Well, I guess this is D’s dimension, right?
It’s probably not hard to teleport herself around in it.
It’s still kinda crazy that she pulled it off without me even noticing, though.
Also, is she casually reading my mind again or what?
“Oh, honestly. I wasn’t expecting you to make it all the way here. This place is technically quite far away from that world, you know.”
Ah, that makes sense. It was kinda hard to teleport here.
But I was able to use the little clone I stuck on Yamada as a guide to make my way here anyway.
At least you’re good for something, Yamada.
I’m still mad at you for messing up my big once-in-a-lifetime battle, though.
Hey, how was that geezer able to teleport all the way to this dimension anyway?
“Why, I made it easier to get here from the system core, of course.”
So you ARE reading my mind?!
“Oh well. I suppose this means you’ve cleared the bonus stage. I received the minimum amount of damage required, after all. And I didn’t specify who had to defeat me, so even an intruder like you gets the right to win the bonus. Congratulations.”
Looking less than amused, D produces a chair from out of nowhere and sits down.
Wait a minute, that’s a gaming chair…
“Umm…what? Okaaaay…”
The Demon Lord is standing there awkwardly, like someone whose target disappeared while her fist was still raised in the air.
I guess that is basically what happened.
But look, you were totally dead set on dying if I didn’t show up, weren’t you?
I can’t be having that, missy.
Be a good girl and live out the rest of your life span, thank you very much.
Look, your daughters are even hanging off your legs like “please don’t die, mom”…wait, HELLO?!
Ael, Sael, Riel, Fiel! Where the hell are your outer shells, huh?!
You girls are way too old to be out and about in your birthday suits! Have you no shame?!
I swear, I take my eyes off you people for one second, and suddenly everything gets weird…
“Could you not act like the sane one here when you’re the weirdest of all?”
…Is it just me, or are you being a little extra tetchy today, Ms. D?
Are you a little mad, by any chance?
“I’m not mad.”
Oh, she’s totally mad.
“I said I’m not mad.”
Okay, I get it. U mad. U mad, bro. OUGH?!
“That’s enough of that, thank you.”
What the hell was that?! Something just hit me and I don’t even know what it was?!
“Erm…”
While I’m doubled over in agony, someone quietly addresses D.
It’s Black.
Yep, he teleported here along with me.
Although he apparently transformed into a scarecrow in the process, since he was just standing there being useless while I laid the beatdown on D.
“Could someone explain what’s happening here?”
“What, that thing didn’t tell you?”
Great. Now I’m a thing.
“Only bits and pieces. This one refuses to speak to me normally…”
What, so you only got “bits and pieces” out of my desperate attempt to get through to you? I’m hurt, dude.
“Let me explain from the beginning, then.”
D proceeds to explain how she was planning to destroy half of humanity, how she offered to save the world if we could defeat her as a bonus for making it all the way here, and so on.
Gotta say, I think saving the world as a “bonus” is a pretty major sign that your priorities are waaay out of whack.
We’ve all been struggling like crazy to find a way to set the world straight somehow, and D just casually drops that she can fix everything if she feels like it, y’know?
See?! Even Black is staring at her like she’s got three heads!
“Well, I suppose I am fairly satisfied, even if I’m not thrilled with how sloppy things got at the end.”
Makes sense. It sure seems like she got her kicks, judging by how beat-up Vampy, Mr. Oni, and the others all look.
I mean, Yamada’s practically on the verge of death.
It must be that damned Divine Protection of his that made things go so smoothly in such a strange direction, right?
I bet it nudged everything to go along with his stupid “I’m not giving up!” move.
Otherwise it never would’ve all worked out in such a convenient way.
…I guess I was right to be wary of Yamada.
“Well then, I will set the goddess Sariel free. As for the system, I’ll pump energy into it until it reaches its natural end. Everyone’s skills and stats should fade away gradually on their own. That ought to keep the negative effects of losing them to a minimum, I’m sure.”
“Thank you.”
Black bows so deeply, his forehead practically hits the ground.
“Officially, I’ll still be in charge of that world, but from this point on I will participate very little. Güliedistodiez, you will take the lead from this point on. I assume you’re all right with that?”
“Yes.”
“And please don’t come crying to me if anything else happens. I got what I wanted out of that world, so I’ve lost interest. You’ll have to protect it on your own.”
“…Very well.”
“Of course, one single god does not a world make. The creatures that live there also have the power to make it better, or worse. Make sure you don’t forget that.”
The representatives of humanity nod at this statement from D.
Wait a sec, are the pontiff and Natsume gonna be okay? They’re totally soaked in blood…
“All right, this means you’ve completed the world quest.”
✦ ✦ ✦
<World Quest complete. The world has been saved.>
✦ ✦ ✦
Looks like she sent out an announcement from the Divine Voice (temp).
What’s more, this will probably be the last time the Divine Voice is ever heard in that world.
“With that, the time has come to say good-bye. I doubt we’ll ever meet again, but do take care of yourselves, one and all.”
When D finishes speaking, teleportation runes appear beneath everyone’s feet but mine.
Hmm? Wait, why don’t I get one?
Oh well, that’s fine.
I’ll just teleport back myself, like so.
“And where do you think you’re going? You work for me now.”
Come again?
“Congratulations. You’ve earned the right to officially belong to me as my kin. Please, hold your applause.”
Huh? When did I agree to that?
“I told you, didn’t I? I have no intention of letting you go.”
She grabs my shoulder tightly.
Uh, I don’t think I can get out of this one…
Wait a sec! No one told me I’d be saying good-bye to the Demon Lord and everyone else right this second!
Aaaah, no, wait!
The teleportation runes are about to activate?!
“Welp! Thanks for everything, White!”
“Thank YOU!”
I shout my thanks at the top of my lungs, since this is apparently my last chance.
And I wave like crazy, while I’m at it.
The Demon Lord even waves back.
Then the teleportation is complete, and everyone gets sent back to that world.
Leaving me alone with the evil god…
Um, hello?
How come I get stuck with the bad ending?