Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

She said softly.

"Even today, the image of that day—the collapsed ceiling, the shattered control room, the blood flowing everywhere, and the raging flames that devoured everything—has an impact so intense that it surpasses even the pain itself. I can clearly feel that every second, death was rapidly approaching. My parents, and my important friends... they too perished in that sea of ​​fire that swept across the world."

In truth, the girl's deepest wish is very simple, and also very small—

All I want is to open a small bakery in a quiet and peaceful town with the person I love, baking fragrant bread and enjoying sweet cakes, just to live out the rest of my life in a simple and ordinary way, nothing more.

"Although Director Olga later told me a lot of grand principles, like saving the world, or humanity's last hope..." Ritsuka lowered her eyes slightly, her voice a little low, "but I myself, even now, still don't have that lofty awareness of 'saving the world.' I just... just simply want to live. I just, really, really hate those feelings. Anger and hatred—yes, I truly do harbor such simple and direct emotions."

"but--"

At this point, Fujimaru Ritsuka suddenly raised her head, her face beaming with a smile as radiant as the sun after a rain.

That smile held no trace of gloom, but was filled with purity and determination.

"Why am I still moving forward?" She tilted her head and said in a light tone, "It's because I've experienced anger, sadness, and countless tears; but at the same time, I've also experienced joy, the warmth of being protected, and the joy of sharing victories with everyone—most importantly, I have 'hope'!"

"It's not just because someone asked me to, nor because someone demanded it, nor because of any high-sounding sense of responsibility."

"It is my will, the surging emotions within my heart, that are shouting and constantly telling me: 'Keep moving forward! Live on regardless! Keep going!'"

Her voice gradually rose in pitch.

"That's right, that's exactly it! Because so many people have said to me, 'I can teach you, Ritsuka'; some complain about how hard they work, but then say, 'I just took a short break, watched a live stream, and ate strawberry cake'; some confidently pat their full, enviable chests and say, 'I'm a perfect person, so you'll become perfect too'; and some incredibly cute people keep calling out, 'Senior, you said Teacher...' 'Master!' 'Fou! Fou!' 'So tired, I should watch the anime I saved up,' and so on and so forth..."

"It is because of these things that I firmly believe I can keep moving forward, no matter how deep the despair I face! Therefore, I can keep moving forward because I 'want' to move forward from the bottom of my heart—want to reach the destination that I can reach by doing my best and risking everything."

Of course, there were some things she simply couldn't say to Jingu's face.

After all, the girlish thoughts and level of embarrassment contained in those words were just too high.

I can't possibly spill out all my innermost thoughts and girlish anxieties to the enemy, like, "Sorry, Hibiki, senior, I really have to..." "It's unavoidable to steal someone else's husband," "I need to correct the advisor's fetishes," or "Even wearing weird clothes that look like Yueyi's first release of erotic clothing is fine." That would be too embarrassing! Absolutely not!

In short, the smile on Fujimaru Ritsuka's face at that moment was refreshing and confident.

“At the beginning, especially when the advisors were not around and I had to make decisions on my own, I would often worry that my mistakes would lead to failure. After all, along the way, I always felt that I had not made many remarkable contributions and had relied more on everyone’s strength.”

"But only now have I finally realized—"

She took a deep breath, and then, in a tone that was both relieved and filled with boundless courage, declared loudly:

"What?! So it turns out that I, Fujimaru Ritsuka... am actually pretty good after all!"

"In that case, you can leave the rest of the way to me, the younger generation!"

"This is the sole reason why I, Fujimaru Ritsuka, have been able to continue moving forward to this point!"

The language is concise and straightforward, so plain that it is devoid of any flowery embellishments.

However, the person who uttered these words radiated an indescribable, dazzling brilliance.

This is the case.

The more distant a goal a human being aspires to, the higher its inherent value. Compared to "dreams" that can eventually be achieved through effort, the "desire" to pursue at all costs despite knowing the slim chance of success shines even brighter under the reflection of human initiative.

This is what is meant by doing something knowing it's impossible.

therefore,

"...Did I... really lose?"

The resentment and confusion on Jingu's face gradually faded, replaced by a bitter smile with a hint of self-mockery. He slowly lowered his head, his emerald green hair obscuring his expression.

"Really. I actually lost... I, the son of Tiamat, the pioneer of the new humans, actually lost to such an old human... Where did things go wrong? Who knows... To be honest, even I'm not quite sure why, when you were already right in front of me, I didn't choose to ambush you, didn't just kill you, this self-righteous old human, but instead just obediently listened to all this nonsense you spouted..."

Jin Gu paused, then unconsciously placed a hand on his chest.

"But—my heart, which shouldn't have so many emotions, is... it's throbbing and pounding intensely and uncontrollably because of your words."

To put it bluntly, these words are what we call ideals. But no matter how you look at it, the way of existence of the old humans is wrong, and Jingu still finds it incredibly ugly.

However, it is also strangely understandable.

Perhaps this is what is known as the old humans.

"I never want to see... never want to see such a foolish, old-timer like you disappear. It's unforgivable that my heart would go against its own will. But right now, I feel very happy, very strange. Human, you son of a man named Fujimaru Ritsuka, how arrogant you are. But there's nothing we can do about it. After all, humans are born with this original sin."

At this point, Jin Gu slowly raised his head and looked at the sky, which was shrouded in a gray haze of gunpowder smoke, yet still showed a hint of blue.

Slowly, she stretched out her arms, as if to embrace something, or as if to say goodbye to something.

"Goodbye, Mother. You chose the wrong machine. I am not qualified for it."

With that soft sigh, Jingu's body began to transform into specks of emerald green light, gradually dissipating into the air.

Thus, the Seventh Singularity: Absolute Demonic Front - Babylonia has been conquered.

Naturally, by this point, Ritsuka's memories and emotions had been transformed into a book that Metatron and Novia had been reading.

This is also the main reason for Metatron's surprise.

She had to admit from the bottom of her heart that the human being named Fujimaru Ritsuka, with the quality of her soul, the tenacity of her will, and the radiance she exuded, would certainly have been accepted by Lord Novia and even looked upon with special regard if she had been placed in that distant past.

As for whether one will be fortunate enough to see the Lord's "face," that's hard to say. After all, only Lilith and Shejina were qualified in the past. But at least one's "back view" will definitely be seen...

However, the problem now is—

Wait, wait, wait! When...when did the Lord suddenly have a person who appears to be a "wife" and a "daughter"?!

How could she not know such a thing? And judging from Lilith's expression, even she didn't know?! What a useless person she is...

Based on Ritsuka's memories, Metatron learned some things about the advisor Novia's family situation.

So Metatron hesitated, wanting to have that kind of "intimate" relationship with the Lord! She also wanted to be treated gently by the Lord, and to have more "daily" interactions with Him!

but,

Metatron looked down at his flawless body, which was not made of flesh and blood.

I need to improve my physical condition, since getting pregnant with a probability-based costume is really impossible.

Furthermore, even if the body modification is successful, the Lord's approval must be sought first...

"Um... Lord... please, please let me conceive your child?"

Strange, why does that sound so familiar? Doesn't it sound like something that shameless Lilith once said to the Lord? She's in such a state now; if I said that, wouldn't things get even worse...? Ugh...

"So, isn't Ritsuka excellent?"

Novia spoke in a calm voice, yet Metatron could sense the barely concealed relief and joy in his tone.

It's like seeing an elderly father whose child can stand on his own two feet.

This is normal, since Novia doesn't believe that a perfect world can be achieved through drastic changes.

"If you want to label it as evil, then so be it, you guys who judge arbitrarily. Humanity should move forward step by step, even if we make mistakes, until one day we truly no longer need the domination of outsiders. Only in this way will no matter how far we go, it will not be in vain. In this process, the courage and will that humanity cultivates will indeed reside in a brilliant light."

Because the journey to the destination is fraught with pain and filled with unnecessary suffering, simply omitting it is not a good approach.

Everything has two sides.

What can shelter it from the wind and rain can also prevent it from ever seeing the light of day again.

"Yes, yes, Lord! I completely obey your will! And I will follow you forever, faithfully and unwaveringly, and will never be swayed by anything external..."

Metatron, still clinging to Novia, immediately straightened his back and responded loudly in an almost oath-like tone.

However, her voice sounded somewhat lacking in confidence.

That's natural. If she hadn't met Novia first, but instead encountered Chaldea, she probably would have vented her existing dissatisfaction with humanity and declared them extinct.

"Really?"

Upon hearing this, Novia slowly turned her head and met Metatron's shimmering golden eyes.

On his face, a look of keen interest, as if he could see through everything, was revealed. He stared quietly at Metatron, who was trembling slightly with guilt and whose forehead was even sweating profusely.

That look in his eyes made Metatron's heart flutter.

"I'll just assume that's how it is."

"Waaah... Master... What I said is...it's true...I really think so now..."

Metatron let out a pitiful whimper like a small animal, burying her face deeper into Novia's neck in an attempt to escape the gaze that left her nowhere to hide, though she deliberately bit her a few times.

Immediately afterwards, a voice that sounded extremely disheveled came from the front door.

"Waaaaah! Novia, come save me! Come save me! I really don't want to become Moro! It will really attract Kali! I'll really die then!"

566: fw Kama (5k)

Earlier, the battle had entered a realm beyond 'scorching'.

On one side is Kama, who proclaims herself the mistress of the Himalayas; on the other side is Merushin, the strongest dragon who has lived for 4.6 billion years.

It's crystal clear who holds absolute power; it's self-evident.

"........Eh?"

Kama's red eyes, which always held a hint of allure and languor, had changed from their previous aloofness to unbelievable astonishment.

Feinting? Some kind of advanced spatial jump ability? No, there's no trace of spatial fluctuations.

That was pure... simple to the extreme, yet so fast that it broke through the limits of visual and neural reaction.

In an instant, Kama felt as if several Merusins ​​had appeared in front of him at the same time.

Damn it! This guy... he's gone way too fast!

Kama felt a sudden alarm bell ringing in his mind, sensing that he was in a disadvantageous position.

It's not that she can't beat him, but that she can't fight him now because she can't use her full strength. If she doesn't use Moro's abilities, then she can only fight with the blessing of a goddess. As for her proud bow and arrow, Kama thinks that she probably can't keep up with his speed. Even if she predicts it, he will dodge it. Moreover, his strength is incomparable.

After all, Melusin's attack was a direct assault, which was enough to prove her confidence in her own strength.

Why did Nagama refuse to use Mara's power?

The answer is simple, so simple that even Kama herself feels somewhat humiliated—because once she fully transforms or uses even a little of Mara's power, there is a very high chance that Kali will appear on Durga's body, thus taking her all the way back to the Himalayas to continue living that miserable, unfree life.

Kama was genuinely afraid of Kali.

The mere thought of Kali's blue face with fangs, three wide-open eyes, a long, bright red tongue hanging down to his chest, and eight arms wielding various blood-stained weapons... made Kama feel her soul tremble uncontrollably. Even though she knew that becoming a Mara didn't necessarily mean she couldn't defeat Kali, she was still terrified.

Durga is alright; he can still be fooled by Moses. But Kali is truly hopeless. Even if she specifically asks Ganesha, the little elephant god, to joke around and act cute to fool her, it's still not easy to win her over.

"What's wrong? Is that all you've got?"

Merusin's voice interrupted Kama's reverie.

She had initially thought that the lustful god of love, who had said so many strange things, was something to be proud of, but now it seemed... he was just an ordinary god. Did he even reach the level of a lower-level god?

I thought they were making such a big promise, so I could look forward to it. It's been a long time since I've stretched my muscles.

That's how it ended.

"So what! Don't look down on me! I'll smash your ice-cold face to pieces in a minute!"

Despite her inner turmoil and knowing full well that she was at a complete disadvantage, Kama's pride as the goddess of love and her confidence as Novia's best lover prevented her from verbally admitting defeat. She forced a fierce "Is that all?" expression, trying to overwhelm her opponent with her aura.

And so, what greeted Kama's blustering but ultimately cowardly boast was Melsina's incredibly precise aim at her face, approaching with the speed to break the air—

fist.

"Whoa—!?"

Then came a muffled "thump!"

A sharp pain shot through her cheek, like an electric shock, instantly engulfing her entire body and causing Kama's mind to go blank for a moment. At the same time, the terrifying shockwave from her fist, like a battering ram, sent her flying backward.

Like a kite with a broken string, Cupid traced a tragic parabola in the air, flying straight for dozens of meters before finally crashing headfirst into the mud in an extremely undignified manner. Her legs were now bent at a comical angle, exposed to the air, trembling slightly and pitifully.

"The battle is over. It was a battle that was utterly devoid of any fun." Melusin gently flapped her dragon wings and slowly landed on the ground.

She gazed at Kamana's miserable state in the distance, then calmly shook her head, her tone completely unwavering, as if she had merely accomplished a trivial task. "However, as the strongest, this is the only natural outcome for me."

Damn it! How utterly humiliating! This is truly a disgrace! Vritra! How dare you, a scoundrel of your kind, do such a thing to me! When I return, I'll cut your food rations to the bare minimum! I'll make you live like Shesha, one of Vishnu's underlings, in abject poverty, eating dirt every day! Ugh, I'm so angry!

Kama buried her head deep in the cold, damp earth, trying to hide the twisted expression on her face that was a mixture of extreme anger, endless shame, and intense resentment. The smell of the earth and the astringency of the grass filled her nostrils, making her even more frantic.

If it weren't for that damned guy Kali... if I hadn't been so restrained... how could I have been beaten so badly by a mere dragon?

Just as Kama was indulging in shifting the blame to faraway Vritra and taking his anger out on Kali in his heart, he was caught in a cycle of self-comfort, trying to transfer this sense of shame.

Just then, a shadow fell over her.

"........ah!"