Chapter 659: Diverted Future and Different Present (1/2)
An indescribable silence enveloped the surroundings when Shiro-san stated something that completely overturns a situation. But then again, she is an airheaded God with a proven track record and reputation…… and not seeming to care about everyone at all, she lightly waved her finger.
Thereupon, a gigantic gate…… big enough for even Magnawell-san to pass through appeared, and with the same expressionless face as ever, Shiro-san spoke.
[The time of the world has been rewound a little. Today is the main festival of the once-in-a-decade Festival of Heroes. I'll explain the matter regarding the traveling between worlds later, so enjoy the Festival of Heroes first. Once you pass through the gate, you will be able to return to where you belong.]
Speaking of which, I forgot all about it because of the ordeal…… but today is the 30th day of the Heaven month. The day of the main festival of the once-in-a-decade Festival of Heroes.
Some of the people gathered here are in important positions in the world, such as the Six Kings and the Human Realm's rulers. I don't know how much time actually passed during this ordeal, but apparently, Shiro-san rewound the world's time back to midnight, before the ordeal started.
Opening a portal connected to the whole world…… Telling us that she would explain later what we could expect as a result of me overcoming the ordeal, Shiro-san turned her back to us and was about to leave…… but as if she remembered something, she stopped and looked back.
[……Ahh, also…… God of Fate.]
[ ! ? Y- Yes……]
When Shiro-san called her, Fate-san flinched…… and with her face turning pale, she moved in front of Shiro-san, dropped down on one knee and lowered her head.
Her body was trembling, looking as if she was a criminal awaiting her sentence. I don't know what happened between them, but I can't stand the sight of my lover, Fate-san, looking so frightened.
Thereupon, just as I was about to step towards Fate-san, Shiro-san spoke.
[……God of Fate…… No, Fate.]
[Hahh…… Eh? ……S- Shallow Vernal-sama…… referred to me…… by my name?]
As Fate-san looked up in surprise when Shiro-san called her by name, Shiro-san gave her a small smile.
[Splendid, you've been able to follow my true intentions and have grown wonderfully…… I'm proud of you.]
[ ! ? Ahh…… Ahh…… I- I'm unworthy…… of your praises.]
I didn't really understand what she meant with those words…… but I do know that Shiro-san was praising Fate-san.
Receiving her praise, Fate-san's voice trembled with emotion, and she deeply bowed her head, tears streaming down her face.
[God of Space and Time, God of Life.]
[ [ Hahh. ] ]
[I'm not saying that your choice was a mistake. But bearing witness to Fate's growth, your minds began to hesitate, didn't they? That perhaps, the answer Fate arrived in was the right one. That perhaps, you may have been mistaken…… However, not considering the hesitation within your heart, you quickly gave up on your hesitation itself. Thinking that ”it isn't in our position to think about such matters”……]
[ [ ……………….. ] ]
When Shiro-san's expression returned to her usual expressioness one, Chronois-san and Life-san only bowed their heads, not saying anything.
It seems like the both of them had something in mind about what Shiro-san had said.
[You are not puppets. Neither are the low-ranking Gods, nor the high-ranking Gods puppets…… I ”didn't create the Gods to be beings incapable of growth”. I'm not telling you to stop thinking. Hesitate about things. Worry about things. And then, discover the answer that you yourself am sure of. I'm not telling you to become just like Fate. Even if you end up with the same answer, the weight of your answers would be different if it's something you found after you stopped thinking about it. Find out who you are by yourselves, not by asking others about it…… I'm looking forward to your future growth.]
[ [ Hahh! ] ]
After saying those few words that seemed to guide not only Chronois-san and Fate-san…… but all the Gods, Shiro-san disappeared with the light.
It's just a guess, but even when Shiro-san's voice was inflectionless, I could tell from her words…… the warmth of a parent caring for her family of Gods.
As Shallow Vernal left, Alice exchanged words with Iris in her mind as she watched the people return to their original homes through the gate.
(Hmmm, for Shallow Vernal-sama to really not have any intention of doing that…… How unexpected~~)
(Sh*t it, that was one of the possibilities you foresaw. Why the heck are you saying this now……)
(Ahaha, well, I'm glad the matter is settled.)
(……In the end though, the last trump card you had prepared went to waste.)