Chapter 441: Similar Structure

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Time has passed a little since then.

The number of crows in the courtyard had decreased.

They said most of the Sacraments scattered inside and outside the castle had now been eliminated.

It felt like the damage on our side had been kept far lower than expected.

The good news was the survival of Armia———– Faraway Country’s Lamia Knight.

When I encountered the Divine Servant Ars, he had been equipped with her sword and shield.

Had she been killed by Ars, and her weapons taken from her?

That was what everyone had assumed.

But……

“Well~~ it seems I survived by playing dead! I mean, it’s true I was injured, and after hiding under a collapsed building I couldn’t move at all! But after some time I molted and somehow managed to move again! ……Though by the time I arrived, the decisive battle was already over……”

In the courtyard where the post-battle cleanup was underway, Gio clicked his tongue the moment Armia appeared.

“……Tch, so you survived, huh. And here I was secretly celebrating that one loudmouth might finally be gone.”

Eve immediately countered,

“Fufu, so you say, even though you’re actually pleased. You sure can’t be honest. Even I, who possess no ability to discern lies, can see that much.”

Hearing that, Gio clicked his tongue again and again.

“Well…… I’ll admit it’d be boring if things got too quiet around here. And if Liese were the only noisy one left, she’d end up standing out all alone. Wouldn’t she be pitiful.”

The centaur Qir chuckled teasingly,

“Gio-kun really isn’t honest at all, is he?”

Armia nodded, following Qir’s teasing.

“This level of dishonesty must be reported to his beloved wife, Yerma-dono. Unn, unn.”

“Why the heck did she come up in this conversation!?”

Thus the strongest Black Leopardkin of the Four Warlights was thoroughly toyed with.

“Even so……”, Qir let out a soft, relieved smile.

“I’m glad you’re alive, Armia-kun. Right, Gio-kun?”

“Tch………………………………………… yeah, fine.”

A race whose lower body resembled that of a serpent———– Lamia.

Snakes sometimes feign death.

I remembered reading that somewhere.

Did Ars truly believe Armia had died?

Or…… had he judged her not even worth finishing off?

Either way———— her survival was something to genuinely celebrate.

……Speaking of life and death.

The real problem remaining was Hijiri and Sogou.

After Loqierra made contact with Heaven……

We realized Sogou had been poisoned.

Back when Hijiri had fought Vysis, Vysis had coated her blade in poison.

It seemed she had done the same again this time.

That said, the issue was quickly resolved.

Among the luggage Eve brought when she rejoined us, there were several types of antidotes.

Erika, wary of poison being used again, had prepared them.

She had divided them into sturdy vials and made her bring as many as she could carry.

Thanks to that, Sogou’s poisoning was handled without difficulty.

Incidentally, only the true Vysis had poisoned her blade.

Perhaps due to their nature, she couldn’t apply poison to her clones.

……Even so.

She truly was a detestably cunning goddess when it came to matters like this.

That said———– Hijiri and Sogou’s situation was far from resolved.

Both remained in critical condition.

They had been moved from the courtyard to another location, where they now slept while prayers were offered.

We waited with attendants for that Deity, Thesis, to arrive.

While we waited, Loqierra said she would search Vysis’s laboratory for a while.

To see if there were any other means to save Hijiri and Sogou.

“For now all we can do is pray Thesis-sama makes it in time…… and that’s assuming she even comes. If she doesn’t, I might seriously just rebel against Heaven.” ṘÁℕộ𝖇ĘṤ

She said so with a grim expression.

And then——— there’s Vysis.

Thanks to <Sleep>, she remained quiet.

<Poison> was still steadily dealing damage to her as well.

We moved her to a different location at Loqierra’s suggestion.

The place was the castle prison.

It wasn’t very large.

Inside was dark, with only the magic lamps we brought providing light.

Following Loqierra’s instructions, we chose a cell with no windows.

Now, Vysis lay face-down on the prison floor.

Her hands were bound behind her back with chains.

Her ankles were shackled together as well.

Weights had been added on top of that.

And———- on her lower face.

There’s the same restraint device that had once been forced onto Yasu Tomohiro.

While wearing it, one couldn’t speak Skill Names aloud.

The one Vysis wore was a reinforced version.

Loqierra had helped strengthen it, making use of Erika’s special magic tool that weakened Deities.

Its greatest achievement had been preventing the use of so-called Divine Magic.

It apparently closes off some sort of organ, making such magic unusable.

However———– once the tool’s effects faded, she might start using those Divine Magic again.

But most of those spells, especially the ones Vysis used, were the same as the Heroes’ Skills in nature.

Meaning: they required speaking the spell name aloud.

“Fireball”

(T/N: Flame Sphere of Divine Command / Chant: Fireball)

After we Heroes were just summoned, that Divine Magic that Vysis struck the three-eyed Golden-Eyed Wolf with.

At that time, she certainly spoke the name of the spell.

……Unexpectedly……

The foundation of a Hero’s Skill might actually be Divine Magic……

It wouldn’t be strange if both were originally abilities based on the same principle.

[……………………]

The reason why Abnormal State Skills are called the power that kills gods……

Could it be that someone created this power as a means to oppose the Deities?

If so, then who were “they”, the ones who sought to oppose the Deities?

Well, Loqierra doesn’t seem to know that either, so the truth is unclear.

……Anyway.

I take another look at the restraints binding Vysis.

Just how effective those restraints will be……

I have no idea.

When she awakens, she might break them as if they were nothing.

If the Abnormal State Skills weaken her enough that she can’t muster the strength to break them———–

If things go that way, that would certainly be ideal.

[You know, Mimori……]

The one who spoke to me, leaning back against the prison wall, was————

[Is it really safe to just keep Vysis restrained like that? Shouldn’t we, I dunno, dismember her just in case……?]

Takao Itsuki.

Right now, only Itsuki and I are in this prison.

Seras is sleeping in a nearby room———- another cell.

Her sleep has been disrupted by the use of her spirit power.

On top of that, the tension from our decisive battle and the slight emotional excitement.

She’s currently asleep thanks to <Sleep>, which can resolve all of that.

Of course, she’s not imprisoned.

We’re just using a nearby cell so we can wake her immediately if something happens.

Incidentally, as for Seras’s bedding, the strong beastkin carried it in for us.

[If it comes down to it, Itsuki…… won’t you handle things with that top-tier Skill you learned during the Yomibito battle?]

After Loqierra talked back to what seemed to be her superior among the Deities, the discussion shifted to what we should do with Vysis for the time being.

Even with Loqierra’s guarantee……

There was no telling when Vysis might suddenly move and attack.

For the time being, we decided to have Seras continue serving as the one to counter her.

However, Seras cannot keep Origin Regalia active indefinitely.

In that case———- who should take her place?

The most suitable choices were Sogou Ayaka or Takao Hijiri.

But of course, neither of them are in any state to act as substitutes.

The same goes for Zine, who has lost a leg.

Gio has lost an arm, and when it comes to facing Vysis, that leaves lingering uncertainty.

And so, the one who stepped forward was Takao Itsuki.

Though she has lost the sight in her left eye, as long as her MP issue is resolved, she can still fight more than well enough.

However, her older sister, and likely the most important person in the world to her, is currently on the verge of death.

Would she really leave Hijiri’s side to help us?

My concern was resolved by Hijiri herself, the reason she couldn’t be left was solved by the one who couldn’t be left.

In her faint, flickering consciousness, Hijiri apparently asked Itsuki.

“If there was anything she could do, she should help Mimori-kun.”

Barely breathing, she still managed to say that to Itsuki.

Even though she herself is at death’s doorstep.

She must have swiftly analyzed the situation and what was likely to come.

And realized that her little sister’s strength might become necessary.

Perhaps because it was a request from the sister she respects……

Itsuki agreed———— reluctant, she may be———- but she agreed.

After the battle, the first thing I did was cast <Sleep> on Itsuki.

To let her recover her MP.

And now, with Seras resting, Takao Itsuki is here in her place.

Hearing my words, Itsuki lets out a small groan.

[Yeah, but…… just those restraints alone still feel kinda worrying, y’know……?]

[Loqierra doesn’t want to separate any part of her main body. Not even a small piece of flesh.]

[Huh? Errr…… what’s that supposed to mean?]

[There are several reasons. One is that Vysis had been creating clones of herself. In the past, Loqierra split her own main body to escape from Vysis and fled to us. She’s worried Vysis might try something similar. However, that seems to be something unique to Loqierra———- meaning Vysis’ clones probably can’t pull off such delicate manipulation in the mental domain. At least, that’s Loqierra’s view……]

[So it’s just a precaution?]

[Yeah. Also, the fact that Wormungandr, whom the Deities thought had been completely annihilated, turned out to be alive, it’s fueling Loqierra’s caution even more.]

If any piece of her body is separated, it might become a “clone” that escapes.

Which is why she wants to have Vysis’ main body remain intact.

We also chose a prison cell without windows to prevent any chance of an escape.

[And…… Loqierra said the greatest restraint we got is the godslaying effect of my Abnormal State Skill.]

[Makes sense. But since you’re not great in direct combat, that means when push comes to shove, someone like me or Seras-san needs to handle the fighting, right?]

[That’s right. And also———–]

More than anything,

[According to Loqierra…… there’s a “method of resolution” that, in a sense, is even more certain than complete annihilation, something the Deities absolutely want to avoid.]

[Hm…… so that means Loqierra’s superior among the Deities is capable of using that “method”?]

[Seems so.]

Leaving the final handling of a Deity to another Deity might indeed be the most reliable option.

Well…… putting aside my opinions about Deities as a whole……

At the very least, Loqierra should be someone we can trust.

Suddenly, Loqierra’s words resurface in my mind.

“That’s what being a parent is, right??”

………………….A parent huh.

Since coming to this world, the amount of time I’ve spent directly dealing with Vysis is actually quite small.

And yet, I……

I hated Vysis that much———- so, so much.

” I’ll kill you, brat. “

Ah, I see now, I think.

————They overlap.

My impressions of them……

Meeting her again here in the Royal Capital Enoh only solidified that certainty.

What had been vague now took a definite form.

So that’s how it is———– Vysis resembles them.

My real parents.

Just like how I sensed that Seras and a few others resembled my aunt and uncle……

Vysis, too, resembled them.

My blood-related parents.

Hmph.

Feeling a kind of bitter irony, I look down at Vysis with a cold gaze.

In other words————

So you’re…… a toxic parent, from the perspective of the people of this world.

While keeping my eyes fixed on Vysis, I spoke.

[……Sorry, Itsuki.]

[Hm?]

[You really want to be at Hijiri’s side right now, don’t you?]

[……Well, yeah. But I’m here because Elder Sis asked me to. Besides…… My Elder Sis won’t be dying.]

Itsuki drops the gaze of her one remaining eye to the tip of her shoe.

[Ever since we came to this world, she’s been on the brink of death so many times…… but she never actually died. She stayed alive. So this time too, of course she’ll be fine——— of course, she will…… haha…… I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to brace myself……]

Her voice carries a faint tremble.

I readjust myself in the chair.

[Hijiri’s someone who absolutely can’t be allowed to die, especially here.]

Itsuki lightly taps the rugged stone floor with the tip of her shoe.

[……Unn. I mean, like…… you sure get it huh, Mimori.]

After a brief pause, she murmurs that.

▽

Alone with Takao Itsuki.

It was a rare situation for just the two of us to be together.

We exchanged a fair number of words.

Well…… if you say we’re just bored waiting here, then yeah, we’re bored.

Especially at first, Itsuki looked awkward, unable to fill the silence between us.

So I casually brought up a few topics myself.

Not that the atmosphere felt like one where we’d chat endlessly.

Eventually, maybe because she got used to it, after talking for a bit she would fall quiet again.

But there was a change.

The awkwardness that had been radiating from her earlier was gone.

……Now then.

Those who commit crimes are judged by law.

In the world I came from———– at least in my country, that’s how it worked.

But laws……

Don’t necessarily reflect the feelings of the victims.

In a sense, laws save everyone “equally”.

But in certain cases, victims’ emotions are dismissed outright.

And there are even outcomes that feel like they’re siding with the perpetrator.

So what happens when the victim can’t accept such an outcome?

What do you do when the final verdict isn’t what you needed?

Ultimately, you can’t do anything.

In my previous country, personal revenge———— vigilantism was forbidden.

So when you get an unwanted outcome, you can only swallow it and suffer in silence.

At best, maybe some kind of social backlash sparked by the internet.

Of course, some people knowingly take the risk and resort to vigilante justice.

They resolve things themselves, accepting that they’ll become criminals too.

Whether vigilantism is right or wrong, well, the conclusion is that it’s [wrong].

Yes, it’s wrong.

So you, who is wrong, must suffer in silence for life————- that’s the [correct] answer.

Or they tell you to let go of your hatred for the perpetrator.

……But, somehow———-

For someone as incorrect as me, that just “doesn’t sit right”.

At least not when it comes to that sh*tty goddess———- Vysis.

Will this “method of resolution” Loqierra mentioned truly settle my emotions?

I purposely haven’t asked what that “method” entails.

Because if I hear it, and if I’m satisfied……

I feel like I’d hate that.

If she were simply executed, her existence erased cleanly, like a death sentence————

Honestly, something like that…… wouldn’t feel rewarding.

Not for me.

Not for the people Vysis tormented.

Not for those who died in despair.

In my hands now, I have the Abnormal Status Skill.

A power with tremendous effect against Deities.

Yes…… I’ve always felt that way, and I’ve understood it from the start.

Originally, my Abnormal Status Skill wasn’t meant for combat.

I just managed to force it into combat use through loopholes and workarounds.

But originally———— its purpose was to restrain someone, or inflict continuous suffering.

……At the very least———–

Until that Deity called Thesis arrives……

You have to suffer.

For the sake of those who might find some measure of justice in your suffering.

And above all————–

To satisfy my emotions…… To fulfill my revenge.

Before long, the effect of <Sleep> wore off.

From here on———— it’s <Paralyze> time.

Vysis wakes.

Still collapsed in an almost facedown posture, she reacts as if she finally understands her situation, then looks up at me.

Her eyes widen once———– then Vysis glares straight at me.

I sit in a chair, looking down at her.

She is on the floor, crawling, forced to look up.

Come to think of it———-

This was like a reverse of that moment.

Back when I was summoned and about to be discarded immediately afterward.

Back then, Vysis sneered as she looked down at me.

And I glared up at her, filled with hatred.

[……Finally awake huh?]

At that moment————–

[Yo, Vysis.]

I wonder, was I laughing?

Or was I simply staring down at her, cold and emotionless?

Honestly, I don’t remember.

<Author’s Notes>

In a situation like this, saying something like “Finally awake huh?” really does make you sound like the villain…… (Well, I don’t think Touka is ever meant to be a purely righteous hero to begin with……)

Also, although I plan to make a separate announcement with bonus details around the 25th in the Activity Report, Volume 13 of the manga will be released on Tuesday, November 25th. I would be delighted if those interested could pick up a copy. And as written on the Volume 13 wrap band, thanks to everyone’s support, the series prints has exceeded 4 million copies in total. The number feels so unreal at this point that I’m simply astonished…… According to the editor, the momentum is quite remarkable…… I’m truly grateful. To everyone who has purchased (and continues to purchase) the books, thank you very much.

As I mentioned in the October 28th Activity Report, I had fallen ill…… After recovering once, my health dipped again like a line graph drawing peaks and valleys. Symptoms like a cold, fatigue, and above all recurring migraines…… There was even a week where I took headache medicine nearly every day. As I feared, the schedule I had planned, to finish the series by the end of the year has become uncertain, but I will do my best to stay on track as much as possible.

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