Another Plan

No one failed to hope for good news. Unfortunately, just as Crete had told Duncan—in the end of time, there was no good news.

This little refuge, forged amid the ashes, was heading toward final collapse at an ever-accelerating pace. It was no one's fault, nor was it some localized malfunction or act of sabotage—it was the end of all things, because the time of apocalypse had come.

Rune and Helena quietly listened as Duncan told them everything, including what the joint expedition had seen and heard in the border seas, the clues discovered on Holy Land Island, Duncan's contact with the Abyssal Lord, and even the plan to "take over the world."

Duncan did not hide that last matter. He did not mind the two popes before him knowing of the world's "other choice"—and likewise, he did not conceal the fate awaiting that "future of fire," nor the end of all things shown to him by the Endtime Evangelist who had walked to the very end.

Rune and Helena remained silent for a long time. Even after Duncan had told them everything, they did not speak for quite a while.

After an unknown length of time, Rune finally let out a soft sigh. "Some things are better left unknown."

"Ignorance is a privilege for ordinary people. You do not have it," Duncan said blandly. "Now that you know so many truths, what do you have to say?"

Helena considered it seriously, then raised her head and spoke slowly. "Although the end of the world is unavoidable, there is not truly no other path left, is there?"

She paused and stared steadily at Duncan. In those deep blue eyes, as profound as the sea, distant waves seemed to be reflected. "You have another plan, do you not?"

Vana's eyes widened