Case 246: Choices.
It has been days since that faithful mont.
The post-nut clarity clearly hit us hard since, after exhausting our juices, we all shared a sense of regret. It's even more forbidden because it was all raw and no rubber. It felt good as well, goddamnit.
Fortunately, I have control over my eggs now, so I didn't let Lucia's sen do anything to them. At least, that's the final line protected... right?
In any case, we decided to bury it.
Um. No one should know about such a shaful thing.
Afterward, I went out into the world and investigated the things I've ntioned before. Demons are truly as ferocious as people describe them. They currently occupy more than sixty percent of the planet's land and are advancing fast—no wonder they are able to corrupt the goddess.
Talk about the goddess; she is quite wacked right now.
When I went to her place, the sheer dark miasma she radiated was so nauseous that I had to retreat without actually seeing her.
Okay, look. Our party is really strong right now.
Even without Luna, who's still missing, I am confident we can cleanse the goddess, at least. However, I can't help but feel like the ga intends to make us choose between the two options while putting ourselves in the shoes of this world's inhabitants.
If the ga's objective is to stir up emotions inside the player, then it is doing a splendid job right now.
Cause I'm frustrated as hell.
Because I'm the one holding the trigger, standing between these two ideals is stressful.
''Hah...''
If Luna-tan is here, I'll be able to predict the consequences of my choices so easily, and this whole thing won't be such a ss anymore...
Luna-tan, where the hell are you...?
Regardless of my turmoil, ti passes by constantly, like how it should, without a single piece of news regarding the druid maiden. Initially clinging to the hope called Lunaris Lucienne, I slowly realize that I have to make a choice, sooner or later.
Days turn to weeks, and weeks turn to months.
I still cannot put my mind to it, but every ti I try to say 'fuck it' and choose an option, my body refuses to move accordingly. In other words, I'm subconsciously denying these half-hearted choices.
Fortunately, aside from more people dying, my party mbers don't rush or sothing. I can afford to let people die here, but if this happens in the real world, I will need to make the decision fast.
If this happens in real life...
What if Eva were to beco corrupted, and I am faced with the sa dilemma?
Will I be able to resolutely put a knife by her throat and slit her skin? After more than twenty years of befriending each other?
Certainly... I won't.
I see. So that's how it is.
Thinking back, I was always the type to sacrifice all of humanity for my loved ones, after all. The more I recall that person's rigid yet warm voice, the more my heart solidifies its choice.
Even if the goddess I love desires otherwise. Even if she has already prepared to depart from this realm. Even if she wanted to rest.
I am a selfish person, and I will prioritize my feelings first.
I will save the goddess.
Having made this choice, I feel my murky mind clear again. Without informing anyone else, I once again take off to the edge of the world, where the pitiful goddess is held.
Paving my path through the dense energy of death with a thin layer of divine energy wrapped around my body, I eventually reach the point where a putrid abomination of a substance is mixed in the air. If ordinary people inhale this, they will surely be corrupted right away.
Nevertheless, I force my body forward, cutting off my sense of sll while imitating a barrier similar to what Anna would make.
Clocking my brain up, I slowly release the enormous amount of mana stored inside my heart and my gems, letting it surround my body.
I could have brought Anna, but for so reason, I think I need to go here alone.
''Whew...''
How long have I walked?
Step by step, the desolate ground beneath has turned into an unending swamp of toxic, rotten liquid. My body is still fine. I'm not an Archmage for nothing.
When even the sun has disappeared into the dense mist, a structure appears at the end of my sight.
A dark gazebo.
If Eva's were as glamorous as the sparkling Milky Way, this one would be akin to the absolute end of the universe—a black hole. If not for a humanoid kneeling inside it, I wouldn't have noticed it at all.
I can practically hear my heart beating.
''You...''
A divine beauty who had lost her luster.
Sitting in a peaceful prayer, the energy of death had already risen to her neck, crumbling her smooth skin while dyeing the part that had been eaten a dreadful ashen grey.
The once long and lustrous purple hair of hers has wilted from the neck down, and streaks of blood run down her cheeks, escaping her closed eyes.
''Luna...?''
There resides the Divine Maiden. No, it's soone that looks like her. But...
It's confusing.
I'm not so retarded that I can't decipher who's who, especially after the incident with the doppelgangers, but I seriously don't know whether this is supposed to be Luna or soone else.
Either way, I have already decided.
Slowly, I approach the woman and put my hand on her forehead. Heeding my command, the source of divine energy within gradually seeps into her body, driving away the unpleasant power dwelling inside.
I can see her revitalize in real-ti.
''Whew...''
However, it's also quite taxing on my side. The amount of divine energy I possess is honestly not much, only around a twentieth of my peak state in the trial world. Fighting against such strong dark energy is...
Regardless, I keep pushing.
Even when I have dried the power within my flesh, causing paralyzing pain across my body. Even when I have to substitute mana, even though they are vastly more inefficient.
As long as I can save her.
''Nhg...!''
My vision becos blurry. But just a little bit more. Just...
''You... idiot.''
The mont I hear that weak whisper, I lose consciousness. For a split second, I feel myself falling into the embrace of soone.
That person's warmth is incomparable.
Maybe... I can sleep a little now.
Opening my eyes, I stare blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling.
It appears that I am lying in a small pavilion, but the ceiling—unlike the ominous black that I saw earlier—is now brimming with twinkling stars.
''You're finally up.''
Accompanied by a sweet female voice, a hand gently strokes my forehead.
''...Luna?''
The woman doesn't reply. With deep blue eyes that resemble seas of stars, she only stares at , seemingly deep in thought. Her body has now been restored to its pristine state, radiating a godly aura.
''I had hoped that you wouldn't choose this path.'' She says lancholically.
''Too bad,'' I reply. ''Even if you're dead, I would bring you back to life, no matter what it took.''
For so reason, I feel an inexplicable connection with this woman. A sense of familiarity. Is it because she looks identical to Luna?
Maybe not.
''You idiot. You shouldn't have done so.'' She sighs. ''Look around.''
Here, at the end of the world, one can observe the world itself without hindrance.
As I look around, I feel my heart dropping.
The world... is ending.
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