Interlude The President's Decision
“What is the situation?”
“There have been radical weather phenomena and other strange occurrences all over the world.”
“Violence is breaking out among citizens, including murder and other crimes.”
“Suicides have increased as well. Many of the dragon worshippers, especially, have committed mass suicide.”
“The distribution of food is at a standstill.”
Each report was as terrible as the last.
But of course that would be the case when the end of the world is drawing near.
“…And how much time do we have left?”
No one was able to answer my question immediately.
Not one of them made a sound, as if afraid to speak the answer out loud.
But eventually, someone had to break the silence.
A minister reluctantly spoke up.
“According to Potimas Harrifenas, we may have less than a year.”
Upon hearing Potimas’s name, I could tell my displeasure was showing on my countenance.
I cannot place all of the blame for this situation on Potimas, but he was undoubtedly the origin of these troubles.
One man’s delusions of grandeur had driven the world to destruction.
But he was also the only individual who might stand a chance of solving the very situation he created.
Thus, we could not execute Potimas, as much as it pained me.
“In addition, he stated that this is only the length of time that the planet is likely to retain its form… But the amount of time that life can survive on it is likely even shorter.”
“If I may add, the more time passes, the worse the situation becomes.”
The implication was that if I was going to make a decision, I must do so with haste.
These men and women who had followed me all this time were resolved to abide by my decision, even in this dire situation.
In other words, they were willing to comply with my judgment as the so-called sage of the world, no matter how illogical it might be.
But while I knew I had been given the right to decide, I could not bring myself to open my mouth.
Our nation of Daztrudia was largely spared from the dragon attacks, perhaps because we forbade the use of MA energy.
While other nations suffered catastrophic damage, we were relatively unscathed.
Thus, I was now being praised and called a “sage” for resisting the allure of MA energy and continuing to condemn it, to the point where there were scarcely any nations that would defy Daztrudia.
Which is why I had to make my choice with great care.
In this situation, if Daztrudia were to say that black is white, then it would be so throughout the world.
“Hmm…”
I heaved a heavy sigh.
No matter how long and hard I thought about it, I reached the same conclusion.
As the president, as the de facto leader of humanity, I needed to make a decision even if it was a bitter pill to swallow.
“Is this truly the only way?”
I was not so much asking the others as I was confirming it to myself.
Sure enough, no one else offered up an answer.
How could they?
A long, long silence sank over the conference room.
“Tell Potimas Harrifenas to make the necessary preparations.”
“…Yes, sir!”
I said it.
There was no turning back.
That was the moment that I, President Dustin of Daztrudia, made the decision that essentially chose the fate of humanity.
The other people in the conference room lowered their heads.
I alone stood up from my chair and walked over to the window.
Through the thick bulletproof glass, the sky seemed to have lost its light, even though it was not yet nighttime.
A dull thud filled the room.
It was the sound of me striking my forehead against the window.
“A sage? How could anyone think me a sage? I am nothing more than a shameless fool!”
As I cried out in despair, I struck my head against the window again.
And again.
Over and over.
“President! President!”
Seeing my forehead split and blood begin to trickle down, a minister rushed over to stop me.
But I still kept smashing my head against the glass.
Only when three of the ministers tore me away from the window did I finally stop injuring myself.
“Scum! I am scum!”
But my words did not stop.
I continued hurling insults at myself.
“President! President! You are an honorable man! You are not scum!”
I am sure the minister meant that from the bottom of his heart, but his words rang hollow to my ears.
“We are repaying a kindness with cruelty. How can that not be called scum?! For shame, damn it all!”
My shoulders heaved as I bellowed, until finally, I lost my strength and sank into a chair.
“My name shall be dragged through the mud forevermore.”
“Surely not…”
“No, it shall. It must. So I must create that future with my own hands.”
The ministers fell silent at this.
“From now on, I will use any means necessary to protect humanity, like the scum I am. I shall carry on until my very soul is gone. That is all I can do, shameless fool that I am.”
My eyes were bloodshot, but I spoke with conviction.
“The goddess Sariel saved humanity from the dragons. And now we will offer her as sacrifice to keep this world alive.”
At that, the ministers all hung their heads.
“We will follow you to the depths of hell, President Dustin.”
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