SWNOVELXO Chapter 148
148. Eternity
Heaven──.
A vast, pure white expanse, rivaling the size of a nebula.
This is the realm of the gods.
One by one, dazzling pillars of light appear.
Eventually, seven such pillars stand equidistant from one another.
The goddess of protection, Ilfaria, resides in one of the pillars, gazing around at the other six.
It was rare for all seven central deities of Heaven to convene like this.
It was a sign that something extraordinary was occurring.
“The Seraphim have reported that the frequency of spatial tremors is increasing dramatically.”
A voice echoes from one of the pillars of light.
It belongs to the supreme god, Gareza, leader of the seven deities.
“Since about a hundred years ago, the passage connecting the human world and the demon realm──Syrega──has reopened, allowing demons to emerge into the human world. This, as you all know, has occurred only a few times per month. But recently──it’s been far too frequent.”
“I’ve heard that apart from naturally occurring passages, the Demon King’s power can open similar ones,” one god remarks.
“There are limits to that. Besides──if it happens too often, it would draw his attention.”
“Then, why is this happening?”
“It seems divine power is involved. Zegaria. And Ada-El. It’s your powers.”
“Our powers?”
“Our powers…?”
The two gods murmur in surprise.
“We granted humanity divine power. Someone has appeared who can manipulate space using that power.”
Gareza groans.
“Is it demons, humans, or perhaps a collaboration between the two?”
Humanity was wielding the granted power in ways unintended by the gods──.
(Or could this, too, be part of Gareza’s design?)
Ilfaria wonders silently.
She then looks at the six other gods──or rather, the pillars of light that house them──and says.
“Perhaps the time is drawing near.”
She smiles, carrying feelings that are neither purely joyful nor sorrowful.
“The time when humanity will part from our protection.”
“Hmph. Humanity walking on its own without relying on the gods? Such days will never come for those immature beings.”
Gareza snorts.
“Not for eternity.”
“Who knows? Perhaps such things are beyond our understanding as eternal beings. The speed at which those who live fleeting lives grow──”
“You overestimate humanity, Ilfaria.”
The supreme god responds gruffly to the goddess of protection’s words.
At that moment, intense tremors shake the surroundings.
“Spatial tremors… To think they could reach our citadel.”
“A passage between the human world and the demon realm is about to open.”
Zegaria, the god of ‘Transfer’, announces in response to Gareza.
“And at an unprecedented scale and frequency.”
“There is no trace of demonic power… It must be the work of a Skill Holder.”
“So, humanity has gained the means to open Syrega artificially…”
“If demons flood the world, it will bring about its destruction.”
“If humanity perishes and faith diminishes, we, too, cannot escape weakening.”
The gods’ voices are tinged with bitterness.
Granting humanity a portion of their power had been a calculated decision.
But this usage was beyond expectations.
The gods had assumed humans would revere and fear them──.
“To think that humans would involve the gods in their schemes. How blasphemous.”
“There is no need to worry.”
Gareza calms the other gods.
“All is within the gods’ grasp. Let the humans dance as they will.”
(Isn’t Gareza underestimating humanity too much?)
Ilfaria muses inwardly.
(And has he noticed ‘the other phenomenon’ yet?)
The demons appearing on Earth seem stronger than before.
Through the boy she granted her power──Haruto Riva──Ilfaria has sensed this.
There is little doubt that the demon tribe is also making its moves.
The schemes of gods, demons, and humans.
All intertwine, heralding the arrival of a great holy war──.