As Naohara looked at Zesshi Zetsumei, a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes.
His gaze settled on the girl before him. Tears were already threatening to spill from her eyes, yet she was still doing everything she could to hold them back.
Crying might be an effective way to relieve emotional strain, but in Zesshi Zetsumei's mind, it was a sign of weakness.
"The world isn't fair. Some people are born destined for greatness, while others are forced to struggle for survival from the moment they enter this world. You, without question, are one of the fortunate ones."
Although Naohara had seen Zesshi Zetsumei in the original story during his first life, his knowledge of her had been limited to a few brief descriptions.
This was another world, not an anime or a game.
The girl before him was not a string of cold code. She was a living, breathing person of flesh and blood.
With that thought, Naohara reached out and gently stroked Zesshi Zetsumei's head.
The moment he touched her, he noticed her body stiffen.
It seemed she was not accustomed to such intimate contact, or perhaps she still did not trust him completely.
"If you're hurting, then cry. You think the strong never cry, that tears are a sign of weakness. Unfortunately for you, I'm the strong one here right now, and you're the weak one."
Naohara spoke softly as he comforted her.
Everyone pursued different things and came to their own understanding of life.
He had no intention of lecturing Zesshi Zetsumei.
After all, if he had been in her position, he probably would have become even more extreme.
The only thing he could do was help her release the emotions she had kept bottled up.
As Naohara continued to comfort her, Zesshi Zetsumei's rigid body gradually relaxed.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, and before long, they had soaked the fabric over his chest.
"Calling me weak is pretty arrogant of you. I'm still the Theocracy's strongest combatant. Even against the so-called Six Great Gods, I'm confident I'd win."
Zesshi Zetsumei nuzzled her head against Naohara's chest twice, then broke into a smile through her tears.
Perhaps because she had been crying, her voice was slightly hoarse.
"The last guy who called himself the strongest and said he'd win ended up getting cut in half."
At Naohara's teasing remark, Zesshi Zetsumei burst out laughing.
"Then I'm definitely much stronger than he was."
She blinked mischievously, then raised her head and studied Naohara as their eyes met.
"What is it? Is there something on my face?"
"No. I was just thinking that you really are gentle, in every sense of the word."
Zesshi Zetsumei brushed a hand across Naohara's cheek, unable to suppress a smile.
Aside from the battle during their first meeting, this was the first time the two of them had been so close.
Weak?
Hah. Since becoming the "Guardian of Humanity," this was the first time anyone had called her that.
Surprisingly, it did not feel bad at all.
"When there's no conflict of interest, I'm generally quite gentle. There's a saying, isn't there? With great power comes great responsibility."
"It might be a form of moral coercion, but I don't mind doing some good when it's within my ability."
"The problem is that whenever we meet, you're either trying to kill someone or coming up with every possible way to mate with me. You make it very difficult for me."
As Naohara spoke, he pried Zesshi Zetsumei's fingers away when she tried to slip them into his mouth.
The hearts of humans, or rather, all intelligent beings, were inherently contradictory.
There was no such thing as pure evil, just as there was no such thing as pure good.
If you used kindness to protect a flock of sheep from wolves, then to the wolves, that kindness was no different from evil. They would starve to death because of it.
"Difficult? Then stop making it difficult~"
"I'm not giving up. Whether it takes a year, ten years, twenty years, or even a hundred, I'll keep pestering you~"
"That's the price of your kindness, unless you're willing to kill me right now."
"Remember? During our last battle, you said that if I ever appeared before you again, you would kill me without hesitation. So why haven't you done it yet, darling?"
"Did you forget, or can you not bear to do it~?"
Just as Naohara caught her hand, Zesshi Zetsumei suddenly rose onto her toes and wrapped her other arm around his neck.
Their bodies pressed together in an instant, their mismatched eyes locked on one another.
Their warm breaths mingled, weaving an invisible web between them.
"You really do enjoy relentlessly picking apart every loophole in my words."
At Naohara's response, Zesshi Zetsumei tilted her head slightly, the corners of her lips rising of their own accord.
"But you don't seem to dislike it, do you?"
"Consider this a parting gift. I hope we'll get along from now on, darling~"
She planted a light, fleeting kiss on his cheek, then pulled away from Naohara's embrace with a thoroughly satisfied expression.
At that moment, she looked like a child who had just received a beloved toy, her face glowing with delight.
"Oh, right. I lied to you earlier. With that old geezer who came back from the dead around, I can come and go from the Theocracy whenever I have free time~"
Upon reaching the doorway, Zesshi Zetsumei suddenly stopped and turned around, covering her mouth as she giggled.
Then, as though she had remembered something amusing, she quickly pulled out a pair of cat ears and cat paws.
After putting them on, she gave him an adorable farewell.
"Meow~"
Then she disappeared through the doorway.
...
"Hah. Interesting."
Naohara chuckled, a glimmer of keen interest passing through his eyes.
After a moment, he slowly raised a hand and stroked the side of his face, recalling the sensation from earlier.
[Dragonic Will]
Naohara silently activated the ability. A flash of emerald light swept over him, and his gaze immediately became calm. Rational thought took control, no longer influenced by emotion.
A sympathy ploy built on genuine feelings?
Someone had certainly put a great deal of effort into this.
Given Zesshi Zetsumei's intelligence and personality, she would never have devised such a method on her own. Someone must have deliberately guided her from behind the scenes.
Then who could it be?
Hah. Did he even need to ask?
"Sephis, Pandora, come inside."
Naohara composed himself and looked toward the window. Two figures climbed in from the outer wall.
"Hehe. As expected of Naohara-sama."
Pandora laughed and adjusted his hat. He was as theatrical as ever, though no expression could be read from his bowling-ball-like face.
Sephis stood silently to one side. His gaze shifted from time to time, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
"Contact Albedo. Tell her we've found information about the other Supreme Beings. Also, give me your ring."
Naohara spoke calmly as he looked at Pandora.
He had nothing else to say because there was no need.
Zesshi Zetsumei was destined not to get what she wanted.
Unless the Theocracy was destroyed, all the Six Great Gods died, and Zesshi Zetsumei was left entirely alone, just like Keno.
But could that ever happen?
[I'm looking forward to seeing how strong you are now!]
Naohara turned his gaze toward the Theocracy.
Whether or not he revealed that the desert Demihumans were preparing a surprise attack on the Theocracy made little difference.
If he said nothing, the Theocracy would most likely suffer devastating losses, forcing the Six Great Gods to intervene.
If he warned them, the Six Great Gods would realize this was a test from him, but they would still have no choice but to act.
Before two sides could speak as equals, they first had to demonstrate that their strength was equal. Mere words and theories were not enough.
Therefore, show Nazarick what you are capable of!
Let us witness the immense power accumulated through six hundred years of the Power of Faith.