So I'm a Dragon, So What? - Game System-Chapter 48: Pontiff!

Meanwhile...

The Pontiff, upon receiving the news, had a faint light flickering in his eyes, dancing in the candlelight.

Pontiff Dustin, leader of the world's largest religion, the Word of God, used it to unify humanity.

He possessed the Ruler skill [Temperance], allowing him to reincarnate with his memories intact.

Theoretically, as long as humanity survived, he was immortal. His philosophy was to save humanity, to ensure its continued existence in this world.

"Flamebright City... that seems to be a human city that follows the Goddess Religion..."

"Ah well, for the greater good of the human race, such details don't matter." He ordered his subordinates to go and support Flamebright City.

Although Flamebright City was a Goddess Religion stronghold, wiping out the Goddess Religion and saving humanity weren't mutually exclusive goals in his mind.

Humans were inherently fragile. If Flamebright City fell after a desperate defense, the news would send shockwaves throughout the entire human kingdom!

Those humans still clinging to a sliver of hope would likely have their spirits crushed instantly.

Conversely, if the Word of God could repel the spider army, it would surely attract many new followers.

...

"What?! Are you sure this information is accurate?" On the city walls, a defending soldier, after hearing the report, shot to his feet, his eyes filled with terror.

A hundred thousand spider monsters attacking Flamebright City?

They would probably devour all seven hundred thousand inhabitants, flatten the city, and then move on to the next few major human cities!

The consequences were unthinkable! This news was too shocking!

Even more terrifying? They had less than four hours to prepare before the spider army arrived. The soldier looked at his nearby comrades with a bitter expression. With just their numbers, it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot utterly futile!

"We're done for!"

"What are we going to do?!"

"If this city falls, my family will be eaten by those horrible spider monsters!"

"I don't want to die! My little sister is waiting for me to take care of her!" A torrent of chaotic thoughts flooded the minds of the city guards. Fear instantly gripped them.

Why our city? What did our city do to deserve an attack by a hundred thousand spider monsters?

The guard who had first heard the news of the hundred thousand spiders was now completely overcome with despair.

His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood, yet he didn't even notice.

He had his own family, his fiancée. He thought of all those who went to war, making promises to return and marry their sweethearts... how many of them ever came back alive?

A chilling cold spread through his heart; he was terrified.

In that moment, they all felt how insignificant their own strength was!

"Lord Ronandt!"

"Lord Ronandt is here!" Suddenly, the crowd parted.

Hearing the name of this renowned figure, the despairing soldier felt a flicker of hope and looked in that direction.

A young woman was supporting the human mage Ronandt as he slowly approached. Seeing Lord Ronandt arrive at the front lines, everyone felt a little calmer.

After all, this lord was humanity's foremost mage.

He had dedicated his entire life to pursuing the pinnacle of magic; his magical expertise was unparalleled in the human world. His arrival gave everyone a much-needed boost of confidence.

"Lord Ronandt, please, tell us what to do!"

"What can we possibly do?" At this moment, Ronandt appeared before them like a savior.

After being defeated by Kumoko, Ronandt had reflected deeply and then relentlessly hunted monsters to level up.

He was now a Level 45 Archmage. At this level, among humans, he was in a league of his own! Only he could possibly defend this city!

"What did the Pontiff say? Can they save some people?" someone asked Ronandt hopefully.

Although they knew Lord Ronandt was strong, facing a hundred thousand spider monsters, even he would be overwhelmed.

If the Pontiff was willing to send aid, they might have a slim chance of survival.

However, Ronandt simply shook his head. "The Pontiff hasn't made any move yet."

"After all, this city follows the Goddess Religion. The two religions are like fire and water. It's unrealistic to expect the Pontiff to send troops to fend off the spider army," Ronandt stated flatly.

As his words fell, a wave of despair washed over everyone present.

"Everyone, prepare for the final battle! We must protect this city, no matter the cost!"

"Don't worry, this old man will fight alongside you until the very last moment!"

"We... will all be heroes of this city! Our souls will be immortal!" Ronandt declared, his voice filled with passion.

Hadn't he pursued the pinnacle of magic precisely to save humanity? Now that humanity was in peril, he would undoubtedly contribute his strength.

"Yes, sir!" The city guards, after a brief silence, responded with firm determination. This city held their families, their friends, countless memories. They were willing to fight for it!

At the Adventurers' Guild, many adventurers were armed and ready. Hero Julius drew his sword. It glinted captivatingly under the moonlight.

Though his level wasn't high, his stats were over a thousand, making him quite strong among the adventurers.

As the Hero, he had to fight for humanity!

But just then, chaos erupted at a nearby inn. "What's going on?" Julius asked a soldier who seemed to be of higher rank.

"Hero Julius!"

"Lord Anthony has captured a man who was secretly harboring a spider-type magical beast! We are currently interrogating him!"

Before Julius could even speak, Lilith, standing beside him, seemed even more anxious than he was.

"It must be Lord Elliot!" The young woman remembered that only Elliot had that little pink-and-white spider with him.

But Lilith would stake her father's honor that this little spider was a completely different species from the spider army attacking Flamebright City!

Right now, panic gripped the city. Especially after learning that spider-shaped monsters were attacking, the anxious populace wanted to destroy anything that even remotely resembled a spider.

Even octopuses were being burned. It was useless, of course, but the restless people were desperate to do something.

When they heard a man was carrying a spider-type monster, it was like a raw nerve had been touched.

I can't beat the spider army, but I can sure as hell deal with a human who keeps spiders!

Enraged, the humans couldn't sit still.

They swarmed towards the inn where the man was staying, intending to capture this spider-keeper and vent their frustrations!

Bullying the weak, fearing the strong. That was human nature. The more dire the situation, the more clearly human nature revealed itself.

"What should we do? Can anyone tell me what to do?!"

"My children and I are going to die under the venomous fangs of the spider army, and this damned human is actually raising spider monsters!"

"He's probably a spy in the city!"

"If we die, you won't get off easy either! If we die, we all die together!" Grief, pain, fear, and despair spread like wildfire. The panicked humans had lost all reason.

Lilith grabbed the Hero's arm and hurried towards the inn. "No, we have to help Elliot! He saved our lives! We can't just stand by and do nothing!" The Hero sighed but didn't object.

In his opinion, even if Lord Elliot waskeeping a spider monster, it likely had nothing to do with the spider army attacking the city. He was probably a victim too.

Flamebright City was already descending into chaos. Various ill-intentioned people began spreading rumors and looting.

Some even stripped naked and ran through the streets, screaming and wailing in despair! The dark side of humanity was on full display.

Pushing through the crowd, the Hero and Lilith finally saw Elliot, surrounded by a mob. Many adventurers held weapons, grinning maliciously at Elliot.

The other humans acted as accomplices, shouting curses and insults. Only a single freckled young woman was desperately trying to explain something to the crowd, but no one was listening to her.

"Those reaper spiders... this man must have led them here!"

"What's there to talk about with him? What negotiations? For an anti-human like this, he only wants to destroy humanity!"

"Why are you keeping someone like this alive?! Hurry up and do something!"

Clearly, the humans didn't want to hear any explanations. Or rather, they were no longer willing to listen. They just wanted to vent their long-suppressed resentment.

Though, they weren't entirely wrong. These spiders... Elliot had indirectly led them here.

A dozen or so of them raised various weapons and lunged at Elliot. In apocalyptic times like these, order collapsed. Killing someone wasn't even a big deal. So, their actions showed no restraint.

"NO!"

"DON'T!" Julius and Lilith shouted simultaneously. Lilith was worried for Elliot's safety. Julius, on the other hand, was afraid Elliot would retaliate lethally. With Elliot's strength, killing them would be as easy as swatting flies.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Elliot's eyes were cold. A powerful aura erupted from him. The dozen or so adventurers were instantly sent flying by an unseen force, crashing dozens of meters away, bones broken, wailing in agony.

....

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