Chaos's Enigmatic Criteria
Just what kind of person did Chaos want? I couldn't make heads or tails of it.
I could somewhat understand up to Jane. Her genius intellect transcended the era, even if she was seen as an eccentric. Plus, she was so clueless about the world that she came off as a bit of a fool at times. Her standards were sky-high, too.
But Grace? No. Even if she harbored a bit of childlike innocence deep down, she was far from chaos. I had no idea what Chaos had seen in her to choose her.
"I've received Lord Chaos's blessing? What on earth for?"
"Hold on. Before that—can you really tell with Ragnarok?"
While Grace floundered in confusion, Kara pointed it out sharply. She herself hadn't received Chaos's blessing, yet she could wield Ragnarok. Partly because she was a follower of Gulrak, but it also meant she couldn't be fully trusted.
"It's not absolute proof, but it's trustworthy enough. And since I'm the one holding it—not some outsider—the odds approach 100%."
"... ..."
No one's questioning a saint like me. What's the problem? That was the unspoken message.
Kara got the point and shut her mouth, apparently out of things to say. But her suspicious expression lingered, and soon she spoke up again.
"If that's the case, then why not Luna? Why hasn't she gotten Lord Chaos's blessing? Her mouth is chaos incarnate."
"?"
Luna, in turn, stared back with a baffled look at Kara's question. She clearly had no clue about the chaotic impact of her own big mouth.
Her gift of gab was so potent that Chaos personally favoring her wouldn't have been surprising. But since it hadn't happened, there had to be a reason. Especially with Grace involved.
"Miss Luna."
"Yes?"
"Have you ever had a firm goal in life, Miss Luna?"
"......?"
Luna flinched at the question, then pondered it deeply. Her expression was unusually serious. But even after thinking it over, she couldn't come up with an answer and gave a wry smile.
"......No. Come to think of it, I've never really had a goal."
"As I said before, Lord Chaos wants you to prove yourself. To boldly say 'Yes!' when the world calls you wrong. But it has to be a pure desire."
Pure desire. I compared Jane and Lize. Lize had built her body on the conviction of what a true cleric should be, and Jane went without saying.
Maybe Grace had caught Chaos's eye because of her 'innocence.' It was about as pure as it got.
Then what about me?
It couldn't be that Chaos saw my desperate flailing to clear this world's story as 'pure.' Back in the forest, I'd been busy cursing the gods. And my faith kept dropping in chunks.
True to form as the god of chaos, the criteria were vague—too vague. I still didn't have enough samples.
"If you find a true goal, Miss Luna, Lord Chaos might take notice. So keep at it."
"......I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. Now, Lady Grace?"
"Yes?"
Lize called to Grace with a warm smile and made her pitch.
"If you have time, could we talk privately?"
"Um... could Sivar come too? He's my escort."
I didn't mind. I'd been there for Jane, and maybe I could help Grace too.
Lize nodded readily, clearly on the same page.
"No problem. But you'll have to share your goal if I’m to help..."
"Th-then let's talk just us two!"
"Huh?"
At the mention of revealing her goal, Grace blurted it out in a panic. Her cheeks flushed a bit. It must tie into that cherished innocence of hers, making it hard to spill.
I'd be embarrassed too. Especially for a graceful noble like her. Probably something like hugging a giant teddy bear to sleep as an adult.
"Understood. Shall we eat separately?"
"Talking over a meal sounds fine."
She glanced at me as she said it. Help me? Or shut up? I went with the latter and stayed quiet. With Lize there, no one would harm her.
Soon, the two headed off for their private chat. She left Ragnarok with me on the way out.
"Every time I see her, it's like a storm's blown through."
"Yeah."
"... ..."
I totally agreed with Kara's assessment. She was a walking whirlwind of chaos.
I watched their retreating backs, then turned to Ragnarok. Hard to believe this thing could confirm Chaos's favor. Sure, it held chaotic will, but at its core, it was Gulrak's sacred relic.
But why not Luna?
Maybe another god had already claimed her. I casually held Ragnarok out to Luna.
Crackle!
"Kyaa!"
The moment it touched her recently toughened arm, sparks flew. Luna naturally jumped back in shock. Looked like no dice for now.
It was a shame. If she got Chaos's blessing, she'd suffer like the rest of us.
"......What the hell are you doing?"
Luna shot me an incredulous look. She was rubbing her arm—it must sting.
I scratched my head with the hammer side of the axe and answered curtly.
"Just messing around."
"......Hey."
She looked dumbfounded at my 'joke.' Her reactions were just that fun. Few people reacted as perfectly as her. Protagonist perks, maybe—such a satisfying target to tease.
"Let's grab some food. I'll stash Ragnarok at the dorm later. No one's stealing it."
"Yeah."
"Kinda funny it can test for that. Should try Ellie? She's no slouch either."
I wasn't sure what made Ellie 'no slouch,' but I was skeptical. Unlike Jane or Grace, Ellie had no firm goal. That much was certain.
In Soul World, she'd been the potion supplier that broke balance, but she never swayed the main story.
Though having her versus not is a huge difference.
At best, she indirectly affected the roots, not the branches. Various items were needed to progress, and potions were top priority. Her handling procurement made life easy for players. Even with money, rare potions had limited sources.
But give Ellie herbs, and she was done.
Her constant ridiculous deaths probably turn Chaos off.
As I'd noted before, she died so often she could've led the death squad rankings. Never send her out alone. Especially forests or mountains.
And her most absurd? Tumbled down stairs. Good thing she was at the academy now—once outside, she'd be constant worry.
"Sivar!"
"Hm?"
Speak of the devil. Heading to the cafeteria, a familiar voice rang out. Predictably, Ellie. She waved cheerfully as she bounded over.
She must've come for lunch and spotted us by chance. Our group stood out from afar.
"Ellie. Grabbing food?"
"Yeah. You guys and sis too?"
"Yep."
Ellie looked us over, then tilted her head. Like something was missing.
"Wait, where's Grace? Weren't you eating with her?"
"The saint took her aside. Said they had stuff to discuss."
"Oh? Then can I join?"
"Do what you want."
We hung out often anyway, so no issue. Ellie thanked Kara and plopped right next to me. With Kara in the middle and Luna and me on the sides, she slotted in perfectly.
Thud.
"Oh? Wait, why're you carrying this? Heading to the forest after eating?"
"Ah, well, see..."
Kara started explaining, then froze. No wonder.
Ellie was casually gripping Ragnarok. So naturally even I hadn't noticed. I'd let her since she just grabbed it.
"Wh-what? You can touch that?"
"What're you talking about? Couldn't I always?"
"... ..."
Did she not know Ragnarok's effect? Seeing her genuine cluelessness, I shifted it to the side—right onto Luna's arm.
I pressed Ragnarok against Luna's arm again.
Crackle!
"Eek!"
Odd. Sparks flew fine. Ignoring Luna clutching her arm and yelping, I pressed it to Ellie's arm.
Nothing. No reaction.
That left only one conclusion.
Just what're the damn criteria?
Ellie had Chaos's blessing too. No clue why, but...
"Wh-why me then... Does Lord Chaos really hate me...?"
Why hadn't the protagonist Luna gotten it? I mulled over the inscrutable standards and came up with one hypothesis.
Does it just pick whoever it feels like?
Nothing else made sense. But I couldn't fathom why not Luna. Sure, her mouth ran wild sometimes, but she worked hard. And she was even thwarting the demon's schemes.
Beats me.
Food first. I'd tell Ellie about her blessing soon enough.
We were eating, ignoring Ragnarok for now, when it happened.
First time faith rises mid-meal.
First time faith rose mid-meal. Though it had happened before while just sitting around.
Can't figure the faith rise criteria either.
Best to give up.
Meanwhile, around the same time.
"So Lord Chaos is cheering me on? To achieve my goal?"
"Of course. I represent that will. I'll help with all my heart."
"Thank you! Truly! I was wary because it's the god of chaos, but it was all my misunderstanding!"
Grace was fully converted. Just like Jane.
She'd started suspicious, but Lize's clever words broke her down. Especially piercing that hidden desire—her 'innocence.' But Lize hadn't mocked it; she'd cheered fervently. That sealed the deal.
"Don't rush. Brother Sivar's just adapting to civilization. Shoving noble etiquette at him could backfire."
"Got it. Then we should marry first. Bond before etiquette, take it slow."
"Won't your family object?"
Lize asked cautiously—more like probing.
Pre-incident Grace might've been bound by family. But now?
"My family? Tell 'em to shove it."
Not the words you'd expect from a duke's noble daughter. Grace scoffed disdainfully, then spoke haughtily.
"Dreams break against reality's limits. I must surpass my family to truly fulfill mine. Right?"
"Mm. Mm."
Lize nodded in utter satisfaction.
"Excellent."