Chapter 218
『Finished.』
"You're kidding me, right?"
I couldn't help but say that to the world, which declared so in a radiant manner.
Because...... because it's a God, you know? Is this really the best way to end this story that doesn't make sense?
However, contrary to my thoughts, the status shows up.
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He was disposed perfectly.
There will be no more resurrection for this God.
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Disposed, you say.
He's not garbage, though ......
Then Al, who was watching the situation as stunned as I was, returned to her senses.
"Is it, over?"
"Eh? Ah, yeah, it looks like it's over, but ......"
"......It doesn't feel like it's over at all."
It was as Al said, it didn't feel like I'd defeated him at all.
I mean, in the end, it wasn't our power that defeated him, but my status.
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Now then...... I was able to deal with the Demon God, so I will return to my training journey once again.
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"No, eh? Why again!? You've already travelled all over the universe, and now you can display God as a status, so why!?"
What more do you want!?
I just want you to come back as my status, though!
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No, that won't be the case.
I've given up on being Seiichi-sama's status, but I still can't forget to improve myself, you know?
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Don't give up! I'm begging you, just hang in there!?
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Therefore, if you'll excuse me, I have to go.
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That's all it said, and then the status disappeared from in front of our eyes.
......Eh? No way, it's really gone!
"S,statuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus! Come baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!"
My desperate cries were futile, and it was just my voice sadly echoing in this empty space.
As I hang my head, Saria gently approached me and tapped me on the shoulder.
"Seiichi. Shall we go back too?"
"......Yeah"
All I could do, was nod.
"Now...... then, let's go home ――――"
『―――― It's been a while. 』
"!"
It can't be helped that my status had gone, so when I tried to regain my mind and return to Terviel, I was suddenly called out.
It's not only me who was surprised by the voice, but Saria and the others were too, so it seemed that everyone can hear this voice.
Rather, I was surprised to hear a voice that was different from the World, but I remembered it well.
"This is...... god!?"
"Eh!?"
At my words, Saria and the others widened their eyes and looked vigilant at the same time.
"Wa,wait! The God in this voice is a good God! Maybe!"
『Maybe, is a terrible word. Well, certainly, it may be unavoidable in the current situation. 』
Then, something humanoid, similar to the Demon God, appeared in front of us.
His appearance, looks just like the Demon God, but the presence he wore was completely different.
The demon god has a chilling presence that seemed to reject everything, whereas the humanoid form that appeared in front of us now seemed to embrace everything. ...... He was such an existence which you can feel a certain kindness, even inside such severeness.
While Saria and the others were surprised by the appearance of God without warning, God continued.
『Once again, it's been a long time. 』
"Ye,yes! Thank you very much for your help at that time......"
The reason why I came to this world was originally because of this God.
The reason was not because of hero summoning or anything like that, but to adjust the population of Earth because it had grown too large.
As a means of adjustment, he took the method of transferring to another world, but when the summoning of the heroes of the Kaizer Empire interrupted the transfer of God, the Kannazuki-senpai and the others were transferred to the Kaizer Empire as heroes.
However, if I had been in a group when I was transferred, I could have been transferred to the same place, but because my classmates rejected me, I had to be transferred to a different place by myself.
...... At the time, I was just desperate and had a lot of trouble, but thanks to this god's sympathy for me, he gave me the ridiculous skill of [Complete dismantling], so I'm still alive today.
"......Thanks to God, I was able to meet Saria and the others, and I'm here now. So thank you so much."
『Back then, I never thought you'd be able to say that to me...... And I never thought you'd be able to defeat the Demon God. From that time on, it may have been due to the effect of [Fruit of Evolution]. 』
"Eh?"
When I was surprised and didn't expect to hear the word [Fruit of Evolution] here, God continued.
『You certainly had a miserable status back then. Particularly, you almost have no luck. Therein, I gave you a skill as a present, but ...... apart from this, that is something I could do because it has nothing to do with luck in status. After all, I'm a god of the same rank as that Demon God. It's not even hard for me to ignore the luck of the status and interfere with just one person. 』
When he said so, there were certainly many mysterious things.
Even though my status was low before my evolution, I had a lot of Luck, or rather, bad luck.
It's only lucky that a guy with a status of 1 Luck gets a special skill.
However, now that I've seen the power of the Demon God firsthand, I can understand that this was only possible because they were gods who could ignore one's status.
Nevertheless, there are still many aspects that I do not understand.
How could a God with so much power be defeated by the interference of the Kaiser Empire?
When I thought so, he explained that point as well.
『Thinking about it now, that demon god must have had something to do with you being summoned as heroes. Otherwise, there is no way humans can interfere with our power. Even now, I don't know why that guy brought you here, though. 』
Although I understood the purpose of the Demon God, I didn't understand the reason why he had summoned us until the end. Well, it's fine even if I don't understand it, though.
『More than that, it's you. I think you had been blessed with the [Fruit of Evolution] before I sent you to this world. 』
"A,a blessing from the fruit of evolution, is it?"
『That's right. Otherwise, it would be impossible for you to survive in that forest. How can you, with all 1 status, defeat a level 120 monster? 』
"Tha,that's true, isn't it. At that time, it would usually be impossible for me to defeat them by smell."
『Ah, that's your power. 』
"Whyyyyyyyyyyy?"
So you're saying that regardless of the fact that there's the [Fruit of evolution], my body odor at that time was murderous? Can I cry?
We,well, I spent many days in that hot and humid forest without even taking a bath. I'd say it was no wonder that my body odor is a bit thicker. ......
When I didn't know who I was excusing myself to, God continued.
『The blessing of the [Fruit of evolution] is that you didn't die. The fact that you didn't die from the attack even though there was such a difference in your level and status may have been because the world and your status instinctively sensed that you were blessed by the Fruit of Evolution. That's why, even though you took damage, your status adjusted well, and you were fine. 』
"I'm having a little trouble following this story, but ......"
For the time being, I understood that the only reason I didn't die from the Clever Monkey's attack was because of the fruit of evolution.
But what I don't understand the most is why did the fruit of evolution choose me.
"I, hadn't even seen the Fruit of Evolution until I came to this world ......"
『That's natural. It was only after you came to this world that you received the blessing of the [Fruit of evolution]. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been moved to a place where survival was impossible in the first place. It was your low status luck that caused you to transition into that dangerous forest. It's just that, the moment you landed in this world, the [Fruit of evolution] found you, so it immediately gave you a blessing. 』
"As I said, why is that......"
『That's because you were the lowest of the low.』
"I have trouble responding to that!"
Did you gave me your blessing because I was the worst living thing you've ever seen!? You mean you felt sorry for me!?
『Isn't that fine? The [Fruit of evolution], has the power to push a creature to become the top of all. However, if they were somewhat complete from the start, or if they exist as a normal organism, its effectiveness will be very low. For example...... the former monster lady over there. 』
"Ah......"
When God turned his attention to her, Saria's body stiffened.
However, I can kind of understand what God is saying.
Because, like me, Saria, who should have eaten 10 fruits of evolution, hasn't evolved as incomprehensible as I do. No, it doesn't make sense enough for her to go from a monster to a human, though?
But it's not a mistake that she hasn't evolved as strangely as I have.
If anything, Rurune has a more messed up evolution than Saria. From being a donkey to a human, it's not even evolution anymore. Moreover, as I noticed it, her body had become a universe or something that doesn't make sense.
Now that I've heard the words of God, that made sense to me as well.
It's understandable that a donkey, which is just an animal, is lower in rank as a living thing than a monster. Well, it's just an intuitive story, so I don't really know if it's true. In the first place, I don't even know what it means to be a living being. I live by my senses, you know!
"Wait...... a're? In other words, the reason I've evolved into such an absurd being is because ......"
『Because you were the lowest of the low in the entire universe, in all worlds. 』
"A new fact I didn't want to know!"
I'm the worst biological being not just in this world, but in the entire universe, is it!?
I,is that why I evolved in such a nonsensical way............. wait, I'm not convinced, though!?
"I didn't expect to suffer some pretty serious psychological damage here. ......"
『Hahaha. Well, isn't that fine. Because of that, you were able to receive the effects of the fruit of evolution better than anyone else. The fruit of evolution is a crystal of power created by the collision between us and the Demon God...... the power it contained is immeasurable even for us. And because it was such a fruit of evolution, it appeared in front of you regardless of your status. 』
The reason why the fruit of evolution conveniently fell in front of me, and the reason why I got so many of them, was all because the fruit of evolution is an independent entity that has nothing to do with luck of status, and I was able to eat it.
『The fruit of evolution, have been waiting for you. To come into this world. 』
"......"
When you say that, I can't say anything.
The fruit of evolution, had saved me a lot.
That's exactly what it did in the [Forest of Endless Love and Sorrow], it helped me with my hunger and it saved Saria.
Of course, along with that, I became more and more distant from being human, but in this way, it was because of my power that I was able to defeat the Demon God.
Well, the best thing of it is that I don't need to have powers being separated from humans in my hands to live in peace.
All I wished was enough power to defend myself, but as it turned out, the extent of that self-defense developed into a fight with the Demon God, so no one really knew what can happen in this world.
As I was thinking about this, I suddenly muttered to myself.
"I, am really grateful to the Fruit of Evolution for helping me."
God shakes his head to the words that I murmured from the bottom of my heart.
『You may be grateful to the fruit of evolution, but the fruit of evolution is also grateful to you, and it wanted you the most. 』
"Eh? Ho,how can you say that?"
『Well, I can't say it for sure, but at least it was originally created from our power, right. I know it by feel. 』
I, I don't understand it well, but if God says so, then so be it, right? After all, there's no way humans can understand God's thoughts.
『Now then...... it's been a bit of a long story, but I wanted to thank you. 』
"Eh?"
『Thanks to you, the demon god's plans have been thwarted. If it weren't for you, not only this planet, but the entire universe would have been destroyed, literally creating a world of his own. The resurrected demon god's power surpassed our own, and he had even acquired unknown power. Therefore, thank you so much. 』
"No,no way! I just want people in this world to be able to live a normal life. ......I simply moved with that. Besides, in the end, I didn't defeat the Demon God either, but my status did. ......"
I think I've explained it, but what's with my status defeating him.
『No, that status wouldn't have transformed into such a ridiculous existence if it wasn't for you. With your status, you should be able to defeat us as easily as you defeated the Demon God. That's exactly what you could do because of your status. 』
A status being able to defeat God, what is that. I don't know such a child. My status is normal.
『Come to think of it, I hadn't really thought about it, but the worlds and concepts that we supposedly created are completely obedient to you, aren't they? Then, should we use honorifics with you too? 』
"Uwaaaaaaa! No,no please don't! I'm not the kind of person who would let you do that to me!"
Aside from the Demon God, I'm too afraid to be addressed respectfully by the ordinary Gods!
Then, I heard the voice of the world that had supposedly been watching us so quietly.
『Of course, God should use honorifics with Seiichi-sama. 』
"Will you shut up for a second!?"
Since it's your creator!? How could you give priority to me before him!
As I quickly quipped the World's words, God muttered in a gentle manner.
『You, haven't changed a bit since then. You are still not dyed black, you're still the same as always. ...... Because you are such a person, you may have been the best match with the fruit of evolution. 』
"Eh?"
『It's nothing. For the time being, my business is over. It's just, this world is already out of our hands. Of course, it's fine to watch over it as a God again from now on, but ...... you guys, were doing just fine without us. That's why, it's probably best to stay like this. 』
"Well then......"
『Yes, this is where I'll say goodbye. We don't know what your future will be like anymore. Because you've completely surpassed me. But I'm looking forward to seeing you again someday. 』
When God gently said so, the outline of his human form faded away gradually, and he finally disappeared as if he was melting into the sky.
As I watched his figure go, God told me one last time, as if he suddenly remembered.
『Ah, that's right. If you want to go back to Earth, you can. 』
"Eh!?"
『Well, I originally sent you here because the population has grown too much on Earth, but if you want to bring everyone back to Earth, I think the Earth will expand and accommodate you on its own. 』
"The land expanding!?"
『Well, just think about it.』
"Eeh!? Ah, wait a minute!?"
The God who had told me something ridiculous at the last moment, has now disappeared completely.
When God left, a little while later, Saria and the others deflated.
"Puhaa! I,I was so nervous~"
"I,is that right?"
"That's right, you know! What can I say, that god is cold but warm ...... it was just like the forest I used to live in!"
I understand what Saria was saying.
Perhaps because of his nature, God is not just kind to us.
That is the reason why the Demon God and God fought in the first place.
The Demon God just spoiled humanity, and the gods didn't approve of it.
But just because God didn't spoil mankind, it doesn't mean that he doesn't love them.
For the sake of humanity's great growth, God was sometimes cold and sometimes kind.
It is much like Mother Nature.
Nature has brought us blessings, but at the same time, it has also struck us in the form of disasters.
That is why Saria, who had lived in nature for a long time, must have sensed it strongly from God.
"Well, I think that's really the end of it."
"Is that so...... then, are we going home this time?"
"Yeah!"
In response to Al's question, we returned to Terviel this time.
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"――――So with that, we're back!"
"No, that's fast, right?"
When we returned to the royal capital Terviel, we immediately went to Ranze-san to report the results.
"I certainly thought you would be fine, but...... it was too quick, right. It hasn't been that long since you brought the S-class adventurers back."
"Is that so? It seemed like it took quite a while, though ......"
In fact, before I fought the real Demon God, I also fought his incarnation, and from there, there were so many events, such as the appearance of the world and my reunion with the status, which I feel like I spent a lot of time.
However, since that space itself was created by the Demon God, it's possible that it was separated from the time of this world, so I don't know the exact details.
"If you say so, it might have taken a long time, but...... think about it. It's strange to think that you'll be done in a day or two when you're dealing with a God, right? But when I opened the lid, you came back in a few minutes. I think it would be weird if I'm not surprised."
"Tha,that's correct, isn't it......"
Certainly, it would be strange to be able to defeat God in a human-standard time.
Or rather, you can't normally beat them.
I understood it, especially since I've been in direct contact with the Demon God, but that's the kind of existence that no human being, or rather any being living in this world, should ever go against.
Although Mu-chan, like that Demon God, is capable of creating humans and life forms, the Demon God is on a different scale. Well, I haven't seen Muu-chan use her powers properly, so I can't exactly compare the two. ......
Even so, there was no way we can go against an existence that could create and destroy universes on the spot, not just living things.
As the Demon God said, since human beings were originally created by the Gods, it would be easy for them to annihilate their existence without even trying.
......Well, apparently, I'm even more incomprehensible than that, though!
"It's not that I doubt Seiichi, but did you really beat him?"
"Indeed...... I don't think you're going to believe anything that Seiichi will say, so I'll just tell you what we saw. ......"
"Al-san? Isn't that just plain awful?"
While my words were swept away, Al, Saria, and the others reported to Ranze-san what had happened at the Demon God's cult.
And ――――
"...... Seriously?"
『Yes』
"Seriously ......"
Ranze-san held his head. Somehow, I'm sorry.
"No, it's okay. It's okay, right? The Demon God's cult which had been the source of all the troubles was defeated, as was its boss, the Demon God. This is something to be pleased with. However...... the way they were defeated was too peculiar......!"
"I think so too. ......"
No one would expect Status to take him down, right? Even now, I don't really know what I'm talking about.
"I can't believe that the Demon God was defeated, but more than that, I can't believe how he was defeated ...... Status have defeated a God, is that a joke or something?"
How much better it would have been if it had been a joke!
In Ranze-san's words, I couldn't help but think so.