Chapter 64: She’s Gone…
(Ria’s POV)
This entire time, for years, I have assumed that I was the one in control. God was there, and she had more power than me, but she rarely took action herself. I was certain that I could always protect Celia, but this happened all too fast…
Ria: “Where… Where exactly did she take Celia?” I ask, struggling to keep my anger in check.
God: “Unfortunately, Sava was tricking everyone for thousands of years. That power of hers greatly outweighed my own, and finding her will be hard…” She replied.
Kami: “That would be an understatement, God. Sava avoided detection for a long time, and I dread the thought of trying to find her. It’s not like there aren’t still people searching for her, even to this very day.” She said with an angry tone, biting her fingernail.
God: “I know, I know…” She replied.
They were talking about something, but I couldn’t really focus on their words…
God: “Ria?” She said, shaking my shoulder.
Ria: “…Yes?” I reply, snapping out of my thoughts.
God: “What happened here today is my fault, not yours, Celia’s, or Kami’s. I pitted you three against a woman who is a skillful trickster.” She said with a remorseful tone, before snapping her fingers.
Ria: “…”
This was a trick that I like to do with Celia, and the humor of it being used on me isn’t lost at all. This just wasn’t the time to be finding things humorous, though. After snapping her fingers, Kami and I were back in the Estate where Fetichia was hiding out in.
God: “I will do my best to find Celia, but you need to focus on your tasks.” She advised.
Ria: “Tasks?” I repeat, not fully understanding her meaning.
Spit!
God: “…”
Kami: “…”
Oddly, I spat up blood. When the hell was I even injured? Sava didn’t attack us at all… Quickly, God grabbed my hand, and I felt her warmth invade my body. Was she healing me?…
God: “Ria, you are surely aware that you’re an oddity to this timeline, right? A Ria already exists here, and the Will of Existence doesn’t like that.” She said with a serious tone.
Ria: “…”
God: “With Celia’s absurd karmic destiny, you were absolutely safe near her. Now that you’ve used so much power to fruitlessly attack that barrier, and that Celia isn’t near you, the Will of Existence is trying to erase you completely.” She explained.
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Kami: “Erase her?… Is there anything that we can do to stop that from happening?” She asked with a nervous expression on her face.
God: “Not directly, no. Even what I did just now could only just stabilize her. Unlike Celia, I don’t have such grand karmic destiny.” She denied with a sad tone.
How funny… I didn’t even realize that, though I had just failed to save Celia, she was actually protecting me this entire time… God didn’t inform us of this, as not much can force me to use such power, and it is unlikely for me to be separated from Celia for that long.
Ria: “Not directly? Does that mean that there is a way to stop me from being erased?” I ask with a serious expression.
God: “Of course, we just have to delay some plans to speed up another one.” She replied.
Kami: “God, this isn’t the time to be playing games!” She said with an angry tone.
God: “Games or not, Celia is fine, and Ria will also be fine. Rather than get upset and freeze, we need to focus on our jobs.” She said with a stern tone.
Kami: “…”
God: “Now then, Ria? You must deal with this final kingdom first, and then you can return Alisa’s memories to her. Once that is done, then you must go to the dimension where this timeline version of you is living. Leaving something unfinished isn’t your or Celia’s style, after all.” She explained.
Ria: “You want me to work on kingdom building while my wife just got kidnapped?” I reply with a scoff.
God: “Do you have anything better to do? Kami doesn’t have the power to find her, you might, but not with your existence on the verge of being erased. Doing this is as much for Celia as it for you, Ria.” She shot back.
Ria: “…”
God: “Please, listen to my words. Celia is fine right now, that much I can tell. I will find her. This isn’t something that I will take lightly, I swear.” She said with a serious tone.
Ria: “Fine… I understand.” I reluctantly agree.
God wasted no time in leaving, as she vanished the very second after I agreed. Once she did, I fell to my knees. I promised her to do better, and just like Kami scolded me for not that long ago, I got Celia into a dangerous situation.
One that neither of us fully understood the danger of, but it was me who convinced Celia to do it. It doesn’t take a genius to tell that Celia was reluctant to fight Sava. Of course, she was more worried about us, rather than herself. But the point of us getting her into danger still stands.
Kami: “Ria, God is right. We need to focus on dealing with this kingdom, and then you can go find the other version of you.” She said with a consoling tone while helping up from the floor.
Ria: “…”
Fetichia: “Ria!? You’re back! Does that mean that we can start the rebellion finally?” She said with an excited tone, after rushing into the room.
How did she know that I was here? Perhaps God tricked her into wondering into this room. She had somewhat empty looking eyes for a bit, like she was being controlled. God is willing to do something like this, just to get me to keep moving? How vexing…
Ria: “That’s right. Fetichia, forgive me if I am rude or uninterested. Celia was just kidnapped by a being stronger than any of us, and I cannot go save her right now.” I explain.
Fetichia: “…I’m sorry.” She said with a remorseful tone.
Ria: “It wasn’t your fault, and I know how much you care about this kingdom. Gather everyone, and I will go find your soulmate.” I order.
Fetichia: “Right! Should we meet here, or at the other secret base?” She asked.
Ria: “The other one, specifically the one closest to the castle. Sorry, Fetichia. But with Celia taken, my desire to do this rebellion slow and steady will have to be forgotten about. Now, we must take it over within just a few days.” I reply.
Fetichia: “Will that mean more will die as a result?” She nervously asked.
Ria: “I would assume so, yes.” I answer.
Fetichia: “…That’s fine. Those deaths will be on me, not you. Without your help, this rebellion wouldn’t have been possible at all.” She said with a serious tone.
Ria: “Very well, then please prepare properly.” I advise.
The naive girl saluted me, and then she left the room. I told Kami that she could go see Alisa, but she denied that. Instead, she wished to stay by my side, as, in her words, I needed someone to be there for me. How funny… to think that I would ever be so dependent on Celia… I just hope that she is okay…