Chapter 62 - Bright Skies Ahead?

Hhrgh...my head hurts...

When I woke up I found myself lying down on a narrow bed. Though the mattress is quite hard, the pillow on my head is strangely soft.

This place...where am I?

I opened my eyes, and the only thing I saw was darkness. I thought for a moment that there's no light in here, only to realize that something was just blocking my vision.

I wonder what this thing is...

When I let my hands cop the thing pressing against me--

*pomf* *pomf*

"Ah~ I see that you're awake now. I'm relieved." A familiar voice rang coquettishly in my head.

W-Wait a minute, this thing--

"Waaaaahhhh!!!" I shouted as I fell down on the bed head first.

M-M-Myriel? What are you going here?!

"Groping a woman's b.r.e.a.s.ts first thing after waking up...aren't you quite a daring one, Ren Mortel?" Myriel said with a light chuckle.

As it turns out, she's been offering her lap for me to use as a pillow for a few hours already. She said, she couldn't resist looking at me while I'm asleep, that she decided to do things on her own.

"Gehh--as if I wanted to do that?!" I protested.

Well, it's my fault that my hands trespassed into the forbidden mountain range but still, I didn't do it intentionally.

Also, what the hell is that outfit?! What are you, a cosplay nurse or something?

"This one? I knew this moment would come eventually, so I stocked up on clothes like this. What do you think?"

What do I think? I think you're really out of your mind!

"Let's leave it at that," I said while rubbing my head. "Where are we?"

Myriel sat on the chair and replied, "We're at a infirmary underground of Plate Town. Sad to say, though, this place is the only one that is still left untouched in this town."

"I see. So that's why there are no windows here," I commented.

When I heard her mention Plate Town, I immediately remembered what happened.

I saw how the one who is controlling Balm destroyed the whole town in one fell swoop, how the places that are now part of my life became mere debris now.

It's funny to think that, while the destruction of the whole town was raging on, no one dared to escape. I'm not sure why, but maybe it's because it all happened too fast for them to react.

"Why did you stop me at that time? I could've killed him already if not for your interference," I gave her a sharp gaze.

I'm 101% sure that I can defeat and kill him, so why did she do that? Is this also part of her plans?

"I dealt with the situation, just in time before your overflowing emotions consume you from the inside," she replied.

Had she arrived one minute late, she said, not only Plate Town would become completely razed to the ground, but even the nearby towns and cities would be also destroyed should I lose control of my Arcana.

"Can I really do that?" I looked at her in disbelief.

"At your current state, it is certain. Without having that much life experiences, do you think you could master using the Death Goddess' powers that easily with that emotional capacity of yours? I know you've suffered that much already ever since you came here in this world, but--"

'Compared to the Death Goddess, your life is still too easy', she said to me.

"You, Ren Mortel, are not--and never will, be compatible with that kind of power. As long as you're a human being, you won't ever reach the price required to fully control an unstable thing such as--"

"...There's no need for you to tell him that."

"Aoi!" I got startled when I saw her small figure peeking at the door.

"...Forgive me big brother, I became too careless this time," she spoke as she smiled at me. When her eyes met Myriel, her bright atmosphere instantly turned dark.

"What's with that look, Death Goddess? Aren't I just speaking the truth?"

"...Yes, everything you've said is no lie," Aoi replied. "But, everything you've said is also wrong."

Myriel smiled at her words. "Hmm? Then, care to tell us what's right, Death Goddess?"

The moment she said that, Aoi...

"...You underestimate my big brother so much."

'In order to inflict pain upon others, one must suffer the same pain a thousand times more,' that is the basic requirement of the [Death] Arcana. Although that rule remains unchanged until now, uncertain aberrations made it possible for me to bypass that requirement.

"...Big brother is a human, yes, but it doesn't mean that his suffering is less than anyone," Aoi faced me with a kind, gentle look on her eyes. "In fact, when I listen to his heartbeat I could hear a faint cry inside his heart. I don't know why big brother have that but for sure, it's about something that even I haven't ever experienced, something that he alone endured all this time."

'Also, compatibility? My big brother doesn't need to be compatible with my power. The only thing he has to be compatible with, is me!' she added.

"That's why don't you ever tell that he doesn't deserve to have my power. He's still young, so there's still a lot more room for him to improve. Who knows, he might do the impossible, and he exceed the full potential of the Arcana that I myself had made. You think you could do that someday, big brother?"

"H-Huh? I-I'll try my best...yeah," I answered reluctantly.

Feeling happy, she said, "...Nn, I'll root for you big brother!"

It's embarrassing, to be honest, having your little sister speak for you in front of others. Aoi keeps on putting me up and yet I keep on letting her down. Maybe, she trusts me more than I trust myself.

"Heh, if that's what you believe then I won't argue anymore," Myriel sighed. "Still, you should teach him more how to get a hold of himself better if he really wants to follow your path. You don't want him to tarnish your already undesirable image even more aren't you, Death Goddess?"

"...Hmph, don't tell me the things I should do," Aoi looked away from her, feeling irritated.

"Then I shall excuse myself for now," Myriel said as she stood up and headed straight for the door. "I still have to write down..."

"Wait," I called out to her.

"Hm?"

"You see, I still hate you for the interference that you did but, er...thanks," I said to her reluctantly.

Myriel shook her head. "You don't need to thank me, Ren. I only did what I think serves my personal interests best."

She then waved her hand goodbye as she walked away.

"...That woman, she thinks she's better just because I'm not at my fullest now. Just you wait--my big brother will definitely become more powerful than you, soon!" Aoi raised her fist up in the air.

When she said that, I only let out a dry laugh at myself.

-----

Aoi told me that the woman is currently resting in the room next to us, so I decided to check if she's okay.

"Ah, you two," the woman was surprised when she saw us.

"How are you feeling right now, ma'am?" I asked.

"I'm fine, though I think I sprained my ankle when I jumped down the manhole with that girl on my back," she replied while raising her left foot a little.

It's covered with layers of plaster.

"...Sorry," Aoi apologized to her.

"It's just a bad fall, it might be bruised but it will be alright after a few days."

She laughed for a moment then asked me, "How about you, are you alright?"

"Me? O-Oh, I'm fine."

"Really? I'm not sure because it was quite dark at that time, but I think I saw your chest being pierced by those hands coming from my...my..."

Her face turned gloomy quickly. Then she said,

"Balm...he's dead now, right?"

'Yes.'

I wanted to answer but I can't. Even if the possibility of her husband being dead by now is 99.99% she would still hold on to that remaining 0.01% that tells her otherwise. At this point when the life of a loved one hangs on balance, miracles weigh heavier than facts.

"If he is, would you accept it?" Myriel suddenly appeared behind us.

"Don't just appear when you feel like it!" I yelled at her.

"Fufu, I just finished some things so I decided to come back here," she grinned at us.

I see, so that's why you've already changed into a more respectable outfit.

"Anyway, I'll ask you again, Milady. Would you just accept the fact that your husband is dead?"

Seeing her imposing manner, the woman lowered her head.

"I...of course I won't."

"Well then," Myriel clapped her hands. At that moment, two masked men entered the room while pushing a small bed where Balm's body is resting. They stopped just in front of the woman's bed.

"Balm!" The woman cried. She tried to get up but she flinched back because of the pain on her left ankle.

"Hey, what are you..." I looked at Myriel in confusion.

"I'll ask you for the last time. Do you want him to live or not?"

"Live! I want him alive!"

*snap*

"Me...ra?"

"Yes, I'm here! Balm!" The woman answered.

"Mera...Mera!"

'You...killed him, right?' I sent a gaze to Myriel, asking her to explain what happened.

'That's right. After I expelled the thing controlling his body, I simply reattached his cut-off head and sewn it back to place,' she whispered.

Huh? You did...what?!

'Of course, doing only just that won't save him from death. After his head got reattached I immediately began [rewriting] his timeline so that, it appears as if nothing happened to him. See for yourself the results of my efforts.'

"Mera, this place...what are we doing here? Who are these people?"

"Uh? Err..."

"You are inside a private facility, Mr. Balm," Myriel spoke in her stead. "As to why you're here, you and your wife are attacked by wild animals while picking up mushrooms in the forest. This woman here broke her ankle when you both jumped into a ravine, and you almost died after a beast ripped your neck."

While explaining things to them, she took out a piece of paper and have them look at it. From this point, their memories are being 'rewritten' by her.

"So that's why I have this wound on my neck...now I get it," Balm sighed deeply.

"Yes, and until both of you are fully recovered you two shall stay here. No worries though, as all of the expenses are being shouldered by me," she said.

About Nash and his friends...they are found unconscious near Balm's house but they are fine now, according to her. She also did cleared up their memories of the event, just to make sure.

"Miss...thank you very much for helping us!"

"How can we repay your kindness?"

Myriel waved her hand. "No need to repay me or anything. As long as you could go on with your life, that would be enough."

When she said that, the couple started crying.

"A goddess...a real goddess I tell you..."

"We're not worthy of your kindness, O Goddess!"

"A Goddess? Well, if that's what you think of me then I'll take it as a compliment. Hohohohohoho!"

""Uhh...""

Meanwhile, Aoi and I only judged them with our eyes silently, feeling extremely awkward with the situation.

-----

"...Hmph, even I can bring back dead people to life, you know?" Aoi grumbled as we climb the stairs leading back to the surface.

"Heh...you can do it too, Aoi?"

Aoi nodded "...But as much as possible I don't want to do it, since it's against the natural flow of the world."

'And having that woman resurrect a dead person in front of me is the greatest form of disrespect I could ever receive from her! She really did that just to piss me off!', she stomped her feet angrily.

"If you really hate it that much you should've acted against it earlier, right?"

When I said that, she immediately stopped stomping.

"...If I did that, that woman would be heartbroken."

"Aoi? Just now, you..."

"...Hrrrgh! Don't mind it anymore, big brother! Let's get out of this place already, I'm suffocating here."

"H-Hey, wait!"

Just like what Myriel said, this facility is located underground. For what reason this place was built for, she haven't told me anything about it.

Maybe this facility will be used in case the whole town gets destroyed...

A minute later, we finally reached the exit door. How many steps did we have to climb before coming here? I lost count on the way.

"...Gnnnnnn..."

"You need help, Aoi?"

"...Geh, geh--I can do it, big brother!"

She exerted more force into her arms, but the lock didn't even budged by a bit.

"...Hnggghhhh...gah! I give up!" Feeling frustrated, Aoi kicked the door.

Kkkrrkkk--BLAGGG!!!

The door hinge suddenly broke, and the door fell down with her kick.

"...S-See that? I told you I can do it, big brother!" Aoi became shocked, but quickly regained her composure afterwards.

"Y-Yeah, good job. Haha..."

Taking a closer look at the door, the door hinge was already corroded due to rust. That's the reason why it became easy for her to take it down.

"...Nyahahahaha!" Aoi laughed as she stared running outside.

"Aoi, be careful when you're runni..."

I gasped my breath the moment my eyes saw the outside scenery.

"Surprised?" Without warning, Myriel blew air to my ears.

"Wah--"

I almost screamed my lungs out because of her.

Seeing my fl.u.s.tered face, she said, "Your cheeks...aren't you blushing right now, Ren?"

"Who's blushing?! I'm not," I said while looking away.

Leaving that aside, this place...

"Do you like what you see?" She asked me.

The town hall.

The Guild Headquarters.

The busy streets.

We are at a small hill that is still part of Plate Town. From here, I could see all the familiar places I saw being destroyed last night, even the Sandy Fish.

"This--is this all real?"

"Yes," she nodded.

To confirm her words, I took a few steps outside. Warm sunlight instantly kissed my skin, leaving off a comfortable feeling.

"It feels true to the touch..."

Myriel laughed. "Of course, everything you see right now are all true. I wouldn't bother joking around at this point."

Just like Balm, the town was saved by her too.

"Myriel."

"What is it?"

"You...did you saved everyone only because of me?"

I don't want to be assumptive, but I can't think of any other reason why someone like her would do it. Perhaps because she has a good heart? Like I would believe that!

"Yes, and no," she answered.

It is true that she saved Balm and this town because of me but the bottom line is, the things she do should always benefit her more in the long run. It's like an investment, she said, that she's providing me the things she thought I wanted to make me 'pliable' in the end.

"Would this be the last time you'll save the town from destruction?"

"I'm a very busy person you know, this place isn't anywhere in my top priorities for now."

"I see. I should've never asked."

"But, for your sake I'll take a look at it from time to time," she smiled.

I...also smiled at her words.

"Not just Aoi and my friends, but this town is also important to me. I will do everything to prevent those things from happening again."

Even if I had to work with this woman beside me, I would do it just to protect everyone.

It's funny to think that I swallowed my words about not cooperating with her.

"Does this mean...you'll work for me from now on?" Myriel's face brightened up when she asked me that.

"Hey, if you really intend to make me your one of your masked guys, I don't think I'll let you come near me," I sternly told her.

Though 'working with' is similar to 'working for', they mean different to my ears. I am willing to cooperate with anyone, as long as the other party respects my own free will.

I am born free, and so I must live free.

"Ahem! Of course, it would be an act of cooperation between us! That's right!" Myriel coughed as she looked away from me.

Yeah. Totally believable, Myriel.

'Well then, as a sign of our cooperation,' she snapped her finger. Suddenly, a masked man appeared and presented a small jar, containing a black, gooey object inside.

I became Intrigued at the contents of the jar. "What's that?"

"It's the thing that controlled that man and destroyed the whole town," she answered calmly.

What? T-This thing?

"Oh? It seems to be awake now because of your presence."

The black goo started bouncing against the glass, trying to break free.

Then, unexpectedly...Myriel opened the jar.

Showing an evil grin, she declared: "This--is a sign of our cooperation."

Pop!

The black goo suddenly jumped out of the open jar. Having a form like a hand, it hurtled itself towards my face.

Foooom!!!

Activating my Arcana, the black goo instantly got covered with a bluish-black flame, completely disintegrating after a few seconds.

If I didn't do that, that thing would take control of my body.

"Why did you do that?!" I took a step back from Myriel.

Using that thing to control me, Myriel? How unprofessional of you.

As I prepare myself to fight, Myriel raised her arms and said:

"Congratulations!"

"Congratulations? For what?"

Looking at me with an ecstatic gaze, she said, "Congratulations, Ren Mortel--you just killed a god."