Zaza had thought, more than once, that nothing could possibly surprise him anymore.
Veldora, who produced food seemingly out of thin air.
These abnormal feats were merely the beginning for Veldora's group.
When Beretta had dispatched the mech-armored squad led by Karman—considered the most fearsome force—in a single kick…
When Ramiris had employed unexplainable phenomena with complete nonchalance…
And when Veldora had punched and repelled the super-beast that embodied despair itself…
Zaza had sworn he would never be surprised again.
When they had a tank converted into a bus for them, he had bitten his tongue and held back his reaction. Some shock may have leaked out, but by Zaza's standards, he had endured.
He understood now that this group led by Veldora was something out of the ordinary—beings beyond the measure of common sense.
That was precisely why he had resolved to stop being surprised by every little thing.
But even so— "This can't be right!? Why—how did this even—no, what the hell is going on here!?"
Faced with the reality unfolding before his very eyes in real time, Zaza couldn't help but scream.
After all, right now, he and his companions were supposedly engulfed in scorching hellfire, their lives being burned away to nothing—and yet…
There was no heat. No pain. This surreal situation could only be a dream in Zaza's mind.
(Right, I'm dead. This is a dream—yes, a dream! That's why it's not hot. I died, and now I'm lingering in the afterlife out of attachment…)
Zaza tried desperately to convince himself.
But Veldora laughed him off.
"Kuahahaha! Zaza, you really are dense. Open your eyes and accept what's right in front of you!"
"That's exactly right! With the Master here, there's no way something like this could hurt us!"
Zaza felt a flicker of irritation at the knowing tones of Veldora and Ramiris.
They called it "something like this," but by any reasonable measure, this was an emergency—no, under normal circumstances, this would be the end. It would already be too late.
"How am I supposed to accept this!? What—what exactly is happening here!?" Zaza screamed.
Ramiris nodded along.
"Master, that's what I want to know too! I was shocked. I mean, just a tiny bit, but I was definitely shocked! So come on—what's going on right now? What is this situation? Explain!"
She had apparently felt safe knowing she'd be protected either way, but Ramiris had been just as startled. She flew around Veldora noisily, demanding answers.
Veldora responded with a resigned nod.
"You lot are hopeless. The situation is plain to see. We are carrying out our diversion as planned—deliberately falling into the enemy's trap and putting on a spectacular display of flames. We've drawn the enemy's attention, so the operation is going splendidly!"
He declared this with absolute confidence.
Hearing this, Zaza and Ramiris stared at each other in stunned silence.
The resistance fighters who had gathered were watching, breath held. They too were bewildered by the current situation and unsure how to react.
Zaza bore responsibility here. The people assembled weren't just the diversion force he led—veteran warriors handpicked from various resistance branches had also joined the fight.
After that night, through Shalma's tireless persuasion, the various branches had mobilized. They had committed reinforcements with the resolve that if they didn't act now, there would be no future, and they would face the final battle head-on.
All those who had gathered were now unified under Zaza's command. He was, in essence, entrusted with all of their lives.
Under the weight of everyone's gaze, Zaza steeled himself and spoke.
"So, in other words…we've fallen into a trap. And that's part of the plan? Also, the temperature in this area right now appears to be exceeding thirty million degrees…so why exactly are we still alive?"
He asked Veldora cautiously, his polite tone occasionally cracking with disbelief.
The readings on his internal display showed raging beams of heat. Reverse-calculating from that immense energy output, the yield was equivalent to multiple gigaton-class nuclear warheads.
Rather than marveling at his own enhanced analytical capabilities, Zaza was horrified by the result.
It was hard to believe, but this was— Generated from six points of origin— The Singular Chain Barrier.
It used the produced heat as its energy source, and as long as the heat beams raged, the barrier would persist, maintaining its spherical formation without dissipating.
Inside this sealed space, an incomprehensible amount of thermal energy was being contained— Enough to reduce any and all matter to dust.
The nuclear explosion energy generated at six points had been perfectly sealed, preventing any dispersion into the atmosphere—and was now pressing inward toward the center.
There was no escape.
Those trapped inside were supposed to be subjected to heat that would incinerate everything, along with devastating shockwaves and pressure.
The Sextuple Cataclysmic Emperor.
Zaza understood that what Veldora called "the trap" was in fact the Empire's ultimate super-weapon.
That was precisely why…
(Then why are we still alive?)
That was Zaza's genuine sentiment.
Inside this super-weapon, they could see, hear, and converse normally. The situation was so far beyond reality that it seemed foolish to even ask "why."
Zaza felt completely at a loss for where to even begin.
And yet Veldora had called him "dense."
That stung. This was no longer a matter of being smart or stupid.
"Idiot, use your head a little. As I said from the start, I knew there was a trap. Naturally, one would prepare countermeasures, wouldn't one?"
"Hold on—starting from that very point! At what stage did you suspect there was a trap?"
Zaza pressed as Veldora answered matter-of-factly.
Zaza had indeed been wary of a trap, but he hadn't been certain it was there. That was why he had asked…
"What? That woman Jiril was clearly lying. I assumed you had noticed that too. You mean to say you didn't?"
Veldora turned the question back on him with a perfectly innocent expression.
Zaza instinctively sought help from Ramiris.
"Lady Ramiris, did you notice?"
"Me? Of course I noticed! Obviously! That woman was suspicious from the very start!"
Ramiris rolled her eyes around and declared she had known all along.
Zaza could tell instantly that she was lying, but pointing it out would be unkind.
That left Ramiris as unreliable as ever.
It seemed Zaza would have no choice but to get Veldora—reluctant as he clearly was—to explain.
"Lord Veldora, if possible, I'd like you to explain the current situation and the reasons you found Jiril suspicious."
Zaza asked directly. The temperamental Veldora might refuse, but there was nothing else he could do. They were prisoners here, and the Singular Chain Barrier showed no signs of dissipating as long as the surrounding heat persisted.
But to Zaza's surprise, Veldora was more forthcoming than expected.
"Hmm, very well. It will take some more time for my World of Contradictions to dominate this energy storm. In the meantime, I suppose I'll explain to pass the time."
With that, Veldora launched into his explanation with an air of grandeur.
Some of the terms were incomprehensible, but that was nothing new. Zaza decided to listen without interrupting.
◆◆◆ Veldora was temperamental, but at this moment, he was at the peak of his self-satisfaction.
That was why he answered Zaza's questions with such relish.
Jiril's timing had been too perfect—that was the trigger for his suspicion. She had arrived right after Veldora's group, which practically screamed "be suspicious of me."
According to his explanation, Michelle had been captured.
Veldora said he had questioned this claim.
But in reality…
"She claimed she held back to avoid affecting the city, but then why didn't she flee? If Jiril could escape, Michelle could have easily gotten away."
"Well, but…General Christoph is the strongest warrior. If Michelle had held him off, that's how Jiril managed to escape…"
Zaza countered, but Veldora denied it.
"Listen—Michelle's power is immense. By my assessment, she's above Beretta. Zaza, the Mobile Body I gave you and Karman couldn't replicate that power. I believe there's a secret in her power source—a reactor that even Ramiris and I couldn't fully analyze. But that's beside the point. The real issue is this: if someone with that much power had entered combat, I would have detected it. I state with certainty that in recent days, no such massive energy response was observed. Which means no battle took place."
He said this with visible pride.
It was true. Veldora had been trying to decipher the laws of this world, so any significant energy response would have caught his attention immediately. The absence of one proved no combat had occurred.
Having noticed this by chance, Veldora had seized upon it to earn Zaza's group's respect.
At the peak of his smugness, this was the perfect opportunity.
"Now that you mention it, you're right. My masterpiece turned out beautifully, but the output didn't quite reach what I'd hoped. It's probably the limitation of the repurposed engine—the fusion reactor."
"Ramiris, that discussion can wait. The issue right now is why Jiril claimed Michelle was captured."
"Why? What do you mean…?"
Veldora was interested in the engine, but that could come later. Right now, he wanted Zaza's group to acknowledge his greatness, so he pressed on with his explanation—nominally answering Zaza's question, but really just making up plausible-sounding reasons.
"I can't say how much of Jiril's story is true, but what reason would there be to keep Michelle alive?"
"W-well, Michelle holds the position of Governor—the de facto ruler of the city, essentially a queen. Killing her could have repercussions for the Southern Cities. Moreover, she's an imperial princess. Even with all the trust the Emperor places in General Christoph, executing Michelle unilaterally would be impossible."
Even with concrete evidence of her connection to the resistance, the justification for execution would be weak—so Zaza argued.
Hmm, Veldora thought, but maintained his knowing expression and nodded.
"Precisely! Given those circumstances, doesn't the story of Michelle and this Christoph fighting each other seem suspicious?"
"But wait—if someone considered Michelle an obstacle, wouldn't they try to kill her? It'd be way easier than keeping her alive and captured."
Here Ramiris made a sharp observation, in stark contrast to her usual airheaded demeanor.
Veldora panicked internally.
(What are you saying, Ramiris!? I had such a beautifully structured explanation going—now we're right back to square one!)
Zaza saved the flustered Veldora.
"No, Lady Ramiris. Lord Veldora is absolutely right."
Zaza slowly laid out his thoughts.
(Oh? Zaza, keep going!)
Veldora cheered him on silently.
Oblivious to this, Zaza continued.
"Indeed, for someone who wanted her dead, killing Michelle would have been simpler. But as I explained, the justification for harming her is weak. However, if we think about it differently—"
That, Zaza said, was proof that Jiril's words were a lie.
If Michelle had been captured with evidence and was going to face a military tribunal in the capital, that would be one thing. But Christoph suddenly moving to execute her—that was inconceivable.
"I was hasty in believing it too, but when I think about it, someone as cautious as Michelle would never make the foolish move of openly defying the Empire. The most natural conclusion is that we were lured into a trap…"
The leaders of reinforcements from the various branches nodded at Zaza's words. The name "Flash Princess" Michelle had spread throughout the resistance, and considering her achievements and position, everyone agreed Zaza's deduction was correct.
"I get it! Michelle never imagined that her trusted adjutant would betray her! I feel the same way—I can't even imagine Beretta betraying me!"
And Ramiris, through sheer guesswork, arrived at the truth.
Veldora nodded.
"So you understand. I saw through everything from the very start! That's why I've been on guard, protecting you all!"
He roared with laughter—Kuahahahahaha—and said this with great fanfare.
Pleased that admiring gazes were directed his way, he savored the moment.
Needless to say, it was all coincidence.
He hadn't been particularly suspicious of his conversation with Jiril either.
Handling the Sextuple Cataclysmic Emperor had simply been a matter of maintaining a barrier he had instinctively set up when everyone gathered together—not in anticipation of a trap.
Maintaining a World of Contradictions that guaranteed everyone's safety no matter what happened was, for Veldora, as effortless as breathing.
Veldora's Ultimate Ability, King of Chaos, boasted this level of broken efficiency.
Having deciphered the laws of this world, Veldora had become a being of complete, absolute irrationality.
And so Veldora succeeded in winning everyone's admiration.
"I thought you all were suspicious too. More to the point—Zaza, you should put more effort into mastering that body of yours."
With these parting words and an air of superiority, he wrapped up his explanation.
◆◆◆ Zaza's respect for Veldora deepened.
He was completely deceived, yet harbored no suspicion whatsoever.
The same was true for the entire resistance.
But they weren't fools, and they remembered that the critical question had been glossed over.
"I understand that Lord Veldora saw through the trap and protected us. But about this trap—how exactly does it work? I don't understand it at all. We've been caught in a nuclear explosion…haven't we?"
Yes, that was the biggest mystery of all.
Seeing through the trap—fine. That was impressive. But couldn't he have just avoided it instead? Zaza wondered.
What level of confidence—or rather, what technology—would it take to neutralize a nuclear explosion?
(No way. No freaking way. We're completely engulfed in the blast, yet we don't feel the impact or even the heat. This isn't about technology…)
His internal sensors and his experience told him one thing: this phenomenon was inexplicable.
By Zaza's understanding of science—even projected several generations into the future—this should be impossible.
Exchanging glances with his resistance comrades, Zaza posed the question on their behalf.
"Hmm, you still don't understand? As I said, it may be beyond your level. Simply put, the generated heat, shock, toxins, and so on have been guided to avoid you. I directed them with specific intent."
Veldora answered breezily, leaving Zaza and the others stunned.
"Impossible! We've never heard of such technology!"
"Are you saying you've defied the laws of physics!?"
"That would make you like a god from mythology!"
The resistance fighters clamored loudly, one after another. None of them could believe it, and the uproar showed no signs of settling.
"Hmm, I thought you wouldn't believe me. Well, can't be helped. Humans are creatures who can only believe what they can understand. It seems that's true in this world as well."
Veldora laughed cheerfully and abandoned any further explanation. He hadn't been trying to deceive anyone—he had told the absolute truth, but it was so extraordinary that no one could comprehend it.
But Zaza remembered Veldora's earlier words: "Then let me teach you. I am a visitor from another world—a crystallization of supernatural power, you might say. To put it simply, I am a dragon who commands the storms."
(Could it be…no, that's impossible…)
Doubt flickered through Zaza's mind, but he had no time to dwell on it.
Veldora grinned fearlessly and announced something outrageous.
"Now then, I've assessed the situation. Our welcoming party appears to have arrived—shall we begin the diversion in earnest? Karman seems to be fighting hard too."
The resistance fighters were lost, but Zaza understood. His sensors displayed Karman entering combat mode.
And if he'd had access to this function from the beginning, Jiril's lie would have been exposed immediately.
(Now this is impressive…)
Zaza was awed, but a problem remained. They were currently trapped in an inferno. Veldora's power had kept them safe, but they were still sealed within the Singular Chain Barrier.
To proceed with the diversion, they first needed to get out—and as long as they couldn't, there was nothing they could do.
"Lord Veldora, the Singular Chain Barrier won't dissipate until the thermal energy inside has been consumed to some degree, will it?"
The Singular Chain Barrier was initially activated by external force in its first instant. After that, it converted the heat generated within into energy, maintaining its activation at full strength.
Right now, it was keeping the immense pressure differential between inside and outside perfectly sealed.
As long as they were separated by this peerless barrier, the resistance army would remain powerless.
But Veldora was unmoved.
"Hmph, trivial. Don't underestimate me, Zaza. Why not simply shatter a barrier like this?"
He made this outrageous statement with a casual air.
"No, no, no—that can't be—"
Zaza tried to say "surely that's impossible," but the words never left his mouth.
Because right before his eyes, Veldora shattered the Singular Chain Barrier.
"Draaaaaagon Punch!"
With a single punch.
Idiot, Zaza thought.
He had sworn he wouldn't be surprised anymore, and yet Veldora kept doing the impossible, as if to mock him.
I'm exhausted, Zaza sighed.
Veldora was right, of course—humans were creatures who believed what they wanted to believe. Zaza understood this viscerally now.
That was precisely why he decided to stop doubting and trust Veldora completely.
"You truly are something else. Then I'll put the power you've granted me to the fullest test as well!"
Zaza grinned and spoke, his voice free of hesitation. All his worries had blown away.
In this ruined world, Zaza had found hope.
And it wasn't just him.
"Kuahahahaha! Zaza, you've finally got a decent look on your face. Good—now let's go! Let's show them our power!"
Veldora roared and flew off with spirited abandon.
His voice was joyful, and it pierced through the darkened hearts of the resistance fighters.
"My Lord Zaza, this old man has seen hope for the first time in a long while."
"Same here. Let's do this. Who cares if Michelle is friend or foe? Let's tear things up and give the Empire a run for its money!"
"Yeah, that's right. If she turns out to be an enemy, we'll just take her down together!"
Yes.
The resistance fighters, long consumed by resignation through years of hardship, had—just like Zaza in this moment—placed their trust in Veldora.
"Yeah, the enemy isn't the Empire. It's our own hearts—the ones we'd already given up on! Come on—let's put on one hell of a show and make sure we don't drag that man down!"
Zaza pumped his fist in the air and shouted.
Everyone laughed and nodded in agreement.
The enemy was the mighty Empire.
But Zaza's side had something the Empire's logic couldn't account for—a child born of the unreasonable.
There was no way they could lose—and with that conviction, they charged onto the battlefield.