Ch.215The NPC Approaching the Truth (3)

The world is truly a disturbing place. The thought that a Spirit Master who was getting it on with the Spirit King was watching me… it’s genuinely creepy…

“Don’t think strange thoughts. It was other spirits who were watching you, not I. No, they weren’t even looking at you. The children who watched over you in Ponia were looking at your younger sister. And those who saw you afterward were actually watching that white tiger beastkin over there.”

“Wait, are you reading my thoughts too?”

“I’m not reading your thoughts. Your face just looked even more displeased than when you first came here and saw the Spirit King’s actions.”

“I see. But that’s still continuing now. And what’s this about spirits watching my sister?”

“…You said you didn’t have many questions, yet the more we talk, the more you ask.”

You don’t think it’s your problem that you keep saying things that make me want to ask questions?

I didn’t bother arguing since there was no need to be petty, but the Spirit Master sighed just from looking at my expression, as if thinking, ‘Like ancestor, like descendant.’

“Anyway, let’s change the subject. Regarding how those around you haven’t changed, it’s because they are conforming to the ‘cycle.'”

“…You mean they’re conforming to destruction and recreation?”

“Yes. And the same applies to me as well.”

“…Well, maybe that’s true for you. But isn’t it strange to say other people who live without knowing about this are conforming too?”

“It’s the opposite. Despite being able to know, they choose not to. Historically, if one wants to know and seeks out information about the destructive history of the Seven Deadly Sins’ descent upon this continent, it’s not something that can remain unknown.”

“Then, the fact that nobody knows about it…”

“It means this world is designed to ‘cycle’ that way. They conform from the soul level, which is why it’s like that.”

If I had heard this when my intelligence was 6, I would have already given up and run away. My head is killing me listening to this. Sigh, I seriously want to bring Ragni here.

“Anyway, from what you’ve said so far, my soul isn’t conforming to this cycle, right?”

“That’s right. That’s why people who should have died—or should have been destroyed—are alive because of you. They weren’t destroyed because of you. For instance, when you left Ponia and the monster parade occurred, Ponia should have originally been driven to the brink of extinction. However, that actually became an opportunity, and now humans strong enough to resist even if a demon of the Seven Deadly Sins descends have begun to emerge. That person you mentioned, Devil, is one such human.”

“Then, what about Ragni…”

“The spirits were watching that woman too. She had quite strong and abundant magical power, enough to contract with spirits. However, she was pushed to her limits both mentally and physically. Had she not met you, she would have killed many humans with her own hands. Because of that, the spirits didn’t approach her first to form a contract, and if things had remained that way, she would have struggled to live a life suitable for spirit contracts. But now, many spirits are watching her as well.”

“…What about Ira? She had little magical power…”

“Well, I heard this from the spirits, but they felt a very nostalgic feeling. Even spirits who had never contracted with anyone felt an incredibly familiar affection for that child. And recently, that has exploded into a rumor among uncontracted spirits that becoming her spirit is the best thing possible.”

I can somewhat understand the talk about Ponia and Ragni, but when it comes to Ira, it starts sounding like nonsense again. It doesn’t seem to be about [Skills], so I pretended to understand and changed the subject. The really important thing is this.

“Fine. Anyway, if the cycle is broken, then the Seven Deadly Sins won’t destroy the continent anymore. At least not during our lifetime, right?”

“Yes, I too should have been destroyed along with the Spirit King after fulfilling our roles in this cycle, but due to your intervention, we both survived and even retained enough strength to gather power again. If you continue to break the cycle like this, the destruction by the Seven Deadly Sins will stop there.”

“What’s the way to break this cycle? Even if you say ‘continue,’ most of what’s happened so far has been coincidental.”

“There are several methods, but one is to stop them through some unknown means, just as you killed the Sin of Wrath.”

Uh, well. That’s not going to work? I was only able to deal with Wrath because of Avalitia, and as for Lust, I’ll have to see when I meet them.

Moreover, the locations of the remaining four are: two in the Empire, one in [Aiti], and Pride is supposed to appear in [Heaven], but Heaven has been destroyed and we’re on bad terms with the Empire?

Wait, wasn’t it originally Envy, not Wrath, that was supposed to appear in Aigram?! If Envy was going to replace Wrath… shouldn’t it have appeared in Siltra? But that doesn’t seem to be the case, so… is it going to appear in the Empire?

Sloth, Envy, Greed… three in the Empire? That doesn’t seem right! Wait. Since Heaven is already destroyed, could all four, including Pride, appear in the Empire…!!

“…Yes, asking you alone to kill all Seven Deadly Sins might be too cruel.”

“Yes. It’s physically impossible. I’m already struggling with just the mess left by Wrath, and now you want me to somehow deal with four of them on my own? If you’re saying the continent will be destroyed if I don’t, then I think it might as well be destroyed.”

“Quite straightforward. If that happens, your sister will also be caught up in—”

“You should watch your words. I may not be like my ancestors, but I have my own breaking point.”

“Ah, um. Yes, I made a mistake.”

When I clench my fist at the sudden mention of Ira, the Spirit Master quickly apologizes as if this has happened before. Maybe our ancestors had this conversation before the threats? Saying things that deserved a beating? Right?

“Then, this method would be best after all. It should be simple and easy too.”

“Hmm, do you have a good method?”

“It’s simple. Since it’s difficult for you alone, you just need to create others who are ‘like you,’ free from the cycle.”

I gave him a suspicious look, but the Spirit Master ignored it and continued. Others like me who are free from the cycle? How would I create such—

“If you, who has already broken free, have children, it’s simple. Fortunately, you already have five females following you, so if each of them gives birth twice in two years, you’ll have ten individuals who have broken fr—”

“What? Have you lost your mind?”

“…It’s not a bad idea, is it? If necessary, I’ll provide space near me, the Spirit Master. Here, safe childbirth is possible, and with the Spirit King here, blessings are easily—”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Really.”

Unable to tolerate his absurd suggestion any longer, I kicked the root of the Spirit Master.

*

There should be limits to absurdity. Having children just because we want to survive? And having them fight in our place? Would that make me a worse parent than those ghouls?

Moreover, with five mothers, imagine how much explanation and courage would be needed to tell the children, “You need to fight demons!” Those children trained as warriors would be justified in beating me to death.

“…Then, there’s only one option left.”

“Sigh, let’s hear it. If it’s more nonsense, I’m going to cut down this tree.”

“…When you put it that way, I can’t speak.”

“So it was nonsense?”

The rectangular object neither confirmed nor denied my words and simply closed its mouth, leaving me with the fact that there’s no other option but to execute all the demons as soon as they appear.

Sigh, damn it. I can’t let Ira and our children get caught up in the continent’s destruction. Well, if I keep leveling up and get proper equipment, unlike in the game, I could reach close to level 2000 and be strong enough to tear apart a couple of demons on my own. If that’s not enough, I can always summon (threaten) Avalitia, so let’s think in that direction.

I ended my conversation with the Spirit Master, my head even more painful than before, and headed toward Miho, Chikuyo, and Salt Non. As if they had been waiting, a familiar voice reached me.

[To think you’d actually restore me to my senses, how did you come up with such a method?]

“Oh. Do you recognize me?”

[Yes, I told you to speak casually to me. Don’t you remember?]

“Ah, that’s right.”

“You’re on casual speaking terms with the Spirit King?! I-I really don’t understand anymore!! I’m going to get all wet from whimpering!! Miho…!!”

“Sister, stop it. I understand too, but stop being in heat. Jack doesn’t like that. You need to approach him more modestly, okay?”

“…What kind of human are… no, what are you?”

It seems that while I was talking with the Spirit Master, they had some kind of introduction with the Spirit King, as all three were chattering away. I decided to pretend I hadn’t heard. The Spirit King, who had been with our group, slowly approached me and extended his hand. Hmm, a handshake?

He looked much larger than when I saw him in the mental realm, and his color was now half black and half white. I hesitantly extended my hand, and he gripped it firmly and burst into laughter.

[Ahaha! Well now. I think you might have heard from our sister, but I really thought I was going to die this time. I was hoping to die without causing harm to other spirits or people, but fortunately, the corrupted mind of my main body surrendered itself to me and was absorbed. Thank you so much.]

“Yes. Well, you didn’t harm anyone except me— Wait, sister? Who?!”

[Huh? Why? You were just having all sorts of conversations with our sister until a moment ago…]

I slowly turned my head at his words, and the rectangular object that had been following me began to glow a bit brighter than before. Wait, what the fuck. Really?!

[What’s wrong? Did something happen? Sister, why are you blushing?]

“…Spirit King. Don’t you remember what you were doing earlier?”

[Hmm? I don’t know. More importantly, Sister, it’s been a while, so why aren’t you speaking? Hey, your eyes are bright…]

“It seems the memories of the main body have been lost. Well, there’s no need to know specifically…”

[Huh? Wait a minute. The memories of the main body are lost? If you mean the memories of stopping the demons, they’re still properly—]

The rectangular object fell silent, and naturally, I lost my words and even covered my eyes as the Spirit King kept asking [What is it? What’s going on?] as if he really didn’t know. Wow, this is insane. How am I supposed to explain this…

“…S-Sister means you two are siblings? But, then, what you were doing until just now…”

“S-Sister!! T-They’re spirits, so maybe it’s possible…!!! Besides, we shouldn’t talk about—!!!”

[…Huh?]

Due to Chikuyo’s stupidly leaked words and Miho’s near-screaming attempt to stop her, I could feel the Spirit King’s voice and the hand holding mine trembling.