Chapter 572: Those Who Are Not Chosen

The spirit goddess Zebrililith sat on the black water with her eyes tightly closed. She sat on a moss-covered throne…which looked like a divine chair made just for her, a seat only she was permitted to sit on.

Once, Zebrililith’s throne was the center of the world. Faith poured solely into her. This entire continent was her garden.

It was the source of evil. An absolute throne, untouchable.

Now, countless insects swarm around her. Zebrililith, with her eyes still closed, perceived their presence.

Demons and fairy Kings trapped within shells. Dragons and Jewels were deprived of their sky. And giants weren’t stomping on the ground anymore. It was hard to believe this world was now the human world. It was an unbelievable scene.

Those humans stood there. They didn’t possess the immorality of God, yet they defied God with unwavering resolve.

It seemed like a familiar sight. No matter the era, no matter how reckless, those who opposed God would always appear.

Just like Vrilligant of old.

「…Ah, yes. You have a stronger connection to Vrilligant than to me, or to Flimslat. It’s understandable, since you’re a minion of Offal. 」

The girl reminisced about the past, letting out a dazzling, bitter smile. The forest surrounding the throne absorbed her voice.

This place resembled a single forest. The throne was elevated high like a shrine, and the stairs leading up to it were now decaying. Moss and trees had encroached upon the surrounding ruins, giving them an antique, old-fashioned feel.

This was the Zebrililith’s Temple. Zebrililith, with her temple at its center, had swallowed up a city that once worshipped her, forming her outer perimeter.

While great demons relied on temples, faith or original texts, Zebrililith herself possessed all of them. No one could defeat her as long as this place existed.

But the foremost of those who opposed God, knowing this, entered the temple with a confident stride.

「Welcome home, Lugis. Did you get along with everyone? The dragons, the fairies, and magical devilish beings? They were all good children, weren’t they? I’ve been watching you through them. I’ve come to understand you a little. You’re a troublesome child who throws tantrums like a spoiled brat. 」

It wasn’t a lie. To Zebrililith, the black water…which was the demonic force she created from her own blood…was like her limbs. It shared her eyes, even her nerves. No, that demonic force was her.

And Lugis had been exposed to Zebrililith’s magic many times through them. Magical energy could be said to condense a person’s information. Even ordinary mages, if their magical energy was compatible, could read each other’s intentions.

In Zebrililith’s case, she could even discern the very contours of the soul of the being she had imbued with her magic.

「I don’t recall ever calling this place my home. Besides, I’m not stupid to call the demons that attacked me “good children”. 」

Lugis approached Zebrililith with his purple lightning treasure sword resting on his shoulder. Eldith was nowhere to be seen.

She wasn’t dead. Zebrililith had seen them part ways with her closed eyes. But she wasn’t particularly interested in their intentions. Whatever Lugis and the others were plotting, to her it was child’s play. It was almost instinctive for children to plot such foolish things.

「…You want to buy some time, don’t you, Lugis? 」

「Yes, that’s right. Are you going to tell me a story, former god? 」

Lugis only shrugged in response even though his intentions had been seen through. His calculations didn’t include any sweet ulterior motives. He didn’t expect anything.

He probably figured it would be impossible to completely deceive Zebrililith’s gaze. Therefore, he remained calm and unfazed.

「…Alright. Shall we talk, Lugis? Hehe. 」

It was a smile that sent chills down Lugis’ spine. Zebrililith lowered her chin and tilted her neck, which still retained a girlish quality.

There was nothing in her words or actions that suggested this girl was a god. Rather, there was something bizarre about her.

But her voice strongly asserted that she was a being separate from humans.

「I understand very well what kind of person you are. I know the path you’ve walked, the nuances of your spirit, even the contours of your soul. 」

Her voice possessed a sacred, subservient tone.

「So, gods can peer into people’s memories? How morbid. You were disappointed, weren’t you? 」

「No. It was extremely interesting. And I still think you should be on my side. In fact, I don’t understand why you’d want to side with humanity. You’re not that stupid, are you? 」

「Really? I’ve never thought you were particularly intelligent. 」

Zebrililith rested her elbows on the throne while rejecting Lugis’ sarcastic words. Her eyelids remained closed, yet Lugis felt as if the eyes within were watching him.

「As a god, I promise you this. 」

Zebrililith smiled, remaining seated on the throne. A divine smile that, if seen by an artist, could instantly create a painting that would last forever.

「You are tragically lacking in talent. Therefore, to fight us demons, you had to become like us. And humanity will inevitably begin to fear you, even if they once hailed you as a hero. Eventually, your words will be twisted, your grave will be dug up, and your myth will be torn to shreds. You will never receive the reward you deserve as a human being…this is an unchangeable fate. 」

Zebrililith spread her arms wide, delivering a literal oracle with majesty. Her closed eyes saw everything.

How many humans would accept someone who, while in human form, had ceased to be human? Even if it was to protect humanity, even if it was for a benevolent purpose. They would never tolerate it.

Suspicion and the elimination of outsiders were the instincts of living beings.

「You belong on this side, Lugis. You are not a hero chosen by a human god, nor a hero chosen by fate. It’s a miracle you’re even here right now. 」

To Lugis’ surprise, Zebrililith’s words were filled with compassion. She spoke with love from the depths of her heart. Lugis narrowed his eyes. A deep frown was shown on his face.

It was terrifying. The assimilation she sought was not destruction, plunder, or domination…It was pure love.

Like a mother’s pure love for her child. Zebrililith pitied and showered love upon all.

For her, devouring their bones and giving birth to them as demons was unconditional love.

「…“You have no talent. You weren’t chosen. Know your place.” I’ve been told all of that since I was a kid. Not being accepted by anyone is also a regular occurrence. In short, it won’t be much different from now. So, that’s fine. No matter how much you say, you’re still my enemy. 」

Lugis took a step forward, raising his treasure sword over his shoulder. His act of moving forward was strange despite saying he was just buying time. Or perhaps, he was already ready.

Zebrililith didn’t move a muscle.

「Even if you would be accepted and praised in the demonic world? 」

Lugis’ eyebrows furrowed. He turned his head and looked at Zebrililith, who was seated on the throne. It was an uncharacteristic look for him, devoid of cynicism or defiance.

「Yes. The first being to extend a helping hand to me was a human. Not a demon. So I’ll fight. Even if no one chooses me, I can still choose myself. 」

「I see. 」

Saying only that, Lugis drew his treasure sword to his shoulder and assumed a fighting stance. Zebrililith nodded in response…her eyelids still closed. She showed no sign of being offended. No, she even seemed to anticipate the answer.

「No wonder Altia hates you. 」

A giggle escaped her lips. She looked satisfied, as if to say she had already heard everything she wanted to hear.

「So…did your delaying tactic work? I’m still your enemy, right? 」

A moment of silence. Zebrililith and Lugis synchronized their breathing. The space creaked, and tension enveloped the temple. Even breathing ceased.

「I will not grant you a peaceful death since you call yourself my enemy. You will suffer while you’re still alive. 」

Zebrililith spoke as if delivering a divine oracle. A cruel, divine voice, declaring that this was the fate he had chosen.

It was in that instant, as both were about to make their moves that…

…A heavy sound echoed throughout the temple, slightly shaking even Zebrililith’s throne.

For the first time, Zebrililith raised both eyebrows and changed expression.

She instantly realized the source of that sound. There was no astonishment. But surprise prevailed. She never imagined that “that” would move.

A loud bang. A strong sound reverberated. Several vibrations rang out in quick succession throughout Zebrililith’s temple.

…The image of a giant dragon fireball burning away Zebrililith’s outer perimeter flashed before Zebrililith’s eyes.

「…I heard from Shad. You don’t have a body right now, do you? The black water is your blood, and this entire ruin is a substitute for your body. 」

Shadraput’s wisdom, which she promised to impart to Lugis. She didn’t teach him everything, but she didn’t teach him nothing either. This was just a part of it.

…Just as Vrilligant lost his heart, Zebrililith also lost a large part of her body.

No, her faith as a god was what was closest to her real body. Now that that was gone, she was essentially patching her body together with these ruins.

She couldn’t be defeated within this temple. In other words, she was invincible as long as this massive body remained.

Therefore, all that was left was to destroy it all.

Lugis had the dragon and the giant who once brought down the fairy King. The world outside was finally moving. Now all that was left was to dismantle it from the inside. He had all the cards in his hand.

But the spirit god still wore a faint smile even after witnessing something so shocking.

「How lovely…」

She said only those words.

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