Chapter 148

“H-how many times are you going to watch that?” “Until I’m satisfied. Who knows if a simulation like this is going to help, though? The Demon Lord has probably evolved into something incomparable.” …Seiya reviews the battle ten times in a row after that. Before long, the sun sets, and the room grows dark. “Hey, um…Seiya? You’re going to ruin your eyesight like that.” “Even so, I still need to do this.” Ishtar timidly speaks up: “I could loan you the crystal ball if you would like.” “I appreciate it. I would need to borrow it for around a week. Is that okay?” “A-an entire week…? V-very well…” This isn’t a video rental shop! Does he seriously plan on borrowing it for that long?! Even Ishtar seems taken aback! But Seiya casually holds the magic item under his arm and says: “By the way, I’d like to ask your opinion while I’m here. Let’s imagine the Demon Lord has completely powered himself up. Do you think it’s possible for him to have an attack power of two million or more?” “While he may be the Demon Lord, he is still a living creature. I could not imagine him having attributes greater than yours in your berserker state.” “I see.” “However, I am worried. I feel as if something is going to happen that goes…beyond normality—something unrelated to status attributes.” “I have already prepared as best as I can in that regard.” With that, Seiya turns on his heel and leaves, so I bow to Ishtar and retire from the room as well. “H-hey, Seiya? How much longer do you plan on analyzing the Demon Lord?” “It’s gonna be awhile. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.” “Oh… Okay.” My life is on the line here, so there’s no reason for me to rush him. Soon after, we go our separate ways. A few more days pass. Adenela, Jonde, and Kiriko are crossing blades in the plaza today as well, but Adenela suddenly stops and smirks. “Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh. G-good work. Y-you have completed y-your training.” “Thank you so much!” “K-Kiriko, y-you will a-always be my pupil.” Kiriko is filled with glee as Adenela pats her head. I rush over to congratulate them. “Jonde, Kiriko! Did you learn Eternal Sword?” “Yes!” “Wow, Kiriko! You’re amazing! Jonde, you too, right?” “…Yes.” “Hmm? What’s wrong? You don’t look so happy.” “Goddess, what is the Hero doing right now?” “He’s using a crystal ball to analyze his last fight against the Demon Lord.” “I see. But ten days have passed since we came to the spirit world.” “Oh… Has it already been that long?” Now that he mentions it, this might be the longest we’ve ever stayed here. Usually, Seiya would give a firm timeline and train for about three or four days. “I-it’ll be fine, though! Time moves slower in the unified spirit world, after all!” “You still have to draw the line somewhere. Countless people in Ixphoria are suffering because of the Demon Lord.” Ixphoria is Jonde’s home, so of course, I can understand why he’s worried. “But this is going to be the final battle, right? Just let him do his thing.” “Hmm…” While trying to calm Jonde down, I notice Seiya walking in the distance. What the…?! I thought he was analyzing the fight! Jonde is going to be pissed if he sees Seiya wandering around. I decide to sneak away from the café and follow the Hero. He’s usually hyperaware of his surroundings, so I make sure to keep plenty of distance as I tail him. Now that I think about it, I guess I’ve become a little more cautious as well. I follow Seiya until we arrive at the base of the secluded celestial mountains. Countless tombstones populate the otherwise deserted space. Yes, Seiya has chosen to visit that eerie cemetery, and floating in front of him now is the Goddess of Ghosts, Nephitet, with a triangular piece of cloth on her forehead. What in the world does he need from her now? He already mastered Ghost Buster… I hide behind a tree and spy on him from afar. “Nephitet, I want to ask you something.” “Yes?” “You said that some deities consider eternal life a curse, so they willingly choose death, right?” “Yes, Eternal Beings.” “What happens to their souls after they die?” “All things are in a state of flux. That includes the spirits of humans, deities, and even monsters. Once a spirit is released from its shackles, it is free.” “Does that mean it’s reborn?” “I cannot say for sure. Some spirits are reborn while some are not. However, there is no way to find out unless the spirit is freed. And being free is far better than being trapped for an eternity.” “I see.” Seiya then turns around and walks away. I hold my breath as I watch him go. Th-there’s no doubting it now! He’s thinking about what to do after I die! The thought of imminent death turns my entire body pale as my legs tremble.