Epilogue

Three chapters updated today. Third chapter.

Final chapter.

"Then? Was the outcome satisfactory?"

"Yes, well. Passing grade, at best."

A garden in full bloom, flowers asserting their presence.

At its center, a table hosted two women enjoying tea.

One was the Demon God D.

The other was a woman resembling a traditional Japanese maiden, clad in a maid uniform.

"Thus, the world was saved by the sacrifice of a single deity. Congratulations, congratulations."

"War wounds remain, but overall, a happy ending."

"Indeed."

"Still, if the world’s survival and humanity’s survival could coexist from the beginning, why provoke war at all? It was unnecessary."

"Ah, that was impossible."

"Impossible? Why?"

"First, pre-war conditions lacked sufficient energy. To achieve coexistence, supplementary energy had to be sourced from elsewhere. That is why the war's sacrifices, and pushing the Black Dragon Gyuriedistidies to its limits to extract energy, were necessary."

"Aha, I see."

"The war allowed both sides to fight with desperate intensity. Skill and status levels improved, and as a result, the energy recovered increased exponentially."

"Hmm. But originally, you were attempting to secretly carry out the plan without provoking war, correct?"

"Either approach would have worked equally well. For it, saving the planet and saving humanity were ultimately just means to fulfill the Demon Lord Ariel's wish. In the end, the planet and humanity themselves were irrelevant."

"So I could quietly proceed, and it wouldn’t matter if half of humanity died."

"Indeed. But that would’ve made things dull. I intervened."

"Still have terrible taste."

"I let the Demon Lord Ariel say goodbye to the Goddess Sariel. How kind of me—calling me tasteless is harsh."

"Ah, that was a good scene. The Demon Lord Ariel was finally rewarded."

"The Goddess Sariel was always destined to die once freed from the system. As payment for sustaining the system, a farewell message was a reasonable gift."

"Only one sentence each to the Demon Lord Ariel and the Black Dragon Guryedisdies? Could I have asked for more without punishment?"

"Sometimes, it’s precisely the brevity that carries meaning."

"Is that how it is?"

"This marks the end of a chapter in that world’s story. It was moderately enjoyable."

"Still, quite tasteless. That world, what awaits it from here on won’t be easy, will it?"

"Indeed. Humanity must survive in a world where skills and stats have vanished overnight. What lies ahead is surely an age of upheaval."

"So those who reincarnated will be cast into that age of upheaval?"

"That, too, is life. No one can predict what will happen. Whether they emerge from the chaos to rise in status, vanish quietly into obscurity, or fall midway—each path is their own to walk."

"Quite the laissez-faire approach."

"Originally, living under its protection was nothing but a low-difficulty run. Combined, past and present lives exceed thirty years. If I’m to find enjoyment, they must handle their own affairs."

"Is that your true intention, then?"

"Of course."

"Actually, thanks to that, the reincarnated ones have remained without their energy being stripped. They may be more restricted than when they had skills, but they are still undeniably stronger than the average commoner."

"Yes. Unfortunately, Yamada-kun has overextended his compassion and will have no further opportunities to act. But I do expect something from the other reincarnated ones. I believe they will continue to entertain me."

"Are you finding any reincarnated ones who meet your standards?"

"At the very least, I expect something from Sophia-san—the sole survivor among those who shared the same faction as that one. She seems likely to bring about something in the future."

"...Indeed."

"Still, the major event has concluded. I won't be watching closely from now on, as I did before."

"You won’t have the time. Work."

"...Yes."

"Allowing a peek during a rest period like this is acceptable."

"...Yes."

"Then? What are you planning to do about this? As I said, there's no time to keep it in reserve."

Bang. Bang. The Maid strikes the insect cage.

"Ah, I'll entrust it to some suitable subordinate. With this level of weakening, regaining strength will be no small effort. I can't monitor it constantly myself."

"A reasonable decision."

"That is to say. Do you understand, Shiro?"

I understand perfectly!

Why am I trapped inside this insect cage, I wonder?

Yes, I am inside this cage—unbecoming to this tea gathering.

In the form of a spider small enough to perch on a fingertip!

When I caused the system to collapse, I was still alive.

The effort I expended wasn't a lie.

But the energy in this mini-body—nothing else!

I drained every last bit of energy from the other fragments too. There’s nothing left except this mini-body.

The energy within this mini-body is as low as it appears.

It would shatter instantly if pressed by a finger.

But that’s precisely what makes it work.

If I’ve gone this far, even D will believe I’m dead.

Yes. I executed a fake death strategy.

I exhausted my energy to the limit during that battle, making it seem like I had collapsed.

I truly did exhaust my energy. And thanks to the unexpected event—my true body being attacked by Yamada-kun—I was nearly killed.

But that very incident made the fake death more believable.

A spider this insignificant shouldn't be able to detect me even if I'm faking death with D!

…That's what I thought. So why am I trapped in this insect cage?

How? Why?

"Frankly. I wouldn't let someone like you slip away just because I pretended to die."

Gah!?

I feel an unbearable, chilling resolve.

As if to prove it, the Maid in her uniform gazes at me with pity!

"Looks like we'll be spending a long time together. Please take care of me, Spider-sama."

Hah… hah… hah…

I ran away and faked my death because I was afraid of this outcome…

It seems my suffering has only just begun.

Damn it! But I won't give up!

One day, I'll escape these demonic hands!

For that, I must first acquire strength!

More importantly—restore the power I've lost!

My adventure begins now!