"..."
Miori Shiba stood at the door, her pretty face full of unease. All her elite education, all her training in etiquette and social maneuvering—none of it helped now. She couldn't steady her emotions.
After all, she was about to meet what seemed to be a god, the being who had slaughtered more than ninety percent of the world's population.
She had seen the mountains and seas of corpses. She had woken from nightmares every night since—except last night. In that dream, she saw Her.
From that figure, she felt abyssal majesty but also the warmth of a mother and the light of the sun. For once, she slept soundly.
Earlier, her phone had received a notification, and a magic circle opened before her. Stepping into it, she arrived here.
She didn't know why that being wanted to see her. She didn't even know if she would leave alive. She had survived the Purge, had even been summoned… despite that, how could a mortal fathom such thoughts? Still, she had no choice but to push the door.
"..." Miori took a deep breath, hand on the door of fate and uncertainty. She wasn't as afraid of death anymore—too many had died already.
Even so, if the being before her was truly divine, death wouldn't be release. It would be hell.
···
"Your Eminence…" Miori stood stiffly before Zeroy.
"No need to be so formal. Sit."
"Yes…" Miori's eyes searched the room, then she sat beside Kisara Tendō.
They hadn't gotten along before, but their conflicts were gone now, only minor incompatibility remained—and that no longer mattered.
Seeing the Holy Child and Kisara here even reassured her somewhat. At least they were familiar faces.
After she sat, Zeroy didn't question her.
After a glance, she simply nodded. "This world has three cities left. Two I've given to the Holy Child and Kisara. The last, I plan to entrust it to you. Will you accept the work and responsibility?"
Straight to the point. Zeroy had never ruled a city. Ability mattered little—the only requirement was sincerity and lack of malice. That she could judge directly with her eyes and Evil Slayer's sense. Miori passed. She was no pest and bore no ill will.
"…Eh?" So direct, so sudden, so unbelievable, Miori froze. "I… manage a city?" she repeated blankly.
"Yes. One of the three."
"…Why me?"
"Because there's no one else. I know no one here. Kisara recommended you," Zeroy said simply. No special reason. Only that she recognized Miori from the anime—just a faint familiarity. That was Miori's only edge.
"I…" Countless thoughts flashed through her.
She had once tried to recruit Rentarō Satomi, though only for profit, because of his mechanical soldier body. She had been the daughter of the world's greatest weapons company. Her father, uncles, aunts—all slain by Zeroy.
Moreover, she was a sinner's daughter… Abruptly, then, a realization hit:
…To this being, she was just one among billions. Her social status, her training, meant nothing. Or perhaps She knew everything and simply didn't care. If she lived through the Purge, then she was innocent enough.
"I… may I ask how you want us to govern the cities?"
"Simple. Feed them, clothe them, give them peace." Zeroy's demand was light.
With faith and magic to aid them, with a whole earth's resources and only a handful of people left, how could they fail? Pests were gone. People believed in her. She backed them.
"And my power will help you," Zeroy added, setting down the last small idol. "As payment… You may ask me for what you want. Anything, within reason. Too much, I'll refuse, though I won't be angry. So? Will you accept?"
"…Do you think we can manage it?" Miori asked carefully. Borrowing Zeroy's strength gave her courage, albeit she still had doubts.
"Of course. It isn't hard. My concern is never ability, only whether rulers harbor ill intent."
"…And if we fail?"
"Then punishment—like the pests. Guilty will be punished. Innocent, only lightly."
"..."
After a long silence, Miori gave her answer. "I will accept."
"Good. I look forward to the day when carefree children offer me candy."
...
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