Chapter 10 – Ganari and Nagayubi
As expected, her brother looked at her with a bitter expression. And of course, she did not care.
“…Why did you come here?”
“To ask for your forgiveness, brother.”
“My forgiveness!? What right do you have to demand anything!”
“Yes. You are right. I did something unpardonable. And I am completely ashamed.”
“It is easy to say such words! If you mean it, you should withdraw from the game at once, and apologize to all of the gods!”
“As you wish.”
It was so unexpected that his anger dissipated for a moment. Seeing the opportunity, Salia raised her head.
“…Please forgive me! Brother!”
Tears streamed down her eyes and fell to the ground. Such a thing had never happened before, and both brother and spectators were stunned as they watched.
“I was a fool. The loss of my own world caused me such pain and regret, that I made the mistake of cursing the world. It was the depravity of my heart that led me to using that monster…”
“Well… As long as you understand. It is fine.”
Her brother looked a little uncomfortable, but was also in a better mood now.
“That is fine. …Indeed, but due to the agreement, you will be erased from the world if nothing is done. So, I have a proposition, Salia.”
He said with a magnanimous smile, as if he knew that everyone would agree with him.
“I will welcome you as a demigod, and as a couple, you can acquire a new divinity. You are beautiful and have a kind heart. We could become the new gods of creation of a world.”
“…I do not deserve such words, but I am grateful.”
Salia answered while shaking and keeping her face down.
So that she did not reveal her true feelings.
“Then let us go to Yesta!”
“I am already here.”
The Goddess of Judgement was suddenly standing behind him, and he turned rather pale.
“Argh! You should consider your timing a little more!”
“However, I thought that I must attend your celebration no matter what.”
“Hmm…it is a good sentiment. Now, Yesta. Withdraw Salia’s participation from the games. And instead begin the ceremony of making us partners.”
“Ah. But first, I have one request.”
Salia said as she raised her head with a smile.
“What? Already?”
“Yes. It is in regards to that foul monster.”
“Hmm?”
“I want it slaughtered for entertainment before the ceremony.”
The brother burst into laughter.
“What has gotten into you! You tried so hard to protect it before!”
“I do not know. Perhaps I thought it had more of a spine. But once it faced your Hero and understood how futile it was, he wanted to abandon me.”
“I see. It did seem a little brave during that last stand. But I suppose trash will always be trash.”
“And so I made my decision.”
Salia said, looking up at the god, overflowing with joy, reveling in the prime of life, with a face full of delight and arrogance.
“So, brother. How about having a duel between your Hero and that monster?”
“…Why…would I wish to do such a thing?”
He said with a laugh.
But his eyes looked at her with suspicion.
“If you just want him dead, simply sever your protection?”
He was a god.
If he could be fooled so easily, then she would never struggle.
Salia’s face tensed in an instant.
“Brother…I have no intention of merely being a decorative flower for you.”
“Hmm?”
“If I am to become the wife of a war god and protector of the brave, then I must first train myself.”
She said as she unsheathed the sword at her hip.
“What are you doing?”
“Showing my resolve.”
She pointed the tip at her throat. He glared at her.
“While a foolish thing, I decided on the battle with my own will. I am like the general of an army. Should a general wag its tail to the enemy in order to live? Especially if that general is to be wed to the god of war?”
“In other words, you want to give water to a dying person?”
“Not just defeat or death. But an honorable blade to end a pitiful life. That seems very fitting for a celebration ceremony.”
She knelt and offered the sword. Just as a knight would.
“With your mercy, may my foolish past be cut away. Allow me this proof that I fought with my own will.”
“It is a good resolution. But what would this monster say?”
“Its life was only ever extended due to my power. If I threatened to take it back, it would cry and plead. But if I were to promise release if it could make one scratch on the Hero…”
The brother was silent.
Time passed slowly.
“Very well.”
And then he accepted the sword.
She held back a sigh of relief. Instead, she looked tear-eyed with gratitude.
“Th…thank you…”
“Now, there is no time to waste. We should…”
“First, I want you to swear it in front of everyone. That you agree to having my monster fight a duel with your Hero. And on the night of your victory, I will become your wife.”
He coughed as if embarrassed over rushing the matter.
“Well then… I declare it here and now. Saliashe’s monster and my Hero shall participate in a dueling ceremony! And when I win, she will be my wife!”
The gods there began to cheer, and the hall lit up with light. It was almost blinding.
“Are you satisfied now?”
“Thank you.”
“Please wait, Lord Zephalis.”
Said the goddess in the black suit. While holding her staff of clocks, she smiled at him.
“The weight is only on one side of the scale.”
“What are you talking about? I just made the declaration.”
“And now that you have, you must define the outcome if Saliashe happens to win.”
“How ridiculous. There is no possibility that the monster could beat my Hero.”
“Yes, Yesta. Please do not trouble my brother.”
She said, admonishing the Goddess of Judgement. But Yesta just looked at her as if delighted.
“No, that will not do. It is my duty to judge with fairness. The scale must have equal weights on both sides.”
“How troublesome… In that case, if I should lose, then I shall hand over everything I wagered on the Hero, over to Saliashe.”
“Thank you.”
The springs turned and the hands ticked. As Yesta moved back amidst the clamorous noise, Salia said her final words.
“By the way, brother. A one-sided battle is not very amusing. Don’t you agree?”
“I do not agree with that.”
“Oh, you are not being serious!”
She chuckled. In that high-pitched way that she hated so much.
“This must be an event that will entertain the other gods as well! And surely they will want to see the skills of a brave Hero for as long as possible!”
“Even when the Hero is against a mutt?”
“And so how about having a handicap?”
Upon hearing this suggestion, he frowned.
“You want me to seal the god vessel?”
“No, never. The Hero’s beauty is not complete without it.”
“Remove his party members?”
“His bond with them is unbreakable. I would never ask for that.”
“Then what?”
“Yourself.”
He looked exasperated.
“Me?”
“Yes. When the time comes, you will offer no information regarding the duel. No advice. And offer no new powers or abilities.”
“Ah…”
He looked at her with his mouth open. And then he went from surprise to laughter.
“Hahahaha! Oh, Salia! Surely you do not think that sealing me off will allow that monster to win!”
However, he did not look as confident as he claimed.
Something in his military side was making him anxious.
“Allow me to think of it. If it is to be a spectacle, then I may have some suggestions as well.”
“There is no need to think! He is your Hero. He can surely slay a monster without your advice. Don’t you think so?”
One elf who had been watching said, ‘Aye, that is right. It is Lord Zephalis’s Hero, after all. Haha.’
Her brother’s face went rather pale after that. He was clearly annoyed.
“The others think so too! You have created a fine Hero. Without your words, he has the power to overcome this!”
While the gods agreed, they also looked like they did not understand what was happening.
It was clear that the brother was dissatisfied. However, if he said something now, it would seem like he was afraid of Salia’s weakest monster. He could not do that.
“Now brother, swear it.”
“Hmm. I hereby swear that during the duel with Saliashe’s monster, I will not give advice or use my power towards the Hero.”
Somewhere, a new timer began on the clock staff, and the agreement was bound and filled the world.
“…Phew.”
The goddess brushed back her golden hair and sighed.
And then she quickly moved away.
“Hey, Salia?”
“Do not talk to me so easily, brother.”
She moved to the center of the plaza and sat down near a stone arbor.
“We are now enemies. Sit here as my opponent.”
With surprise and irritation, he sat on the opposite side of her.
And then Salia raised her hand, summoning a water mirror.
“Can you hear me, Sheto.”
‘…Did it work?’
“Aye. The prey fell into the trap.”
She ignored the gasps of the gods and the anger of her brother. She looked only at the small monster who moved in the forest.
“Nagayubi has done her duty. The rest is up to you, Ganari.”
‘Leave it to me!’