--- Rudeus's perspective ---
Afterwards, the three of us sleep in a row. Even I'm in no mood for fun after those heavy words.
... Still, in my head I can't help but remember Eris's face, no matter how hard I try.
Even though I have long put her behind me, but from the depths of my guts I feel something rising.
Just like Roxy said, I don't even know what I really think about her.
No matter what, I need to settle the score with Eris.
But, to be honest, I'm scared to meet her. She'll definitely kick my ass. She seems to have become impossibly strong.
That Eris, if she saw Sylphy and Roxy beside me, what will she do?
... Well, the diary didn't mention anything about her attacking Sylphy.
But the diary might not always be right. Depending on how the topic and mood shifts, things can easily go out of hand.
Unease. The way it is, if I meet with Eris again, what will actually happen?
With my mind running in circles I eventually fall asleep.
Hitogami appears.
Part 2
A white space. A place where people travel through using teleporation magic. In there, I stand, the body the same as from my previous life.
According to the research of my future self, this is the Void World. Like a 4th dimensional space in the center of the six worlds.
The old man said coming here is impossible. Yet, here I am.
What does it mean, based on my appearance, maybe only my consciousness is here, like a soul summoned.
"..."
Hitogami standing there, wearing a smile as usual. No, no smile.
Unhappiness streams from his mosaic body.
"This sucks."
He murmurs unhappily.
"You sure made a mess of things."
That frustration and attitude is almost completely unimaginable from before.
"Coming back from the future, isn't that cheating? Why the hell. Even though I almost won."
Looks like, from how unhappy you are, everything that old man said is true?
You lied to me? You killed Roxy and Sylphy?
So my future self found a loop hole?
Got you in a bind?
"Are you serious? Loop hole? Me in a bind? Pssh, really? The future you seems to have misunderstood quite a few things."
His words might be full of contempt, but I can hear some helplessness in his voice.
I can't let him lead me by the horns. I have to keep him talking.
"What's this [Keep him talking]? Even though you're second rate, you think you're so clever."
Are you done? Even if I'm second rate, I still have a brain.
Hey, you, tell me.
Why my family, why me, why do you have to harm us?
"Indeed, why? Maybe I just enjoy watching you squirm after killing your entire family."
Hitogami is off his game today.
He had me playing in the palm of his hand until now, but I made a complete mess of the board without thinking, and now his motivation is gone.
"Yes, it's all your fault. Not thinking about what you're doing is your fault."
Hey, answer me. I don't care about your goal, and I won't go interfering either.
My future me has said, I can't beat you, so even if I have to suck up to you I won't make you my enemy.
I plan to do that.
Up until now... well, I'm just dancing to your tune, playing in your hand, but up until now has been smooth sailing.
It's fine if I'm being taken advantage of, or you want me to be your arms and legs, I wouldn't refuse. But, at least, spare my family.
"Well, aren't you brave."
Since you really haven't done anything to me yet, or at least, as far as I know.
Relationships are important. Even though you tried to kill Roxy and her baby, but that was aborted. I can pretend aborted things never happen. Let bygones be bygones.
Before I feel I can forgive you, at least we should build a working relationship.
"Ha."
Hitogami seems to have thought of something. His mood changed, then he said.
"What if I say my goal is world peace? Will you believe me?"
Ah, world peace, very noble, I approve.
LOVE and PEACE is my motto, and if my sexy time can contribute to that all the better!
"No sexy time."
Oh.
"You know that Dragon God, that Orsted, right? His ultimate goal is to destroy this world."
Really? I can't tell.
"That guy has been in the background making various moves. When I die this world will also break apart. That's why Orsted has been working to kill me."
Maybe you did something to anger him? Like with me, kill his family or something?
"Didn't I say before? I cannot touch him, so, I do not recall."
Whatever, and then?
"Orsted is strong, but he's only one person, because he carries that curse. Moreover, as long as he's alone, he can never beat me!"
Then just ignore him?
"I thought so too... until you showed up!"
What did I do?
"Nothing.... But it appears that Orsted's curse does not affect your descendants. They'll come to Orsted's aid, and I'll be defeated by Orsted, your descendants, and their allies."
I see... That's why you took aim at the pregnant Roxy?
Say, Luke taking Sylphy to war, that was your doing too. Since you didn't get rid of Lucy, then the problem was the elder son and second daughter? Was that wrong? But if that's the case, then why don't you get rid of me earlier? Why not?
"After realizing your existence after the Metastasis Event, I made various attempts unsuccessfully. Your fate is unusually strong. Nothing I can do about it."
Fate? Why is that?
"Where do I begin? I can see several major paths towards the future, and at some levels I can make small adjustments. But when fate is strong, even I can't do as I please. You do not die against Orsted; no matter how much I interfere, you'll reunite with Roxy, get married, have a child."
Is this cause and effect?
Even if you go to the past to change the future, it'll end roughly the same way?
"Eh, something like that."
Really? Roxy and I getting married is also fate. That makes me happy.
"But that doesn't make me happy."
Ah, sorry. Well then, why do you have to kill my descendants? Why not wait for the distant future and get rid of my descendants... I mean the brats that help Orsted then?
"Those descendants that have direct contact with Orsted also have strong fate like you. Not just you and your descendants, Sylphy's and Roxy's and Eris's existences are also very strong. Their children, well, likely the same. But women's fates becomes particularly ambiguous at times."
The time when strength of fate turns ambiguous... Don't tell me.
"Indeed. When they're pregnant with a child."
Right now, my entire body is a whirlpool of desire to punch this person in front of me, but I force myself to hold back. Even if I fight him here, I don't feel any chances for victory.
"But that too was a failure."
But why did you kill Sylphy, even though she's not pregnant and already had a child?
"Is that what the diary says? Well, I haven't got that far yet, so I don't know either. Maybe I was just exterminating the weeds? Or maybe it had nothing to do with me, rather that Sylphy is fated to die if she's ever separated from you."
That's why... so she has that sort of fate.
"My plan was perfect, to bait you, who has strong fate, bit by bit, and at your weakest use the most effective tactics for the best result."
ARGGH... stay calm.
Don't get angry.
Roxy and Sylphy are both safe.
Good, good.
"Just go ahead and say it. You don't really think you'll win like this? Let me be clear, your children's fate is not as strong as your wives, you, or your descendants. I will not give up. I don't plan to die."
So you don't want to die, eh? So that's what it is. But, is there another way?
If it saves my family, I'll do anything. How about I make it my family motto [Do not cooperate with Orsted] or indoctrinate my children. Something like Hitogami-sama is great, Dragon God sucks.
"Useless. That alone won't change fate."
Then help me out here. My fate is strong, right? Then there has to be something I can do?
"... Ah."
You thought of something?
"No, I'm not even sure if it's possible. But it might... You say you would do anything right?"
... Yes, yes.
"Then."
Like he just came up with a new prank, Hitogami smirks.
"Kill Orsted."