A Playful Spirit

"Watching the Church of the Sun God spread rapidly in step with the continent's development, I thought resurrection wouldn't be far off, but… now that the time is actually near, it's an unpleasant feeling."

"Unfortunately, it was decided the moment you all lost. I was taken out early myself."

Elza let out a small breath.

She was so very tired. It wasn't just exhaustion from climbing the tower.

It was accumulated over long years, something even nectar couldn't heal.

She felt it for the first time in a while.

Perhaps because life in that household had been so enjoyable and peaceful.

There was also the guilt of using them, perhaps.

"Kiyo and the Ash King are sabotaging things every way they can, so it won't be immediately."

"I see. That sounds like those two. I was truly surprised that the Ash King, who was originally human, remained in this world along with the castle at Ruined Heim. Kiyo had also gone to sleep alongside Justitia, it seems. They're resisting far more than I am."

"Choosing to become an anchor rather than die. That's just like him. The battle from back then still isn't over for him."

Oscar rose from the chair and reached into the front of his garment.

"As the master of the tower, I must present a gift to the heroes who conquered the trial. I wish I could lend my own power directly, but…"

What he withdrew was a seal.

It was crescent-shaped with a round blue-violet gemstone embedded in it.

"My divine power is sealed inside. It can only be used once, but please use it well."

"Thank you."

She received the seal from Oscar's hand.

She felt divine power that had long been lost.

Oscar's appearance was unchanged from before.

He was still called the most beautiful being in the world.

"Your companions are resting in the back. The Ent treated them, so there won't be any lasting effects."

"I'm glad."

She meant it.

If anything had happened, she would have used her remaining power to heal them.

"This tower will disappear naturally after a while. I intend to leave a little trick as payback. Oh, and feel free to take whatever's in the treasure chest."

Oscar said this, then placed a hand over his heart and gave a small bow to Elza.

"Farewell, my friend."

"Yes. Let's meet again, Oscar."

Oscar smiled and vanished.

The white chair, now without its master, disappeared after him.

She rose from her chair and looked toward the back.

There was a door; that must be the way.

She walked to it and put her hand on the door, then looked back.

The starry realm without its master felt simply lonely.

Opening the door led to a small room.

There was no furniture, just an oversized bed and a lavish treasure chest that seemed out of place.

She could also see the others who had been brought by the Ent, resting.

"Elza-san!"

Azu rushed over first and hugged her.

"Are you alright? I remember up to when it was just you and me, but after that everything's hazy… I was worried."

"Azu-chan… Yes, I'm fine. You worked hard and defeated her after that. All I did was talk to a god for a bit."

"I don't remember any of it. And somehow there's a Fire Elemental inside me now."

"How do you feel? Does anything hurt?"

"Um, no. I feel better after sleeping a lot. But now when I use the Apostle's power, I get incredibly tired again."

Elza patted Azu's head, and Azu quietly accepted it.

… She felt guilty. Surely, once she knew the truth, Azu would never look at her like this again.

"Well, Elza seems like she wouldn't die even if you killed her, so I wasn't that worried."

"That's mean, Alexia-chan. I'd like you to worry a little."

Though she said that, she could tell from Alexia's face that she had been worried.

"So there really are gods, huh."

"Master… I'm sorry, only I got to…"

"It's fine. I just tagged along anyway. Well, at least it makes for a good story."

She bowed her head to Yohane.

She had put him through a lot. The Ent's poison must have been excruciating.

But he seemed completely unbothered, showing no sign that he cared.

"Now that Elza's back, let's hurry and go home. I'm tired. I thought I'd built up a tolerance to most poisons, but apparently not."

"Right… We were told to open this chest once Elza arrived. Let's check it and then head back."

Yohane sat before the treasure chest and slowly lifted the heavy lid.

Inside were gold and white-silver ingots, and the most eye-catching item sitting on top was a staff.

"Ugh."

That was Alexia.

A sinister staff adorned with a skull sat there.

This was probably the same staff the Ent had been using.

It seemed to emit an ominous aura.

When Elza picked it up, she felt tremendous power, but at the same time, a cursing sensation.

That wasn't all. Her magical energy was being drained.

"Hey, Alexia. Want to try using this staff?"

"Absolutely not. I wouldn't use it if my life depended on it. It looks cursed. No, I'd be dried up before that."

"Right? Well, it seems fine as long as you don't touch it, and it's quality stuff, so maybe we can sell it to some eccentric collector. I doubt the Duke would want it either."

He picked it up gingerly and shoved it into his supply bag.

Then he collected the rest of the chest's contents.

"Sir, here is the inventory."

"Huh?! When did you have time to prepare that?"

"My symptoms weren't as severe, so I made it while we waited for Elza-sama."

"That's a huge help. I was thinking I'd have to prepare one for the Duke when we got back."

"I thought that would be the case… I'm glad it helps."

Everything was as usual.

Truly, everyone was unchanged.

If the Sun God awakened, these happy days would surely come to an end.

That god beguiled humans and ultimately made them into offerings to itself.

It had been using the Church of the Sun God as a front.

She would never allow that. Even if she had to use every last bit of herself.

"Elza-sama. Is something wrong?"

"No, it's nothing."

Orleans. A perceptive child, just as you'd expect from someone favored by the elementals.

Elza answered with a smile so as not to worry her.

After collecting the treasure chest's contents, they went to the place marked "Exit."

… Outside spread a spectacular view above the clouds.

They were at an incredible height. The wind was also extremely strong.

"So this is the way back. This god Oscar sure is fond of pranks."

"Indeed he might be."

Come to think of it, Oscar did have that side to him.

A long slide extended downward.

Thoughtfully, it was built with rollers to reduce friction.

"This is a little scary… Isn't there another way down?"

"Just go already!"

"H-hey! You don't push someone!"

Finn, losing patience with the hesitant Yohane, pushed him with her foot.

Yohane tumbled onto the slide and vanished from sight in an instant.

Everyone else followed down after him.

They returned to the tower's entrance, but her hair was disheveled from the wind, so she tidied it.

When Orleans came down last, the tower vanished, its purpose fulfilled, perhaps.

Far from Yohane and the others, three figures watched the tower disappear.

There stood the Ash King, Kiyo, and the Ent.

"It seems we didn't make it in time."

"We were never invited to begin with."

"I would have welcomed you if you'd come, though."

"I could do without the Witch of Roses' welcome. It's more useful to cut down those who serve the Sun God than to waste time here."

"My, how cold. I've lost my purpose now anyway, so maybe I'll tag along with you two."

Kiyo spread his skeletal hands and muttered, "Good grief."

"Do as you please. Our goals align. The old alliance still holds."

"The day we face them isn't far off. The wait was worth it. For our goddess, this time, victory."

"I just saw her, though."

In response to the Ash King's words, the Ent murmured quietly so he couldn't hear.

No trace remained of the handsome man the Ash King had once been.

But his strength hadn't faded. Rather, it had transformed into something demonic and grown tremendously.

However, the price had been steep.

The Ash King could likely no longer perceive the Creator King.

The obsession to strike back at the Sun God was what kept him bound to this world.