Chapter 443: The Night Breaks Into Dawn

At Thesis’s request,

“Bring Vysis to the castle courtyard later”

————-that was what she asked for.

It seems Loqierra is handling things with Thesis right now.

[Looks like you’ve come.]

Seras said, a hint of relief in her voice, already having switched places with Itsuki to be here.

[From here on, we have no choice but to leave it to Loqierra for the moment.]

We couldn’t just leave Vysis here unattended.

I waited here with Seras.

[……………………]

Vysis, who had been looking completely exhausted until now……

The moment word arrived that Thesis had reached the castle.

Her demeanor changed———- or at least, it seemed that way.

I’d deliberately received the report in front of Vysis to gauge her reaction.

This is…… difficult.

You could say she sees it as an opportunity.

Or you could say she looks afraid.

————The night has passed.

Judging from the time, the sky outside should be starting to lighten soon.

[Touka-dono…… will this be the end?]

Without taking my eyes off Vysis, I replied:

[I’ll bring it to an end.]

▽

[Thanks for waiting.]

Loqierra arrived.

She was perched on the shoulder of one of Mira’s knights.

[I thought you’d be waiting in the courtyard.]

[That was the plan, but before heading there, Thesis-sama said she wanted to meet you first.]

Loqierra had brought several more of Mira’s knights with her.

They would be the ones carrying Vysis, whom I had just put under <Sleep>.

We left the prison and moved into the castle’s corridor.

A few more knights were standing by there as well, extra manpower in case anything was needed.

Loqierra hopped from the knight’s shoulder onto mine.

[As for that one’s <Sleep>, could you undo it?]

Itsuki lay on a stretcher.

When switching with <Seras>, I had cast <Sleep> on Itsuki.

I dispelled the <Sleep> on Itsuki.

Her eyes blinked open.

Then she jolted upright and scanned her surroundings.

[———E- Elder Sis!? She’s still alive, right!?]

Seeing Loqierra, Itsuki rushed toward her.

And Loqierra——— smiled.

[Relax. She’s fine now.]

Emotion surged up, and Itsuki’s eyes grew moist.

This must be the first time she realized Thesis had arrived as well.

After wiping at her eyes, she blurted out:

[W- Well! I mean, it’s not like Elder Sis would die that easily or anything! She’s like a phoenix, she’ll rise again and again! Yeah! I knew that!]

She laughed brightly, scratching the back of her head, then crouched down on the spot.

Burying her face in her crossed arms, she spoke in a choked voice:

[……I’m so glad, Elder Sis……]

Seras watched her with a gentle expression, relieved that both had been saved.

I asked.

[What about Sogou?]

[I had her handled.]

Loqierra winked at me proudly.

[Thesis-sama healed her thoroughly.]

[———-I see.]

So both of them survived.

[It’ll take a bit longer before she regains consciousness though.]

[Arehh?]

Itsuki reacted with confusion.

As if she’d just noticed something.

Slowly, she brought her hand to her left eye.

[I can…… see? I mean——— Have I recovered?]

Yes.

The deep, painful scar that had run across Itsuki’s left eye was gone.

The eye that had been destroyed was fully restored.

Vysis’s <Heal>.

I’d heard before that it was capable of restoring severed wrists and fingers of the Heroes but……

[If not much time has passed, or if the severed part is still intact———– under those conditions, the chances of restoring it go up.]

Loqierra explained.

[But only a Deity of Thesis-sama’s caliber could manage something to this extent———— and more importantly……]

Loqierra looked at the sleeping Vysis.

[Without the enormous amount of primal essence Vysis had stockpiled, it would’ve been impossible.]

So that was why she brought the sleeping Itsuki along.

It wasn’t only Itsuki who had been restored.

Gio’s arm as well.

Zine’s leg too.

And of course, Hijiri’s fingers———– her arm.

It’s just……

[The only thing we can’t do anything about is the dead……]

That was why Ikusaba Asagi would never return to life.

Whether Thesis would arrive before Hijiri and Sogou died, Loqierra had been anxious about that the whole time.

Once someone dies, even the <Heal> cannot bring them back.

Not even a God can reclaim a lost life.

We had expected as much.

[————I, too, would like to offer my thanks to this Thesis-sama.]

[Is that person the human in question?]

The knights stepped aside to make way.

And the one who appeared through the opening was———–

Hair of silvery white, almost pure white.

Long hair parted left and right from the very top of her forehead.

Her strangely narrow eyes———— either slitted like threads, or possibly shut entirely.

Because of that, no emotion could be read from her gaze.

She was tall.

In her right hand she carried a long staff.

It resembled a monk’s shakujo.

She wore something like a tiara on her head.

At first glance, the impression she gave was almost statue-like.

Compared with Vysis or Loqierra, she definitely looks like an actual God.

Sacred, solemn…… that kind of atmosphere.

……Also.

Like the other two goddesses, her outfit had a strangely high degree of exposure.

Maybe that was just how their species dressed.

[I am Thesis.]

The voice with which Thesis introduced herself was clear, calm, and filled with dignity.

[Your name was Touka Mimori, yes? For addressing the matter of Vysis’ rebellion, your efforts were commendable. Thanks to your———-]

[Now, you don’t go “commendable” here, right!?]

Loqierra———- was angry.

[What are you acting all high and mighty for, Thesis-sama!?]

Even I couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.

[L- Loqierra…… I am the second in rank, after all…… Maintaining a certain degree of dignity is important for me, you see……]

[You ignored my concerns and let the abnormalities in this world fester, and now you think you have the right to act dignified!? You’re being way too arrogant!] Ꞧ𝘈ꞐÓ𝐁Ës

[I- I’m sorry……]

Her expression didn’t change, but somehow, Thesis looked pale.

……This is a bit different from what I’d imagined.

[Well, at least you came, so fine!]

With her head angled downward, Thesis mumbled quietly.

[Possessing the Factors of “One who Seals” and “One who Ends”, when someone who possesses the Factor of a God of “Betrayal” says that…… it becomes rather uncomfortably convincing, you know……]

“One Who Seals”

“One Who Ends”

Those were words I’d heard somewhere before.

Yes, if I’m not mistaken———— Norse mythology. Loki.

The name Loki had such meanings attached to it.

Maybe there was some connection there.

[Whaaaaat!? If you’ve got complaints, say them clearly, Thesis-sama!]

[N- Nothing at all…… Please don’t get so angry…… It’s frightening when you’re angry……]

Thesis-sama.

……Yeah, she really is different.

From what I expected.

[Come on, do it properly!]

[Ahem…… Though the chaos in Heaven left us with little leeway, it was completely our mistake to label the minor abnormalities of this world as “lacking urgency”. I sincerely apologize……]

Thesis bowed her head.

Seeing a superior (?) being berated by a subordinate…..

[No, well…… I hear things were rough on your side too……]

———-I ended up feeling bad for her, and even covered for her.

[More importantly, Thesis-sama.]

I straightened my posture and words.

[Thank you deeply for coming despite your duties in Heaven. Not only for saving Takao Hijiri and Sogou Ayaka, but also for using the <Heal> on those who lost arms and legs in battle…… I’m truly grateful.]

I said with a bow.

Loqierra, standing on my shoulder with her arms crossed in a huff, said,

[Hey, hey, you don’t have to treat her that politely!]

I lifted my head slightly and glanced at Loqierra on my shoulder.

[Maybe you’re not calm right now, but Thesis-sama is a higher-ranking Deity than you, right? I’m grateful you’re angry on our behalf…… but acting like that in front of everyone else isn’t really a good idea. Like she said earlier, Thesis-sama has her own position to maintain.]

[Ugh…… a- a fair point I can’t argue with…… unn, you’re right…… I was being a bit childish……]

Loqierra———– apparently having cooled down———- sat formally in seiza on my shoulder.

Then she apologized meekly.

[I’m very sorry, Thesis-sama…… You rushed here for us and even performed restoration treatments…… Please forgive all the rude things I said……]

[Well…… we, too, were at fault for dismissing your warnings, never imagining things would turn out like this……]

After rushing here and completing the series of treatments, Thesis had received an explanation of the incident from Loqierra.

In considerable detail.

Having learned more than she knew during their earlier communication, Thesis revised her thinking.

Perhaps———–

She judged this to be a threat on par with the Ragnarok Second that had once occurred in Heaven.

[……However.]

Regaining her solemn air, Thesis quietly looked down at the sleeping Vysis.

[I never imagined Vysis would plot something like this……]

[You said earlier you’d been concerned beforehand, but…… honestly, I underestimated her too. So I need to reflect on that as well……]

[And also———-]

I felt as though a light deep within Thesis’s narrow, threadlike eyes fixed itself upon me.

[The power to slay Gods huh.]

She was looking at me as though she were trying to discern something.

[Even though one must first destroy the Primordial-type Nullification Charm———– the Forbidden Curse <Dispel Bubble> with an equivalent force…… against a Deity that possessed Anti-Deity abilities like this time…… that power might indeed serve as a trump card.]

Thesis turned her face back toward Vysis.

[Now then———–]

She spoke with solemnity.

[Move Vysis to the plaza from earlier.]

▽

On the way to the plaza, I leaned toward Seras beside me, keeping my eyes forward.

Loqierra had moved onto Thesis’s shoulder and was deep in conversation with her.

I whispered softly into Seras’s ear.

[Did something trigger during the truth-detection?]

[No, nothing in particular.]

[……I see.]

We crossed through an interior corridor of the castle.

From the half-open walkway, the garden, still wet with morning dew, was visible.

When I looked up…… the sky was beginning to brighten.

I moved my face away from Seras and spoke while gazing at the sky turning pale.

[The night has passed huh.]

A drop of dew fell, off the tip of a leaf in the garden, bowed under its own weight.

[……Seras.]

[Yes, what is it?]

Still walking side by side, I leaned towards her again.

Then I whispered a certain phrase into her ear.

Perhaps it took her a moment to process it———-

Her reaction came several beats late.

[………………——–! T- T- Touka-dono!?]

And then———

Her ears flushed a soft cherry pink all the way to the tips, Seras stumbling in confusion.

She turned her face toward me, flustered, her expression in disarray.

[Ah———- no, I feel the same but…… w- why so suddenly? Out of nowhere, something like that…… I- It makes me happy, but———]

[You seemed so tense. After the final battle, you didn’t let yourself fall apart at all…… so I thought I’d help loosen you up a bit.]

She bowed her head, as though steam might rise off her, shoulders drawing in tightly.

In a small voice, she murmured:

[P- Please don’t tease me so……]

[It wasn’t just teasing though.]

[———Eh?]

[You knew it already, right?]

[Ah……]

[I wasn’t lying.]

[……y- yes…… thank you……]

At some point, Loqierra had turned around to look our way.

She was giving me a flat, deadpan stare.

With a teasing grin.

……Yeah, yeah, I know exactly what you want to say.

Ignoring her, I asked Seras:

[Are you feeling alright?]

[Ah, yes. I was allowed to sleep a little as well, so I’m fine. If anything…… you’re the one I’m worried about. You haven’t slept at all since yesterday, have you……?]

[……Once I’ve confirmed an “ending” I can accept, I’ll sleep. Deeply. When that happens……]

I looked ahead at the sleeping Vysis being carried along.

And then, I spoke.

[When that happens, my journey…… ends there.]

▽

A considerable number of people and familiar faces had gathered in the plaza.

Neia’s Queen———– Cattleya Stramius.

Mira’s Mad Emperor———– Falken Dotzine Mira Dias Ordzit.

Bakuos’ Black Dragon Knight———– Gus Thornfield.

Alion’s Duke Polarie.

Urza’s Dragonslayer, Banewolf.

Faraway Country’s Leopard Light Army’s Commander———– Geo Shadowblade.

The Serpentine Light Army Commander———– Armia Plum Lynx.

The Horse Light Army Commander———– Qir Meiru.

The Captain of the Royalguards———– Gratora.

The one coordinating the monsters, Cerberus Roa.

Adding the representatives from various nations, they formed a modest crowd.

Also present was Nyantan Kikeepat.

Munin, and the Kurosagas.

The Heroes.

However, among them were no signs of Takao Hijiri or Sogou Ayaka.

It seems they had not regained consciousness yet.

Takao Itsuki and Kashima Kobato were standing side by side, seemingly chatting about something.

……Kashima had really grown close with the Takao Sisters.

Meanwhile, Nyaki was waiting in another room inside the castle.

There, Liz’s summoned familiar and Munin’s daughter Fugi were also present.

Slei was spending time in that room as well.

In this plaza———– a cruel scene might unfold.

At least, those around there were probably better off not being present.

Judging so, I consulted with Munin and Nyantan before deciding.

A few classmates had also chosen to wait in another room.

They might witness a bloodier scene than expected.

Even as Heroes who had seen such sights during previous battles……

Some things are simply intolerable.

And so, I recommended Kashima stay in the other room too, but she said:

“I’ve already made the decision to enter that labyrinth myself…… and, well, somehow———- I feel that witnessing this is my duty. Perhaps…… by witnessing it, I can create a sense of closure within myself for what has happened in this world……”

With that, she appeared in the plaza.

Other than a few exceptions, there hadn’t been any formal assembly called.

Yet word must have spread from person to person.

Naturally, a considerable number of people had gathered here.

[Pigii!]

A now-energetic Pigimaru had returned to my arms.

Of course, Seras was also by my side.

And———–

[Finally, Erika’s wish has come true, hasn’t it?]

Next to me, Eve spoke.

Looking a bit disappointed as she added,

[According to Liz, she still hasn’t recovered enough to connect with her familiar……]

In this decisive battle, one of the major contributors was undoubtedly Erika.

Being able to seal what they called a Divine-class magic was especially significant.

After hearing Loqierra’s account later, I thought even more so.

“Vysis isn’t a Combat-type Deity, so Combat or Spell-type Skills weren’t really her strength…… but this time, she had super-enhancement from the Black-Purple Orbs. Just thinking about how strong her Deity-class magic might have been in that state…… I really don’t want to imagine it.”

Thanks to Erika’s special magical tool, Vysis couldn’t use that Deity-class magic.

I had practically no information on Deity-class magic myself……

Loqierra had also said,

“There was a chance that the magic itself mutated due to the enhancements of the Black-Purple Orbs.”

In other words, it was hard to even speculate what effect the spell might have had.

Eliminating such a powerful, unknown spell during the battle was huge.

[Mimori-dono.]

The voice calling out was———-Thesis, standing in front of Vysis.

Vysis was now lying face down, asleep in the center of the plaza.

[May I have you release <Sleep>?]

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