Time has passed a little since then.

The number of crows in the courtyard had decreased.

They said most of the Sacraments scattered inside and outside the castle had now been eliminated.

It fe like the damage on our side had been kept far lower than expected.

The good news was the survival of Armia Faraway Countrys Lamia Knight.

When I encountered the Divine Servant Ars, he had been equipped with her sword and shield.

Had she been killed by Ars, and her weapons taken from her?

That was what everyone had assumed.

But

Well it seems I survived by playing dead! I mean, its true I was injured, and after hiding under a collapsed building I couldnt move at all! But after some time I moed and somehow managed to move again! Though by the time I arrived, the decisive battle was already over

In the courtyard where the post-battle cleanup was underway, Gio clicked his tongue the moment Armia appeared.

Tch, so you survived, huh. And here I was secretly celebrating that one loudmouth might finally be gone.

Eve immediately countered,

Fufu, so you say, even though youre actually pleased. You sure cant be honest. Even I, who possess no ability to discern lies, can see that much.

Hearing that, Gio clicked his tongue again and again.

Well Ill admit itd be boring if things got too quiet around here. And if Liese were the only noisy one left, shed end up standing out all alone. Wouldnt she be pitiful.

The centaur Qir chuckled teasingly,

Gio-kun really isnt honest at all, is he?

Armia nodded, following Qirs teasing.

This level of dishonesty must be reported to his beloved wife, Yerma-dono. Unn, unn.

Why the heck did she come up in this conversation!?

Thus the strongest Black Leopardkin of the Four Warlights was thoroughly toyed with.

Even so, Qir let out a soft, relieved smile.

Im glad youre alive, Armia-kun. Right, Gio-kun?

Tch yeah, fine.

A race whose lower body resembled that of a serpent Lamia.

Snakes sometimes feign death.

I remembered reading that somewhere.

Did Ars truly believe Armia had died?

Or had he judged her not even worth finishing off?

Either way her survival was something to genuinely celebrate.

Speaking of life and death.

The real problem remaining was Hijiri and Sogou.

After Loqierra made contact with Heaven

We realized Sogou had been poisoned.

Back when Hijiri had fought Vysis, Vysis had coated her blade in poison.

It seemed she had done the same again this time.

That said, the issue was quickly resolved.

Among the luggage Eve brought when she rejoined us, there were several types of antidotes.

Erika, wary of poison being used again, had prepared them.

She had divided them into sturdy vials and made her bring as many as she could carry.

Thanks to that, Sogous poisoning was handled without difficuy.

Incidentally, only the true Vysis had poisoned her blade.

Perhaps due to their nature, she couldnt apply poison to her clones.

Even so.

She truly was a detestably cunning goddess when it came to matters like this.

That said Hijiri and Sogous situation was far from resolved.

Both remained in critical condition.

They had been moved from the courtyard to another location, where they now slept while prayers were offered.

We waited with attendants for that Deity, Thesis, to arrive.

While we waited, Loqierra said she would search Vysiss laboratory for a while.

To see if there were any other means to save Hijiri and Sogou.

For now all we can do is pray Thesis-sama makes it in time and thats assuming she even comes. If she doesnt, I might seriously just rebel against Heaven.

She said so with a grim expression.

And then theres Vysis.

Thanks to ,Sleep,, she remained quiet.

,Poison, was still steadily dealing damage to her as well.

We moved her to a different location at Loqierras suggestion.

The place was the castle prison.

It wasnt very large.

Inside was dark, with only the magic lamps we brought providing light.

Following Loqierras instructions, we chose a cell with no windows.

Now, Vysis lay face-down on the prison floor.

Her hands were bound behind her back with chains.

Her ankles were shackled together as well.

Weights had been added on top of that.

And- on her lower face.

Theres the same restraint device that had once been forced onto Yasu Tomohiro.

While wearing it, one couldnt speak Skill Names aloud.

The one Vysis wore was a reinforced version.

Loqierra had helped strenhen it, making use of Erikas special magic tool that weakened Deities.

Its greatest achievement had been preventing the use of so-called Divine Magic.

It apparently closes off some sort of organ, making such magic unusable.

However once the tools effects faded, she might start using those Divine Magic again.

But most of those spells, especially the ones Vysis used, were the same as the Heroes Skills in nature.

Meaning: they required speaking the spell name aloud.

Fireball

(T/N: Flame Sphere of Divine Command / Chant: Fireball)

After we Heroes were just summoned, that Divine Magic that Vysis struck the three-eyed Golden-Eyed Wolf with.

At that time, she certainly spoke the name of the spell.

Unexpectedly

The foundation of a Heros Skill might actually be Divine Magic

It wouldnt be strange if both were originally abilities based on the same principle.

The reason why Abnormal State Skills are called the power that kills gods

Could it be that someone created this power as a means to oppose the Deities?

If so, then who were they, the ones who sought to oppose the Deities?

Well, Loqierra doesnt seem to know that either, so the truth is unclear.

Anyway.

I take another look at the restraints binding Vysis.

Just how effective those restraints will be

I have no idea.

When she awakens, she might break them as if they were nothing.

If the Abnormal State Skills weaken her enough that she cant muster the strenh to break them

If things go that way, that would certainly be ideal.

You know, Mimori

The one who spoke to me, leaning back against the prison wall, was

Is it really safe to just keep Vysis restrained like that? Shouldnt we, I dunno, dismember her just in case?

Takao Itsuki.

Right now, only Itsuki and I are in this prison.

Seras is sleeping in a nearby room- another cell.

Her sleep has been disrupted by the use of her spirit power.

On top of that, the tension from our decisive battle and the slight emotional excitement.

Shes currently asleep thanks to ,Sleep,, which can resolve all of that.

Of course, shes not imprisoned.

Were just using a nearby cell so we can wake her immediately if something happens.

Incidentally, as for Serass bedding, the strong beastkin carried it in for us.

If it comes down to it, Itsuki wont you handle things with that top-tier Skill you learned during the Yomibito battle?

After Loqierra talked back to what seemed to be her superior among the Deities, the discussion shifted to what we should do with Vysis for the time being.

Even with Loqierras guarantee

There was no telling when Vysis might suddenly move and attack.

For the time being, we decided to have Seras continue serving as the one to counter her.

However, Seras cannot keep Origin Regalia active indefinitely.

In that case- who should take her place?

The most suitable choices were Sogou Ayaka or Takao Hijiri.

But of course, neither of them are in any state to act as substitutes.

The same goes for Zine, who has lost a leg.

Gio has lost an arm, and when it comes to facing Vysis, that leaves lingering uncertainty.

And so, the one who stepped forward was Takao Itsuki.

Though she has lost the sight in her left eye, as long as her MP issue is resolved, she can still fight more than well enough.

However, her older sister, and likely the most important person in the world to her, is currently on the verge of death.

Would she really leave Hijiris side to help us?

My concern was resolved by Hijiri herself, the reason she couldnt be left was solved by the one who couldnt be left.

In her faint, flickering consciousness, Hijiri apparently asked Itsuki.

If there was anything she could do, she should help Mimori-kun.

Barely breathing, she still managed to say that to Itsuki.

Even though she herself is at deaths doorstep.

She must have swiftly analyzed the situation and what was likely to come.

And realized that her little sisters strenh might become necessary.

Perhaps because it was a request from the sister she respects

Itsuki agreed reluctant, she may be- but she agreed.

After the battle, the first thing I did was cast ,Sleep, on Itsuki.

To let her recover her MP.

And now, with Seras resting, Takao Itsuki is here in her place.

Hearing my words, Itsuki lets out a small groan.

Yeah, but just those restraints alone still feel kinda worrying, yknow?

Loqierra doesnt want to separate any part of her main body. Not even a small piece of flesh.

Huh? Errr whats that supposed to mean?

There are several reasons. One is that Vysis had been creating clones of herself. In the past, Loqierra split her own main body to escape from Vysis and fled to us. Shes worried Vysis might try something similar. However, that seems to be something unique to Loqierra- meaning Vysis clones probably cant pull off such delicate manipulation in the mental domain. At least, thats Loqierras view

So its just a precaution?

Yeah. Also, the fact that Wormungandr, whom the Deities thought had been completely annihilated, turned out to be alive, its fueling Loqierras caution even more.

If any piece of her body is separated, it might become a clone that escapes.

Which is why she wants to have Vysis main body remain intact.

We also chose a prison cell without windows to prevent any chance of an escape.

And Loqierra said the greatest restraint we got is the godslaying effect of my Abnormal State Skill.

Makes sense. But since youre not great in direct combat, that means when push comes to shove, someone like me or Seras-san needs to handle the fighting, right?

Thats right. And also

More than anything,

According to Loqierra theres a method of resolution that, in a sense, is even more certain than complete annihilation, something the Deities absolutely want to avoid.

Hm so that means Loqierras superior among the Deities is capable of using that method?

Seems so.

Leaving the final handling of a Deity to another Deity might indeed be the most reliable option.

Well putting aside my opinions about Deities as a whole

At the very least, Loqierra should be someone we can trust.

Suddenly, Loqierras words resurface in my mind.

Thats what being a parent is, right??

.A parent huh.

Since coming to this world, the amount of time Ive spent directly dealing with Vysis is actually quite small.

And yet, I

I hated Vysis that much- so, so much.

Ill kill you, brat.

Ah, I see now, I think.

They overlap.

My impressions of them

Meeting her again here in the Royal Capital Enoh only solidified that certainty.

What had been vague now took a definite form.

So thats how it is Vysis resembles them.

My real parents.

Just like how I sensed that Seras and a few others resembled my aunt and uncle

Vysis, too, resembled them.

My blood-related parents.

Hmph.

Feeling a kind of bitter irony, I look down at Vysis with a cold gaze.

In other words

So youre a toxic parent, from the perspective of the people of this world.

While keeping my eyes fixed on Vysis, I spoke.

Sorry, Itsuki.

Hm?

You really want to be at Hijiris side right now, dont you?

Well, yeah. But Im here because Elder Sis asked me to. Besides My Elder Sis wont be dying.

Itsuki drops the gaze of her one remaining eye to the tip of her shoe.

Ever since we came to this world, shes been on the brink of death so many times but she never actually died. She stayed alive. So this time too, of course shell be fine of course, she will haha Ive lost count of how many times Ive had to brace myself

Her voice carries a faint tremble.

I readjust myself in the chair.

Hijiris someone who absolutely cant be allowed to die, especially here.

Itsuki lightly taps the rugged stone floor with the tip of her shoe.

Unn. I mean, like you sure get it huh, Mimori.

After a brief pause, she murmurs that.

Alone with Takao Itsuki.

It was a rare situation for just the two of us to be together.

We exchanged a fair number of words.

Well if you say were just bored waiting here, then yeah, were bored.

Especially at first, Itsuki looked awkward, unable to fill the silence between us.

So I casually brought up a few topics myself.

Not that the atmosphere fe like one where wed chat endlessly.

Eventually, maybe because she got used to it, after talking for a bit she would fall quiet again.

But there was a change.

The awkwardness that had been radiating from her earlier was gone.

Now then.

Those who commit crimes are judged by law.

In the world I came from at least in my country, thats how it worked.

But laws

Dont necessarily reflect the feelings of the victims.

In a sense, laws save everyone equally.

But in certain cases, victims emotions are dismissed outright.

And there are even outcomes that feel like theyre siding with the perpetrator.

So what happens when the victim cant accept such an outcome?

What do you do when the final verdict isnt what you needed?

Uimately, you cant do anything.

In my previous country, personal revenge vigilantism was forbidden.

So when you get an unwanted outcome, you can only swallow it and suffer in silence.

At best, maybe some kind of social backlash sparked by the internet.

Of course, some people knowingly take the risk and resort to vigilante justice.

They resolve things themselves, accepting that theyll become criminals too.

Whether vigilantism is right or wrong, well, the conclusion is that its wrong.

Yes, its wrong.

So you, who is wrong, must suffer in silence for life- thats the correct answer.

Or they tell you to let go of your hatred for the perpetrator.

But, somehow-

For someone as incorrect as me, that just doesnt sit right.

At least not when it comes to that sh*tty goddess- Vysis.

Will this method of resolution Loqierra mentioned truly settle my emotions?

I purposely havent asked what that method entails.

Because if I hear it, and if Im satisfied

I feel like Id hate that.

If she were simply executed, her existence erased cleanly, like a death sentence

Honestly, something like that wouldnt feel rewarding.

Not for me.

Not for the people Vysis tormented.

Not for those who died in despair.

In my hands now, I have the Abnormal Status Skill.

A power with tremendous effect against Deities.

Yes Ive always fe that way, and Ive understood it from the start.

Originally, my Abnormal Status Skill wasnt meant for combat.

I just managed to force it into combat use through loopholes and workarounds.

But originally its purpose was to restrain someone, or inflict continuous suffering.

At the very least

Until that Deity called Thesis arrives

You have to suffer.

For the sake of those who might find some measure of justice in your suffering.

And above all

To satisfy my emotions To fulfill my revenge.

Before long, the effect of ,Sleep, wore off.

From here on its ,Paralyze, time.

Vysis wakes.

Still collapsed in an almost facedown posture, she reacts as if she finally understands her situation, then looks up at me.

Her eyes widen once then Vysis glares straight at me.

I sit in a chair, looking down at her.

She is on the floor, crawling, forced to look up.

Come to think of it-

This was like a reverse of that moment.

Back when I was summoned and about to be discarded immediately afterward.

Back then, Vysis sneered as she looked down at me.

And I glared up at her, filled with hatred.

Finally awake huh?

At that moment

Yo, Vysis.

I wonder, was I laughing?

Or was I simply staring down at her, cold and emotionless?

Honestly, I dont remember.

,Authors Notes,

In a situation like this, saying something like Finally awake huh? really does make you sound like the villain (Well, I dont think Touka is ever meant to be a purely righteous hero to begin with)

Also, ahough I plan to make a separate announcement with bonus details around the 25th in the Activity Report, Volume 13 of the manga will be released on Tuesday, November 25th. I would be delighted if those interested could pick up a copy. And as written on the Volume 13 wrap band, thanks to everyones support, the series prints has exceeded 4 million copies in total. The number feels so unreal at this point that Im simply astonished According to the editor, the momentum is quite remarkable Im truly grateful. To everyone who has purchased (and continues to purchase) the books, thank you very much.

As I mentioned in the October 28th Activity Report, I had fallen ill After recovering once, my heah dipped again like a line graph drawing peaks and valleys. Symptoms like a cold, fatigue, and above all recurring migraines There was even a week where I took headache medicine nearly every day. As I feared, the schedule I had planned, to finish the series by the end of the year has become uncertain, but I will do my best to stay on track as much as possible.