You think you're worthy of saving the world?

The moment the thought crossed Yuri's mind, a chill ran down his spine.

Nuclear radiation...

Why couldn't it be nuclear radiation?

If it's nuclear radiation, then all the mysterious phenomena can be explained.

The strange-looking marine life in the area is not because they are rare species far from the mainland, but because they have mutated.

Although the humans, animals, and plants living on the islands did not undergo the same mutations as marine life, their growth rate was affected as a result—and their average lifespan was 20 years shorter than that of humans of the same era.

More importantly, the secret of the Dragon God was also explained.

The truth about the "dragon" that was born 1200 years before the singularity, during the Witch War, is that it is a monster mutated due to nuclear war.

For a thousand years, it lay dormant beneath an underwater temple, unknown to the world.

When the end of the world arrives, the Pale Knight will awaken once more, bringing "death" to the world.

"The power of 'death' is the nuclear thermal element that this guy constantly radiates..."

Faced with Yuri's explanation, Chaika couldn't help but murmur.

In the world of magic, nuclear radiation is called nuclear thermal element.

For humanity, which lacks modern physics knowledge and relies solely on magical theories to explain the universe, nuclear thermal elements are a terrifying deadly poison.

Just by being exposed to radiation, within a few days, the body's muscle tissue will swell and dissolve... What toxin could be more terrifying than this?

Due to the impact of the Witch Wars, nuclear thermal magic has been classified as a forbidden attribute in the magical world, and unauthorized use will result in imprisonment.

“Now too…” Chaika murmured softly.

Yuri nodded: "The concentration of nuclear thermal elements in this temple is enough to ensure that we will die within two days of returning to Earth... if we are not treated immediately."

Chaika lost her color.

She turned to look at the head maid behind her, her expression one of undisguised disgust: "To actually worship such a terrifying evil god... you're all insane."

"..."

The head maid, who had been silent since entering the temple, raised her head.

A disdainful smile appeared on her aged face: "Worship? We're not doomsday cultists, why would we worship such a monster!"

Chaika bit her lip: "If it's not worship, then why hold such an evil ritual of human sacrifice... why use a child's heart..."

"What do you think we're here for?"

The head maid's sinister grin made Chaika involuntarily take a half-step back.

For some reason, she felt that what shone in the other person's eyes was not madness, but rather a deeper sorrow.

"We do all this for you... for you who enjoy the conveniences of civilization in faraway developed countries!"

In order to keep the Dragon God in a deep sleep and prevent him from waking up again, we had no choice but to use a child's heart...

Do you think I wanted this? Everything we've done for generations has been to protect this world!

"What nonsense are you spouting...!" Chaika exclaimed angrily.

“No… she’s probably not lying,” Yuri said with emotion.

"Yuri?"

The black-haired boy continued, "Didn't I just say that the people on this island are born with the qualities of witches?"

The Pale Knight is a monster born from the witches' massive nuclear thermal magic, and it is connected to the witches on the level of causality.

Therefore, it can not only release thermonuclear elements, but also create humans with witch powers... This is just my speculation.

Depending on gender or individual constitution, the amount of witch power within each person varies, but two patterns can still be summarized.

"Firstly, women's witch powers are far greater than men's."

"Secondly, the stage when the witch's power is strongest is during childhood."

As the islanders age, the witch's power within them gradually fades.

Men become no different from ordinary people after reaching adulthood, and the vast majority of women are the same.

Only a very small percentage of women retain their witch powers after reaching adulthood…

As Yuri said this, she looked at the young maidservant beside the head maidservant: "They are living examples."

Chaika recalled the scene when her wind magic was deflected during the battle on the ground.

Indeed, these girls had never systematically studied magic; they simply used magic for defense and offense.

Stella had just identified them as witches, but according to Yuri, they were ordinary people with witch powers within them.

“But what does this have to do with the sacrificial ritual… If it’s to maintain the 'Pale Knight’s' sleep, then…”

Jaika fell silent halfway through her sentence.

She looked at the head maid, who nodded.

"The only bloodline capable of calming the Dragon God's dream is the 'Dragon Priestess'."

The other islanders, though possessing what you call 'witch power,' are unable to communicate with the Dragon God.

However, the "Dragon Priestess's" own power was insufficient to sustain her indefinitely...

That's why our ancestors came up with this method, having a vibrant little girl offer her heart to the "Dragon Priestess".

Only by doing this can the "Dragon Priestess" keep the Dragon God in his slumber!

"…………"

Jaika and Stella's expressions turned grim.

Yuri remained calm and asked the crucial question: "Where does the 'Dragon Priestess's' power come from?"

"..."

The head maid remained silent for a long time.

Finally, as if giving up, she began to explain.

"1200 years ago... the Dragon God at that time was not yet the island's guardian deity that we worship."

The three of them instantly understood the unspoken meaning she was trying to convey through her stammering—

The Pale Knight was undoubtedly a god of destruction; it must have intended to destroy the island.

Yuri could imagine a monster movie scene where it emerges from the sea and wreaks havoc on the village under the setting sun.

"Just when the entire island was about to be destroyed, a woman appeared."

The head maid calmly said, "She subdued the rampaging Dragon God with magic and guided him to hibernate at the bottom of the sea."

Then, the woman selected a young girl from among the survivors of the village and granted her the power to control the Dragon God.

This is the origin of the "Dragon Priestess," and we call this power the Dragon's Words of Power... the priestess's power capable of appeasing the Dragon God.

"The woman left after imparting the Dragon's Word...and the village returned to peace."

From then on, the "Dragon Maiden" has existed as a bridge for us to communicate with the Dragon God.

However... the Dragon's Word of Power requires a large amount of life force, and each time this power is used, the priestess will become further weakened.

so……"

The head maid didn't say anything more, and Yuri and the others understood.

To ensure the stability of the Dragon God and the life of the priestess, the people on the island began to hold the "Crimson Festival," using little girls full of witch power as bioenergy.

“Even so, a child’s life should not be used… Is that what you’re trying to say?” the head maid questioned Chaika provocatively.

"..."

Jaika did not speak.

Anyone can stand on moral high ground and criticize others.

In fact, Jaika and her ancestors were also beneficiaries of the sacrifices made on Dragon Island.

If it weren't for the sacrifices of over 20,000 innocent girls on Dragon God Island over the past two thousand years, the world might have been ravaged countless times by the "Pale Knight".

"Was that woman from 1200 years ago... did she have eyes as blue as the ocean, and her blonde hair styled in a bun?"

Yuri suddenly asked this question out of the blue.

He was referring, of course, to the "Crimson Witch".

Even though the King of Monsters was still in its juvenile form at the time, Yuri couldn't imagine anyone else besides her who had the power and reason to subdue the "Pale Knight".

However, the head maid looked puzzled.

She shook her head and continued, "According to the records passed down in the village... she was a woman dressed in white with long black hair."

Yuri: "…………"

"The Light-Up Witch"?

Why...it's her? It's her again?

Was she not killed by the "Ash Saintess" and even survived until after the end of the Witch War?

Even if history itself was slightly altered because of the "Crimson Witch's" ascension to godhood, she shouldn't be in a place like this, right?

"What's wrong, Yuri?" Chaika asked with concern.

Yuri shook his head: "It's nothing, I made a mistake."

"Now you understand, outsider! Stop meddling in other people's internal affairs!"

The head maid then raised her voice: "Pretend you know nothing and hurry back to your country, and continue to enjoy our protection with a clear conscience, you civilized people!"

Yuri and Chaika’s silence was interpreted by her as a sign of weakness.

The head maid broke free of the magical threads binding her hands and went to the "Dragon Witch"—Stella—and grabbed the silver-haired witch's wrist tightly.

“Let’s go back and perform the ceremony… This is your first ceremony, we can’t afford any more mistakes. I’ve had enough, why did this have to happen to me!”

However, she couldn't budge the girl at all.

Stella stood still, staring at Yuri without moving.