Volume 9 Chapter 74 The Last Role
When I came to, I was in a white room.
What's going on?
Did I collapse the 'Kakehashi (Bridge to the Universe)' by killing Julius? That's crazy, I didn't think it'd go that far. Can I even survive the collapse of space?
As I thought about it, I belatedly noticed that there were 2 chairs in front of me.
They were big, with high backs, and had a dignified air about them.
The 2 chairs were placed back to back, not facing each other.
No, that's not it.
They weren't back to back, they were facing away from each other.
The high backs were probably designed to prevent their lines of sight from meeting.
The 2 people sitting in the chairs were indicating that.
"Ah, nice to meet you, I suppose?"
Neither of them would turn to face me, so I had no choice but to speak up.
Stop it, I don't know who to talk to.
One of them seemed to understand my complicated emotions and laughed while answering.
"Oh, it's not nice to meet you, is it?"
"I agree. We've met before, after all."
The low, gentle voice, like the tinkling of a glass bell, made even me, a guy, feel entranced.
So stop it, okay? If you both talk to me at the same time, I don't know who to respond to.
No choice. I'll respond to both of you.
"Lyla-sama and Glen-sama... or should I call you Goddess and Demon Lord?"
"Stop it, just Lyla is fine. And I'm not good at polite language, so it's better if you don't use it."
"I don't have a reason to be addressed with a title either."
So that's how it is.
It seems that gods are surprisingly casual.
The 2 people sitting in the chairs with their backs turned were Saint Lyla and Lord Glen Roderest.
They didn't move, keeping their gazes fixed ahead, and didn't look at me at all.
"Did you 2 call me?"
"No, we didn't."
"You're the one who barged in on your own."
Huh, is that so?
I didn't mean to, but it seems I intruded on someone else's space and caused trouble.
Well, since I've already intruded, I might as well ask what's on my mind.
"I'm sorry to intrude. May I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
Only Lyla reacted, but I guess that's a yes.
There's one thing I want to ask these 2.
"How can we get rid of the God-Demon War?"
I asked directly.
This war started because these 2 were worshipped as gods.
Maybe they know how to stop it.
Lyla and Glen were silent for a moment, then slowly opened their mouths.
"Don't you already know the answer?"
"Yeah, it's a stupid question."
The 2 of them said it like it was obvious.
I wanted to say "What are you talking about?", but their words struck a chord in me.
I tried not to think about it, but they wouldn't let me.
It was like they were saying "Don't look away" without saying it.
"Is that the only way?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Leave the rest to the gods of the underworld. If we get rid of the unnecessary things, the world will return to its natural order."
"That's...it, huh?"
There's no other way.
I had thought about it somewhere in my conversation with Julius. It was a ridiculous idea, but I couldn't ignore the possibility.
Lyla spoke in a gentle voice, like she was scolding a child.
"To be honest, we should have done it sooner. But because of our weakness, we've come this far. So you don't need to worry about it. We'll just return to our original form."
"That's right. We've been around for too long. We can't go back now."
I understand what they're saying.
So I know what I have to do. And that it's the right thing to do.
Humans and demons created the gods and demons, and built the God-Demon War's magic system.
So what happens if the core of those gods disappears?
The God-Demon War will probably lose its form and dissipate.
And when the gods disappear, the souls of the dead are summoned to the underworld, where they slowly dissolve into the natural world as Aether.
That's how souls circulate.
For that to happen, the gods must disappear.
The goddess and the demon god, Lyla and Glen.
The 2 of them, who had answered my question so readily, couldn't have not tried.
"I'm sorry to burden you with a difficult task. We can't do it."
"We were created by wishes. We can't go against those wishes."
So.
That's why I have to do it.
Kill the gods and erase the God-Demon War.
After fighting all the way to this point, the final role is this, and it's truly hopeless.
It's hopeless, but I have to save them.
Lyla and Glen have seen humans and demons fighting for a long time. They've been unable to do anything, just watching as the cause of the conflict.
I don't know what kind of feelings they had while watching that. As a mere human, I can't understand.
"I understand."
At least, let's end it with the utmost respect.
I manifest a sword in my hand.
At that time, Lyla said.
"There's just one thing I want to ask."
"What is it?"
"If we disappear, the world will undoubtedly fall into chaos."
That's probably true. After all, the gods that entire races believed in suddenly disappear.
The chaos that would ensue is unimaginable.
Glen took over Lyla's words.
"If we disappear, humans and demons won't be able to join hands, and it's not like that. The consciousness etched into the blood of each race is deep-rooted. If we're not careful, a new god might even be born."
"...What do you want me to do?"
Sorry, but I'm not going to become a god or anything like that.
Even as a hero, I already feel the weight on my shoulders.
I can only see a future where I'm crushed under that weight.
"I want you to become a balancer."
"A balancer?"
"I want you to watch over the day when humans and demons can reconcile and live together, holding hands."
"...That's a bit too much to ask. You're asking too much of me."
So I said, and Lyla and Glen laughed.
What's with that reaction? Are you guys making fun of me? It's ridiculous for God to bully an individual like that.
"There's no one more suitable than you on Earth or Asteris."
"If you want to quit, you can do so anytime. If they start a war again, that's a path they've chosen. Don't worry about it too much. While you're on your journey, I'll lend a hand with any troubles that come your way, that's all."
"Will I get paid for that?"
Can you tell me about the salary and benefits system, and what kind of work I'll be doing?
If the treatment is good, I'll consider it.
Lyla stopped laughing and asked me in a warm voice.
"We can't pay you, but if there's anything we can do, we'll grant any wish you have."
"――A wish?"
"Yes. It's definitely something you've wanted to hear from the start."
Something I really wanted to ask those 2.
It's been decided from the beginning.
More than the God-Demon War, more than the fate of people all over the world, there's something I want to protect.
It's an arrogant, reckless, and shameless wish.
Saying it out loud would be a betrayal to those who have died in battle so far.
That's what I thought.
"You're serious in a weird way. It's okay to make a wish. That's all you've done. No one will deny your choice. You yourself should know that best."
Lyla's words slowly sank into my heart.
I....
"I...."
"xxxx"
When I said that wish out loud, Lyla and Glen nodded deeply.
"Leave it to us. We're God, after all."
"Be proud. The fact that this wish can come true is because you didn't give up on anything and kept pushing forward."
"I, Lyla――."
"Glen Roderest――."
Hearing their voices was both joyful and sad.
"We bless Yamamoto Yuusuke."
"We bless Yamamoto Yuusuke."
A shout burst out from my throat.
Before I could think about anything, my body moved on its own, waving my arms.
If I didn't do that, I'd definitely hesitate.
I wish for eternal happiness for these 2.
The weight of the sword I wielded felt like the burden they had shouldered, and I prayed. In this place where there was no God, I didn't even know who would hear my prayer.
Still, I couldn't help but pray.
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