People always have to pay the price for their choices.

Adeline wasn't newly aware of this issue; in fact, she realized it the moment A·Gedora left.

The hero's party had already fallen apart. The once-loving, united group that could rely on each other for survival had splintered. She, who was always adored by others, now had to shoulder the burden of the Alchemist Association on her own.

She actually didn't want to do this. To her, what significance does the Alchemist Association hold? Being the leader of such a group wasn't something she was suited for—but where should she go? Should she seek out others from the party? Should she go looking for A·Gedora? Where does she belong?

She is the Source of Miracles.

When the alchemists naturally gathered around her, she finally realized that some responsibilities couldn't be avoided simply because she didn't wish for them.

At the very least, she wasn't strong enough to resist this invisible force.

But when she received the letter from Charlette, her heart was shaken.

The day after receiving the letter, she learned about Charlette's resignation as the Saintess, clearly a move to appease the situation with the Lizardman Kingdom.

So, she finally opened the letter she hadn't been able to read the day before.

The contents of the letter were very simple.

But it was packed with information.

In the letter, Charlette entrusted Adeline with the task of "defeating the Demon King."

She detailed her analysis of the world's situation.

"Adriana controls the Mage Union, the most powerful non-state organization in the world—among humans, magic is primarily controlled by the nobility, treated as a symbol of nobility, thus granting her a great ability to influence the world. But she might be more inclined towards the Elf Race, who are naturally gifted with high magic talent. Given the current stance of the Elf Race, they might not necessarily side with humans, so we need to be wary.

Hidden Nephilim. As the leader of curse masters, curse masters are naturally close to the Demon Race. I don't need to elaborate on how dangerous curses are; those who use curses long-term will inevitably experience some mental distortion. They are a very dangerous group, and if I could, I would eliminate them. However, I can't act now.

After much thought, you are my only reliable option. You are the youngest among us, and asking you to shoulder such a responsibility is truly my failure. However, for humanity's sake, I have no choice but to ask this of you. Please understand me, Adeline."

The tone of the letter was exactly like when the hero's party still existed, when Charlette would always gently care for everyone like an older sister. The strong demeanor she displayed at the recent power struggle meeting seemed to have vanished.

The passing of a decade seemed never to have occurred; scenes from back then vividly unfolded before Adeline.

Adeline clenched the letter, twisting it.

However, she quickly retrieved a unique potion and destroyed the letter.

She had already allied with the Demon King.

If what Charlette said was true, then she had seen the wrong person.

But... such a letter, given Charlette's personality, probably wasn't only sent to her. Adriana, Hidden Nephilim likely received one too—though the tone might differ... Thinking of this, she dispelled her wavering, recalling her recent meeting with the Demon King.

Of course, Charlette's words had their validity; perhaps she sincerely believed in her own correctness. But as the Demon King said,

she and the Demon King were allies out of interest.

She was the president of the Alchemist Association, and during Charlette's self-imposed captivity, she was to undertake the mission to defeat the Demon King?

What a ridiculous notion!

Opposing the Demon King would only deplete the Alchemist Association's strength. Moreover, the letter openly expressed Charlette's apprehension towards the Mage Union and the Curse Master Alliance, which could certainly be seen as an attempt to sow discord, as part of her plan to prevent several powers from uniting.

Having factions internally conflict while also targeting the Demon King might be just the outcome Charlette intended to achieve.

This could almost be considered an open conspiracy.

After all, for major organizations, the recent issue with the White Church would create a "vacuum," a power vacuum.

Such vacuums would naturally need to be swallowed by the organizations they lead. So... conflict among organizations seems inevitable—unless they can first negotiate the division of interests... Even so, it's not foolproof; someone might sabotage the efforts. If Charlette hadn't retreated so decisively, everyone could still imagine the White Church as a common enemy to unite against, just like in the past against the Demon King.

But Charlette's decisive retreat declared the breakup of a potential coalition; they couldn't genuinely unite.

The White Church's withdrawal required courage, but admittedly, it was a wise move.

After all, there's a possibility of them taking a step back, allowing major powers to swallow them up as a unit.

As for the Human Central Empire?

The Wise King and these organizations aren't in the same competitive track. At least in the current human environment, one can hold citizenship while maintaining positions within several major associations. If you're a highly talented individual, you can even be a member of all organizations. However, such people are usually deemed foolish.

But in the current scenario, no one seems willing to truly move against the White Church.

If that's the case, with the White Church's capabilities, it might only take a few years to reverse today's situation, perhaps by publishing "Holy Record, Volume Five," explaining current events as manifestations of divine will, smoothing over today's implications, and even greater achievements.

But the question is—

Does everyone have a few years?

In the eyes of others, the Demon King retrieved his left hand, while A·Gedora collaborated with him to reclaim the right hand.

The Demon King is still a long way from revival, with eleven whole components remaining... A·Gedora's attitude is also very ambiguous. He seems not to intend to forcibly help revive the Demon King. If he had that intention, with the Hero's power, they could probably traverse the world with the Demon King within a week.

If they were more resolute and directly helped Mohe reclaim those components symbolizing immense combat power, like the horns, those representing curses, and those representing magic... the Demon King could immediately demonstrate terrifying combat abilities. At that time, the Hero and the Demon King joining forces… even if the Demon King hadn't returned to his peak, and the Hero was not in full state—

Adeline still doubts whether another attempt at the former Demon King crusade could succeed.

Charlette might have realized this and thus locked herself in the church tower; the battle with Gedora made her understand some things.

Adeline rubbed her temples.

She doesn't like thinking about such matters, but she has to. If she placed her current self back in the past, she would probably laugh at her current self for being so calculating, with a mind full of schemes, and all about interests… it's almost laughable.

"I can't act according to your will, Charlette."

Because the Demon King has already spread her curse across this city, she is also a…

"I am also a victim!"

Adeline walked out of her current location.

This is the highest point on all of Kenku Island.

Wings sprouted from her shoes, allowing her to float in the air. Looking down, the dense crowd all gathered outside the building.

"The White Church must give an explanation to the Alchemist Association!"

"Our dedication is not for slaughter!"

"Does the President really not know?!"

"Where should the Alchemist Association go?"

Dense, those who relied on her, supported her, and now oppose her, scold her…

Adeline couldn't help but marvel that the curse surely has to be used by the Demon King herself to be potent. Unquestionably, it doesn't take anyone's life but changes people's hearts; only the Demon King can cast it so delicately, even without letting anyone notice any trace of a curse.

After all, suppose all the members of the Alchemist Association were filled with a sense of justice, angry about being deceived, and grieving over the Lizardman race's massacre. Isn't that a matter of course? Isn't it also a matter of course to pursue justice?

Thus causing such a coup to occur.

Isn't it a matter of course?

Of course, Adeline knows better than anyone that there might be noble beings among the Alchemists, probably at a slightly higher rate than other organizations—but they can't even compare to the White Church. Regardless of how the higher-ups of the White Church think, the White Church is, indeed, a glamorous organization, and many followers join with pure good intentions.

In such a situation, the White Church has not experienced such a thing, let alone the Alchemist Association?

To many Alchemists, Alchemy Knowledge is the most important thing. It's indeed the "loosest" organization.

Adeline knows this.

She closed her eyes; knowledge is the source of power for Alchemists. She knows the root cause of all this, knows the driving force behind all of this, so there is no need to fear—she cannot be afraid. She must take on this responsibility; she has the capability to confront current affairs.

When she opened her eyes again, her words fell like thunder into the crowd.

"Alchemists, are you willing to follow me to the mainland in search of an answer?"

After the thunder, there was silence.

Then…

came a roar louder than thunder!

The Sky Fortress, long deemed dysfunctional, the cornerstone of Kenku Island—on this day rose back into the sky.

Adeline took the entire Alchemist Association headquarters and flew towards the continent.

If no one wants to act against the Church, I will.

Isolating from the world solves nothing.

The World Reflection and Abinu's Mirror, like two guardians, circled around the Sky Fortress. At this moment, it is the mightiest war machine in history!

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