Episode 48: The End of the World, The End of the Story ① ~The Goddess and the Devil~

Final Chapter: Blessed Be the Celestial Knight

　Leaving the ruins of the Imperial Capital behind, after weeks of travel, we finally reached the land where the goddess is said to dwell.
　It was a valley where numerous crystals of magic power lay scattered, a place devoid of any sign of life.

"……This is the goddess's 'temple'. The landscape and scenery here have changed quite a bit from what I remember."

　The archbishop is probably referring to the crystals. A powerful magical energy emanates from the pale purple quartz-like crystals. Glancing sideways at the archbishop being sealed away by the devil, an involuntary sigh of admiration escaped him at the barrier— or rather, the boundary-like defense—enveloping the entire valley. Truly worthy of a goddess—her protection far surpasses mine in both strength and scale.

"Now, how do we get inside this thing?"

"……Not a problem, Celestial Knight. Let me pave the way."

　As the Devil said this and touched the barrier, a tear just large enough for a person to pass through appeared.

"……You really are anything goes, aren't you?"

　The Devil urged us into the barrier while returning a smile to Falty's sigh-laced voice.

"A goddess dwells ahead. Let me ask again—if you're going to turn back, now is the time, right? "

"That's a stupid question. ……I'm going."

　As I said that and stepped inside the barrier, Falty followed behind me. And finally, the devil entered the barrier.
　The barrier contained a terrifyingly high concentration of magical power. An ordinary person would likely faint. The clingy, sticky magic that wraps itself around my entire body makes me grimace involuntarily.

"Ugh, what the heck is this? How disgusting."

　Falty is reacting similarly, but the Devil alone remains cool as a cucumber. As if this place, this very air, were the most natural thing in the world.

"―――The place you seek lies deep within the cave ahead, Celestial Knight."

　It's too late now to even wonder why this Devil knows so much about the Goddess. If the Devil says so, then so be it.

"……I got it. Maybe just a token effort, but I'll set up a protective barrier."

　Saying that, I put up a dome-shaped barrier centered on me. The stinging sensation of magic power lessened somewhat, and both Falty and the Devil followed along, staying within the barrier.
　The cave entrance was blocked by crystals, but as the devil approached, the crystals disintegrated into particles and dissolved into the air, clearing the path.

"……Devil, you――――"

"Let's go, Celestial Knight."

　The devil smiled as usual. ……Somehow, I felt that smile contained just a hint of loneliness.

　The cave's entrance was narrow, but once inside, the ceiling soared high and the passageway widened, resembling a vast stalactite cave with crystals scattered everywhere.
　As the path descended deeper and deeper underground, it eventually led to a vast underground cavern-like space.
　At the center, illuminated by the pale purple phosphorescence of the crystals, stood a woman with her eyes closed.
　A white dress with bare shoulders and silver hair. Her otherworldly beauty made it clear at a glance that she was the goddess.

『I've been waiting for you, Raoul.』

　Slowly opening her eyes, the goddess gazed at me and smiled gently. A familiar face, identical to the Devil's, wearing the same smile. ……I kind of had a feeling about this.

『Falty too—――you went through a tough time. Thank you for coming.』

　Falty, too, was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to the goddess's words.

『And you too.』

　Only the Devil remained unmoved by those words, wearing her usual smile.

"I came all this way to ask you something. ……Goddess, please tell me. The current state of this world—―― was it you who did this?"

　Without nodding or shaking her head in response to my question, the goddess gazed back at me silently before speaking.

『That could be said, or it could not be said. I am the one who governs the manifestation of the calamities. But it is the beings living in this world who have brought forth such calamities.』

……What the hell is this? As Falty and I exchanged glances, the goddess slowly began to speak, her face clouded with sorrow.

『……Calamity is an illusionary concept held by this world. They accumulate the stagnant life force and negative emotions of this world, and when they become fully saturated, they are expelled into this world.
　It is the world's defense mechanism to keep the world in order—that is the system of calamities.
　The world itself did not stagnate because the reservoir of the calamities served as its receptacle.
　But this world—since the previous hero appeared—has stagnated far too long.
　Even with all calamities combined, the stagnation cannot be contained…… To the point where the atmosphere overflows with stagnation.』

　Stagnation. I'd certainly felt it in various places too. For instance, even in Al's village, and throughout my travels, there was this clammy, unpleasant atmosphere that clung to my skin like a sticky film. So that's what it is.

『The Demon King is the highest-ranking being among all calamities. Even so, it cannot be contained, and the stagnation in the world continues to accelerate even now. The overflowing stagnation drove people to desire, robbing them of self-control and thoughtfulness, leaving them stripped bare to their own wants.
　The result is the state of this world you have witnessed. ……This world can't be saved anymore.』

　The goddess spoke with a pained, agonized expression.

"……Is that why you're destroying it?"

『―――Yes.』

　The goddess nodded in response to my words, with a brief remark.

"Devil, is that how you feel too? "

"I am here to witness the Celestial Knight's journey, for that is why I manifested in this world."

　The Devil replied to me with a smile.

『I was surprised you became interested in this world. I never imagined that a God would manifest using the very framework of the calamity itself.』

"Unlike you, my sister, who governs this world, I cannot maintain a physical presence here unless I do things like this."

　The Devil gazed back at the Goddess, arms crossed over her chest.
　……Oh, I see. I understand now, they are sisters. I had a feeling that it was something of that sort, given the evil sword I was handed. To possess the same power as a goddess means to be an equal to her.

『I don't blame you for that in itself. ……So, are you satisfied with that? 』

"……That is what we shall now determine, my dear sister."

　The Devil, no longer her usual carefree self, exchanged a stern gaze with the Goddess. Seeing her like that, as if she were pushing me forward, I couldn't back down. So I continued questioning the goddess once more.

"……Goddess, what exactly was it that the hero—Al—was burdened with?"

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 ToC  

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