Chapter 237.2

After a while, the land came into view in the far distance.

As we left the tunnel, our field of view suddenly expanded.

Above us was the canopy, and below us, the vast Underground World spread out.

“We’ll soon enter Jiordal’s airspace. Our destination is the capital, Jiorhaze.” (Arcana)

I followed in the direction Arcana was flying.

Behind us, Shin, Misha and the others, as well as the students riding the snow dragons, were following.

“Hey, I was thinking, aren’t Jiordal the ones who attacked Azesion and Dilhade with a horde of dragons, right? Is it okay for us to be this conspicuous?” Sasha asked after catching up with me.

“According to Arcana, that was all Ahid’s decision alone.” (Anos)

“Indeed. The Royal Dragon also contradicts Jioldal’s teachings. That doctrine came from Agatha, the Kingdom of the Royal Dragon.” Arcana added.

“Is Jiordal hostile towards Dilhade?” Misha asked.

“…I don’t know… Jiordal is ruled by Pope Golroana Delo Jiordal, one of the Selected Eight. A draconid who has been granted the title of Savior. Even if he has no hostility toward Dilhade, he is an enemy of Anos.” (Arcana)

“It could be that making it all seem like Ahid’s work alone was part of his scheme.” (Anos)

Misha stared at Arcana with a blank expression and asked again.

“What about the God of Traces Revalschned?” (Misha)

“It is said that the Pope of Jiordal has inherited scriptures passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. It’s possible that information about the God of Traces’s whereabouts were passed down as well.” (Arcana)

Sasha put her hand to her head.

“Either way, we can’t get anywhere without meeting the Pope, huh. My head already hurts…” (Sasha)

“That’s nothing. If we’re going to destroy the Selection Trial, we’ll end up meeting him anyway. We should at least say hello.” (Anos)

“…You’re talking about an actual greeting, right…?” (Sasha)

“That’ll depend on how he responds. Maybe the Pope is also thinking about destroying the Selection Trial, and might even suggest that we cooperate.” (Anos)

Sasha looked at me with an exasperated expression.

“Hey, Arcana. Could you give one of your divine oracles to Anos?” (Sasha)

“He is correct.” (Arcana)

“Are gods allowed to lie?!” (Sasha)

Arcana turned around and spoke while flying backward.

“The hearts of mankind drift and wander away from order. It’s so erratic that not even gods can predict their destination.” (Arcana)

“Sure, we don’t know how things will turn out, but there are probabilities we can consider, right? If you had to bet on an outcome, which would it be?” (Sasha)

“Considering the hearts of mankind, I would say it’s impossible.” (Arcana)

“You should’ve said so from the start!” (Sasha)

Arcana smiles just a little.

“A demon child who isn’t afraid of a god.” (Arcana)

“She’s not even afraid of me either. She’s an interesting one.” (Anos)

Sasha grumbled in displeasure.

“I feel like you guys are making fun of me.” (Sasha)

Pulling herself together, she faced Arcana and asked again.

“So? In the end, is it going to be okay?” (Sasha)

“At this time of year, many pilgrims come to Jiorhaze from all over Jiordal. We’ll blend in with them.” (Arcana)

“So even if the Pope notices us, other people will see us as pilgrims, so he can’t do anything to us in plain sight. Is that it?” (Sasha)

“Yes. It’s safer to act openly.” (Arcana)

If we went into hiding, it would give him an opportunity to deal with us secretly.

Although, it was still unclear what the Pope was thinking.

“Huh…?” (Ellen)

“What’s wrong, Ellen?” (Fangirl A)

“Do you hear something?” (Ellen)

“Ah… Now that you mention it…” (Fangirl A)

The eight Fan Union girls, riding happily on the snow dragons, were listening attentively.

“…Isn’t that music…?” (Fangirl A)

“I… think so. Though it’s a sound I’ve never heard before…” (Fangirl B)

“What kind of instrument is that?” (Fangirl C)

“But, to hear it from such a high place, where could they be playing it…?” (Fangirl D)

“Hey, isn’t this a song? I can’t say for sure, but it sounds like someone is singing.” Ellen said.

Jessica listened to the sound again.

“Now that you mention it, it does sound like a song…” (Jessica)

The girls curiously listened to the melody they heard.

“You are correct, girl of the choir. We’ve entered the airspace of Jiordal. This is the song of the Divine Dragon.” (Arcana)

The girls exclaimed in surprise at those words.

“It really is a song!” (Fangirl A)

“Ellen, you’re amazing! You figured it out so well!” (Fangirl B)

“Arcana-sama, does this mean a dragon is singing?” (Ellen)

Arcana nodded.

“The three great nations of the Underground World — Jiordal, Gadeciola, and Agatha — each worship their own dragon as a messenger of the gods. Jiordal worships the Divine Dragon. The Divine Dragon is a dragon of sound, and its singing has echoed throughout the country without end since the founding of Jiordal.” (Arcana)

“Is the dragon singing somewhere?” Misha asked, tilting her head.

“That’s what the people say. Only the popes of each generation and the gods who have made pacts with them can see the Divine Dragon. I’ve never seen it either.” (Arcana)

Arcana began to descend as she said that.

A large city came into view below.

“This is the capital, Jiorhaze. We will descend to the dragon landing site.” (Arcana)

Arcana set foot on a wide plain inside the city.

The area was surrounded by a defensive wall, and there were several dragons in the area.

Perhaps these ones were accustomed to people, as there was no sign of them wanting to attack us.

They were probably dragons driven by pilgrims visiting Jiorhaze.

The snow dragons landed one after another on the plains, dropping off the students.

It was then that a thunderous sound, like the cracking of the earth, echoed from above.

“What’s… this sound…?” (Sasha)

“Look.” (Misha)

Misha pointed to the canopy in the distance.

Another loud rumble came from above.

“So you say, but my Magic Eyes aren’t as good as yours, Misha.” (Sasha)

“The canopy is falling.” (Misha)

“Huh…?!” (Sasha)

A particularly loud rumbling sound rang out, and the canopy dropped.

It was as if the sky was falling.