Kamen Rider Zi-O, Dimensional Descent

"And now, that demon is continuing its atrocities with the goal of devouring the entire kingdom..."

"How...how could this happen...?!"

"What about our children? Should we just stand by and watch them die?"

"Wait, if that demon's goal is to devour the entire kingdom, then the lives of 180 children are no longer important, are they?"

"What, what did you say?"

"Look! That's a monster that even Warrior Captain Gazef couldn't defeat! Soon it will devour the entire kingdom, and then it won't just be a problem for the children; all of us who stay in the kingdom will die!"

"So you're willing to sacrifice those children's lives to ensure your own safety?"

"Do you want to die? No way! Besides, I don't even know those children! Are you going to sacrifice the entire kingdom for 180 people? Do you want everyone and your children to die with you?!"

"So we're just going to stand by and watch those children die?! Some of them are even under five years old!!"

"The minority must submit to the majority... Is there any other choice for the survival of our entire nation?"

"That's right! Let's eliminate that demon as soon as possible to protect our safety!"

"Your Majesty! You absolutely cannot do this! If you do, at least 180 families will be ruined!!"

The noise and arguments of the people all reached the king's ears.

Just as expected, this scene unfolded exactly as predicted.

"...Please rest assured."

The king was filled with heavy feelings.

"Now, a brave warrior is going to fight the demon himself so that both sides can be saved."

"To rescue those children and to save our entire kingdom, that warrior is now working tirelessly! Please have faith in him!"

"Is there only...one person?"

After the king's words, the new voices of the masses emerged.

"Only one person? How could they possibly win! That's someone even Gazef couldn't defeat, isn't that just suicide?!"

"That warrior possesses immense strength! It's a strength that even Warrior Commander Gazef acknowledges. I hope you can all trust him!"

"Even if we believe him, what good will it do? Can he save our children? Isn't it said that killing the demon will cause the children to die?!"

"this…"

"Those are our precious children. What if they get caught up in this because of him? And how can we guarantee he can save them?!"

"Besides, does he really have the ability to defeat that demon? If he does, does he want to save the children or protect us?"

"A plan to protect the royal city while also saving those brats is simply impossible!"

"Will this even work?! Will we... will we die?! This world is already... tragic enough...!!"

The voices gradually changed from questioning to wailing.

People seemed convinced that this was impossible; they not only distrusted the king's words, but also unanimously believed that everyone would die next.

In their view, it was simply impossible to save 180 children and protect the safety of everyone in the kingdom.

The king felt a chill run through his body.

"Your Majesty! Are you alright?"

Gazef rushed to the king and protected him from being surrounded by the people who had completely rioted.

The king himself, however, had lost his focus.

'Did I...do something wrong? Or was Mr. Woz...or Mr. Yan Ming's plan...truly flawed?'

Everything the king did was done according to the instructions of Woz, who had come on Yan Ming's orders.

But now it seems that the people have no reason to trust Yan Ming, and even he himself doesn't think Yan Ming can save both sides.

Your Excellency Yan Ming…

Was your choice... really... completely wrong?

"Oh dear, it's hard to believe how listless you look."

"—?!"

In an instant, everyone was drawn to a voice that suddenly appeared.

"Wh-what?"

A figure appeared on a rooftop not far away.

The other person was draped in black cloth, had a petite figure, and sounded like a girl's voice.

However, no one could see her true colors.

"Who, who are you?"

"It doesn't matter who it is, right? Shouldn't the key be the current situation?"

Aura Bela Fiora.

She is one of the Layer Guardians under Ainz Ooal Gown, and one of the beings who manage the sixth level of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

The reason I came to the kingdom was naturally on the orders of Ainz Ooal Gown.

"You lot, you're already facing imminent disaster, yet you're engaging in this kind of infighting? It's truly laughable~ Is this the kind of folk culture you have in your kingdom?"

"Who...who are you?!"

"What does this have to do with you? Rather... everyone will die next, including you!"

"Don't drag me into this. I'm just an adventurer passing through who happened to see the situation in this country, so I'm just saying a few words."

Aura took something out of her pocket.

Those were props that Ainz Ooal Gown had prepared for her.

"However, even I, a passerby, couldn't stand it anymore after seeing this situation."

"Can't stand it...?"

"Isn't it true that the enemy of this country is that demon? If that's the case, why are you pointing the finger at your own people? And even blaming those who are responsible for protecting you?"

"this…"

Those who had been in the midst of the riots were suddenly speechless.

Aura smiled indifferently.

"Don't you find it interesting? These humans, who were so eloquent back then, completely abandoned their rationality in the face of this great calamity, only knowing how to fight amongst themselves, and even hurling insults at those who were protecting them. It's quite interesting no matter how you look at it, isn't it?"

"Then, can you possibly come up with a better solution? Do you think that by talking to us like this, you can find a way to save the kingdom?!"

"That's right, I didn't."

Aura looked at one of the people who was trying to morally blackmail her.

"But do you really have the means to save your kingdom? Or can you even think of such a method?"

"Gurgle—!"

"It's impossible, isn't it? But someone is working on it, and that person is different from all of you."

Aura took the thing out of her pocket.

In terms of effect, it's like the magical artifact that Ainz Ooal Gown uses to monitor the outside world from within Nazarick.

It's just an improved version, with the addition of the ability to transmit sound and the ability to grow to a gigantic size.

"You all should take a good look at this."

The lens flew into the air and instantly transformed into a giant lens that could be seen by everyone in the entire kingdom.

Everyone saw it.

The scene that appeared through the lens was of people in armor constantly repelling the invasion of toad-like demons towards the royal city.

The image only shows the person in armor; there are no other people around.

He fought alone to protect the royal city and to find a way to save the children.

Sometimes she would physically withstand the demon's attacks, and other times she would constantly observe the children's situation and intercept all attacks that might threaten the people in the royal city.

No one asked him to do that.

Even if he were all alone, he would still have to fight this battle alone.

"This man, no one pays him, no one asks him to protect the people of the kingdom... There is clearly such a person who is doing his best to fight for the royal city and for those children, and now you turn around and criticize him?"

"Is this really okay? You're all human beings, why do you have to exclude each other?"

The people of the kingdom were speechless.

Everyone stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding before them, watching Yan Ming alone, constantly delaying in order to protect the royal city and rescue the children.

"us…"

People reflected on what they had just said, whether they wanted to protect themselves or rescue the children, and couldn't help but reflect on their words.

Did we... really do something wrong?

"But what...can we do?"

They were just a group of ordinary people who couldn't do anything, like lambs to the slaughter.

Unable to fight, they could only stay in the kingdom and wait to die, like they are now.

"That doesn't seem right."

As if she could see right through them, Aura chuckled and denied it all.

“There are still things you can do… It’s something anyone can do, the simplest thing.”

That is, to trust this person.

Trust...this person?

"This magical item can also transmit your voices to him, letting him know that the people in this royal city believe he can save everyone, believe he can save those children... believe he can bring you victory."

Will this work?

"When someone is fighting alone, if their efforts are recognized by others, then it is all meaningful."

Is simply believing him, merely verbally conveying your belief in him, really effective?

…No, it shouldn't just be passed on verbally.

Several minutes passed, and people continued to stare at the figure inside the lens in mid-air.

He was repelled by the monster countless times and fell countless times.

Even so, he still has the motivation to keep getting up and keep fighting.

To protect these complete strangers.

In order to rescue the innocent children who were implicated.

He will choose to fight, no matter the situation or the enemy he faces... he will choose to fight.

and so.

"...I'm willing to believe him."

The king took a deep breath and looked at the people, expressing his true feelings.

"At first, I only trusted his strength because the warrior captain told me, but now it's different."

“I saw the scene of this person fighting hard to protect us, and I can understand his heart... so I believe in him, and believe in this feeling of wanting to protect us and save innocent people no matter what!”

"My people! Perhaps the situation is not as you wish, but—! Can you trust him?"

"Can we give this lone warrior our trust? Can we make him realize that he has so many people supporting him?"

Believe... him?

The people watched the image reflected in the lens and listened to the king's words.

A certain kind of urgency welled up in their hearts.

“I…I’m willing to believe him…If he can do his best to save my child, I’m willing to trust him!”