"I beseech you… could you…"
Seitenshi, truly the kindest soul in this world, spoke: "Could you grant them a chance to redeem themselves?"
She was terrified, yet she mustered the courage to plead for Damien's mercy.
"You're very brave."
"And very kind."
Damien could hear Seitenshi's heart. She wasn't a naive idealist but a true hero.
If necessary, Seitenshi would sacrifice her own life to save others.
Moreover, she wouldn't speak up for those who were truly wicked.
Yet she believed that not all among the masses were beyond salvation.
Even if it meant saving just one more person, Seitenshi was willing to risk her life to convey her thoughts to the divine being.
"Very well."
Damien didn't make things difficult for the young woman.
He, too, felt that Violet's calculated data was somewhat too cold.
If Violet's passing threshold was 30 points, Damien raised it by 10 to 15, allowing more people to survive.
Of course, he didn't tell Seitenshi that the criteria for judgment had been softened.
"This task is yours to carry out."
Damien said, "I want you to convey my will to the public and the leaders of every nation."
"I'll give them a final 12 hours to sincerely repent and lessen their sins."
In a sense, Seitenshi was the Noah chosen by Damien.
Damien didn't believe in the notion of instant redemption through abandoning evil.
Sin was sin, and evil was evil.
But he was still willing to grant those who could be saved a chance to reform.
If they truly repented, their souls' sins could be slightly alleviated.
This would turn a certain death into an opportunity to atone for past wrongs in their future lives.
In doing so, their souls would travel to the universe of the Cardinal World and start anew.
"Remember, this is their final chance."
"And my last act of mercy toward this world's humanity."
Damien said, "Go. Twelve hours from now, the final judgment will begin."
"You, and they, have only 12 hours left…"
As Damien's final word fell, before Seitenshi could express her gratitude, she found herself back in the meeting room.
Around her, the clamor of arguments continued, as if nothing had changed, as if she had never left.
'Such power!'
Seitenshi was certain it was no illusion but a real event.
A divine being had summoned her, tasking her with proclaiming to the world the need to atone before the final judgment.
Clap!
No longer hesitating, the young woman stood and declared loudly, "I have something to announce to everyone…"
"She's a fine young lady, isn't she?"
Violet remarked, and Damien nodded. "Indeed, she has an exceptionally pure soul."
"Are you planning to keep her?"
"We'll see…"
Truthfully, Damien was tempted.
"Next, I leave it to you, Violet."
"Of course, I'll handle it perfectly."
Damien didn't care much for the fate of this world's people.
He trusted Violet to arrange every detail flawlessly.
And so, time passed until evening.
As the sun set, a rare, vivid crimson painted the sky, casting an apocalyptic scene.
The hazy fog that once shrouded the Monoliths began to dissipate under the light.
At that moment, whether it was humans just off work or Promoters anxious over the disappearance of the Cursed Children, all witnessed a breathtaking sight.
"What… is that?"
Golden-red streams of light, like a spider's web, spread across the entire sky, piercing and dividing the world like countless swords.
Boom!
A pillar of light descended, enveloping a Gastrea rampaging through the city.
"Screech!"
A pained wail erupted from the Gastrea's mouth before it disintegrated into ash under the onlookers' gazes.
"It's… gone!"
"The Gastrea was killed by the light!"
"Is this… divine punishment?"
"It's true! Lady Seitenshi was right!"
"So there really is a god in this world!"
"…"
Such scenes unfolded across the Tokyo Area and in every human settlement and administrative district worldwide.
What followed next far exceeded the imagination of this world's humanity.
Whoosh!
The pillars of light, like divine judgments, ignored the Gastrea's defenses and regenerative abilities, effortlessly erasing them.
Whether Stage I, II, or III.
Even the eleven Stage V Gastrea, known as the Zodiacs, could not escape this power, wailing as they turned to ash.
In just ten minutes, the Gastrea that had plagued this world for a decade, killing 90% of humanity, were utterly eradicated by the light.
"Is this what Lady Seitenshi meant by the great flood sent by the divine?"
Though the light wasn't water, the vast and majestic spectacle was no different from a true deluge.
"Ah!"
But soon, as a living person was enveloped by the light and burned to nothing, Violet's judgment of humanity began.
In an instant, the world erupted into chaos.
People ran frantically, seeking places to hide.
"They're dead…"
"Run! The light devours people!"
"Hide indoors! As long as it doesn't touch you…"
"Ah!"
But it was futile.
The light defied physical laws. Even those hiding in sealed underground bunkers could not escape judgment.
From top to bottom, regardless of status, wealth, or poverty.
Under judgment, all were equal.
Finally, some of the elite recalled Seitenshi's words about atoning for past sins.
Especially when their peers died before their eyes, immense fear gripped them.
"I don't want to die! I know I was wrong! Please forgive me, divine one!"
"Lord, have mercy! Give me another chance!"
"What kind of nonsense god is this? No one has the right to judge me!"
"…"
Cries, fear, pleas, curses, and resentment.
All manner of emotions surfaced on people's faces.
But Damien paid them no heed.
It was too late.
Seeking atonement now? Where was that resolve before?
If Damien could hear their pleas, he would tell them: 'You don't regret your wrongs. You only regret that you're about to die.'
***
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