Epilogue

The refugee convoy to Akradist was completed without incident, and a few days had passed since then.

With Lunéville's arena beginning to operate normally, the entire town was more lively than ever.

The second annex became a second branch dining hall, so while it was bustling compared to before, the abnormal congestion that was once seen in the branch's dining hall was no longer an issue.

Thanks to that, Ilya could actually take breaks again and afford spending time to meet people.

If there had to be a problem, it would be the people she had to meet.

"… Let's hear your side of the story."

York, the person to whom Ilya had tried to speak calmly, was sweating profusely down his cheeks.

In a room in the inn where the elves stayed, the three of them—the Elder, York, and Ilya—were facing each other. Between them was a dual-tipped spear with each end's tip about as large as a fist… the name for the enshrined weapon would be a pilum muralis.

This was the weapon that had tormented (?) the divine beast, Bahamut.

York, who had become somewhat accustomed to her gaze, looked away and lowered his head.

Then, as if he had made up his mind, he raised his head.

"After being entrusted with its handling, I talked with that fairy and demon boy and came to a decision."

Seeing the way he was sweating profusely, even the Elder, who was supposed to be always calm in front of the people of the village, was feeling a little faint.

Is it really possible for him to have a calm discussion like that?

Judging as much, Ilya exhaled. York, who'd been holding his breath, also let out his tension and exhaled deeply.

"… I told you to never forget the influence of the divine weapon, did I not?"

"… You did."

Ilya decided to wait for him to continue after he gave such a strong affirmative answer.

"I-I'd originally thought that burying the divine weapon to await an opportunity for it to truly stand on the stage of history was the proper way to allow it to stay asleep. However, it cannot be said that the power would never fall into the hands of those who wish for destruction."

That's why I said to go bury it though?

Although she thought that, she knew that York wouldn't do anything without thinking, so she decided to keep her mouth shut.

"I decided that the place where the divine weapon could rest peacefully and wait for its opportunity to truly stand on the stage of history was by your side."

"You want me to keep it?"

"I-If you would be so gracious…!"

Ilya shifted her gaze to the divine weapon. The name displayed by her [God's Eyes] was Divine Spear Vishva.

How many divine weapons was this now?

Everything in the world had a reason, a cause, and a meaning, and they were all connected by causality. The same went for divine weapons, which was why they were able to stand on the stage of history when the time came and their bearer appeared.

(I'd rather not be involved in any more opportunities for divine weapons to be wielded…)

Though she thought as much, she also understood where York was coming from.

"… I understand."

Hearing Ilya squeeze her answer out after much deliberation, York exhaled a sigh of relief and bowed his head.

To be precise, she only spoke in order to stop him from getting down on his hands and knees to beg, given that he actually was about to.

The reason she spoke in such a commanding manner was to make him understand the gravity of the situation and that she had no intention of revering him as a god.

"However, I have conditions."

"Y-Yes."

Ilya laughed in her heart at York's trembling.

(Fufu. Did you think I'd accept the trouble for free?)

Too bad for him.

Ilya smiled, pointing with her hand.

"Bring the Elder back to the village."

The two of them froze at her condition.

Immediately after, a ball of water formed to restrain the Elder as if to restrain him from fleeing.

"Understood!"

"York, you, you—!"

As if York and the elves were going to flee before Ilya's will changed, they left Lunéville with the water ball. The elves who noticed the commotion were in a state of shock as they tried to push the Elder out of the water ball.

At any rate, the number of troublesome things had dwindled to zero. Even her mental stress had been reduced.

It was a good deal, Ilya thought as she made her way back to the branch.

"Oh, Ilya, welcome back."

"I'm back, Ria."

"Pii!"

"Yes Haku, I'm back."

She stroked Haku, who had jumped into her arms.

After all, the branch was at peace.

Did Ilya, who was thinking such things, think too much or was it something else?

"There are customers waiting in the reception room."

"Customers?"

Ria nodded.

Despite there being customers waiting, Ilya, who felt a sense of unease at her lack of impatience, was able to sense Ria's intentions.

"Really it's Mr. Frank's customers, but since Ilya came back, they said they want to meet with you."

"… I see, thank you."

Though she had little time left for her break, she decided to go to the reception room since it would be rude to keep the customers waiting.

When she knocked, she heard Frank's voice inviting her in from the other side of the door.

"Excuse me."

"Big sister!"

She was hugged the moment she entered the room.

When she looked to see who it was while holding back her agitation through force of will, she saw a blue-haired human girl.

The girl's name was Sophia.

Ilya first met her at the altar of sacrifice.

What she wore was the [Shrine Maiden's Torment] that Ilya had had worn back then. As her name suggested, she was a priestess chosen as a sacrifice to the evil god.

"It's been a while, Sophia."

"Long time no see! I've been assigned as the new church's parishioner!"

Her cheeks reddened as she spoke, taking a step back to show the clothes she was wearing.

The lapel and sleeves of the blackish-brown robe she was wearing were green, and it was clear that it was the robe of the Lottevester Church, which had already finished construction.

"Sophia, don't be rude in front of the Branch Manager."

"Ah, I'm sorry!"

"I don't mind."

Frank responded to Sophia's repeated bow with his usual cheerfulness.

The person to admonish Sophia was a human male who sat across from her. The clothes he wore were a bit more luxurious than the ones Sophia wore.

Noticing Ilya's gaze, the man stood up and bowed.

"Long time no see, Ilya. I'm glad to see you again."

"It's nice to see you again as well, Mr. Priest."

Although she was surprised, she kept her composure on the surface.

It was thanks to her efforts to act as she normally would that, after that, nothing changed, and peaceful exchanges continued.

The man was Bernart Gartman.

He was the priest of the city to which the village that held the sacrifices belonged to. After the evil god disappeared, he began to visit the village to spread the word of God.

There had been no change in his appearance other than the fact that he had aged gracefully in the time since then.

However—

There was no change other than the fact that, according to the job displayed by [God's Eyes], he had been possessed by the Evil God.