CHAPTER 45

Of Gods and Men

“Hey, Seiya! Where are you taking us?”

Seiya continues walking while pulling Ishtar and me along. But when we arrive on the third floor of the sanctuary, Ishtar finally speaks up.

“Seiya Ryuuguuin, do you plan on getting the three pillars involved?”

“Yes. I’m going to borrow the Goddess of Time’s powers. While it carries some risk, it’s our only option.”

Oh…! Does Seiya plan on using Chronoa’s power to revert my body back to a time before I was cursed?! B-but…!

“Our divine order prohibits altering time and space. It is beyond taboo. What you wish to do is essentially impossible.”

Seiya continues walking, not even looking back as Ishtar talks.

“All you need to do is introduce me to this Goddess of Time.”

We stop at a door at the end of the hall on the third floor. It’s the Chamber of Eternal Stasis, which leads to the innermost plane of the spirit world. While Seiya may have heard about it from Aria, this is the first time he has ever gone inside. After having Ishtar cast the spell to open the door, Seiya enters. We walk past the souls of the gods lined up on the shelves before eventually finding a large painting before us. It’s a mysterious landscape of a meandering path leading to a sanctuary on top of a hill, but this painting itself is the entrance to the innermost plane. Ishtar stands before it, then turns back and faces Seiya with a serious look on her face.

“Seiya Ryuuguuin, please be careful. Long ago, a deity once came to the innermost plane to make a request. However, they could not come to an agreement, which is what eventually triggered Armagezeeda, the war of the unified spirit world.”

Armagezeeda…

The Goddess of Warfare, Zet, once spoke of that war as well. I was reborn as a goddess in the spirit world a hundred years ago, so the war must have happened long before that. Regardless, it’s hard to believe there was ever a war in such a peaceful world.

Ishtar reminds Seiya:

“Please just make sure you do not offend the deities of the innermost plane.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

After walking inside the painting, we follow the path until we reach the stone steps before the sanctuary. Ishtar stops and gets on one knee, so I follow her lead.

“Goddess of Time, Chronoa, pillar of the heart of the spirit world, I, the highest-ranking deity of the unified spirit world—Ishtar—have come with a request.”

The door to the sanctuary slowly opens.

…Last time I was here, when the gods reduced my punishment, I could only hear her voice and couldn’t see her, but this time Chronoa appears with a blinding light.

“Wh-what beauty…!”

I find myself enchanted by her beauty to the point of even forgetting the difficult situation I’m in. She has a divine aura, and white wings extend from her back, unlike the deities of the spirit world, who usually have theirs sealed away. She wears a gorgeous dress and has long, tied-back hair. I have never seen a goddess this beautiful and noble before.

“I have come at your request, Ishtar.”

Chronoa walks toward us with a cheerful smile, but when she sees me, her face is overcome with sympathy.

“Oh, Ristarte…you poor thing. What a terrible curse. I wish I could use my power to rewind your time to a point when you weren’t cursed—”

“I will not allow it.”

A deep voice echoes, and Chronoa shrugs.

“—but this wretch will not allow it.”

“Going back in time violates the laws of the divine.”

I have heard this dignified voice before. It’s Nemesiel, the God of Logic and Reason. He argued against returning my healing magic last time. I see him as a very stern, stubborn god, but I am sure Chronoa won’t do anything without his permission.

While others fall silent, Seiya says to Chronoa:

“Who cares? Just ignore him.”

Who does Seiya think he is?!

It sounds like Nemesiel heard what Seiya said as well. He’s furious.

“Hold your tongue, human! I am the God of Logic and Reason, Nemesiel!”

The door to the sanctuary bursts open!

“H-he’s huge…!”

A massive god around five meters tall comes walking out. His goatee accents his awe-inspiring face and body, which look like they were carved out of stone. The air around him is a thousand times more intimidating and dignified than the aura surrounding Cerceus. The ground shakes as Nemesiel marches over to Seiya.

“S-S-Seiya! Don’t you think you should apologize?!”

But Seiya doesn’t say a word. He simply looks up at the colossal god who towers over him.

“My will is the will of this realm! Altering time and space is forbidden! You must not reverse Ristarte’s time!”

The power behind his words makes me tremble. Even Ishtar freezes. Nevertheless, Seiya doesn’t blink.

“I am not asking to have her time reversed to before she was cursed. All I want is to be sent back to the battle against Demon Lord Ultimaeus one year ago, so Rista and I can watch close-up.”

What?! You want to watch the battle against the Demon Lord?! H-how is that related to my curse?!

I have no idea what Seiya’s intentions are, but Ishtar seems to have an epiphany.

“I see. That actually could work, and Seiya Ryuuguuin would not even have to alter time and space.”

“Wh-what do you mean?” I ask Ishtar—

“You don’t need to know.”

—but Seiya promptly cuts me off.

Wh-why can’t I know?! This is about me!

Nemesiel glares at Seiya and suggests:

“Then have Ishtar show you the past through her crystal ball.”

“No, it would be pointless unless I actually travel to the past to see it happen close-up.”

“A time paradox could occur if the Demon Lord, a monster, or anyone else sees you two. It would destroy Ixphoria.”

“I’ll transform us into monsters so that doesn’t happen. Furthermore, I will use Cave Along to hide underground if there is enough space.”

“…That won’t be necessary.”

Chronoa then hands Seiya and me cloaks.

“These are invisibility cloaks. They are divine items used to prevent paradoxes when traveling through time. Wearing these makes those who do not belong in that period invisible. Your scent, presence, and any sounds you make will be erased as well.”

N-nobody will know we’re there with these! I knew Chronoa had a kind heart!

“Simply watching the battle shouldn’t be a problem. Very well. I will send Ristarte and Seiya Ryuuguuin back one year in time.”

Chronoa sticks out a hand over Seiya and me, but…

“Wait. I have not given you permission to do that.”

The titan stands before us. Seiya glares at him and argues.

“The Goddess of Time has made up her mind. Get out of the way. Rista doesn’t have much time left.”

“Mind how you speak to me, human!”

His enraged voice shakes the innermost plane.

“Do not make a fool of me, lest you die by my hand.”

I nervously look to Seiya…and get chills! Seiya has unsheathed his sword!

“Seiya Ryuuguuin, you mustn’t!”

Ishtar screams before I can even say a word. However, all Seiya is doing is holding the weapon. He doesn’t move.

“…What?”

Nemesiel dubiously mutters.

That’s when I realize what’s happening. A dark-crimson aura is emanating from the blade and wrapping itself around Nemesiel! As wrinkles crease his face, he suddenly realizes that his arms have begun sagging as well!

“M-my body…! What is that sword…?”

Th-that sword…! That’s the Holy Power Draining Sword that robs deities of their divine energy and weakens them!

Seiya tells the mighty deity:

“The Granny Rista Sword.”

“Stop calling it that!”

I scream at Seiya, but he continues threatening Nemesiel.

“God of Logic and Reason, Nemesiel, accept my conditions or have fun being an old man.”

“Human!!”

Nemesiel glares at Seiya, his eyes burning with rage…but Seiya is no longer there! He moved far away from the outraged god while still pointing the ominous sword at him!

“I have had enough of your games! I shall snap that Granny Rista Sword in two!”

Um… I know now might not be the appropriate time to say this, but could you please not call it that, Nemesiel?! It’s embarrassing!

Nemesiel bends at the knees while facing Seiya, getting into his fighting stance! But even then, Seiya continues leveling the sword at him. Nemesiel suddenly dashes at the Hero…but what I see in the very next moment leaves me speechless.

Fwish… Fwish… Fwish… Fwish…

Nemesiel’s body slowly hunkers down and shrinks the closer he gets to Seiya, as if he were undergoing reverse evolution, from man to monkey!

“Wh-whaaaaaat?!”

By the time Nemesiel reaches Seiya, he is nothing more than a hobbling old man. Chronoa, Ishtar, and I are at a loss for words. But even then, Seiya asks the old man:

“Rista and I are going back in time. Is that okay?”

Nemesiel thereupon blissfully smiles as he feebly shakes.

“Of course. Enjoy yourselves.”

“Did becoming an old man make him nicer?! But aren’t you worried we might cause a time paradox?!”

“A time what? What was that again? Ow, my back.”

We watch Nemesiel squat in blank amazement while Seiya looks down at the dark-crimson sword.

“Hmm. I knew this thing would come in handy.”

After a few moments of silence…

“Pffft!”

Chronoa bursts into a long-held fit of laughter.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

An androgynous laugh can be heard from the sanctuary as well.

Th-this voice…! It’s the Supreme Deity, Brahma…!

The God of Creation and highest-ranking deity does not show Himself, but His amused voice can be heard.

“It has been too long since I’ve last laughed like that. The God of Logic and Reason, Nemesiel, has given his approval, so go ahead and return to the past.”

Y-yes!! Brahma gave us His permission!

“However, Seiya Ryuuguuin, let me make this clear. If you and Ristarte’s positions were reversed, we would have never helped you. Ristarte is a goddess. She is our child who lives with us in the unified spirit world.”

In other words, it doesn’t matter what happens to humans. While His delivery may have been casual, his words were as cold as ice. Regardless, Seiya simply replies with a “hmph” and doesn’t say a word. He then approaches Chronoa and whispers something into her ear.

“…Okay. I can send you to that moment. I shall now transport you back one year to the battle against the Demon Lord of Ixphoria.”

Seiya and I put on our invisibility capes.

“Ristarte, listen carefully. You will only have ten minutes. Once those ten minutes are up, you will automatically be returned here.”

“O-okay!”

“Seiya Ryuuguuin, please take good care of Ristarte.”

Seiya faintly nods back to Ishtar. After that, Chronoa holds a hand before us.

“It appears you are ready to go. Be careful.”

The space around us distorts as Chronoa and Ishtar gradually move away from us.

Before I know it, I find myself in the dark with Seiya.

I-is this the Demon Lord’s castle…? It makes my skin crawl…!

All of a sudden, Seiya grabs me by the arm, and we hide behind a nearby stone pillar. Despite the fact that nobody will be able to hear or see us, it’s so like Seiya to be careful and hide just in case.

I peek out from behind the pillar. Slightly in the distance is the Demon Lord Ultimaeus in his final form. The horrifying creature raises his four arms into the air.

“I can feel it…! I can feel the evil energy coursing through my veins! So this is the power of the Dark God! Ixphoria now belongs to the demons!”

He must have just killed the Hero and received the Dark God’s Blessing. Ultimaeus cackles as he leaves the throne room. After looking around a few times, Seiya slowly walks over to where the Demon Lord was. I quietly follow behind, but he suddenly gestures for me to stop. It looks like something’s lying on the floor in front of him.

I-is that…?!

Seiya approaches it alone but returns after a few moments.

“The reckless idiot got what he deserved.”

“I-is that—?”

“Yes. That was me, with my heart torn out and my head smashed.”

He almost sounds like he’s talking about someone else, despite having to see his own lifeless body on the ground.

“More importantly, how do you feel, Rista? Have you felt any changes?”

“M-me? Gag… I feel like I’m gonna throw up…!”

“That’s not what I’m asking. Hmm… Strange… Aria told me that the Demon Lord killed me right after eating the child in Princess Tiana’s stomach…”

Seiya nods with sudden understanding.

“Oh… So she’s still alive.”

“Huh?”

That’s when I hear a weak voice in the darkness, and I almost have a heart attack.

“Wh-wh-what was that voice?! Is someone else here?!”

“Over there.”

I timidly follow Seiya…and gasp.

“Seiya… Seiya… Where are…you…?”

Covered in blood, Tiana is lying on the ground before me. She is bleeding profusely from her stomach as rivulets of blood run from her eyes and mouth.

Th-this can’t be happening! Her stomach was torn open, and her unborn child was devoured…and yet, I—Princess Tiana is still alive?!

“It’s dark… It hurts… I’m scared…”

It’s heartbreaking. She probably can’t even see anymore. Alone in the darkness, Princess Tiana goes into convulsions as she battles against the fear of her impending death with each passing moment.

“Seiya… It hurts… Seiya…”

…!

Unable to watch any longer, I look away. However, I’m taken aback when I see Seiya, for he has removed the cloak that Chronoa gave him.

“S-Seiya?! Princess Tiana is going to see you! A time paradox is—?!”

“Her death is unavoidable. Even if she notices us, nothing will change. It won’t cause a paradox.”

Seiya then approaches the princess.

“Tiana, I’m right here.”

She faintly smiles after hearing Seiya’s voice.

“Seiya…? Is that you, Seiya?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

“Seiya… Thank goodness…”

Seiya takes Princess Tiana’s hand.

“Hey… Am I going to die?”

“Yes. But don’t be afraid. Death is just a return to what you once were before you were born.”

“Seiya…”

“I’ll be following right behind you. Until we meet again.”

Princess Tiana’s body stops moving.

…Without my even realizing it, tears have been streaming down my cheeks.

This is Seiya. He’s cautious. If there was even a slight chance he’d cause a time paradox, he would have done anything he could to avoid it.

And yet…! And yet, he couldn’t leave Princess Tiana alone as she painfully struggled on the brink of death!

I gaze at Seiya and the princess with tears welling in my eyes…and an evil energy suddenly shoots out of my body!

Huh?! Wh-what’s happening?!

The sinister aura that was eating at my body suddenly manifests. Celemonic, with their faces smashed in, gropes around the deceased princess’s body.

“Ohhhhhh! The goddess’s soul has ascended to the heavens! She’s dead she’s dead she’s dead, dead, dead, dead! The curse worked, it worked, it worked, it worked!”

Celemonic mutters, satisfied, before abruptly melting into the darkness.

…Seiya stares at my dumbfounded face.

“The evil energy is gone. It looks like it worked.”

“Celemonic’s curse was broken? How…?”

“After Princess Tiana died, her soul ascended to the heavens, and Celemonic’s curse reacted. Since you have the same soul, she mistook it for yours, and the curse was broken.”

“S-so that’s what happened!”

“I didn’t tell you earlier because I was afraid it wouldn’t work if your curse heard our conversation in the heart of the spirit world.”

…Chronoa’s magic wears off, and we have only a few minutes before we are brought back to the innermost plane. I use this brief moment to say:

“Seiya…thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me. I told you. This was partially my fault.”

“No… I’m not talking about that. Thank you…for being there for Princess Tiana.”

“I just wanted Celemonic to be close enough to make sure they would think you died. Besides…”

After glancing at Princess Tiana’s body, he continues:

“Who knows if she even heard me.”

“…She did.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“Because I…I was so happy…!”

The tears won’t stop. After a brief pause, Seiya mutters:

“I see. Then she must have.”

The space around us eventually distorts. Time must be up. We’re then warped back to the innermost plane…

Seiya and I leave the innermost plane after deeply thanking Chronoa and Ishtar. When I open the door to the Chamber of Eternal Stasis and walk out into the hall, the stars are glittering in the night sky.

“It’s late. We’ll head back to Ixphoria tomorrow.”

“…Okay.”

There are so many things I want to say, but the words just won’t come out, and in the end, Seiya heads over to the Summoning Chamber before I can break my silence.

I wanted to spend more time with Seiya…

Now alone, I decide to head over to Aria’s room to tell her I’m okay. After that, I leave the sanctuary and make my way to Café du Cerceus. Cerceus, Jonde, and Kiriko, who were sitting at a table, come rushing over the moment they see me.

“Ohhh! Ristaaa!”

“Goddess! You’re okay!”

“Rista…! Thank goodness you’re all right!”

“I’m sorry for worrying you. I’m going to be okay.”

While Kiriko holds me in her arms, Jonde asks:

“Where is the Hero?”

“He went back to the Summoning Chamber. He said we’re returning to Ixphoria tomorrow.”

“Shouldn’t you two rest a little more…?”

“No, it’s fine. Besides, we’re already late as it is thanks to me.”

Cerceus brings me some coffee and a slice of cake. After chatting for a good while, I return to my room in the sanctuary.

I lie in my bed and close my eyes. My body is completely exhausted after everything that’s happened.

Seiya must be tired as well. He did so much for me, despite having just recovered himself. I can never really tell what’s going on in his head. But after what happened, I now know that Seiya is in just as much pain as anyone else. While he may try to make himself think he doesn’t care, he really is hurting deep down. And that’s why…he passed out. I didn’t realize how mentally fatigued he was until Kiriko said something. As a goddess who’s supposed to be there for Seiya, I find it embarrassing that Kiriko, a machine, understands him better than I do.

I need to pay more attention to Seiya from now on. I need to be there for him… A-also, was it okay that we just left Nemesiel as an old man? Eh, whatever. He’ll probably change back to normal eventually.

I slowly fall asleep while pondering these things.

I suddenly find myself alone in the darkness.

H-huh? I was in my room just a second ago… Am I dreaming?

When I look around, I see someone slightly in the distance, startling me.

Is that Celemonic?! But the curse was broken!

Straining my eyes, I notice they’re wearing a jet-black robe. It’s as if they were wearing the darkness itself. It doesn’t seem to be Celemonic, judging by their height and atmosphere.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Goddess Ristarte.”

She greets me with a husky voice. While her hood is eerily covering most of her face, I’m a little relieved it’s not Celemonic.

“I’m impressed you were able to break free from Bloody Systeria. I totally thought you were a goner, but I guess there’s not much I can do if you go back in time.”

Her words make it sound like she was there with us, and I get goose bumps.

“Wh-what do you want?”

“Oh, don’t worry about me. I’m a powerless entity who cannot kill gods or Heroes. Right now, all I can do is distort worlds. But I believe, one day, I will be able to use this power to shape the universe into its true form.”

She lets out a dry laugh as she turns away from me.

“Wait!”

I try to run after her, but a powerful gale suddenly blows my way, preventing me from moving forward. I squint against the wind and find her, but she is no longer wearing her robe.

Black, white, red, blue, gold—hair of various colors overlaps and mixes together. I can see black wings poking through her hair as it trails in the wind. Immediately, the name of the demon, whom I heard mentioned a few times in Ixphoria, pops into my head.

The brindle-haired demon!!

She begins walking away but abruptly stops in her tracks. Then, without looking back at me, she says:

“The man you summoned is an amazing Hero. He’s strong. He’s also careful and farsighted, but even so…Seiya Ryuuguuin will lose someone else very important to him. This is not prophecy. The future has already been determined.”

“Wh-what do you mean…?”

But the very next moment, she disappears, becoming one with the darkness.

When I open my eyes, only the lamp’s dim light faintly illuminates my room. I turn my head slightly to the side and see that it’s pitch-black outside. It must still be the middle of the night.

Was that a dream? No, that couldn’t have been a dream! The brindle-haired demon must have invaded my heart like Celemonic! B-but how could she have done that in the spirit world…?

I begin speculating on the various possibilities when I suddenly notice how heavy I feel. Moving only my head, I look down and notice the area around my stomach is swelling under the covers.

Wh-what in the…?

After mustering up some courage, I throw the covers off and…

“Ooooooooo!”

It’s the smashed-in, bloody face of a woman! Celemonic is on top of me, despite having already disappeared!

“Eeeeeeeeek!!”

“You’re not dead you’re not dead you’re not dead you’re not dead you’re not dead you’re not dead you’re not dead you’re not dead you’re not dead you’re not dead—”

Celemonic continues repeating those words as if casting a curse. I notice that I can see the ceiling through their transparent body.

A-are they a ghost?! Did Celemonic come back to life as a spiritual body?!

I-is this even…?!

It doesn’t seem possible, but at the same time, I’m convinced of one thing.

This must be their power…! The power of the brindle-haired demon—the Dark God of Ixphoria!

The ghost of Celemonic opens their toothless mouth right before my eyes.

“I will enter your body…and curse you with Bloody Systeria once more…”

“Mn…!”

Their arms turn into black mist as they lean forward to crawl into my body through my mouth! I try to push them off me, but my arms go right through them! They slowly approach my lips…

Th-there’s nothing I can do!

Just as I’m about to give up…

“Fourth Valkyrja: Astral Break!”

I hear a familiar, calm voice echo across the room, and before I realize it, Celemonic’s body is wrapped in countless chains.

“S-Seiya?! Is that you?!”

“I thought that Celemonic might come back even if we borrowed the Goddess of Time’s powers and returned to the past.”

W-wow! He isn’t “overly cautious” for nothing! B-but where is his voice even coming from?

My eyes follow the chains until I’m looking under the bed. A few moments go by, and Seiya slowly comes crawling out!

“Eeeeeek!! What the hell were you doing under my bed?!”

“I figured something like this would happen, so I’ve been holding my breath under your bed since before you even went to sleep.”

“Who are you, the freakin’ bogeyman?!”

I—I don’t know if I should feel happy or grossed out. I appreciate what he did…but the execution was creepy… Ack! I don’t know how to feel!

Seiya stares at the tightly bound Celemonic and says:

“Hmm… They’re similar to the grim reaper, Crossed Thanatos, who I encountered in Gaeabrande. Well, technically, I guess I should say that the demon’s powers transformed them into something similar, which is why Astral Break, an anti-ghost attack, is working—”

But in the middle of Seiya’s analysis, Celemonic begins stirring.

“Ooooooooo!!”

As they moan with a vengeful voice, dozens—no, hundreds—of rotting arms appear all over the room.

“Eeeeeek! What’s going on?!”

A few arms extend from under Celemonic as well, grab the chains, and snap them in half!

“Wh-what?! They destroyed the Astral Chains!”

Hundreds of arms wriggle out of the ceiling, walls, and floor like snakes. And Celemonic, freed from the chains, comes right for me!

“Die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die…”

Their powers of vengeance are even stronger because they’re a ghost! The room has become Celemonic’s territory! What are we gonna do now?!

Feeling like I’m in a nightmare with nowhere to run, I turn to Seiya. He maintains his calm demeanor and explains:

“Up until a few moments ago, Celemonic didn’t exist any longer. Only their curse remained. But now that the Dark God has brought them back as a ghost, I can defeat them.”

“H-how?!”

“Before I hid under your bed, I placed six barrier stones around this room. I also obtained some of Celemonic’s hair. Furthermore, I performed the Celestial Sword Dance within a five-hundred-meter radius of you for three hours.”

“Wait! Did you…?!”

Seiya unsheathes the platinum sword. It shines brilliantly, as if the sword itself were emitting light.

“Hexagram Ritual of Retribution: Sacred Sword.”

The room is engulfed in a blinding light that slowly erases the countless squirming arms of darkness.

That’s the secret ritual he learned from Ishtar to defeat Grandleon! I wasn’t expecting him to use it now!

The light wave gradually disintegrates Celemonic’s astral body. Their flesh peels off, but they still inch toward me like an undead.

“Di…e… Die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die, die—”

“Eeeeeek!”

Wh-wh-what malice!

I tremble in fright, but Celemonic’s astral body is wrapped in chains the very next moment! First, their feet, then their torso and neck are constrained as well! That’s when I realize that the chains of destruction aren’t only in Seiya’s hands but are stretching out from the floor and walls!

Seiya fixes Celemonic with a piercing gaze.

“Astral Break. Astral Break. Astral Break. Astral Break. Astral Break. Astral Break. Astral Break. Astral Break. Astral Break…”

Eek?! This is pretty horrifying in its own way, too!

The chains gradually fill the room, even binding Celemonic’s mouth shut as they repeatedly chant “die.” The chains continue encircling their body until it looks like they’re inside a cocoon.

Seiya glares at the tightly wrapped monster and tugs the chains he’s holding, instantly constricting the swollen cocoon. Jet-black energy then squelches out from between the chains with a squish.

…Celemonic is nowhere to be found after Seiya’s chains of destruction vanish.

“A-are they gone…for real this time?”

“Most likely.”

I crouch on the floor like my knees have given out. After taking a few moments to catch my breath, I manage to say to Seiya:

“I—I definitely wasn’t expecting you’d use the Hexagram Ritual of Retribution. I mean, I honestly forgot about it.”

“While I couldn’t use it during the battle against Grandleon, it’s still an effective method for getting rid of the Dark God’s Blessing. I’ve just been waiting for the right opportunity to employ it.”

“B-but what about Celemonic’s hair that you used as a catalyst? When did you get that?”

“I grabbed it when we went to check Celemonic’s body together.”

“What?! You were already considering performing the ritual then?!”

“I was just taking precautions.”

Even while talking to me, Seiya stares at the area where Celemonic once was, but he eventually nods.

“It looks like Celemonic has been completely destroyed, but I should keep an eye on you for now just in case.”

It suddenly hits me, so I ask:

“Does that mean you’ll be by my side from now on? Will you sleep next to me every night, too?”

Hearing that, Seiya mutters:

“On second thought, you should be fine. Celemonic is most certainly gone.”

“What?! But you just said you needed to keep an eye on me! Come on! You should be a little more cautious and—”

“Shut up and go to bed.”

“Gwafff?!”

A pillow hits my face.

“What’s your problem?!”

However, when I remove the pillow and scream, Seiya is already turning the doorknob and leaving.

“W-wait!”

But Seiya briskly walks out into the hall without even looking back…leaving me all alone in my room.

Ugh! I at least wanted to thank him! Things got awkward after he hit me with that pillow.

I seat myself on the bed and reflect upon the battle against Celemonic. The curse they put on me was so powerful that even Ishtar gave up hope. The only reason the curse was broken was that Seiya pulled off an extraordinary stunt by going back in time and deceiving Celemonic. But even then, their grudge revived them as a ghost through the Dark God’s Blessing, and they attacked me again. But Seiya even predicted that, and he used the sacred ritual to defeat them.

He truly is an amazing Hero…

I am in awe of the succession of miracles Seiya has performed. However…

“But even then…Seiya Ryuuguuin will lose someone else very important to him. This is not prophecy. The future has already been determined.”

The Dark God’s words suddenly flash into my head. She was clearly talking about me. In other words, she was trying to tell me that my life would come to an end before we save Ixphoria…

Just as Princess Tiana was killed by the Demon Lord, I will be, too…

I tightly clench my fists.

“Th-the future has already been determined”?! Don’t make me laugh! Seiya’s gonna save me! I just know he will! And don’t you dare look down on me like that! I’m a goddess! I won’t regret it even if I do die in my quest to save Ixphoria!

While I am in an elevated mood thanks to Seiya rescuing me, this is how I truly feel…still blissfully ignorant of the gruesome future that awaits me.