———GOAAAAAAAAA!!!!
———GIAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
———GUAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
The Red Dragon let out a furious roar.
The ground shook and violent winds tore through the area as if answering that roar.
A living natural disaster was raging.
"Haah… haah… haah… haah…"
I dropped to one knee on the ground, breathing heavily.
"A-Are you okay!? Eugene!" (Anemoi)
Anemoi rubbed my back.
"One more time… Give me mana. I used it all up." (Eugene)
"You should rest a little—…no, I understand." (Anemoi)
Anemoi grabbed my hand.
Thump… Hot mana flowed into me.
(I can't believe I challenged that…) (Eugene)
That last attack was something I absolutely couldn't miss. I had resolved to stop it no matter what.
But if I were told to challenge the raging Red Dragon again, I have no confidence I could land another blow like that.
The remaining explorers besides me were all pale, shrinking back in fear.
"Mariel-dono, I would like you to declare the start of the Trial of the Gods." (Uther)
Only the Principal was going at his own pace.
He spoke to the angel as casually as if making small talk.
Even more surprising was what he was saying.
The angel apparently felt the same.
"Eh!? I-Is that really okay!? This is an exceptional, irregular Divine Beast summoning that the Dungeon Master-sama didn't plan for! If you declare the Trial of the Gods, someone will have to fight…" (Mariel)
Mariel-san spoke in a flustered voice.
"Exactly. The current Red Dragon was summoned through an exceptional irregular Divine Beast summoning, so its method of return has not been determined. However, if we incorporate it into the miracle magic of the Trial of the Gods, the time limit will allow us to send it back. There is no other way to return the Red Dragon to its original place." (Uther)
Mariel-san looked as if something had clicked at Principal Uther's words.
"I-I see! Then, in the name of Archangel Mariel, I declare the start of the Trial of the Gods! …Um, now then, the challengers are…" (Mariel)
Mariel-san looked over at us.
"Eugene Santafield will challenge the Trial of the Gods!" (Eugene)
"Claude Percival will challenge it as well!" (Claude)
Claude and I declared without hesitation.
"I accept the challenge." (Mariel)
Mariel nodded.
"Is there anyone else…?" (Mariel)
She asked while looking around at us.
"......"
All of the remaining S rank explorers seemed overwhelmed by the Red Dragon's presence.
And, as expected, it was Principal Uther who cut in.
"Angel-dono, how long can you wait to accept challengers?" (Uther)
"E-Eh… There aren't any specific rules, but roughly about fifteen minutes…" (Mariel)
"Plenty of time. Then please wait a little. Ah, and please include Uther Mercurius Pendragon as a challenger as well." (Uther)
——Gururururu
——Garurururu
An irritated growl leaked from the Red Dragon's mouth.
The wound I inflicted earlier had long since healed.
"Principal, what are you planning to do?" (Eugene)
He didn't answer that question directly when I asked.
"Eugene, Claude. Take a look. The Red Dragon seems displeased. It is being forced to wait until the challengers for the Trial of the Gods are finalized. This binding magic formula is a miracle spell by Althena-sama, the Sun Goddess and head of the Goddesses who were involved in the original design of the Zenith Tower, Babel. Even the Red Dragon cannot resist it." (Uther)
Principal Uther explained cheerfully.
"......"
I looked up at the Red Dragon again.
It glared down at us with an irritated expression, letting out low growls.
I could faintly see something like golden chains around its body.
But I couldn't read the formula.
It was far too advanced and delicate.
Not a magic formula that humans could handle.
I gave up trying to understand it.
Instead, I asked a different question.
"…What are you, Principal?" (Eugene)
This was a different question from before.
The Principal clearly possessed the same 'previous run' memories as Claude and I.
I expected him to dodge it again, but…
"I am not a human of this world." (Uther)
An answer came back, unexpectedly.
"Principal?" (Eugene)
"King Uther?" (Claude)
Claude and I tilted our heads, not understanding what he meant.
"I am an otherworlder from a distant galaxy far beyond this one, a race known as the Yithians, the People of Time. A different world from Sumire-kun's." (Uther)
…Was he joking?
But Principal Uther's expression was serious.
There was no sign of him joking at all.
"Our people can act across time. I was able to observe the actions of Eugene and Claude, who survived the previous destruction of the Dungeon City and the Academy caused by the Red Dragon… That said, the probability of you reaching this point was quite low. It was a losing gamble. I'm glad you made it back." (Uther)
—— "Good grief, so that's why I ended up missing my chance to eat your intellect. What a shame."
With a powa, a translucent human figure appeared.
So faint it was almost invisible unless you focused. It was…
"Demon God-sama?" (Eugene)
It was the Demon God who was supposed to be sealed inside the magic lamp.
—— "Right now, I'm only contracted with Claude-kun, you know. And the price hasn't even been paid yet. I can't support you guys." (Loki)
"Hm… That is troublesome. I would very much like to borrow the Demon God-sama's power." (Uther)
I didn't miss Principal Uther muttering that.
"Principal! You're not planning to make a sacrifice again, are you…!" (Eugene)
"No, I won't do anything like last time. However, the Demon God-sama's power is regrettably tempting… Forgotten Goddess of Wisdom of the Old Gods, Loki-sama. Would you lend me your power in exchange for the eyes with which I have seen everything until now?" (Uther)
—— "Hmm, the eyes of a Yithian, huh. Well, not as good as last time, but not bad either. I'll lend you my power just once." (Loki)
"That's more than enough. Thank you, Goddess-sama." (Uther)
—— "I told you I'm an Demon God. You're going to make me angry, you know?" (Loki)
"My apologies, Demon God-sama." (Uther)
While they were having that casual exchange…
"King Uther! The Twelve Knights are assembled!"
First Knight Claire-san arrived, leading the rest of the Twelve Knights.
"Hm, thank you. The opponent is powerful, but let us work together to buy time. Angel-dono, please include the Twelve Knights here as challengers." (Uther)
"I accept… We will begin the Trial of the Gods in about three minutes. I can't wait any longer." (Mariel)
——Gururururu
——Garurururu
The Red Dragon twisted its massive body in irritation.
I could see the golden chains starting to crack.
"No matter, everyone will be here in one minute. Look, they're here." (Uther)
Just as the Principal said…
"Eugene!"
"Eugy!"
Sara and Airi arrived.
Behind them was Club President Robert.
None of the other sword club members were with him.
"Is that…a Divine Beast?" (Robert)
"The Red Dragon of the End, apparently, President Robert." (Eugene)
"A mythical monster that destroys the world…appearing right next to the academy…" (Robert)
Even the normally composed President Robert's voice was shaking.
"Are all of you fine with being challengers?" (Mariel)
Mariel-san asked us.
"Yes, we'll challenge it, Angel-sama." (Sara)
"Of course we will!" (Airi)
Sara and Airi declared.
"I will too. Let's challenge it." (Robert)
President Robert raised his sword.
(…Sumire still isn't here.) (Eugene)
As I fidgeted, wondering if she won't make it…
"Eugy-kun!!"
I saw a girl in a white robe running toward us.
"Sumire! Declare your challenge to the Trial of the Gods!" (Eugene)
"Eh!? Um…okay! I, Sashiogi Sumire, will challenge the Trial of the Gods!" (Sumire)
She made it just in time.
"I accept. And now, it is time. From this moment, on Floor 0 of the Zenith Tower, the Trial of the Gods against the Red Dragon shall begin." (Mariel)
Mariel-san announced solemnly.