Ch.205Chapter 205. Epilogue (5) [END]

Chapter 205. Epilogue (5)

“…You’ll transfer the divine power? How?”

[If both the giver and receiver agree, it can be transferred. It works on the same principle as the ‘blessings’ we bestow upon our followers.]

So it’s possible for a Roa to transfer power to another Roa.

“If the status window disappears, will all the abilities granted by Ishtania disappear too?”

This was my concern. My totem ability was also a power granted by the status window. If this ability disappeared, it would be difficult to contribute to rebuilding civilization.

No, it wouldn’t just be difficult. If the ‘Authority of the Storm God’ disappeared, the wheat harvest would be delayed. We could face food shortages. This was no small problem.

[Don’t worry. Your ability comes from Malak, not Ishtania. He chose you, so it won’t disappear even if the status window vanishes.]

“What about the other Paladins?”

[Their powers will be reclaimed.]

“Will they return to Ishtania?”

[As you know, Ishtania has been banished from this world. Those powers will drift through space, unable to reach her.]

So the connection is severed and they can’t find their way back?

While I was lost in thought, the unicorn spoke again.

[The Paladins pose the greatest threat to your authority and have the highest potential to cause division. They may be united now, but that won’t last long. Humans are beings who envy and fight each other. Internal strife is inevitable.]

Certainly, they could be seen as a risk factor. If MeleeSpy or Dina reached level 10 and attacked the tribal federation along with other level 7+ Paladins, even if we won, we’d suffer heavy casualties.

But would those two really do that? MeleeSpy might be crazy, but he doesn’t have a strong desire for power or enjoy slaughter. Princess Dina is the same.

Not all humans fall to the depths like Charon.

Charon… he went too far to be saved. He wanted to kill the real Malak so badly that he kicked away his last chance and chose destruction.

He must have been desperate to kill and to die.

He experienced terrible things and was alone for a long time. But the Paladins are different.

I was about to firmly state that such a thing wouldn’t happen.

[…Or Ishtania might return and control them. I gained full authority over the status window because Ishtania was banished. If she returns, things will change.]

The unicorn said even it doesn’t know what functions Ishtania might have hidden in the status window. While it serves as the medium for its divine power and the roots of the world tree, Ishtania designed it.

There could be hidden brainwashing or hypnosis functions that Ishtania could activate immediately upon her return.

“If the status window disappears, can the Paladins return home?”

[Impossible. Unless Ishtania directly uses her power, they cannot return.]

So it just takes away their power.

“Do I alone have the right to choose?”

[Yes.]

“…”

When I remained silent, the unicorn asked:

[You’ll need time to think. Just a little more…]

“No. I already made my decision.”

Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it?

“I’ll keep the status window. You manage it together with Skynet.”

I trust the Paladins.

You could call it my faith in humanity.

Ishtania’s hidden brainwashing function? That’s just an unproven theory.

Even if it exists, it doesn’t matter.

There are followers who worship Ishtania, and they would need to use some method to summon her before she could interfere, right? We just need to stop them before they can do that.

And.

The community needs to exist. Seriously.

[JiminJimin: If we’re meant to bump into things, why do toes exist?]

[MeleeSpy: I’m the only DoT dealer in this isekai death game and I’m too strong – Hey everyone who ignored DoT damage, how do you feel now? Chapter 15]

[MorningTentInstaller: What happens if you marry the chief? Not asking for myself, just really curious]

[CowBikiniDance: There are too many cool-pretenders these days. It’s time for the hot-pretenders to rise]

[Brahman: I wonder how the mice are doing?]

[ITrustedMonkeyUncle: Live update: Incel… tried to tell kids to let go of Tuntuni… got beaten up…]

[TakashiKakashi: This is what I think now. I’m happy to be alive]

[BasementActivist: Does anyone know where the Holy Maiden went?]

Life would be half as enjoyable without this.

[If that’s your choice…]

The unicorn, who had been blinking, turned away. I thought it would question my judgment, but it retreated more gently than expected.

Perhaps it trusts my judgment because it acknowledges me.

“Let’s go back.”

“Understood.”

Before Lakye left, I saw NotACatfish running frantically, hugging the unicorn and crying.

“Thank goodness…”

So that woman can say words other than “meow.”

Anyway, I just hope the people living in Yggdrasil will be happy too.

The real Malak’s sacrifice is enough.

I transferred my consciousness back to my original body.

***

Late at night, I went to Tuntuni’s isolation facility with Lakye.

I deliberately chose a time when there would be no children coming to see Tuntuni’s cocoon. It would be troublesome if people were watching.

“Oh, Lord Sans?”

William was guarding the isolation facility with some warriors.

William. A knight who joined the Golden Sun tribe after being chased by the infected. He was also one of the civilized people who joined the tribal federation in its early days.

Perhaps because I hadn’t seen his face in a long time, memories of the past came flooding back.

There was that time when Sister Grace, who led the civilized group with William, caused trouble by saying “Don’t give weapons to children.” She was almost burned alive at the altar by angry barbarians.

Back then, I was debating whether to bestow a blessing on Paya. I wasn’t comfortable sending the young girl to the battlefield.

‘I’m not doing this because adults told me to. I’m not doing it because the tribe told me to. This is my choice.’

‘I’m tired of waiting for my father to return from a safe place. I’d rather learn to fight and protect my father myself.’

But I saw the strong will of children living in a world facing apocalypse, and I decided to respect them.

That’s how Paya became a spirit mage and Tuntuni became a spirit.

…Seeing Tuntuni about to ascend now brings back memories.

“Lord Malak ordered us to check on Tuntuni’s condition.”

Lakye answered for me.

“Ah, I understand. Open the door!”

At William’s command, the warriors opened the door to the isolation facility. The fact that strict barbarian warriors treated a civilized person like their superior showed that William had adapted very well to the tribal federation.

“Step back until I give permission, as you might disturb Lord Sans’s ritual.”

Lakye nodded after sending William and the warriors away.

Well, let’s begin.

“Tuntuni.”

Memories with Tuntuni… there aren’t many, actually. I mostly went around with Lakye, while Tuntuni was with Paya.

Still, we fought together for years. We have plenty of comradeship.

I slowly approached the cocoon. The cocoon made of divine power twitched slightly. Was it my imagination that it seemed to be responding to my words?

Good. It’s conscious.

“Do you want to become a Roa?”

I didn’t say things like “If you become a Roa, you might not be able to see Paya and the children often.” As a spiritual being, it probably already knows that.

This time, the cocoon didn’t twitch.

“If you don’t want to…”

I transferred my consciousness to Totem #3 that Lakye was holding.

– Transfer your divine power to me. If I permit it and you desire it, you can pass it on.

This is my choice.

Some lies are better left undiscovered, and some things are better left as they are.

I can’t force or hold onto it, but I think I can increase the options.

I’m a god too. Let me meddle a bit.

Lakye, with his 180cm model-like physique, held up Totem #3. It looked like a scene from a commercial.

– I’ll respect whatever choice you make. Do as you wish. You’ve earned that right.

I said only that much and waited calmly for Tuntuni to make its choice.

About 10 minutes passed.

The quiet cocoon suddenly began to writhe violently, then shot a beam of light toward Totem #3.

I accepted it without resistance. A warm, strong energy filled my soul. It was Tuntuni’s divine power.

Crack!

The moment all the divine power was absorbed, the cocoon that had been containing Tuntuni crumbled.

Squeak-!

From within the crumbling cocoon, Tuntuni rose up.

Its big, bright eyes looked at me. I wonder if it was saying “thank you.”

“Are you going to Paya?”

I asked after returning to my original body.

Squeak-!

Tuntuni made a sound as if answering, then flapped its wings and flew away.

My body feels completely drained, probably from absorbing such a massive amount of divine power at once. I watched Tuntuni fly away with Lakye supporting me.

That little guy is really fast.

“Lord Sans, if you ever ascend, leave it to me.”

“Lakye, do you want to become a Roa too?”

“Not really… but it might be nice to visit the spirit realm once. If I go, I’ll kill Tuga, Gabun, and Sonok, hit Rakan’s head once, and come back.”

“…”

“I’m joking.”

No, that wasn’t a joke just now.

“This won’t do. Just stay with me on earth forever.”

“…!”

Anyway, that’s one, no, two problems solved. And quite smoothly and elegantly at that.

For such an awesome me, one silly post should be fine, right?

Click.

[UltraSansMadWithMoonlightMassacreMode: Ah, the completion of a world where no one gets hurt]

It was a satisfying day.