Chapter 56

Soma stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter his mother had given him.

In the midst of the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

"Why did something happen?"

While thinking that he might have been scolded for making them wait for so long, Soma asked, and everyone just looked at each other, hesitant to answer.

However, it was only natural.

After all, it was not something they could say to his face, "We were wondering if you had run away."

However, there was one person who did not read the room.

"It's because you were talking about whether or not they had run away."

It was Jahangir.

Dinosaurians, with their lack of facial expressions, tend to prefer straightforward actions and words. Whether this was a racial characteristic or a personal trait was unknown, but Jahangir spoke out what everyone else could not.

Shemul was more exasperated than angry.

"Really, you guys... Soma wouldn't run away."

At these words, everyone averted their gaze, looking guilty.

However, Soma alone seemed unaware of the surrounding reactions, his face turning pale as he bowed his head.

He had been worried that his trust might be shaken by the exposed ambush, but he had not expected to be suspected of running away.

The strategy he was about to propose to everyone was quite dangerous.

To put it bluntly, it was almost like a gamble, and a very poor one at that.

In such a state where trust was wavering, the already slim chances of success would disappear. After all, the plan involved putting himself in a life-threatening situation and snatching victory at the last moment. For that, it was necessary to hold firm to the plan until the very end and be prepared to fight the enemy, no matter what. Even a hint of doubt about the plan could cause everything to crumble.

Anxious about how to regain the lost trust, an idea came to Soma.

He should reveal the secret he had been hesitant to share.

That way, it would serve as a guarantee that he would never run away. By emphasizing its peculiarity, it would also help build trust in his plan.

Yes, that would be good.

Despite coming up with a solution, a dark smile appeared on Soma's face.

Finally noticing that something was off about Soma's demeanor, Shemul suddenly remembered. In the rush, he had completely forgotten that he was supposed to check with Soma if the comrades were shaken by the exposed ambush.

However, he had not reported back to Soma.

Perhaps, Soma was worried about that and had become anxious when he learned that he was suspected of running away. Shemul hurried to reassure him that it was a groundless worry.

But just as he was about to speak, Shemul's ears perked up.

He thought he had heard Soma mutter, "It's just the right time to spill it."

"I won't run away."

In the brief moment of Shemul's confusion, Soma said.

"No, I can't run away. I am bound to you all."

Shemul was puzzled. While the words sounded like a declaration of determination to fight alongside them, there was a shadow of self-mockery in his tone.

"You are human. Wouldn't you be safe if you left this town?"

Once again, Jahangir, who did not read the room, spoke, and everyone silently screamed, "Shut this fool up!"

"Then, I'll show you the proof."

Even those who had been holding their heads in their hands out of exasperation were intrigued by Soma's words.

"Garam, I'm sorry, but could you lend me one of your machetes? I'll return it right away."

"…Sure, no problem."

Not knowing what Soma was about to do, Garam handed over one of the two machetes he had at his waist, sheath and all.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Soma slowly drew the machete from its sheath.

As expected of Garam, the hero of Zoan. The blade, meticulously sharpened and polished, gleamed brightly.

"That's quite a sharp blade."

"…Yeah. Don't touch the edge carelessly. It could easily take off a finger."

Feeling something eerie about Soma, Garam warned him.

However, Soma only gave a faint smile in response.

"Excuse me for a moment."

With that, Soma gripped the machete in a reverse grip and swung it back. Then, in front of everyone's wide-eyed shock, he plunged the machete into the map spread out on the table. The sound of the blade striking the table was loud.

As everyone watched in stunned silence, Soma set the machete down and held up the edges of the map to show it.

"See? Not a single scratch."

The map, fluttering in his hands, was indeed unscathed. Despite the force with which he had plunged the machete, it was strange. Upon closer inspection, there was not even a mark on the table where the blade had struck.

Everyone looked at each other, puzzled by Soma's intention. They wondered why he had to show them such a trick in a place where they needed to discuss how to fight the extermination army.

In the midst of this confusion, Soma picked up the machete again.

Then, he pressed the blade to his throat.

"…! What are you doing, Soma?!"

At the sight, a scream of horror burst from Shemul's mouth.

However, Soma slid the blade across his throat without hesitation.

"…!!"

Everyone visualized the blood splattering through the air.

Behind Soma, Shemul, his face contorted with shock, slumped to the ground.

"See? I'm fine."

But there was not a single drop of blood on the machete in Soma's hand.

Everyone felt as if they had experienced a waking dream.

They had clearly seen Soma press the blade to his throat. It was not an illusion. They had even seen the skin indent slightly under the blade. In that state, it was impossible for the throat not to be cut when the blade was pulled.

"This is the favor I received as a Child of the Goddess."

Soma's calm voice sounded like distant thunder to those present.

It was well known that Soma was a Child of the Goddess, but the favor granted to a Child of the Goddess was supposed to be a mystery, even to the Child themselves.

By suddenly declaring the existence of his favor and even going so far as to press the blade to his own throat, Soma left everyone speechless with shock.

After a moment of silence, Garam, who had some resistance to the shock of seeing the mysterious power of a Child of the Goddess due to having Shemul, a Child of the Goddess, close by, was the first to speak.

"…You don't get hurt by blades?"

The first thing that came to Garam's mind was that.

However, that did not explain why the map was not damaged.

No one could fathom what kind of favor Soma had received that allowed him to do what he had just demonstrated.

"No, that's not it. I can't harm or destroy anything with my own hands. That is the favor I received."

Garam mulled over Soma's words several times before finally understanding, and he was dumbfounded.

"Do you understand? Even if I wanted to, I can't hunt a single bird or catch a single fish for food. If someone attacks me, I can't fight back, no matter how weak they are."

Soma gave a self-mocking smile and shrugged.

"See? I can't run away. I have no choice but to live with you all."

Soma's favor was far from the concept of a Child of the Goddess's favor that Garam and the others knew.

"Such nonsense! How can there be such a ridiculous favor?!"

If such a thing existed, it was not a favor.

It was—.

"It's a curse, isn't it?!"

Garam's scream echoed the thoughts of everyone present.

A favor was nothing more than a blessing granted by the gods to those they favored. The idea of a favor that only brought harm to a Child of the Goddess was unthinkable.

"You're right. …It's probably a curse."

A cruel smile appeared on Soma's lips.

"To keep me from leaving you. To force me to cooperate with you."

Soma was implying that the goddess had sent him here.

That he was here to destroy their enemies.

Garam felt a sense of déjà vu at Soma's appearance.

He had seen a similar scene before.

The image of the first time Soma had announced to them that he was a Child of Aura came to Garam's mind.

That's right. He had pushed the image of the human boy standing before him being a Child of Aura, the ominous goddess of death and destruction, to the back of his mind.

A chill ran down Garam's spine, and the hair on his body stood on end.

Garam was not the only one. Everyone present was captivated by the strange aura surrounding Soma, unable to move a muscle.

However, among them, only Shemul stood up, swaying.

Then, he raised his tightly clenched fist and shouted,

"You idiot!!"

He slammed it into the top of Soma's head.

A shrill scream escaped Soma's mouth.

The impact was so great that his eyes almost popped out.

Shaken by the sudden violence, even the timid Soma turned to Shemul with anger.

However, the anger vanished like a fire doused by a flood when he saw the tears welling up in Shemul's eyes.

"You idiot!"

Shemul barked.

"I thought you were really going to kill yourself! Do you understand? How shocked I was! I really thought you were going to die! I was so scared, I thought you were dead…!"

Seeing Shemul, his fur standing on end and trembling, accusing him, Soma felt uncomfortable.

"…I'm sorry."

When Soma apologized, Shemul's attitude changed, and he began to fuss.

"More importantly, is your throat really okay? Show me. There's really no injury, right?"

Shemul grabbed Soma by the collar, pulled him close, and forced him to expose his throat by pushing up his chin.

"Hey, Shemul. It tickles."

"Shut up! Let me see."

Shemul leaned in so close that his nose almost touched Soma's throat, scrutinizing it with eyes wide open to miss not even a hair's worth of injury. After confirming that there was not a single scratch, as Soma had said, Shemul finally felt relieved. Then, the anger that had subsided came surging back.

He landed another punch on Soma's head.

"It hurts, Shemul…"

With tears in his eyes, Soma protested, and Shemul bared his fangs.

"Shut up! What's with that favor? When did you receive such a favor? Or were you lying to me from the beginning?!"

"I wasn't lying! The other day! In a dream—"

"Why didn't you tell me something so important? Do you not trust me at all? If I'm not trusted by my 'Lord Below the Navel,' I'm nothing but a fool! If you're going to expose me to such shame, I'd rather you command me to offer my neck to you right now! I'll prove that my words of dedicating everything to you are not lies! Come on, say it!!"

Faced with Shemul's fierce demeanor, as if he was about to draw the machete and cut his own throat, Soma tried to calm him down, his face turning red.

"I'm sorry, Shemul! I apologize, so please calm down! Okay, okay?"

As Soma clung to him, trying to calm him down, the tension in Shemul's body finally eased, and his fur drooped. However, his eyes were still narrowed with suspicion.

"Do you really feel bad?"

"Yes, I really feel bad."

"…I won't forgive you next time."

"I'm really, really sorry."

Finally forgiven, Soma heaved a sigh of relief.

At that moment, a burst of laughter erupted.

Surprised, the two turned to see everyone in the room laughing with their mouths wide open. Among them, only Garam and Banuka wore sour expressions.

"This is unprecedented. A Zoan warrior striking his 'Lord Below the Navel'…"

Garam said with a bitter tone.

Realizing what he had done, Shemul shrank back next to Soma.

"But this time, it's Soma's fault. He doesn't understand how significant it is for us Zoan to choose our 'Lord Below the Navel'!"

It was Banuka who spoke, glaring at Soma with a mix of personal grudge and resentment. Zugg even joined in.

"This time, I agree. If I thought my 'Lord Below the Navel' didn't trust me, I'd want to cut my own throat too."

The other Zoan present nodded in agreement with a wry smile.

"…You two, don't coddle the 'Noble Fang.'"

Glancing at Banuka and Zugg, Garam said, and then glared at Shemul, who was nodding in agreement with the two.

"Noble Fang, this is a serious time. We need to discuss how to deal with the human army coming our way. And you…!"

"Sir Fierce Fang! Calm down. Let's talk calmly!"

"Hmm… Indeed, we haven't had a calm conversation in a while, just the two of us. –Alright, let's have a long talk later, knee to knee."

Garam's face, with its twitching eyes and bared teeth in a smile, did not look like he was suggesting a heart-to-heart talk at all.

"And, Soma…"

When his name was called, Soma, thinking he was about to be scolded, trembled. However, Garam let out a small sigh and chuckled.

"We have been saved by you, and the gratitude for what you have done will never be forgotten. We were going to follow you anyway, even without such theatrics."

Garam's words made Soma blush with embarrassment.

Garam had seen through his act of playing the Child of the Goddess of Death and Destruction to instill fear and gain their obedience.

"That's right, you idiot."

Soma gave a shy smile as Shemul playfully tapped his head.

It was nothing. He had jumped to conclusions and been terrified by unfounded suspicions. He had wanted everyone to trust him, but he himself had not trusted them, and in the end, he had tried to isolate himself and act aloof.

Despite his embarrassing display, Shemul's gaze, which still placed full trust in him, was both gratifying and embarrassing.

Watching the two of them, a small smile appeared on Garam's lips.

To Garam, Soma seemed very fragile.

Soma was bad at relying on others, or rather, he had a tendency to avoid bothering or causing trouble to others. While it was better than being bossed around, Garam thought Soma needed to learn to rely on others more.

The burden Soma would have to carry would only increase. If he tried to bear it all alone, he would surely reach his limit someday.

And when that day came, Garam had a premonition that something terribly frightening would happen.

It was a near certainty, a feeling honed by his experience of dodging death many times as a warrior.

To prevent that, it was important to get used to sharing the burden with others from now on.

In that sense, it might be fortunate that Shemul was by Soma's side.

Even without the bias of a brother, Shemul was a good woman who would go to great lengths for someone she had decided on. If Soma strayed from the right path again, Shemul would stop him, even if it meant knocking him down as she had this time.

Garam looked at Shemul with trust and familial affection, but he did not notice that she was still trembling with residual fear.

Recalling Soma's appearance at that moment, Shemul still felt a chill of terror.

However, the Soma she feared was not the one who had pressed the blade to his throat or the one who had slid it across his throat.

The Soma she feared was the one who had declared his favor and said he was there to destroy the human army.

At that moment, Shemul had a vision of a burning city around Soma.

It was not Bornis. It was a city unknown to Shemul, engulfed in roaring red flames, where people of all ages and genders were burning like torches.

A scene straight out of a hellish painting, a vision of utter chaos, had suddenly spread before Shemul.

Surrounded by this vision, Soma's profile looked like a terrifying monster to