◆ Ruins of Avangarde Royal Capital ◆
I had no choice but to use the transparency magic “Scapegoat.” In that situation, saving everyone was impossible, and it was a split-second decision. Why did it come to this?
“Elmera… I’m so glad you’re safe…”
“Sis? Why did you protect me? You could have easily avoided it…”
“It’s not that I don’t believe in your strength… but, you know, just in case… I couldn’t help but think what if something happened…”
My sister had already exhausted all her magical power. She lay there, barely clinging to life, her body battered and unable to move, still covering me. There was no need to look around; I couldn’t even tell where the Royal Capital began or ended. We were surrounded by debris of unknown origin. In a situation like this, there was no way there could be any survivors. I could see an arm protruding from the rubble, blood flowing from it.
“Damn it… Not just me, but my sister too… Is this what Madias’s power can do?”
“The miracles wrought by Madias the Arbitrator God affect not only the Celestial Realm but the human world as well…”
“Just stay still here, okay? Ouch…”
Standing up was painful; my legs felt weak and unsteady. What should I do? Should I use the little magical power I had left to heal my sister? In the past, I would have done so without hesitation, but now I could think calmly. If something else happened in this situation, I didn’t feel like I could endure it without any magic left. That guy, Diael or whatever his name was, seemed to have already accumulated damage from me and was lying there lifeless. At this rate, I could only say that Ritta and the others were in a desperate situation. If my sister was right, the Celestial Realm should have long since vanished. That meant Rua and the others too.
“This can’t be true… You guys are invincible, right? Destruction and rebirth… and yet you defeated this Elmera…”
A chilling wind blew through the air. Captain Kirkton, who had been desperately trying to lead, lay on the ground, blood streaming from his forehead. I moved the debris off Ritta and checked her breathing.
“No way… she’s barely alive… but at this rate, it’s just a matter of time…”
Even the strongest Imagination Magic was useless without magic power. Even if I confirmed their safety, the number of people I could save was minimal. What should I do? Imagine. Imagine a way to save them, Elmera.
“To think that all I can think about is saving lives… this Elmera has really changed.”
――――Wide Area Healing Magic “Heal Rain”
I dispersed a small amount of magic power like raindrops, letting it fall. Normally, this wouldn’t be useful at all; it could only extend the lives of a large number of people by a little. Still, those with minor injuries might be saved. Depending on their willpower, even those with severe injuries might rise again. That was about the extent of it.
“This kind of thing is more in Klin’s field. Why is it that she’s never around when I need her…?”
I let out a sob, overwhelmed by despair and loneliness. I didn’t want to believe that those two had been taken down by Madias. If they couldn’t do anything about it, then this world was truly finished. Receiving the Heal Rain I had summoned only deepened my sadness.
“Sis… I don’t want to be alone again…”
“If you rest a bit, your magic will gradually recover… just hold on until then… You can do it, Elmera…”
I was so glad my sister was still alive. If she hadn’t made it, I might have just been crying helplessly in this place. Elmera was the type to wither away from loneliness. It was fortunate that the Beastkin had been there when I waited underground for hundreds of years. If I had been alone, I think I would have gone mad.
“Ugh…”
“Ritta?!”
“Ah… um…”
“You don’t have to talk. Just sleep.”
“Y-yes…”
I could barely make out her response. Could it be that my sister had done something while I was in a panic? Even so, she was coughing up blood, and there was no way I could say she was okay.
“I think my magic power is reaching its limit… Heal Rain is about to—”
Amidst the cloudy sky that seemed to reflect the state of the land, an unnatural pale light illuminated the surroundings. I wanted to hold onto some hope, but my instincts told me otherwise. There was no way help would come in a situation like this.
“…Human?”
Steeling myself, I turned around to find a small girl standing there. However, a light resembling magic power surrounded her, and from her back sprouted wings resembling those of a Celestial Being. Three on each side, like a grand angel. They fluttered just enough to suggest they served a floating purpose, but I couldn’t make sense of it. Was that light a byproduct of power? My mind was a jumble.
“Yes, that’s right! Who might you be?”
“Madias the Arbitrator God…”
Oh no, this is the worst. I understood, and it was no joke. This kid was really Madias. The voice that once spoke to me was nothing like this. But in a situation like this, there was no child around to tease me while surrounded by light. I wondered if this Madias even remembered me. Well, he must have spoken to countless beings since ancient times, so he probably didn’t keep track of each one. In other words, I was just another face in the crowd to this kid. Normally, I would have slammed him to the ground, but even if I had full magic power, I doubted I could do that. I felt almost no magic power from him. In terms of total amount, he was probably among the weakest of humans. Yet, what was the source of that power? Could this be the power of miracles?
Now, here’s the question. What should Elmera do? Should I boldly challenge this evil god, demanding he pay for harming the human world? Should I beg for mercy? Or should I silently flee? The answer was clear.
“Madias the Arbitrator God, your radiance illuminates the human world. It is an honor to meet you.”
“Indeed…”
What do you mean “indeed”? I wanted to grab him by the neck and shake him, but I held back. I was aware of the information Branburm had shared through holograms. I had my own thoughts about Madias and had come to a conclusion. With that in mind, there was one way to let him overlook my actions.
“As you can see, the human race is already on the brink of extinction. Our… my actions are beyond reproach, but even in this pitiful state, I wish for a peaceful end.”
“…Indeed.”
“After all, we are but decaying, foolish lives, with no power left to build civilization. Could you not allow us to rest quietly here?”
“…………”
Oh, he’s deep in thought. His mouth is forming a slight frown; it’s kind of cute. Why is someone like this a god? You look just like a human. The mystery deepens, and I couldn’t understand it, but that didn’t matter right now. Surviving was the priority.
“…Fading lives, receive my charity.”
“Huh?”
I couldn’t help but blurt out, “Huh?” I wondered if I had offended him. Suddenly, bread and fruit began to fall from the sky. Madias judged that a life on the brink of extinction posed no threat to the world and thus offered even charity. It was worth throwing away my pride.
“Thank you! I will savor the kindness of Madias-sama!”
“The world has been protected…”
Just as I had hoped, the little Madias began to float away. I had survived; I just needed to stay alive and seize the opportunity. It wasn’t certain that Rua and Klin were dead. If only those two were alive…
“So, you are the rumored Arbitrator God… just a mere child, aren’t you?”
“…?”
Hey, you! Death God Argil. You should have just stayed down; a tough guy like you really came back to life. Just when he was about to go somewhere, he turned around with a look that said, “Who is this?”
“Argil-senpai! Please, don’t interfere! Your actions could provoke Madias-sama’s wrath!”
“…No matter what is said, I would rather wish to become a death god for him.”
You are the death god for us, but do you not understand? I wish you would just stay dead. Could it be that you’re still stubborn about losing to Rua? Even I, Elmera, have forgotten about it. As a senior adventurer, you should be able to see the current situation clearly.
“I don’t know if it’s pride or what, but you’re taking away even the slightest hope!”
“Letting him escape here would only bring further harm. While we devise a plan, our comrades will be killed, putting us in an even worse position.”
“T-This guy… is talking back to Elmera!”
“We would only survive at the cost of someone else’s life. Do you still have something to say after understanding that?”
“Then… are you challenging him knowing you’ll die? That’s just a pointless death!”
“As someone living in the human world, I will die with my pride intact. It is not in vain.”
“No way, that’s so cool. Not that I’d ever fall for you, though. Even so, this guy must have been thinking a lot about how he can’t lose to me. He’s a senior Adventurer, after all, not some D-rank like me. I can’t underestimate him; Argil has surely faced his share of brutal battles. It’s not surprising that he has his own principles and thoughts as an Adventurer and an adult.”
“If you want to live even at the cost of your human dignity, I might consider cooperating.”
“Ah, yes, yes. I understand, that’s certainly true.”
“I wish I could erase the past where I clung to such a God, seeking power. At the very least, I want to take responsibility for my mistakes.”
Yeah, I was foolish. No matter how much I talk about Imagination Magic, in the end, I haven’t accomplished anything. Who was it that was about to cry just a moment ago? Argil may be weaker than me, but he’s challenging that God out of sheer stubbornness, regardless of the difference in our abilities. Normally, that would be terrifying. It wouldn’t be strange for him to beg for his life. I still can’t fully accept whether this is the right response.
“Then, I’ll do what I can.”
“Stay back. I can handle this alone.”
“You don’t have to act tough, you know?”
“Just watch from there.”
“What’s that? Is that your pride talking?”
“I’ll say it again: stay there and watch quietly. No matter what happens.”
So that’s how it is. Argil is willing to show me the tricks of that Madias kid, risking everything. If he sees no chance of winning, he’s still thinking of the best possible move. Despite everything, he’s holding onto a glimmer of hope. But am I really going to just watch him die? I could have easily done that before, but I’ve been thoroughly influenced by those two.
[Argil unleashed the Wind Sickle!]
Without caring about our discussion, a merciless attack flew towards Madias from behind. Four sickles rode the wind, but they didn’t head towards Madias. No, they didn’t head towards him.
“What…!”
[Argil took 263 damage! HP 203/466]
Just before unleashing his skill, for some reason, his feet got caught, and he lost his balance. He released the skill without stopping, but the sickles curved and headed straight for Argil. He tried to defend himself with the sickle he was holding for close combat, but the sickles clashed and pierced into Argil’s chest.
“Ugh, gah… why, cough…”
“W-wait a second… You messed up the skill!”
“I’ve never experienced anything like this…”
“The human race, who beguiled the God with sweet words and started a conflict…”
This isn’t just a simple failure. It’s not mere coincidence. A chill runs down my spine, and my whole body is filled with fear. What did that kid do?
“Truly a race that should perish.”
[Madias the Arbitrator God has appeared! HP 21]
What’s terrifying is not just the low amount of magical power, but everything else is the same. He looks to be around thirteen years old, with only the physical abilities of his age. His level is three, and he has already reached his limit. This isn’t unusual for those who don’t make a living from fighting. The problem is, aside from the possibility that he has skills I don’t know about, that kid is acting like a God solely because of his “miracle” divine nature. In other words, Argil’s self-inflicted injury was also caused by that miracle. This isn’t about seeing his tricks; even if I did, there’s no strategy to be found.
“Hey, hey… Rua. Could it be that we really lost?”
I don’t want to believe it. There’s a possibility that destruction and regeneration could be completely sealed by miracles. Where did those Celestial beings bring such a monster from? What I’ve come to realize is that the Gods we casually define don’t exist anywhere. They are beings that were born from nowhere, surpassing humanity; that is what a God is. It’s not that they are Gods because they are transcendent; they can become Gods because they are transcendent. If a miracle can be invoked, even humans can become Gods. What everyone reveres and worships is simply called a God. When you peel back the layers, Madias’s true identity is a bit of a letdown, but the reality is still cruel. Whether human or transcendent being, it doesn’t change the fact that Gods are terrifying.
“Fufufu… So you have finally descended. Madias-sama, I would like to confirm your voice. I am Zeda.”
A magician-like figure appeared, seemingly floating in the air. It’s Zeda from the Uzei Religion, the Eternal Spirit Emperor Lurudo. He showed up while Rua was away. Even though she’s exhausted her magical power, Elmera has been thoroughly underestimated.
“Zeda…!”
“Madias-sama, I have been looking forward to the day I could meet you directly.”
“Zeda, this Madias is also trembling with joy. Raise your head.”
“Ha-ha! Then, if I may be so bold…”
Madias seems to have taken a liking to Lurudo. From this exchange, it’s clear that Lurudo had been in contact with that God who secluded himself in the Celestial Realm. How on earth did that happen? No, more importantly, this is becoming truly hopeless.
Then, a swarm of bald Uzei followers appeared in the same manner as Lurudo. Upon seeing Madias, they began to tremble and shed tears. Some of them bowed repeatedly, not lifting their heads.
“The God we dreamed of is right here!”
“Ryoho-dono! We have been devoted to the teachings for this day!”
“That’s right. Those who are not here now must have lacked the spirit. Let us worship that divine figure on their behalf!”
Leading the group, Ryoho knelt elegantly, forming a semicircle around Madias. Lurudo watched with satisfaction, completely ignoring me.
“Madias-sama, from today onward, the world will be restored. This world will remain untainted by anyone, preserving its beauty for eternity.”
“The world will be protected. Those who disrupt the order are already dead. From now on, the world will walk the righteous path…”
“That’s wonderful! If the cursed children have departed from this world, then no one can interfere! Fufufu!”
“The world is with Madias-sama!”
“Together with nature!”
“The Uzei Religion is here!”
Ah, this is bad. My magical power is depleted, and I’ve let those bald guys get carried away. What happened to the superiority of elves? According to my previous logic, these guys are the rulers of this world. We’ve lost, and we’re about to be oppressed. No, they might not even let us live.
“Zeda… Grandpa.”
“Madias-sama, our bond is eternal. There’s no need for you to worry…”
At this point, it’s over since Rua and the others couldn’t save us. I’m starting to feel sleepy. I wonder how my sister is doing. At least I want to sleep together one last time. Sister, where are you?
“Ah, there you are… so warm…”
My sister’s hand is still warm. She squeezed back tightly, and I think I’ll sleep here. Forever. They say that when living beings die, their souls fall into the Underworld, so I can just take it easy over there. The world isn’t just this place. I can live somewhere beyond Madias’s reach. Yes, when you die, everyone ends up in the same place. There’s nothing to worry about.
“I love you, sister…”
“Elmera…”
Ah, Rua. I’ll be nice to you in the Underworld. I won’t tease you anymore. Even if Kurinka is there, I am still me. I want to convey this feeling openly. I’m sure Rua won’t get angry. And on top of that, she’ll tell me that she has Kurinka.
“I love you… Rua…”
“I’m saying something so unreasonable, and I’m really weak… I need to heal you.”
Who’s being unreasonable? Have I already arrived in the Underworld?
“Seeeeya!”
[Kurinka cast Angel Recovery!]
“…!!”
The sleepiness and lethargy vanished in an instant, and I woke up feeling refreshed. It felt like the gloomy feelings from just a moment ago were a lie. I jumped up and confirmed that this wasn’t the Underworld.
“Elmera, it seems I’ve been saved.”
“I saved everyone who was still alive, but… the ones who are dead…”
“…Damn it!”
I was back to my usual energetic self, as if I had just returned from a trip. I gasped at the sight of those familiar faces in their ill-fitting shorts and fluffy robes that made me want to comment on their size. They looked like silhouettes illuminated by sunlight.
“…What? You’re alive?”
“Yeah, I’m glad you’re safe, Elmera.”
“If you were alive, you should have come sooner! Damn it! Ugh… phew… damn it…”
Tears streamed down my face, and I was crying like a fool. No, I can’t let them make fun of me. I’ve teased them enough in the past, so they’ll definitely take this opportunity to do so.
“Sorry, but I couldn’t help being blown away by the shock… I was sent flying all the way to the human world, but it took me a while to get here…”
“Shu… Flash Strike Girl!?”
“That’s impossible! You received the power of Madias-sama, who could annihilate the world!?”
It seemed that there were others who couldn’t grasp the situation more than I could. They had been so taken aback that they remained silent until now, looking utterly shocked. And here I was, still unable to hold back my tears. What is this? It wasn’t supposed to be like this, not with Elmera-chan.
“If it were just me alone, I wouldn’t have come out unscathed.”
“Destruction and rebirth… these two can fight back to back…”
“Miracles can happen, you know.”
What’s with that? We’ve been pulling off miracles left and right until now. I guess it’s sweet of me to not have believed it. But still, just having them here lightens my heart. This indescribable feeling of embrace gives me the vitality to live. At the same time, there’s no fear at all. There’s no place safer than this, not in this world, not in the Celestial Realm, the Human Realm, the Demon Realm, or even the Underworld.
“Argil-san fought alongside us too. Thank you.”
“There’s no need for thanks.”
“The weak flaunting their bravado and rushing to their deaths. Not worth praising—”
【Aboro unleashed the Big Bang Knuckle! He dealt 135,412 damage to Eternal Spirit Emperor Lurudo! HP 309,032/444,444】
Aboro came from afar and punched Lurudo, mask and all, sending him flying. It was like a self-deprecating joke, considering I had treated Argil as weak. Maybe he doesn’t have that kind of sense of humor.
“Z-Zeda-sama!”
“You’re smarter than that Celestial fool. You must have been protecting yourself with some kind of technique in preparation for a surprise attack. Thanks to that, the damage is shallow.”
He stood there confidently, showcasing his fists. Among the Demon Race, Aboro was the only one I struggled to handle. To be honest, I can say now that I hadn’t fully managed him. It was as if he was watching a child’s play; he never once attacked.
“Aboro was fighting too, huh? But he seems a bit weakened…”
“I’ll handle him. You kids take care of the one over there.”
With that, Aboro chased after the flying Lurudo. The shallow damage wasn’t just Lurudo’s fault; there was something causing him to weaken. Still, I couldn’t imagine him losing.
“Destroyer of reason…!”
“Madias, I’ll expose your true self.”
“…What?”
“Chronoel told me to call you this… Marty.”
“…! I am Madias!”
【Arbitrator God Madias directed his palm toward Rua! A shockwave surged toward Rua! Rua unleashed the Sonic Ripper!】
Using my signature speed, I moved directly above Madias, where he couldn’t see me. As the Sonic Ripper was unleashed and dissipated in front of Madias, I shot even higher into the air.
【Rua took no damage!】
“Whoa! I really flew high. One more time!”
【Rua unleashed the Sonic Ripper! It dissipated in front of Madias!】
“Up…?”
By the time Madias looked up, I was already gone. Thanks to the Speed Force from Kurin, I had become even faster.
【Rua unleashed the Quick Ripper!】
“Yikes!”
I couldn’t follow it, but I could only guess it was hundreds of strikes per second. In just a few seconds, I had no idea what had happened. But now, as a result, Madias fell to the ground from the wind pressure of my attack.
“I finally reached you.”
“W-Why…? Yikes!”
This time, I stumbled over some rubble and fell. My white clothes were now covered in dirt, making me look shabby all at once. Was it painful to fall? I couldn’t get back up and curled up instead.
“Ahh… it hurts! It hurts!”
“Madias-sama!”
“Don’t move.”
I swatted away the bald men trying to swarm Madias. They all floated gently in the air before being pushed back. The speed was so high that I couldn’t even tell what kind of attack it was. All I could see were the results.
“Why…!”
“My attacks missing you multiple times is a miracle, and I’ve created a miracle strong enough to destroy the world. You won’t see another miracle anytime soon. Marty, your power is merely a ‘miracle.’ It raises the slightest possibility to its maximum.”
“With just a little magic, it’s impossible to send Rua-chan flying, but that too was made possible by a miracle. Or perhaps it’s a miracle to make something that shouldn’t happen, happen. It may seem like anything goes, but the inconsistency is its weakness… right, Rua-chan?”
Without realizing it, I nodded. Was it my foolishness for not reaching that conclusion, or was it their wisdom? I didn’t want to admit it.
“The disasters that struck the Human Realm were irregular because there were times when miracles couldn’t be created, right?”
“And the means of destruction being solely disasters is also because you couldn’t think of anything else, Marty. I haven’t heard the full story from Chronoel yet, but you’re no god.”
“Shut up… I am Arbitrator God Madias…”
“You’re just a naive little girl.”
I truly didn’t want to accept that. The identity of a god who had monitored the world since ancient times and had driven it to the brink of destruction was really just a little girl. I had countless questions, but for now, I could only observe in silence.
“Miracles don’t happen repeatedly, Marty.”
Without even attempting to brush off the dirt from her white clothes, Marty simply sat there.
◆ Shin Report ◆
The identity of the ghost, seeing the withered flowers,
Is an Eastern word.
When I opened the lid, it was surprisingly anticlimactic.
Could that Chronoel actually be a thousand years old?
In any case, the long battle is finally over.
One could say that the world fell into chaos due to a single miraculous resurrection.
It seems there are many parts that haven’t been clarified yet,
But I must urgently clarify something,
Or else the great third Madias will appear again.
Ah, I’m so tired, so tired.
The Shin Report is nearing its conclusion.
By the way, I wonder what I was reporting for.
I no longer even know.