When I woke up, my vision was filled with a pitch-black ceiling. Naturally, Rukil had never seen a ceiling unified in such darkness before. Where am I? No, before that, what happened to me? Thoughts began to swirl.
“Mutable, you’re awake.”
“Adams? …Ah, is that so.”
Seeing the expressionless face of the Evil God, Rukil remembered why she was sleeping in such a place. Rukil had borrowed the strength of two monsters and declared “Wait a moment” to Melfina and Kelvin. And then, she lost. After exhausting every conceivable move, gaining power by exposing such ugliness, and continuing to believe in herself until the very end — even so, she was thoroughly defeated. Rukil thought. Truly, despite proclaiming herself as Melfina-sama’s greatest supporter and that she should be by her side, losing is so anticlimactic…
“…It’s strange, isn’t it? Even though I lost the victory I desired so much, for some reason, my heart is filled with a clear feeling of relief. My possessiveness towards Melfina-sama, my hatred for Kelvin, are now gone — Ufufu, I’ve completely lost my venom.”
“Venom, you say? Well, you were so relieved that you turned to stone. Because you gave it your all, you’ve probably come to terms with it.”
“……”
“Or perhaps your heart has reached a new realm, or maybe you’ve simply cleared your head by exerting your full power. It’s difficult to judge.”
“Um, isn’t the last one a bit too casual?”
“Not necessarily? The heart, while seemingly complex, is sometimes simple. Well, it’s none of my business, so frankly, I don’t care. More importantly, what do you plan to do from now on? Ah, that’s right. Shall we have a drink first? Three cups to start.”
Saying so, Adams naturally took out a one-liter bottle of sake.
“Before that, I’d like to ask about the current situation… where is this place?”
However, Rukil gently and naturally steered the conversation elsewhere. It was a practiced way of refusal.
“It’s a venue created by Kelvin’s magic.”
“…Frankly, I suspected as much, but I didn’t expect it to be true.”
Rukil felt a slight headache, wondering if such a pitch-black venue existed. According to Adams, Kelvin and Mel’s wedding ceremony was currently in progress. After treating Rukil, the two of them continued to nurse her until the last moment. She didn’t wake up then, and the scheduled ceremony time approached — ultimately, they decided to let her rest within the venue building, and that was the flow of events.
“Even from my perspective, the treatment you received was perfect. However, the repeated strain accumulated fatigue to the limit. That’s why you slept until now. Although, you woke up after only a few hours of sleep, so your recovery power is extraordinary. Even after losing the blessing of Maria’s blood, you’re just astonishingly tough.”
“Even so, I was once a candidate for the Reincarnated Goddess, you know. I’ve been trained accordingly. But, the blood has truly been lost, hasn’t it.”
“Indeed, it’s unfortunate for you, but that’s how it is. Will you ask Maria for blood again? As a thank you for the interesting spectacle you provided. If you wish, I, a mere bystander, can put in a good word for you.”
“…No, that won’t be necessary. Rather, I’d like to return the authority you gave me as well.”
“Hmm? What’s this sudden change of heart?”
“It’s a change of heart. The authority of ‘Great Sage’ was truly wonderful, but frankly, I felt it was unlike me.”
Saying so, Rukil held out her hand to Adams. As her words suggested, she wanted to return the bestowed authority.
“…Hmm, I see. I, a mere bystander, merely gave you potential, and the authority that manifested from it is, after all, your own strength. I cannot take it back now, nor can it be nullified. Well, if you say you don’t need it, you can simply choose not to use it in the future. There’s no harm in possessing it.”
“Is that so… Then, I will gratefully accept it. Though I suspect it will be a case of holding a treasure without knowing its worth.”
“That’s fine too. So, getting back to the matter at hand, what will you do now? It seems the Mel you revere is waiting for you, saying ‘Is it ready yet?’ If you head there now, you’ll make it in time for the reception. There were supposed to be many highlights, such as the eating contest between Mel and Kuon, and the commemorative dance devised by Maria. Even if you want to drink, first to the venue —”
“—No, despite the kind invitation, I wish to decline.”
Rukil got out of bed and began to pack her luggage, which was placed nearby.
“Without even a greeting?”
“We poured our feelings out to each other. At this point, a greeting isn’t necessary, is it?”
“Is that so? If you’ve decided that, then I have nothing more to say. …Are you really sure?”
“Fufu. You’re quite the meddler, aren’t you?”
Rukil smiled naturally. There was no regret in her eyes; rather, they seemed radiant.
“I’m glad I received that authority for several reasons. Melfina-sama, no, now she’s Mel-sama. I was able to face her head-on, I was able to punch Kelvin many times, and — I realized how narrow my perspective had been until now.”
Rukil lit a small black flame on her fingertips, changing its color to red.
“I could have left this land and gone anywhere. I could have done anything without being bound by the customs and traditions of angels. Yet, I was only thinking of Mel-sama and nothing else. …I think that’s an immense waste. While distorted love born from hatred is irreplaceable, precisely because of it, I was severely constrained and my vision became narrow.”
She blew lightly on the flame, extinguishing it, and stood up.
“I intend to embark on a journey from now on. A long journey, traveling around the world.”
“You mean to broaden your knowledge?”
“I suppose that’s part of it, but well… I simply want to. Honestly, I haven’t thought of any complex reasons, so please just tell Mel-sama that I’ve disappeared.”
“Fuh, you’ve certainly become quite a free spirit. Understood. I’ll convey it to them properly.”
“Thank you. After traveling the world, if my feelings for Mel-sama are still strong… then, yes. I’ll be cheering for her alongside my parents, as a supporter of the entire group. Depending on the circumstances, I might even ‘wait a moment’ again.”
With her not-so-heavy luggage on her back, Rukil turned to Adams once more. She was smiling. A vibrant, fulfilled smile.
“…I see. You have a much better smile now than when you were using that authority.”
“Did you say something?”
“No, nothing. However, I will be a little lonely. I was looking forward to us sharing three drinks together, as a mere bystander carrying sake.”
“You’re always about alcohol… Ah, then I’ll appoint a substitute for me. Look, don’t you have a playful subordinate named Patrick? Bring him here and let him drink as much as he wants. It’s such a happy occasion. I permit it, let him go wild.”
“…Rukil, your smile has returned to how it used to be?”
“It’s just your imagination.”
And so, Rukil departed on her journey unnoticed, while the substitute — no, the ‘God of Fate’ Patrick, who was to act as her proxy, would be thoroughly drenched in alcohol.
