Chapter 2041: Chapter 2041
Contrary to Jenkins's "simple" idea, the Church's proposal was for both Miss Fabry and Jenkins to enter the metal tower together.
"What's truly remarkable is that the contest for Savior in our Epoch has not been bloody at all; in fact, the atmosphere has been quite amicable," they explained. "You and Miss Fabry both share the goal of saving the world, so why not face this challenge together? The one who ultimately kills the Difference Engine will be the true Savior. Let fate decide, let yourselves decide, let the Difference Engine decide."
With anyone else, the Church would have worried about infighting within the tower, that they might fall before even seeing the Difference Engine. But Jenkins and Miss Fabry, at least on the surface, both seemed to be individuals who deeply respected agreements, which was why the Church had proposed such an idea.
In theory, it was an excellent plan, but in reality, Jenkins absolutely could not agree. To do so would make it impossible to fulfill the final requirement of the Uncrowned King. He regretfully informed Miss Bevanna of this. She froze for a moment before understanding dawned on her.
"So you were planning to use this opportunity all along... Very well, Jenkins. You truly do think further ahead than anyone else."
"But I need a guarantee," Jenkins stated. "After Miss Fabry voluntarily withdraws from the competition for Savior, the news of my ascension must spread across the entire world within hours. Preferably with my photograph and likeness attached."
"That's not a problem, of course," Bevanna replied, "but are you confident you can win out against Miss Fabry?"
"I am," Jenkins said firmly. "We've come this far. What could possibly go wrong now?"
Miss Bevanna nodded, saying nothing more. A long time ago, she and Papa Oliver had gone to Miss Audrey to confirm that Jenkins was a candidate for Savior—and the most important one at that. For an entire year, she had watched him progress, time and again, to reach this point.
And yet, as they reached the final step, as she looked at this young man who seemed to have been thrust onto the stage by fate itself, forced to face a decisive battle with almost no chance of victory, she couldn't help but inwardly lament his destiny...
"Don't you worry about spreading the word of your status as Savior; the Church will handle it. As for... the exact time to enter the black metal tower, the Church is still deliberating. We're also preparing suitable weapons, items, and potions for you or Miss Fabry... Actually, if it were possible, I truly wish neither of you had to enter that tower. It's so obviously a trap."
That last sentence should not have been said. Even if everyone knew it was the truth, it was not something that should have been spoken aloud in front of Jenkins.
"Jenkins, I know that even if no one forces you, you will force yourself," Bevanna continued softly. "So, there isn't much we can do for you. But is there anything else you need the Church's help with? Any wish at all, we can help you fulfill it."
Jenkins shook his head and turned to leave. The negotiations over the Savior were about to begin.
"Miss Bevanna," he said over his shoulder, "what I've wanted has never been much."
Though it was nine in the morning, the world outside was as dark as midnight. Ash drifted lazily through the air, and despite the people's efforts to sweep the streets, a blanket of white powder inexorably covered the roads and rooftops.
It was a scene no one had ever witnessed, to say nothing of the fact that it was happening in every corner of the world. In the profound darkness of Nolan, the most brilliant point of light was in the eastern mountains, where a great fire still blazed, unceasing.
The raging inferno lit the distant horizon, but it was powerless to dispel the black clouds overhead. Standing at a church window, one could see the eastern sky tinged with a faint red, a glow cast by those very flames.
News had arrived from the Holy See that morning: the mysterious fires were not limited to Cheslan and Nolan. These abnormal flames had been spotted in other regions of the material world, even near the great northern ice sheets.
Fortunately, the corrosive nature of these fires was not as severe as the one in Cheslan. Considering the current circumstances, the flames were not the most immediate danger. If the black clouds and falling ash persisted until the autumn harvest, the resulting crop failure would be enough to turn the coming winter into the most perilous one in memory.
The monsters in the mist and the whales in the clouds would not need to lift a finger. Humanity's own infighting would be enough to turn the season into a tomb for the majority.
At nine o'clock sharp, the second round of negotiations officially began. Throughout the nearly sleepless night, the delegates who remained in the negotiation hall within the Gate of All Things had already reached a consensus on a number of treaties.
Although the final documents were still a long way off, the highly efficient cooperation was a very good start.
Nearly all of the Church's upper echelons were aware of the ninth floor of the tower and the Difference Engine's challenge to the Savior. As a result, few wore pleasant expressions; everyone looked worried and grim.
The churches of the Pseudo-Gods were still in the dark. The only one among them that knew, the Church of Music, dared not leak such intelligence. But Princess Sophia, who had already coordinated with Jenkins, rose to her feet and shattered the silence with her very first sentence.
"I believe," she declared, "that everyone here has the right to know about the very important event that has just occurred."
The goal was to acquire the Bestowals held by the Pseudo-God cults. While the followers of these gods were not as wealthy as the Orthodox Churches, they still possessed one or two exceptional items. Magic Miss's pendant, for instance, could be used in almost any ritual and possessed an automatic defensive function.
Princess Sophia looked toward Pope Pontiff IV of the Church of the Sage, who was presiding over the negotiations. The old man appeared exceptionally weary. Seeing "Miss Fabry" looking at him, he tilted his head and murmured a few words to the person beside him. A moment later, the Church's Saint, Miss Strass, stood up.
In the presence of a Saint, it was generally assumed that they were the leader of the Church's Benefactors. The Church of the Sage currently had two Saints in Nolan, and it would be inappropriate for Jenkins to answer, so the task fell to Miss Strass.
"Miss Fabry," she asked, "do you truly believe it is appropriate to announce this matter?" Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn ɴovelfire.net
"At the very least, it allows everyone to prepare, regardless of the final outcome," came the reply.
Princess Sophia delivered her lines with exquisite acting skill. Seated in the upper "audience" section, a silver-haired girl showed a look of gratification.
This time, Briny and Julia had also come. The two of them sat with the silver dragon, who watched over them. Behind them were Magic Miss and Silver Flute Miss. Jessica was currently at Queen Isabella's side, so they naturally couldn't sit at the main table and had been assigned by Jenkins to temporarily protect Briny and Julia.
As for Vinette, the little book fairy, she had been thrilled ever since entering the Church of the Sage, and became even more ecstatic upon entering the Gate of All Things.
"I've seen all three books now!"
The fairy said this to Briny, but of course, Briny had no idea what it meant.
"Since you put it that way, very well," Strass conceded.
Miss Strass nodded. She hadn't consulted the other Orthodox Churches about whether to make the announcement, likely because the Church had already anticipated such a development.
And so, Miss Strass, along with the demigod from the Church of Death and End, gave a brief account of the events that had transpired around dawn. The main focus, of course, was the giant metal whales cruising through the black clouds. The conversation between the unicorn-riding Miss Fabry and the Difference Engine was mentioned only at the very end.
After the two had finished speaking, no one else rose to speak. A low murmur of discussion filled the hall, grating on the nerves. Miss Strass gestured for "Miss Fabry" to say something, but the latter simply looked back at her with an innocent expression, as if expecting her to be the one to break the quiet.
"Therefore, given the current situation, we must decide on the final Savior candidate as soon as possible and prepare them to enter the nine-story metal tower to defeat the Difference Engine."
She gave the delegates no time for discussion, briefly recounting the legend of the Savior—even though most of them already knew it—before announcing the next item on the agenda.
"In the 18th Epoch, fate has granted us nine qualifications for Savior. The Church is currently aware of seven. Five of them... sacrificed themselves in yesterday's heroic battle. The two who remain are here with us: the Saint of the Sage, Jenkins Redemptor Willamette, and the follower of the God of Lies, Honest Loyal Fabry."
The middle names had been provided by Princess Sophia the day before, when the Church had inquired. She had followed Jenkins's own method for fabricating names, and they sounded plausible enough.
"While most of you are aware of the primary purpose of these negotiations, I must state it again: we are to choose the most suitable Savior to lead humanity in surviving the foreseeable disasters to come, to guide our civilization to the dawn of the 19th Epoch. There are only two candidates left."
She gestured for Jenkins and Miss Fabry to rise.
"These are the two. Do I need to introduce them?"
Seeing no one speak, Miss Strass put down the document in her hands.
"Very well, then. Let us begin. Let us start the selection of who will be the savior of human civilization, who can lead us toward a new future."
The negotiation for the Savior was, of course, no debate competition. It certainly wasn't going to have Jenkins and "Miss Fabry" take turns giving speeches before being elected to the position by a vote.
The Church had originally expected at least six of the Lie God's followers to attend. The plan had been to make concessions on other treaty clauses to encourage the believers to winnow their own numbers, leaving the final candidate to engage in a one-on-one negotiation with Jenkins—essentially, to make a final statement.
This statement was not a speech; they would simply need to explain their plans for the future. That would have been enough.
But now, only a single follower of the Lie God remained. This meant no complex plan was necessary. All that was required was for Jenkins and Miss Fabry to each state how they intended to resolve the disaster before them, to prove which of them was the Savior in the truest sense of the word.