“An i-illusion!? Do not be absurd! You were the one directing the battlefield and sending strategies to the monsters!”
“That was nothing more than a bluff. From the very beginning, there was never any chance of victory for the Demon General’s army. Your army was perfect and overwhelmingly powerful. And on top of that, you had the Reset ability. There was no chance for them.”
The Dragon God’s speech echoed through the chamber. All the while, the Seer’s body continued to slowly turn into stone. And so he could not escape his opponent’s words.
“I merely wanted a little time. In order to ‘raise’ Sheto.”
“Raise…the kobold…?”
“During the attack on Lindle Village, I could see that Sheto’s strength had reached its limit. When he was captured by the Demon General’s army, I felt that it was incredibly fortunate for him.”
Anyone else would have seen it as a horrible situation. But the Dragon God saw it as an opportunity.
“Sheto came to be under the general’s protection, which meant he was safe from your army. And during that time, he trained as a guest and built up his strength. And thanks to Canila and Keita, he also gained a new power.”
Indeed, he had seen it. The small figure training awkwardly.
And then the divine vessel created by Canila and her Hero. It had granted the kobold a new power that resulted in strength to rival a whole army…
“No…you don’t mean…! Everything…it was all just to strengthen the kobold!?”
“Precisely. I thought that two months alone would not be enough, but Sheto’s straightforward nature and the Demon General’s kindness proved to be a great help.”
The dragon said with a nod.
Indeed, hidden behind this massive military campaign, the kobold had been steadily transformed by the Dragon God. He had gone from nothing more than a crafty little monster, into a Hero capable of defeating a thousand enemies.
“From the beginning, I was never playing by your rules. Everything was a stepping stone towards making Sheto win on his own. It was all a grand training simulation.”
“Bu…but…”
“The strength of the Hero’s army came from its vast number of magic soldiers. However, Sheto’s break arts ability could completely erase that advantage. After that, well… You witnessed what happened.”
It wasn’t as if he had forgotten about that ability. But he had assumed it was merely a support ability. He hadn’t believed it would be used in that way.
“But you fled into the illusion I dangled in front of you. The fantasy of a great battle between huge armies. You were comforted by the idea of it being something easy to calculate, and that would guarantee you victory. And as a result, you saw Sheto’s ability as nothing more than for ‘support.’”
All he could do was groan.
His consciousness was rapidly pulling him away now.
“The reason that I withheld the divine vessel until the very last moment was so that we could continue to hide Fi and Guto. And also to conceal Sheto’s true strength. That way, you would continue to drown in the sweet dream I showed you… A glorious victory achieved through overwhelming superior power.”
“Ah…”
“You are a fool who feared defeat. You imagined a future that was convenient, and walked straight into the trap I had set.”
The dragon’s face reeked of ale as he moved closer.
His eyes were gleaming with delight and his throat rumbled.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your pathetic display of playing strategist, Seer.”
“St-stop! Do not mock me! Do not look at me like that!”
“Yes, yes. There was one more thing I must say to you.”
The dragon said, ignoring his protests.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you sincerely, for your assistance in creating Sheto’s equipment.”
“Wh…what are you talking about!?”
“The mithiril golem and wyvern.”
Like a hidden poisoned blade being driven into him, the pain pierced through his consciousness.
“Had it not been for the materials you sent through Evacus, this plan would not have come to fruition. I am truly grateful.”
“You…you are lying. It cannot…be…!”
He did not believe it. He did not want to believe it. He shook his head wildly.
“It cannot be true! That you saw through all of my strategies!”
“Oh? Did you forget already? I made it quite clear before the battle.”
The petrification had now reached his neck.
Now that he could not move at all, the ominous words tormented his ears.
“Thank you for that predictable performance.”
“No…no… I must redo it!”
As his consciousness faded, the dragon’s face filled his entire vision.
“Reset! Reset! Right now…now! I will redo everything! Yestaaa!”
“I am sorry.”
Said the Goddess of Time.
“Your adventure record has been erased. There is no past for you to return to.”
“Ah…”
And like that, Furukamuto’s consciousness was sealed away in the darkness of despair.
With eternal humiliation now carved into his very being.