Epilogue. Order of Hierarchy

Before I possessed Divinity.

The six people connected to my soul, including Kartia, didn’t have authority like they do now.

Talking to my friends and showing them what I saw was something only I could do.

I even cut off the connection sometimes because they were so distracting and teased me so much.

But not anymore.

Maybe it’s because I connected my soul to this space, as Sirin explained before, but I don’t have any authority now.

So, I can’t stop my friends from seeing the world through my eyes.

Of course, I don’t usually need to stop them.

I want to show them even more. It’s the world we protected together. But I don’t want to show them my and Rubia’s… private time.

And when I’m washing, or going to the bathroom…

It would be nice if they could disconnect on their own then.

“What are the rules going to be?”

Looking at their expressions now, I don’t think they have any intention of doing that.

“How about the same as before, the last one standing wins?”

Even Sirin, who is cracking her knuckles next to her, has the same competitive look as Kartia.

I trusted Sirin and Primavera, at least…

“…I’ll pass.”

Then, Luissar, who was standing in the back, fluttered his wings and approached me.

And whispered.

“I tried to stop them, but it was no use. I’m sorry.”

After that, Sonia trotted over.

Then she bent down for a moment, picked a wildflower blooming in the wide field, and trotted over again.

“…Me too. I’m just going to protect Rubia and cheer for Noah. Here, Rubia, this is for you.”

Snap— The flower, which had been full of life until just now, froze rapidly.

Transparent ice crystals reflected the sunlight, sparkling beautifully.

“Wow… Thank you.”

Rubia smiled as she carefully received it.

Does Rubia like flowers…?

Hmm… I should buy her a lot next time.

“Ugh, screw it. I’m out too. I know everything I wanted to know.”

Soon after, Boheuk-Hee… no, Brunhilde also walked over with a dissatisfied look on her face.

“I knew it, but they’re even more monstrous than I thought.”

Clack- Clack- Brunhilde, wagging her tail behind her, walked over haughtily and tickled my chin.

“I’m also curious how strong our little one is.”

“Eep…”

Next was Frey.

“Tch. I’m going to drop out before I get pathetic.”

Frey, grumbling and dragging her Greatsword, seemed sulky.

Then she glanced at me and chuckled.

“Good luck?”

So, the people left in front of me were.

Kartia, Sirin, Primavera, Serr, Carpen.

I met their eyes one by one and opened my mouth.

“…Is there anyone else who wants to drop out?”

“I don’t care about authority, I just want to fight.”

“This one feels the same. It seems like it’s not the time to use authority anymore.”

“I feel the same way. I haven’t exchanged blows with Noah, no matter what. I’m curious about the result.”

“Hmm, I.”

Among them, Serr, who was crossing her arms and tilting her head, said with a meaningful smile.

“I will stand on Noah’s side.”

“…Huh.”

Then she walked towards me, step by step, and met my eyes.

“Ah! Then I’ll be on Noah’s team too!”

Carpen, who belatedly chased after Serr, wagged her tail wildly and hugged me.

“How about we do it 3 on 3 like this?”

“Huh? What’s wrong with them? Are they scared of getting beaten up by Noah?”

“Ahahaha! Okay. That’s not bad!”

“Hehe, yes. This is fairer.”

Soon, Serr stood next to me and patted my shoulder.

“What do you think? I’ll hand over the authority to you, Noah.”

“Sigh…”

Carpen, who was hugging me, buried her nose in my hair and smelled it, as if she didn’t care about authority or anything else.

“…Uh… I don’t mind…”

I don’t mind…

But I wanted to fight Serr too…

That’s a little disappointing.

“Wow, listen to that bitch talk? She definitely thinks they’re going to win?”

“Isn’t our victory obvious?”

“Ha.”

Kartia tapped her forehead as if she was dumbfounded.

“Yeah, damn it. Come at me. You arrogant little brats.”

“…I, I didn’t say anything…?”

“Aren’t you going to come at me?”

“No… I’m, I’m going to come at you…”

Clang- A fierce smile spread across Kartia’s face as she gripped the hilt of her Katana.

“I’m curious, though. How strong you are now. How strong I am.”

“Noah, you’ve already fought this one once, so you know, but it would be dangerous to think it’s the same as then.”

Similarly, a competitive smile spread across Sirin’s face as she slowly unfolded the wings she had folded behind her back.

Primavera simply ―Crack! Gripped the huge scythe made of the roots of Yggdrasil.

“Are you not confident, Noah?”

“…Th, that’s not true.”

“If Noah doesn’t give it her all, they will all watch Noah and Rubia’s fun time. Is that okay?”

It’s not worth answering.

I immediately turned around and approached Rubia.

“Rubia will be safe as long as she’s inside here.”

And Swoosh—! Swoosh—! I drew a circle with the Greatsword in my hand.

“And, just in case… if my Divine Realm is broken, please take care of Rubia.”

“Yeah, trust me, Noah.”

Sonia smiled brightly at my request.

“Um… I’m a little confused because the situation suddenly turned out like this… Be careful, Noah.”

Rubia looked at me and the people behind me with a slightly bewildered expression.

Then she leaned over and whispered in my ear.

“Make sure no one sees my naked body, Noah!”

A voice without any worries or concerns.

A tone as if it were obvious that I would win.

Feeling good about it, I nodded vigorously and unfolded my Divine Realm.

Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh—

Crimson light soared from the sword marks engraved on the ground, making an ominous sound.

“What is this… Ugh, screw it. I’m glad I dropped out.”

Brunhilde swallowed hard as she looked at my Divine Realm with both eyes.

Luissar also stared at the Divine Realm that soared to the end of the sky with a stiff expression.

Frey immediately raised her Greatsword and began to strike my Divine Realm.

Sonia.

“Wow…”

She looked at me with sparkling eyes and wagged her short tail diligently.

Well, she’s wagging it… but her tail is so short that it just looks like she’s wiggling her butt.

…Does a polar bear wag its tail when it’s happy?

Or is she just copying what Carpen is doing…

I shook my head to clear my mind and immediately turned around and stood next to Serr and Carpen.

“What do you think will happen?”

“Of course we’ll win with Noah!!! There’s no way our Noah would lose to those losers!”

“…Hehe.”

I scratched my nose awkwardly at Carpen’s slightly burdensome words.

“Hmm, looking at Noah’s expression, I think she’s confident of victory.”

“…Aren’t you, Serr?”

When I looked up to the left, Serr was still wearing a meaningful smile.

“Of course, I’m sure we’ll win if the battle continues. But, hmm. Never mind. Noah, you’ll realize this yourself later.”

“…Huh…?”

What’s with that tone?

It’s a very rare… really annoying tone?

“What, what is it…! Tell me…!”

I pulled on Serr’s sleeve, but Serr just shrugged her shoulders and avoided answering.

Carpen still buried her nose in my hair as if she didn’t care about anything.

“Well, vanguard. Do your best. If you guys get hit, I’m done too, so do your duty.”

Soon, Serr took a step back and pushed our backs.

“I’ll give you the first attack, so you guys do it!”

At the same time, Kartia, who was already far away, shouted at us.

“Noah! Then I’ll run first, so cover the rear―”

I interrupted Carpen and leaned my upper body back slightly.

“…Uh-uh. I’ll go first. Carpen, just block Primavera’s attacks.”

“Oh… Okay!!”

Carpen’s hand touched the ground. Crack- Crack- A bright red [Blood Aura] swirled from her body with a rough sound.

The wind blew. A wind made of magic, not the wind of spirits. Following that, a huge flow of magic power was felt from where Serr was standing.

I, standing at the very front of them.

“Hoo…”

I took a light breath.

And looked at the three people standing far away.

First of all, Sirin, who is expected to be the most difficult.

Skilled in both close combat and magic, she will move freely, not in a fixed position like us.

And Primavera.

I know that this world is completely different from the game, but based on the knowledge I saw in the game and the way she faced the Nameless One…

Primavera is vulnerable in close combat.

Lastly, Kartia.

I’ve seen her fight a lot, but.

I can’t predict it. Even as I am now, it’s hard to accurately grasp the power she has.

Then, in this situation where I left Primavera to Carpen, what should I deal with first?

Thud— Bang—!

Sirin.

“Ahaha!”

At the same time as I moved my legs and arrived in front of Sirin, I immediately swung my Greatsword.

However, Sirin, as if she had expected it, smiled happily and swung her arm. —Clang! A wind that made my skin tingle swirled. At the same time, the roots of trees that had been pulled out from under my feet rose to bind my limbs.

But I didn’t stop it.

Primavera’s attack.

“Krrrraaaaaaa!!”

Crackling—!

Because I left it to Carpen.

“Noah!”

I bent over at Carpen’s shout. Above me, the pale blue moonlight passed by with a rustle—! Space was distorted. Without paying attention, I twisted my waist and raised my Greatsword. —Clang! The falling Katana and my Greatsword immediately collided.

Heavy.

The Katana, which is infinitely lighter than the Greatsword.

Felt heavy.

As expected, Kartia is strong.

If we’re just talking about swordsmanship.

She’s even stronger than me.

At that thought, a bright smile spread across my face.

A smile also spread across Kartia’s lips as she faced me.

But that was only for a moment.

I stepped back at the roar emitted by the Magic circle completed behind Sirin.

A black shadow cast in the sky. Wings spread wide. I don’t know what kind of ancient magic was completed like that.

“Don’t be afraid.”

At Serr’s one word, Carpen and I ran forward again.

If I swing my Greatsword, it’s blocked by the Katana. If I twist my body and throw a punch, it’s blocked by Sirin’s wings. If I unleash Divinity and create distance, tree roots rise up. If Carpen’s claws block it, the mysteries of the spirits rush in. Sirin’s magic pours into the gap created like that.

At the same time, Serr’s great magic blocks it.

Not only that, but she also attacks them.

I, become a dagger in that, and once again swing my Greatsword towards Sirin’s body.

At first glance, it may seem like we’re exchanging the same patterns, but I, they, we, are making the best decisions and acting every moment.

Knowing each other’s weaknesses, knowing each other’s strengths, we have no choice but to act like this.

Then, what do I have to do to break out of this frame?

Destroy it.

How?

Since when have I thought about that?

Just destroy everything in my way.

Boom—! A huge flame erupted from inside my body. Arms, legs. The Divinity that spread to my limbs exploded through the Greatsword. The sky turns crimson. It covers the sun. The earth turns black. My Divinity is overlaid on top of it.

The sound of gently rippling waves.

Not water, but my pure Divinity.

It takes shape and begins to devour everything in the world Sirin created.

“Wh, what is this!”

Carpen, who had curled up her tail and hid, hid behind me.

A different light entered Kartia’s eyes.

Sirin laughed as if she was enjoying it.

Primavera shuddered.

Hoo. My contracted lungs expand. Strength enters my hand. Crack— The earth torn by [True Awakening] touches Divinity and disappears.

The lowered Greatsword was level with the ground.

Above it, the Black Sun rose.

The crimson light scattered by the Black Sun.

On the earth reflected below, the shadow of a huge dragon was cast. The dragon spread its wings. It opened its jaws wide. Heat that seemed to melt my eyeballs just by looking at it gathered.

In the gap of that heat, the Katana holding the pale blue moonlight was raised towards the Black Sun. Blue light poured down from there. It illuminates the crimson world and tells her the path to victory.

Spirit. The songs of the primordial spirits resound. On the crimson earth, flowers bloom on the sea of pure Divinity. Flowers that wither and die quickly, flowers that are torn into small pieces, absorb my Divinity and bloom infinitely.

In the center of it, a Magic circle unfolded. Not a Magic circle that goes against my Divine Realm, but a Magic circle that mixes and permeates through it. Magic is added to the Divinity that flowed like gentle waves. A miracle-like magic that humans can never achieve. A disaster that gathered everything in nature coiled up.

Eventually.

“Yelp…”

The Greatsword was swung.

Flames poured from the dragon’s mouth.

The light of victory flashed.

Flower petals fluttered.

Magic opened its jaws.

At the same time.

—Squeak.

An alien sound is heard among the huge roars.

“Oh my…”

“Hey, you bad bitch… Ah, un…?”

Along with a familiar voice.

Crack—

“You crazy, Rubia!”

The river of blood flowing under our feet.

The mountain of corpses and sea of blood of Demon Beasts surrounding us.

And.

Another Black Sun rose.