Chapter 13. Crisis and Opportunity (13)

In fact, it was a dangerous undertaking.

Perhaps for the first time, we might face a demon.

This means we could lose the princess’s life and even awaken a demon.

“Even if we think about it again, you’re still going through with it, right?”

Ria asked me one last time.

Perhaps because she already knew the answer, Ria’s question didn’t carry the same emotion as before.

It was just calm, as if confirming a fact once more.

“Ria.”

I looked at Ria like that and asked.

“Ria, if you could save the world by sacrificing me, what would you do?”

“……I don’t like a world that sacrifices someone just to save itself.”

Ria said it like a joke. It was a bit of a bitter smile, but seeing even a little smile return to her face, I smiled too.

“I think the same way. If someone sacrifices a person without looking for other ways to live.”

In fact, it’s all about the outcome.

It’s inevitable that beings who have lived with magic since the birth of civilization can’t imagine a civilization without magic. Even if you say that civilization can arise without any magic, and that we can set foot on the moon, it would be difficult to accept.

If I didn’t exist, the king wouldn’t have allowed us that method. If there were no gates, I wouldn’t have come to this world, and this country wouldn’t have even considered ‘other methods’.

Therefore, I cannot blame this world. It was up to the people who have built civilization until now to think about it.

I simply presented a different direction as that ‘new method’.

We came to the middle of the desert.

Still, near the river, there was mostly ordinary yellow sand, and almost no white sand, but as we went further, the white sand gradually increased. In the end, we reached a land with only white sand, with almost no traces of ruins.

“His Majesty didn’t need to follow us.”

I said so.

The reason we came this far was to prevent major damage to the city in the unlikely event that something happened. Of course, the king didn’t need to come here.

“Since ancient times, it has been the king’s role to sacrifice.”

But the king just said that calmly.

“I cannot push that sin onto someone else.”

And, that too, must have been God’s mercy. In this country, the king was also God himself.

A being who could wield far more powerful magic than anyone else.

Well, to someone without any abilities, it might seem like God.

……Indeed, the concept of God is too broad for me to accept.

If someone can become God just by being called God, then who in this world isn’t God?

But at least, this king was trying to fulfill his responsibilities, unlike those who call themselves God.

No, perhaps this person isn’t calling himself God.

He was just put forward as such.

I nodded while looking at Ria.

Ria also nodded at me.

The two of us slowly walked towards the princess, who was far away.

“……It’s a tragic sight, no matter how many times I see it.”

Except for the small part of the temple’s stone floor that remained, there was nothing else in the sandy plain. At first glance, it was impossible to even tell that it was a ‘tragic’ sight.

“I will do my best to ensure that such a thing does not happen again.”

At my words, Faina smiled slightly and turned her head.

Ferti was visible in the distance.

Ferti also didn’t need to come this far. Even if she was a high-ranking noble and had innate magic, she wouldn’t be able to control the princess’s rampage.

But, she was here nonetheless.

“Hoo.”

Faina let out a small sigh.

“You said you’ve met a demon before.”

“You’ve spoken with one too, haven’t you, Princess?”

“……They only speak to me unilaterally. Saying let’s become gods together.”

“Do you believe in God?”

“Are you trying to proselytize?”

Faina asked me.

“No. Because I don’t believe in God.”

“…….”

Faina’s God should be her younger brother. However, listening to Faina’s story, it doesn’t seem like she worships him as a god. Well, anyone would be like that. For Faina, he was neither a partner nor a god, just family.

“Then?”

“I think the being above just wants to help us.”

“Then you should hope that the being above helps you this time as well.”

“And you too, Princess.”

Ria drew her sword.

“…….”

Faina glanced at Ria once, then looked up at Ferti again.

And closed her eyes.

Stepping back one step, she clasped her hands together.

Taking a light breath-

Princess Faina gave up on everything.

*

I’ve thought about what it would feel like to meet a demon.

What on earth are they doing to act as if they are gods?

Even while dealing with beings that people consider gods, what kind of thoughts make them act so arrogantly?

“That’s why I’m confident.”

Faina’s voice spoke to me.

I could still feel the sand under my feet. The surroundings were still a little bright. Because my light was illuminating the area.

But Ria, who was right beside me, was nowhere to be seen. The faint sound of the wind, which I could hear until a moment ago, the whispers looking this way, were also not audible. Nor were the sounds of the knights who followed me, moving with a clatter.

“…….”

I looked up at the sky.

Yellow eyes were looking down at me. They were animal eyes.

Rustle.

I heard the sound of something landing on the sand. It sounded like running a hand through the sand, but it was a much louder sound than a person’s footstep.

In the distance, I saw a furry hand. A grotesque hand, like the toes of a bear’s paw stretched out long.

It was approaching, stepping on the sand.

I saw a face that looked like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, which I had seen in a picture book long ago. Its sharp teeth were scattered haphazardly in a mouth split wide from side to side.

……It’s really ugly.

The Cheshire Cat was at least somewhat endearing, but this is not even funny.

“You’re not God, are you?”

I asked back.

“Thinking of the gate as God’s power.”

“A path connecting countless worlds. Yes, I think so. I am merely a being who follows that power.”

Rustle.

The demon took another step closer to me.

“However, what if that God has no consciousness? If it is a power that applies to all things, has rules, and is simply existing, then by borrowing that power, can we not also become gods?”

“……You, right?”

“No, that’s not true. You are no different from me.”

The demon’s face slowly revealed itself. A face laughing with its sides split. Like a log cut in the middle, the black face had something like growth rings radiating outwards from the center. Sparse fur grew on that blunt black face.

I take back the word ‘furry’. It’s much uglier up close.

“That power. That power that repels magic, is our other half.”

“…….”

“It is the power that can mix and create a new world, like when the universe was first created.”

“That’s surprising.”

I said with my eyes slightly widened.

“If my power is half, and by becoming one, we can create the world.”

“We can create all sorts of unnatural things. Without much suffering. We can create a clean world without chaos.”

“…….”

“How about it? Won’t you join me?”

“Well.”

I looked up at that ugly face and replied.

“It’s surprisingly cliché.”

The creature laughed at my answer.

That’s right.

After all, it is because there is thought that there is pain. All living beings are born that way.

Having senses is to know whether the being in front of you is dangerous or not. All pain felt by humans ultimately leads to suffering. Even if you touch something too sharp. Even if you are crushed by something too heavy. Even if you eat something too sweet or too bitter. Even if you touch something too hot or too cold.

We evolved to feel pain to survive, not to overcome that pain. The way living things evolve has always been like that.

Therefore, the idea of being confused or in pain is ultimately just an individual judgment. It has nothing to do with the truth of the world or anything like that.

The world is just the world. I, who live in it, am also just me.

So, what I feel in my life depends on me.

Not because God says so, not because there is power there.

I believe in God because I want to believe in God, and I want to have power because I want it.

“I see.”

The demon said.

“You too, are just a being who will be like that-“

“Don’t underestimate me.”

I raised my hand.

Slowly, light erupted from there.

“Even though you’re not there.”

Isn’t it too early?

If the demon could have descended and killed us all from the beginning, it would have done so from the start.

Because it couldn’t, we’ve reached the current situation.

“However, the power is sufficient. Thanks to your surrender.”

Because all it takes is one bite.

My mouth fell open.

Inside, I saw the swirling of countless galaxies. Perhaps the universe itself that they had seen.

“……Even after seeing such a magnificent sight, all you could think of was to swallow it.”

I muttered.

Is it dangerous?

Well. I don’t know. I don’t know what will happen if I get bitten there.

I feel like my power isn’t fully working. Ah, yes. Thinking of it that way, it might be a little dangerous.

“……!?”

The demon’s body suddenly stopped.

It looked like a computer that had stopped playing a video.

In front of the demon, whose beast-like eyes were wide open looking down at me, light appeared.

The surroundings, which had turned black, became a little brighter again.

“……So, I told you it was dangerous.”

A slightly angry voice was heard.

A voice I knew.

A voice I felt was very close.

At that voice, I smiled a little.