269 Each Decision

Third entry today

"Really... is there no other way?"

"No."

Cutting off Oni-kun's trembling question with a decisive refusal.

The world has already stepped one foot into its end.

A perfect resolution without sacrifice is impossible.

It has become this deep in the mire.

"Hey... if we have many skills, does that mean we'll die too?"

The Vampire Child's voice does not tremble.

But the flicker in her eyes reveals her inner turmoil.

"The system's soul protection function is being expanded. Improvements are underway to save only reincarnated individuals."

It is not yet complete, but it will be ready by the time of system collapse.

In fact, the goal is to delay system collapse if the improvement is not finished. No need to worry.

"Then why not apply it to all people in the world!"

"Impossible. That would require an immense surplus of energy."

An amount comparable to sacrificing another god.

If such energy existed, it would be better to channel it directly into the system.

"What becomes of this world after system collapse?"

"Who knows?"

I do not know.

My assigned task is to assist the Demon King.

I have no intention of monitoring the world's fate after the system's dissolution.

"You're taking this seriously."

"I am answering seriously."

How the world evolves after system collapse is not my concern. That is for the inhabitants of this world to decide.

They may continue fighting between humans and demons.

They may work to restore the half that has collapsed.

Whatever they choose is their own decision.

Even if collapse awaits beyond this point, the goddess who once saved them is no longer present.

"Shiro, what happens to those who die after the system vanishes?"

"Their souls return to the standard cycle of reincarnation."

While the system exists, souls that die within this world are reborn directly into this world.

But that is an unnatural flow of souls.

Normally, the dead cycle through the wheel of reincarnation and are reborn across all worlds.

When the system ceases to exist, the natural state resumes.

"What if someone dies before the system collapses, but before they are reborn?"

"In that case, they also return to the wheel of reincarnation."

The system is merely a temporary storage for souls.

When it is gone, all souls return to the natural order of this world.

The collapse of the system does not cause souls to collapse with it.

However, if the system collapses while one is alive, the backlash from having skills forcibly removed can result in death or soul disintegration.

The contradiction—being safer dead than alive.

Well, death is still inevitable, so that's that.

"Is that so. Safer to be dead?"

Oni-kun seemed to understand.

And appeared to have made a decision.

"I understand. Syrilis, I'll cooperate with you."

Oni-kun extended his hand.

Huh. Uh.

Is this... one of those things?

A handshake?

Not responding would be strange.

Nervously reaching out, shaking hands.

An odd sensation.

Then, a strange embarrassment arises—Oni-kun’s hand is suddenly torn away by the Vampire Child.

And immediately seized, shaken vigorously.

What is this idiot trying to do?

After shaking violently for a while, the Vampire Child released my hand.

Then, inexplicably, glared fiercely at Oni-kun.

What strange rivalry is this?

The Maid’s hand, stunned and motionless, was now taken by the Demon King.

Uncharacteristically, the Demon King lowered his head, not smiling as usual.

"Shiro-chan"

Whispered in a voice nearly lost, he took my hand and called me.

"Shiro-chan"

He murmured it again. A drop of water fell onto my hand.

Not just one drop. Then another. And another, falling steadily onto both my hand and the Demon King’s.

"I'm sorry"

What was the meaning of this apology?

"Thank you"

What was the meaning of this gratitude?

The Demon King wept without pause.

Only one being, who had endlessly remembered the goddess.

Not a god. Not a human. Not a demon.

She had been weak.

Lacking the power to save the goddess.

She was strong.

Only one, holding the goddess's ideal in her heart, continued to watch over the world.

Her companions from before no longer existed.

Yet she fought alone, in solitude.

And when the Demon King perceived the end of his own life, he acted against the goddess's will for the first time.

Not out of defiance, but to save the goddess—despite the will of the goddess.

I witnessed that resolve and intention.

Only from the perspective of the souls devoured by the Demon King, beginning with Mother, could such a view be glimpsed.

Yet the true nature of her intent was unmistakably clear.

I do not wish to save the goddess.

To be honest, I detest the goddess herself.

Her existence revolts me.

I may acknowledge her way of being, but I cannot feel affection toward her.

I only wished to fulfill the Demon King’s desire.

The desire of this frail yet strong girl.

A girl truly weak—without a cheat ability like mine.

Yet she lived on, resisted on, protected on—strong in her frailty.

To adorn her final moments with brilliance.

Demon King Ariel.

Her soul had reached its limit.

A system that absorbed fragments of another soul as experience points.

This was an unnatural evolution, distorting one’s true soul.

The Demon King’s soul had accumulated vast experience over time.

It had made her strong—but also warped and swollen her soul.

She could not reach divinity.

Her soul could not endure the burden of divinity.

The collapse of the Demon King’s soul was now merely a matter of time.

Thus, for her final act, she became the Demon King.

At first, forced upon her by D.

But then, through travel together, sharing meals, exchanging words.

Perhaps one might say feelings developed in the process.

I respect the Demon King’s will. I wish to fulfill her request.

The wish to save the goddess.