Ch.179Chapter 179. Spirit World Escape No.1 (8)

Chapter 179. Spirit World Escape No.1 (8)

The reason Paya hadn’t learned necromancy despite witnessing Malak’s “zombie control” was because that ability transcended the realm of sorcery—it was a divine power, a blessing.

Divine power isn’t something learned but naturally possessed. It’s essentially a supernatural ability. So there’s no way others could learn it by observation.

Of course, Malak didn’t originally possess the “zombie control” blessing. He had merely acquired it thanks to the goddess’s peculiar ability called “Skill,” but Paya couldn’t have known such circumstances.

Charon’s necromancy differs from divine powers (Skills). It has clear principles and formulas. While its achievement was too extraordinary for ordinary mortals to reach, the fundamentals forming the framework of the sorcery weren’t particularly difficult.

That was from Paya’s perspective, at least.

This was the same Paya who had grasped the concept within hours and turned Tuntuni into a spirit when the concept of “spirit magic” was forcibly implanted in her mind through Malak’s blessing. Understanding the principles of necromancy was easy for her.

‘…No. Taboos exist for a reason. Lord Malak might be disappointed. Even if I use necromancy, I should get Lord Malak’s permission first.’

Paya, barely suppressing her sorcerer’s curiosity that rivaled a scientist’s inquisitiveness, rose from her seat.

“It’s nothing. I was just curious about something.”

“I see.”

Luna nodded.

“How is Grandpa Harry? Is he doing well?”

Paya asked, suddenly curious.

During the all-out war, Harry had controlled a giant god and eliminated more than six high-ranking demons. Though afterward, he had dismounted from the giant god while groaning in pain, perhaps from burning his passion too intensely.

Since that day, Harry had been recuperating, confined to his home.

“Yes, he’s quite energetic. He’s just being lazy. He’s pretending to be sick because if he says he’s recovered, he’ll be asked to repair ballistas or catapults. Oh, please don’t tell anyone I said this.”

Luna and Paya chuckled.

“What is Chief Kanto doing? I haven’t seen him leave his tent.”

“Oh, Chief Kanto?”

Paya had almost said “oppa” but stopped herself. Before being brother and sister, they were chief and priestess. She needed to maintain formality in front of others.

Though Luna was closer than “others,” making exceptions leads to mistakes. Paya, not yet confident in avoiding errors, refrained from calling Kanto “oppa.”

“He’s keeping himself from getting rusty by sparring daily and encouraging the warriors. He’s a strong person everyone can rely on.”

Luna recalled Kanto’s hearty laughter. To have the energy to comfort others after experiencing that hellish war at the forefront…

Luna’s heart still raced whenever she thought about the seven high-ranking demons falling from the sky. Even earlier, when Charon opened a dimensional gate in mid-air, her vision darkened and her breathing quickened.

Perhaps Kanto was truly strong in the genuine sense. Or maybe he was a psychopath incapable of feeling fear.

“Would you like some tea? If you have time.”

Luna invited her to chat. There were few people in similar positions, and even fewer peers her age. She wanted to use this opportunity to relax and talk.

“Why not?”

Paya was also troubled. It wouldn’t be bad to lighten her mood through casual conversation.

Late at night, inside the scientific facility, a barbarian girl and a civilized girl chatted while holding beaker-like cups.

***

In my childhood, there was a game I really loved.

It was called “Downtales,” and despite being made by a solo developer, its quality was exceptional, making it widely discussed among gamers.

I loved that game so much. I even combined a character’s name from it with a title from a fighting game to create the nickname I commonly use.

If asked why I loved it, it was because of the charming characters. Though they were completely otherworldly beings, not even human, I was captivated by their charm.

“I wanted to see the ending where everyone survives.”

This work had three main endings: neutral, pacifist, and genocide.

Despite being teased by friends for my “foot control” (poor gaming skills), I was so immersed that I spent days trying to achieve the pacifist ending where everyone survives.

Is this an extension of that?

Looking back now, I’ve been quite dedicated to saving people from a strange world. What kind of sense of mission drove me?

Because I’m their god? Because I enjoy being worshipped? Because I want to manifest and wield tremendous power?

Or because I couldn’t bear to see people suffering because of demons?

“That’s not quite it either.”

I’m not someone overflowing with a sense of duty, ambition, justice, or desire. Nor am I smart enough to see the big picture.

I have good self-awareness. I’m just an ordinary citizen who wants to live quietly, comfortably, enjoying a healing lifestyle.

I’m about a million light-years away from being a god or hero. I just have slightly better mental resilience than others.

“But why, then?”

Thinking deeply, the reason was simple. I just want to see them alive.

Perhaps I was captivated by the natives of this world who steadfastly uphold their values even in the face of apocalypse.

Yes, the answer was “love.” I had somehow come to love them. It was a completely platonic love… a great love.

I spent my time and mental energy to protect what I love.

“Ah shit. That’s so cringeworthy.”

Let’s drop it. When time overflows, I start thinking strange thoughts. I stopped my monologue and got up from the straw bed.

The flow of the unconscious is dangerous like this.

Let me just stretch.

“Ugh.”

It must be dawn by now. Time to depart. I left the tent and gathered the believers.

“Are you leaving already? You could stay a bit longer.”

Mera, the leader of the Gavin believers, greeted me with a worried face. She seems to be troubled by thoughts of Charon.

Yet I managed to heal while spacing out.

“It’s fine. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Now that day has broken, we need to depart quickly.

If Charon hadn’t come personally to declare war(?), I might have acted with a more relaxed mindset, but now it’s an emergency.

“It can’t be helped then. May the blessings of the Roas be with you on your path.”

“May the blessings of the Roas be with the Gavin believers.”

After exchanging brief farewells, I left the Gavin believers. The monster ladybugs, Rabak or Rabap or whatever, were nowhere to be seen.

I went to the place where I had clashed with Rabak.

“W-where am I…?”

“I wanna go! I’m scared!”

“I told you to wait here.”

The believers whose souls had recovered were scratching their heads.

“Mommy! Food! Waaah!”

Some believers showed signs of infantile regression, perhaps having lost all their memories. A hairy man who looked like he’d make a good bandit was sucking his finger and rolling on the ground.

“Tsk.”

It’s fortunate that person isn’t Denzo. I took care of them and resumed our journey.

“From here on is Udan’s territory.”

After hours of panting and walking, Nike entered a massive cave. The entire cave is Udan’s territory, she says.

“We need to pass through this cave. It’s a shortcut.”

“Got it.”

Like a true bear, it seems he just slept in caves.

“If we walk a bit more, we’ll reach the village where Udan’s believers live. We can ask for their understanding and pass through.”

I nodded at Nike’s words. Well, I don’t have any grudges against Udan, so it should be fine.

When we arrived at the supposed village, no one was living there.

There were many houses made of woven wood, but there was no sign of life, as if everyone had moved away together.

“What happened…”

A confused Nike hops around examining the village. In this silent space, I felt a sense of dissonance.

No, I discovered something.

“Nike. Can’t you see that?”

“What?”

Nike turned her eyes in the direction I was pointing.

“What’s there?”

Nike doesn’t seem to see it.

I called other believers to look, but none of them could see what I was seeing.

“It’s nothing. I thought I saw something, but it must have been my imagination. Let’s go.”

I made up an excuse and left the place. Saying it was my imagination was a lie.

I saw what appeared to be Udan’s soul, in the form of a bear, collapsed on the ground. The soul couldn’t move or speak. It was a ghost visible only to me.

Its soul kept wavering.

“…”

How should I put this? It feels like I’ve seen the outcome of the upcoming battle.

After much thought and making my own resolution, I left Udan’s territory.

I’d better not tell anyone about this.

***

“That’s far enough! Representative of Malak! I’ve come to make you pay for the crime of mocking me, Lord Tuga!”

A tall woman with a face reddened by anger and a group of warriors blocked our path.

“…Asha?”

Why are you here?

I felt sin climbing up my shoulders.

No, you should be the one feeling sin. You’re the bad one.