Chapter 144 - 2-26
Just like trash in a bin. The worlds that just vanished before my eyes...
If he had simply explained that it was the Spirit King's duty to maintain the world's balance, I might have accepted it as an unfortunate necessity. But having seen a world blink out of existence—knowing that so many people had lived there and built their lives, only to have it all erased in a heartbeat—I was overcome with terror and guilt. The faces of my parents, my friends, and the villagers I had met on my journey flashed through my mind. The thought of their smiles shattering and vanishing in an instant made my chest tighten.
"Good grief, what are you trying to say? I brought you here thinking you'd be happy."
Nel-sama scratched his head, looking annoyed by my reaction. He spoke as if his actions were perfectly natural. "I showed you something incredibly rare. You should just be happy about it."
Happy? Because I saw something rare?
Was I supposed to be happy that while those people vanished in an instant, I was lucky enough to be saved by Nel-sama? That I should be grateful my life, which should have ended, was restarted on a whim? Was I supposed to rejoice because those parallel worlds had nothing to do with me?
"...No, I cannot. I understand intellectually that what you do is for the sake of the world's balance, Nel-sama. But... the shock is simply too great."
"What are you trying to say?"
There was no doubt that the existence of a god-like Spirit King ensured the peace of our lives. Seeing Nel-sama's true power firsthand had filled me with genuine awe. But I couldn't simply cheer like an innocent child. I had just witnessed the "me" of another world and everyone around her being erased in an instant—as trash. Even if I accepted it as inevitable, the emotional turmoil was too strong. I couldn't follow an order to be happy when my heart was screaming in protest.
"...I cannot be happy about this."
"Huh? What are you talking about? I don't understand you at all."
A cold, chilling voice fell upon me from above. I snapped my head up. The voice undoubtedly belonged to Nel-sama, yet it felt entirely different. Every word vibrated like a tremor in the earth. It wasn't just speech; it was a resonance that brought a physical pain, as if my head were being struck. Nel-sama stared straight at me, his face devoid of expression. The spark in his eyes was gone, replaced by a void of emotion. His gaze was so freezing it made me shudder instantly.
"Are you actually... objecting to what I do?"
A gasp caught in my throat at the sound of his voice. It crawled up from the depths of the earth, carrying a weight of intimidation I had never felt before. I tried to look away, but my gaze felt forced into place, unable to move. It felt as if a knife were pressed against my throat. I couldn't breathe, and I had to fight back the tears threatening to spill from my wide eyes. Cold sweat poured down my skin, and my trembling legs felt as heavy as lead. My knees finally gave out, and I collapsed. My heart hammered against my ribs, yet the terror continued to cling to my entire body.
This was on a completely different level from when I had faced His Majesty's icy stare. This... is the true form of the Dark Spirit King... My numb lips refused to move. I fought through the dryness in my parched throat.
"N-no. That isn't it. I am not denying what you do, Nel-sama. We humans are saved by the power of the spirits. I understand that you must tidy the worlds that are too far from the main axis to be maintained. This isn't a matter of your actions, but a matter of my own emotions."
"I see. Your emotions. Emotions I cannot understand. Then shall I erase this light as well? I wonder what kind of reaction you'd show then."
Nel-sama picked up the blue light that still hovered between us and held it out before my eyes. The blue glow remained strong, as if it were pleading with me. For some reason, I feel like I must protect this light at all costs. No matter what. A pull emanated from the light, a sense of attraction that solidified my resolve.
I forced myself to meet his gaze, despite my fear, trying to grasp his intent. Nel-sama raised an eyebrow in surprise. Then, his lips curled into an amused smirk, and his expression softened.
"Heh. You can still make a face like that even when faced with my power? I'm actually impressed."
Suddenly, Nel-sama gasped as if noticing something and stared intently at the blue light with a solemn expression.
"Um... Nel-sama?"
"...Fine. I won't touch this one for now. It'd be boring if you broke on me. Besides... I don't understand what you're thinking at all, and you were a bit of a disappointment."
"I am sorry."
"You really are stubborn. ...Though I guess that's the interesting part. Ah, I'd play with you a bit more, but it looks like I'm out of time."
Nel-sama puffed out one cheek, making no effort to hide his foul mood. He let out a deep sigh and snapped his fingers. The surroundings brightened instantly, and I squinted against the glare. As my eyes adjusted, I realized I was back in the room I had been given.
"I'm going out for a bit. Spend your time however you like."
"Oh, yes. ...Um, thank you."
I was bewildered by how quickly Nel-sama had discarded his intimidating aura to return to his usual, lax expression. As he made a swift exit, I stood there alone, unable to move from the spot.