Chapter 548

"That's true, but things have come to a point where simply erasing the concept isn't enough to solve the problem."

For Metatron, this was a declaration that she was about to face something more painful than death, but she felt no resentment about it.

Although it was somewhat presumptuous, Metatron even hoped that God would personally torture him to kill him.

However, the next sentence that came from Novia's mouth--

"Although you wanted to do that, you ultimately didn't accomplish anything, so let's just leave it at that."

Such a sound.

He didn't understand what He meant—but this inexplicable surge of emotion wasn't the first time Metatron had experienced it.

"Do you mean... I should pretend nothing happened?"

"Of course not, lift your head."

Hearing Novia say this, Metatron did so with trepidation, and this was the first time she had truly internalized Novia's image.

In the former Kingdom of Heaven, the only one who could look up and see the face of God and enjoy this glory was 'Queen of Heaven Shekinah', created by humankind's legends about God.

As the last rays of sunlight touched his eyelids, Metatron realized he was involuntarily shedding tears, Serenity astonishment enveloping the Scribe of Kingdom of Heaven.

No, the tears streaming down my face now are so ominous...

Why would I do such a thing?

No, I know that, and it is precisely because I understand this that I feel pain.

Metatron wanted to wipe it clean quickly, but a subconscious fear gripped her. In that brief moment of thought—

"Don't cry. Although Metatron, you're a very bad boy, and I've said that no matter how good you are to Mommy, I won't forgive you easily, please don't cry anymore."

Previously, Metatron had utterly despised the Mesopotamia Primordial Mother Goddess. This petite woman appeared before Metatron at some point, reaching out her robes to wipe away Metatron tears. Metatron sensed an unusual aura emanating from her at that moment; her twinkling Crimson star-like eyes held a mixture of innocent curiosity and a strange tenderness.

In fact, Metatron only now noticed that Tiamat seemed to have a very good relationship with the gods.

Perhaps sensing her thoughts, Novia spoke up, "Although you didn't accomplish anything, it's a fact that you severely injured Tiamat."

"Terribly sorry."

"N-no, it's alright. It hurts a lot, but it wasn't a fatal wound..."

"You're spoiling her too much, Tiamat."

"Metatron's situation is rather complicated. To be honest, we can't just jump to conclusions like that. Besides, no matter how you look at it, it's related to you, Novia!"

"..."

"Waaah, Novia, are you listening to me?"

"Wow, Tiamat, Novia is just kidding you."

"Eh? Sorry, the Americas's First Sun, I can't pretend I didn't hear you. At times like these, it's best to remain silent like a petty person, just like your Master does."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Rasputin, could you please say that again? I didn't hear you."

"If you wish, I can repeat it in your ear all day long, Lord Jaguar Man."

"Huh? What did you say? You want to go outside and get into a fight?!"

"Oh, you guys are going to fight? Really?"

This conversation, which included Novia, seemed utterly unreal to Metatron.

She felt both happy and somewhat lonely, overwhelmed with mixed emotions, but in the end she straightened up and began to talk to Tiamat.

"In that case, please punish me."

In that case, whether it's the old Flame Whip or some other punishment, or even like what I just did, signaling to myself to be punched all over my body, it's all acceptable.

Metatron thought so.

After all, this is atonement before God.

"Alright then. Well, anyway, that's what I'm planning to do, Mom. I would have done it even if you hadn't said anything."

Tiamat snorted and said with great enthusiasm.

Then, she tiptoed and gently patted Metatron's head.

"Alright, punishment complete! We must oppose Violence against children, regardless of their good or bad deeds."

Although it appeared to be just that on the surface, the reality was far from what Metatron had imagined, making her somewhat uneasy and uncomfortable. The intense unease was hard for her to accept, and naturally, wanting 'real punishment,' she subconsciously looked towards Novia to the side.

That look seemed to say, "Is this really okay?"

Novia nodded in response, as if to say that was fine.

How should I put it? In his current memory, it felt like this was the right way to treat Metatron.

After all, this guy seemed to have always harbored expectations of him, as if he wanted him to deal with her personally...

For some reason, Novia felt that if she really gave in to her wishes, Metatron would likely become quite troublesome in the future, so she decided to give up on her idea; this torture was about enough.

That's why Novia made that decision.

After receiving permission from Novia, Metatron bowed to Tiamat.

"Thank you for your understanding, Tiamat."

"Great! Mom, I was worried Metatron even at a time like this, you'd still want to show your most rebellious side!" Tiamat put her hands on her hips, then, as if remembering something, continued, "Also, by the way, Metatron, why did you say those things about Lilitu? That was a bit much, wasn't it? There must be some misunderstanding between you two."

Upon hearing the name Tiamat Lilitu, Metatron, who had just calmed down, immediately lost control again.

"Because she is inherently cruel and ruthless, literally Evil, so why are you defending her, Tiamat?"

Tiamat was somewhat at a loss when faced with Metatron, who would explode at the mere mention of Lilitu.

"Because Lilitu is a good girl and she's super nice to me, her mom!"

"... Don't you know what that guy did before that?"

"What did she do? But she probably didn't mean any harm, so I'll forgive her."

Metatron was speechless for a moment, after all, it was just speculation; only God and Lilith knew the truth, and maybe even... Asherah.

Although Tiamat was indeed on good terms with the gods, she showed support for Lilith, which Metatron found very strange.

Would that guy be nice to anyone else? After all, her stance is quite firm.

"... Yes, then let's do as you said, Tiamat."

In short, Metatron gave a rather perfunctory agreement to Tiamat's words, then left the Holy Seat behind and departed.

She had originally intended to say something more to Novia, but seeing that Novia didn't react, she left on her own.

That's right, that's exactly how it is.

For Metatron, this was the original rule.

Simply by praying, wishing, and gazing, one is already in a state of happiness.

Immediately afterwards, Tezcatlipoca and Daybit suggested going to see other places in Cape Canaveral, and Rasputin said he would go with them. In short, only Tiamat and Novia remained in the original space.

"Wow, this Throne looks so comfortable."

Tiamat then eagerly surrounded the Holy Seat left behind by Metatron.

"If you'd like to sit down, then sit down."

"Is it okay? Metatron said this is for super-great people, something very important, is it really okay?"

"Why are you making so many demands...?"

Novia seemed somewhat exasperated by Tiamat's persistent questioning, and then simply sat down on the Holy Seat.

"Whether it's great or important, since it's already laid out here, saying more would be rather tactless."

Novia extended her hand to Tiamat, and the Sun ring adorning the back of the Holy Seat See shone brilliantly, like the rising sun.

"And have you forgotten why I initially sought you out? Sitting here provides enough energy."

When Novia first met Tiamat, her idea was to have her rebuild the ecosystem of the FR world.

With marine animals completely extinct, flora and fauna nearly extinct, sea levels rising daily, and few cities remaining worldwide, it all seems like the perfect time for Tiamat to make its move.

"Yes, that's true."

And so the two sat on the Holy Seat.

However, just as Tiamat was about to transform the ecosystem, Novia asked her curiously:

"By the way, Tiamat, how did you come to know Lilitu?"

Lilitu, also known as Lilith of Mesopotamia, was active during the time of Gilgamesh Lilitu, according to Novia's memories. Therefore, Tiamat was already in the Imaginary Number Space, should not have been able to meet her.

"Because Lilitu once came to see me in the Imaginary Number Space."

"At that time, with an expression that was half-crying and half-laughing, she said something strange to me: 'I don't understand, she's actually this kind of person,' she was very hostile towards me..."

"But later on, our relationship became very good! To put it bluntly, she's like a child, isn't she? Although she always acts like a bad guy, she's surprisingly fragile and worries me a lot!"

"If you ever see Novia again, you'll probably be very worried!"

Conceptual matter falls and accumulates continuously, like a tower formed of light, with several links connecting the world while swaying. Perhaps a waterfall would be a more accurate metaphor.

Metatron, who chose to leave, is now flying in this very space.

"Pfft!"

Sudden,

The sound of the sky being torn apart—no, shattered, the world instantly breaking apart, seemed to shatter the laws of the world.

Suddenly, a powerful impact slammed into Metatron's chest. She choked violently, closed her eyes without making a sound, and fainted. Then, Pa slapped her repeatedly across the face.

"Oh dear, why are you still sleeping? That won't do for Angel."

The next instant, a heat equivalent to being struck by lightning pierced Metatron's chest.

"Huh? It looks like you're gliding. I thought I was seeing things, so I just called."

Metatron was pinned to the ligature like a specimen, only then realizing that she had been pierced by a flying Pink Greatsword.

"You..."

This was no ordinary sword. Metatron sensed that his power had been destroyed at its Root. There could only be one such being—

"Lilith!"

A silver-haired woman with wings intertwined with white and crimson and Demon horns squatted in front of the nailed Metatron and spoke with great interest.

"Oh? Isn't this Little Jehovah? What brings you here now?"

Lilith, formerly Baalat (the mistress) Anat of Canaan, Culprit who caused Queen of Heaven Shekinah's fall, and the traitorous mother of Kingdom of Heaven.

"If I weren't in such a bad state right now, you damn it—"

Before Metatron could finish speaking, Lilith gracefully patted her head, her expression turning very serious.

"Well, because it manifests as a Lesser God, it feels like the god is a person, very lonely... In that case, it's the Lesser God who is paired with the god, right?"

"Hey, wait, what are you saying?"

Lilith did not answer the question.

Her eyes were fixed on Metatron, yet she seemed not to see him at all.

She revealed Metatron's secret as if she had witnessed it herself.

No, it's more like—it's like reminiscing about one's own past.

So,

Lilith smiled.

He smiled happily in front of Metatron.

"What a pity, Metatron, you couldn't get it out there? Just like that girl Shekinah. You should have gone and delivered it; that way you'd know despair."

After a brief pause, strange black light gathered in Lilith's hand and traveled along the Greatsword that pierced Metatron to the body of the Scribe of Kingdom of Heaven.

"What the hell are you doing, you bastard! Stop it right now!"

Metatron was furious, his face ashen.