SWNOVELXO Chapter 179
179. An Unforgivable Sin
“…It’s no use. Healing magic won’t work on you.”
Alice tried chanting several more healing spells, but the result was the same each time.
The golden radiance automatically activated, deflecting every single one.
Even when I tried to suppress that light with my own will, it didn’t work.
[Elysion Gate] is fundamentally auto-activated, though I can switch it to manual activation to some extent with my will.
So, I should be able to prevent the skill from activating on its own—
But this phenomenon might be something separate from The Sealed World Elysiongate.
Come to think of it, during the last battle, when Alice cast healing magic on Jack, something similar happened…
“…I’m sorry. It seems I can’t heal you.”
“It’s just fatigue. Thank you.”
I hurriedly reassured Alice, who looked apologetic.
“…Are you really just tired?”
“Huh?”
Alice stared at me with concern.
“Your power—it’s not just ordinary magic, is it?”
My heart skipped a beat.
It felt like she saw right through me—like she knew about my divine skill. I was at a loss for words.
Truthfully, I’d been uneasy for a while now.
This unsettling feeling that I was becoming something… not myself.
“If you can’t tell me, I won’t push. But please, don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Alice…”
“Sometimes, I feel like… you’re drifting somewhere far beyond my reach.”
Alice reached out with trembling hands.
Gently, she wrapped them around mine.
Just feeling that warmth made my heart feel lighter, too.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.”
To ease her worries, I forced a smile.
Even if it was strained, it made me feel a little better.
More than anything, Alice’s kindness was healing.
“I’ll stay with everyone.”
“…Promise me?”
Alice’s eyes glistened.
Suddenly, I felt a faint sense of déjà vu.
Yes—it was the same words Lilith had said before the final battle against the demons in Ludiloum.
[Promise me.]
Back then, we had sealed it with a kiss—
“…Mmm.”
A burning sensation on my lips snapped me out of my thoughts.
Alice’s lips had touched mine.
A hesitant, fleeting kiss—so faint it was almost just a brush.
So very like Alice.
“I… want to be your strength, Halto. To be… someone who can support you.”
Her eyes were earnest.
“I might not be as bold as Lilith, Ruka, or Salome… but even so, I—”
Support me, huh?
Come to think of it, Lilith said the same thing earlier.
“—Thank you, Alice.”
I thanked her once more.
※
Despite a few unforeseen irregularities, the plan was progressing smoothly overall—
Vanessa first conducted a limited experiment, simultaneously summoning multiple Syrega around Ludiloum.
Normally unstable and quick to collapse, the Syrega were sustained by combining them with Sephiria’s Restoration ability.
This allowed for the successful simultaneous summoning of multiple Syrega.
And now, the plan was finally entering its final stage.
The mass summoning of countless Syrega had left the world’s spatial fabric extremely unstable.
Though temporary, this state wouldn’t last forever.
The opportunity was now—and only now.
Vanessa took advantage of this instability to open a larger subspace pathway—one leading closer to the heart of the celestial and demonic realms.
If she could summon the gods and the Demon King, then pit them against each other—
The supernatural beings, both divine and demonic, would annihilate one another.
And humanity would finally reign supreme over the world—
This was the core of Vanessa’s plan.
“First, the gods have been summoned.”
Vanessa slumped to the ground, feeling as if all strength had left her body.
“Are you alright? You seem to have pushed yourself hard.”
Electra helped her up.
“You were already exhausted from the fight with Jack, weren’t you? I told you I could heal you.”
“I’m fine.”
She had already explained the battle with Jack to the two of them.
At the time, Sephiria had offered to Restore her depleted mental energy, but Vanessa refused.
Truthfully, who knew what Sephiria might do under the guise of Restoration?
Just as she had gleefully driven Jack into a frenzy, she might do something similar to Vanessa.
She couldn’t be trusted.
“I recovered enough mental energy before using the Teleportation skill… but even so, it was close. Summoning all seven gods to the mortal realm is no small feat.”
Vanessa let out a weary sigh.
In truth, she had nearly lost consciousness while using the skill.
If she had pushed any further, her mind might have shattered, leaving her a hollow shell.
“Next is summoning the Demon King?”
“…No, that won’t be necessary.”
Vanessa shook her head at Electra’s words.
“Right now, I can sense the Demon King’s forces moving toward the human world. After that—everything will go as planned. The gods and demons will destroy each other.”
“Oh, I’ve heard stories like that! Tales from long ago about gods and demons going to war.”
Sephiria clapped her hands excitedly.
“Yes. This is a reenactment. Higher gods and demons are restricted from descending into the human world. But if they do—and if they draw near to each other—they will annihilate.”
“Annihilate…”
“The world has always been governed by gods and preyed upon by demons. But finally, we will be free. After this, humanity will rule—”
“And you’ll be the one to lead them, I assume?”
Electra muttered.
“You’ll both have your rightful places. You’ve contributed greatly, after all.”
Vanessa studied the two.
Electra only cared about self-preservation.
(She believes she’s bound for ruin—and is helping me to change that fate.)
But Sephiria’s motives remained unclear.
She followed Vanessa’s lead with vague reasons, like simply finding it fun.
Yet behind that innocence lurked something darker.
Just as she had calmly set a trap to drive Jack Jaerse into madness—
Would she eventually turn on them as well?
Vanessa couldn’t shake the unease.
(Perhaps I should dispose of her at some point. But her skills are still necessary…)
As she pondered, the world around her suddenly darkened.
“——!?”
The scenery shifted instantly.
From the mansion’s courtyard to an endless white void—
“Where is this…!?”
“You have gone too far, Vanessa Millett.”
A solemn voice echoed.
“For a mere mortal to defy the gods—this is an unforgivable sin.”