Chapter 35: Sadness and guilt

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Life has hit me pretty hard (＞﹏＜)

This is quite late, but still, I apologize for disappearing without warning before.

But well, as long as something like last time doesn't happen to me, I'll update this fanfic daily or almost daily again. Although I guess you've already forgotten about this story ＼(￣▽￣)／

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"Shizuku... pull yourself together. I know this has been a great shock to you, it may even be a turning point for your life and your future path. So, you can't keep a shackle around your conscience that can later complicate your life."

Nader tried to comfort Shizuku, who now had a depressing aura around her. Teardrops formed from fear and guilt threatened to slide down her pale cheeks.

"..."

Shizuku did not respond. Instead, she looked down into the huge crater, where the roaring lavas seemed to dance with happiness, happiness for the body sacrificed a few minutes ago when Nader threw it into the fire pits.

As for the identity of that corpse, naturally, it was one of Shizuku's former companions; Hiyama. Although she hated him quite a bit for what he wanted to do with Kaori, until now, the vivid image of Hiyama's furious roar and scream of fear when he was thrown into the lava was etched into Shizuku's consciousness, making her body shudder.

Try as she might maintain the facade of her usual serene and brave face, she found it impossible. After all, she had just witnessed one of her companions being corroded by the heat of the lava until there was nothing left of him.

Up to the moment of his death, Hiyama had thrown all kinds of curses and, at the same time, clemency towards Nader.

As for the other person accompanying them, Eri Nakamura, Nader had simply killed her by cutting off her head. He had a use for her body, so now, Eri Nakamura's body was resting in the «Storage» of his system.

Even with all this, Shizuku could not blame Nader, after all, she was aware of the seriousness of the situation that would possibly occur if both Eri and Hiyama roamed freely in the world.

Although there was a possibility that Nader could manipulate their minds by making them forget what happened and, at the same time, modify their personalities.

However, although Nader was neither a hero nor a saint, he disdained anything related to mental manipulation, after all, the manipulated person would cease to have the personality and thoughts that characterize a being. Those manipulated beings would be nothing more than an empty shells filled with simple lies to impose one thing. Therefore, he thought the best option, in this case, was to kill them after instilling fear in them.

He himself had once been a victim of mental manipulation, it was an experience that so far left a bad taste in his mouth.

Nader observed Shizuku's expression in which sadness and guilt intermingled. At this, Nader shook his head and patted her shoulder.

Shizuku was a brave and kind-hearted girl, she was perceptive and accurately knew someone's personality almost at first glance, moreover, she had never hesitated to lend a helping hand to those who needed help, and she never ignored the problems of others. This personality of hers led her to bear so many burdens on her shoulders despite her young age. Considering all this, it is no wonder that at this moment, Shizuku was sad and felt guilt towards herself, guilt for not having seen the personality of her two dead classmates earlier.

However, since she was also someone who had a more realistic view of observing the world around her, this was also the main reason why she had accepted what had happened much more easily.

"... We have other things to take care of now, there is no need to be rooted in the past that has no chance of being changed."

Nader turned and looked to the side. With a slight hand movement that did not go unnoticed by anyone's eyes, he opened a small spatial fissure before sending out white energy in a circular form.

Less than a second later, the spatial fissure closed and at the same time, Shizuku let out a long sigh and did her best to clear the chaotic thoughts from her mind.

"Okay. I'm fine now...". She stroked the soft fur of Yuki, who was snuggled in her embrace reassuringly.

'No, you're not fine,' Nader murmured in his mind without saying it out loud.

"Nader, what was that for?" Yue, who was by his side tugged on his arm, looking at him with her stoic face and at the same time giving him a loving look.

"I just took care of a nuisance, what was the name?". Nader put a hand to his chin and thought. He shook his head, "I don't remember the name, but is an oracle. Someone who could get in touch with Ehit from this place."

"Mmm... I see. They're headed to this place." Yue nodded and thought no more about it.

Nader took both Yue and Shizuku's hands and they disappeared from their place.

***

Shizuku looked with an expression of surprise and excitement at the beautiful view expanding below them. To her, who had just gone through a rather sad and bitter moment, the scene before her was like a breath of fresh air that washed her from the turbulent waves of evil thinking.

As they were suspended in the air, floating thanks to Nader, they could observe the whole territory of the Holy Church that was next to the Divine Mountain, they could even observe the whole Kingdom and the small moving dots.

Shizuku, who this time did not feel as dizzy as the previous times, looked up and fixed her beautiful pearly eyes on Nader's face, "What will you do with the remaining Temparian knights and bishops who are running around down there?"

Nader shook his head, "I don't plan to solve all the Kingdom's problems. That old man can take it upon himself from now on to clean up his territory."

Even if Nader could demolish the entire base of the Holy Church until there was nothing left just by waving his hand, he had no need or obligation to do so, that was not his job but the King's own.

Shizuku also understood this, she, although she wanted to help her classmates, did not have the power to do so, however, in the same way, she could not ask Nader to help her in this. He had already helped her a lot by taking her to look for her friend.

She merely nodded her head and let out a sigh, "Where are we going now, do you know the location of the remaining mazes?"

"We're not leaving, it's time for our bedtime session....". Yue suddenly interrupted and squeezed Nader's arm between her two small, perky mounds. Her crimson, piercing eyes were fixed on Shizuku's figure as if her presence was a nuisance to herself and Nader.

"Huh? What does that mean, Yue-san?".

"Sex..." Yue stated with her stoic face and even she, with all the shamelessness in the world, blushed slightly.

The sudden bombshell dropped by Yue, made Shizuku's mind explode and she went blank, completely paralyzed.

Nader let out a sigh and smiled as he watched Shizuku's confused expression slowly turn a shade of red. He could even swear he had just seen a bit of smoke rising from the top of her head.

"I know some of the locations. Right now we're near one of them, unfortunately, we can't get into it yet."

"...Near one of the mazes? And what do you mean we can't challenge it yet?" Shizuku asked curiously and pretended that Yue's previous comment had never happened in the first place, though her blushing face remained.

This time, even Yue looked at Nader's face, waiting for his answer.

Nader nodded and began to explain slowly pointing his finger at the divine mountain below them, "You see, inside that mountain is one of the Great Labyrinths, but as I said, for now, we can't claim the rewards. The reason is that we need to complete some pesky tasks to get the ancient magics."

Of course, Nader had plenty of power left over to teleport directly inside himself, unfortunately, if he did, no matter how much he wanted to, he wouldn't be able to get what he wanted since the Labyrinth would have to read his mind before delivering the ancient magic.

All of this he had realized when he used his spiritual sense, where he not only knew the exact location of the Labyrinth, but also the tasks carved into a monument, tasks that had to be accomplished for the gates to welcome him.

"On that mountain?, why did the so-called Liberators put a Great Labyrinth literally next to the Holy Church if they considered them their enemies?" Shizuku questioned in a puzzled tone.

"... Probably because of fools."

Nader rolled his eyes at Yue's disinterested comment, "Well, I guess only they would know their actions. Besides, it's not like the how and why of their founding really matters to us. All we have to do is clear some mazes and conquer this one again."

Understanding Nader's disinterest in the subject, Shizuku didn't delve further into the topic as even she didn't care that much since it's something from the past.

"... Nader, where are we going?".

"Kyu...".

Nader looked down to meet Yue's gaze who looked bored, to which he replied with a fond smile, "I promised you I'd take you on a vacation when we get out, so I'm thinking of going somewhere touristy."

Yue's eyes sparkled with happiness and her little heart throbbed with sweetness, but still, she said, "...What about our current strength?".

Knowing the girl's worries, Nader replied, "I have ways to confront that World God even if he dares to come at this time; but knowing that he is a coward, I highly doubt it. Therefore, we need not hurry when we have an eternity ahead of us."

"... Mmm." Yue nodded her head and wrapped her arms around Nader's waist in an embrace, clinging to him and smelling the scent of his body like a true addict.

"Besides...," Nader turned his face towards Shizuku, who was watching them with interest and a bit of jealousy, "we might run into your friend along the way. Nobody loses."

"Thank you, Nader. I don't know how I could ever repay you for- Ow!". Shizuku couldn't finish her word when Nader's hand came down to lightly smack her head.

"Stop that formal attitude. It makes us look like strangers who have met for the first time."

Shizuku continued to shake her head with a small smile, "It's not about being formal or not. I'm very grateful to you for bringing me along, otherwise, I would never have the opportunity or the strength to leave the kingdom walls."

"I see... anyway, do you like flying, Shizuku?"

"Huh... aren't we flying right now...?" Before she could finish her words, Nader's arm wrapped around her slender waist, "W-what are you planning to do?! Wait! Wahhhh!"

With a cry of surprise and panic, Shizuku along with her three new companions flew at full speed in a specific direction with Nader's help.

In their previous positions below, only the people of the terrified Holy Church could be seen going from one place to another in despair.