378 Dekan's Past-Past Life, Past Life, and Present Life
"Why the question of pursuing the human heart is no longer important to me. Having understood this heart, I only want to protect this beautiful world and the people I love."
Delois's voice gradually became firm, even though his words sounded like a rejection of the Goddess Tike's initial question.
But he had a premonition that this was exactly what the Goddess Tike wanted him to figure out on his own.
[...]
Goddess Tike nodded silently.
It seems she accepted the answer.
But he didn't say anything more.
"... Speaking of which, am I dead?"
After another period of silence, Delois raised the question that concerned him most.
[Barely.]
The Goddess Tike's answer did not surprise Delois.
He knew his final state all too well.
Even the Goddess of Reincarnation and Fate do not have the power to bring people back to life.
It was probably the mysterious blessing bestowed upon him, as if out of pity, that allowed him to arrive in this starry world, a realm of stars and fireworks, after his death.
But what exactly does "barely qualify" mean?
[You will one day be reborn on this land. But by then, you will no longer be you, and your story will have been wiped away.]
The Goddess Tike seemed to be narrating her own power, or perhaps explaining the laws of this world to Delois.
Upon hearing the Goddess's words, Delois wore a forced, helpless smile, as if a hope that should never have existed had been dashed.
[Your presence as Delois is too intense; if it is not erased, I cannot repair your soul and allow you to enter the cycle of reincarnation.]
Delois nodded.
He knew all too well his state before he died.
The fact that he is here now is only because the Goddess used the blessing she had placed on him long ago to pull his last wisp of consciousness to this realm that transcends time and space.
His soul, already shattered into a paste, could not be reborn in an ordinary way, even by the Goddess of Reincarnation and Fate.
Only by seemingly kneading it back into a ball, returning it to its most primal state, can it be reborn.
[However, I can send you to an interesting place in your next life, a world inhabited only by humans... to learn about that world and experience the lives of ordinary humans through the human hearts you gain. Then, with some memories, return to this world.]
It was as if it were part of the blessing, the love that the Goddess Tike had for her priests.
It also seemed like an acknowledgment of the merits Delois had accumulated throughout her life.
The Goddess Tike said this.
Delois immediately nodded solemnly.
Even if his memories are completely erased.
If he is reborn as a human in his next life, he will cherish it and live that life earnestly.
Go and accumulate knowledge that will make him stronger.
... and the kind of accident that happened in that world, like the Human Emperor frying fish, shouldn't happen.
After careful consideration, Delois looked at the Goddess again and asked:
"Could you guide me again?"
After a pause, the Goddess Tike finally responded:
Do you want your fate to repeat itself?
Even the Goddess of Reincarnation and Fate could not control Delois's next incarnation.
She no longer has the power to directly interfere in the present world, and for a long time, she has even been unable to do so in the human world.
At most, she can only receive some guidance from her priests at certain key junctures.
Correspondingly, in the complex currents of fate, the influence of any deity on human destiny is not necessarily the right guidance; it may destroy humanity or cause Delois to repeat the tragedy.
That would undoubtedly be something more cruel than death for Delois.
"I believe in you; your choice is my faith."
He believed in this Goddess with compassionate eyes who watched over the world from beginning to end.
She will use her compassion to guide everyone's story to a happy ending.
Even if unexpected events occur, or things don't go as planned.
Even if he loses again and gets covered in mud... he still hopes that next time he can protect his family and friends.
Even if it meant sacrificing himself to take the enemy down with him again, he would do it.
He has no regrets in this life.
If only we could hope for even a little more, that he could have the chance to make the scenes from his dreams in this life come true, that would be wonderful...
So, Goddess, please guide me.
I beg you.
Delois knelt down naturally.
Lower your head.
[...]
The Goddess Tike remained silent for quite some time.
Delois, however, kept his head bowed to her.
[... The Demon King, Delois, was also a kind being who possessed a human heart.]
"Yes."
Do you truly understand the essence of your faith?
"Yes, I am a priestess of the Goddess of Reincarnation and Fate, and I am willing to entrust my destiny to the Goddess's guidance, regardless of whether my life in the next life will lead to joy or sorrow."
Even so, were you prepared to potentially lose everything?
"Yes, I am willing to fight for your wish and banish all Chaos God from the world."
Delois lowered his head as he answered the question.
[...]
Lift your head; I have indeed received your sentiments.
Delois followed the instruction and looked up, then suddenly his eyes widened.
[Delois.]
As Delois knelt and looked up, he saw the face of the god clearly for the first time, hidden beneath the cloak and hood.
It was the face of a gentle woman, with soft golden eyes and gray-blue hair.
She looked like an ordinary human being, more approachable than depicted in the statues of Goddess.
But just by standing there, her presence was imbued with divinity!
[As long as you never forget that feeling, you will always be my priest.]
The Goddess Tike's face, which was originally expressionless, seemed to be smiling.
Her hand gently touched the strands of hair on Delois's head, like a loving mother goddess welcoming her returning people.
Then.
Their figures gradually became illusory, until they vanished like bubbles and shadows.
The figures of the Goddess Tike and Delois in the distance have disappeared.
Having witnessed this with complete focus, Dekan suddenly realized a fact!
That is, granting Delois protection, or sending him into the cycle of reincarnation to guide him, both of which consume the little power that the Goddess Tike has left!
After sending Delois away, she will become even weaker, and may even slumber in this starry world for a period of time.
The same applies to Dekan!
This time, in order to save Dekan, who was in a hopeless situation in the Shadow World, she must have paid the price once again!
"Goddess Tike?!"
Dekan immediately turned around anxiously, searching for the figure of the Goddess Tike, fearing that she had disappeared.
Fortunately, the Goddess Tike remained by his side and did not disappear.
The Goddess Tike was looking at him and smiled.
It seemed as if seeing this son of man again, and witnessing the joy of this wonderful chapter in his life, was a way of reliving his life.
Just as Dekan was about to say something more to Goddess Tike, his consciousness suddenly became blurred!
Still half-conscious, Dekan opened his eyes.
He fell backward to the ground, and all he could see was a night sky covered in clouds.
Here it is...
The present world?
The familiar starry sky, and the familiar surrounding scenery.
Is it the courtyard lawn of Croix Estate in Royal Capital Norton?
Thump, thump. Dekan felt his heart pounding.
It's still jumping.
A surge of heat, like magma, welled up in my chest and spread throughout my body with each pulse.
Only after dying once do you truly realize that you once again possess something precious called life.