𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝟏
“God. . . . . .is that you?”
“Yes. However, we are not the all-knowing, all-powerful beings that you may imagine.
We are simply beings who bear the role of guardians of this planet and the intelligent life that resides here.
Though we do possess the power for that purpose, it is greatly constrained by limitations, and we are nothing more than powerless beings who can barely bestow abilities like divine protection or a Holy Sword upon humanity.”
ㅤ
Caught off guard, Stella mutters under her breath, and the self-proclaimed goddess in pure white graciously enlightens her with more information than asked for.
. . . . . .Is she really a god?
Well, Stella did mention she’s like a bundle of divine protection.
There must be some credibility to it.
I’ve heard that divine protection is a power granted by gods.
So, it would make sense that the source of all divine protection would appear as such.
ㅤ
If that’s the case, then she’s one of the bastards responsible for making Stella a hero. . . . . .No, let’s not go there.
In the presence of Stella and potentially a real god, I can’t make an enemy out of someone who’s, at the very least, a bundle of divine protection, out of personal grudges.
The fact that Stella was chosen as a hero was purely bad luck.
Complaining about it would be as futile as spitting at the sky.
Besides, it’s the Demon King who’s directly tormenting Stella.
If God is on the side of humanity and forcing Stella into battle, then those who took her away, like Ruberto-san, are equally guilty.
And I don’t harbor resentment towards Ruberto-san.
Alright, I can suppress my anger.
But I’ll definitely question her later about why Stella was chosen as a hero.
ㅤ
The young girl’s gaze turns towards me.
I feel as though she’s telling me to ask any questions I have without hesitation.
. . . . . .Would asking if she’s really God make any difference?
Ultimately, if I’m not convinced, any explanation would be in vain.
I might as well ask about what’s bothering me right now.
I’ll save questions about Hero’s Divine Protection for later, given the risk of getting overly emotional.
So, the most pressing question to ask right now is,
ㅤ
“Why did you call me the 『Savior』?”
“Literally as the word implies. You should have some ideas. After all, you’re the very person who once defeated the Demon King and saved this world.”
“What?!”
ㅤ
I reacted excessively to her words.
So did Stella.
What this woman is saying strikes at the very core of our beings.
The only “idea” I can think of would be. . . . . .
The very beginning of it all. . . . . .
ㅤ
“Are you talking about that dream. . . . . .?”
“Ah, I see. Are you perceiving that event as a dream then?
Is it the result of the merging of a soul sent from the future and a soul from the past?
It seems that memories of our conversation are also missing.
Indeed, magic related to time does seem to lack safety.”
ㅤ
The self-proclaimed God. . . . . .No, let’s just call her God.
With a sigh, God speaks and then stares straight into my eyes once more.
ㅤ
“The event that you recognize as a dream is undeniably a reality.
Allan, you once defeated the most formidable Demon King in history, who came perilously close to annihilating humanity and dominating the world, even without the power of divine protection against demons.
This is an immeasurable achievement, and as a reward, I have resolved to fulfill one of your wishes, even if it means pushing the limits of constraints.
Then, after your battle with the Demon King, you lost your life and only your soul remained, to which I spoke.”
ㅤ
I don’t remember.
But just because I can’t recall doesn’t mean it’s not lingering somewhere in my memory.
And what I want is pretty obvious.
ㅤ
“The wish you had for me was 『to see Stella once again』.
This time, I want to truly protect her. From the bottom of my heart, I’ve been wishing to stand by her side and support her.
You’re deeply loved, aren’t you, Stella?”
“Hmm. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Stella looked down in embarrassment as she was looked at with such kind eyes.
If I were still the me from earlier, just remembering the kiss on the cheek would have made my face turn red as well. . . . . .but right now, I’m tormented by something much more bitter. There’s no room for that.
Up until now, I had thought that dream was some kind of terrible premonition.
But if that nightmare wasn’t a dream, then have I really once. . . . . .Stella. . . . . .
ㅤ
“To fulfill Allan’s wish, I used the magic of time to send Allan’s soul back to the past.
It would have been better if I could have brought you all back to life, but it’s incredibly difficult to restore Stella’s soul, which vanished a long time ago. It’s like tracing the residue of ice that has melted into the ocean, extracting its composition, and then refreezing it.
It’s not impossible, but we can’t predict what impact the recovery process will have on Stella’s soul, and it would greatly exceed the limitations I’ve set for myself.
As a result, this was the only way I could think of to grant your wish.
It was extremely regrettable to send you, who had saved the world, back into such a terrible era.”
ㅤ
No, that doesn’t bother me at all.
In whatever form, the fact remains that I’ve gotten to see Stella again and properly stand by her side this time.
For giving me this opportunity, I can only be grateful.
ㅤ
“Umm. . . . . . what is this 『limitation』 that keeps coming up in the conversation?”
ㅤ
Stella asks God a straightforward question.
I was curious about that too.
ㅤ
“Hmm, it’s difficult to explain, but. . . . . .well, let’s say that for me, the world is like a clay sculpture.”
“Huh, a clay sculpture?”
“Yes. I can mold it as I wish, but careless actions could cause irreversible changes, or worse, I could accidentally crush and destroy it.
Therefore, I’ve sealed off the possibility of making any major interferences that could distort the world. This is my 『limitation』.”
“Ah, I see. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Stella lets out a somewhat vacant voice as if she understood and yet did not.
The scale is too different for me to fully grasp as well.
ㅤ
“But then, wouldn’t something as outrageous as reversing time violate those limitations?”
“Yes, you’re exactly right. Reversing time is like kneading the entire clay sculpture and trying to recreate its exact previous form.
It’s one of the most dangerous actions.
Moreover, if I turn back time, the world that was saved would become as if it had never been.
That’s why I didn’t actually reverse time.”
“You didn’t actually reverse time. . . . . .?”
ㅤ
Hearing those words, my heart made an unpleasant sound.
“That’s correct. And explaining that is one of the main reasons why I’ve summoned you both here.”
ㅤ
God’s eyes grew even more serious.
On the other hand, I was overwhelmed with thoughts of “no way, no way,” my breathing becoming ragged and a cold sweat breaking out.
The nightmare I saw wasn’t a dream.
And it seems time hasn’t been reversed either.
So what happened to the previous world?
No, I couldn’t care less about the world.
What happened to the Stella from the previous world. . . . . .?
ㅤ
“What I did was simply grab Allan’s soul, which was severed from its body upon death and waiting to vanish, and throw it into a world of the past.
As a result, the timeline branched from that point, and now there are two histories that exist in this world.
One is the 『Official World』, where Allan defeated the Demon King and was saved.
The other is the 『Altered Past World』 where you all currently live.”
“Huh?”
ㅤ
Stella tilts her head in confusion.
I’m also not quite sure.
ㅤ
“Explaining this is difficult, but think of it like the flow of a river.
Just like a river flows, consider that there’s a ‘flow of time’ in the concept of time itself.
I picked up the stone named Allan’s soul that was at the tip of the river and threw it upstream.
Doing so, that stone blocked part of the river and changed the overall flow, creating a new tributary.
That tributary is the 『Altered Past World』 where you all live, and the main course that cannot be changed anymore is the 『Official World』.
I’m not confident I’ve explained it well, though.”
ㅤ
No, I kind of get it.
Especially the parts that are important to me.
ㅤ
“So, the main course that can’t be changed anymore, huh.”
ㅤ
In other words, that’s what it means.
I haven’t saved Stella by redoing everything; I’m just living my life without making any amends for the Stella in the previous world, the Official World.
Deep regret and despair burn in my chest.
The sound of my grinding teeth breaking could be heard.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .Stella?”
ㅤ
Stella gently places her hand on my cheek.
Warm magic power flows in and heals my broken back tooth.
“Why. . . . . .”
“I can tell. I can tell that Allan is in pain.”
ㅤ
Stella proceeds to pat my head.
I feel like the tables have turned from earlier.
ㅤ
“Do you regret not being able to save the Stella in that Official World?”
“. . . . . .Yes. Because of a careless remark I made, you embarked on a quest as a hero and died alone.
Despite that, I never even noticed you were suffering, let alone tried to go after you. I’m the worst.”
“Hey!”
“. . . . . .What are you doing?”
ㅤ
Suddenly, Stella pinches my cheeks with both hands and pulls them together, making a funny face.
No, seriously, what is she doing?
ㅤ
“That’s normal, you know! When you consider the difference between a hero or a Holy Warrior and an ordinary person, it’s normal! Allan hasn’t done anything wrong!”
“But. . . . . .”
“But it’s not like that! On the contrary, after feeling a sense of responsibility, you embarked on a journey of revenge.
You actually defeated the Demon King, and as a reward from God, you were sent back to the past.
And even after returning, Allan fights for me this much. He just likes me too much!”
“My bad.”
“What?! Are you being straightforward and affirming it now. . . . . .?!”
ㅤ
Taking a risk and speaking my true feelings, Stella pauses for a moment.
However, she quickly restarts and continues talking.
ㅤ
“Anyway! I’m sure the Stella from the Official World wouldn’t bear any grudge against Allan!
Because whether it’s the official history or the past, I am me!
There’s no way I would resent my precious childhood friend!”
“But. . . . . .”
“No buts! If Allan really wants to atone, then save the current me for the sake of the me who couldn’t be saved.
Make the current me happy for the sake of the me who couldn’t be happy.
And, become happy yourself, Allan.
If you want to atone to the me who has died, that would be the best way.
I’m sure, that would make her happiest.”
ㅤ
Stella says that with a completely serious face.
I’ll help the current Stella, for the sake of the Stella who couldn’t be helped.
I’ll make the current Stella happy, for the sake of the Stella who couldn’t find happiness.
And then, I myself will find happiness.
Is that okay?
Can I really make amends to the Stella who has passed away?
ㅤ
“. . . . . .Do you really think so?”
“There’s no doubt because I’m the one saying it!”
“. . . . . .I see.”
ㅤ
Tears streaming down my face, I finally managed a slight smile as I hugged Stella tightly.
Stella’s body shuddered a little, but she accepted it as it was.
ㅤ
“Thanks, Stella.”
ㅤ
I gave my heartfelt thanks to Stella, who comforted the pathetic me.
ㅤ
“It’s the least I can do. Just like Allan supports me, I want to support Allan too.”
“. . . . . .I see. Thank you. I’m fine now.”
“Yeah.”
ㅤ
Somehow composing myself, I pulled away from Stella and turned towards God.
Despite showing my disgraceful self, God did not seem displeased and looked at us with eyes full of compassion.
It’s a bit embarrassing, to be honest.
ㅤ
“You guys really love each other, don’t you? That’s wonderful.”
“You’ve got it wrong! That’s not it! . . . . . .At least not yet.”
“I don’t want to give you any more hardship, but now that it’s come to this, I can’t not say it.”
ㅤ
Ignoring Stella’s words, God continued talking over the ominous phrases Stella had muttered softly to herself.
Indeed, it was an unsettling conversation.
And, as expected,
ㅤ
“What I’m about to say is the main point. . . . . .Let me cut to the chase.
As things stand, this altered past world will vanish.
In the near future, it will be overwritten by the Official World.”
ㅤ
The words that God had spoken were a complete bombshell.
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