The One Who Fights Against God

"Ri—"

The one who moved, the only one who could move, was Maal.

"Ria-chan!"

She aimed the already-loaded crossbow from her waist at Valis. That's right, she pointed a weapon at a god.

Everyone thought she would be killed with just a glance. However, Valis was tolerant.

The released arrow struck Valis' clothing and simply fell to the ground.

"Do not panic, little one."

Valis instead wore a smile that could even be called gentle.

From Ria's body, collapsed at her feet, an enormous amount of magical power was overflowing, concealing her form.

Maal had seen this phenomenon before.

Among those present, only Maal and Serge knew what was happening.

Magical power was materializing, covering Ria's body. That form, gleaming with a black luster, was unmistakably an egg.

Yes, a chrysalis stage to gain new power.

It was a repeat of what happened in Labyrinth City.

"Now then, I shall grant my blessings upon all of you as well."

Valis waved her hand. At that moment, everyone in the group felt the power within them surge explosively.

According to Serge's Identify, everyone's levels rose by ten at once, and various Skills were granted.

"Too much power would bring ruin instead. This much should suffice."

'This much,' she said so casually.

All kinds of resistances, ability value enhancement, healing and recovery rate increase. Those powers were merely 'this much.'

Truly the power of a god.

Compared to this, Labyrinth's power was nothing but an insect.

"Um, I'm sorry."

Maal bowed her head. She was so flexible that her forehead touched her knees.

Even though it was reflexive, she had shot an arrow at a being equal to a god.

"I do not mind."

Valis returned to her seat. Even among gods, her generosity was incomparable to those of Greek mythology.

"Now then, what will you do? If you have no other wishes, I shall send you to the surface."

The group looked at each other. There was nothing but puzzled faces.

Before a god, what should one ask for?

Any wish would likely be granted, but now that it came to it, nothing came to mind.

"Um…"

Timidly, Lulu raised her hand.

"For example, hypothetically speaking, can Valis-sama bring back the dead?"

"I can."

Valis answered in a tone that suggested it would be no trouble at all.

"However, it holds little meaning, and the compensation is great. It depends on the conditions."

"Could you bring back my grandfather who died four years ago?"

"I can. Something of that degree is not difficult."

"Wh-what would be the compensation?"

"Come here."

Valis beckoned, and Lulu approached timidly.

The fingertips that touched her forehead were cool.

"Your grandfather has already reincarnated. To tear out his soul from there, implant his scattered memories, regenerate his body, and revive him—all of that would be necessary. Do you wish for that?"

What Lulu wanted was nothing like that.

She just wanted to see him one more time. To meet him and say thank you.

"No…"

Souls reincarnate.

Even common folk believed this, and Valis had confirmed it as truth.

To bring back her grandfather from his new life for her own selfish reasons—that was something she must not do.

"U-um…"

Pushed forward by elbows from those around him, Gates stood up.

"My wife has fallen ill, so… could you heal her… right?"

"I can. Come here."

And the same thing was repeated once more.

After returning, Gates would be surprised to find his wife not only recovered but also returned to her youth, but that was a story for later.

In the same manner, everyone had their humble wishes granted.

Or they were taught that some things were better left unfulfilled.

Even immortality would be trivial with Valis' power.

But eventually, those who wished for it would come to beg for death.

So what they wished for was to have old wounds that wouldn't heal be healed, or to have their health restored.

Strangely, no one wished for money. They felt that wishing for something so materialistic would be a waste.

Only Serge wished for nothing.

No, his wish was for what came next.

"Then, I shall send you all to the surface."

"Um, if possible, could you send us to the town at the base of the mountain?"

Valis nodded magnanimously at Vargas' request.

"Um, what about Ria-chan…"

"Wait here for a while. When she hatches, my child shall deliver her."

"Would it be alright if I waited here?"

Maal wanted to wait. Last time, Serge had persuaded her, and she had returned alone first. This time, she wanted to stay by her side.

"Very well."

"Then I'll stay too. She'll need food and water."

Serge gave a suitable reason, but he originally wanted to stay to ask something.

The group, still somewhat dazed, vanished from the area via teleportation magic.

"I might be… a little hungry."

"Here."

While Maal began eating the bread Serge took out, Valis was stroking the horn of the child nestled against her.

Thinking about it, since it was her actual daughter, she must be precious to her as a mother. Whether the Divine Dragon had such an ordinary emotion as finding something cute was uncertain, but since she spoke of love, she should have affection for her child as well.

"Now then, child of man."

Though her gaze remained on her child, her voice was directed at Serge.

"You still have business with me, do you not?"

He had been seen through. That was only natural. Perhaps she could even read people's minds. No, perhaps it was best to assume she could.

"Yes, but first, one question."

He wasn't as scared as before. Part of it was getting used to her, but it was probably also because he had gained resistance against abnormalities that affected the mind.

"By any chance, are you a reincarnator?"

"Reincarnation, child of man…"

Valis spoke calmly.

"… refers to a robust soul transferring between fragile bodies and minds many times over. We Dragons remain in the same body until our souls wear away."

"Then why can you speak Japanese?"

Maal was startled by the unknown language suddenly coming from Serge's mouth. But for now, he needed the answer to this question.

"I have connected with that world's form many times. Learning its language is not difficult."

Valis also replied in Japanese.

Serge was confused.

Once, when he had spoken with Labyrinth, he had asked if he could return to his original world. He was flatly denied.

And now, she said she had connected with it many times.

Labyrinth had lived for one thousand years.

The Dark Dragon, who had lived for at least three thousand years, must have a different amount of knowledge.

"Um, how many years have you lived, exactly?"

"I do not know. However, shortly after this planet was born, I became aware that I am myself."

That would be several hundred million years, or perhaps several billion. Comparing it to Earth's history, that would be about how many years.

This was not a living creature. Not even a god. An existence. Simply something that was there.

Serge sighed.

He remembered being excited when it was decided that he would reincarnate into another world. It wasn't that he had no attachments to his previous life, but when told he could start a new life with a boost, he was genuinely happy.

He had dreamed of being unrivaled in magic like protagonists in manga and novels. In reality, he was almost killed by an Orc and was saved by Ria.

If this world were a story, the protagonist would be Ria. Or perhaps the hero who, while they hadn't met, was said to exist.

Among them, he had wanted to play an excellent supporting role.

And if things went well, land a beautiful wife!

… He had such dreams.

Serge was practical, an ordinary human.

Even if he received a talent for magic, his very mental makeup was different from the start.

It was about the strength of the soul. He could now understand why Ria had received 1012 Points and reincarnated into this world.

At first he thought she was a cheat, but seeing her fight against the Ogre King and then against the Cyclops, he realized he was mistaken.

Ria would have been strong even without anything. There was no doubt.

But even so, he didn't want to give up on his own potential.

He wanted to be overpowered too.

"Um, Valis-sama."

He dreamed of being active like a certain great mage from a certain adventure manga, and he didn't think that was asking too much.

"I would like you to grant me a Skill."

His wish was granted.

"Now then, next—"

Serge and Maal had returned to their seats and were watching the egg.

"I kept you waiting. Enter."

At those words, the two quickly turned toward the entrance.

No one was there.

No, it only appeared that way.

"Spirit magic…"

Maal's murmur reached Serge's ears. In the blink of an eye, a figure had appeared.

A sand-colored cloak with a hood covering their face.

An explorer, perhaps. But just one person.

Coming here alone—wouldn't that be impossible even for Ria? Even Ria had needed to rest.

The figure lowered their hood. Seeing the face that was revealed, the two instinctively put themselves on guard.

A beauty like a sculpture. Brown skin, long silver hair. And long, pointed ears.

"Dark elf…"

This time it was Serge who murmured.

Dark elves were members of the demon tribe. They were famous for having the highest magical power among the demon tribe.

And they had big breasts.

Unlike elves, dark elves had big breasts. This was actually common knowledge in this world.

Her attire beneath the cloak she removed was primarily white, but her ample chest stood out.

"It is an honor to meet you, Dark Dragon Valis-sama."

The dark elf knelt on the spot and announced herself in a clear voice.

"I am a retainer of His Majesty the Demon King, one of the Demon Generals. I am called Rei Bradford."

The moment he saw her, Serge had used Identify.

Level 40.

Impossible.

Though Serge wasn't a warrior, through his combat experience thus far, he believed he could gauge an opponent's strength to some degree from their presence.

The Identify Skill was telling him that the dark elf before him was merely Level 40.

Her ability values weren't particularly high either. As for her Skills, they were composed of scout-type Skills.

But the being before him should be stronger than Shizuna at the very least. She had that kind of presence. To begin with, at that level, she shouldn't be able to clear this labyrinth.

So Serge used a higher-ranked identify magic from the grimoire he'd received from Labyrinth.

It had no effect on the adult Dragons, but it had been able to see Ria's abilities.

At the time, he had been surprised by her unexpectedly low level and her ability values that didn't match it.

Divine Fathoming.

Though it still required a large amount of magical power, Serge used the magic without hesitation.

And then he understood. As expected, the demon tribe had been disguising their abilities.

Dark Elf-san was Level 138.

And her ability values and skills became clear.

Rather than a scout, she was more like an assassin. No, given how she had concealed herself, she wasn't the type to fight head-on.

But she was strong. Undoubtedly strong.

"So, what business do you have with me?"

Valis called out. There was no particular emotion in her voice. Even though the other party was a member of the demon tribe, moreover one of its leaders.

"I was merely investigating the human called Ria by my lord's order. However, if it is possible…"

The dark elf's voice was tinged with desperation.

"In the coming Millennium, I wish to receive your assistance for my lord."

"That is no good. No, it is impossible."

Valis' answer was merciless.

"To begin with, I do not know what your lord is thinking. An ex-hero Demon King—there is only one in my memory."

Eh?

"W-w-w-w-w-wait a moment! Excuse me for interrupting, but please wait!"

Serge had unintentionally cut in. He was flustered. He was stunned.

"Eh? The Demon King is the king of the demon tribe, right? And a hero is born or summoned from another world to defeat him, right? What the heck is an ex-hero Demon King!?"

Yes, it was a tale that even children in the countryside knew.

In the Millennium, the one who defeats the Demon King is the hero. The one who protects humanity from the demon tribe's invasion is the hero.

They are either born having received the blessings of the gods, or summoned by magic left behind by the gods.

Generally, in the end, the hero marries a princess and lives happily ever after.

There should have been a hero. The Demon King should have been defeated.

"One thousand years ago, a hero was summoned."

Despite having her conversation interrupted, Valis showed no sign of being offended and answered.

"Together with Anaia and the others, he defeated the Demon King, and afterward became the next Demon King."

Her tone suggested that was all there was to it, as if there was nothing questionable about it whatsoever.