Star Spirit World Arc The Dialogue of Demon God and Goddess ~Accompanied by Hellish Background~

Kyaakyaa, high spirited voices were echoing through the tranquil forest.

It was gloomy even though it should be noon, however, there wasn't any melancholic atmosphere.

Pillars of light that were filtering through the trees were standing here and there. The surrounding trees and canopy of leaves and branches, and also the colorful flowers were enveloped in faint light. Faint phosphorescences were drifting lightly here and there. Sometimes they were even fluttering in the air as though they were dancing.

「Hou, this art a beautiful forest.」

「It feels like Princess Monon*ke herself is going to come out from the forest.」

「Looks like there're also small critters peeking at our way.」

Tio unconsciously let out a voice of admiration, followed by Shizuku and Suzu who were enjoying the surrounding sight with expressions of rapture.

The island where god and spirit lived. A holy precinct that was considered as a sacred ground.

The forest was filled with mysticism that was truly worthy to be described as such.

「...This is, it's the trees that are avoiding us isn't it?」

「We can't sense it but, maybe, it's exactly like that.」

「We've been only walking straight forward since some times ago after all.」

Ryuutarou's confirmation made Atsushi and Nana dropped their gazes to their feet and they nodded.

Naturally the ground wasn't a paved path or the like. It also wasn't anything like an animal path. It was a natural forest that was untouched. But, not even once they had to go around trees or even feeling that it was difficult to walk.

「It's just like I've told everyone before this. That we'll be using the "Spirit's Lane".」

Their good looking guide──the divine spirit of thundercloud Udar looked back over his shoulder and answered Ryuutarou and co who were looking around their surrounding with mystified looks.

Taeko and Noboru ruminated on the simple explanation that was given to them before.

「It's the work of the space-time barrier that is applied on this forest, isn't it? The spirits and divine spirits, and also...what was it again?」

「The spirit beast. The living creatures residing in this forest advance through the decided route while covering themselves with spirit particle. With that they can advance through the compressed distance...wasn't it?」

「Umu, that's how it works.」

In other words, there existed a shortcut that was exclusive for god and spirit. The spatial distance was shrunk, so to use an example, it was like one step would be the same like crossing a hundred steps worth of distance.

「You originally also use it to lead uninvited guest astray right?」

「Umu-, it's exactly as you say, Shia!」

Udar turned around completely and nodded several times deeply. From the start he wasn't walking but gliding several dozen centimeters over the ground, so he was able to walk (?) backward without any difficulty.

Liliana and Aiko exchanged words in small voice seeing that.

「His voice is plainly livelier only when talking with Shia-san isn't it?」

「The clone Udar-san has a calmer atmosphere though...」

This divine spirit might be the biggest Shia Lover right after Soare. He too would be exuding happiness of this reunion with Shia until he got completely used to the shared information from the divided soul.

「What about when Shia-oneechan came for the first time here with others? Everyone didn't get lost nano?」

「Now that you mention it that's right isn't it? It feels like we were just going straight.」

「That was because we were indirectly guiding you all. Besides, umm, it was that. Mother was also in a tight spot at that time. The place that was the origin of the barrier was also...holding back the star, remember?」

「Ah...」

Shia-chan guessed it. Her expression became very awkward.

「Shia-oneechan? What's wrong nano?」

「Umm, you see, Myuu-chan. Just like I mentioned before, Hajime-san brought down Meteor Impact like it was out of style and a lot of things got blown up very vigorously everywhere desu.」

「Ah, as Myuu thought, nano」

Yes, in the past Hajime did Meteor Impact to this lone island in order to stop Lutria's remote attack. Furthermore he didn't stop with just one but a lot.

Most likely the barrier had an origin point and it was located at the center of this island. It was only natural. After all the barrier was to prevent intruder from arriving at the center.

There was no doubt that they never imagined that someone would actually launch a direct attack on the barrier from stratosphere.

「Err, to all the forest dwellers, sorry for what papa did. He didn't have any bad intent...or rather he had nothing but bad intent but, surely he was desperate in order to protect Shia-oneechan, that's why, err-」

Myuu anxiously looked around at the surrounding, checking whether there was any children who were enraged or sad by her papa's deed (?).

She was a little bit concerned. The true identity of most of the lights drifting inside the forest were apparently spirits, but she felt this sense of distance from them no matter what she did.

They weren't openly running away from her by all means. Rather, they were curious about her. But, they hesitated to approach. It was that kind of feeling.

Myuu had heard from Shia before that spirits were approaching her but, right now the spirits were only watching from afar despite that Shia and a divine spirit were here. As she thought, perhaps it was because the spirits thought that it was difficult to approach any closer than this?

Myuu was apparently harboring such thought.

『Myuu, there is no need for you to bow your head. Mother has given her forgiveness and accepts all of you. There's nothing else required.』

The sound that was like telepathy came from Myuu's waist.

ActuallyMyuu was sitting down on the shoulder of a golem that was about two meter tall.

It was the divine spirit of earth Oros. There wasn't even one in ten thousand chance of it happening but, if something happened to Myuu who was a little girl and also the demon god's beloved daughter, it was shuddering just to think about. So just in case, he was in charge of her protection from the closest spot to her.

Myuu was riding on his shoulder not because of her request, but because of Oros's kindness so that she could have better view in looking around as much as possible.

By the way, other than them there were only Laila and Lutria in this place. Meeres and Barahu were staying behind at the base of the Star Tree to house-sit, as well as to help Soare recover (that was the surface reason of the consideration to not allow her to get in the way of Shia's travel) & to restrain her just in case she tried something.

Also, Enti still hadn't returned. At least Kaori had contacted back and it seemed they would be able to join up with them soon. Apparently Enti had calmed down considerably. She said it was Yuuka's accomplishment or something.

For some reason, Kaori's tone sounded a bit idle, or lonely.

Perhaps the charging ahead type maiden whose state of mind was 「Anyway for now chargee!」didn't find much thing that she could sympathize with the tsundere group.

Getting back on topic.

『The spirits are also not harboring any negative feeling. They just aren't used to all of you. Because children of foreign world are different in presence. They will become used to it before long. So there is no need to worry.』

「Ros-kun...yep-, thank you nano!」

『It's Oros. How many times I have told you to stop calling me Ros-kun...』

Actually, Myuu had been looked after by Oros quite often in the Miniature Garden. She was equally close to all the divine spirit Onii-san and Onee-san, and the divine spirits too were fond of Myuu, but Oros and the divine spirit of ocean current were especially eager to look after Myuu.

And yet, this time Meeres didn't accompany them and stayed in the house-sitting group because they were heading to the coastline right now.

Yes, it was the place of trauma for him, or perhaps them all.

This island that was a holy place was suitable for sightseeing. As expected the group would want to watch the thrilling event at that time where Shia and others marched into here.

In order to fulfill that inevitable demand, they were sightseeing in the forest of spirit like this while heading to the site. But, it would take too much time to walk there normally, so they used the "Spirit's Lane".

But, there was also no way any of the involved people at that time (the divine spirits) wanted to go out of their way to watch the hellish scene created by that Hajime. That was why only Oros came this time.

「Papaa! The spirits, they aren't angry! But, don't meteor them anymore okay! Nano!」

「Yeah, I get it. When necessary, I'll just do an aerial bombing for starter.」

「Then good-, nano!」

「『No, that's not good though!?』」

Udar-san and Oros-san'stsukkomi harmonized splendidly. Ryuutarou and others were also of the same feeling.

「My my, Myuu. That's no good. Papa is in the middle of an important talk right now, okay?」

「Ah, that's right. Papa, goddess-sama, Myuu'ssorr──ah, nn」

Myuu realized that apologizing would also make the other side respond so she reflexively covered her own mouth.

Remia who looked back with a wry smile slightly bowed her head to apologize in Myuu's place.

At the very back of the group sightseeing the forest of spirit, Hajime and Lutria were walking side by side. Diagonally behind them were Laila and Yue respectively, standing by like they were close aides in a top level discussion. In fact, the sightseeing and discussion were taking course simultaneously.

This was the result of Yue and others, especially Myuu not wanting to make Hajime sightsee while still holding concerns inside his mind. Although, Hajime also couldn't bear to make everyone wait for his discussion to finish. Therefore both were being done at the same time.

Hajime waved his hand telling them to not mind it. Lutria also smiled back.

「...She is a good child.」

「Yeah, she's my pride.」

「She is wrapped in an unusual level of purity. She is a child who possesses the disposition to be shrine maiden or priestess. It is even more so when we consider that she is living as your daughter. What a miraculous purity.」

「Thanks for the praise. I'll ignore the nonchalant stabbing included in there.」

「...By the way, she's a child who asked for weapon for her birthday present because of Hajime's influence though? She even said something like, I'm gonna dye the world crimson yeah.」

「Umm, mother. Myuu is also being doted on by the kings of the demons. The person herself also make use of them without any hesitation...」

Lutria-san ignored Hajime's reproachful stare, but she couldn't do so with Yue and Laila's words and froze for an instant. Her eyes wandered around for a bit.

Her gaze moved toward Remia who was currently considerately apologizing to Oros about the way her daughter called him.

「She has a good mother isn't she?」

「Well, I can't deny that.」

Lutria-san nodded intently with deep admiration. It seemed her evaluation toward Remia was rising up explosively. That was just how astonishing "Myuu's purity" was in the viewpoint of god seeing the situation that Myuu was put under.

Even though it wouldn't be strange if the girl became more murky or warped from the strong influence of being this man's daughter, she was still this pure even then. Wasn't that possible because of the protection of her mother's love? Aa, how precious! If only she was able, she would designate Remia as a saint!

「I don't know whether it's telepathy or something, but your heart's voice leaked out just now.」

「...Nn, it echoed a little inside the head.」

The corner of Hajime's mouth was twitching. Lutria coughed to dodge the matter.

(...I thought that she's a completely serious goddess but, she's unexpectedly human-like.)

(Yeah. She's a god who has talked a lot with human. Originally she might be a god who got far closer with people than we even thought.)

Hajime and Yue secretly shared such impression through telepathy while enjoying the great sight of the forest of spirit and watching from the rear of the others enjoying their interaction with the spirits who were closing the distance bit by bit.

「Now then, to continue our discussion」

Similarly, Lutria squinted her eyes fondly toward the children of foreign world enjoying themselves while opening her mouth.

「Nagumo Hajime. There is no mistake with the information that you obtained from the other world goddess Foltina.」

「I see...and the effect of the revival of the "branches"?」

「There haven't been any in this world based on my awareness.」

Hajime and Lutria shared the information that was obtained from Goddess Foltina of the desert world and checking whether there was any difference in their perception and knowledge with each other. The conclusion that came back from it made Hajime sighed in relief for the time being.

Yue's fingertip touched him with a soft expression that seemed to say 「That's great isn't it?」. Hajime's eyes also softened and he nodded back at Yue over his shoulder.

「But, regarding the time difference between world...at the present time I can only say that the cause is unknown.」

「So even a goddess doesn't know huh.」

According to her, originally, apparently even if they were in different universes, it never happened that a time difference was created between planets that existed in the "World Tree's branches".

「I can guess the cause. The possibility that the cause is none other than the influence of the "loss of branches" is quite big.」

「But, if that's the case then shouldn't it be fixed by the "branches' revival"? I also don't understand the reason why there isn't any time difference with other worlds.」

「That is why, in the end that is only one of the possibilities. In the first place you also cannot reject the possibility that there is a problem with your "gate" correct? Maybe, it is doing unexpected interference with the "wall" separating earth with this world?」

「That's, well, that might be.」

「Or perhaps...」

「Perhaps?」

Lutria grimaced there. As though she recalled something unpleasant.

「Nagumo Hajime. This is also concerning the answer you are seeking. "Calamity" and, the existence that you are designating.」

*Su-* There was a slight sound of inhaling. There was sharpness in Hajime's eyes now.

「In this world too?」

「Yes, it once existed.」

Lutria closed her eyes. Her beautiful look was slightly marred by the crease between her eyebrows. Irritation and revulsion were radiating from her whole body.

「Nagumo Hajime, you are aware that there are the children of earth and the children of sky in this world aren't you?」

「Human, beastman, and demon are the children of earth, while the celestial people is the children of sky huh.」

「Yes. However, once there was also the children of sea.」

「Children of sea...」

Hajime unconsciously repeated the words and casted his gaze to the front.

For some reason, Myuuwas becoming light.

What happened while they took off their eyes just for a bit!? Hajime and Yue thought with eyes wide. Of course anyone would be shocked if their daughter became something like "human shaped light".

Even Myuu seemed to be surprised and she was going 「O-oo~~? Myuu can't see anything nanoo~. What's happening to Myuu right now nano~?」 while moving around her hands and legs in panic.

Uncle Oros said 『The spirits are just swarming you. It's dangerous if you move around so calm down』 and grew a third arm from his shoulder to support Myuu. Beside him Remia was also asking 「I-is she alright?」 with a flustered look.

It seemed the spirits finally couldn't hold back their curiosity and mobbed Myuu to become like that.

After one spirit mustered their courage and came into contact, the rest followed like an avalanche.

What the! Just what is this kid! She's pleasant but, feels like there're a lot of strange presences around her! The spirits were kind of like that. It was like, that. Like a puppy who sniffed around a human that it saw for the first time.

「Myuu-chan, I'll save you right──uwaah baa!?」

「Oops, it looks like Shia art also liked──oo? They art also curious about me?」

「My, they're also coming this way. Fufuh, can you all stop for a bit? It's ticklish if you float up and down on my neck like that.」

It looked like the spirits had lost all reservation. They were floating around Tio and Shia too, although not to the degree like with Myuu and Shia. They didn't stop there, the spirits were even flying around Ryuutarou and co.

「This is a great spectacle.」

Lutria muttered. Far away in the past, perhaps this kind of sight where humans and spirits were close with each other was a common sight.

Her grim expression relaxed slightly seeing the sight after so long.

Hajime too accompanied Lutria's sentimentality without any hurry.

「...It's strange that none at all is approaching Hajime.」

「...Do you, really need to mention that?」

The spirits were circling around on Yue's head as though they were dancing. They created a shining circle. Coupled with her beautiful face and beautiful golden hair that was illuminated from the light made her looked like an actual angel. But, that angel's expression was a bit mischievous.

Hajime who wasn't approached by any small light, not even one became sullen as could be seen from his pressed lips.

A small light that was slo~wly approaching from behind him jerked and hurriedly ran away. Laila who saw that spontaneously let out a sigh Fuh.

It seemed to become a signal and Lutria returned back from her sentimentality.

「I, spent a thousand years to create my children the divine spirits one by one. Several more millenniums passed before all seven of them right now altogether.」

Her tone was softer to some degree, however, in exchange of the grimness there was now sadness radiating from her.

「There was a race that was suitable for living in the sea, just like those mother and daughter.」

「Was, huh.」

Judging from her past tense, the reason for her sadness could be guessed. This was a talk about the "Calamity". It inevitably called to mind the sad story of Foltina──the report from Kouki.

「Yes, I destroyed them.」

「-, I see...」

The silence stretched out a for a brief moment. Aiko was looking back their way. She nodded with a sharp expression, as though to say that she was ready with "Soul Repose" anytime. He ignored her.

「Something that lurked at the bottom of the sea existed outside of my awareness. The knowledge flowing from the Star Tree informed me of its true identity. That it was an existence that must not exist in this world.」

Which was to say, it was an existence from outside this dimension. "Something" that came here from further outside the nine universes.

「That existence was taking in the children of the sea, little by little, little by little. And not only mankind but also the children of every race. It ate and increased in strength, or it altered other's soul and even their flesh into its subordinate, so it can order them to hunt for even more prey to offer to it. Secretly, carefully.」

「And it was already too late when you noticed huh.」

「No, if anything I should say that it happened because "it was noticed".」

「What do you mean...aa, the number of victim that came out each time, it was actually so few so that it wouldn't look unnatural huh.」

「It took place in the great oceans. The number of lives circulating there are far more than the children of earth or sky. It was nearly a coincidence that I noticed it.」

Like that, because it was noticed the monster at the bottom of the sea increased its reach all at once. So that the goddess couldn't destroy it, it attempted to obtain even greater power and started its invasion in great scale.

Surely what happened was exactly like the "Calamity" of the desert world.

「It was difficult to judge how far its invasion through the sea, through the races had spread. And then, there was no time for me to stand and watch. That was why──」

Lutria paused speaking there. No, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that her words got stuck in her throat. Her tightly clenched fist was trembling slightly.

However, there wasn't any hint of regret in her face. There was also no shaking in her eyes. She was staring straight forward.

「That was why, I annihilated every single existence living in the sea. Thoroughly. There must also be some children who managed to get away by luck but, I paid them no mind, and spared no one.」

The way to heal the corrupted child wasn't found right away. Perhaps it would be found if time was spent for researching it. Her beloved children of the sea might possibly be saved.

But, Lutria made her decision swiftly. After all the only thing that was certain at that time was that the clutches of evil at least still hadn't reached her children of the earth and sky.

She discarded all the lives in the sea.

(Perhaps, that was the crossroads for her huh...)

(...Nn. Whether to hesitate, or not hesitate. No, if I express it in a horrible way, then I guess it was whether she could prioritize her duty as goddess, or couldn't.)

The desert world was similarly faced with "Calamity", but it was cornered until the verge of annihilation, while the star spirit world was still in a good state at the very least. This was the difference.

Most likely, it was just as Yue said. Foltina clung to hope. Her hope that her beloved children perhaps could still be saved delayed her from making the decision that a goddess should make.

That decided the future course of the world.

「...I don't intend to criticize Goddess Foltina.」

Even without words, she must have guessed what Hajime and Yue were thinking from their expressions.

Lutria knew about the desert world too from the knowledge of the divine spirits, but there wasn't even a shred of pride of her decision in her face. Rather, it felt like feelings of sympathy and sadness were radiating from her voice when speaking Foltina's name.

「One day...won't it be nice to hold something like dialogue between goddesses?」

「...Nn. You might be able to make goddess friend.」

「...Friend...with fellow goddess? Fufu, you have a really interesting idea there.」

Lutria unconsciously put on a smile. It looked like she unexpectedly felt that it wasn't a bad suggestion.

「Let me confirm one thing. You said "it was a coincidence you noticed" didn't you? But, is it possible for a goddess to not notice something foreign entering her world?」

「In a sense, that is the most troublesome aspect of it. It's the reason why I consider that it might be "the cause of the time difference".」

「Aa, your story just now is connected to this huh.」

According to her, perhaps because the existence came from outside this dimension, it was difficult for this world's principle to affect the "Calamity".

It didn't mean that it was completely ineffective. She could give chase once she perceived it, and it wasn't like the principles related to offense and defense had no effect. But she said that it slipped through the principles related to detection as long as she hadn't perceived it as "existing".

「Something like crossing dimension should be impossible originally. Just the fact that it "could cross" made it easy to imagine that it possessed means to interfere with space-time.」

「I see. Those guys' arrival might have influenced the "wall" between worlds and created the time difference huh.」

Of course, in that case it raised the question why there wasn't any time difference with the desert world. Perhaps it was because of individual difference or difference in ability between each "Calamity", but as expected they had nothing but guess in regard to that.

「In any case, there is no problem in regard to the flow of time. Laila is my child. I think it is possible to correct the difference if I'm connected with Laila through the King Tree over there and the Star Tree.」

「I see. In that case we definitely need your cooperation at all costs. Although we have the unlimited magic power, it's making me nervous to keep the worlds connected all the time like this.」

「Indeed. Then yes, I accept.」

The problem of time difference between worlds still had unclear cause but it was taken care of for the time being. Hajime's face sported a slight smile.

It was then, wind suddenly blew. Before it was practically windless throughout the "Spirit's Lane", but then wind danced down from the sky and rustled the leaves. At the same time,

「Wai-, wai-, we're going to crash!」

「There's no way I'll mess up like that. Just who do you think I am!? I'm Enti-sama you know!」

That kind of noisiness also came down.

*Zazaza-* The branches and leaves that acted as canopy above rustled and then people smoothly came down from their gap like how sunlight would.

It was Enti and, Yuuka who was clinging tightly on her arm, and then,

「We're back~」

Kaori who smiled wryly while flapping her wings once before landing.

「Welcome back, was there any trouble?」

「Nope, everything's alright. It was all peaceful. The lake was also pretty.」

「...Looks like you guys had a really long talk though?」

「Ahaha, well that...」

Kaori kept smiling wryly and turned her gaze to Enti and Yuuka. Hajime and others followed her gaze.

Enti and Yuuka were putting their faces close together while whispering secretively to each other for some reason.

「...Nnn? Aren't they really close for some reason?」

「Yeah」

「That's because they've deepened their friendship a lot. While leaving me out of it. Each time I said something, they would keep staring at me with eyes that seems to say "Someone like Kaori won't get it"...」

Apparently that happened. No wonder Kaori was smiling wryly.

Yuuka fundamentally never got involved with Enti (the divided soul). After all even entering "Miniature Garden" itself was something that she rarely did. This should be her first time having a proper talk with Enti.

It seemed they really hit it off with each other. For some reason Yue sent him a meaningful gaze, but Hajime pretended to not notice.

Meanwhile, Lutria-okaasan was calling out 「Enti, what is the meaning of your behavior? You didn't listen to your mother's words and just flew off──Enti? ...Don't you hear me? Eh, ignored? Enti? Enti!」, but Enti-chan, she was absorbed with her talk with Yuuka and looked like she didn't really notice.

Mother couldn't hide her shock completely! Vein pulsed on Laila-oneesan's forehead and her fist started rising up! It looked like fist of darkness was going to fly anytime.

A moment before it happened,

「Watch closely, Yuuka! I'll show you an example! I'll make you say Enti-sama's example is seriously GOATT~~!」

The goddess couldn't completely hide the influence she had received from otaku family. Yuuka's hand reached out as she shouted 「As I thought it's fine! Let's just stop!」, but there was no way she could do something like catching the incarnation of wind.

「H-here I go!」

Enti floated away. For some reason she glared severely at Hajime──

*Plop*

「...What're you doing?」

「F-fuhn. It's nothing! Nothing at all!」

She was blushing while getting on her (in case of the divided soul) usual designated position. Yes, it was that one where she plopped her butt on top of Hajime's head and sat down.

She skillfully crossed her legs and puffed out her chest brazenly while crossing her arms. Perhaps it was just their imagination but she seemed to look proud. Her twintails were also whooshing up and down as though to express her heightened state of mind.

「Y-your designated spot is really over there-」

「Fufuhn, I told you! This guy can't resist my butt!」

Is that so? Yue-sama looked at Hajime. Of course. It was a misunderstanding. How very regrettable. And so, for now Hajime did as usual by grabbing Enti's bare feet and tossed her away.

Hyawaa~ Enti screamed, however, she flew through the air floatily like a balloon and returned back to Yuuka's side.

Usually she would protest noisily like a yipping puppy, but perhaps right now she had finished her integration with her divided soul, 「I did it! Just like usual, yes, it's just like usual!」 she looked like she was flooded with sense of accomplishment even while trembling in shame.

Also, right beside them was Lutria-sama who was clearly feeling dejected from the shock of being left out of the loop. If this was a manga then there would be a vertical line on her face.

Laila desperately tried to patch things up but, it looked like there was only Yuuka in Enti's eyes.

「Now, next is Yuuka's turn!」

「Eh, but-」

「Don't worry. You have the divine protection of this megod with you! Besides you promised right!?」

「Uu」

Just what were they planning? This time it was Yuuka who glared at Hajime severely. And then, Eei, what will be will be! as though to say that, she walked toward Hajime with stomping steps, then after showing a bit of hesitation,

「Ei-」

*Squish* She pushed her fingertip on Hajime's cheek.

Hajime's eyes met Yuuka's. A strange silence drifted in the air.

「...Sonobe. I'll ask just in case, what are you doing?」

There was no reply, in exchange the fingertip was grinded deeper. Of course in the meantime Yuuka's face was turning redder than a ripe apple.

Furthermore, as though to say 「The finisher!」, she also used her other hand to pinch Hajime's cheek, *squeeze squeeze*.

A second passed. Yuuka-chan quietly let go. Without saying anything and stiff movement, she returned back toward Enti who had been watching while holding breath the whole time.

「H-How's that!」

「Fuh, not half bad, Yuuka. As expected from a human who got acknowledged as "friend" by this Enti-sama!」

「What the hell」 Hajime muttered in bewilderment. Beside him Yue was covering her face with both hands while shaking in place. She was muttering something like 「...No good-, they're too pure I can't bear to watch-. So this is secondhand embarrassment-」 with a small voice. It looked like she was writhing in agony.

「Hey hey, Hajime-kun. Rather than that, how is it going over here?」

「Aah? You can see it for yourself...」

Now that she mentioned it, there wasn't any tsukkomi at all toward the exchange that happened just now. Or rather, Kaori and co had just returned, so someone like Shizuku and the like should at least give them greeting like 「Welcome back」 already but...

Thinking that, Hajime returned his gaze to the front where,

「...And, then there are none.」

It was exactly like that. What was in front of them was only a dead end that was covered with a veil of flowers.

「It looks like we have arrived while we were talking.」

Lutria spoke with a prim expression. Apparently she had forgotten the shock of getting ignored by her daughter, or rather, it seemed that she had gone Such thing didn't happen!

For now, Laila was glaring at Enti with a face like those self-employed people whose occupation started with the letters 'ya'.

Perhaps, Enti was getting a scolding through telepathic communication of fellow divine spirits. Her face rapidly turned to look like 「I messed up!」.

But putting them aside.

It seemed that their steps had also gotten heavier while having a heavy talk between them. The forward group had gotten slightly ahead.

There was also how they originally were already close to the exit. It looked like Myuu and others had gotten out of the "Spirit's Lane" first. Kaori's group had just missed them.

「...It can be helped. I'll save Yuuka's heroic figure just now first...and finished. Let's go.」

「Yue-san!?」

Actually Yue-sama had guessed various things ever since Enti and Yuuka started having the secret talk between them and started recording. She ignored Yuuka's protest and quickly walked toward the exit.

Yuuka chased after her in panic. Hajime and others also followed behind.

Meanwhile Enti was gloomily apologizing to Lutria like a kid who was waiting to be scolded, with Lutria-okaasan saying 「Not really? I'm not bothered you know?」 with an expression that was obvious for all to see that she was absolutely bothered. The ongoing mini mother-daughter quarrel was dragged along with the group.

After passing through the veil of flowers, certainly, there was the island's coastline where Hajime and Shia teleported to at the past. It was a spot with a precipitous cliff.

「Eeeh? It's Yuuka-chi!」

「Kaori too, you guys are back already?」

Ahead of the coastline──at the edge of the cliff, Nana and Shizuku turned around from watching the ocean that was sparkling like jewel from reflecting the brilliant sunlight. The two waved their hands.

「Myu? Enti-oneechan, you're looking gloomy? What's wrong nano?」

「Eh, ah, that...I was a bit rude with Kaa-sama...」

As expected from Myuu. She was sharp. She quickly discovered and called out to anyone who was feeling down.

Myuu looked alternately at Enti's awkward behavior and Lutria who continued to keep up the appearance of 「I'm not bothered at all」. At the end she looked at Remia mama and smiled brightly.

「Say sorry properly nano! After that you see, mama will hug you tiiightly, and then you will get forgiven nano!」

「「Eh」」

「That's how mama is nano. Right? Mama!」

「My my, I guess. If my daughter apologize to me proo~perly, it's only natural for me to hug and praise her.」

Remia mama chuckled Ufufu and nodded. Another 「「Eh」」 overlapped. It was from Lutria mama and Enti daughter.

They looked at each other. Then they avoided each other's eyes and their gazes wandered. Enti already finished apologizing, so the rest was hanging on what Lutria would do.

Everyone somehow guessed the situation and watched over them. Because of that it made it felt like her magnanimity got questioned even more. Lutria became even more shaken.

The divine spirits were certainly Lutria's children, but it didn't mean that there was a period when they were baby or kid. They were born not in the slime form like their divided soul, but their current form right from the start.

Therefore, although the act of hugging wasn't nonexistent between them, the last time it happened was several millenniums ago at the very least. Or perhaps the last time was even more than ten thousand years ago. It had been so long even in a god's perception.

A second passed, then Lutria tensed her expression.

「...Come here.」

「!!?」

She spread out her arms. Enti's eyes widened like saucer. Her gaze wandered around even while she timidly approached.

Lutria softly engulfed her in her embrace. Enti's face was buried into her abundant valley. *Kutaa~* Strength left Enti's body. To the degree that she might get blown away if wind blew at that moment.

「Fuh, as expected it's breast. Breast can resolve everything.」

Myuu said that with a cool face. Remia mama pinched her cheek and scolded her Bad!

「「「Don't say it like a wise remark」」」

「Ryuu-kun?」

「You boys are the worst~」

Suzu-san's expressionless gaze stabbed Ryuutarou. Nana's scornful gaze stabbed Noboru and Atsushi's vice. Aiko and Liliana were so surprised that that they patted their own chest with synchronized movement before their expression turned dejected.

「Good grief. Goshujin-sama, I'm thinking of doing the past replay here, if that alright?」

「Yeah, do as you like. Our talk here still isn't over. Just make Enti do the explanation. She was there.」

Hajime grabbed the scruff of the neck of Enti who was entranced by her mother's hug for the first time after several millenniums. Then he tore her away from Lutria and tossed her casually toward Tio. 「What're you doingggーー」 She raised her voice in protest, but he paid her no mind and faced Lutria.

「It has been so long that I forgot. It is only natural for a mother to hug her children. Yes, truly. Udar, Oros, Laila, you three too──come here.」

「Do that later.」

Lutria-okaasan opened her arms vigorously.

Although they were gods, as expected it seemed male god and female god were different. Udar and Oros went 「N-no, it's truly a delightful offer but I shall refrain...」「Forgive me, mother. As expected that's...」 in a show of hesitation. Laila happily moved to accept the hug, but Yue blocked her because she would disturb the talk.

Hajime stomped down once. Crimson spark ran and chairs rose up from the ground. He recommended Lutria to sit down with his gaze.

He wanted to be able to have a calm dialogue while Myuu and others were enjoying the past replay, considering the content of their talk's continuation.

Lutria's feet weren't touching the ground from the start, so he thought that she might refuse saying that it was unnecessary, but she unexpectedly sat down without complain.

「Now then, the problem of time difference is okay now. You've told me about the history of this world's "Calamity" too. What bothers me──」

Hajime took out the compass from his pocket at the same time with Tio starting the past replay.

「...You child of man, have created something truly impressive.」

She must have seen through the extraordinary ability of the compass in one glance. Lutria's feeling went past shock and into a bit of exasperation.

「I understand what it is you wish to ask. It is whether that object's ability is superior compared to a goddess's authority or not isn't it?」

「Yeah, your opinion?」

「Though the nature is different, I can safely say that it is equal in the relevant world.」

A deep crease was formed on Hajime's forehead. Yue placed her hand on Hajime. Relax? She suggested. With that Hajime realized that his mind was running toward unpleasant imagination more than necessary and he let out a breath. He smiled thankfully to Yue.

At the corner of his sight, the past Enti and other divine spirits launched cataclysmic level of attacks toward Hajime. At the sky was the floating island of the celestial people and ten thousand strong celestial army. There were also still the great horde of spirit beasts. He could see how Myuu and others were holding their breath.

「If it can't detect them, it's possible that even now there are still some lurking somewhere,right?」

That was his biggest worry. Goddess's authority and the compass were equal in their searching ability if it was limited within just one world. That meant the compass too wouldn't be able to detect the threat.

However, Lutria shook her head in denial of that possibility.

Meanwhile, at the corner of their vision Hajime easily escaped the cataclysm and strangled the neck of the celestial people's king.

──Don't move if you value this guy's life! Or what, do you wanna see a squashed tomato?

Hajime-san threatened like that with an evil face. He was also politely grinding Donner's muzzle on the king's forehead.

The divine spirits and also the celestial people were all reproaching him, What a cowardly fellow! they said.

Yeah really!Ryuutarou and others also agreed together.

──All that counts is victory-

(TN: The line of Cars from Jojo chapter 105)

The past Hajime-san replied like that. As though he was answering Ryuutarou and others.

It was a familiar line. Kaori, Myuu, and others turned their gaze. Toward Yue.

「...Gees, Hajime. It makes me shy.」

「Where was the shyness factor from there?」

Laila was looking at Yue like she was looking at a monster beyond understanding, or perhaps like an ordinary person who gave up everything when faced with such monster.

The king of celestial people yelled something to the effect of ignore him and just attack. It was all very heroic. The hearts of Ryuutarou and others were as one.

Celestial King-san, do your best-. If it's you then surely you'll be able to overcome this!!

「No, that's not possible.」

「...Your basis? How can you assert that even though you can't detect them?」

The demon god and goddess's discussion continued without paying attention to that outside commotion.

「Even after hunting them to extinction, I constantly made the spirits to search and monitor the whole world until every nook and cranny.」

「...A-aa. Human wave tactic...no, in this case, it's spirit wave tactic huh? Anyway, yeah, shit-. Certainly, it's a brute force method but one that is reliable and effective.」

Why didn't he think of that? There were the demons who had too much free time on their hands. How could he just treat the threat as "nonexistent" just because the compass didn't react?

Apparently he unknowingly had gotten over reliant on the compass's extraordinary ability, thinking that there was no way there was anything that couldn't be detected by it.

Hajime reflexively scratched his head roughly for his idiocy. Yue's eyes were like she was looking at a troublesome person and gave the go sign to Aiko who had been looking for a chance all the time.

That's what I've been waiting for! Soul Repose! *Flashh* Hajime shined. He wilted down.

「Perhaps that is the adverse effect of children of man obtaining great power that is unbecoming for them. Sometimes it is also important to come back to your starting point, Nagumo Hajime.」

「Greatly obliged for the warning, goddess-sama.」

Hajime honestly accepted the warning even while letting out a sigh. Lutria's expression slackened──just as that happened,

──Guaaaaaaah

──What is-, gahah!?

──GYAAAAAAAAH

──Hurthurthurthurt-

──H-help-, inside my body, something is-

──Oh god-, please grant salvation to mee-, GEHOOH

Everything at the corner of their sight was dyed red. Agonizing cries reverberated. The celestial army and the spirit beasts, those flying in the sky became gory while falling off in quick succession. Such scene unfolding caused the viewers to watch with spasming faces.

Of course, Lutria was aware of what was happening at that time through the divine spirits' main bodies sharing information with her. She knew about how Hajime scattered fine metal fragments in great number in the air and how they entered inside living creature's body. Because she knew that she also included it into the "Nagumo Family's Ten Commandments".

But, when watching it once more like this...

「This is seriously hell...」

「He's a demon, as I thought Nagumo-kun is the god of demon──the demon god. No, perhaps calling him evil god is more fitting?」

「This ain't how a human act!」

Even the usually jovial Nana had a twitching expression. Taeko and Noboru were looking grim as though they were in the presence of great evil. Of course, Remia mama swiftly hugged Myuu to block her eyes and ears. As expected, breasts resolved everything.

「I-I've heard about it but, after actually watching it...this is horrible, yep.」

「Darn it. I shouldst put some filter or mosaic over this.」

Shizuku and Tio commented, followed by Kaori, Aiko, and Liliana who were also looking terribly put off.

「Ai-chan, now is exactly the moment for "Soul Repose"!」

「...Uppu, I'm sorry. It's too gruesome that I'm feeling sick...」

「You give up when it's actually essential!?」

Yuuka looked toward the god who became her friend with eyes that didn't know what to say.

「To become that guy's goddess even after receiving this kind of treatment...Enti, could it be you're the same like Tio-san──」

「Now wait a second! Don't group me with an abnormal who is beyond saving like that!」

Tio jerked in reaction. She was slightly grinning. ──Setting that aside, Enti spoke with a very displeased tone.

「Besides if you say that, the majority of the humans here also have strong liking for a man who can so easily cause this kind of brutality.」

She wasn't wrong. Everyone couldn't help but agree. Shia desperately tried to defend Hajime.

「Please don't worry! It only look brutal, but it's actually completely non-lethal desu!」

「「「「「Nonlethal」」」」」

What word is that again? Everyone, all of them looked like they wanted to ask that.

In other words, well, at the end all the victims were healed or revived so there was zero casualties, so it wasn't wrong to call it "non-lethal (nobody said there was no lethality)".

It was a concept of non-lethal with the basis of All is well that ends well!

It seemed that Shia wanted to say that.

That's forcing it...everyone thought. Their hearts were as one.

「Lutria」

「!?」

Lutria who got addressed by Hajime jumped *pyon*. It was skilful how she was doing it while still seated.

Hajime intentionally paid it no mind and continued the discussion with extreme seriousness.

「I get it that there's no "Calamity" right now. But, what about at the future? At the very least the spirits have left human territory. They also won't show themselves there. It'll be difficult to patrol there won't it?」

「That is not the case. The humans also don't have the spirit factor to detect spirit. It is possible to do the patrol secretly. And most of all, I also closed off the world in order to prevent intrusion so there is no problem.」

「Barrier huh. Is it the same like Foltina, a barrier that blocked "Calamity"?」

「Exactly.」

Lutria's gaze turned toward Laila who was sitting beside her. While doing her best to shut out the agonizing cries from the past replay.

「I am overjoyed that my child is taken as an avatar of a new "branch", Nagumo Hajime. Laila is still unable to use the technique principle of closing off the world, so I shall instruct her in it.」

「M-mother will impart the secret art to me? I-it's a great honor-」

「You too have become someone who is entrusted with a whole world. Work hard. Never forget the duty of a god. Do you understand?」

「Yes-, I will accomplish it with my existence on the line!」

Laila straightened herself with a snap. Lutria-okaasan smiled happily seeing that, then her hand kindly patted Laila's head. Laila's twisted her body shyly. *Fidget fidget*

「That's a great help. I think you've learned already from the divine spirit's memory but, the other divine spirits are also avatar candidate. That's why...」

「Yes, I understand. I shall instruct everyone in this later.」

「Tsk, so it's not just me...」

Lutria's eyes widened in shock 「Eh? Laila? Just now, you clicked your tongue...」 and turned around. Laila tilted her head 「Yes, mother. Is there something?」 with her usual ladylike expression.

Was it just my imagination...Lutria-okaasan thought while taking off her eyes from Laila.

It's not your imagination. We're sorry, your precious daughter──or rather the divided soul's bad influence came out a little just now...

Hajime and Yue quietly buried down that inner thought.

Because, two of her daughters were already in rebellious phase (?), if her last daughter Laila also...if that happened, the mom's stress would grew out of control.

「Anyway, I learned a lot. I think I'll also check earth too right away after our trip finished.」

「That will be for the best. However, please exercise great caution with it.」

「I know. After all poking this bush won't cause a mere snake to jump out.」

Inside the past replay, Enti, Laila, Barahu, and Meeres, the divine spirit group was carrying out a do-or-die attack. While being careful so that they wouldn't harm the celestial people and spirit beasts writhing in agony and falling on the ground.

Hajime pleaded that there wouldn't be any more harm if they surrendered and stayed in place, but of course, Enti and co didn't stop. This great evil has to be taken down right here! Such determination filled their chests.

Even though it would be better if only they stopped...

This too in a sense was poking a snake inside the bush.

──Just give up already! If not, I'll blow up that floating island!

He referred to the celestial people's base. It was also the capital where they lived. Naturally, there were also non-combatants there without any doubt.

Anything said to people who were ready to fight to the death wouldn't reach them. In that case, what about taking their family hostage? Of course, Hajime didn't intend to do it for real. It was just a bluff, but.

「「「「「「This fiend-!!」」」」」」

It was Yuuka and co who reflexively blurted out that vilification from their mouth. Shizuku and co were also covering their faces while looking up to the sky.

「...Unexpectedly, perhaps it is you who are the snake in the bush for that existence.」

「Hm? What did you say?」

As expected even Yue looked a bit exasperated seeing Hajime conveniently became deaf at this kind of moment.

Although, Lutria knew that Hajime wouldn't actually do such fiendish deed for real, so she continued the discussion even while sending a curious glance for a bit at the past replay.

「I cannot be a hundred percent sure considering what happened at the desert world but...at the very least, the fundamental action of that existence who appeared in my world was "hiding". Then it accumulated strength while doing so.」

「...So in general they're careful in their invasion?」

「Among them there were also individuals who were able to communicate. The fact that they took away the children of my world worth ten thousand deaths, so I annihilated every single one of them with no question asked but...there were also individuals that made me thought, that perhaps their objective wasn't invasion.」

「What do you mean?」

「Despite possessing strength that compared favorably with me, there were also existence that focused on running away as though avoiding battle itself, and in the end, they vanished to different dimension. That existence, it was like it was fearing something else, more than the divine spirits and me.」

「...」

What was the "Calamity" in the end? There were more questions now. Hajime rubbed his forehead as though he was feeling headache. Yue stood up and walked behind Hajime before she started massaging his shoulders. Relax relax~.

At the side, the past Enti was blown away. *Doshaaaーーー* She plowed hard through the ground face first.

It was the result of the celestial people and also the spirits shouting at the divine spirits without any care of their own lives. Forget about us, please just destroy that evil! They begged.

Everyone thought. This was completely the scene of the hero party (the divine spirits) standing against the demon king, and the soldiers giving them backup with the preparedness to die in the process.

The divine spirits received the dedication of the children of man and the spirit beasts with tears in their eyes. They didn't stop anymore, as though to say Charge! Charge! Chargeee! We'll take back the world's peace with our hands!

And so, Enti ended up being blown away by the array of godkilling artifacts.

However, divine spirit was akin to immortal. If they were motivated, they couldn't be stopped unless the opponent went at them with thoroughness.

The past Enti-chan floated up even while letting out Kuh voice of anguish. But before her eyes, *step* Hajime landed with a heroic pose.

Ah, the past Enti muttered. At the same time, Hajime's left hand formed a fist and it shot forward without a shred of hesitation.

──Gender Equality Punchhーーーー

「「「「「「Ah」」」」」」

Yuuka and co raised up their voices simultaneously. To them, the scene looked like it was progressing in slow motion.

The metal fist was harder than even steel. It was effective even toward divine spirit with the power of soul magic, and it collided mercilessly on Enti's cheek. That moment,

A beautiful girl's face became an ugly mug for a moment. Her eyes also rolled back until only their whites were visible. Right after that, as though the flow of time returned back to normal, the past Enti flew in the air while spinning super fast.

Then she landed face first on the ground for the second time. *Gusha-*

「...It hurt. So much so. More my heart than my body.」

The real Enti-chan's eyes were dead. She looked so ephemeral that it felt like she would be carried away and vanished if a wind blew. Just like Nagumo family when they recalled a sealed dark history.

「A-anyway, depending on the situation it might also be possible there is the option of driving them away without fighting. What I am saying is, do not discard any possibility.」

「Many thanks for the advise. Thank you, Goddess Lutria.」

Lutria smiled because she understood that Hajime's thanks was heartfelt. And then he held out his hand.

It was an unconscious action. That was just how meaningful this conversation was for Hajime.

He immediately got a second thought if it was disrespectful of him from the goddess's perspective to seek skin contact, but Goddess Lutria stared at Hajime's hand just for a bit before smiling softly.

And then,

「I find your stance of preparing for all possible means in your effort to protect your world praiseworthy. Originally, that should be the role of the hero but, such heroic heart might also be──」

She moved from her own initiative to take Hajime's handshake.

At the corner of her sight, there was Enti who got her back stomped while she was already down. She then became a green slime *mojo~* from the damage.

The scene moved to a gate forming right before Laila's eyes and a left hand flew out from it to grab her face tightly. Then she got dragged into the gate to be used as meat shield against the full-powered super compressed water ball that Meeres fired.

Hajime secretly inserted an explosive into Laila who was reduced into a black slime and he tossed her to Barahu above. There was the scene of Laila slime exploding together with him.

Meeres who became the last divine spirit standing. Hajime thrust slime Enti within his grasp as his hostage and squeezed *gunyu~~~*.

──Yah, wai-, where're you rubbing-!? T-this insolent fooollーー, AH, don't squeeze theree~~

Enti was made to let out such scream, or rather moan (?) (the suspect's testimony was it was simply an accident). It flustered Meeres and an arachne infiltrated into his body using that opening before exploding, breaking apart his body...

「By the way Enti-san, can I ask you where did he rub your body?」

「You can go die Tamai-chi.」

Nana's elbow made Tamai's rib screamed. Enti became slightly unstable emotionally and received Aiko's treatment. Even Shia couldn't defend Hajime anymore and everyone was looking at him with conflicted expressions that seemed to say 「This is horrible. No, it's not like I don't get that there was no other way but, still」.

Lutria quietly drew back her hand that was about to take the handshake offer. And then,

「──Might also be, not in your possession.... Please allow me to confirm just in case. You are actually scheming to conquer the world or something aren't you?」

She asked him like that. Her eyes became a probing gaze into his ulterior motive.

「No, I'm not.」

「...Really?」

Slime Enti-chan's voice inside the past replay was gradually getting louder. It sounded really like she was being groped on a corresponding part of her body somewhere in she was in her human form.

Judging from the state of the real Enti-chan who was floating unsteadily in the air while hugging her knees and shutting herself inside a shell perhaps because of the shame....

Somehow he couldn't help but feel that the gazes of the girls had also gotten harsher.

In any case, it seemed that he failed to make the goddess trusted him enough to take the last step to take his handshake.

The sightseeing and the discussion were only still at the starting stage.

Although some parts of what happened in the past were something that couldn't be helped, it was undeniable that he was now reaping what he sowed. If only he fought in a slightly nicer way back then. Hajime looked up to the sky with regret that came too late.