed to be sensing something unusual as well.
I took out the Sacred Sword Gram from my [Item Box].
The "Power Against Destruction" is activated.
This amplifies Zogral's will to desire his own annihilation and leads him to self-destruction.
With [Calamity Summoning], summon the black dragon, the white dragon, the yellow dragon, the green dragon, and the lazy dragon.
Ah, I understand.
I hold up my left hand and activate [Calamity Summoning].
Five magic circles were created around me, and a dragon appeared from each of them.
They immediately became particles and were sucked into Gram.
The greedy dragons also became particles and were sucked in.
It would literally be an attack that smashed everything.
I raised the Sacred Sword Gram.
Please add the power of Fimbul Mimir, The Bow of Creation Yggdrasil, and Yarn Grapple to it.
Alright.
I nodded and asked Iris and the others for help.
"Understood."
"I will help you."
"I'm relieved to have my turn at the end."
All three of them then raised their weapons.
Light flooded into the Sacred Sword Gram.
A golden light rose up.
We will launch the final attack.
Please name the attack.
Is that what I'm supposed to do?
It seems that most of the terms related to Norse mythology have been used.
Yes, that's right.
How about Baldur?
He's the god of light who comes out after Ragnarok and is said to rise from the land of the dead.
It would be perfect for the situation we are in now, wouldn't it?
Let's go with that.
Final attack Baldur, the countdown to activation.
Ten, nine, eight, seven──
So this is the end of the battle.
It seemed like a long time, but it was short.
Six, five, four, three──
Hmm?
The black mist stopped moving.
Then, it started moving toward us.
Two, one, zero.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
I swung Gram down.
A blinding light went into the mist.
Immediately after that──
NyX Translations
I confirmed the connection from Zogral.
A massive influx of information was confirmed.
As soon as I hear the voice of [Full Assist], something enters my head with a whoosh.
It was a record, or rather, a memory, from the outbreak of Zogral to the present.
The sheer volume of information almost made my head explode.
I could not distinguish between myself and Zogral.
Then──
"Kou!"
"Kou-san!"
"Kou-sama!"
Iris, Lily, and Leticia.
Their voices reached my ears.
I came to my senses.
This was the beginning of my attempt to separate myself from Zogral.
As I was sorting through the information that flowed into my head, I heard [Full Assist]'s words.
I am now having difficulty performing normal functions.
…If applied to humans, this might be the feeling of confusion.
The tone of that voice clearly showed the agitation.
It seemed that the information that came in from Zogral was something that even [Full Assist] did not understand.
I am a being created by Zogral.
We have shared our memories to a certain extent, but there are some parts that are missing.
So, that missing part is the information this time?
As for the content, it is certainly natural for [Full Assist] to be puzzled.
It seems that Zogral was originally a necessary phenomenon for all the world.
Thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of millions… there are too many to count, but no matter what kind of world it is, it will eventually come to an end.
The phenomenon of the Zogral was the creation of new worlds from such "dead worlds," or, in other words, the grand recycling of worlds.
However, when one of the worlds with advanced magical technology studied Zogral and attempted to convert it into a weapon, tragedy struck.
The Zogral went out of control and transformed itself into a being that devoured everything in its path.
For a start, it swallowed a hundred or so worlds and then turned its fangs on others.
As a result of devouring countless worlds and taking in the wills of many people, Zogral came to have a will of its own.
But there are two wills.
One is the one that [Full Assist] taught me before.
A will that hates itself as the incarnation of destruction and wishes for its own extinction.
If I have to give it a name, I would call it "the will of self-destruction."
However, there was another will that existed within Zogral.
──I don't want to disappear. I don't want to die. I want to live.
This is the fundamental desire for life that all living beings have.
Or should I call it the "will to survive"?
I amplified the "will of self-destruction" by shooting the final attack, Baldur.
Originally, Zogral should have destroyed itself.
However.
It seems that the final attack, Baldur, also amplified Zogral's other will… the "will to survive.
Although the two wills are in competition, the "will to survive" seems to be gradually gaining the upper hand.
At this rate, it will be impossible for Zogral to destroy itself.
It will eventually resume its activities as the incarnation of destruction and swallow us up.
Shall we perform the final attack, Baldur, once more?
This will amplify the "will of self-destruction" that Zogral possesses.
But──
It could also amplify the "will to survive," right?
It is too high a risk as an option.
In the first place, it is too uncool to have to do a second attack, even though it is called the final attack.
Well, it's a common story in a company.
It's a familiar sight to see a file with a contradictory name like 'Final (revised) Ver. 2.1.
All joking aside──
If you're looking for a solution, I've got one thing in mind.
May I ask you to tell us about it?
Of course.
Zogral's "will of self-destruction" wants to annihilate himself as the incarnation of destruction.
On the other hand, the "will to survive" wants to continue living anyway.
Then, why not incorporate the opinions of both?
For example──
By using [Creation] to reincarnate Zogral into a completely different being.
I know it sounds like a crazy idea, but if I can even absorb the Gluttonous Dragon now, it might be possible.
I wonder.
It would be extremely difficult, but it is worth a try.
However, may I make a suggestion?
Sure, let me know.
May I pass on to Zogral the solution that Kou Kousaka has come up with?
If both the "will to self-destruction" and the "will to survival" are satisfied, things may go smoothly.
Is such a thing possible?
Currently, Kou Kousaka's consciousness is linked to Zogral.
Communication through human language is impossible, but since I was originally born from Zogral, I can directly exchange information with it.
Okay, please.
Leave it to me.
Then I will begin negotiations.
Please wait a moment.
With a whoosh.
I felt something slip out of my body.
It was probably [Full Assist] starting negotiations with Zogral.
"Kou, what's going on?"
Iris came right up to me and asked me.
"It doesn't look like you've defeated Zogral, but…"
"Yeah, that's right. It's a little unexpected. Lily and Leticia, too, listen up."
I answered, explaining briefly about Zogral's "will to self-destruction" and "will to survive."
"It's just like humans to have conflicting emotions within themselves, isn't it?"
Leticia muttered to herself as soon as she heard the story.
"Anyway, I agree with the idea of transforming Zogral into another being. Our goal is to prevent the destruction of the world."
"I understand what Kou-san said. But…"
Hmm?
Lily is silent, with a look of wanting to say something.
What is going on?
I was about to ask her, but Iris called out to her before I could.
"Lily-chan. If you have something on your mind, why don't you tell us?"
"That's right. Don't hesitate to let me know. …It's just my personal experience, but if you neglect a situation like this, you'll usually get in trouble later on."
When I was in modern Japan, I used to take on all the cleanup of flaming cases at my company.
After the case was over, we would look back to determine the cause, and in many cases, the people involved would say, "I had a bad feeling about this from the very beginning."
If the supervisor had picked up on that hunch, the fire could have been prevented… and in many cases, that's why I wanted to eliminate Lily's concerns.
"If it seems difficult to say, perhaps Lily-sama can tell me about it, and I can pass it on to Kou-sama."
"Thank you very much. But it's fine."
Lily shook her head at Leticia's offer.
"Kou-san. Is it possible to restore the world that Zogral has absorbed so far?"
"…I don't know."
The things and people that have been taken in by Zogral do not disappear.
Since they are only integrated internally, it may be possible to separate them by applying [Creation]… Maybe.
As I pondered this, Lily raised her eyebrows apologetically.
"I'm sorry. I said something strange…"
"That's not true. Certainly, it would be best if the captured worlds could be restored."
If we were to use a game analogy, just protecting this world would be the normal ending, and restoring all the worlds absorbed by the Zogral would be the grand ending.
However──
I wonder if I am capable of restoring all of them.
It's too big, or too grandiose, to even imagine.
I can't even imagine how difficult it would be, even with the assistance of [Full Assist].
Are you calling for me?
Oops.
It seems that [Full Assist] has returned.
Did the negotiations go well?
In conclusion, it was a success.
However, there was one request from the "will of self-destruction."
He wants you to restore the worlds that he has absorbed so far, if possible.
That is exactly the same thing as Lily said.
Thinking about it, when we first met, Lily had accepted her own death as a matter of course as a [God of War's Shrine Maiden], and she and "the will of self-destruction" may be close in spirit.
Putting aside speculation, is it actually possible to restore the world?
It is difficult in the current situation.
In order to execute it, Kou Kousaka needs to absorb Zogral and evolve into a higher dimensional being.
Higher dimensional being?
In other words, something like God?
That image is correct.
Both Zogral's "will of self-destruction" and "will of survival" agree to unite with Kou Kousaka.
If both of them unite, they will be able to break free from their incarnation of destruction and, at the same time, avoid their own extinction.
We can satisfy both demands and at the same time, we can restore the world that has been captured.
It's not two birds with one stone, but three birds with one stone.
However, there is one point that is worrisome.
What will happen to me when I merge with Zogral?
I don't know.
But at least it seems that both the "will to self-destruction" and the "will to survival" intend to leave the initiative to Kou Kousaka and me after the fusion.
Hmm?
Is it the same with [Full Assist]?
Of course.
I am always with Kou Kousaka.
Then, it won't end badly.
I know I can rely on [Full Assist] from my past journeys.
Okay, let's do it.
You are very quick to make a decision.
It seems like there's no other solution than to merge with Zogral.
Then, it's a waste of time to hesitate.
I see.
Kou Kousaka──you were that kind of person, weren't you?
You know exactly who I am.
I couldn't help but chuckle at [Full Assist]'s reply.
"Kou, what's wrong all of a sudden?"
Iris, who was standing beside me, asked curiously.
"No, it's nothing important. More importantly, listen to me. The negotiations with Zogral were successful. It looks like we'll be able to restore the worlds that have been absorbed so far."
"That's good to hear…"
Hearing my words, Lily breathed a sigh of relief.
"But the number of worlds that the Zogral has taken in is tremendous, isn't it? Isn't it quite a big job to restore all of them, even for you, Kou-sama?"
"Well, yes, I suppose it is."
As expected of Leticia, she makes a sharp point.
However, if I were to be honest about my fusion with Zogral, I might worry everyone.
So I decided to blur out the details.
"It seems that not only [Full Assist] but also "will of self-destruction" and "will of survival" will lend a helping hand. It may take some time, but we'll figure it out."
"…Really?"
Iris asked with concern for my well-being.
"I have a bad feeling about this. I feel like Kou might go somewhere far away…"
"It's okay."
I tell Iris, interrupting her.
"Even if it takes a long time, I'll come back to you all. And I have a promise to Iris. When this battle is over, we'll go shopping for clothes together."
"That reminds me."
Hearing my words, Iris smiled.
"Kou has never broken a promise, has he? I believe you."
"And Lily, do you remember about us going to the casino in Fort Port?"
"Of course."
I nodded in response.
"When all is said and done, we'll all have a good time."
"…I haven't made any promises of that sort, have I?"
Suddenly, Leticia muttered.
"Since we're here, let me draw you a portrait when Kou-sama returns."
"I understand. Please make sure it's done in good style."
"Of course. Leave it to me."
Leticia answered, and then she stretched out her chest with an air of dependability.
Now.
I'm sorry to leave, but I can't keep talking forever.
"Well then, everyone, just wait here for a moment. I have one last task to finish."
I told the three of them and called out to the [Full Assist] in my mind.
The preparations on my side are complete.
Let's start the fusion with Zogral.
Understood.
Then, please activate [Creation].
Understood.
I nodded and focused my consciousness──.