Ex Strongest, Putting Final Touch on the End

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It was a place unknown to anywhere, a place that defied description. What appeared in sight was white… no, it should be said, there was nothing but white. It was a place where everything around seemed to be painted over in white. However, there was one spot that had escaped from the white. And there, stood something familiar to Soma. It was Satya.

“As expected of you… you noticed well, didn’t you? I was supposed to blend perfectly into that world.” (Satya)

“Well, I figured it would be something like that. And did you see it?” (Soma)

“Well, in case of the worst-case scenario, I couldn’t afford not to watch. Turns out it wasn’t necessary, though. Still, I must say, you truly live up to expectations, don’t you? Even if you could anticipate it, it’s not something most people would notice.” (Satya)

The impressed expression on her face seemed genuine. However, that’s not the point, nor did he call Satya for that reason.

“So, what are we going to do from here?” (Soma)

“Well, honestly, you truly are something. You’ve perfectly fulfilled what I wished of you, and you also understand that there are still things to be done. Frankly, it’s a bit frightening.” (Satya)

“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. After all, I’ve received various hints.” (Soma)

The hints from Elenora, that Devil, and above all, the time spent in this world. Mixing them together, it wasn’t so difficult to grasp what exactly is being asked of oneself.

“I think you’re the only one who can say that… but well, never mind. We don’t have time to chat idly. After all… this world is steadily progressing towards destruction with every passing moment.” (Satya)

“Yeah, it seems so.” (Soma)

Certainly, Felicia, who was said to be the cause of destruction, met her end. But that alone was meaningless. This was the world of souls where time had stopped. The question was how much meaning was there in death here?

“After all, this world is fundamentally ephemeral. As that Devil said, dying here has no relevance in reality. If this world breaks, everything returns to its original state.” (Satya)

Felicia’s death had passed… and the destruction of the Holy City couldn’t be stopped. Nothing had changed yet.

“Well, that’s only if we let this world end as it is. This world was created by me. If we just inherit the state of this world into the real world, it’s possible. But what that means… it doesn’t need to be explicitly stated, right?” (Satya)

Of course, it was as expected.

What would happen as a result was straightforward. The people living in the Holy City, or perhaps all the people in the world, would be saved. In exchange for the life of just one girl. It was quite a favorable deal. Probably, if you asked a hundred people, a hundred would answer the same.

Satya looked at Soma with eyes that seemed to ask what he would do next. It was as if she intended to decide the future based on his response… no, she likely did intend that. Her eyes spoke as much. However, the answer had been decided from the start.

“Of course, it’s out of the question.” (Soma)

He didn’t resolve to do such a thing, nor had he come this far for that reason. He conveyed it while shrugging his shoulders, and Satia responded with a satisfied smile. It seemed that was the answer she favored.

“Really… since it’s something so obvious, there’s no need to go through such motions.” (Soma)

“Well, there’s always a chance. Effective communication of intent is important, you know?” (Satya)

“Hmm… then, in order to communicate our intent, I shall also inquire. How about you?” (Soma)

“Of course, I agree. Peace built upon someone’s sacrifice can go to hell. …Honestly, I truly believe that from the bottom of my heart. And besides, in the first place, she… Witches could be said to be victims of ours.” (Satya)

“Victims, you say…?” (Soma)

Indeed, perhaps it seemed odd that she was oddly supportive of Felicia. Despite not being able to fully utilize her power, Satia was still a god. Regardless of his true intentions, he had never imposed sacrifices before, and Soma didn’t intend to discuss that now. However, what was important here was that there was no longer a need to treat Felicia differently.

Yet Satia chose not to kill Felicia but to create this kind of world instead. Even though she was a god, no matter how weakened her power might be, she should have been able to kill Felicia before anything happened to the world. In other words, this world was created solely to save Felicia. Although it wasn’t an easy task to be a god, Satya still put it into practice. That was the only mystery, but there seemed to be an appropriate reason for it.

“Witches are receptacles for the power that has overflowed from the world. Originally, that was something I should have taken in… but well, becoming one pillar made it difficult. However, it’s not feasible to randomly scatter the excess power, so it flows toward specific individuals.” (Satya)

“That’s what a Witch is, right?” (Soma)

“Yeah. As I mentioned before, that’s why their power is of the same kind as mine. However, that power is not something that humans can use properly. When the world senses someone trying to use it, the world tries to eliminate it… despite having granted it in the first place.” (Satya)

“Well, considering it’s the world we’re talking about, it’s not surprising for it to have such arbitrary rules. Of course, whether one can accept that is another matter.” (Soma)

“Exactly. Well, I don’t really have the position to complain about it. As a god, and considering I’ve cooperated in silence until now… I’ve tried to prevent such things from happening as much as possible.” (Satya)

“Hmm? Did you take any actions, then?” (Soma)

“The reason Witches are called taboo existences is because I spread such rumors. By doing so, they would have no choice but to live quietly, right? Even if they use their power, they wouldn’t do anything significant enough to attract the world’s attention… or so I thought.” (Soma)

It seemed that calculation had gone completely wrong. Well, in the sense that the Witches had disappeared from the public eye, and it turned out as calculated. However, the important thing was not to use their power. Unfortunately, it seemed that hadn’t gone as planned.

“For me, their power was too familiar, so I didn’t quite understand it… though that would just be an excuse. Nevertheless, their power was too different among humanity. It’s not something that can be hidden intentionally, and above all, they were more than good. Even without understanding what kind of power it was, they instinctively knew it was something they shouldn’t use, yet they were people who prayed for someone’s happiness rather than their own safety. And now, here we are, another Witch about to disappear… or rather, be erased from the world. It was just to fulfill one wish. In the first place, that’s why she came to the Holy City.” (Satya)

“A wish, you say? And to fulfill it?” (Soma)

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“She… actually had her limits from the start. The accumulation of curses until then was more than enough for her to attract the attention of the world. So, she had decided. To become the help for the person who had saved her. That’s all she had been searching for.” (Satya)

Satya didn’t elaborate on when this started or who this person was, and it was probably intentional. It was something that didn’t need to be considered.

“And she finally found it. That’s why she used powerful… incredibly powerful curses in the Holy City. To contain it, the world will destroy itself.”

“The world destroying itself… is that something that can happen?” (Soma)

“Originally, it shouldn’t. But the source of a Witch’s power is of the same kind as mine. In other words, it’s the power of the world. If you try to contain it, the world can exert as much power as it needs to… or it must. Well, it probably won’t actually happen, but it’s enough to make the world acknowledge it. It’s an act sufficient to demonstrate that it possesses the power to destroy the world.” (Satya)

And that fit certain conditions. That was the power to destroy the world. In other words, that of a Demon King.

“I see… So that’s how she’ll be recognized as the new Demon King by the world. However, even if she’s recognized, wouldn’t she die instantly at that moment? It feels meaningless…” (Soma)

“Indeed, it would be meaningless. But that’s from the world’s perspective. For you, it holds plenty of meaning. Once a new Demon King is acknowledged, you won’t be one anymore, and you’ll never be recognized as one again afterward. Because you couldn’t destroy the world.” (Satya)

“Hmm…” (Soma)

Soma has been associated with Devils often, simply because he was recognized as the Demon King by the world. So, if he wasn’t recognized as the Demon King, there was no worry about being bothered by such things. He nodded understandingly.

“That’s… bullshit.” (Soma)

Satya nodded in agreement with the words she had just heard.

“Still, if I were still me, I might have accepted it. But unfortunately, I’m now opposed to the world. There’s no way I can accept it.” (Satya)

“No objections… Haven’t you been saying that from the beginning? In the end, what are you trying to say?” (Soma)

“Just as I said earlier, to facilitate understanding. Sharing information is crucial. Anyway, because of that, it’s meaningless to pretend her death didn’t happen.” (Satya)

“That’s because Felicia is already at her limit, right?” (Soma)

“That’s right. Her interference with the world using curses can somehow be dealt with. Since you killed her, the fact that the Demon King killed her once is enough. I can manage the rest. But her limit… that’s a bit…” (Satya)

“What’s the problem?” (Soma)

“Simply put, it’s her power itself. As I’ve said many times, that power is something humans shouldn’t possess. It’s also because it’s the world’s power, but above all, it’s too powerful. If she uses her power too much, she’ll gradually be corroded and eventually swallowed up and disappear. And she’s already beyond help. Her power is of the same kind as mine, so I could manage to absorb it to some extent… but once it progresses this far, well…” (Satya)

However, despite saying that, there was no sense of despair. Well, it was only natural. If there really were no solution, there would be no need to talk about it, and in the first place, there would be no need to do such a thing.

“But in the end, it’s because I’m not good at detailed work. Even though I’m a god. My hands are too big and too strong to save just one person. I’d blow them away just by touching them.” (Satya)

“I’ve heard enough now, so that’s fine. In other words, what are you saying?” (Soma)

“In short, it’s simple. Her soul is still here, I’m here as a straightforward comparison material to determine her power… and most importantly, you’re here. So, where’s the logic in saying she can’t be saved?” (Satya)

“Of course, there isn’t any logic in that.” (Soma)

He said, and at the end of his gaze, a palm-sized sphere faintly glowed beside Satya. It was understood without needing to be told, that it was Felicia’s soul. And essentially, he seemed to want to say, separate from it the power sent from the world as a Witch. In terms of possible or impossible, it would likely be possible. There was confidence in that. However, rather than threading a needle, it is more like finding a needle in the desert. Moreover, it was a one-shot deal with no room for error. Moreover, it was a one-shot deal with no room for error. He needed to find it right away and pick out just that one.

–However. That was all there was to it. At least compared to the act of a non-god killing a god, it was no more than an everyday scene to speak of.

Therefore.

“――Flash.” (Soma)

――Rules of Sword – Divine Protection of Dragon God – Single Mind – Absolute Slash: Ultimate Technique – Flash.

The moment he swung his arm, the white world disappeared with a sound like shattering glass. 　What was there was the park from earlier. Satya’s figure was naturally gone, and in her place were Aina and Sheila. And while looking at Felicia with a puzzled look on her face, Soma loosened his mouth and exhaled once.

 

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