落とし穴外伝：新年だから (Part1)
Pitfall Side Story: Because It’s New Year’s
Because It’s New Year’s
Side: Holy
I was a goddess.
Yes, and now, I am a Demon Lord who threatens humanity.
How did it come to this?
Ah, it is true that many things piled up, but the primary cause is simple.
It is because my husband and child were murdered.
It wasn’t that I craved to be worshipped as a god.
I was merely appointed as a god by a mid-tier deity, and suddenly, I found myself capable of wielding powerful magic.
I had been living in quiet seclusion, but I was discovered, and my husband and child were taken hostage.
Not as a god, but as a person skilled in recovery magic.
But human greed knows no bounds; after they killed my husband and child, they demanded I become their concubine.
That was the moment something inside me snapped.
After destroying that country, I traveled to others, but everywhere I went, those in power were committing acts similar to the tragedy that befell me. It was commonplace for townsfolk to assault and kill a mother trying to shield her child.
Ah, in the end, it wasn’t just the powerful—it was people themselves who were evil.
And so, I decided to eradicate humanity.
I could not allow such tragedies to happen again, nor could I bear to witness them.
I realized that such things happen precisely because people exist.
Therefore, I simply needed to eliminate the cause: humanity.
I found a way to manipulate monsters, and just when I thought I was one step away from purging this world of people…
“I see. So that’s when Yuki and his group arrived. Well, I was the one who sent them.”
Luna, a high-ranking deity who had been listening to my monologue-like explanation, showed no particular reaction, simply listening as if it were mundane.
Conversely, the other goddesses present—Lilishe, Hairen, Hifie, and Senaru—were frowning.
Perhaps they, too, have things they wish to protect from the bottom of their hearts, or perhaps they have families of their own.
But that does not change the fact that I was defeated.
“……”
I simply waited in silence for my judgment.
I had defied the will of a high-ranking deity.
It would be no surprise if I were erased immediately, and more than anything, I have no lingering attachments to this world.
No, I suppose I feel a pang of regret leaving my family’s graves unattended, but those who were precious to me have long since passed away.
I could not even fulfill my desire to destroy the hateful humans.
In the end, gods are no different from people.
I could change nothing.
As I sat there with such an empty heart…
“Now then, there’s talk of having you assist in the analysis of the berserk state, but what would you like to do, Holy?”
“……What I would like to do?”
The way she phrased it made it sound as if I had a choice.
“I’ve heard your story, Holy. I know you hate humanity and wish to destroy them. However, that is simply not going to happen. At least, not now. You don’t think you could win against the people here, do you?”
“That is, well……”
I had been receiving incomprehensible reports from my monsters, then the enemy arrived, pointed iron tubes at us, and before I knew it, my magical barriers were erased and holes were punched through my body.
I was defeated in the blink of an eye.
Even now, I can guess that the monsters I sent to the Ioa Kingdom have likely been wiped out as well.
I understand that it would take a long time to counter such power.
However, I do not understand why she is asking me this.
“From my perspective—and I believe Yuki mentioned this—as long as the situation doesn’t affect other regions, I have no complaints. In other words, I don’t intend to do anything further.”
“Eh? Then, even if I continue to try to destroy humanity?”
“I won’t stop you. That is your choice, Holy. However, in that case, this Weed will become your enemy. What you were attempting to do would have global repercussions. They wouldn’t just leave someone capable of doing that again to their own devices, would they?”
“……True. But then, why did you inform them of my existence?”
That man, Yuki, said he came under the orders of Lady Luna.
That would mean Lady Luna was trying to stop my actions.
If her current words are true, that is a contradiction.
“Ah, that’s because I summoned them from another world. They require a certain amount of support, and above all, they are a cut above the rest when it comes to managing a continent. It’s not that they accidentally affect other continents like you did; I told them to go to the next continent. That is their jurisdiction.”
“I see.”
I began to understand.
He was carrying out his duties according to the rules set by Lady Luna, and I was the one who had committed a violation.
“I’m glad you seem to understand. Well, since this incident also interfered with your objectives, I don’t intend to unilaterally punish you.”
“Then, to destroy that continent—the Ioa Kingdom—once more is……”
“That is impossible. I did interfere, but that was a measure taken precisely because you were infringing on another jurisdiction. And now that you know that continent isn’t the only human world, are you satisfied?”
“……”
To me, destroying humanity is literal.
Now that I know it is not limited to that one continent, it is a certainty that I would have expanded to others.
“In that case, you could return, but it would only lead to an all-out war with Weed here. You know what the result would be, don’t you?”
“……”
I do not think I could win.
I would simply be erased in an instant.
“……But, I have no other……”
I know no other way to live.
I have no choice but to vent this hatred.
“Well, I suppose so.”
Lady Luna accepted my words easily.
“However, if you remain hostile, you will only be erased. I will speak to Yuki on your behalf, so why don’t you take a break and think about it?”
“Think, you say?”
“Yes. You’ve been through a lot, and your heart isn’t settled. You should have time to think. Even if you want to take revenge on humanity, you’ll just be crushed with your current strength.”
“……You are giving time to someone who might become an enemy of humanity?”
“If you can’t counter them, then the world of humanity will simply end. Monsters will roam in their place, right? From your perspective, Holy?”
“Yes, well.”
That was my intention when I set out to destroy them.
Nevertheless, I know all too well that this treatment—this disposition—is impossible, and I remain half-doubting.