第１０５５堀：彼女は予定通りに動かない (Part2)
"So, leave this to me."
Even after hearing my words, Seraria didn't change her expression in the slightest.
"Hairen, you're the enemy, aren't you? I haven't fallen so low that I'd kill a child who doesn't even have a shred of murderous intent toward me."
"Yeah. That's right. I thought so too."
"And those children behind you look quite tense. Are you and your group actually enemies, Hairen?"
"Hmm, I've lost track of that myself. To be honest, I thought you would attack us the moment you realized we were enemies. I thought we wouldn't be able to talk at all."
"What's that supposed to mean? Well, I suppose that judgment wasn't entirely wrong. If you know how that battlefield looked, you wouldn't expect a civil conversation, would you? A goddess like me descending and forcing everyone to submit without a word—that's pretty absurd, isn't it?"
Seraria said that with a self-deprecating laugh.
"Hey, the way you put it... it sounds like you acted that way on purpose. Why did you do that?"
"Why, you ask? Perhaps to survive?"
"To survive?"
"Can you believe that I am a goddess?"
"Oh, yeah. I believe that. I'm a goddess too, after all."
"Eh? You are?"
Huh? Seraria seemed genuinely surprised by my declaration of being a goddess.
Well, I know I'm still inexperienced, but being looked at with such blatant shock is less hurtful and more... well, it actually makes me angry.
"It's true!"
I released my divine aura, feeling a bit indignant. Seraria’s eyes went wide in surprise.
"My, it really is true. In that case, why save me? As a rookie goddess, aren't you a subordinate of the Higher Gods? I'm sure there's an order out to eliminate or capture me, isn't there?"
"Yeah. Something like that came down, I guess. But, I wanted to try talking to you at least once."
"Talking?"
"Yeah. Because we only know Seraria from that battlefield. No matter what the Higher Gods say, I'm not just going to swallow it whole."
That’s what Yuki would say.
I had my own doubts, so I decided to be honest.
"Heh. I thought the gods who sided with the Higher Gods were all brainwashed fanatics who couldn't see anything beyond their own noses, but I guess that's not the case."
"Yeah. If I had to describe our leader... he actually treats the Higher Gods quite roughly."
Yuki doesn't hold back with Luna at all.
Actually, he doesn't hold back with any of us gods.
Though, I still don't feel like a "goddess" even when people call me one.
"That's interesting. The opponent is a being with absolute power, not some fake goddess like us, right? Is he crazy for treating someone like that so roughly?"
"He's not crazy. He's not exactly 'normal,' but he's just a bit of a handful. Anyway, we're getting off track. That’s why he asked me, a fellow goddess, to handle you. He doesn't want to just hand you over to the Higher Gods—Lady Luna, that is."
"I see. So there's someone like that. And since you saved me, you want me to cooperate?"
"That's about the gist of it. He says he wants to hear your side of the story."
"Gathering intelligence, then. Unfortunately, I have no intention of selling out my allies. Well, not that I have any allies left. Hairen, tell your leader this: there is no point in hiding me. It would be in your best interest to hand me over to the Higher Gods immediately."
Yeah. As I thought, Seraria isn't a bad person.
That’s exactly why it’s so strange.
"Hey. If you're worried about us, Seraria, why did you barge in like that? And you even used the power of a Dungeon Master, whom you despise."
"You even figured that out? Ah, I suppose since my items were confiscated, you searched me."
"Yeah. I had to go that far. Are you going to get angry and kill me for it?"
"Of course not. I'm the one who should be asking that. As I said before, I have killed Dungeon Masters. I've killed subordinates of the Higher Gods. Even so, why are you still trying to talk to me?"
Ah, the conversation is starting to loop.
Hmm, what should I say to make her trust me?
Oh, right. I should say this.
"I don't believe Seraria would do such things without a reason. That's why I want to hear your story."
That’s it.
I absolutely don't want to discard her without hearing her thoughts.
We can exchange words, and if we can understand even monsters who can't speak, then what's wrong with talking to a fellow goddess?
"Heh, you've got some potential, don't you? Fine. I'm going to be executed anyway, so it might be amusing to tell someone about the path I've walked before that happens."
With a gentler expression than I had ever seen on her, Seraria began to speak with a weary air.
Hairen acts on her own whims!
That said, Seraria herself is a mysterious presence.
Now, what kind of story did she have to tell?
But one thing is certain: after this, Yuki will likely never use Hairen for negotiations again.