269 Their respective decisions

There really is no way other than those two options?

None.

I immediately dismiss the hope in oni-kuns question, that he asks in a trembling voice. This world already has one foot in the grave. Its already impossible to resolve this perfectly without any sacrifices. Thats just how much a quagmire its become.

Say, since we have lots of skills, doesnt that mean well also die?

Vampire girls voice doesnt tremble. However, since her pupils are lurching, I can tell that shes in turmoil.

I will expand the Systems soul sheltering functionality, improving it so that at least the reincarnators can be saved.

Its not yet completed though, but Ill make sure to have it ready before destroying the System. Or rather, while its incomplete I intend to even postpone the destruction of the System, so theres no need to worry.

If thats the case, then apply it to everyone in the world!

Impossible. A massive amount of surplus energy would be required for that.

Basically, the amount of energy required would be equivalent to having another god sacrifice themselves. If we had that much spare energy, we could just pack it into the System and be done with it.

After the System is destroyed, what will become of this world?

Who knows?

I dont care about that. The task that I was assigned, was to assist the Demon King. After the System is gone I have no intention of watching over the future of this world.

Im asking a serious question here, okay?

I gave a serious reply.

As for what will happen to this world after the System is destroyed, that is up to the people of this world to decide, and is nothing to do with me. Its fine if the humans and demons continue their strife. Its also fine for them to work to revive the ruined hemisphere. Whatever they do is up to the residents of this world to decide. After that point, if another cataclysm occurs, thered be no Goddess to save them next time though.

Shiro-san, what will happen to those who die after the System is gone?

Theyll return to the normal cycle of reincarnation.

While the System exists, the souls of those who die in this world, are simply reborn again in this world. However, that flow is something artificial. Normally, the dead go through the cycle of reincarnation, being reborn across all worlds. If the System goes away then things will just revert to that normal flow.

Then, what if they die before the System is destroyed, and the System is destroyed before they are reborn?

In that situation they will also return to the cycle of reincarnation.

The System is merely a temporary depository for souls. If it is gone, then they will all follow the laws of nature and return to the cycle of reincarnation. Trying to destroy the System obviously wont destroy the souls it had gathered. However, for those who are alive when the System is destroyed, with the backlash from their skills being extracted, they may die and their souls may be destroyed. In short, contradictory it may be, but its safer to be dead than alive. Well, theyll still be dead either way though.

I see. Theyre better off dead, huh.

It seems that oni-kun has also understood that. And, has made his decision.

I understand. Shiro-san, I will cooperate with you.

Saying so, oni-kun holds out his hand. W, woah. This is, that, right? That handshake-like thing? Itd be odd not to accept, right?

I timidly extend my hand, then, a handshake. A rather strange feeling.

And, just when Im feeling strangely embarrassed, vampire girl tears away oni-kuns hand that is connected to mine. Then she firmly grasps my hand and shakes it up and down vigorously. What does this girl want?

I guess she was satisfied with shaking my hand for a while, as vampire girl lets go of my hand. Then for some reason she glares at oni-kun who snorted. I guess theres some weird antagonism burning between them?

While Im dumbfounded by this, next it was the Demon King who took my hand. Rather than the normal Demon King with her silly smile, her face is pointed at the ground.

Shiro-chan.

While grasping my hand, she calls out to me with a voice that seems about to vanish.

Shiro-chan.

When she whispered again, some water fell onto my hand. That drop of water, wasnt just a single drop, and more fell onto our hands one by one.

Im sorry.

What is the meaning of that apology?

Thank you.

What is the meaning of that gratitude?

The Demon King simply continued to sob.

All alone, the Demon King had continued to think about the Goddess.

She was neither god, nor human, nor demon.

She was weak.

Lacking the strength to save the Goddess.

She was strong.

All alone, she continued to hold to the Goddesss ideals and watch over the world.

Her former comrades had already gone.

Even so, she continued her solitary battle.

Then, realising that the time of her death was approaching, she opposed the Goddesss will for the first time.

Even though she opposed the Goddesss will, it was for the sake of saving the Goddess.

I have seen her resolve and her wish. That only began when I devoured the soul of Mother, the Demon Kings subordinate, though that glimpse of her was only from the perspective of her follower. Even so, I was certainly able to see her true thoughts.

Personally, I dont want to save the Goddess. To be honest, its better to say that I hate the Goddess herself. I find her methods to be nauseating. Whether or not I feel able to approve of her methods, I cannot like her.

However, I wanted to grant the Demon Kings wish. The wish of this weak yet strong girl. Like me, she doesnt possess a cheat, and she truly was weak. Yet, she stayed alive, kept on struggling, this strong girl who kept her promise. I want her last moments to be glorious.

Demon King Ariel. Her soul has approached the limits. With the System, a part of the opponents soul is absorbed in the form of experience points. That distorts the soul itself, evolving it into an unnatural form. The Demon Kings soul, after such a long time, has amassed a lot of experience points. That is why the Demon King is so strong, but at the same time, her soul has been increasingly distorted. She couldnt become a god. Her soul could not withstand becoming a god. It is only a matter of time before the Demon Kings soul collapses. Thats why, in order to accomplish a grand task in her last moments, she decided to become the Demon King.

At the beginning, I was doing all this because D forced me to. However, while I traveled together with the Demon King, she let me eat delicious food, and we chatted together. Im not sure what I should call this emotion that welled up while doing so. I, out of respect for the Demon Kings purpose, want to grant her wish. Her wish to save the Goddess.