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I ascended the stage after the funeral concluded and addressed the gathered crowd. My ssage was broadcast across a hundred television channels worldwide, featured prominently in news reports.
I shared everything I knew about the Tower, the Worlds, Azure Star, and the Nightmare, conveying the essential truths.
Most people struggled to accept this new reality. So confronted with anger, and a few even attempted to attack , but I disclosed everything and moved forward.
Their attacks were futile, as I was utterly invincible in this world.
Nevertheless, that detail is inconsequential.
I delivered the truths they wanted and needed to hear.
How they interpret those truths is not my concern.
My purpose in this world was to save it, not to rule or guide its inhabitants.
I am neither their goddess nor their ruler.
After finishing, I stepped away, leaving the majority of the audience speechless.
I returned to my modest manor, instructing everyone to reunite with their families in this world, if they had any, and to reveal the truth before departing.
The truth encompassed the unseen individuals who perished in the loop tragedy, and how we, as "fakes" from another world, had replaced them to save this one.
Indeed, that was the essence of my ssage.
That revelation likely explains their stunned silence, as most were at a loss for words or reactions.
Many students gazed at in disbelief. Even the typically cheerful Cheng Xie remained silent.
Artorias, too, was shaken upon learning that Jonathan was not the true individual...
Most were devastated, except for my closest friends.
Alma, Sofia, Emily, and Martina were already aware.
My sister in this world, Alia, also knew.
Thus, accompanied by Sofia’s father and Alma’s grandmother, we gathered for a quiet teati at our manor with my brother and Alia.
Lucifer and Nyx were present. Their "family" in this world was nonexistent, having replaced two orphaned individuals.
It’s a somber thought. They had nothing and were then forgotten.
No.
We will never forget them, even if their true appearances or nas remain unknown.
We will carry them in our hearts forever.
This includes the naless girl who sacrificed her life to preserve this world through those desperate loops.
She died hoping that soone would erge to alter the fate of this world.
This world she cherished deeply, despite its hardships and pain.
For these unseen heroes, these forgotten souls who gave their lives across countless loops to buy ti, only to be erased as ti reset without them...
I wish they could be commorated or honored with a morial, but that seems unlikely.
"I suppose everything has been said," Alia sighed. "How the world responds is an entirely separate matter."
"Yeah..." I nodded. "I’m unsure what more I can do. I aid to be honest. Whatever unfolds now rests in the people’s hands."
"True," Emily agreed. "You ca and saved this world. Honestly, you don’t owe anyone anything further."
"Indeed," Sofia affird. "We’re imnsely grateful for all you’ve done for us and this world, Maria, Nyx, Lucifer, and everyone else absent as well."
"I’m confident they’ll find their way!" Nyx declared with a smile. "Everyone will discover a path to happiness."
"Hahah, let’s hope so!" Emily chuckled. "Maria, you confird that Field Dungeons and Gates won’t appear, correct?"
"Yes, so there’s no need to worry about those," I replied. "However, people can now freely enter the Tower and undertake the tutorial. I considered restricting access, but I can’t justify that. It would be akin to confining you to your world. Everyone deserves the choice to explore the Tower if they wish. I only hope they approach it responsibly and avoid rushing in like moths to a fla, only to perish in droves."
"We can’t predict exactly how it will unfold..." Sofia sighed. "Yet, I believe many Dream Warriors will attempt it. They’re already formidable, after all. I wager groups will form and venture out. I hope they return safely."
"The world..." Sofia’s father murmured, "is in its most vulnerable state. Those wishing to flee to another world... that’s not hard to imagine now. However, Nightmare Fields persist across the globe. To truly be free of the Nightmare, we must eradicate these areas. It won’t be simple, and it may take decades to achieve complete freedom."
"You’re right," I acknowledged.
"We may be free from the Original Nightmare and the Nightmare Dinsion’s endless creation of Nightmares and Nightmare Demons, but another adversary has erged, one we overlooked while united against a common foe," Sofia’s father said, his gaze sharpening.
"What enemy?" Alma asked.
"Humanity," her grandmother replied.
"Precisely," Sofia’s father nodded. "We are our own greatest adversary. People will begin to clash. So Dream Warriors will abuse their power now that imdiate threats have subsided. Others will claim Nightmare Fields for resources, which will grow scarcer over ti. We may even witness experints with Nightmare Beasts. So might attempt to revive Nightmares and Nightmare Demons. Deranged individuals exist everywhere. Throughout my life, I encountered many such people. I worked alongside them."
"You did?!" Martina gasped. "Uncle..."
"Hmph, I’m not proud of my past," Sofia’s father sighed. "Sofia’s strength stemd partly from experints conducted in that laboratory. Your mother and I were scientists studying Nightmares and Dream Essence. We encountered individuals who pushed up for studies beyond what we deed acceptable. I don’t know their current whereabouts or actions, but in tis like these, they’ll act freely."
"..." Sofia remained silent for a mont before speaking. "So, my Dream Heart resulted from experints..."
"Yes... I’m sorry for never telling you," her father sighed. "Those experints... they led to your mother..."
"It’s fine. I’ve known for a while... I’ve processed it," Sofia said, appearing disheartened. "At least you didn’t force her?"
"No..." her father replied. "But we were foolish and naïve then. We allowed those people to manipulate us. If I could return to the past, I would prevent your mother from taking that injection..."
"It’s alright, as long as you strive to change," Sofia said. "I t Mother back then. When I nearly beca a Nightmare and entered that Realm, I saw her."
"You did?!" her father gasped. "But that’s..."
"She was a Dream Spirit, a being born from positive emotions, dreams, and mories, distinct from Nightmares," Sofia smiled. "And Mother... I was able to bid her a proper farewell this ti. You were there too."
"...I see," her father sighed. "Sofia, I will do everything to atone for my wrongs, for all my misdeeds..."
"I hope you keep your word," Sofia replied. "I don’t plan to venture to other worlds. I’ll stay here to protect this world, its people, and confront any erging threats."
" too," Emily nodded. "I’ve made my decision, eheh."
"If Sofia’s staying, I’ll stick around, I suppose," Martina shrugged.
"Girls..." Alma murmured, gazing at everyone. "I wish I could stay with you, but I truly want to go with Maria..."
"It’s alright," Sofia said, patting her shoulders. "You don’t need our permission, you know? Go, Alma."
"You’ve always dread of other worlds and fantasy tales, right?" Emily smiled. "Now’s your chance to live those dreams!"
"Follow your heart, Alma," Martina encouraged.
"Girls... thank you..." Alma cried. "Thank you for being my friends... I love you all so much... sniff..."
Ultimately, we ford a tight-knit group of five... no, six, as Nyx, Alma’s dear friend, joined us.
"Don’t worry, girls. I’ll protect Alma!" Nyx declared with a cute smile, flashing her white teeth.
"Heheh, I bet you will, lil’ Nyx!" Emily giggled. "Just like you protected us before."
"Yep, nothing to worry about, then," Sofia nodded.
"Haha, you’ll be safe, Alma," Martina said, smiling warmly.
"Heh!" Nyx nodded, crossing her arms proudly. "Alma! Let’s explore other worlds! I’m sure we’ll find all kinds of incredible sights and stuff!"
"Y-Yeah!" Alma nodded. "And... of course, with Maria..."
"Of course," I said. "I won’t let anything harm you, so don’t worry. I’m far stronger now than ever before."
"She’s not lying," Alma’s grandmother affird. "She is, after all, this world’s goddess."
"EH?!"
Aahh, there she goes again. This grandmother loves shocking everyone with revelations.
Does she genuinely enjoy this?
"W-Wait, that’s not entirely true..." I stamred. "I am... uuhhh..."
"You’re not denying it!" Sofia exclaid. "How?! What the hell is going on, Maria?!"
"You promised to be honest with us, so speak!" Emily urged.
"Please tell us..." Martina said.
"I’m intrigued..." Sofia’s father added.
"Eh?" Alia remained puzzled. "Arthur, what does that an?"
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