Chapter 215 Soul Dive

It was clear without stagnant water. I would be happy if I could stay here forever.

I was standing in a grassy field with a gentle breeze blowing through. The sun was about to set behind the horizon right now

Even the ears of grass, which were faintly reflecting the suns rays, were similarly plunged into a pitch black world.

Roxys world was shrouded in darkness.

[Snow, are you here?]

My question was carried by the wind and drifted far away. Space distorted as if responding to it.

The one who emerged from there was, as expected, Snow. However, the difference was that shes in an adult form.

This was who she really was. Her face was dyed red with a stigmata. In other words, it meant that the interference with Roxys mind was beyond her control.

[I can finally talk to you properly Fate.]

[Cant you just release Roxy?]

[Its impossible. You know that.]

Snow said so and pointed at her own face. The crimson-colored sacred stigmata shone even more.

She probably tried to resist the revelation. But she seemed to be able to keep it under control. Just like dad.

Which means

[Youll have to kill me.]

[Please stop with that. Im sick of it. To fight with someone importantto kill each other.]

[Even soits alright. I was originally dead already anyway. Besides, I have to pay for my sins. Fate now remembers the reason, right?]

[.Snow.]

Please dont say the same thing as my father.

[All of you, why are you so intent to die!? You know what will happen if I kill you.]

Snow merely smiled in response.

[Devour me with your Gluttony skill. Come on.]

I dont want to repeat what I did to my father.

Why? Mason-sama Mikuriya Mother Why would all of you go ahead with something like that? I know. Even I had the same feeling when I fought Tenryu to protect Roxy in Gallia.

Even so, my heart wouldnt accept it. Somehow, I felt as if I could hear Snows voice from far away.

Even though she says shes always nearby

Snow turned her gaze toward the horizon.

[Some things are necessary to move forward. Before the sun goes down.]

[Are there no alternatives? Is there really no choice but to do it this way?]

[Roxy wont be able to come back. Unless I can no longer interfere with her.]

Step by step, I come in front of Snow and stare at her face. I remembered a promise from my childhood.

This memory was stolen from me by my other self. I guess I was lonely because my mother wasnt there at that time.

What kind of request did I make? Or maybe I instinctively sensed Snows power as a Sacred Beastkin and felt a sense of familiarity with her.

[Snow]

I touch her cheek. It was faintly warm and made me feel undeniably alive.

[Time is running out. Quickly.]

Shes right. Once devoured, shell be forcibly separated from Roxy. If I dont do it quickly, Roxys spirit wont last. Also, Im worried about Greed who was fighting Libra alone.

However, not everyone would be saved. Like my father, Snow will be forever trapped in the Gluttony skill. I dont think Roxy would want that either.

Was this really the only way?

I put my hand around Snows slender neck. After that, all I had to do was squeeze tighter.

She silently closed her eyes slowly.

(..Youare you really okay with that?]

From somewhere, I heard a voice calling me. It sounded exactly like mine, and it resonated heavily.

I heard it before. This is another me. After being integrated by Mikuriya, the voices that were difficult to hear seemed to become clearer.

(I can take over that stigmata)

What are you going to say even though you havent come out to the surface until now? Anyway, it was decided a while back. I cant believe you

When I said that, my other self sneered.

(I need power. So, that I can break through the shackles that are you. In order to demonstrate my power as a sacred beastkin, that is essential. I will gain the stigmata. Snow will be freed. Its not a bad deal)

You are going to try to hijack me again once you get the stigmata, arent you?

(Hasnt it always been like that? Ill let you feel the pain of being sealed alone in the depth of Gluttony skill)

Do you really think that Ill accept that deal?

(Fat chance. You dont want to lose her)

This guy Hes the other me. Once he gets ahold of Snows stigmata, this guy will do everything in his power to take over my body.

Ive finally come to terms with the Gluttony skill, but now theres still the other me.

(The preparations are complete. Touch the stigmata)

I remember my father telling me to be careful with this guy. He must have expected this to happen.

But, I lacked a better alternative. I gently touched Snows stigmata.

The stigmata shone brightly. She opened her eyes, perhaps intending to tell me something.

But the stigmata had already left Snow. It became particles, and floated away, flowing like a stream of water.

And it nested itself into the back of the hand that I used to touch it.

[Kuh.]

A burning pain erupted. Snows stigmata fit perfectly in the back of my right palm. I thought there would be some kind of forced change, but nothing in particular. Even though the stigmata was currently glowing bright red.

At that time, my right arm began to move on its own and tried to strangle me. I managed to stop the movement of my right arm with a sudden burst of strength.

Are you trying to take over already? So quick tempered.

(The Gluttony skill is still getting in the way Its still a little lackingwhat a shame. There will be plenty of opportunities from now on Look forward to it)

The Gluttony skill seemed to be suppressing the other me. Perhaps the stigmata was also sealed by the Gluttony skill in the same way. No way, I never thought that the day would come when I would receive the protection of the Gluttony skill honestly I had no idea it would do that.

For a long time, it had always been suffering and a lot of effort after all.

I took a breather and turned my eyes to Snow. She looked stunned, as she was staring back at me.

[What a ridiculous action]

[But, I somehow managed.]

[Haasomething that seems to never change. But, I caused Deans demisesurely you remember?]

[Dad didnt blame Snow. Besides, I Dad.]

My mother died soon after giving birth to me. And my father quietly raised me in a small village deep in the mountains.

At that time, I (Gluttony Skill) and the other me (Sacred Beastkin) coexisted, and it was a very unstable situation. Far from large cities, to hide from the possibility of causing irreparable damage if something happened, and from other sacred beastkin pursuers.

[I was Deans pursuer.]

Snow told me while looking far away.

Like this time, she probably had no choice but to fight against the stigmata.

[But, I lost to Dean. Fate and the other you found and helped me who was seriously injured.]

Deep in the mountains away from the village where I grew up as a child. When I was playing alone, I felt like I could hear someones voice and got lost. Thinking about it now, she must have sensed the other me.

At that time, I felt like I was getting along well with my other self. My father thought that he was evil. But to me, he was like a brother.

When the other me found Snow, he got busy taking care of her. It seemed that he was happy to meet a sacred beastkin for the first time other than our father.

I think he was probably lonely. Not wanting to lose the family he had come to meet, he took care of Snow while avoiding dads attention. I worked hard to cooperate with him.

However, it didnt last long. When Snow recovered enough to move, he was found by his father.

The battle between the two was reignited. The other me couldnt stop them and broke down in tears. He was gradually inspired by the battle that unfolded up close, and by the time he stopped crying, he had awakened to the power of a sacred beastkin.

[I have awakened what shouldnt be awakened.]

The resulting surge was terrifying, since it was combined with my Gluttony skill.

The runaway power ended up killing Snow and severely wounded dad.

[Dean sealed the other you into the Gluttony skill at the cost of his own life.]

And I have been alone since then. Dad was by my side the whole time, but it wasnt for long.

I lost most of my memories along with the other me. As a result, I assumed that dads injuries were what caused him to die.

[Do you remember what the other me asked Snow for?]

[He said something strange. But, now I understand.]

He wanted her to stay with him. That made everything crystal clear.

There was a proper reason why he came out earlier. For me, the other me, Snow is still special.

Thats why he took over the stigmata that bound her heart. Even though he made an attempt to take over my body soon after.

Snow turned her eyes to the world where the sunlight is beginning to shine. It was kind and warm.

[Roxy, wake up.]

[Snow! Your body.]

[I cant help her in the same way now that Ive lost the stigmata. But, theres only one other way.]

It was similar to when I took over the stigmata. As Snows body shattered, it turned into particles of light.

[No Dont. Isnt this the same as youdying in the end.]

Snow smiled brightly. So brightly that it couldve pushed me back.

[I will completely assimilate with Roxys soul. Its okay, she wont change or anything. Ill simply make this power (Valkyrie) available for her to use freely.]

[Thank you, Snow.]

[It will still be me. So, do not worry. I will live within her.]

Those words were not only meant for me, but also the other me.

Snow became particles of light and spread to the world. The lush grasslands regained its vitality and bloomed one after another.

The world became warmer, and a peaceful breeze blew through. The sun has risen to a cloudless sky.

Roxys inner world has returned. Which means shes trying to wake up

Lets head back The battle against Libra awaited.