Episode 410: The Last Hope
Israel—
In Tel Aviv, at a government administrative institution, leaders, ambassadors, and researchers from various countries had gathered.
Nearly 200 attendees lined the large conference room. However, the expressions on their faces were uniformly grim, and everyone remained silent.
Breaking the heavy atmosphere, Israeli Prime Minister Rabin stood up.
Holding a microphone, he surveyed the room and opened his tightly pursed lips.
“It is with great sorrow that I must report the Seeker party that entered the Dungeon as a conquest team has been annihilated… Among the deceased are the presidents of France and Portugal, as well as key figures from various governments. I am deeply saddened.”
No one interrupted Rabin as he spoke with a somber expression.
Particularly disheartened was Sophia, a Swiss researcher sitting at the end of the table. Her complexion was poor, and she stared blankly at the floor with vacant eyes.
No one spoke to her. Sophia was the person in charge of this Dungeon Conquest and had played a crucial role.
Everyone knew that. A foolish researcher who carried out a reckless plan. That was the cold assessment of Sophia.
Rabin, still holding the microphone, turned his gaze to the seat on his right. A researcher wearing glasses was sitting there.
“Dr. Ethan, what are the Monsters that appeared above Orpheus? Also, there are reports of groups of angels overflowing from various locations. I would like to hear your opinion.”
As Rabin sat down, the eyes of the attendees turned to Ethan Noble.
A staff member hurried over to Ethan and handed him a microphone. Ethan reluctantly stood up.
“Ah, yes. This is just my personal opinion, but the four angels that appeared from Orpheus are probably not Unique Monsters like 【Kings】. I believe they are very strong 【Abyssal Monsters】…”
A murmur rippled through the room. Ambassador Bojo of Hungary raised his hand, seeking permission to speak.
Since there was no microphone, he asked in a loud voice.
“Doctor, with all due respect, the angels that have appeared are far too powerful to be mere 【Abyssal Monsters】. Are you sure they are not 【Kings】?”
Many people in the room felt the same way. Monsters that slaughtered over 100,000 people in an instant. It would be much more convincing to say they were the 【White King】, who is said to possess the greatest power.
Knowing or perhaps ignoring the thoughts of the attendees, Ethan cleared his throat and calmly stated his counterargument.
“The White King’s power is far beyond that. However, it is also true that the four angels are strong. The IDR has assigned a ‘Triple A’ danger level to the four angels. I don’t think it’s possible for us to defeat them.”
The murmuring in the room grew even louder.
Trying to avoid further confusion among the attendees, Rabin stood up again and gripped the microphone.
“Then, Doctor, what should we do? If we cannot conquer Orpheus, the battle against the Monsters will not end. But as long as those angels are there, that is impossible. Are you telling us to give up?”
Ethan shook his head slightly at Rabin’s desperate plea.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m just saying that we can’t do anything with our current forces. The higher-ranking Seekers have died inside the Dungeons, and even if we had enough Seekers, we wouldn’t be able to defeat the angels.”
“So, we have no choice but to give up…”
Seeing Rabin at a loss for words, Ethan smiled brightly.
“There is something we can do. We can ‘wait’.”
“Wait?”
Rabin asked back with a puzzled expression. Ethan smiled and said, “Yes.”
“Because ‘he’ will surely come.”
◇◇◇
Yuma, Rui, and Akito had returned to Haneda Airport, which they had used when they came back to Japan.
Yuma, having decided to go to Israel, had informed Serizawa of his intentions. Serizawa, without asking many questions, replied, “Understood,” and prepared an aircraft for their transportation.
Walking along the airport runway, Yuma’s face softened as he saw a familiar aircraft.
“So that’s it, I didn’t think I’d be using it again…”
At the end of the runway was the American aircraft, the Learjet 35, which they had used to return to Japan.
Serizawa, walking behind him, called out.
“The pilot is already on board. Your luggage has also been loaded, so you can depart at any time.”
“Thank you, Serizawa-san.”
When Yuma thanked him, Serizawa smiled slightly and shook his head.
“No, it’s frustrating that this is all I can do. I was surprised when Mitaka-san said he was going to Israel, but if it’s you, you might be able to defeat the 【White King】.”
Only Serizawa and a few government officials had come to see them off. Yuma had only told a few acquaintances about his trip to Israel.
He hadn’t told his parents, of course, or the members of D-Minor. It wasn’t just that he didn’t want to worry them, but he didn’t want to make too much of a fuss because he intended to return soon.
Rui, Akito, and the people at Elceed Corporation understood that as well.
“I’m going to defeat the White King. But it’s not for the sake of the world, so don’t worry too much about it. I’m going for my own sake.”
“Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that humanity will be saved. Please be careful.”
“Yes.”
Yuma and the others boarded the aircraft, took their seats, and fastened their seatbelts.
Yuma exhaled and looked ahead. If they could conquer Orpheus, they would no longer be attacked by angels.
And if he could defeat the 【White King】 and copy his abilities, he might be able to use White Magic above the Sixth Stratum. It was the last hope to revive Kaede.
Looking to his side, Rui was gazing out the window with an indifferent expression. Akito, sitting behind him, had followed without a single complaint.
—Both of them are going along with my hope.
Yuma faced forward again and steeled his resolve.
This is the final battle. He would definitely win and return.