-Arika's POV-
Three months have passed. I couldn't believe time could fly so fast like this but maybe it's because I gazed at the blue sky way too often? Lately, so many things happened I couldn't get myself together with the flow of events.
Hm... this is bad. I should probably think about something else. Even so—
"Watch out, Arika-chan!"
"Ha—bhu?!"
I shrieked as something knocked my head in high speed from behind. The impact caused me to fly for a moment and I fell down headfirst. Bumping my nose with the sandy ground. Nonetheless, it's hot and it hurts!!
I got up and yelled "Who was it!? Who tried to snipe me!? Enemy attack?!!"
"Ah... well, it's just a misguided volley ball."
"My bad, Arika-chan! Can you throw it back to us?"
Haa? I glanced to the left and I found a ball washed ashore. Since the waves weren't violent at this time of year there was no way for it to be carried into the open sea but...
"Geez, please be careful next time! We didn't come here to play around you know?"
Fukaki-san jumped as she caught the volleyball I threw in midair. Beyond the net erected to make the game as close as real volley match, the beautiful girl in ponytail and blue bikinis waved her hand.
"My bad, my bad...! I won't do it again!" Fukaki-san apologized.
"No... Fukaki, isn't it already the third time you failed to do the service? Now it's my turn." Haru-san said.
"No way! I won't lose against you of all people!!" Fukaki-san snarled.
The man exposing his thin torso and was wearing beach trunks shook his head in resignation.
"Fine. Akashi is already down so try to hit others as much as you want."
"How rude! Are you saying I have no control!?"
"Then look over there."
I followed Haru-san's finger which pointed at a scenery and I exasperated sharply. Almost choking myself, I coughed and shouted.
"Wh-what happened heeeeerree!?"
My voice spread around the empty beach though it's not exactly empty. I mean... there's Akashi-san who's lying on the ground with red round mark on his face and solar plexus, then there's Bors-san whose upper body completely buried under the sandy ground, Jane-senpai who passed out while being surrounded by empty beer glasses and Freyja-sama hanging on a coconut tree like a teru-teru bouzu!!
To my shout, however, Haru-san raised his shoulders as he exhaled.
"This girl served volleyball then this happened."
"I don't get it! Just how!? Why!!?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I told you. It's not like I understand either..."
Even Haru-san has no clues!? I stared at Fukaki-san with my jaw dropping down.
"Well sorry for that!! Don't you know that it's hard enough for me to walk straight while wearing this eyepatch!?"
Eye patch... ah, right. I forgot that Fukaki-san is wearing one now. It's because she made a pact with Gungnir, her magical armament and Odin-sama for a way to defeat Iriel.
The Pact caused her hair to turn blue with magenta and her agreement with Odin-sama caused her left eye to be disabled for the sake of exchanging information and deadly accuracy when wielding Gungnir.
Not only that, even Haru-san had his hair and skin turning pure white and Akashi-san gave a yellow spark from around his body in a regular interval. These people really liked to force themselves just so that they could get back at the truck driver who killed Onii-chan...
Well, I did the same too so I couldn’t say anything on my behalf. I stared at the surface of the sea and there was a reflection of myself. There’s not much changes yet…
My hair and eyes had completely turned blazing red with a hint of yellow at my bangs. And I had to tie my hair in both sides since the length of the hair multiplied threefold.
Uuh... I want to cut my hair but it's also the source of my power now. No, Arika... you must endure for the sake of surviving! This much is nothing even though I look like a transgendered twintail loving Protagonist now!!
"Kh... even so, why are we so similar...!? Just who illustrated that novel!?" I yelled halfway through.
"Maybe the Author has a twintail fetish—ah." Haru-san paused.
Hm? I looked to him since he didn't finish his sentence but my vision was then filled with—
"Mukyu!!?"
"Uwoaah!? So, sorry Arika-chan!! I thought it was my chance so I accidentally..."
"You planned to kill me so badly huh? But you clearly don't have any control with your other eye unlike Inaho."
"Shaddaaaapp! That's none of your business and what's this 'Naho' thing?!"
"That's a kitsune pet's name from some MMORPG... where did you learn it? Naho is a limited pet unlike Shiho."
Aaah... the stars... the stars are shining and spinning...... I can see stars...... Onii-chan, there are stars today... ehe he he......
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As dusk arrived, I woke up in a room made up of logs. I remembered that this place is a wooden cottage serving as a temporary base but once I stepped off from the bed, my head was attacked with a pang of pain.
"Uuh... it hurts..... what... what happened?" I put a hand on my head.
After a while, the pain subsided and I sniffed the flavor of something delicious. Ah... is someone cooking below? I walked out from my room and descended downstairs.
Once I arrived at the center of the first floor, I was greeted with a chaotic scene.
"Where's the beer...!? I need moar!!!" Jane-san shouted.
"Ah ya ha ha ha haaaaaaa! Loki, you lost this time so strip! Strip already!!" Freyja-sama demanded as she pulled the cover of the cushion.
Wha... What's with these two!? Are they drunk?!! I looked over to the dining table and there were two persons in the middle of arm wrestling!
"Hmph! You Japanese sure has the guts to challenge me!" Bors-san said.
"I won't lose in the name of Japanese pride!!" Akashi-san said.
E-eeeeeeh...!? What the heck is going on!!? Ouch, my head is ringing again... I tried to stand upright but then I found Fukaki-san cooking and Akashi-san cleaning dirty dishes.
...looks like they're still alright. I hope they aren't drinking too. I approached the two once I passed through the storm with extreme cautions.
"Oh, you woke up. Oy, Fukaki." Haru-san called out.
"Yeah Yeah. Here it is, Arika-chan." Fukaki-san turned off the stove.
Huh...? I received a plate full of food and if I remember correctly... this is paella right?
"It's the favorite food of the greatest universal idiot."
"Are you saying I'll become one if I eat this!?"
"Nobody said that though the possibility isn’t zero."
Ah, that's good to hear.... I breathed out in relief but then I realized.
"Eh!? Fukaki-san cooked this!? Even though she's not allowed to enter the kitchen?!!" I yelled.
"Nah, she's just heating it up. You're the last one to arrive so eat it. My treat." Haru-san said in denial.
...Eeehh...? I gazed at Haru-san as I took a step back.
"Oy. What's with that stare? Why are you backing away?" He said with a vein popping on his temple.
"Because a NEET and Shut-in like you cooked it. That's why she's disgusted you creep." Fukaki-san hammered Haru-san with a pan lightly.
However, the unfazed shut-in said, "I'm not disgusting you know? You should call me Father from now on for giving extra cares to you all!! Also, wear some kneesocks and gloves without anything else for my sake!!"
" "NO WAY!!" "
And so the night went on. However, when things settled down I found myself sitting in the dining hall with everyone gathered together.
"Well now. Before the summer training camp started, I would like to have a few words with you all." Freyja-sama began.
"Since I didn't expect Fenrir to join into the fray, the power balance crumbled now. Especially considering how ridiculous his Champion is. To be honest, it's beyond my ability to see the World Devourer entering the stage so early and his siblings are in cahoots too."
Ugh... so it's something not even a god can predict huh...? I was both disappointed and regretful for my past actions now... After all, I snapped first and everyone followed in suite.
We even unleashed power beyond we could control yet we were defeated. Like, completely and entirely. In every aspect we were most skilled in too…
"Well, Loki did complain his children reached rebellious phase recently," Haru-san pushed his glasses. "There's just no telling how to predict adolescent teens' behavior for certain."
"True enough so you all should be grateful Muspellheimr and Asgard lent you a hand. More like, to both of you."
She stared at Bors-san and Jane-san who were sitting on the sofa in the living room next to the dining hall.
"I simply felt like it." The muscly man with red skin said.
Bors-san is Surtr's Champion. Then again, anyone could guess he's a giant from his size and he can use flame which doesn't end till the target becomes ashes. A very frightening ability and he's a power-type like Akashi-san or in other words... a gladiator.
"Well, it's a fun order so I'm fine with it...!" The woman snickered.
Then there's Jane-san who's supposed to be the homeroom teacher of my class. I couldn't believe it at first but I was tricked when she invited me for some groceries, and she seduced Akashi-san to the point of causing Fukaki-san rampaging... Also, She's an ice elemental user.
Still... These two are too relaxed. They have this air where anyone could get carried away by being near them. How dangerous......
"Since there's a temporary truce for now, the four of you can be at ease though you shouldn't mess up. Especially you, Haru."
Freyja-sama glared at Haru-san who yawned while putting his hands behind his head.
"Fine, fine.... Niflheimr is in a tight spot now so I can't get out right? Serves that Loki right."
"And you do realize that you're going to bite the dust soon if you act like that everytime right...?"
Stolen story; please report.
"Whatever. I'll just do what I want and I have some anime marathon to do."
Eh!? H-Haru-san!? The talk hasn't started yet! Why are you leaving so soon!!? Everyone stared at the white haired man but he suddenly turned his head.
"By the way, Freyja..." His voice trailed off with a piercing gaze directed to the goddess on earth.
"Wh-what? What is it?" Freyja-sama asked in a hushed tone.
Ah. The last time Haru-san ever showed a serious expression like that was when he stripped Freyja-sama just by walking past her so she must have gained a trauma. He’s a REAL pervert with a lot of useless abilities never once used in battlefields. I felt sad he could do that kind of superhuman technique only when he’s confronted with women within his strike zone.
"...you should stop materializing physically. It'll be a pain in the long run." Haru-san exclaimed before going upstairs again.
Hm...? I don't get what he mean. I turned around but most if not all were scowling.
"What unfriendly bastard. He never changed." Fukaki-san clicked her tongue.
"Huff.... He's probably being bitter for being unable to do anything." Akashi-san commented.
Well... I guess so. Haru-san was the most desperate one to hold down Iriel but he got injured the most. I never saw him being so reckless even when Onii-chan was around. Just why did he push himself so hard...? Somehow, I felt a tug in my chest as if an utterly bad thing would happen.
"No, he's right. I can't stay here very long, you know?"
What? I looked at Freyja-sama who waved her hand.
"It's prohibited for gods to descend into Midgard during this Ragnarok, and I'm just given a free rein until it resumed. In other words... the moment the World Devourers are considered as a faction by all gods then the battle will start without a stop. I doubt I can get enough time to improve your skills and experiences, everyone."
No way!? Then it's impossible for me to beat up Iriel!? I don't want to be defeated by him without being able to pay back my debt!!
"Now now, please calm down! That's also the reason why we have these two here!"
...ah... Aah...! I see. So that's how it is. Bors-san and Jane-senpai will teach us huh? I almost thought of them as guards so I feel embarrassed for thinking like that...
Hm... I have nothing to complain especially because these two are veterans in battles. This can allow Fukaki-san and Akashi-san to be much stronger if they're their teachers. Well, these two have the highest chance to grow stronger and at the shortest time too but...
"What about me...?" I asked while pointing at myself. Freyja-sama curved her lips upward and she said.
"Of course... I will be your mentor!"
"Hah?"
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-???'s POV-
Flame. That day, it was also this kind of flame I witnessed. How long has it been ever since I last witnessed this flame which burned everything to the ground?
"Hm Hm hm~"
As I gazed at the scenery where a town was set ablaze, his figure trudged down the ruined path and he hummed like a bird. I wondered if he cared about those buried underneath him but I decided to refrain from asking.
It was trivial for me. Besides, I don't care even if the world became ashes for the second time though it would dirty my fur. I looked up at the night sky where a distant moon carried by a goddess' chariot could be seen. Skoll and Haiti are doing their best too so I guess I might as well do the same.
However—before all that...
"What are you doing, Iriel? What are you trying to do in this place?"
My voice resounded throughout the whole region and it reached the gray haired man who possessed my divinity. He stopped whistling then he looked at me with his lips curving upward.
"Chill out, Fenrir~ Don't you want to marvel at this beautiful scenery for a little longer?"
"Hmph. Watching will not satiate my desire and it is far better for me to devour rather than watching."
"Such a glutton~ but that's fine! I mean, look here!!"
Iriel kneeled in front of a rubble and he grabbed it with a hand before lifting it up singlehandedly. What a show off! Just what does he can do other than flattering others by useless display of power!? I growled but then my pupils widened.
"....a child of human? How come she survived...?" I inquired.
"Heh heh he......! Don't you know my story already, Fenrir....?" Iriel showed a smug grin.
Aah...? I approached Iriel from behind as I recollected what I knew about him. This fool was someone who's a genius yet unable to taste the world's luxury. Even though he had women, money, fame and wines, he was dissatisfied about them as if it wasn't enough. He craved and craved only to become a useless transporter of goods due to his declining performance at work.
Then, as if lightning had struck him, he planned to fake an incident where he would run over a pedestrian in order to escape his boring days or so he believed. However, someone got in his way and sacrificed himself which caused this fool to be imprisoned for letting his emotions to take control once chaos was at a loose. How similar we are but that's not the point here-
"Hm....? This human... don't tell me she is..."
"Bingo! Aren't we lucky to find her so soon? With this we can proceed on our plan, Fenrir!!"
Iriel laughed before throwing the rubble which crashed into a burning house. I certainly heard some shrieks and voices but why should I care? I'm not interested in eating splattered flesh and roasted meal isn't good for my metabolism.
After observing Iriel who was dancing and singing some songs which I still couldn't find as attractive, I noticed. This person is so unpredictable just like father. That's a good thing since I can't exactly measure how strong he is and his battles will become much, much more stimulating for me to gain my former power, but if he’s too unpredictable he might put Gleipnir around my limbs without me noticing.
Then as my Champion picked the girl up, he grabbed her collar and threw her onto my back.
"You dare to use me as a transporter...?" I growled.
"If you really want to devour this world then make sure she's fine and all!!" Iriel replied.
Tch. So annoying... I glanced at the unconscious girl on my back before walking beside Iriel. If I couldn’t even carry such feeble existence then how could I name myself as a World Devourer? Jormunganddr would laugh at me for sure if such thing happened.
"What will you do next?" I asked.
"Hmm... I can think up a few places to launch the project but I just don't have the means or people to use for." Iriel answered.
Hmph. Why would you need more people when you slaughtered them in the first place? This fool had been a fool or he might be a genius pretending as a fool. Then again, there was a paper thin difference between foolishness and ingenuity.
"You told me that if I lend my power to you then you will give me a meal more valuable than Yggdrasil. What do you mean by that?"
"You don't know...? Come on, the clue is right on your back!"
Hmm....? I made a sound as I glanced upward. If there was anything, then...
"Are you saying I will be full if I eat this human?"
"Nope! Quite the opposite! If you want to be full then the girl is essential!!"
"Why?"
"Heheh... it won't be fun to tell you yet but since I'm in a good mood, I will tell you this!"
Iriel ran forward. He turned and still walking despite going backward and he raised his hand. Two of his fingers showed a V sign at me while a wide smile stretched from ear to ear. Like a child, he shouted while exposing his thrills and excitement in his tone of voice.
"Two is better than one!!"
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~Author's Note~
Thus Volume 3 Ends here...! Congratulations!! This won't happen if not for the support from my readers and it was fun! I mean, seriously... the romcom air around Tale is like Heaven and Hell when compared to my other work. It's like day and night and even though there's some relationship problems and dramatic moments, the atmosphere isn't too dark. It does look like a shounen story but I intend to crank up the Maturity of the story since Tale is a mature story. Besides, I can't do infodump so I will just deepen the plot by volumes.
Also, for the polls... well, don't mind it very much. I just want to check on my progress. Since I'm a ''Cold, Heartless Bastard' who enjoys torturing the MCs of my stories, I don't think mindless praises will do good for me. It's for the sake of improvement so cooperate if you want to see Charlotte being conflicted over various problems even more!!
P.S: the spoiler contains preview. If you like it, then maybe I will make it more often.
Spoiler :
Next Volume
Why is he acting so distant now...?
"I will do it... Even if I have to kill them."
As a cold wind grazed my cheek, my ears caught the soft laughter similar to a Siren's and my eyes widened at the sight in front of me.
"Well now, Irregular... Are you prepared to suffer a fate crueler than death?"
"......Even so, I will continue to pave my own path. For myself, for everyone I cherished, and for him."