At that moment, I realized something.

But before I could point it out……

[So———- could you be that you’re the aforementioned deity?]

Erika, who had moved over beside us, asked.

[My name is Thesis. You are Erika Anarveil, correct? I have heard of you. That you weakened the deity and even created a magic tool capable of sealing the organ required for casting Divine Magic.]

Erika, resting her right hand on her hip, shot me a dubious look, cold sweat trickling down her face.

[……What? Is this Erika about to be erased as a dangerous element? Did you all come here for that?]

[If that were the case, I wouldn’t have brought her here.]

As I denied it, Thesis continued.

[I hold you in high regard. Loqierra was impressed as well.]

[Oh? Are you some high-ranking deity, then?]

Some information had already been relayed in advance through Liz’s familiar.

[In terms of position, perhaps I am, but I overlooked Vysis’ misdeeds, so I am not all that admirable. I do regret it deeply though, what a grave mistake I made.]

[……………………]

At our silence, Thesis tilted her head in confusion.

[……Is something the matter?]

Apparently, she hadn’t meant it as a joke.

With a stern expression, Erika seemed to ask with her eyes:

“How am I even supposed to respond to that?”

So I……

[Anyway——– you probably already know through Liz——— but that Vysis, who indulged in all sorts of wickedness, ended up spending what could practically be called an entire lifetime in unbearable suffering, wishing for death. It’s all thanks to Erika’s cooperation.]

[Did she meet a pitiful end?]

[Yeah. A painfully pitiful one.]

[I see———– then my efforts weren’t in vain. Eve, you did well too.]

[Umu. You as well. And with this, you will finally no longer be called the “Witch of Taboos”.]

Just then……

[Um…… excuse me for interrupting while you’re talking, Touka-sama, Erika-sama…… I’d like to show Nyaki-chan around the house, if that’s alright?]

Erika lightly twisted her hip where her hand rested and said,

[My, what a troublesome child.]

Then she added,

[You could practically call this Liz’s house already, so you don’t need to ask permission for something like that every time, you know?]

[Erika-sama…… ———-t- thank you very much! Come on, Nyaki-chan!]

Liz took Nyaki’s hand and led her along.

[Y- Yes nya!]

[Onee-chan, you too, come on!]

Eve glanced at me.

[Go on. We’ll finish our conversation here.]

[My apologies.]

Saying that, Eve chased after Liz and the others as they happily ran up the stairs.

And then———– I pointed out the thing I hadn’t been able to mention earlier.

Erika was watching the backs of the three heading inside the house.

[Erika.]

Without taking her eyes off them, she replied,

[Hm? What is it?]

[Your mouth.]

[My mouth?]

[You’re smiling right now.]

Erika———- raised two fingers to the corners of her loosened lips.

[Ara…… you’re right. I see…… Yes, that’s true. I told you before, didn’t I? That I could only smile———- when Vysis has been utterly crushed beyond recovery.]

It seemed she hadn’t even realized she was smiling.

[You already heard from Liz that Vysis was defeated, right?]

Erika turned a meaningful smile toward me.

[I’d say I’m saving the honor of witnessing Erika’s “smile” for when I reunited with Fly King-dono, the one most responsible for bringing down Vysis…… but well, that would be a lie. Oh, come to think of it, Seras isn’t here to see through my lies, is she?]

[This teleportation, with Thesis-sama’s power, had a limit on how many people could come. Seras stayed behind this time.]

[I see. Well, to get back on topic———- when Liz told me that Vysis had been sent to that Purification Corridor, maybe I had already started smiling without realizing it. But…… who knows? Since Liz didn’t point it out…… maybe just now was the first time.]

Liz had simply grown used to an Erika who didn’t smile.

So perhaps she hadn’t found it strange.

It’s not like her not smiling meant she wasn’t kind after all.

[You were already smiling earlier when you were watching Liz hug Nyaki, you know?]

[Ah, was I?]

[You didn’t notice huh.]

[I suppose not…… but maybe, deep down, I wanted to save my smile for when I saw you again, Touka?]

[Yeah, you like that is nice.]

[Eh? What’s that, Touka? Getting a bit full of yourself all of a sudden?]

[No———- it’s just, I think Erika Anarveil looks better when she can properly smile. How should I put it…… it suits you pretty well.]

[Ridiculous.]

I let out a wry smile.

[You don’t need that anymore.]

At that, Erika———- softly let out a small, quiet chuckle.

Then she lifted her face and looked straight at me.

And then……

[Indeed…… I suppose so.]

She bloomed———- into a full, radiant smile.

Erika Anarveil……

Without holding anything back, smiled freely from the bottom of her heart.

I see…… So this is how she smiles.

As I find myself smiling too……

[Looks like it was worth coming all the way here to see it.]

▽

[What was that supposed to mean?!]

Erika jabbed her elbow into my side.

But even as she did, the witch was grinning.

……Yeah, she’s just embarrassed.

Erika straightened her posture again.

[By the way, Touka, you’re a Hero from Another World, right——– ……wait, what’s that deity called Thesis doing over there?]

Looking over, Thesis had placed a hand on the Spirit Tree———- the Sacred Tree.

But perhaps noticing our gaze, she returned to us.

Turning to Erika, Thesis spoke.

[May I call you Erika?]

[Ah———- yes.]

[In truth, I have a request for you. After it was decided that we would come here, I spoke with another deity named Loqierra. As a result of our discussion———- Loqierra wishes to bring you in as an assistant.]

[Me?]

[Of course, just because Vysis has been eliminated does not mean the threat of the Root of All Evil has vanished. In other words, we still require a deity to carry out the Hero Summoning Ritual. And as for the one to inherit Vysis’ position, I am considering Loqierra.]

I had more or less expected this.

So that’s how it’s turning out huh.

Thesis continued.

[However, Loqierra was greatly weakened in the battle against Vysis. For the time being, she will only be able to fulfill the bare minimum of her duties as a deity.]

With a smile, Thesis added.

[Your knowledge, insight, and talent were apparently enough to earn Vysis’ resentment. Especially that magic tool used in this recent battle, it was capable of interfering with even the organs of a deity. Both Loqierra and I value that ability.]

[……I’d rather not get pulled in, only to be suddenly stabbed one day as a “dangerous existence”. That’s exactly what happened with Vysis, which is why I fled here in the first place.]

[A Dark Elf capable of creating Sacred Treasure-class magic tools that can interfere with deities…… certainly, some among the deity may see that as dangerous. However, if you are placed under my command, as I am ranked second in Heaven’s hierarchy, I can protect you when necessary———— no, I swear that I will protect you.]

So long as she was under their control, it would be fine.

Viewed positively————-

It could also be seen as preemptively eliminating the risk of her being deemed dangerous by Heaven.

[There will likely need to be a report regarding this battle with Vysis. If, at that time, questions arise about the use of Divine Magic, it may be impossible to conceal everything. But if we explain that you are working as a “cooperator” under my supervision, within my field of view…… unnecessary complications can be avoided.]

[Forgive me for saying so———– but that sounds very convenient for your side.]

[Ah, no…… of course, if you do not wish to accept, I will give up. I will try to keep your existence hidden. However———– it is true that I would be grateful if you could lend your strength to Loqierra.]

Erika glanced toward me.

[That deity Loqierra…… can she be trusted?]

[For what it’s worth, I vouch for her. Also———- apparently, she and Vysis were completely incompatible.]

[……In that case, she sounds trustworthy enough.]

Looking pleased, Thesis continued.

[Ara? Then———— does that mean you will accept?]

[I certainly feel willing.]

[F- Feel willing……? That sounds like the standard line when someone is about to refuse…… is it difficult after all……?]

[That’s not it.]

Erika lifted her gaze toward the Sacred Tree.

[I have a certain contract with the Spirit of this tree. Because of that, I cannot leave this place. So I can cooperate with Loqierra but…… it would have to be through a familiar, or else Loqierra would need to come to this house. In other words, my cooperation would be limited.]

Thesis pondered.

[Fumu. Then, if the Spirit were to dissolve the contract, that problem would be resolved, correct?]

[Well…… yes, I suppose it would……]

[Understood.]

Once again, Thesis stepped before the Sacred Tree.

……Ah. Could it be……

Her ability to interfere with Spirits huh.

Back when we were exchanging words with Vysis in that plaza, Loqierra had said:

“Among the abilities where Thesis-sama surpasses even the Chief Deity Origin-sama———- that would be her power to interfere with Spirits.”

Thesis gazed up at the Sacred Tree, touching it as she spoke to it.

And then———— she returned.

[The contract has been annulled.]

Erika froze for a moment.

[…………………Huh?]

[As I said, the contract that bound you to this land has been dissolved.]

[No———- there’s no way it could be undone that easily……]

Thesis turned and looked up at the Sacred Tree.

[This Spirit is of quite a high rank…… but it seems she was very lonely. Until the Sacred Tree finishes filtering over a long span of time, “she” cannot exist everywhere———- meaning, she cannot leave this place. So when a long-lived race like yours came along, she was happy. However, it seems she also carried a sense of guilt somewhere within her.]

……So it’s a Spirit with a surprisingly human-like sensibility.

Erika, too, was looking up at the Sacred Tree.

[Well…… she did shelter me, and I had intended to quietly spend the rest of my life here someday…… so it’s true that I agreed to the contract of my own will. And it’s also true that I’m grateful. But——– I see. So that’s how it was.]

[So, I connected her to a “path” with Spirits in this world that seem highly compatible with her. It’s a type of connection route that would normally never be possible. Furthermore, I linked her to a Spirit of equal standing beyond the Great Illusion barrier. It seems what she missed most was being unable to “converse” with that Spirit since long ago.]

……Beyond the Great Illusion barrier huh.

At that, Erika sounded confused by this sudden revelation.

[The contract really has been…… annulled? You’re kidding…… something like this……]

Erika spoke to the Sacred Tree.

[Are you really okay with this?]

Thereupon, a breeze blew.

Erika reacted as though she had received an answer.

[……I see. If that’s what you say, then Erika won’t object to your decision anymore.]

Thesis turned back to Erika.

[How about it? With this———– the greatest obstacle should now be removed.]

[……So in other words, you’re telling me to come to the royal capital of Alion without hesitation? Is that what you mean?]

[Yes. If possible, I would very much like that.]

Thesis.

When all is said and done, she really is the second-ranked deity in the heavens.

She’s thorough where it counts, and possesses absurd power.

I spoke.

[So what’ll it be, Erika? If you’re not feeling it, you can turn it down, you know? Keeping your distance from the world and continuing to live here with Eve and Liz like you have been, that’s a valid choice too.]

[I suppose so……]

Eventually…… Erika let out a sigh and dropped her shoulders.

Thereupon, as if resigning herself, she said:

[I’ll accept your offer.]

“But……”, she added.

[I’ll confirm Eve and Liz’s wishes first. If the two of them want to continue living here with Erika, then I’ll stay here———- Is that alright?]

With the conversation reaching that point, standing around talking didn’t seem ideal, so……

We headed inside the house.

Incidentally, I had some alcohol stored in my magic pouch.

Yeah, for when I came back here.

I brought it along as a gift this time.

Though honestly, alcohol is pretty rare…… or rather, it doesn’t show up often.

I can’t even drink it myself……

Well, it does last longer than other food and drinks, which is an advantage.

When I took the alcohol out of my bag……

[Touka, I love you!]

Erika, with a huge smile, jumped at me and hugged me.

……What a straightforward Dark Elf.

After that, we quickly prepared a meal.

Then, while gathered around the table, I told Eve about what had just happened———-

[———–Isn’t that a good thing?]

She set down her fork and answered.

Liz and Nyaki, sitting next to each other, looked delighted.

They were probably thinking they might get to stay together longer.

[Even if Erika intended to spend the rest of your life here eventually, there were still things you wanted to do out in the world, weren’t there? You complained before that Vysis forced you to come here earlier than planned.]

[Well——— that’s true.]

[It’s not as though you could never return here again.]

Picking up on Eve’s words, I added.

[And it’s not like you’d have to dedicate your entire life to assisting Loqierra either.]

As if to confirm, I directed the question to Thesis, who was munching on a sweet-and-salty rice cracker.

[Isn’t that so?]

[Crunch, crunch…… Mmm, this is delicious too. Ah——– yes, I think that’s fine?]

Swallowing what was in her mouth, Thesis continued.

[Even if it’s just until Loqierra recovers about half of her ability as a deity, it will be enough.]

[Thesis-sama also says so. So when the time comes, you can return here again———- and that’s fine, isn’t it? Or, you could even come back from time to time. That way, the Spirit here won’t find parting so painful.]

Erika poured some shōchū into her cup and spoke.

[Hmm…… that would make things easier for me———— but what about Eve and Liz? From Erika’s perspective, it depends on what they want.]

Eve glanced at Liz. Liz nodded, and Eve turned to Erika.

[For us———- if Erika is leaving the Golden Demon Zone, we plan to go with you. Fufu…… in that case, what Itsuki said about not saying goodbye yet turns out to have been correct.]

I looked at Liz.

[Now the two of you can spend time in the outside world without any reservations.]

Liz held Nyaki’s hand and smiled.

[Yes!]

[……So, it’s decided then?]

I turned to Erika.

At that, she raised the white flag, saying “Yeah, yeah, I get it already.”

[Well…… Erika certainly still has things I wanted to research in the outside world anyway.]

And so, it was decided that we’d stay one night.

Erika would also need time to prepare for departure.

There would also be things she needs to discuss with the Spirit she was about to part from for a while.

That night, I was in the room I had once shared with Seras.

Nyaki was in the room with Eve and Liz.

Thesis was still at that table, drinking with Erika.

I had excused myself once Erika’s tipsiness had started to settle in.

Erika, it seemed, was enjoying the alcohol more than ever.

When I left the table, I caught a glimpse of her scolding Thesis about overlooking Vysis’s misdeeds.

At that, Thesis was just flustered and pale, letting her speak.

So now, this room held only me.

Well, Thesis would probably sleep in Erika’s room anyway.

[………………….]

Lying on my back in bed, I stared at the ceiling.

Without Seras here, the room felt oddly spacious……

[……Tomorrow huh.]

With that thought in mind, I drifted off to sleep.

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