The Oldest Bondage Play?

"This was the answer I found. Humanity cannot save itself; only the Third Magic can save humanity. Even if Steel Land arrives ahead of time, I will not hesitate. So, what are your thoughts, Assassin?"

Amakusa seemed to cast Shirou a challenging glance.

"Then humanity should seek it out for itself, not have you accomplish it for them. Leaving aside what gives you the right to make this decision for all humanity, your reasoning and conclusions are wrong.

Human history rose in a spiral. Since you had lived through a full sixty years, you must have seen it too—the world really was becoming a better place. There was progress and regression, but overall, it was still progressing.

What you were doing was merely pulling up seedlings to help them grow. You thought you could let humanity obtain a better future ahead of time, but without striving for a better past, how could a better future be born? The happiness of every nation and every people was earned with their own hands. Only then would happiness be cherished. Haven't you seen what those who live off oil look like in the Middle East now?"

"By your reasoning, that is indeed true. But can you guarantee that humanity will reach a future of materialized souls before Steel Land arrives? Wouldn't humanity be more likely to remain trapped and die on this Earth?"

Amakusa Shirou chuckled softly.

That statement greatly puzzled Jeanne d'Arc.

Jeanne frowned and asked:

"Why? If you do not drain the Ley Lines, the Greater Source will remain, and Earth will survive. Then Steel Land will never come, will it?"

"Ruler, I think you misunderstood something. Steel Land is the future—a future that will inevitably come. That is likely the Lord's judgment, the process by which humanity is destined to