Chapter: 85
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“Whew.”
“Well, it turns out this can actually be managed?!”
The Tower Master clapped in amazement like a seal. I generously provided the Tower Master enough time to sing my praises.
I think I pieced things together quite nicely. Meaning? Check. Motivation? Check. If there were actual material rewards on top of that, it’d be the icing on the cake, but getting everything ready in a half-awake state is a bit of a stretch.
However, there are still some gaps left.
Among them, there’s one person who hasn’t reached a tidy conclusion.
Black Wizard Bennett Hilton. He jumped in to gather intel for a directive from the Black Wizards and might’ve thought he could rescue his sister by going after the Shining Trapezohedron. In truth, his initial goal wasn’t the emotional satisfaction of saving the world.
In the meantime, he speculated that the session’s content might connect to the summoning plans of the Black Wizards. However, that’s a bit flimsy as a reason to keep fighting until the end. If he really wanted to resolve the issue, wouldn’t it be simpler to file a report with the Defense Bureau?
So why on earth is he still going strong despite losing an arm?
Did he just get swept up in the moment, thinking, “Oh, why not?” Probably not. If he were that much of a fool, he wouldn’t have survived the ruthless existence of a Black Wizard.
Perhaps he grew tired of the Black Wizards’ vile attempts to summon the Outer God, realized that the chance of retrieving his sister was nearly zero, and decided to throw in the towel? No way. He’s not the kind to just give up, is he?
He must have his reasons. But those thoughts likely aren’t all neatly organized. He’s definitely experienced a change throughout this session, but he probably isn’t fully aware about what he’s gained or how he’s transformed.
So, I figured I could help Bennett tidy up his thoughts.
Just a bit of conversation should do the trick. He’s matured enough to respond to the questions thrown his way. If someone just tosses out a few breadcrumbs, he should manage on his own.
Let’s bring in Joseph.
Scenes where the male protagonist sorts out his thoughts are crucial, and if I fiddle around with the AI, that rascal might butt in, so it’s about time I hopped into the driver’s seat myself.
Of course, it would’ve been great if Tara or Niolle could’ve filled this role.
Considering how Bennett has been the mental anchor of the party, wouldn’t it be delightful if he could discover the path he needs to take from the other two this time? But looking at the current situation…
[Bennett, I want to change this bandage. Can you help me?]
-Don’t get Bennett; ask that Joseph kid for help…!
[We’re the guests here. After being provided a safe space, asking for first aid help feels a bit… much.]
-Don’t take your clothes off, you little punk…!
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Niolle, with her top pulled up to show off her underboob, and Tara, limited to throwing glances from beyond the mirror, were stuck in a primitive stage of communication.
Even Bennett was turning his head away, focusing on some distant mountain.
A physical attack? Good idea. Sure, but honestly, an emotional attack would be much more suitable right now. This is right before the final showdown, after all. Surviving this ruthless heroine competition requires a focus on emotional exchanges…
And still, those breasts seem worth the effort to model.
As I was engrossed in watching Niolle’s thrilling tightrope walk, a relatively tiny hand suddenly intruded into my field of vision, like the Tower Master casting a visual block.
“⋯⋯Excuse me!”
“The rudeness lies with you, Master of the Tower, for letting their arms get severed and leaving gaping holes in their bodies!”
“Ugh!”
Yet, she was easily dispatched like that.
Alright, let’s dive in. Time to knock on Bennett’s heart.
===============================================================
Bennett learned from Joseph that the site where the Evil God’s seal was located coincided with the location of the meteorite pit. Now, the Future Team needs to tend to their wounds, finish preparing for battle, and march off toward the seal to deal some damage to the Evil God.
So, what should Tara, stuck in the past, do?
Where did the Evil God descend in the past, and how did Tara manage to seal it? To answer this, I turned back to Joseph, who quietly handed over a picture book.
A fairy-tale-style picture book depicting Saintess Tara sealing the Evil God. It looked like a children’s book, as it minimized any graphic portrayal of blood.
“You’re dressed quite warmly too.”
-…Isn’t it fine if I show off a little cleavage?
“What?”
[That wouldn’t be good for their emotional education, Tara.]
According to the fairy tale, Saintess Tara fought the Evil God that descended upon the Order’s building. It narrated how she could drive it away by stabbing the female goat, the means of the Evil God’s arrival.
A monster resembling a goat sprouted translucent tentacles around it—similar to when the Evil God possessed the Cult Leader.
So, where could that goat be stored?
“The most plausible location is the basement of the main building of the Order of the Silver Twilight.”
[I think so too.]
-Should we just rush down and smash it?
“Don’t blindly charge in. I’ll think of ways to give you support from here.”
Bennett asked Tara to gather all the seditious books stored in the Order’s main building and pass them down to the future. They planned to uncover the Evil God’s weaknesses through their research.
As Tara buried a book titled ‘Method of Communicating with the Vastness of Space,’ a bookshelf appeared in the Order’s building of the future. The descendants of Abraham who dug it up continually researched, resulting in…
Poof! A magical outcome!
As Tara managed to obtain more resources, the future research proliferated. Some books would twist drastically into futures where Joseph fell into corruption, prompting urgent retrieval and immolation for precaution.
They dangled supplies and reinforcements, creating a snowball effect, even increasing survivor counts by killing zealots.
Bennett shared knowledge of ‘Basic Magic Lecture,’ which Tara transcribed to leave in the past. Consequently, Joseph learned to cast spells!
Thus, the future’s Order building grew to at least double its prior size, and Joseph became a high priest commanding twelve priests beneath her. Research on the Evil God also noticeably advanced.
-…Can I play a prank?
“What’s your scheme?”
Tara buried a magazine called ‘Bondage of May’ she discovered in the Order. Upon doing so, Joseph’s surroundings sparked, and there appeared her figure clad only in black leather straps──
Tara quickly retrieved the magazine and burned it. Watching this unfold, Bennett scolded her with a stern expression.
“Don’t indulge in useless antics.”
-No, I was just curious… Do you dislike outfits like that, Bennett?
“⋯⋯Don’t mess around!”
-It wasn’t a prank, though…
Their plans were proceeding smoothly, and the assassination mission for the Evil God was also progressing well.
According to the prophecy left by Saintess Tara, “In 100 years, two heroes will come to slay the Evil God, so treat them with utmost sincerity.” Therefore, Bennett and Niolle could prepare and be welcomed with all honors.
During all of this, Joseph, who held multiple roles as high priest, wizard, and blacksmith, gestured subtly.
“Hero, may I have a moment to speak with you?”
“⋯⋯Sure. What brings this up, Joseph?”
“Please, come to the rooftop. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Joseph gracefully ascended the stairs first. Bennett hesitated for a moment, but with neither Tara nor Niolle around, she followed behind.
===============================================================
From the rooftop, the view below was clear. Facilities like grain stores and wells had sprouted from repeated future changes, yet laundry still fluttered in the wind, hanging from the clothesline.
Joseph’s life had changed in many ways while he lived alone, yet he retained his kindness and warmth. Unchanging aspects amidst ever-shifting circumstances could be labeled as his essence.
Joseph cheerfully initiated conversation.
“Hehe… You made it! Did you manage to slip away?”
“⋯⋯What do you mean?”
“It looked like you were cautious of the ladies. I spotted you checking your surroundings. If Niolle had been nearby, I bet you wouldn’t have dared to come up alone.”
“⋯⋯I’d prefer it if you’d get to the point.”
Joseph casually tapped the rooftop railing with her index finger. After a moment’s contemplation, she unexpectedly blurted out something out of the blue.
“I like women.”
“What?”
“So, I was thinking about confessing to Niolle.”
“No, that’s⋯⋯.”
Bennett found herself flustered. As his hand instinctively reached out, almost as if to stop her, Joseph seized his awkwardly extended hand. It was unmistakable evidence of his true feelings.
Joseph smiled gently like a saint, yet upon closer inspection, mischief glimmered in her demeanor, almost as if she were someone else entirely.
“You tried to prevent me there, didn’t you?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“You seem to really care about your comrades. Both Tara and Niolle.”
Bennett pulled his hand back and cautiously stepped away. While the duration was short, he hadn’t fully grasped who Joseph was, but that cheeky undertone in her demeanor hit him like a nail.
It felt as if another presence was residing within Joseph.
“Who… are you?”
She hesitated momentarily but quickly regained composure and introduced herself with nonchalance. The gesture of pointing to herself radiated a lively spontaneity.
“You can call me the Goddess. Though I’ve lost all my power, I’m currently a broke, powerless specter without even a sliver of aid to offer.”
“⋯⋯So, you were the one who delivered the Goddess’s crystal?”
“That was my last ability. Now I’m no different from a powerless ghost, so you can ease up. If we were to duel, I would lose.”
The goddess existing within Joseph spoke, her eyes sparkling with golden light.
“I’ve been watching your entire journey all this time.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“On behalf of this world, I want to express my gratitude. You’ve accomplished what I failed to do, even as a mere mortal.”
“You’re jumping ahead of yourself. We haven’t even defeated the Evil God yet.”
The Goddess clasped her hands together in prayer.
“I believe in you. I can see you defeating it. While I don’t possess foresight, I simply cannot imagine you losing.”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d get to the point──”
“Sure, I understand you’d be quite curious about my sudden appearance and what I have to say⋯⋯?”
The Goddess bounced energetically onto the rooftop railing like a whimsical sprite. The narrow ledge barely supported her feet—one side leading to a third-floor drop, the other back onto the rooftop.
With dexterity, she maintained her balance along the thin pathway and posed a question.
“Didn’t you want to save your sister?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“If you bring down the Evil God this way, the zealots from your world… that is, the Black Wizards’ plans will be disrupted too. Thus, your sister might be in peril.”
Bennett clenched his fists tightly.
“⋯⋯Didn’t you wish to save this world? If you had left me to my devices, I would’ve gone ahead and toppled the Evil God. What on earth’s the purpose of bringing this up now?”
Are you trying to rattle me? Bennett glared at the Goddess. She met his gaze with a compassionate and worried expression.
The Goddess seemed to harbor genuine concern for Bennett.
“I do not wish to see you, after all your hard work, end up in ruins. There are countless discussions around great causes and sacrifices, but the truth is… I don’t particularly enjoy stories where someone has to sacrifice themselves for another.”
“⋯⋯Now I understand why you lost to the Evil God.”
“However, this could turn out to be the reason for our victory, perhaps?”
With a glimmering smile, the Goddess continued walking along the narrow ledge, her movements so precariously balanced that even a slight misstep could lead to her downfall. Despite the swaying and wobbling, one couldn’t shake the feeling she wouldn’t actually fall.
Her gaze…
The Goddess’s focus seemed to be directed… somewhere far away.
“You’ve always just hurt yourself in pursuit of goals. I hope you’ll claim what you’ve dropped. Not just for yourself, but for Niolle and Tara.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“That was all I wished to convey to you.”
Hop.
Joseph leaped from the railing to the rooftop floor and blinked, a look of confusion washing over her face as the golden light in her eyes faded away.
“Oh? Why am I here…?”
Baffled, Joseph excused herself to Bennett before making her way downstairs. The Goddess appeared suddenly, showering Bennett with thoughts to ponder, before vanishing without a trace, leaving behind a sense of lingering thoughts.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Why on earth am I fighting? What… do I really want?
Bennett leaned against the railing, lost in contemplation.
===============================================================
In the beginning.
Initially, of course, to save his sister. To fulfill the Black Wizards’ plan, he kept chasing his purpose.
But when did it start to shift?
He encountered Abraham and dwelled in his gracious mansion. Living under the same roof, he discovered that Tara had almost zero survival skills and that Niolle would conduct her movements cheerily if in a good mood.
Reflecting on those days in the mansion, the three of them felt like family. Perhaps the reason he held such feelings for people he’d only met a few days ago was because his withered heart yearned for connection.
He had discussions with Abraham on moonlit nights. Abraham was a dreamer living for humankind, and Bennett found his earnestness deeply impressive.
After all that…
At the behest of Niolle, he rescued the kidnapped reporter Sally. Although that goodwill led to a major tragedy later on, hearing thanks from Sally definitely made Bennett feel… something.
Later still, their mansion burned down, and they were pursued by zealots. It was a heartbreaking time. Tara and Niolle began to break down.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Watching them suffer felt terribly overwhelming. Their pure kindness and sense of justice were being denied and shredded, raising his anger.
Although the price paid was hefty, having gone through all those tribulations brought the three of them significantly closer.
Barely making it to the secret hideout, the time came to return to reality. Another tragedy awaited them there—Abraham’s soul was trapped in the body of a golem.
Had Abraham screamed in torment, the three of them would’ve likely perished. Yet, even while trapped within the machine’s body, the old man chased his brilliant light ahead. Abraham remained their source of strength, even in death.
Bennett found himself contemplating the direction he needed to take.
Returning, he would defeat Isaac, erase the magic circle, battle the cult leader, and now… After all sorts of violent twists, they were preparing for the final showdown.
And now, upon examining his own heart.
“⋯⋯I.”
His heartbeat pulsed through his life’s rhythm, issuing forth a yearning…
“I wish…”
His desire…
“To protect you all.”
His sister, Tara, Niolle, and everyone else who had given him something; he wished to protect all of them.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
The walls of reality were high and thick, compelling Bennett to choose the safest paths. When his strength waned, he sacrificed his own spirit; when wisdom fell short, he sacrificed his dreams. He let pieces of himself slip away, committing sins one after another.
Yet, one cannot seize everything at once. If one were to hold tight to something, surely they’d have to sacrifice everything else. This way, he was…
He was whittling away his own being, perhaps shying away from what he truly desired, thinking, “There’s no way it can be done,” or “It’s impossible to achieve.” Maybe the reason he hadn’t even ventured forth was that he feared getting hurt.
But he…
“Everyone.”
He wanted to protect everyone.
He wanted to rescue his sister without killing anyone or siding with the Black Wizards. He wished to save her while remaining an honorable person, capable of standing tall before anyone.
He longed to save everyone without sacrifice. He didn’t want Tara to burn with anger nor did he want Niolle to despair.
If only I could save everyone I love…
Such reckless greed…
That very greed was precisely the form of himself that Bennett had lost.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Bennett resolved to be honest with himself. While he had been avoiding it, he was truly a greedy individual who wished to save everything and everyone without sacrificing anything.
And what was needed to fulfill that desire?
The light that guides the heart.
“⋯⋯Abraham’s grand wish to save the world eventually came true. My wish isn’t so difficult. If I can protect just a few, that’s enough. Then… wouldn’t it be easy enough?”
Bennett mulled this over in his heart.
Life is tough, storms will rage, and fierce waves threaten to devour me at every moment. Yet, despite it all…
I will not lose myself. I will not yield my wish.
===============================================================
When Bennett gripped it, a shining sword appeared before him.
He understood that this glowing sword was both his soul and his metamorphosis.
An essence that would remain unbroken as long as his resolve held firm…
Metamorphosis, 『Guardian’s Wish.』
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