Over the past few days of the Great Feud, Aki had run into both of the dark faction's two Overlords.
That was not something you "just happen" to encounter.
Two Overlords "taking care" of a Level 3?
What kind of ridiculous luck was that supposed to be?
Last time, Aki had survived by sheer luck thanks to Cid buying time at the rear.
This time, she probably wouldn't be that lucky again.
Being favored by fate once might have already burned through all the karmic credit she'd saved up in her life.
But Aki wasn't afraid.
This ending—or an even worse one—was something she had long prepared herself for.
The only regret was that Ryuu was with her.
Aki had accepted the idea of sacrificing herself.
But for Ryuu… Aki honestly wanted her to run.
Right now.
While she still could.
"You're a polite child," Alfia said, giving Aki an extra glance.
Being able to keep that composure in the face of an unwinnable enemy meant the girl's heart was unusually strong.
And that only made Alfia more annoyed.
Erebus truly was a god with vile tastes.
Even knowing his real goal and calculations, Alfia still felt that way.
She had only come out to get used to her restored body—just to warm up before the battle against Shadow.
Erebus claimed he'd "find her a warm-up opponent."
Not picking Ottar and Finn was one thing.
But bringing her two Level 3 girls?
"You really like bullying people," Alfia said flatly. "And you don't listen."
She had zero fighting spirit.
Two Level 3 girls wouldn't survive even a casual strike from her.
She'd come out to "move around," and now she still had to indulge Erebus's disgusting entertainment.
Enough already.
Gods really were nothing but noise.
"Don't say it like that. How is this bullying? This is love!" Erebus replied without shame.
He liked girls with pure justice.
He liked seeing despair and tears appear on their faces.
He liked watching them writhe, distort, and interrogate themselves.
This was merely playing with a girl's emotions—wasn't that something every man liked to do?
Even if it was bullying—so what? Men being perverted was just normal.
And he was a male god.
More perverted than men.
So naturally, he felt no embarrassment at all.
"What do you want?!" Ryuu finally stepped forward, gripping her wooden sword, placing herself in front of Aki.
This god who used a false name to deceive her—this Overlord she could never defeat—both were absolute evil beyond her reach.
But this wasn't about whether she could win.
She had chosen to protect her best friend.
So this wasn't the time to be afraid.
If only Cid were here…
Ryuu's mind jumped to her former Familia friend.
His combat power wasn't even as high as hers—yet he had saved Aki, and even survived against monsters of this level.
Protecting everyone. Rejecting every sorrow.
Ryuu had always thought Cid was incredible.
Now, after feeling an Overlord's pressure firsthand, she understood exactly how incredible.
Just standing in front of Alfia—feeling the magic radiating off her—was enough to make Ryuu's legs go weak.
If she could be strong like Cid…
Maybe she could save Aki.
Maybe she wouldn't have to make her precious comrades cry for her ever again.
"We'll play a little game," Erebus said, pointing behind them. "Over there is the couple you just saved."
As ordinary citizens, the couple still hadn't realized what was happening.
The wife was still tearfully tending her injured husband.
Even if they noticed the danger, they couldn't get far in time.
"And over there is the Seventh District shelter," Erebus continued. "It has defenders, but if an Overlord attacks, it won't hold."
"What are you trying to say?!" Ryuu demanded, her entire body turning cold—already guessing his intention.
"Next, the dark faction will attack from here. The first victims will be that couple and the civilians who didn't make it into the shelter."
Erebus's smile widened at how quickly Ryuu understood.
"But if you choose to save them… I'll order the dark faction to take a detour."
"However—if you spare these people, then Alfia will act and kill everyone inside the shelter."
"Conversely, if you don't save these few civilians, then Alfia won't act, and these nearby residents will be killed by the dark faction."
"So choose, my dear justice girl."
For a moment, all sound drained from Ryuu's world.
Her fear had been correct.
"Don't listen to him, Ryuu! This isn't a choice we're allowed to make!" Aki shouted, trying to snap her back.
They had no reason to participate in a wicked god's game.
Other people's lives weren't something the two of them had the right to decide.
Ryuu heard Aki.
But she couldn't be as firm as her.
If she could, she wouldn't have been called a useless elf by her comrades.
At this moment, Ryuu realized she could accept that insult.
Kaguya's verbal attacks were harsh, but they were meant to expose Ryuu's hesitation and weakness.
Compared to this…
Kaguya had been gentle.
The god in front of her was trying to carve out her heart.
How could a "useless" Ryuu make this choice?
How could she ignore his temptation?
In her confusion, a figure appeared in her mind.
A familiar figure—the very figure who had made her heart softer than it should be.
Yes.
Ryuu remembered what Cid once said.
She didn't trust herself.
But she trusted her comrades.
"Hmm? Have you made your choice?" Erebus said in surprise—because Ryuu's trembling had stopped.
He thought this twisted either-or would break her completely.
That was what he wanted to see.
Her earlier reactions matched his expectations.
He believed she could overcome evil and hold her justice.
But not this fast.
He hadn't even gotten to enjoy her twisted expression yet.
"I'm not your toy. I won't let you control me!" Ryuu said, listening to her own heart and receiving an answer.
She couldn't make the choice.
So she would rather die here than obey a god's instructions.
"Fine," Erebus said. "Then the game is canceled. I won't have Alfia kill those civilians."
"And in exchange… tell me: what were you thinking? Why didn't you play along? That's not like you."
Erebus was fascinated.
He had no credibility, but Alfia—an Overlord—had her own pride.
If she didn't object here, Ryuu had a reason to retreat.
"…I often get lost. Sometimes I even doubt my justice."
"But my companions told me I should trust myself—and more than that, trust the one who believes in me."
"So Ryuu's resolve won't be shaken again."
"Borrowing someone else to anchor your justice?" Erebus sneered. "You're a filthy parasitic vine. How did you turn out like this?"
He didn't understand.
In his design, this girl was supposed to be the pure egg of justice—destined to become a brilliant heroine.
Was she simply weak?
No—if she were that weak, she wouldn't have made it this far.
So she must have changed recently.
"I'm curious," Erebus said, eyes bright. "There's someone in this world you can rely on without shame?"
He wanted to meet that person.
Someone stealing the amusement of a perverted male god had to be interesting.
"Alright then," Erebus offered. "Tell me who he is, and I'll sign a contract with you."
"I swear in the name of the Greatest Evil: I won't kill that person. And I'll stop today's dark faction operation too."
"How about it? I just want to talk."
It was an offer that was difficult to refuse.
Alfia, listening from the side, desperately wanted to expose the lie.
There was no "operation" today. Erebus had shown up only to find her warm-up targets.
And yet he used a fake condition to trick a girl—how could a god be this shameless?
Still, seeing a god actually willing to sign a contract…
After a long silence and painful struggle, Ryuu chose to trust—or rather, rely on—her companion.
She would apologize to Cid later.
Whatever punishment awaited her, she would accept it.
"His name is Cid. Cid Rafeal."
"…Cid?" Aki repeated, half-swallowing her words.
She had assumed the person would be herself, or Arishe.
But it was Cid?
It did make sense.
Because… it was Cid.
But—
Thinking of her own resolve, Aki felt something indescribable twist in her chest.
Cid liked her.
When she finally accepted his confession…
How was she supposed to face Ryuu then?
Would she have to tell Ryuu she was sorry?
....
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