Chapter 576

In German, 'father' contains 'a', while 'sin' contains 'i'. As for the Holy Spirit, its pronunciation is neither purely 'i' nor purely 'a', but a unique combination.

In short,

In the ancient Germans understanding, the sound "i" was often associated with positive words such as light, joy, and the heavens, while "a" was often associated with negative concepts such as abyss, sorrow, and depravity.

The change from Sam-i-el to Sam-a-el, a seemingly insignificant vowel shift in the name, symbolizes the fall from divine light to the fury of the abyss.

This bears a striking resemblance to the Great God's past.

Of course, Samiel is not Samael.

After all, Magic Bullet Shooter is just a Phantasmal Spirit, nothing more. The Devil as the villain is at most a secondary creation based on human fear and imagination of fallen Angel.

However, it is true that Samiel and Samael have some connection.

Wrath – believing that the actions of the one in heaven are wrong.

Gluttony – believing that the teachings of the One in Heaven are wrong.

Gluttony and Wrath, these two original sins, form the core of the Magic Bullet Shooter - Seventh Shot, which is why it was able to hit Novia.

As for why it only self-destructed inside Erice's body before...

The reason is simple.

Aside from the fact that Novia wasn't present at the time, causing the bullets to miss their intended "desperate" target, the main reason was Erice's own unique characteristics.

Utsumi Erice is the Lord's Mind, Poimandres.

So, in Novia's absence, who in the world could be more suitable for this definition than Erice?

Just then, a soft laugh broke the tense atmosphere as Erice and Novia stared at each other in the Hall.

"Yay, I didn't expect Erice to find out even now." Lilith's voice was laced with laughter. "Erice must be feeling terrible right now, probably about to faint from anger."

Erice didn't speak.

He didn't even move his eyes an inch, still staring intently at Novia, as if he wanted to burn two holes in him with his gaze.

"Oh right, I think there's something I need to tell Erice..."

Lilith wasn't annoyed by this; she simply moved closer to Erice as she spoke, extending a slender finger to gently tap the tip of Erice's nose.

"After thinking about it, I realize I'm actually kind of Erice's mother, yeah, that's it."

This isn't Lilith making things up; it's the truth.

Because the Angel Conceptual Dress 'Samael / Kamael' is based on the materialization of Lilith's deeds, it is not an exaggeration to say that Lilith is the mother of Wrath. And over the long years, the 'source' of this power will, like dandelion seeds, sow countless 'factors' across the Europe.

This is similar to the end of the Age of Gods.

All Dragon Kind on the land of Western Europe can trace their bloodline back to the strongest Pureblood Dragon, the Greece Primordial Dragon Typhon. They were all born from the "factors" he lost.

Samiel and Samael had this kind of relationship.

Therefore, Erice, who embodies the concept of "Magic Bullet Shooter," can be considered the child of "Wrath." Consequently, it is not inappropriate for Lilith, the mother of "Wrath," to claim that she is Eri's mother.

This time Erice responded.

"No."

Erice turned her head abruptly.

"No, that's not true."

The girl's resolute and vehement denial of this claim was not solely due to her clear knowledge that her mother was Izanami.

Instead, she simply couldn't imagine how she would face her Grandmother if she accepted this absurd truth.

How should we face this, Manazuru Chitose?

Lilith, Kama, Melusine, and even that lazy, seemingly lost-in-thought Sloth... these guys are like pampered cripples. But for Erice, it doesn't really matter, since they are ultimately just external beings and won't shake the foundation.

However, things are different now, Chitose.

Manazuru Chitose is her Grandmother.

Utsumi Erice in this world whom he dislikes but also respects and finds hard to part with. Those who are not familiar with Erice will call her Masato's granddaughter.

The thought of Chitose made Erice's heart feel like a tangled ball of yarn, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find a single thread to untangle.

Erice knows.

She had always known that Chitose liked Novia, ever since she saw Chitose meet Novia; she just felt she could try to stop it.

Not long ago, during that rushed video call, the scene that Erice had witnessed before her eyes flashed before her eyes once again—

The girl who always exuded a strong Nostalgia, with Silver Hair and wearing Black Sailor Uniform in the Meiji Era, had somehow transformed into Chitose with black hair exactly like her.

It's not just about hair color.

That hairstyle, that length, even the slight curl at the ends, were Utsumi Erice's.

And that face.

The expression on that face, which should have been cold and dignified, was a complex mix of girlish shyness, unease, and anticipation.

Looking back now, Erice belatedly realized that wasn't that the very expression she desperately tried to hide every time she faced the Demon King, yet it always unconsciously slipped out?

Could it be that...

An even more absurd and terrifying thought uncontrollably emerged from Erice's chaotic thoughts.

Could it be that Novia actually likes herself?

And all that Chitose did was simply... just playing herself... to cater to preferences?

No.

Wrong.

This is too... too twisted...

Jealousy, confusion, fear, Shame, and an instinctive aversion to that distorted emotion that was beyond comprehension—all these negative emotions swept over Erice.

At that moment, all the girl wanted was to escape.

"So annoying!"

Erice out a low growl, turned around abruptly, and ran towards the door without regard for anything else.

As the young girl was about to rush once again into that cold yet familiar Twilight, as the wrought-iron Great Gate representing the "boundary" stood—

A figure appeared, or rather, approached without warning.

It is Manazuru Chitose.

The girl's Grandmother stood there quietly, still wearing that Black Sailor Uniform in the Meiji Era style that seemed to never be changed, her long silver hair swaying slightly.

Erice's steps came to an abrupt halt.

The girl stared blankly at the person in front of her, at her Grandmother.

His chest was still heaving violently. Countless words, countless questions, and boundless anger were stuck in his throat like Flood bursting its banks, yet he couldn't utter a single word.

What you up to?

Why did you do that?

You and Novia... what exactly is your relationship?!

Erice wanted to vent all the grievances and Wrath in her heart.

However, Erice can't do anything.

At this moment, Chitose quietly looked at Erice's face, which was full of resentment, and seemed to have thought of something, so she spoke:

"Erice,"

The voice was as always, devoid of pity, comfort, or even the slightest ripple, just like the tyrant and dictator that Erice had always remembered.

"If it weren't for this accident, you would be my child, Manazuru Chitose's child, not Izanami's child."

Chitose raised her hand and gently tucked a strand of silver hair, which had been ruffled by the wind, behind her ear.

"So you and I can be both nominally grandparents and grandchildren, and in reality, mother and daughter."

Please, have mercy on me.

Erice felt like her brain was about to overload.

A de facto mother, Izanami.

Lilith, who has just come to claim to be her own mother.

Now, there's another Grandmother who should have been her mother, Chitose.

What exactly am I? Am I a Frankenstein's monster, cobbled together from countless "mothers"?

The next moment, Chitose smiled gently.

"You are Novia's child."

"... ha?"

This time, Erice finally regained her voice, although it was dry and hoarse, but at least she was able to speak again.

"I... I think you, Chitose, are you... saying such nonsensical things a bit... too impulsive?" she retorted incoherently, instinctively piecing together incoherent words, "Although... although theoretically, if the two of you were together... plus what you just said, it seems... it seems pretty much like that... but--"

"Impulsive? No, not at all." Manazuru Chitose gently shook her head, her gentle smile still present. "I wasn't impulsive, Erice. What I said is true."

You are a product of him.

"That's enough!" Erice finally lost her fragile composure, letting out a furious Wrath tinged with panic. "Are you trying to say that when I was four years old, when I met him, back then, back then you two were already together, and then I was born?! Don't be ridiculous! How could that be! That guy, that guy... how could he... No! That's impossible! He doesn't have that kind of awareness... he simply..."

"I see."

Chitose listened quietly to her screams, her smile remaining unchanged.

"I understand, Erice. I understand what you want to say."

Of course I understand.

How could I not understand?

Erice's vehement denial was not due to moral indiscretion or logical inconsistency.

I'm just scared.

Fear of loss.

I fear that the incredibly precious feelings I've nurtured for over a decade will be utterly shattered by this "fact," plunging me into an abyss of no return.

As long as this relationship is denied, there are endless possibilities between her and Novia.

She could still dream that one day she could become the unique and special person by his side.

But if we admit it...

And so, it all came to an end.

Because that's taboo.

It is a taboo that is absolutely forbidden in any world and any era.

"Although I really don't want to start explaining to you from such a strange place..." Chitose sighed softly, "But there's no other way now. Listen carefully, Erice."

Although she seemed slightly more hesitant than before, Chitose's voice remained as gentle as ever.

"I understand your anxiety right now. But you don't need to think things are that serious. No, perhaps I should put it another way. This is indeed a very troubling problem, even one that might cause you pain. But you also know that we need to take it one step at a time. There's really no need to worry too much. I know Novia pretty well."

"... Are you done talking?"

Erice's voice suddenly became unusually calm, and her blue eyes, which had been somewhat unfocused due to Wrath and panic, regained their focus.

"I think I understand."

The Black-Haired Girl looked up.

His body was trembling uncontrollably, and he could no longer tell whether it stemmed from extreme Wrath or extreme joy.

But it proclaims this as if in hymn:

"What I love is my fq."

"You all think you're my mother, huh? Ah, what a strange relationship."

"I was the first to come into contact with him! I was the first! I was the beginning! Manazuru, Kuonji, that guy named Lilith, or any of those other inexplicable people who wanted to take him away from me! I, Utsumi Erice, am the one and only in Novia!"