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Chapter 79 Part 3 – Alisa and ‘Mother’. What will the intertwined Ouroboros bring about in the future?

「…… That’s worthless. I absolutely don’t want to learn from you, even if it kills me. Besides, sparing Cornelia and the baby would be an order from『God』as you put it. I hate that guy. What makes you think that I would overlook an unknown factor that could possibly become the second Flora. This is the world where Scarlet and I will settle all of this once and for all. I don’t want any nuisance to get in the way.」

「Wait a minute, I’m not going to teach you the forbidden techniques. I’m going to teach it to those who would be your opponents …… for example, to Bradd. With that child’s talent, I’m sure he’ll be able to master it.」

Alisa was walking away while thinking that the offer was not worth considering when she heard the continuation of ‘Mother’s’ words.
After hearing that, Alisa stopped in her tracks.

Seeing that there was a response from Alisa, ‘Mother’ continued to push forward.

「I don’t know what your reasons are, but I know that you recognize Scarlet as your only rival and you wish to compete with her. But you know what? Even if she is the owner of the True Emperor’s Ruby, someone like her is not strong enough to play the role of Alisa-chan’s opponent. So, this is an act of mercy. I will strengthen Scarlet’s faction. Because in a way I’m representing『God』, it’s hard for me and Alisa-chan to directly kill each other, so I think it’s a great plan.」

‘Mother’ proposed a proxy war through Scarlet to Alisa.

That made Alisa become infuriated.

「…… Someone like her? She’s not strong enough to be my opponent? How dare you insult Scarlet …… She is the rival that I chose …… You’re merely the running dog of『God』that runs around in the hidden side of history ……」

A dangerous atmosphere rose from Alisa’s entire body.

「…… Exactly what do you know about Scarlet when you can only measure people by their abilities? What makes a person astounding is neither strength nor talent. It’s the way they live. Scarlet shone more beautifully than any star. That’s why I won’t let anyone interfere with my fight with Scarlet. No matter whether it’s『God』or you. I suggest you quietly go offstage.」

Alisa’s eyes changed from blue to crimson. ‘Mother’ was not surprised. Because she already knows beforehand that the color of Alisa’s eyes are actually red and that the reason why she normally has blue eyes is because she usually suppresses her powers.

「A star? Ufufufu, to think that you would compare a human to a star, Alisa-chan is such a romantic girl. However, that’s just being biased. The life of a human being is rubbish compared to the life of a nearly eternal star.」

Said ‘Mother’.

Alisa hugged her own body tightly.

「…… Ahahaha, what a foolish ex-saint. Eternity is nothing great. It’s precisely because life is finite that flowers bloom beautifully. It’s because humans are aware that life will end, that’s why they can pray for others’ sake. If humans were immortal, I’m sure they’d end up becoming some pretty shitty creatures. It would make me want to crush them immediately ……」

It was a declaration of war against ‘Mother’.

Alisa slowly opened her arms.

Her blond hair stood on end like nine tails. Witnessing the blood mist rising from her back and the huge, sharply angled wings, ‘Mother’ laughed out loud with an archaic smile on her face. She tried to suppress her laughter, but she could only suppress her facial muscles, and her laughter still reverberated with a low and gloomy tone.

「The ‘Awakened State’ overlaid with ‘Blood Atonement’ ……!? Something like that is actually possible!? Fufu, ufufufufu.」

Combined with her light, Romalian-style outfit and finely defined features, it seemed as if something unknown was howling inside the Gandhara Buddha statue. It was extremely eerie.

「Ufufufu!! Fufufufu!! Kgh ……!! Aahh, Alisa, you look so frightening and delicious ……!! I want to hold you tight, tear you apart, and suck your blood and guts out ……!! No, no, no. I have to save the fun for later …… Be patient, be patient ……」

After laughing too hard and having a coughing fit, ‘Mother’s’ pupils became snake-like as she licked her lips. She scratched her cheeks persistently, as if she were reminding herself. After she’s done that for about ten times, she regained her composure, took a deep breath, and showed a saintly smile with her blood-covered beautiful face.

「…… Alisa-chan, listen well. There are quite a few people in the Holy Church who are not satisfied with the current saint and are obsessed with me, the former saint. Well, that girl’s performance is just barely acceptable, so they still tolerate her, but she can’t even use real precognition, and she is far below me in rank, so it is only natural that they would act like so. What do you think those people who have such complaints would do when they find out about Alisa-chan’s existence? I’m sure they would try to enshrine you as the next saint.」

As she was overcome with enthusiasm, ‘Mother’ spoke all at once. Her eyes were shining. It was the eyes of a predator aiming at its prey.

「If anything should happen to me, I’ve made preparations so that the Holy Church will receive a letter of recommendation from me concerning Alisa-chan and your existence will be exposed to the public. Your bloodline is unquestionable, and the Holy Church has ‘Judges’, so they will see through your silly disguise. If that happens, you won’t be able to stay with Scarlet-san and you won’t be able to move freely. There is no way the Holy Church would leave Alisa-chan alone when you are someone who can perform real miracles. …… Look, no matter how strong you are, it is impossible for you to fend off the pursuit of the world’s largest religious organization and go on with your daily life as before. A single individual is nothing to be concerned about, but the power of an organization is scary. Even a strong man who can kill a lion with a single blow can’t shake off a hundred million ants.」

‘Mother’ used Alisa’s obsession with Scarlet as a tool for persuasion.

Alisa gave her a sharp glance.

「…… You’ve got quite the eloquent mouth. If so, then I’ll wipe the entire Holy Church off the face of the world.」

「I’m sure it would be possible for you to do that since Alisa-chan has hidden powers greater than mine.」

‘Mother’ readily admitted it. Then her mouth twisted into a smile.

「However, it will take years for you to do that. You see, I know. You can’t even sustain that wonderful transformation for a minute with your current immature body. Your inadequate physical strength has become your shackles, as it is too weak to match your abundant talent. You lack stamina. Do you know how many churches are scattered all over the continent? I wonder if Alisa-chan has the determination to waste your life on such a worthless thing.」

It was possible for ‘Mother’ to pinpoint only those in power, but since that was not enough, she purposely said that Alisa’s existence will be exposed to the public. A rifle that can take down any mighty beast is powerless to annihilate the hordes of small animals that fill the land.

「You cunning old snake that’s taking advantage of the holes called Holy Church ……」

Alisa spat out in annoyance, but then she called off her ‘Divine Ancestor’ state.

「But those holes are spread all over the world. It’s a bit cramped to live in, but it’s perfect to make use of. Just by acting a little bit more saint-like, I can get a lot of people to work for me. Some of them are quite useful. Alisa-chan, you seem to find beauty in the way people die, but I don’t understand it. Because I think that the only value of a human being is whether he or she can be used or not.」

‘Mother’ answered without hesitation.

「A giant dragon who is only interested in satisfying her own hunger will never understand the true value of people.」

Alisa glared at her.

「Yes, I don’t understand. But Alisa-chan, you too, are a monster. You recognize the so-called value of other people’s lives, and yet you are able to cruelly trample them down for the sake of your own goals. We are very much alike.」

It was a quarrel between two demon kings with different principles.