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Chapter 123 Resolution
Right now, Beato is peacefully sleeping in the guest room bed. According to the doctor, it seems the exhaustion is due to using a large amount of magic at once. It's not an illness, and if she sleeps well, she should recover by tomorrow.
"Nothing serious, which is a relief. I was really shocked when you rushed in with that 'world's end' expression, Kyrie. I got scared too."
"I understand your feelings too..."
Mel-chan and Toka are completely relieved by this diagnosis. Indeed, Beato used a considerable amount of magic. She cast healing spells on me several times during the battle, and after it ended, she treated Mel-chan, Toka, Joanna, and the three people from Leah-san's group. It wouldn't be surprising if she collapsed from magical exhaustion. However, what concerns me is that moment. The tremendous surge of magic when she released Rugolf's 【Domination】. Something abnormal seemed to have happened to Beato.
"Hey, Joanna. Can you come outside for a moment?"
"Oh, what's going on? Leaving Beato-chan alone, and having an affair with onee-san?"
"Idiot. I have something important to discuss."
I don't have the mental space to laugh off jokes right now. I can't laugh at all, really.
I took Joanna outside, away from the room. There's no one in the corridor, and so it's the perfect place for a discreet conversation.
"Actually, during the fight with Rugolf, something like this happened..."
I explained how Beato shattered the 【Domination】, the significant increase in her magic power, and how she effortlessly opened the box that I couldn't open no matter what. I showed the actual box taken from my pocket and explained it in detail.
...It's inconvenient without the pouch. I'll ask Toka to repair the torn string later.
"I see, I see."
Joanna, after hearing the story, has a genuinely serious expression. When this person makes such a face, it makes me uneasy too. Beato, is she okay?
"First, the box with the symbol of the Enpyrean Church on it seems to have been subjected to a powerful sealing technique."
"A sealing technique, I see. No wonder we couldn't open it by force."
"Moreover, it's not just any seal. It's a special seal that responds only to the magical power of the Saint chosen by Enpyrean Church."
"...Saint?"
In other words, the box can only be opened by one person in this world—Leiche. The fact that Beato could open it means...
"Probably, Beato-chan possesses the qualifications of a Saint. Her dormant power has awakened... or rather, it might be more accurate to say it was forcibly awakened."
"Forcibly awakened... What's with that wording? It sounds like something bad..."
"The Tinarie family has served as Saints for generations. The direct bloodline is always female, and those who served as Saints have always lived short lives. Although it varies from person to person, they always lose their lives around the time they give birth. Just like Beato-chan's mother."
"Short...lived?"
Wait a minute. What are you saying, Joanna?
"That girl is now sixteen. If Beato-chan has truly been chosen as a Saint by the gods... she won't live for more than ten years."
"What the hell is that..."
Beato can't live for long? Don't mess around. Why does she have to die?
"Moreover, what exactly is a Saint? Isn't it just a title for the highest leader of Paradis"
"A Saint is someone who is in tune with the magical power of the Enpyrean god, converts the words of the god into human language, and delivers them to the Oracle. She is the one who connects the oracle and Enpyrean god. The conversion and transmission are done by the god, so the Saint only needs to exist."
For something like that...? For something so irrelevant, Beato has to sacrifice her life?
"The reason for the short lifespan is only speculation, but it's likely due to being continuously exposed to alien magical forces."
"...Isn't there any way for her not to die?"
"Unfortunately, there is nothing. However, of course, Leiche also possesses the qualifications of a Saint. I've never heard of two Saints appearing at once. It might be wishful thinking, but perhaps the burden will decrease... Only time will tell when that happens."
"You mean, when the time comes... you want me to wait ten years and see if Beato dies! I'll be lucky if she doesn't die, but if she does!?"
"Give up."
"I can't give up! There's no way I can give up on Beato...!"
"That child was chosen by God. Because she was chosen, she will be taken away. Accept it."
... I can't accept it. I can't accept it at all, no matter what Joanna says.
"Why did they want Beato as a sacrifice, and on top of that...?"
"It's different, Kyrie-chan. Enpyrean God doesn't desire a sacrifice. That's not the kind of God it is."
Joanna started saying something again, but I can't understand it anymore. It doesn't make sense to me.
"The notion of sacrifice is just a convenience, a facade that Paradis came up with. They have other reasons for targeting Beato. Something related to Beato's power, I'm sure."
... Everyone is getting in the way of Beato and me. Both Paradis and Enpyrean.
"I'm going back to Beato's side."
"Wait, the conversation isn't over—"
"It's enough. I don't want to hear anymore."
Sorry, Joanna, but right now, I just want to see Beato's face. Ignoring Joanna's voice, I grab the doorknob and enter the room. Mel-chan and Toka turn towards me.
"Hey, welcome back... Seems like there was a bit of a dispute, but is everything okay?"
"If you want, we can help with anything."
They showed concern, but I'm sorry. I don't have the capacity to accept such kindness right now.
"... Sorry, but for now, let me be alone with Beato."
They looked at each other's faces and left the room. Alone in the room, sitting by the bed, I gently touched Beato's cheek as she peacefully breathed.
"Warm..."
Perhaps it's due to her feverish condition, but she usually has a relatively high body temperature. Feeling her warmth, it's reassuring, making it feel like she's alive.
After my revenge, I wanted to build a small house in Stige with Beato and spend our time leisurely. Just the two of us, until I become a grandmother and die, until I am turned into a gem. Is such a modest wish not allowed? The whimsical gods, who turn people into gems after they die, are doing even more whimsical things.
When I learned the truth about the Hero's Sphere, I couldn't make up my mind. But now it's different. Even if I can't decide for myself, I can do anything for Beato. If Enpyrean is gone, she shouldn't be a Saint anymore.
Killing gods, bring it on. Even if it means turning the world against me, I won't hesitate anymore.
***
"A bit more, I wanted to use her."
To gain trust, you have to tell the truth. Since I already know about the Saint, it would be unnatural not to talk about it. They also have collaborators in Paradis, and with Beato around, it would be easy for my lies to be exposed. As a result of fulfilling the role of big sister Joanna, it turned out like this.
Defeating Rugolf. Even with just that, she's become a strength that is hard to handle. On top of that, Kyrie-chan has started thinking about killing 'that girl.' I don't think Kyrie-chan is capable of it, but I need to nip this danger in the bud.
"Can't be helped. I wanted to let her avenge herself, but it seems it's come to this."
I was picturing a scenario where I pretended to be killed by having my head cut off after a battle, keeping the identity and the Hero's Sphere of [Healing] hidden. But killing gods, that's a big no-no. I'll have to take care of it myself.
...However, everyone's trust is very important. For 'that girl' and the new heroes born for her sake, I have to make good use of them for a long time. So, I have to carefully choose the timing to take care of Kyrie-chan.
"...Hehe, it's decided. When she faces the final enemy, the Oracle Judas, I wonder what expression Kyrie-chan will have."
Just thinking about it makes me shiver. I'm really looking forward to it. Hehehe.
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Nooooo I wanted Joanna to actually be on their side! Tragic...
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