Chapter 145

“Honestly, that was a dangerous move.”

For the first time, we might actually encounter the Demon Race.

There’s a possibility that we could lose the Princess’s life and awaken the demons. Our plan turned out to be riskier than just suggesting to sacrifice the Princess from the very beginning.

“Are you still thinking about it? You do intend to, right?”

Ria asked me one last time like that.

Was it because she already knew the answer? Her question lacked the emotional weight it usually carried.

It was just a calm confirmation of facts.

“Ria.”

I looked at her and asked.

“What would you do if you could save the world by sacrificing me?”

“…I really don’t like a world that sacrifices someone just to save themselves.”

Ria said that jokingly. It had a slightly bitter smile, but still, seeing her face light up even a little made me smile back.

“I think the same. If you sacrifice someone just to survive without trying to find another way.”

Honestly, this was all just theoretical talk.

It’s inevitable for beings that have existed alongside magic since the dawn of civilization to be unable to imagine a civilization without it. Even if we say that civilization could arise without any magic and that we could step foot on the moon, they would probably find it hard to accept.

If beings called nations did not exist, the King wouldn’t have allowed us this method. If there was no Gate, I wouldn’t have been able to enter this world, and the nation would not even consider any ‘other method’.

So, I cannot blame this world. That blame should fall on those who have built civilization until now.

All I’m doing is merely presenting another direction as that ‘new method’.

We arrived in the middle of the desert.

However, near the river, it was mostly ordinary yellow sand, and the white sand was barely visible, but the more we went, the more the white sand slowly accumulated. In the end, we came to a land that was nothing but white sand with hardly a trace of ruins left.

“There was really no need for Your Majesty to follow us.”

I said that.

The reason we came this far was to prevent any major damage to the city should something go wrong. Naturally, there was no need for the King to come here.

“It has always been the King’s duty to make sacrifices.”

But the King only said that calmly.

“I cannot push that sin onto someone else.”

And that must have been divine mercy as well. In this nation, the King is a god itself.

A being capable of wielding greater magic power than anyone else.

Of course, for someone with no abilities, it might seem like a god.

…After all, the concept of a god is too broad for me to accept.

If simply being called a god makes one a god, then everyone in this world would have to be a god.

But at least, this King, for someone who calls themselves a god, seemed to be trying to take responsibility.

No, perhaps this person might not even be calling themselves a god.

Maybe they were just thrust into that role.

I nodded towards Ria.

Ria also nodded back at me.

Both of us slowly walked towards the distant Princess.

“…It’s a heartbreaking scene, no matter when you see it.”

Except for the remaining bit of the temple’s stone floor, nothing remained in the sandy ground. At first glance, you couldn’t even tell it was a ‘heartbreaking’ sight.

“I will do my best to ensure such an event does not occur again.”

At my words, Paina lightly smiled and turned her head.

In the distance, Pertia was visible.

Pertia too, surely didn’t need to come this far. Even though she is a high noble and born with a kind of magic, she wouldn’t be able to control the Princess if she went rampaging.

Yet, she was still here.

“Hoo.”

Paina let out a small sigh.

“You said you’ve met the Demon Race before.”

“And the Princess has spoken to them, right?”

“…They just speak unilaterally. They ask us to become gods with them.”

“Do you believe in gods?”

“Are you suggesting I become a missionary?”

Paina asked me with a look.

“No. I don’t believe in gods.”

“……”

Paina’s god must have been her younger brother. But listening to Paina, it doesn’t seem like she has much faith in him as a god. Well, anyone would feel that way. For Paina, he was neither a companion nor a god, just family.

“Then?”

“I think that being above us probably just wants to help us.”

“Then we should hope that being above helps you this time.”

“And the Princess too.”

Ria pulled out her sword.

“……”

Paina looked at Ria for a moment before glancing back up at Pertia.

Then she closed her eyes.

Taking a step back, she clasped her hands together.

After a gentle exhale—

The Princess, Paina, gave up everything.

*

I had thought about how it would feel to meet the Demon Race.

Just what kind of creatures are they that they act like they’re gods?

Even while dealing with beings that people consider gods, just what thought processes make them act so arrogantly?

“That’s why they hold themselves high.”

Paina’s voice spoke to me.

Sand still felt beneath my feet. My surroundings still seemed a bit bright. My light was illuminating the area.

But Ria, who had been right next to me, was nowhere to be seen. The faint sound of wind I heard moments ago, the whispering in this direction, was also gone. The noises of the knights following me moving about were silent as well.

“……..”

I looked up at the sky.

Golden eyes were looking down at me. They were beastly eyes.

Thud.

I heard something land on the sand. It sounded like something sweeping the sand, but it was a far bigger sound than a human’s foot.

In the distance, I saw a furry hand. It looked like a bear’s paw with elongated fingers, an unsettling sight.

That thing was walking towards me over the sand.

I saw a strange face reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat from an old picture book. Its mouth was torn wide, revealing sharp teeth all scattered about.

…That thing is really ugly.

At least the Cheshire Cat looked somewhat endearing, but this is just ridiculous.

“You are not a god, are you?”

I asked back.

“Considering the Gate to be the power of a god.”

“A path that connects countless worlds. Yes, I think so. I am just a being that follows that power.”

Thud.

The demon took another step toward me.

“But what if that god has no consciousness? If it is a power applicable to all and has rules, merely existing, can we not use that power to become gods ourselves?”

“…You might.”

“No, it’s not true. You are no different from me.”

The demon’s face slowly revealed itself. A smiling face split down the middle. It looked as if a wooden log had been cut in half, with black skin bearing rings like tree rings clustered all over. There was patchy hair growing on that blunt black face.

Forget about furry; this thing looks way worse up close.

“That power, the force that opposes magic, is our counterpart.”

“……”

“Just like when the universe first came into existence, it can blend to create a new world.”

“That sounds amazing.”

I said, slightly widening my eyes.

“If my power is but a half, and if we can create a world by becoming one.”

“We can create all sorts of unnatural things. Without countless suffering. We can create a clean world without chaos.”

“……”

“What do you say? Wouldn’t you want to join us?”

“That’s a rather typical line.”

I responded while looking up at that ugly face.

“It’s surprising how clichéd that sounds.”

The thing laughed upon hearing my response.

That’s right.

To think there’s pain is because there are thoughts from the very start. All living beings are born that way.

Having senses is to determine whether the being before one’s eyes is dangerous or not. All sensations felt by people ultimately connect to pain. Whether it’s touching something sharp. Or being crushed by something too heavy. Eating something too sweet or bitter. Or even touching something that’s too hot or cold.

We evolved to feel pain to survive, not to overcome it. That’s how the evolution of life has always been.

So, even the notion of confusion or pain in the first place is merely an individual’s judgment. It has no connection to the truth of the world, whatsoever.

The world is just the world. And I, living on top of that, am just me.

Thus, what I feel in my life is up to me.

Not because a god is saying so, nor because there’s some kind of power there.

I believe in gods because I want to believe in them, and I desire to hold power because I want it.

“I see.”

The demon said.

“So you are just that kind of being—”

“Don’t underestimate me.”

I raised my hand.

Slowly, light began to rise from there.

“You aren’t even a god, yet you act like one?”

Isn’t that a bit too early?

From the beginning, if they could descend and kill us all, the demons would have done so from the very start.

They couldn’t do that, so they’ve reached the current situation.

“However, the power is adequate. Thanks to your surrender.”

Just once, if I can take a bite, that’s enough.

My mouth opened wide.

Inside it was the swirling of countless galaxies. Perhaps it was the universe they had witnessed.

“…You came back from witnessing such a marvelous sight, yet all you can think about is swallowing it whole.”

I murmured.

Is it dangerous?

Well, I can’t say for sure. Because I don’t know what will happen if I collide over there.

I feel like my power is unable to fully exert itself. Ah, right. Thinking like that, it might be a tad dangerous.

“……!?”

The demon’s body suddenly froze.

It looked as if the video playing on a computer had suddenly stopped.

With its beast-like eyes wide open, looking down at me, light arose.

The darkened surroundings slowly brightened again.

“……I told you, I’m dangerous.”

A slightly angry voice could be heard.

It was a voice I recognized.

It was the voice I was so close to.

At that voice, I let out a small laugh.