Destined Savior (2)
Honestly, even though this was a crucial moment, I couldn't help the doubts creeping into my mind. The setting was clear: only those with the qualities of a Hero could interfere with the evil god. And in the story, the only one who showed such heroic traits was Varis.
So why could the villain, Arnold, stand against the evil god?
"How intriguing...!"
As my thoughts grew a bit tangled with those questions, the evil god's scythe swept down in a wide arc.
Swordsmanship: Parry
Offsets most of an opponent's physical close-range attack damage and drains their stamina.
Clang! My sword deflected the evil god's scythe.
Even though its blade was large enough to easily surpass a human body, I blocked the attack perfectly without taking a scratch.
"Hm...?!"
I wasn't sure if a soul like the evil god even had a concept of stamina, but just being able to neutralize its strikes was a huge advantage.
"Not an ordinary human, are you!"
It swung the scythe again. Naturally, I parried it, and almost simultaneously kicked off the ground to leap into the air.
"?!"
Its red glowing eyes widened as I thrust my sword toward its face. Just as I'd hoped, the blade sank into the evil god's face, scraping down its body along the wall like motion, tearing it apart as painfully as possible.
"Guh...!"
The grotesque black mass staggered in agony. Thick, viscous liquid oozed from the gash in its body.
Sizzle— sizzle—
Droplets of the thick liquid splattered onto the floor, emitting white smoke like sulfuric acid and melting the ground beneath.
"Impressive...!"
The evil god extended its hand, unleashing necromantic magic. Black orbs shaped like skulls pursued me relentlessly, as if they had minds of their own.
"Saint Ring—!"
In response, I invoked holy magic. It was my first time actually using it, but Arnold's talent allowed me to cast simply by visualizing the image in my mind and calling out the technique name.
Ding— ding—
The Saint Ring intercepted the skull magic. A holy chime rang out, and the sinister necromantic energy soon dissipated into nothing.
"A mere human dares...!"
The evil god glared at me with flashing red eyes and growled.
"You think you can stop me?"
But I wasn't intimidated by its momentum at all. Instead, I curled my lips into a smile.
"Stop you? Nah. I'm just gonna sweep trash like you aside."
The evil god seemed to scoff at my words, swelling its body and radiating intense waves of darkness around it. The ground cracked, and the air grew heavy, suffocating.
"Ugh... Arnold, be careful!"
Melina cried out hoarsely from behind. She was still weakened, slumped on the ground. Varis lay collapsed, groaning, but trembling hands reached out as if trying to help somehow.
The evil god swung its scythe once more. This time, dark energy swirled with it, poised to devastate everything ahead.
"Die!"
But I didn't blink, blocking the attack and swinging my sword. The blade tip tore through the darkness and deflected the scythe.
"Impossible?!"
The evil god cried out in shock.
I spun in midair like a dancer, sword in hand, sweeping away the surrounding darkness.
"...!"
The evil god recoiled in confusion, staggering back as if it couldn't believe its eyes.
"How... without the power of a Hero!"
I twirled my sword lightly and replied.
"Beats me. But one thing's for sure—you're about to lose to me."
I charged at the evil god in an instant with a relaxed answer.
"Grr!! Don't underestimate me!"
The evil god flailed desperately, bringing down its massive scythe, but I twisted my body effortlessly to dodge. My counterattack wasn't just a simple slash. An explosion of light burst from my sword, piercing straight through the evil god's body.
"Luminous Blade."
"Krrgh!"
The evil god shrieked, curling in on itself. Its massive form was being torn apart by the light, bit by bit.
"That's it for you."
I raised my sword high for the final blow. The air trembled as all power converged on the blade.
"Aaaargh—!!"
The strike descended on the evil god, unleashing a blinding flash and a massive explosion. By the time its screams faded, silence had enveloped the area.
"Hoo..."
I exhaled. The silence was brief; a wave of relief and quiet peace washed over me, confirming the evil god was gone.
"Everyone okay?"
That meant Melina's curse was lifted too, right?
"Ack?!"
Before I could turn my head, a heavy impact hit me. Looking down in surprise at the unexpected tackle, there was Varis clinging to me.
"Waaah— Arnold!!"
The guy was crying like a little girl. Tears streamed down his face pathetically, like a child throwing a tantrum, as he hugged me for real.
"What the hell?! Get off!"
For the record—no, obviously—I had no hobby of getting touchy-feely with other guys.
Still, Varis wrapping around my waist in gratitude was, sorry, but just a bit creepy.
"But you saved me and Melina's lives! Even if it was late, the way you beat that monster was so heroic!"
"Seriously~ We survived thanks to you! Thank you so— ow?!!"
In the end, I flicked my finger against Varis's forehead. He winced, rubbing the reddening skin in agony.
"Why are you clinging like this? It's gross!"
I shook him off with a slightly irritated voice. I got the gratitude, but a guy coming at me with such a girly vibe was unsettling.
"Ugh, that's mean..."
Varis teared up from emotion and pain. It must've been harder than I thought—smoke practically seemed to rise from his forehead.
"Arnold..."
Melina approached cautiously, gazing at me with wistful eyes.
"Did you... really defeat that evil being?"
Half in disbelief, but laced with gratitude. Her sea-blue eyes sparkled.
"Kinda happened that way?"
I tilted my head half-seriously. I truly couldn't understand why villain Arnold could banish the evil god.
Did Arnold actually have Hero qualities? If so, it might explain envying Varis if he'd luckily become the Hero at the end.
"..."
But I dismissed it. A rotten-to-the-core guy like that having Hero qualities was absurd from the start.
Anyway, it was a relief Melina survived and things wrapped up.
"I see... Then..."
Suddenly, Melina hugged my right arm, closing her eyes with a happy smile.
Ah, this is bad.
"Melina?"
"Finally... I found you at last..."
Her cheeks flushed, joy radiating as she reunited with the one she'd longed for desperately.
"My destined savior!"
She declared confidently. Even Varis looked stunned at Melina openly showing romantic feelings, calling me her destined savior.
"Arnold's the destined savior?"
"Yes! Just like in the prophecy...!"
"Prophecy?"
Honestly, I'd vaguely anticipated this since the fight with the evil god... No, way earlier.
It started with Melina's cat, Rathus, stealing her affection points, building unease bit by bit until it led here.
"Meow~"
No sooner had I thought of the name than a light weight settled on my left shoulder. The white cat Rathus hopped up, nuzzling his face against my cheek.
Really, what an inscrutable cat. It was obvious Rathus started all this meddling.
In the original story, he favored Varis—why stick to me this time?
Well, what's done is done. No choice but to accept it...
"..."
If I had to sum up my mood in four letters right now: stifled.
"Hehe, I'm so happy to meet my fated one!"
Melina clung to my arm, refusing to let go. Hugging like lovers was one thing, but the burdensome softness pressing against my arm was nerve-wracking.
"Nyaa~~"
Not content with that, Rathus plastered himself to my cheek, showing no sign of getting off. His fluffy white fur wasn't unpleasant, but sandwiched from both sides, it just amplified the pressure.
"Arnold's popular, huh~"
Varis walked with hands behind his neck, looking pleased. If things had gone according to my plan, this would've been reversed.
"Hmm..."
Anyway, what now? I'd stolen Elisha's connection too, and Melina's bond. Heroines meant to like Varis were turning to me one by one.
My goal of leading the protagonist to a harem ending was shattered long ago.
Sorry, Varis... I stole the heroines who were supposed to end up with you...
Of course, from his perspective, it never happened anyway, so he wouldn't care. But knowing the truth, I just felt guilty toward him.