Clearing an Isekai with the Zero-Believers Goddess

Merged Chapters by Reigokai

———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 a 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.

■Comments Response:

>The time has come to fight side by side with the Principal. It is heating up.

-The Principal really is reliable.

And now his identity has been revealed.

The reference is from the Cthulhu mythology, about the Great Race of Yith.

He has been saying every now and then that he is not human, so it was a long time coming.

■Author’s Comment:

Everyone, have a great New Year!

• Chapter 201: Trial of the Gods

The moment Mariel-san finished her declaration…

——OOOOOOOOO!!!

——OOOOOOOOO!!!

——OOOOOOOOO!!!

The Red Dragon with seven heads roared up toward the heavens.

A violent gale raged, and the ground shook.

Claude, Sara, Claire-san, and the Twelve Knights all stepped back half a pace.

“Eugy-kun! My mana—…huh?” (Sumire)

Sumire approached me, grabbed my arm, and frowned suspiciously.

“Thanks, Sumire. It’s dangerous, so step back a little…” (Eugene)

“…Hey, Eugy-kun. This mana…who did you get it from? It’s mana I don’t recognize.” (Sumire)

Sumire stared at me with narrowed, probing eyes.

“……Sumire?” (Eugene)

“Um… I-I was the one who gave him mana.” (Anemoi)

Anemoi timidly spoke up from the side.

“Hoo~h… then why does it feel like it’s more compatible than my mana? Huh~? Eugy-kun and I are bound by a Body Contract, so our mana should connect more easily than with anyone else. But if her mana is fitting him even better than mine, then that means…” (Sumire)

“Wha…!? Eugy, did you make a move on the Dungeon Master too!?” (Airi)

“This really isn’t the time for that… Eugene, is that true?” (Sara)

Now even Airi and Sara had joined in.

“No. Anemoi and I made a Life Contract, and that let us exchange mana.” (Eugene)

“That’s right! We didn’t do anything especially weird!” (Anemoi)

Anemoi and I explained it to the three of them.

At that moment…

“Divine Artifact Replica – Summon: [Chains of Heaven].” (Uther)

Principal Uther spoke the incantation, thrusting both hands forward.

Several golden chains appeared from the sky and wrapped themselves around the Red Dragon’s body.

……Grrrrr.

The Red Dragon twisted its body in irritation.

“Charge!” (Claire)

““““““Yes!””””””

The Twelve Knights closed the distance to the Red Dragon at First Knight Claire-san’s command.

“Sumire, I’m joining the attack too. Stay back!” (Eugene)

Saying that, I ran toward the Red Dragon using Sky Walk.

As I closed in, a thought crossed my mind.

(This time…the Red Dragon feels strangely restrained.) (Eugene)

It didn’t feel like the same Red Dragon that had unleashed destruction upon the Lykeion Magic Academy and the Dungeon City last time.

“[Mystic Fairy Dance]!” (Claire)

That was the opening signal. Claire-san’s mana sword strike, followed by the combined attacks of the Twelve Knights, all came bearing down on the Red Dragon.

The guardians of the Dungeon City unleashed a simultaneous assault powerful enough to blow an airship to pieces, kicking up a cloud of sand and dust.

“Twin Heavenly Resonance Style…” (Eugene)

As I prepared my sword to add a second wave of attacks…

——A shiver.

A sudden sense of unease ran through me, and I reflexively leapt backward.

BOOM!!!!

The air itself burst with a deafening explosion.

I was nearly blown away, but managed to land safely.

I quickly looked around while still holding my sword.

“…No way.” (Sara)

I heard Sara’s stunned voice behind me.

Half of the Twelve Knights were already incapacitated.

The Divine Artifact, Chains of Heaven, summoned by Principal Uther had been torn apart.

(This is just like last time… No, it’s different.) (Eugene)

No one was dead yet.

I scanned the area with mana detection. Everyone who had fallen was still alive.

Even so, our fighting force had already been reduced to two-thirds.

“Dungeon Magic: [Iron Execution]!” (Anemoi)

Hundreds of swords and knives rained down on the Red Dragon at Anemoi’s call.

Clang clang clang…

They were all repelled by the dragon’s thick scales.

Even the Dungeon Master’s magic couldn’t reach it.

(Then once more, with my sword technique…) (Eugene)

As I took my stance to unleash the secret art of the Twin Heavenly Resonance Style…

“Wait, Eugene. Charging in without a plan isn’t wise.”

A hand rested lightly on my shoulder.

When I turned around, Principal Uther was standing there.

“But…” (Eugene)

Wouldn’t hesitation be the worse move?

At least, that’s how it was last time.

“There are very few weapons here that can deal effective damage to the Red Dragon. Most likely, only the God Sword you carry, crafted from the fangs of Cerberus, and the Dragon God’s spear, blessed by the Dragon God.” (Uther)

His words cooled my head.

I see… I can’t just rush in recklessly.

…Thud …Thud

The Red Dragon drew closer.

Its overwhelming presence carried a despair befitting a being said to end the world.

I glanced sideways… Principal Uther’s expression was still grim.

He stopped my rash move, but it seemed he hadn’t thought of the next step either.

Even his trump card, the Divine Artifact summon, had proven completely ineffective.

(…Something! There has to be something!) (Eugene)

Just as I was unable to decide on my next action…

BOOM!!!!!

Something fell from the heavens.

At meteor speed, it pierced straight through one of the Red Dragon’s heads, a flash of light slamming into the ground.

——Kua… ah… ah…

One of the Red Dragon’s seven heads fell with a strangely hollow death cry.

“…Eh?”

The voice was probably Airi’s.

That flash of light took on a humanoid shape, with star-like silver hair and jet-black wings.

“Honestly, Eugene, you look pretty pathetic~ I came to save you, you know☆”

She winked at me with a snap.

“D-Demon Lord Erinyes!?” (Claire)

Claire-san let out a small scream.

Well, that was only natural.

Anyone from the South Continent would tremble in fear.

After all, the Demon Lord who ruled the South Continent a thousand years ago…had returned.

■Comments Response:

>Who would have thought he was from the Great Race of Yith!

>I feel like Naia-sama or someone like that would know about him.

-It won’t be showing up in the main story (most likely), but Principal Uther is the most careful(scared) about Naia-sama within the 7 Goddesses.

■Author’s Comment:

Happy New Year.

Take care of me this year as well.

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