The Infinite Dragon God Cannot Find Silence

Whether she was tired of laughing, had laughed enough, or felt awkward laughing alone... well, judging from Kamishiro's behavior, she probably didn't have that thought. In any case, Ishtar finally stopped.

"So what's next? What are you planning to do?"

Jumping onto the sofa next to her, Ishtar propped her face up with her hands, wiggled her legs, and asked.

"I have no plans."

Orpheus answered with unusual decisiveness.

"...Well, it was somewhat expected."

With a sigh, Ishtar shifted her position and lay down on the sofa.

"In that case, you'll come with me tomorrow. It's a hero's duty to accompany a goddess."

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"Senior, are you alright?"

Time flew by and it was noon the next day. Masashi accompanied Ritsuka on a walk down the street.

Although they were nominally searching for Caster's whereabouts, after yesterday's events, it was really difficult for everyone to focus entirely on dealing with Caster.

Orpheus exerted immense pressure, like a mountain weighing on one's back. Caster, though also an opponent who had to be eliminated, was insignificant compared to Orpheus, like a small fish or shrimp.

Moreover, Ritsuka was still bothered by what Orpheus said last night.

Can she really save humanity?

Ritsuka had been avoiding this issue, fearing that if she faced it, she would no longer have the courage to raise the Command Seals again.

She is the last Master, and if she doesn't do it, no one can take her place.

But even if she did it, what were the chances of success? Ritsuka would eventually have to face this question.

If the enemy can burn humanity to the ground without anyone noticing, destroying Fujimaru Ritsuka would be too easy. She might even be hiding somewhere watching the spectacle.

Thinking of this, Ritsuka sighed again.

"senior……"

Following behind her, Mash looked at her senior and Master with some concern, unsure of what to say.

After all, even she herself wasn't fully accustomed to fighting; the two of them could be considered a novice duo.

"and many more!"

The doctor's voice suddenly came through the communicator.

"Ritsuka, now is not the time to think about other things. A Servant's reaction suddenly appeared, but it's so weak... so weak that it was only detected at such close range. If it were Ritsuka now, wait, how is this possible?!"

"Senior, look!"

Just as the doctor shouted, Mashu suddenly cried out in surprise.

Ritsuka turned her head and looked in the direction Mash was pointing. At the other end of the street, Orpheus was holding a cotton candy and leading another black-haired girl with twin tails. They were looking around as if they were playing and approaching her.

Chapter 154 Chatting

"You two, run!"

Lowering his voice, Roman said in a panic.

"That person hasn't noticed you yet... no, I should say they've noticed but don't care... Anyway, it'll be too late once she starts to care. With the king's personality, she won't abide by the principle that you can't fight if there are many people. Move fast!"

"Yes, senior, let's go quickly."

Mashu, looking equally anxious, chimed in from the side.

"Do not."

To their surprise, Ritsuka suddenly showed a firm expression and rejected their proposal. Instead, she strode over to Orpheus and his companion, who were still looking around at the stalls next to them.

"senior!"

Mashu anxiously reached out her hand, and then could only helplessly follow.

"Huh? What is it? It's you guys."

Before Ritsuka could even speak, she was spotted by Ishtar, who sensed someone approaching.

"I was wondering why it felt so familiar, but... I didn't have a chance to say it last time. If you saw me back then, you probably would have taken care of me without hesitation."

"……well?"

Before Ritsuka could even utter her prepared words, she was inexplicably rebuked by a little girl who was not even ten years old. For a moment, Ritsuka didn't know how to respond.

'This reaction... well, she doesn't seem hostile for now, so let's not add any more pressure to Ritsuka.'

Inside Chaldea, the doctor looked at the data on the instruments, unsure of what to say.

It seems like the goddess and the hero king have a good relationship?

Ritsuka, of course, was unaware of the doctor's situation, and could only accept that the little girl in front of her, who looked somewhat suspicious, was indeed a little girl, and bent down with a gentle smile on her face.

"Little sister..."

"Who's the little sister?!"

Ishtar pouted in displeasure, then turned around and waved her hand.

"Since it's for you, I won't get involved."

After watching Ishtar walk away, Orpheus turned around and handed a cotton candy that she hadn't eaten yet to Ritsuka, who looked embarrassed.

"Want some?"

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With Ritsuka herself still confused about how things had turned out this way, Orpheus and Ritsuka sat down side by side on a park bench under Mash's tense gaze.

In Orpheus's view, this was not a strange situation.

For the Ouroboros girl, whose worldview is largely based on her interactions with Enkidu, everything from slashing each other with swords to exchanging magical cannon fire is just play. From the beginning, Orpheus never considered Ritsuka and the others as enemies.

"Ophis...does he want to destroy humanity?"

Feeling that continuing in silence was not a solution, Ritsuka suddenly looked at Orpheus and asked.

"..."

Orpheus tilted his head at Ritsuka in confusion after hearing her sudden question.

"Destroy humanity?"

Why would she do something so completely meaningless when she has nothing better to do...?

"Because, didn't Orpheus say back then that if humanity makes too many mistakes, it should be destroyed..."

Seeing Orpheus's puzzled look, Ritsuka continued to press for answers.

"I will only eliminate mistakes, not destroy humanity..."

Even Orpheus was speechless upon hearing Ritsuka's misunderstanding.

“My duty is to maintain the balance of the world, or you could say, the relationship between humanity and the world… Since it is about balance, I will not allow either side to collapse. Even if it means eliminating most of humanity, I will leave behind enough seeds to be passed down… Moreover…”

Orpheus shook his head and didn't continue.

Duty is one thing, but whether one can actually fulfill it is another. Although there are few things that can stop Orpheus from annihilating humanity, they do exist.

Without saying that, Orpheus changed the subject.

"Moreover, while humanity is indeed much more relaxed than in the age of gods, it is by no means in a way that requires purging. It is merely a necessary process in the course of development, so I have no intention of taking action against humanity."

"...Since Orpheus didn't intend to destroy humanity, what exactly is your purpose? Why did you attack us? Does Orpheus know anything about the burning of humanity?"

Seeing that Orpheus answered very cooperatively, Ritsuka finally couldn't hold back and asked the questions that were on her mind.

"..."

Overwhelmed by so many questions, Orpheus was at a loss for which to answer.

"The culprit behind the burning of humanity... I know, but I shouldn't be the one to tell Ritsuka the answer. Besides, Ritsuka should be able to see that being soon."

After thinking for a moment, Orpheus shook his head and said...

Even if the answer obtained were to be wrong, since all the far-sighted remain silent, Orpheus wouldn't bother to break their agreement. Besides, Orpheus isn't interested in these questions. The burning of humanity, though severe, was doomed to fail from the start...

Even if the intersection of most parallel worlds is chosen, it doesn't mean that the entity behind it can really blow up all the humans in so many parallel worlds at once... Since not all parallel worlds are affected, then counterattacks from all directions will follow.

Of course, at least for now, that's none of Orpheus's business.

"Actually, although I cannot observe the details of the burning of humanity very clearly, I can get a glimpse of what happened afterward."

"Ugh?"

"Let me be frank, at least for Ritsuka, I don't think burning down Humanity would be a good thing... While the human race has many excellent qualities, it can't mask the dirty side that exists in many individuals... Even if I say that, for Ritsuka right now, let alone saving Humanity, he's not even ready to save Humanity in the first place, is he?"

Jumping off the bench and turning to Ritsuka, Orpheus spoke at length in a rare serious tone.

Seeing Ritsuka still in a daze, Orpheus sighed softly.

"So, this is my purpose... If this continues, Ritsuka will die."

Orpheus turned his back to Ritsuka again and waved.

"Although being king is a troublesome job for me, and I'm not keen on continuing to fulfill the responsibilities of a king, there's no way around it since it's a past destiny. Let me, in the name of the Hero King, give you a trial—Fujimaru Ritsuka. Be prepared, and stand before me. If you can defeat me, I will bestow upon you the highest reward from the king..."

Before Ritsuka and the other person finished speaking, Orpheus's figure had already disappeared from their sight.

Chapter 155 The Goddess's Interest

"nailed it?"

As darkness fell, Orpheus leaped onto the roof of a tall building, where Ishtar was already waiting.

No...not yet.

Orpheus shook his head.

"But there was no need to force it in the first place. Even if I don't do it now..."

“I know. Since it’s her, she will naturally grow when it’s time. After all, that person originally possessed such talent. No matter how ordinary she was, she will grow in the face of adversity… From this point of view, you are doing something unnecessary right now.”