Chapter 3

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.

After the storm and the ground tremors subsided, the former Star Princesses checked the situation outside the barrier.

The sky was dark, as if covered by a sandstorm.

In the direction of the center of the "Great Hole," a pillar of earth rose toward the sky.

Only Sorshie had anticipated such a state.

When the star fell from the sky, the impact was unimaginable, the earth split, the wind howled, and a massive amount of soil and sand rose into the air.

After that, a dark and cold era, where even a sliver of light could not penetrate, would come.

The malevolent aura that had always filled the bottom of the "Great Hole" had vanished along with the overwhelming presence that was supposed to be at the center.

Sorshie laughed. At first, it was a joyful laugh, but it soon turned into a bitter one.

She understood that the chain of endless sorrow, the fate that had bound the Star Princesses, had been released.

Seeing Benjas worried about the two who had gone to the evil god, she finally came to her senses.

Such a tremendous impact.

At best, it was a mutual defeat.

They passed through the "Gate of Transfer" and headed toward the center of the "Great Hole."

Strangely, the air here was clear, and sunlight penetrated.

The red crystal mountain, said to be the dwelling place of the evil god, still stood.

No, its shape was different.

In the sunken earth, a massive hexagonal crystal column, like a single crystal, stood straight up. It was an almost surreal scene.

In front of it, two children were standing.

Ruo and Tueni.

The six princesses surrounded them, emitting emotions close to joy.

Ruo was moving strangely.

With a face that seemed about to burst into tears, she spread her arms wide, jumped, and spun around.

"What are you doing?"

Funiappi, who had appeared at some point, asked in a bewildered manner.

"I'm trying to calm this chaos down."

Tueni explained.

Although they had defeated the evil god, they hadn't expected such a significant event. Ruo, in a panic, was using her magical power to desperately gather the soil and sand that were flying in the sky.

Sorshie couldn't hide her wry smile.

Did she think someone would scold her?

No being in this world could oppose the boy now.

In the midst of the chaotic yet somewhat relaxed atmosphere, light descended from the sky.

◇

Everyone present instantly realized it.

A powerful, yet solemn and pure existence had descended to the earthly realm.

It was enveloped in light.

It took the form of a woman.

"My name is Mailroad, the goddess of beauty and purity."

A majestic thought was released.

The six Star Princesses bowed, one knee on the ground. For them, it was the most respectful gesture they could make.

"Fourth-class mage, Ruo of the 'Rock Wall'!"

Ruo introduced herself energetically, not wanting to be outdone by the goddess.

Benjas, startled, raised his head. He wanted to do something about the clueless Ruo, but since she had no physical form, he couldn't force her to bow.

"Did you destroy my brother, child?"

"Brother?"

"He's the one crushed under the rock you created."

"Uh-huh. I defeated him with Tieu."

Tueni, who harbored the "blood of the goddess," was most affected by the goddess. Her heart was so agitated that she was on the verge of tears.

"Are you my new daughter?"

Tueni, struggling to suppress her agitation, bowed.

"Yes, Goddess. My name is Tueni Tieu."

"Strong daughter, burdened with a tragic fate. There's no need to be reserved. You may call me Mother."

Tueni could only bow in reverence.

Ruo, suddenly flustered, spoke up.

"Um, Goddess?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Are you angry?"

If the being she had crushed with a meteor was the shining woman's brother, she would be in more trouble than just being scolded.

"Hmm."

The goddess slightly lowered her head, as if questioning herself.

Suddenly, she extended her palm. A small particle of light flew from the bottom of the hole and blinked on her hand, as if pleading.

"...I see. Amon, you must have suffered. Rest now."

The particle of light ascended into the sky.

"I just confirmed with my brother. I am not angry."

"Really?"

"Yes. A god never truly perishes. My brother's soul will be purified and reborn as an innocent god, though it will take a very long time."

"That's good."

Tueni and Ruo looked at each other, relieved.

"What about that person?"

"Hmm?"

"He was in a terrible state."

Ruo explained sadly.

The person was crucified deep in the earth, burned, and suffered. Despite the pain, he desperately sought something within Tueni.

The goddess's answer was unexpected.

"My foolish brother, Amondas, was infatuated with his own sister, me. Well, my beauty is also a kind of sin."

"Infatuated?"

"..."

The goddess looked down at the young child.

"Child, you don't need to know this yet. In short, he did something that is never allowed within a family."

"I see."

The goddess and the boy were having a conversation.

A very ordinary one.

To the six former Star Princesses, Goddess Mailroad was both a mother and a supreme being to be revered. Benjas was trembling, worried that Ruo might make a mistake.

"Of course, I did scold him, but Father was furious. He cast Amon down to the earthly realm and crucified him with the divine spear."

The impact created a great hole in the earth. At the center, Amondas transformed. The divine aura turned into malevolent energy, and beasts became demons. By consuming these demons, Amondas became an evil god.

"Since he had taken human form and become a living being in the earthly realm, I could do nothing. As a minimal act of mercy, I bestowed my blood upon a human king..."

It was a grand family dispute, but no one could blame them.

"Ruo, the demonic child loved by the spirits. He was grateful to you, and so am I."

Just as she was relieved, the goddess made a surprising statement.

"Therefore, I will grant you one wish."

"Wish?"

"Yes. As a god-slayer, you will need power. Do you want to become a king? Immortality? Or perhaps, one of my servants?"

Goddess Mailroad preferred the pure and abhorred the greedy and unclean. The six Star Princesses watched nervously.

"Really?"

"Hehe, from your face, it seems you have a wish."

"Wedding."

"Hmm?"

"I want a wedding!"

Ruo achieved the remarkable feat of leaving the goddess speechless, the only one in human history to do so.

"A wedding requires a partner."

"Tieu."

"No, the partner's consent is also necessary."

Tueni stood up and bowed.

"Goddess."

"Call me Mother."

"Mother, Ruo and I got married last night. Just the two of us, we made a promise."

She seemed a bit uncertain, probably because they hadn't made a vow before a divine representative.

"Mother said it."

Ruo talked about her birthplace.

There were no divine representatives in the village. Therefore, to be recognized as a married couple, they needed the village's blessing.

"So, we need a proper ceremony."

"I see."

The goddess seemed to understand.

"My daughter, Tueni Tieu, what is your wish?"

Tueni's eyes sparkled, surprised by the unexpected situation.

"I, I want the same as Ruo!"

"Hehe, I see."

The goddess tried to smile.

But she couldn't hold back and started to chuckle.

"Truly, this is unexpected."

In the end, she burst out laughing, even wiping away tears.

"Very well. In the name of Goddess Mailroad, I will perform the marriage ceremony for the child Ruo and my daughter Tueni Tieu, and celebrate it grandly."

The radiant goddess clasped her hands in front of her chest and whispered something in a complex language that human ears could never hear.