"Hehe, this professor's aura really reminds me of certain trial scenes that only play out in the Opéra Épiclèse." Wriothesley leaned on the sofa armrest, his fingertips lightly tapping the edge of his teacup as he let out a playful low laugh. "What do you think, Neuvillette?"
"Indeed." Neuvillette did not deny it. "His logic is rigorous and his wording precise. He truly possesses excellent qualities as a judge."
"I have a feeling, Neuvillette." Wriothesley raised an eyebrow. "If Professor Ratio came to Fontaine and took your seat, the prisoners would rather duel Clorinde than accept his interrogation. While comparing you to him may be inappropriate, in some aspects, his sense of oppression is indeed stronger than yours."
Neuvillette finally turned his head and looked at him calmly. "My duty is to ensure the fairness of every trial, not to create oppression."
Wriothesley shrugged. "But sometimes, high pressure can force out the most authentic reactions. Do you remember that Vacher case? Thanks to the Traveler… we pushed him until he had nowhere to retreat before he finally dropped his disguise."
"Seriously, I think you could try learning Professor Ratio's interrogation techniques. Also, I feel he's quite similar to you in some ways."
——
[Stelle spoke up to defend Asta: "She didn't mean to hide it. It's just that due to her position… some things aren't suitable to be said openly."]
[Ratio let out a cold laugh. "What position could be more important than Lady Herta's safety?"]
["…Fine. Since I've allowed Mr. Ratio to participate in this matter, he is not an outsider." Asta sighed. "It's okay, Stelle. Tell him."]
[Only then did Stelle reveal the recent trust crisis on the space station. If another vicious incident occurred at this time, it would be like adding fuel to the fire and would completely ignite the internal conflicts within the space station.]
["Oh, no wonder Miss Asta allowed my involvement. After all, the representative of the Intelligentsia Guild shouldn't have too much connection with the space station, but our stance aligns with the company's. No need to worry about bias, and it will protect the space station's interests — killing two birds with one stone."]
[Ratio temporarily accepted her explanation and was about to continue the interrogation when Asta's phone suddenly rang. Someone had posted a short video in the group chat, and its content was extremely significant.]
["There is finally a follow-up to Lady Herta's attack! The [Annihilation Gang] has claimed responsibility for the entire incident and will take further action. The Association strongly condemns this…"]
[The scene on the screen suddenly changed. A bizarre figure appeared in the center — a burning goat skull with a monocle pinned to it, standing on the collar of a suit. Flames snaked through the air as if even the screen was being scorched and crackling.]
["The gods of the universe have passed away in strange ways, having no heart to care for the insignificant mortals. Only the wounded benefactor can grant all realms the firelight of [Destruction]."]
["There are always cowardly villains who vainly attempt to refuse grace and escape the bestowed wounds."]
[The flame demon spread both arms wide, its burning goat head raised high as its laughter boomed like the roar of a hellish furnace.]
["Run, run as much as you want — no matter where you flee, annihilation will eventually arrive!"]
——
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.
The flame demon on the Celestial Screen stretched its body. The sulfurous burning smell seemed to pierce through the screen and rush toward them. Frieren's pupils contracted slightly as she subconsciously gripped her staff tighter.
"Hey hey… you've got to be kidding, right?" Stark broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead, his muscles instinctively tensing. Although it was only an indirect appearance and they couldn't feel its aura and pressure, even a fool could tell at a glance that this flame demon's strength was on a completely different level from the Seven Sages of Destruction they had encountered before.
There are demons in the universe too?!
"…[Annihilation Gang], Lady Frieren. It's an organization I've never heard of before. It seems to be under [Destruction] Nanook." Fern's expression was serious. "This guy dares to challenge an Emanator of Erudition. Could it be an Emanator of Destruction?"
"Probably. To act so high-profile without any strength, it would have been wiped out by other forces long ago." Frieren gazed at the flame demon on the Celestial Screen with a puzzled expression. "But I don't understand. Lady Herta is a key cooperation partner of the Interastral Peace Corporation. Declaring war on her is undoubtedly challenging the authority of the company's upper management. Doesn't this Emanator fear being jointly besieged by [Erudition] and [Preservation]?"
Even Phantylia wouldn't dare act so recklessly, right?
"Lady Frieren, but after thinking about it carefully, although the Annihilation Gang believes in [Destruction], they may not have received [Destruction]'s blessing. They could be an organization similar to the Intelligentsia Guild, just following a different Path." Fern reached this conclusion after pondering.
Frieren thought about it carefully… It did make some sense. But regardless of whether the Annihilation Gang had received Destruction's blessing, there was one thing she was absolutely certain of.
——This flame demon was definitely ridiculously strong!
——
["A declaration of war and a warning letter — you've been targeted. The Legion's aftermath hasn't settled yet, and the Annihilation Gang is already following closely behind. It seems that compared to Erudition, your space station has a better affinity with the Path of Destruction." Ratio spoke and couldn't help laughing himself.]
["This [Duke Inferno] Ifrit is a life born from the already-destroyed planet [Tepit]. The fire demon race that burns itself at every moment regards Nanook as their emperor and calls him their benefactor, yet they have never received even a glance from the Aeon."]
[Ratio sneered coldly. "A group of pitiful madmen. I like Dr. Primitive's evaluation: the value Nanook sees in the so-called Annihilation Gang may not even compare to a baby who deliberately smashes a vase."]
["Fire demons are naturally ferocious. Burning and destruction are their instincts. And Ifrit is particularly evil and cruel. The [Eternal Fire Mansion] he leads is even a mortal enemy of the [Jepella Brotherhood], which is also part of the Annihilation Gang."]
[Asta lowered her head in recollection. "Jepella Brotherhood… I seem to have seen this name somewhere…"]
[Screwllum: "On the Stellaron Hunters' wanted list. They were accused of being involved in the Jepella Rebellion — which led to the destruction of the Brotherhood."]
["The Jepella Palace collapsed in flames, and afterward Ifrit's forces grew stronger day by day. Do you believe this is just a coincidence?" Ratio crossed his arms. "The same thing is about to happen on the space station. As a fire demon, he is naturally skilled at the trick of spontaneous human combustion. The disappearances of crew members and puppets are all part of the plan. And after this…"]
["That video will soon spread throughout the space station. Just watch. It won't be long before the space station turns into a sea of fire."]