The world underwent a transformation.
Not many humans noticed the change.
However, those with sharp instincts could vaguely sense that the world's appearance had completely shifted from what it had been just a moment ago.
『Can you hear me? O humanity』
Those who sensed the change, and those who did not.
Both heard the voice descending from the heavens.
『My name is Gyuriedistodiez. Some of you may have already realized it, but at this very moment, the world has changed』
A man's voice that could be heard even with one's ears plugged.
Regardless of borders, language differences, whether one was asleep or what one was doing, the voice forced itself upon one's ears and carved its meaning directly into the mind.
It was nothing less than the work of a god.
A proclamation from a god.
『From this point forward, this planet will be placed under the management of the System. I hereby declare that I have become its administrator』
Everyone gazed skyward, listening to those words.
They instinctively understood that they had no choice but to listen.
『As you are well aware, the foolish actions of humanity have brought this planet's life to the brink of extinction』
At those words, a number of humans hurled abuse toward the sky.
They were not in the wrong.
It was the dragons' fault.
No—it was the ones who had used MA energy who were truly to blame.
But the Voice of Heaven ignored them entirely and continued.
『As a countermeasure,
The voices of those who had been complaining toward the sky grew quieter.
Most humans were at least somewhat aware that they had done something deserving of condemnation.
『Do you not believe it only right that the sins committed by humanity should be redeemed by humanity?』
That voice descending from the heavens sounded to the people like nothing less than a death sentence.
『Therefore, we have decided to give you humans a chance. The System that now covers this planet is the means for that purpose』
Though they called it a chance, it was a forced-participation penalty game with no right of refusal.
A game prepared by a god.
『You humans will fight. By doing so, your souls' energy will be made to grow. You will serve as devices that fight, win, and accumulate energy. And when you die, the stored energy will be collected and allocated toward the planet's restoration』
It was, in essence, a death sentence.
Fight and die, it said.
『But if you simply die, that is the end of it. Therefore, as long as you remain within this System, we have arranged for you to be reincarnated on this same planet. When you die, you will one day be born on this planet again, and once more fight to earn energy』
Die, and still be told to fight.
『Right now, this planet has been spared from collapse thanks to Sariel's power. Rescue Sariel—whom they intended to sacrifice—with your own hands. It is simply a matter of you humans doing what they were going to do to Sariel yourselves. Simple, is it not?』
A command to accomplish with human hands what a god could barely achieve by sacrificing himself.
『This is the sin of you humans. Atone. Atone. Atone. Atone. Atone. Atone.』
A voice that rang out like a curse of resentment.
Even plugging one's ears could not shut it out.
『Fight. Fight. Fight. Fight. Fight. Fight. And die.』
Having unilaterally delivered its proclamation, the Voice of Heaven fell silent.
In its wake, people remained standing, staring blankly up at the sky.
"Was that satisfactory?"
"Yes. A splendid performance."
Gyurie tossed aside the script and asked with a disgruntled tone, but D answered in her flat voice.
With that inflectionless reply, one could not truly tell what she believed.
But even in their short acquaintance, Gyurie had come to understand that this was simply D's standard manner, so he closed his mouth without comment.
"Now then, from here on, I will have you serve as the observer and administrator responsible for keeping the System running properly. As I explained earlier, the System is designed to make it easier for humans—or rather, for all living beings within the System—to amplify their souls' power through combat. The amplified power is then collected at the moment of death and directed toward the planet's restoration. Furthermore, the souls of the dead will be removed from the natural cycle of reincarnation and reborn on this planet. To operate this System, Sariel has been conscripted as the core of the spell. Sariel's power is used to activate and maintain the System, and in doing so, the planet's collapse has been held in stasis. Sariel will be bound until the planet has fully recovered, but barring extraordinary circumstances, she will not die. The same applies to the planet. It will take time, but both Sariel and the planet should survive."
"I see. That is a relief. Thank you."
"Oh no, no need to thank me just yet. The System still has many gaps in it. After all, this is the first time even I have activated it. There will likely be many problems at first. I will make corrections as needed, but I will need your cooperation as well."
"Of course."
"In connection with that, I am granting you certain operational permissions over the System. If you discover something that appears to be a malfunction, correct it if you can. If you cannot, report it to me. I intend to check regularly myself, but it would be better to have your eyes on it as someone on the ground."
"Specifically, what should I do?"
"I don't know what kinds of malfunctions will arise, so above all, keep watch over the planet. If anything seems off, head there immediately. Also, naturally, this System cannot function without living beings. It is fine to have humans fight, but please make sure to regulate things so they don't go too far and get themselves completely wiped out. Having machines fight won't produce any growth, so it may actually be better to have them destroyed—weapons of that sort, I mean. Ideally, firearms would eventually disappear altogether. Through the System, it should be possible to some degree to prevent the use of gunpowder and the like, but that would be an additional feature once the System has stabilized. The immediate goal is stable operation."
"You have been enormously helpful with all of this. I am truly grateful. Sariel will be saved as well, even if she must remain bound."
"Yes, indeed. Even I cannot save a planet unconditionally. Sariel and the planet survive, and humanity atones for its sins. This is the best method."
At D's words, Gyurie nodded.
Believing the words of the one who herself admitted that even she could not unconditionally save a planet on the verge of collapse.
In truth, D could have restored the planet without creating something as roundabout as a System.
But she would not do so.
Because it would not be entertaining.
And for no other reason than that it would not be entertaining, Sariel would remain bound as the System's core for ages to come, Gyurie would be made to work unknowingly, and the planet's inhabitants would have to go on killing each other.
It was all for D's amusement.