Alastor had proposed cooperation. If this were a game, Nitocris would likely have seen a notification pop up right in front of her eyes.
Only when two parties' objectives didn't conflict, and their strength was similar, could it truly be called cooperation. Clearly, in Alastor's eyes, Nitocris was such a partner.
"If the partner in question is the renowned God of Retribution, it would indeed be worthy of trust."
The tone sounded more like a neutral statement of fact rather than sincere praise. Yet, in the next moment, Nitocris's tone shifted sharply. "However, if the intended partners include you Flame Haze, it's an entirely different matter."
"Hmm… It's true that among the Flame Haze, there are quite a few dangerous and difficult-to-control individuals. After all, we only gather due to our common enemy, the Crimson Denizens. Even I do not fully understand their individual intentions."
"No, you misunderstand, God of Retribution. The unruliness of the Flame Haze is indeed troublesome, but my concern is something more fundamental."
Nitocris's voice became deeply serious. Her next words fell like a sudden bolt of lightning striking directly into Alastor's soul.
"Most people who contract with Crimson Lords to become Flame Haze are avengers—people who've had their lives stolen from them. When they lost everything, when they were at their most desperate, fate did not answer their cries, and neither did the gods… Now, at a time when all is irrecoverably lost, upon hearing a god of humanity has appeared, what do you think these avengers, these victims, would do?"
"!!!"
The sparks within the crimson pendant flickered violently. Even without seeing Alastor's form, Yukari and Shana could sense his profound agitation.
"No... wait a moment, that's impossible! Even for them, it would be too irrational. They wouldn't possibly dare to act against a god...!"
"Are you trying to think rationally about the feelings of avengers, Alastor? This is precisely why you've never truly understood them. Let me advise you clearly: Do not think of avengers as humans. They are beasts who sink their fangs into their prey and never let go; they are flames that destroy everything in their path. Those who become avenging Flame Haze sacrifice not merely their own existence, but their sanity itself."
Nitocris spoke with indifference. "Have you forgotten what you witnessed yourself? The battle where humans raised their swords in rebellion against a god and banished him?"
"You mean…"
Three thousand years ago, the Crimson God known as the Snake of the Festival listened to the wishes of the Denizens and attempted to create a paradise where existence could be freely consumed. However, this required territories and Power of Existence equivalent to entire nations. Flame Haze gathered as an army to wage war against the Snake of the Festival and his "Bal Masqué." Eventually, the Flame Haze prevailed, exiling him into the gap between worlds—known as the "Eternal Pitfall."
Only that event matched what Nitocris had described.
But the issue was…
"The Snake of the Festival was sealed precisely because he restrained himself! He listened to all wishes from Denizens—including even those contracted to Flame Haze. Precisely because of his Authority, the Flame Haze were victorious three thousand years ago. Had he fought with his full might, only gods equal to him could've opposed him."
"You cannot expect everyone to be as rational as you. They remember only that they once fought a god—and won. Naturally, they would think they could triumph again. Do not grow angry or accuse me of exaggeration, God of Retribution. You might find their actions foolish, but I say this clearly: It is precisely because of their foolishness that this planet belongs to humanity, not gods. What has happened before will happen again; there is nothing new under the sun. Humans have already set a precedent, so I believe they would make the same choice again."
Alastor had no way to refute Nitocris's words. Clearly, she understood humans far better than he did.
"If that's the case, your existence absolutely cannot be revealed to other Flame Haze."
"That's exactly why I've been avoiding all of you. While Flame Haze are used to acting alone, surely you have some form of communication—some place where information is shared?"
"Hm… I see. However, this conversation has been extremely valuable to us…"
Nitocris and Alastor continued their exchange. In reality, Alastor mostly asked questions, and Nitocris answered.
Alastor had noticed this too but had no alternative—Nitocris seemed thoroughly familiar with him, the Flame Haze, and Crimson Denizens, even the events of three thousand years ago. Alastor strongly suspected whether this God of the Underworld truly had appeared only recently, as she claimed… In contrast, his own understanding of this human-world god was virtually zero.
Yukari initially listened out of curiosity, discovering many secrets Nitocris had never mentioned. But soon she found herself completely lost, unable to keep up. This was even more uncomfortable than school, where teachers at least slowed their explanations to ensure most students understood. Alastor's questions didn't care whether Yukari understood—so long as he himself grasped it, that was enough.
Glancing to her side, Yukari saw Shana still seated silently, staring intently at the two pendants without speaking a single word. If Shana's eyes hadn't remained open, Yukari would've thought she had fallen asleep. She had no idea if Shana was even able to follow the gods' conversation.
By the time Yukari's attention returned to the present, night had fallen, and it was already dinnertime. Yukari's mother came to the door, inviting her and Shana downstairs.
Yukari was still hesitating about how to start a conversation with Shana when her mother arrived. In the end, Shana was reluctantly ushered to the dinner table by Yukari's mother.
The food was ordinary home-cooking, but the cook's skill and sincerity were evident. Nevertheless, Shana's meal was deeply uncomfortable.
She couldn't understand why she was so passive in front of Yukari's mother—a completely ordinary human…
Then Shana remembered Nitocris, who was probably still conversing with Alastor even now. Although the two gods inhabited her and Yukari's bodies respectively, their perception and communication mainly came from their pendants. Those pendants functioned as their eyes and mouths—the legendary "Eyes and Mouths of God"…
It's all that annoying god's fault! Because of her, Alastor and I ended up staying here. Because of her, I feel this agitation—so helpless in front of a mere ordinary human...
Shana brooded with dissatisfaction.
Her reasoning made sense, but only a little. Certainly, if Nitocris could hear Shana's internal complaints, she would firmly refuse to carry such blame.
Perhaps uncomfortable with the harmonious atmosphere at the dining table, or perhaps for some other unknown reason, Shana finished her meal early. Muttering "I'm full," she swiftly left, returning to Yukari's room. When she opened the door, she immediately saw Nitocris and Alastor still deeply immersed in conversation.
How do you two still have so many things to discuss…? Shana muttered inwardly, sitting down cross-legged directly on the floor.
Nitocris felt Shana's gaze clearly, its intensity enough to frighten any ordinary human. Understanding the girl obviously had something she wanted to ask—just like Alastor—Nitocris quietly waited, not certain what Shana intended to say, waiting for her to speak first.
"Have…you known me since before?"
"???"
Nitocris froze briefly.
What kind of question is this? Is this really what you've been worrying about all this time?
"…I told you before, when I saved you that time, it was our first meeting."
After a brief pause, Nitocris added:
"However, it's true I knew of you before that. Since you're contracted to Alastor, the Flame of Heaven, it's natural that I'd pay a bit more attention."
"…"
Shana fell into a prolonged silence.
Though she'd gotten an answer, it didn't make her feel any better. On the contrary, that unpleasant feeling only seemed to spread further.
Is it only because I'm Alastor's contractor...?
She said nothing more. When Hirai Yukari returned to the room, she immediately noticed Shana sitting there silently. Somehow, Yukari felt the aura of rejection surrounding Shana had grown stronger since earlier—though she herself couldn't quite put into words what exactly that "aura" was.
And here I thought that feeling had lessened a little at dinner...
After dinner, it was time for Yukari to study.
Alastor clearly wanted to continue speaking with Nitocris, but Nitocris insisted she needed to help Yukari with her homework.
"Eh? Kami-sama, you really don't have to worry about me. I can manage studying alone. You can continue chatting with Alastor-sama instead," Yukari thoughtfully offered.
But Nitocris didn't accept Yukari's considerate suggestion.
"What kind of efficiency do you expect studying by yourself? You've heard so many new things today, and there's now an extra person and god in the room—do you really think you can concentrate?"
In the month or so they'd spent together, just as Yukari had come to better understand Nitocris, Nitocris naturally understood Yukari far better than when they'd first met.
Yukari, whose thoughts had been completely seen through, slumped listlessly onto her desk. "But I've already become the contracted partner of a human-world god, following Kami-sama around saving the world every day. Why do I still have to study…?"
"It's precisely because you're accompanying me every day that I have to help you with your schoolwork. I absolutely refuse to become the culprit who derails your education. I'd feel terrible if that happened."
That was Nitocris's honest sentiment. Borrowing Yukari's body, drawing her into a world beyond common sense, had always been a choice born of necessity. Nitocris had continuously been making up for this inconvenience in her own way. After all, she wouldn't remain in this world forever—once the threat of the Crimson Realm was resolved, she would continue on her journey. Before that happened, Nitocris had to ensure that her contractor Yukari's life was perfectly arranged, free of complications caused by her presence.
"Hmm… I've been curious for a while now—your contractor, isn't she still fully bound to the human world's cause and effect?" Alastor asked Nitocris, puzzled. "Moreover, even though she's the contractor of a human-world god, she seems entirely ordinary. Had I passed her on the street, I'd never have suspected she was anything but a normal human... She's clearly no warrior. Though she possesses your power, you haven't taught her any combat skills."
Yukari's head instantly lifted, paying close attention to this topic.
In fact, Yukari had asked Nitocris before, saying she wanted to be helpful to her Kami-sama. She'd wondered whether Nitocris could teach her some skills, something that would allow her to battle Crimson Denizens like a Flame Haze.
However, Nitocris had rejected her request.
"My contractor doesn't need to become any kind of warrior. Nor does she need to sacrifice anything in exchange for power. I will bring an end to all of this myself. Those who need saving will be saved; those who deserve judgment will be judged. When that day arrives, neither she nor future generations of humans will need to become warriors."
Both Shana and Yukari remained quiet. Even Alastor fell silent for a long moment, as if picturing the beautiful future Nitocris envisioned.
"What a noble endeavor… Truly befitting of a god of humanity who responded to the world's despair. Your determination is admirable."
After studying for a while, Yukari decided she'd earned herself a comfortable bath and some clean pajamas. She absolutely refused to lie down on her beloved bed until she'd thoroughly washed off all the dirt and sweat from the day.
Just as Yukari's hand touched the doorknob, she remembered something and turned around to look at Shana, who still sat as motionless as a sculpture.
"Shana, do you want to take a bath too?"
Yukari figured that Shana was also a girl, and there probably wasn't a girl alive who disliked baths.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Yukari felt Shana's heavy gaze land upon her.
"…Bath?" Shana echoed slowly.
Internally, Yukari cheered. Good, she responded! If there's a response, there's a conversation, and conversations lead to progress. If she likes it, I'll go along. If not, I'll apologize. Yukari's greatest fear was Shana ignoring her altogether.
"Yes, yes! A bath—it's washing your body clean! I can show you where the bathroom is!"
Yukari enthusiastically explained.
So, the contracted partner of that annoying god is actually this naive…? Shana thought silently as she gazed at Yukari's smiling face.
"Flame Haze clean themselves using a 'Purifying Flame.' It instantly removes impurities from the body. There's no need for something as troublesome as what you humans do," Shana explained bluntly.
---
T/N: baths are so niceeee though
bonus chaps
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200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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