(Part 2 )

“So, you said that I won’t make it time?”(renji)

“The number of fragments into which the main body of Nayfell has been smashed into is simply too big. I’m sure that by the time they revive him, you will not be able to kill all the descendants in time.”

Is the number that big?

I felt like asking how many, but decided not to in the end. I feel like I’ll only lose my motivation hearing some insane number.

If it was impossible for me alone, Souichi and the others can also help……….I thought but, if Astraera said that, the number should be so big that we won’t make it in time even then.

“Then, what should I do? If you’re going to tell me to kill a revived Nayfell again, I……….”

I alone, am not sufficient……..in terms of power, and life…….in everything.

——-the seven constraints set on Ermenhilde. Now that I know all of them, I know I cannot fight against a G.o.d all alone.

[My will to fight.]

[My will to protect someone.]

[To keep a promise to my comrades.]

[Fighting against the Demon G.o.d or his descendants.]

[Receiving Astraera’s protection.]

[Death of a comrade.]

……….and the seventh one.

I cannot fight alone. If I don’t have comrades——if I don’t have a lot of comrades, I cannot release my full strength. And above all—–I need to make a huge amount of sacrifices as well.

I am not strong enough, to once again fulfil all those conditions.

I’m sure, that if all 7 of the covenants were released, I can fight one on one with Nayfell. No, I know I can win. Because my and Eru’s……..Ermenhilde’s power specialise in killing G.o.ds.

But——

“That’s not it.”(ast)

As if she could read my mind, Astraera spoke up with a  smile.

“I, after the influence of monsters had reduced a bit more, was planning to prepare a replacement in place of nayfell.”(ast)

“A replacement for Nayfell?”

“Right now the world, due to Nayfell’s influence as well, is tilted towards the monsters’ advantage. So, I was thinking of increasing the influence of the humans (G.o.ddess) and the demihumans and beastmen (Spirit G.o.d) to restore the balance in the world.”

This is the first time I’m hearing of something like this.

But still, true, the world was currently overrun with monsters but there was no influence of humans or demihumans in Abenelm where the demons and Monsters live. That’s because the monsters and demons continue to increase in Abenelm.

While the humans get killed and decrease due to monsters, Monsters themselves keep on getting born. That does destroy the balance. That’s why, right now while the Demon G.o.d was not in existence, it was the best time to fix the balance between the 3 pillars.

“But, the demons are trying to revive Nayfell by themselves.”(renji)

“Yes. If that happens, the demons will once more point their fangs towards humans and demihumans.”

I don’t even have to think to imagine what the result would be. War will start, once more.

Children and elders will have to take up weapons once more, and instead of working on fields peacefully, it’ll turn the world into a kill or be killed world once again. That h.e.l.l, will start again.

………just thinking of it made me feel dizzy.

“And this time, the world, being already exhausted from fighting against the Demon G.o.d once, will not be able to survive.”(ast)

“You say that but you still sound pretty calm…….Or is it just my imagination?”(renji)

“No.”

When I asked that, she shook her head. Her silky silver hair swayed from her movements.

“Renji, I have only one wish to make of you.”

“Yeah.”

“A new Demon G.o.d—-Lead a new demon G.o.d that hates fighting to the throne of G.o.ds.”

But, the words she spoke were completely out of my expectations.

“…….What?”(renji)

“Did you not hear me? I am asking you to lead a new Demon G.o.d to the Abenelm continent.”

“No, I get that but………”

I understand that its necessary and important but still…

I am one the Heroes who saved mankind and the Demon G.o.d is an enemy that mankind must defeat. He’s the natural enemy of all living beings of this world. And she’s asking me to arrange for a new Demon G.o.d………..I can already imagine how people will react to this.

Because I did not give her a reply, Astraera tilted her head in confusion as she looked at me. No even if you make such a cute gesture, I still can’t easily nod my head to something like that you know?

“Do you perhaps need further explanation?”(ast)

“Please, yes.”

My voice was so flat that it surprised even me.

Looking at me like that and laughing slightly, she once again crossed her slender legs. If she wore gla.s.ses as well, she’d really look like a s.e.xy teacher, I’m sure.

The reason I thought that was because Kudou did the same action as Astraera many times before while saying that. Really, both Kudou and Koutarou are nothing more than bad influences to everyone.

“This world has not yet recovered to survive another war. So, we need to put a Demon G.o.d on the throne who doesn’t fight. If we can do that, even the monsters will go silent.”(ast)

“……….Wait, why would monsters?”

“In fact, I should be the one to ask that of you.”

“What?”

“Why did you all not realize why the monsters have become more and more active after Nayfell died?”

From just those words, everything connected inside my head.

At the same time, a heavy, very heavy……from the depths of my stomach, I leaked a sigh.

“Meaning?”(renji)

“Do I have to say everything out loud for you to understand? Or do you simply want me to say it?”

“——No.”

And , after coming into this s.p.a.ce, for the first time……..Astraera, though only a small one, but she gave a laugh that I could clearly hear.

While looking at her, my heart only felt heavier.

Basically, now that a overpowering ent.i.ty like the Demon G.o.d had disappeared, the monsters had begun to rampage and do whatever they felt like. They eat when they want, and go on rampages when they feel like it. And the one who was suppressing these natural instinct of monsters was the Demon G.o.d Nayfell. That means, the reason why the monsters were rampaging about right now was because I killed the Demon G.o.d. No, that also needed to be done but…….realizing that I’m the cause behind it, I really can’t laugh.

………..in the end, what did that monster truly want to do?

I hate nayfell.

And I’m sure, he wished for someone like me as well.

He wanted to kill and destroy the world. Yet, because he existed, the monsters were kept in check as well.

In the end,—–what lied at the end of his path? If I had lost and Nayfell had lived,……..what would have the world been like?

“Renji, when will you come back next?”

While I was feeling like scratching my head, a calm voice came to me.

It was as calm as the surface of a lake, it was Astraera’s normal voice. When I heard the same voice I had heard the first time I met her, I felt a bit relieved.

But, what she spoke was completely different from that time, it was a personal thing instead.

“……..next time..”(renji)

“You won’t come again?”

“No, I will, I think.”

“I see.”

Maybe because she has a physical body right now, but being shown a smile like that made me extremely conscious about her.

Though, even if she had been nothing but light, or should I say, a distortion in s.p.a.ce, I still would have listened to her anyway.

“Sometime soon.”(renji)

“I don’t like waiting. Please, come meet sooner next time.”

“Yes.”

While giving a vague reply, I lightly shook my head that felt a bit heavy.

“Renji.”

“Hm?”

“Since it was a rare festival, I was hoping you’d call me out in the city.”

“……….if you showed up in the city, it won’t be just a bustling festival anymore, you know?”

That’s what you care about?

When I gave a sigh while averting my gaze, I felt the pressure from her increase a bit.

“Even though I was waiting for so long.”(ast)

“……..I don’t care.”

Saying words that would be normally considered almost blasphemous, I gave a loud sigh.

“Though this body doesn’t require food, I still have a sense of taste you know?”(ast)

“I know.”

I had taken her to so many stalls before so of course, I know.

I’m sure that must have awakened the gourmet inside of her. Now leaving aside whether that was a good thing or not, why am I the only who is asked to do such things?

Even if its not me, tehre’s Souichi and Kuuki—–in fact, I’m sure Koutarou would immediately listen to anything Astraera asked. It must be because I was the first to have ever brought her out of this s.p.a.ce, I guess.

“Freshly roasted meat is really tasty you know?”

Saying things that should be weird for a G.o.ddess, she looked at me sulkily. Though G.o.ds require that they are worshipped, this G.o.ddess still loves festivals more than prayers and offerings.

I don’t know who would want to watch a peerless beauty like her eating skewered Orc meat from a stall on some street. I definitely don’t want to.

But still, this G.o.ddess really wants to eat it. I really can’t understand what G.o.ds are thinking.

“The next time I come, I’ll bring some for you, okay?”(renji)

“No, Renji, I want to eat a freshly roasted one.”

“……..is that so?”

Looks she really wants to get out of this s.p.a.ce.

Well, I can understand her. Once you learn to enjoy such things, this empty s.p.a.ce will always feel boring. I guess this also my responsibility as I was the one who brought her out of here.

“Even though back then, you’d always take me out.”(ast)

Even though she says ‘me’, she’s just one part of G.o.ddess Astrara’s will.

“It was a youthful indiscretion on my part.” (renji)

“You still look pretty young from my point of view though?”(ast)

“Why, thank you.”

“Also, I find your normal way of talking is much more likeable than this.”

“……..Sure.”

After that, the conversation ended.

“So, where’s this Demon G.o.d I’m supposed to lead?”(renji)

“………..”

But, at that she made a really surprised face.

“Are you really asking me that?”(ast)

“What, did I ask something strange?”

“No. You really are sensitive to just hostility and nothing else, aren’t you?”

Wait, is she calling me dense?

Feeling slightly sullen, it must have shown on my face as Astraera gave a gentle smile.

“The descendant you people called as a tortoise. It’s the girl you found where you slaughtered that descendant.”

“Torotise?”

Tilting my head on a word that doesn’t exist in this world, I quickly recalled something.

Tortoise. Or rather the descendant Koutarou named [Genbu]. (T/N: Genbu refers to: Black Tortoise, a Chinese constellation symbol. Google for more info.)

It was giant like a mountain, and very slow. From above, it really did look like a tortoise……it was once called the strongest descendant that lived ion Imnesia. Hearing that old name, I recalled the place where we killed it. Meaning…….

“………So it’s Solnea, eh?”

When I said that name, the G.o.ddess’ smile deepened.