Rainer and Fedelt emerge from the Connection behind me.
Once I confirm they’ve moved, I speak to the nearest Magic Stone Human.
“The construction is complete as scheduled. Please place a sign next to the Connection we just came out of that reads, ‘South-Southwest Region Second Residential Area’.”
“Yes, right away! I’ll also check the town for the report!”
The Magic Stone Humans, who had been working at office desks until moments ago, begin to move all at once. It is likely their unique coordination ability as Magic Stone Humans that allows them to divide tasks such as sign creation, report preparation, and on-site inspection with just a glance.
They were truly capable individuals, but they stopped in their tracks, their movements frozen by shock as they peered into the area beyond the Connection.
“Wh-What?! Where there was nothing yesterday… it’s really…”
“A town has been built!”
“Burn this image into your minds. This is the miraculous power of Aikawa Kanami Christ Eurasia Valt Fuziaze Von Walker…”
Witnessing the completion of a town in an hour, rather than an overnight castle, each of them spoke their impressions and trembled. But soon, they noticed my gaze, stopped their idle chatter, and returned to their work.
“Sh-Shiso-sama! We’ve confirmed everything! Thank you for your hard work! Please leave the rest of the processing to us!”
“Thank you. …But please stop calling me Shiso-sama. I’ve left all of that to ‘Her’ now.”
While Aikawa Kanami Christ Eurasia Valt Fuziaze Von Walker is a burden, being called Shiso is even more so. Considering the circumstances that led to me being called Shiso, it brings back all sorts of failures. However, the Magic Stone Humans were on the verge of prostration, shaking their heads at my request.
“No, now that we know the true history, to us, Kanami-sama remains the legendary Shiso! Furthermore, with Lady Rustiara, the ‘Living God,’ Lady Tiara, the ‘Saint,’ and Lord Aid, former Chancellor of Viaisia Country, the savior of us Magic Stone Humans, all present… in truth! We are tempted to call out ‘Great Savior Kanami-sama’ at the top of our lungs!!”
She meant no harm. I realized that without magic or skills, she was, through experience, a child craving someone to cling to. Originally, these ‘Magic Stone Humans’ were saved by Rustiara when they were on the verge of being discarded. Therefore, like me, their misplaced affection for Rustiara had run wild. I imagined them still dreaming of the days they spent with Rustiara every night and searching for her appearance every morning… and I couldn’t be firm.
“…Alright. I give up, so call me whatever you like. But in return, please work hard.”
“Yes, I will work hard!! Ah! With just those words, I… I can’t…!”
Even so, I thought she was overly excited. Beside the writhing and rejoicing Magic Stone Human, I could hear an even smaller child muttering.
“—Indeed, for Kanami-sama to be Shiso, Revannism must be unified… In the name of the ‘Shiso,’ the great savior. We, the ‘Reformist Faction’ of Revannism, will one day eliminate the ‘Conservative Faction’ of Revannism—”
I could hear the makings of a rather troublesome situation.
—Currently, within Fuziaze Cathedral, which can be considered the headquarters of Revannism, such whispers are being heard everywhere.
In the end, the Revannism founded by Tiara remained and continued. After defeating Aikawa Hidaki, the true history, which had been concealed by the ‘Senate,’ was supposed to be revealed to the world, leading to its natural demise… However, it had instead grown in influence and even spawned sectarian factions.
Currently, the sects are divided into three based on who is interpreted as the Shiso of Revannism. First, the ‘True History Faction,’ which equally reveres two Shisos, Kanami and Tiara, and three Apostles, Diplakla, Sis, and Legacy, based on the true history secretly held by the Senate for so long.
The ‘Reformist Faction,’ in their recklessness, focuses their faith solely on me. It is a sect that formed with Diplakla pushing from behind, advocating that ‘those who embody current miracles should be actively revered.’
The ‘Conservative Faction’ is a faction that insists on continuing Revannism as it has been, and their primary object of faith is Tiara and Rustiara only. This group consists of many people who do not think favorably of my existence and wish to maintain their vested interests.
Personally, I wanted to abolish Revannism. However, even if I, one of the objects of faith, advocated for its abolition, the ‘Reformist Faction’ would only continue to grow, so I gave up on that path. Moreover, my skill ‘Sensation’ sensed a new current within this Revannism.
“Diplakla…”
It would be difficult to change this current without power comparable to ‘White Thread’ or ‘Red String.’
Or perhaps, Aid. If he had been by my side, the sects would not have divided like this. I would not have had to rely on ‘Her’ to navigate the entangled religions.
Thus, after engaging in a bit of political maneuvering, albeit for a short time, and finding myself in a position close to ‘Ruling King’ Titty, I keenly realized. Lord Aid, the Chancellor of Viaisia Country, was truly great. From the design of the country’s waterways and ‘Magic Stone Lines,’ to negotiations with neighboring countries and interactions with the populace, in every problem, I felt, “If only Aid were here, I could leave all this tedious work to him…”
If I had one more wish, I would want specialized spies like Teeda and Ragune. If Nosfy were here, we could have tackled the Revannism issue together. As for Rowen… recently, Reaper seems lonely, so perhaps it would be helpful if he were here.
—As I thought about the ‘Thieves of Principles’ who had disappeared, I found myself wondering about the two who remained and asked a nearby Magic Stone Human.
“…Hey. Do you know where Maria is right now?”
“Lady Maria? If it’s Lady Maria, she’s outside of Fuziaze. She seems to be busy with the activities of the Guild ‘Epic Seeker’. Lately, she’s more popular than Snow-sama!”
“Then, what about Seldra…?”
“Um, after finishing Snow-sama’s challenge… he’s waiting ahead of us in the ‘Senate Meeting Room’ below. As usual, he was Reading a book from another world while walking. …No matter how many times I ask to borrow it, he never lends it to me.”
Knowing the current locations of the ‘Fire’ and ‘Void’ Magic Stones, I confirmed that everything was going according to plan.
Then, Fedelt, who had been listening beside me, urged me to join Seldra.
“Hmm. The acting deputy Commander-in-Chief is already in the Senate Meeting Room? It’s not good to keep him waiting. Shall we hurry there as well?”
The Senate Meeting Room is a room on the lowest floor of the Cathedral.
It’s decided that we will discuss the ‘Fafnir Helmina Securing Plan’ in a room even lower than this warp room.
After a two-month preparation period, the time has finally come to advance into the ‘Blood Land’ where he is, so this is the final confirmation.
However, it is a little earlier than the scheduled meeting time.
I look up and reply.
“Fedelt-san, please go ahead. I’ll meet ‘She’ who is in the Temple and then head there.”
“…Ah. Understood. Then, I will wait below by myself.”
Fedelt accepted the proposal without refusal, bowing his head respectfully.
He likely assumes that ‘She’ is the only one among the meeting members who might be late. Convinced by my reason for escorting her, he walked alone towards the stairs leading down.
Meanwhile, Rainer alone pouted discontentedly.
“Christ, isn’t there any need to go pick her up? If she’s late, we should just leave her behind and start the discussion. She hasn’t exactly been eager to attend the discussions, has she?”
“The last time we did that, she looked like she was about to cry… Besides, I want to make the most of even a little free time. If possible, I’d like to check on the state of the Cathedral above frequently.”
“Even if you say ‘free time,’ it’s only for a moment.”
As Rainer said, the free time right now is just a few minutes. But—
“Lately, I can’t feel at ease if there’s even a second of emptiness. So, as long as I have the余裕, I want to do what I can.”
“You’re overworking yourself. Do you realize you’re a workaholic right now?”
Rainer spoke without embellishment. He was genuinely worried about me, and clearly told me I was sick. So, I answered truthfully without embellishment and nodded.
“…Maybe.”
“I’ll say it again, you can retire now. You’re completely free, you have plenty of money. You have power and achievements, and there are many women who like you… You could live in a mansion somewhere, eat delicious food, and take it easy until you die, and no one would complain.”
Having known him for a long time, I could tell Rainer was serious.
And I thought I had heard something similar before. When I was at a single-digit level and lost my way in the Labyrinth Allied Nations, Dia had asked me the same question.
Naturally, my values haven’t changed since then.
Even if they were constructed values, I shook my head with confidence, saying they were now ‘real.’
“It’s okay, I like this. I’m really enjoying this time right now. It’s not a lie.”
“…Certainly, you do seem more alive now. More so than when you were fighting in the labyrinth.”
“I’ve always liked this kind of thing. That’s why a life of helping those within reach is truly enjoyable and satisfying. Because I don’t have to reach out for things that are out of reach anymore. I don’t have to search for things that don’t exist in this world until I die. —Everything is already contained within my heart. That’s why every second is so reassuring, peaceful, and comfortable…”
As I spoke, I became emotional.
It felt like a long-awaited holiday.
The sense of security like playing a second playthrough of a game in my spare time.
The sense of fulfillment from rereading my favorite book while lying on a soft sofa.
My current life in another world is simply calm and gentle—
Seeing my expression, Rainer withdrew his suggestion.
“…Haa, I understand. If you’re happy, then being a workaholic is fine. However, from experience, you tend to mess up when things are going smoothly. If your Skill ‘Evil Sense’ reacts even a little, I’ll ruthlessly sever your limbs and put you to sleep. If that’s alright with you, then you can work by the second.”
“Thank you, Rainer. While the calls of ‘Curse’ are important, I expect the most from you, Rainer.”
Above all, my best friend Rainer would watch over me to make sure I didn’t stray from the path.
I reconfirm now that the sense of security I feel is partly thanks to him—
“That blond shrimp…!”
“You intend to slay the Shiso-sama? Tch…”
“I’ll kill him… I’ll kill him someday…”
The ‘Magic Stone Humans’, who had finished erecting a signpost with the extraneous words ‘Sacred Kanami-sama’s Southwest-West Residential Area’ added to it, glared at Rainer as if he were their sworn enemy.
Even if I tried to make excuses like, “No, that was just our way of confirming our friendship just now…,” Rainer’s reputation wouldn’t change.
Helplessly, I decided to hasten our departure with the true Knight.
“W-well, let’s go. Upstairs.”
“Ah, let’s go…!”
We left the warp room and ascended the stairs towards the ground.
After passing through a long, damp stone tunnel, we emerged into a bright corridor adorned with murals.
While glancing at a new stone monument being erected there, I advanced towards the temple where Rustiara had once performed the ritual of “Rebirth”.
Beyond this point is “Her”—”Apostle Sis”.
Having been meticulously sealed with “Distance Mute” and “Ice” when she parted ways with the Aid Titty siblings in the Mainland Viais Country, she was now working at Fuziaze Cathedral.
“But Sis… Honestly, I don’t like her. Isn’t it fine if she doesn’t exist in this world? I’d feel much more at ease if she were permanently turned into magic stones and frozen.”
“…You say pretty terrible things so casually, Rainer.”
Rainer expressed his desire for the permanent sealing of the person they were about to meet, as if engaging in casual conversation.
I couldn’t agree with that.
There were various reasons, but primarily, Sis’s existence was necessary for the “Fafnir Hermina Acquisition Plan.”
For that purpose, about a month ago, I patiently continued to persuade Sis.
Initially, she was deeply shocked by the truth about Hidaki Tiara, whom she had treated as a younger sister a thousand years ago. It was natural, as she had learned that what she thought were mutually trusting companions was all a one-sided affair. However, she didn’t break down then and instead reaffirmed her resolve to “save the world.”
While she tends to get out of control, I believe this was an instance of her being the most strong-willed among the apostles.
—It was with her strong will that I entered into a new “Contract.”
As a result, this time, Apostle Sis was resurrected in the present world with a “Magic Body,” similar to Tiara and Reaper, without anyone having to sacrifice their physical body.
The mechanism for this relies on the misuse of the Magics “Tiara” and “Revann” (Basically, everything I am doing now is imitation of the past great figures from the “Original World” and “Another World.” That is why I can guarantee its safety.)
Although I have improved the casting formula in my own way, her vitality and magic power are sustained by “the Price of people believing in Revannism.”
Conversely, if she wishes to become stronger, she has no choice but to increase her faith in Revannism, rather than Level Up.
—Considering the hardships of persuasion and magic improvements back then, I wouldn’t want to reseal Sis now.
While reconfirming her current situation, we continued to advance deeper into the corridor and finally reached the most solemn building in the Cathedral.
The moment we passed through the temple’s doors, a wave of heat washed over us.
The quiet space, which had previously only been opened for sacred events and ceremonies, was now bustling with people.
The visitors ranged from well-dressed guests to ordinary citizens.
On benches adorned with dazzling magic stones, children from the town sat together amicably.
And in the direction of everyone’s gaze in this space, the woman we were looking for let out a great laugh.
“—Ahahaha!! Hahaha! Worship me more! Venerate me!”
Sis stood on the platform with her arms spread wide, her tall figure unchanged from a thousand years ago.
Before her, a woman knelt, offering prayers and venerating Sis as she had demanded.
“Ah… Thank you!!”
Beside the woman, a rod resembling a crutch was placed.
Presumably, her leg injury had just been healed by Sis’s Divine Magic.
Naturally, the magic power gathered by Magic “Revann” is highly effective on believers and is compatible with healing Divine Magic.
Faced with this ultimate healing magic, which could only be described as a miracle, people waited their turn, filled with awe, devotion, and prayer.
Fuziaze Cathedral is now the same as the “Seventh Demon Obstacle Research Institute” of Fanian a thousand years ago.
It also functions as a hospital and is researching and developing Magic “Sis” behind the scenes.
The temple is as busy as it was a thousand years ago, and even though the most severely injured were treated in the first month, the number of people has not decreased yet.
It seems that those who received treatment here were moved by its miraculous power, and word of mouth spread across countries.
“Apostle Sis! Even someone like me has been blessed with your precious miracle, and I am truly grateful! However, I don’t have much to offer as an offering…”
“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that. Don’t misunderstand. This isn’t for your sake, but as part of saving the world. So, faith alone is sufficient as payment. …Conversely, you must not slack off in your prayers! From now on, me, the representative apostle of Revannism! Me, Apostle Sis! Venerate the name of Sis, not Diplakla! Ahahaha!!”
“Ah, Apostle Sis…!!”
Despite having vanished multiple times, Sis still tends to look down on ordinary humans.
Therefore, there are many voices wishing for Sis’s resealing. Rainer and Diplakla, in particular, suggest it every time Sis’s name comes up, such was their vigilance towards her.
“…Hey, Christ. Is that truly necessary to conquer “Thief of the Law of Blood”?”
“Living magic is one of “Her” Lingering Desire, Hermina Neisha, the discoverer of “the power of blood.” It’s a bit troublesome without it.”
“If it’s the same magical life form, isn’t Reaper fine? He’s much more mature.”
“Reaper is based on the fairy tale “Grimm Rim Reaper”… so it’s a bit off from Hermina’s “Five-Year Plan.” It’s important that religion is the source.”
“…Haa. I’m uneasy.”
Every time I listened to my facade, Rainer would sigh.
And then, glaring at the impudent Sis who was laughing heartily, he muttered, “She was the perpetrator of the “Shaka Hōkan Jin” a thousand years ago, wasn’t she…? She’s definitely going to cause trouble, definitely…”
I understand the sentiment.
In the past, I also harbored similar anxieties. However, because I know what happened a thousand years ago, I can also say that Sis now is “different from before.”
For example, it’s the difference of a friend standing beside you.
Where Hidaki and Tiara once stood, now—
“Mhm, this side is okay too. The bones won’t heal completely, but you should be able to walk with training. Take care of yourself.”
Beside Sis, quietly performing treatment, was the one-armed—no, the girl Dia, whose arm and leg were constructed with shining magic.
Her attire matched Sis’s, suited for the place and situation.
She, too, was healing patients with miraculous magic, and people looked at her mysterious figure with the same respect.
“Um… Thank you also to the lovely Apostle Sis…”
“Sis is only for that idiot over there. I’m just a citizen who lent my body to this one. Sorry for deceiving you all this time. From now on, call me Dia. …That’s right, how about the cooler Dia?”
“Y-yes!!”
After finishing the treatment, the woman bowed respectfully before looking at Dia with an admiring gaze.
Undoubtedly, she would ignore Dia’s request and still call her “the lovely one” when she returned to town.
However, she seemed to understand the name part, repeating, “You are Dia. Dia, who lent her body for so long…”
Sis next to her added an explanation.
“—In other words, she’s a ‘Miko.’ The Miko of me, Apostle Sis.”
With her usual condescending tone, she arbitrarily decided Dia’s position.
Dia rebutted.
“Huh? I’m not a Miko. Just helping out.”
“That’s what they say a Miko does, right? I just heard that rumor and hired you, so complain to the townspeople if you have any grievances.”
“Wha, what!? Damn it… From tomorrow, I’ll cover my face when I treat people.”
“No need to be embarrassed! You are undoubtedly the best Miko in the world for me! Be more proud!”
“That’s just a title that’s most convenient for you. I decline, I decline due to the dishonor.”
Sis rarely praised others.
She, who usually never praised, lauded Dia with an unprecedentedly gentle expression.
“You might think that, but please believe me that it’s not just empty flattery. It’s not just helping with the missionary work you’re doing now. When it came up that blood and flesh would be necessary to construct me, Magic [Sis], you readily agreed. I’m truly grateful, Diablo-chan.”
“…It’s nothing. Those wings were unnecessary parts… Also, what I’m doing isn’t helping with missionary work, it’s helping with treatment.”
“Fufufufu! Even while saying that, Diablo-chan always ends up helping me with something or other, so I like you! Helping with the Apostle’s mission to ‘save the world’!”
“It’s not helping with the Apostle’s mission. I’m just doing what I think should be done.”
“That’s good. That straightforward action is very good… For me, who wasn’t very smart…”
The compatibility between the two was better than imagined. Although they possessed soul affinity that allowed them to coexist in the same body from the start, they could now stand shoulder-to-shoulder and perform the same tasks.
And the biggest reason for that was undoubtedly Sis’s change of heart.
“Diablo-chan, I’ll thank you again and again. If you hadn’t nodded, the Ally likely wouldn’t have tried to create Magic [Sis]… Thank you so much.”
“Ah… Haa… It’s hard to blow you away now that you’ve softened up halfway. I thought I could just turn you to ash if necessary.”
“I don’t want to disappear anymore—rather, I don’t want to lose any more ‘friends.’ That’s why I’ll think about things and change my methods. In my own way.”
“…Don’t want to lose ‘friends,’ huh. I agree with you on that point. Only that point.”
Having learned the truth from a thousand years ago, Sis had changed.
Or rather, she had only been constantly stimulated by her complexes by Hidaki and Tiara, given dangerous knowledge, and cleverly driven to rampage… This was likely her true nature.
Thinking back, when we first met, she was very honest and quickly affirmed us ‘Foreigners’ as ‘friends.’ She was undoubtedly more flexible and easier to get along with than Diplakla or Legacy.
And at the culmination of that change, she finally reconciled with Dia.
The main reason Dia resented Sis was the memory that “Apostle Sis did terrible things to Kanami and Hitaki.” However, the truth was that “Hitaki and Tiara did terrible things to Apostle Sis,” so her approach naturally softened.
I also heard that Dia went back to her hometown with Sis.
It’s clear that this world is progressing towards a happier time than the joyful time seen in Hidaki’s “Winter Otherworld”—no, an even more wonderful time.
“—However! I have no intention of changing my Apostle’s mission to ‘save the world’! I will become stronger with this new body and one day, I will become the Lord’s successor! For that, worship me wildly, all of you!!”
“I haven’t forgotten that you arbitrarily used my body for that mission and tried to sacrifice me, have I?”
“That was quite a good plan, wasn’t it? …I still think so.”
“Haa. As expected, I need to keep an eye on you. The next time you try to sacrifice someone’s life, I’ll finish you off. With my own hands, directly.”
“I, I understand! That’s why I’m gathering prayers, not lives, right now!”
Seeing the two arguing, I felt relieved.
It was just like the early interactions between Maria and Dia.
Even if the moment comes when Sis can “become the Lord’s successor,” she will have many friends around her then. And she, having grown even more, will hesitate about her mission and carefully consider the path she should take.
As I walked towards the temple, I harbored a rather wicked plan. I approached her,Whispering her name,
“Sis. It’s time for the final confirmation at the Senate Assembly Room. If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late.”
Sis and Dia, who had appeared nearby without me noticing, stared at me in surprise. Thanks to Teeda’s robe and mask imbued with Dark Power, no one, not even the people waiting in line, had noticed my approach.
“M-My Ally? Ah, the meeting, right, the meeting. I remember it perfectly. But do we absolutely have to go? It’s always the same kind of discussion… It’s just a confirmation of the previous plan, isn’t it? I’m busy gathering faith right now…”
“You… You promised to cooperate, didn’t you? That gathering the magic stones of the Thief of Principles is for the good of saving the world? Don’t slack on this. Please.”
Sis found the meeting troublesome. But Dia, who had become her guardian, coaxed her.
“Sis. Leave this to me and go. Promises are important.”
I gave her a push on her back. Sis, urged to attend, hesitated slightly then puffed out her chest with a pleased expression.
“Mmmph… If my allies ask me to go this far… I have no choice then! If I am needed this much! I, Sis, will go! Fufu!”
Sis left her temple duties to Dia and, despite the reluctant farewells from those around her, began to move.
—By the way, Dia is not involved in the ‘Fafnir Helmina Acquisition Plan’ this time.
There are several reasons for this. The effectiveness of a small, elite force against the power of blood. Also, they had already decisively defeated Fafnir. In the battle at the Great Holy Capital, if Hidaki hadn’t intervened, Dia, Maria, and Rainer’s Party of three could have captured the Thief of Principles. It was confirmed that Dia’s Magic, Sion, could restrain him, and there was even information that he was currently weakened. Above all, the biggest reason was that dialogue was always important in battles against the Thief of Principles.
The battle against the ‘Thief of the Law of Blood’ focuses on ‘saving the two individuals, Fafnir and Helmina, rather than going to fight a boss.’ Therefore, the ‘First Conquest Team’ is comprised solely of members from a thousand years ago, while the more hot-blooded individuals are assigned to the ‘Second Subjugation Team.’
“Ah, Kanami… Wait up a moment…”
That was the plan, but Dia called out to me, appearing to have something on her mind. As she extended her arm of magic power, she stammered.
“Um, well…”
Dia likely wasn’t worried about the battle. Even so, she was worried about other things. I placed my hand on Dia’s head.
“Dia, you don’t need to worry. Fafnir is like a ‘friend’ to me, just like you and Sis are friends. Ever since that day you gave me a tour of the facility, we’ve been ‘friends’ on equal footing… So, I think I can say goodbye with a smile, just like everyone else has until now.”
“Ah–”
Petted, Dia closed her eyes with a happy expression. However, she still couldn’t shake off all her worries, and though she managed a smile, her face held a hint of sadness. Seeing him looking at the soul beyond me, I quickly replied.
“It’s okay. —Dia, smile. I want to see you smile.”
Dia also loved Rustiara very much. Therefore, for Dia to be truly at ease, words from her emotional support would be necessary.
“If Rustiara were here, she’d say that. …She’s an optimist, after all.”
I added, and smiled. Dia, surprised by my words, blushed and, just to be sure, asked for confirmation of the name.
“Kanami…? That’s… amazing. Is it impersonation, or a kind of Vibration Magic? It really sounded like Rustiara was here just now. That Rustiara–”
“It’s a Skill, not Magic. Actually, my parents were professionals in acting and singing, so I’ve had voice training since I was a child.”
“Is that so… No wonder.”
No wonder? I have a feeling something rather shocking is waiting, so I’ll refrain from asking. However, I could see that Dia’s expression brightened slightly from our conversation. I parted ways with Dia for the moment.
“Kanami, I’m sorry. I kept you from going even though we’re meeting again tomorrow…”
“Then, I’m off… See you tomorrow.”
Once the final confirmation for the ‘Fafnir Helmina Acquisition Plan’ is complete—most of the planned restoration work will be finished. And then, I will have a long-awaited block of free time. Dia seems to be looking forward to that vacation. Of course, I am looking forward to it too. I really want to hear the details about my homecoming.
We both still had things to talk about, but we saved them for the holiday. I descended from the platform and exited the temple. As we parted, Sis waved at Dia—
“My Priestess! I leave the rest to you!”
“…Yeah, leave it to me.”
Dia didn’t deny the title of Priestess. Then, Sis stood before me and Rainer, leading the way.
“Now, let’s go! Don’t fall behind, you two!”
To which Rainer retorted, “You were the one falling behind…” and was met with a click from Sis, “Today too, I have to deal with this insolent child. Tsk.”
Watching the two bicker as they walked side-by-side, I continued on. Through the Great Cathedral, filled with a mix of nostalgia and newness—
