I was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but that World is at Peace (WN)-Chapter 2257: Intermission: Tears of the Ice Oni - Part 3 ①

<Author's Notes>

I ran out of time and couldn’t finish writing it, so Part 3 will be split into two.

Although Epsilon had completed all the preparations and reached the stage of executing the reincarnation ritual, she already understood that the forbidden art was far beyond her capabilities.

It was undoubtedly a magic under the domain of the Gods, so much so that even among the Six Kings, perhaps only Kuromueina could perform it perfectly.

Not only did she lack the advanced techniques required for manipulating mana, but more than anything else, Epsilon simply didn’t have the output needed.

Yes, Epsilon understood. She had known even at the stage of researching the forbidden book…… that she could not perform this ritual "without offering a sacrifice". If she wanted to walk a future together with Miyabi…… she had to offer something in exchange……

Standing before the magic circle she had created, Epsilon released all her power. At that moment, two blue horns, proof of her identity as an Ice Oni, emerged from her head.

And without hesitation…… Epsilon snapped off her own horns and placed them at the center of the circle. The two horns, which held the core of her power as an Ice Oni, were offered as the ritual’s medium.

Because of this, once the forbidden spell was completed, Epsilon would never again return to her original form…… never again fight at full strength.

The power she had honed and refined over long years, a part of it was now gone…… but she held no regrets. That’s how precious Miyabi was to her.

It wasn’t about the time they had spent together. It was about the bond they shared, and above all, the hope to share a future together. Compared to that, this price felt light.

By forcefully supplementing the lacking output with the offered sacrifice…… the forbidden art succeeded, and Miyabi’s soul obtained a new body and was reincarnated.

Perhaps because the offering was the core of Epsilon’s Ice Oni power, Miyabi resurrected as a Demon possessing ice powers…… Only her hair had changed to a pale, icy blue but otherwise, she looked just as she had in her youth, when she first met Epsilon.

[……Miyabi…… Do you recognize me?]

She had done everything she could to set the conditions. Even so, this was a forced and incomplete ritual, so Epsilon called out, anxiety weighing on her heart.

At the sound of her voice, Miyabi slowly opened her eyes…… a blank, puzzled expression on her face.

[……Arehh? Ix-sama? How? I thought I was dead…… Arehh? My body feels unusually light……]

[Miyabi!]

[Wah!? Awawa…… Ix-sama is hugging me…… Eh? Why the sudden reward…… Wait, is this a dream? No, maybe I died and went to heaven? Eh, heaven even includes this kind of service? Huh?]

The voice and the way she spoke, it was unmistakably the Miyabi Epsilon had longed to see again. Overcome with emotion, Epsilon tightly embraced the resurrected Miyabi, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Miyabi, on the other hand, had no memory of her time being dead, and was clearly confused by the situation. Her eyes darted about, trying to make sense of it all, but still, being embraced by Epsilon made her happy. Though bewildered, she naturally wrapped her arms around Epsilon’s back and returned the embrace.

After waiting a while until Epsilon’s tears subsided, Miyabi listened to everything that had happened and came to understand that she had been reincarnated as a demon.

For Miyabi, the fact that she could stay with Epsilon was a source of great joy. Becoming a Demon instead of a human didn’t feel like a problem at all, and she accepted it immediately.

[……Miyabi, how does your body feel? Is there any discomfort? The ritual was extremely difficult and forcefully executed, there might be side effects.]

[Let’s see. If anything, I feel younger and more energetic than ever. As for other issues…… hmmm…… arehh? Errr, Ix-sama, I was a former Hero Actor…… and was originally from another world, right?]

[Yes, that’s right but……]

[Ah, errr…… I can’t seem to remember anything from the time I was in that other world. I remember everything from after I arrived here, but all my memories from before that are just…… gone.]

[What!? Your memory……]

[Ah, but it’s not a problem though. I still remember everything that happened after I came here, and I haven’t noticed any other missing memories, so I’m fine.]

It seemed that due to the forcefully completed reincarnation ritual, Miyabi had lost part of her memories from before arriving in Trinia. However, she herself didn’t seem particularly bothered———– after all, it was a world she could never return to.

However, Epsilon felt responsible, her expression twisted with guilt. She had heard stories from Miyabi about her former world, about a kind grandmother who had taken care of her.

There may have been more bad memories than good, but surely some of them were precious. To think that she had erased those with her own lack of skill…… Epsilon now wore a look of deep regret.

Seeing the look on Epsilon’s face, Miyabi hurriedly tried to change the subject…… but then, her eyes drifted up to Epsilon’s head, and she froze in shock.

[……Eh? I- Ix-sama? Your horns…… they’re broken……]

[Unn? Ah, these…… I offered them as the price for the forbidden art. They’ll never grow back.]

[Huh? Eh? Ehhh…… T- The price for the forbidden art…… S- So, to bring me back to life…… Ix-sama's horns……]

This time, it was Miyabi’s expression that clouded over. She knew well that Epsilon’s horns only appeared when she was in her true form. Those horns allowed her to create and wield special weapons forged from her unique cold aura, her trump card in battle.

If the horns were truly gone, then it meant Epsilon could never again wield her trump card. Miyabi’s heart sank under the weight of guilt, but Epsilon simply smiled, completely unfazed.

[No need to worry. In exchange for a friend as irreplaceable as you, I’d say it was far too cheap a price. Yes, I’ve lost something, and I regret not being able to perform the ritual perfectly…… but more than anything, I’m just happy I can see you again like this, Miyabi.]

[Ix-sama…… Yes…… I feel the same. More than any guilt I might carry, the joy of being with you again overwhelms it completely.]

They both carried regrets, and a sense of guilt lingered in their hearts. Even so, the joy of reunion was stronger, strong enough to wash it all away. In the end, for both Epsilon and Miyabi, this outcome was something they could accept with open hearts.

And for now, it could be said that their story had found a temporary resolution. However, not long afterward, a Singularity would appear in this world, and with his arrival, the destinies of Epsilon and Miyabi would once again be set into motion.

The special world created to celebrate Kaito’s birthday…… In one corner of that world, Epsilon bowed deeply. It was in a dogeza, an act of deepest apology from Miyabi's homeland, which she had once learned from her.

[……So, first off, if you’re wondering why I summoned you at this particular time…… It may not seem like it, but I’m actually the type to keep my promises. I’ve got a contract with Shallow Vernal and a promise with Kuromueina, so I’ve been careful while in Trinia. I’ll even let a single act of disrespect slide…… But "this world is not Trinia".]

A pressure that warped the very space itself…… Just as Megiddo once said about Canalis, a fight between Epsilon and the being before her couldn’t even be called a battle.

If the presence before her were to unleash even a fraction of its restrained power, Epsilon was certain she’d be crushed out of existence by sheer force alone, that’s how overwhelming the difference in power was……

[For now, you may lift your head. From this point on, you are permitted to speak freely. However, keep in mind that each word you utter might be your very last. Choose them wisely.]

The indifferent voice belonged to the one who had summoned Epsilon here, one overwhelmingly superior to her. Receiving her permission, Epsilon slowly lifted her face.

Not a single word spoken by the being before her had been exaggerated. Should Epsilon say the wrong thing next, it would be the final words of her life.

[Now then, let’s start with a question…… Do you know why I summoned you?]

As Epsilon’s face remained frozen in fear…… the God with iridescent eyes quietly looked down upon her.

<Afterword>

Makina : [What do you think? Don’t I just radiate charisma?]

? ? ? : [Well, yeah, you definitely give off a vibe like you’d seriously come kill someone. That said, the fact that you still remembered Epsilon’s name probably means it didn’t come to that in the end, so there’s some comfort in that.]

Makina : [Oh, and just as a side note, the reason Ix Nirva didn’t take on that serious form she showed in the battle with Polaris during the God Realm war is simply because she had already lost that power by then.]