MC POV
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After the meeting ended, Shalltear and I returned to her mansion.
As for the other Seven Kings, Kuro—who was with Ein—said she wanted to return to her territory in the east to prepare, so she couldn't come with us. Megiddo returned to the western region, Magnawell to the south, while Isis and Lillywood headed back to the north.
At the moment, I was watching Shalltear lounging lazily on the sofa, reading the continuation of the manga she had been into lately. On the table in front of her were various cakes, along with a bowl of potato chips as snacks.
I knew she didn't have any work right now.
But… wasn't she a bit too relaxed? Well, I'd take it as a sign that she was starting to feel comfortable around me.
"Shalltear, would it be a problem if I built a floating castle in the sky, right at the center of the Forbidden Land?" (Arthur)
I asked while watching her eat potato chips and read her manga.
"You want to claim the Forbidden Land as your territory?" (Shalltear)
Hearing that, Shalltear asked curiously.
"No. I don't plan on ruling any territory. I just want to build a place to live there—a floating castle that can move around. Sounds pretty cool, don't you think?" (Arthur)
I couldn't help but smile wryly. Hearing my words, Shalltear nodded slightly and laughed softly.
"Pffft~ I guess we really do share the same tastes~ Alright, I don't see a problem with it. Though, you know, that place sometimes becomes our battlefield." (Shalltear)
"That's fine. My castle will be sturdy enough." (Arthur)
I replied casually. After all, this castle was originally the Demon King's castle from another world.
Who wouldn't want a floating castle of their own? A fortress hovering in the skies above the Forbidden Land… with a hidden boss living inside. That alone would leave a powerful impression.
Thinking about it made me nod excitedly inwardly.
Besides, the Forbidden Land would be a perfect training ground for my subordinates. The more accustomed they became to that place, the stronger they'd grow.
"I'll head out now to prepare my castle." (Arthur)
"Alright. See you later." (Shalltear)
Watching Shalltear wave lazily before returning to her manga, I could only shake my head.
I then teleported directly into the sky above the center of the Forbidden Land.
I paused for a moment, thinking. Why not bring that woman here as well? If I arrived right when she was already fed up with her duties, I could invite her to come with me. I could create the castle with her as its core—just like in those stories—and have her manage it as well.
I nodded to myself in confidence.
"Alright. Since it's decided, let's go." (Arthur)
I closed my eyes and pictured my destination.
The moment I opened them again, I had shifted locations—now standing before a blonde woman with red eyes, wearing a black dress.
"Hm… who are you? How did you enter the realm of the gods?"
She asked in surprise as she looked at me, examining me closely—then her expression stiffened in shock.
"The End… are you here to end this world?"
Her voice carried a hint of unease.
I shrugged and answered calmly.
"No. I'm just here to meet you." (Arthur)
"To meet me?"
I nodded and met her gaze.
"That's right. I want to make a deal with you." (Arthur)
"…"
She remained silent, allowing me to continue.
"Don't you feel tired of this endless cycle of creation and destruction?" (Arthur)
I asked in a flat tone. Upon hearing my question, she began to show interest.
"What is your offer?"
"I can help you to 'terminate' your role here." (Arthur)
"And what do you want from me?"
Hearing her question, I replied calmly.
"I want you to come with me to another world and become a member of my family." (Arthur)
"…Family?"
"That's right. You'll be the first member of my family. If you accept my offer, you'll be free to live however you wish. You'll only need to carry out a few tasks I assign—after that, you're free. I don't restrict my family members." (Arthur)
"…"
She was left speechless. After sinking into thought for a while, the blonde woman finally spoke.
"I have a sister I've never met. If I leave… will she be alright?"
"If you wish… as a reward for accepting my offer, I can give her a happy ending—literally. That includes ensuring that every threat capable of harming your sister is completely ended." (Arthur)
She froze when she heard my casual reply.
"And if you're worried about the consequences of my actions, those will be ended as well. Your sister will be able to live freely, exactly as she wishes." (Arthur)
"…You truly are a terrifying being. With power like yours, you could do anything you want. Why not just take me by force?"
She asked curiously. That was understandable.
But… was she seriously asking that?
I knew it was natural to be cautious and question this, but I couldn't help shaking my head inwardly, feeling slightly irritated.
"Isn't that exactly what I'm doing? I'm acting according to my own will—I'm just making the process easier. I'm not that low." (Arthur)
I answered in a neutral, slightly cold tone. I admit I'm terrifying by nature—but I haven't fallen so far as to do something like that.
I took a slow breath to calm myself, then asked her for an answer.
"That's enough small talk. So—will you accept my offer or not?" (Arthur)
"I accept… I've already grown tired of this endless cycle. I want to live like a mortal and do whatever I wish… but because of my Destruction… merely by existing, everything around me is instantly destroyed… I can't fully control it…"
Her voice sounded hollow, her expression weary.
Sigh… I felt sorry for her. She never wanted this role—she was sick of being 'order,' forced to witness everything perish.
"That's not a problem. You can become my apostle. With that, you'll be able to fully control your power. On top of that, you'll grow even stronger." (Arthur)
Rather than merely helping her control her Destruction, I thought it would be more interesting to make her my apostle. I was lucky—to gain an apostle who was the embodiment of Destruction itself.
"Are you serious? You want me, the embodiment of Destruction, to become your apostle?"
She asked in disbelief.
"What's the problem? With your Destruction, it's not like you'd ever need to rely on my power. So don't overthink it." (Arthur)
I waved my hand casually as I answered.
"You really are…"
She looked at me in disbelief, then slowly shook her head.
Seeing that she didn't refuse, I stepped closer until I stood directly in front of her. I raised my right hand and gently tapped her forehead with my index finger.
"With that, you're officially my apostle." (Arthur)
She looked completely stunned, then closed her eyes as if trying to feel something.
"This is incredible… My Destruction is completely under my control now. And I can feel my power increasing dramatically."
Her voice carried both disbelief and joy at the same time.
"Told you so." (Arthur)
She nodded with a smile. Seeing her finally happy left me feeling quietly satisfied.
"Lastly, your sister…" (Arthur)
"Then… when will you give the 'ending' you mentioned to my sister?"
"As soon as we leave. Don't you want to meet her?" (Arthur)
I asked to be sure. She fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly.
"…No. I think it's better to let her enjoy her happy life. There's no need to bring sadness into her happy story…"
I nodded quietly at her words.
"Alright. Let's go." (Arthur)
I snapped my fingers, and instantly a portal resembling a pitch-black vortex appeared beside me.
"When you pass through this portal, all of those endings will take place." (Arthur)
She calmly stared at the portal, then turned her gaze to the side, as if looking somewhere far away. Softly, she murmured.
"Goodbye… sister…"
After that, she slowly walked into the portal.
Once she had gone through, I turned my gaze toward the place she had been looking at.
"Until we meet again—if fate allows it…" (Arthur)
I then stepped into the portal myself.
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3rd POV
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Somewhere in place known as the Firmament of the Gods.
A white-haired, blue-eyed woman stood there, dressed in a white gown.
She seemed to sense something. Turning her head toward a certain direction, she stared as if looking at something in far away.
"Goodbye… I hope you find what you're looking for over there…"
She smiled faintly and whispered softly.
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