His will.
Absolutely.
It won’t break.
* * *
─Yeah, that’s right.
The Sovereign God, watching Kail’s battle, smiled as he gazed at Kail’s sword shining brilliantly white.
It was a flare signaling the manifestation of human will capable of achieving anything.
─You don’t need anyone’s help. Only what you achieve yourself holds meaning.
Defeating a god with divine assistance holds little significance. In fact, the Evil God defeated with the Sovereign God’s help didn’t truly die. Once healed, it would return anytime.
Of course, that would take an incredibly long time. During which, the Sovereign God could enjoy his miniature garden to his heart’s content.
Just like how souls lost by the Evil God never returned—defeating a god-like entity with divine aid is meaningless.
─Only then can you obtain what you desire.
The Sovereign God sent a prayer toward Kail. Direct support was impossible, but this much was achievable.
Praying from a god to a human—a completely backwards act, but so be it.
* * *
Kail’s sword, reacting to his will, sparkled. The Aura, which usually shone dazzlingly, now began to gleam like the sun itself.
Its luminosity was so immense that even Mercurius, fighting against him, furrowed his brow momentarily, and even Kail himself flinched while swinging the sword.
“Huh-!?”
Squinting from the bursting light, Kail cautiously looked down at his own sword. A pure white blade gleamed there.
Instinctively, Kail realized something had changed. What should he call it? Aura Blade? Or perhaps something beyond that?
This was none of those. It couldn’t be described in such terms. It was his heart, his very will incarnate.
“─Here I go.”
His body felt light. The wounds he had sustained from the fight vanished as if they were never there. His body shot forward faster than ever before, swinging the sword with incredible speed.
Mercurius couldn’t react to the speed, losing one arm. This wasn’t like when fingers were severed during the Superior Blade strike.
Unlike back then, when he intentionally allowed hits for self-defense, Mercurius now wore a look of shock, not expecting to actually get hit.
“Tch-! You fool!”
Seeing his severed arm, Mercurius unleashed his divine power—one of many he possessed—the authority to steal another’s divine powers.
The divine power of Hermes, the god of thieves.
But astonishingly, his power didn’t activate. Bewildered, Mercurius hesitated upon realizing one possibility.
‘Could it be…… this isn’t divine power?’
Simply.
A manifestation of the heart.
The blade of will.
It pierces through a god.
Witnessing the unbelievable reality, Mercurius screamed in convulsion.
“This can’t be! How dare a mere human!”
Enraged, Mercurius reached out to directly target Kail’s soul. Even if he exuded godly power, it wouldn’t matter. If he shattered Kail’s soul here─!
[Access Denied]
“What-!”
System interference. Realizing the absolute will behind it, Mercurius roared into the air.
“Ha! What happened to your promise of non-interference!”
Swish-!
His left arm was severed.
“How dare you interfere now that I’m about to lose!?”
Both legs were cut off.
“This can’t be happening! Sovereign God, don’t forget you could end up like this too! File a formal protest!”
─Hmm… sorry about that.
At that moment, the Sovereign God, who had been watching their battle, cautiously revealed himself behind Kail, unseen by the focused swordsman.
─I owe him. That can’t happen.
“To owe a mere human!? Ridiculous! Even if I did owe him—there’s no reason I’d have to honor it─!”
─Are you really saying that? Do you understand how you ended up like this?
“Ugh……!”
Mercurius had made a contract with a human, and adhering to it led to this state. Of course, he wasn’t at fault. If any other deity had done this, they would’ve faced punishment from universal systems and gods of other worlds.
But humans. Especially a mere native like Kail Meyer, committing such acts was different.
Just as no one blames a stray cat for demolishing a building.
If a human raises a blade against a god, the system doesn’t punish the human. Instead, they’d be mocked as fools for seeking others’ help.
“─Damn it, damn it all-!”
Dozens of divine powers erupted, the countless myths and world powers accumulated over eons burst forth.
Among them were powers to summon ancient heroes, regenerate severed limbs, and gain strength equal to mythological gods—but.
All of them were erased by just one human hand.
“Kail, Kail Meyer─!”
“Why do you keep calling me─ I’m dying here…!”
Kail chuckled, seeing Mercurius scream his name while desperately wielding the blade of will.
Suddenly, he remembered the offer Mercurius once made. What was it again? Right…….
“Mercurius, I have a counteroffer.”
“Damn you, damn brat─!”
“Release Sera’s soul and give up your life. That’s my first offer.”
An absurd proposal. But with his life on the line, Mercurius listened, hoping for a way out.
Holding his breath, Mercurius leaned in as Kail smirked.
“Second offer. Just give up your life and leave. I’ll handle Sera myself!”
“You─ deceiving me─! You wretch. I’ll never forgive you……!”
“Go ahead, try!”
The end approached. Human will isn’t infinite. The second law of thermodynamics dictates perpetual motion doesn’t exist, and neither does endless spirit.
However, sustaining the blade further wasn’t necessary. Holding the glowing white sword, Kail stared at Mercurius.
“Sorry for the trash talk earlier. Farewell.”
“You─.”
Whoosh-!
A brilliant white starlight cleaved through the universe. His physical form, mind, and soul crafted from divine powers—all obliterated.
It was over.
Kail Meyer collapsed, looking at Sera’s distant soul with a satisfied smile.
“Damn woman…… messing with one childhood friend led to all this suffering…….”
His exhausted body forcibly shut down. Kail lost consciousness and fell.
Only the cold vastness of space remained, slowly sapping away warmth.
* * *
[……Honor the contract, Kail Meyer. Wasn’t there a promised soul─.]
─Ahem, let him sleep. Talk to me instead?
[Sov, Sovereign God! How did you get here……!]
Awakened by the commotion between the Sovereign God and a demon, Kail glared at the pristine figure of the Sovereign God standing before him.
“……Sovereign God?”
─Long time no see, Kail Meyer.
“What are you doing here?”
It had been a while since he last saw the Sovereign God. He was the same being who hadn’t lifted a finger despite Kail asking for help through the Virgin Saintess to save Sera.
Damn it. After everything I’ve done for you, you couldn’t even help with that?
His reappearance now, after everything was over, was especially infuriating. Who did he think he was showing up here?
─Don’t think like that. I have my reasons.
“Reasons, huh? What reasons?”
─Reasons I cannot disclose. Secrets must remain hidden…….
“Ahh, whatever. Fine. From now on, I won’t help either. Fair enough?”
The Sovereign God grimaced at Kail’s words. Considering Kail’s strength, harboring ill will towards him was a significant issue.
After all, Kail possessed the power and authority to wipe out every believer of the Sovereign God. If he wanted, he could erase the very name “Believer Sect” from existence.
If that happened, the Sovereign God would lose all means of interfering with his miniature garden. No more fun games. Watching a model world without interaction would be boring.
─That’s problematic…… alright. Kail Meyer, let’s make a deal.
“A deal? What deal after everything’s over?”
─Over? This isn’t the end. On the contrary. The epilogue has just begun.
“……Epilogue just beginning?”
─Look over there.
The Sovereign God pointed at Sera’s soul, her essence resembling a gemstone.
Gesturing toward the awkwardly exposed soul, the Sovereign God asked Kail how to handle the gem.
─She’s currently in soul form. Do you know how to restore her to her original state?
“Take her to Merlin or Rizelotte and ask for help.”
─Are you certain? Can you guarantee those two know how to restore a soul to human form?
He couldn’t guarantee it. Merlin was a great sorcerer but struggled with a second soul within him his entire life, making him clueless about souls. Rizelotte knew much about spirits, but she likely didn’t know how to turn a soul back into a human.
To begin with, she was just an ordinary person sealed in cursed land centuries ago by a Black Mage. Her ability to command spirits came instinctively from commanding the abundant souls in that land.
“……So basically, if we leave her like this, Sera can’t be restored?”
─I didn’t say that. But it would take an incredibly long time. And…… having a soul trapped like that isn’t good for her mental state.
“Damn it. Same difference.”
If they left her like this, Sera might break. All his hard-fought victory against Mercurius would be for nothing.
Realizing this, Kail glared at the Sovereign God and spoke.
“So? What do you want?”
─Two things. First, establish the Believer Sect as the empire’s main religion.
“That’s easy. It’s practically already the case…… what’s the second?”
─Easier still. Take the Virgin Saintess as your wife.
“What?”
Kail stared incredulously at the Sovereign God after hearing such an absurd request.
“Not only is that harder, why me? With her looks and figure, she could have any man she wants.”
─I don’t know. But she calls your name every day, crying out loud…… don’t you find that annoying?
“I don’t care…… not my problem. Besides, I’m already married.”
─Not my concern. You took the Virgin Saintess’s purity, so take responsibility. Whether as a main wife or concubine, it makes little difference to you.
Unable to stop his hollow laughter, Kail nodded begrudgingly.
With the agreement settled, the Sovereign God took Sera’s soul from Kail’s arms and opened a gate to the mortal realm.
─You go first. I’ll ensure this soul is properly handled and sent down.
“……Keep your promise. If you don’t, I’ll personally show you the consequences.”
─Don’t worry about me. Worry about keeping your own promises.
“Alright, got it.”
Kail gave Sera one last worried glance before jumping into the gate. A strong force pulled at his body, and he lost consciousness.
‘Ah, how many times have I passed out today…….’
He thought this with surprising calmness.
* * *
Kail Meyer awoke on the mortal plane to Yuri looking down at him with a worried expression. He greeted her with a warm smile.
Yuri, seeing Kail awake, sprang up and slapped his cheek. Kail winced at the stinging pain, wearing a bewildered expression.
“Suddenly, what…….”
“─Why didn’t you just die there? Then I could’ve died cleanly too.”
“Hey, isn’t that a bit harsh for a husband who just came back?”
“……You should’ve died. Then I could’ve given up and followed you.”
Yuri suddenly burst into tears, recalling how Kail had left without a word to hunt Mercurius. Silently, Kail embraced her.
Holding both his son and their unborn second child in her belly, Kail patted Yuri’s back and apologized.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
“Next time, just die already. Then I’ll follow you. Got it?”
“And who’ll raise our kids?”
“If they’re going to grow up without a father anyway…….”
“Hey- the kids are listening?”
Kail covered Yuri’s mouth, apologizing as he stroked her head before standing up.
Something had just fallen in the mansion garden. He could sense it with his Aura.
Taking Yuri, who tilted her head curiously, Kail headed to the garden. There, he found Sera in her school uniform, smiling.
“A, ahaha- hi……?”
“You’re back?”
“Uh, yeah. So…….”
“Hungry? Let’s eat first.”
“S, sure?”
Scratching the back of her head awkwardly, Sera entered the mansion. Yuri watched Kail with astonished eyes, silently asking if he succeeded.
Kail turned around without a word. An indescribable surge filled his chest.
