[227] A World Like This, I Don’t Want to Stay Here

[227] A World Like This, I Don’t Want to Stay Here

Chapter 227: A World Like This, I Don’t Want to Stay Here

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Ai Hoshino stirred slowly, her mind drifting up from the depths of unconsciousness, drawn by the muted sound of celebration outside. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing along the walls as she blinked away the haze. Her body felt heavy as the lingering effects of sleep still clinged to her limbs.

Where...? The question formed sluggishly in her mind, but before she could fully grasp it, her eyes fell on a figure seated in the corner of the room. He was still, head bowed, his hand methodically wiping a sword, the soft scrape of metal against cloth the only sound in the room besides her breathing.

Her heart skipped a beat.

The sight of him, his golden hair falling forward to obscure his face, sent a pang of worry through her chest. It was Aqua—her son. There was something off about him, something that made her uneasy. From the sounds outside... it seemed that people were celebrating. That meant they had achieved victory. Aqua came in the end and turned the tables.

So if they had indeed won, why did he look like that?

Is he sad because Ranefer and the others died? The thought flickered through her mind, and she pushed herself up on trembling arms. The movement caught his attention, and Aqua’s head snapped up, breaking free from whatever trance had held him. He shoved the sword aside, rushing to her side in an instant.

“Mom,” he breathed, his voice low, as if afraid to disturb the silence that had settled over the room.

Ai smiled at him, a soft, reassuring smile that she hoped would ease the tension in his posture. “Hey,” she said, her voice gentle, “I’m okay, Aqua. You don’t need to look so worried.”

He didn’t respond immediately, his eyes searching her face for any signs of pain or discomfort. When he found none, he finally let out a breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. But the shadows in his eyes didn’t fade, and Ai’s heart twisted at the sight.

“How long...?” she asked, her voice still soft.

“Two weeks,” Aqua replied, his tone clipped, as if he didn’t want to linger on the subject. “The whole world’s been celebrating, but there’s still a lot to rebuild.”

“I see,” Ai murmured, her smile gentle, even as her mind raced. Two weeks...? “And what’s this world’s Hero doing in here, when everyone else is celebrating?”

Aqua’s eyes met hers briefly, but he quickly looked away, his gaze drifting to the window. Ai scowled immediately. What? The silence that followed was thick, filled with unspoken words. Ai wanted to press him, to ask him what was wrong, but she knew better. Whatever was bothering him, he wasn’t ready to talk about it yet.

He always was a stubborn one, she thought with a touch of fondness, though the worry gnawed at her. Instead of pushing, she forced herself to keep smiling, to keep her tone light.

“You know what?” she said, changing the tone in a playful note. “Why don’t you bring me to the window? I want to see what’s going on outside.”

Aqua hesitated, but when he looked back at her, the corners of his lips twitched ever so slightly in a semblance of a smile. Without a word, he slipped an arm under her knees and lifted her effortlessly, cradling her against his chest like a princess.

Ai giggled, the sound was like music in the quiet room. “Oh, someone’s having fun with me sick here,” she teased, trying to coax a real smile from him.

“Nonsense,” Aqua replied, though there was a hint of warmth in his voice now. “You shouldn’t use that character again. You were out for weeks.”

Her smile faltered slightly as memories flickered through her mind, blurry and disjointed. Ah... right... the demon, the Venerable One... Her cheeks warmed in embarrassment as she recalled her actions from that time. How embarrassing... But then she remembered something else, something that made her heart ache for her son.

But... Aqua took that character into himself at the end... Huh... I see... Understanding dawned on her, a quiet realization that settled heavily in her chest. That’s why... She had a gist of why her son, the Hero of the world, was rotting in a room with his mother for weeks.

Aqua carried her to the window, his movements careful, as if she were made of glass. She giggled again at that carefulness, making him shake his head. When they reached the window, he gently lowered her to sit on the ledge, making sure she was comfortable before taking a step back to let her lookout.

Ai’s eyes widened as she took in the scene before her. The city was vibrant, alive with energy, the celebrations in full swing. The buildings were pristine, almost too perfect, as if they had been rebuilt anew. The streets were packed with people, their cheers and laughter filling the air with a joyous buzz.

But this wasn’t the Thyranais Empire. Ai’s eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the distinct architecture, the layout of the streets, and the subtle differences that set this city apart. Erebia...? she realized, a frown tugging at her lips. The ruined Empire had been rebuilt, it seems. Why are we here, Aqua? Why aren’t you in your home, your home city even?

But she didn’t voice her thoughts. Instead, she kept her tone light, casual, as she chatted with Aqua, pointing out the different sights, trying to distract him from whatever was weighing on his mind.

As her gaze roamed across the city, something else caught her eye. Standing tall in the center of a grand square were three statues, beautifully crafted and imposing in their presence. The first was of the Goddess Galaxara, her tranquil expression and flowing robes carved with exquisite detail. But what drew Ai’s attention were the two statues beside her—Quetzalcoatl and Ranefer. The three statues stood together as if they were part of a unified whole, a Trinity Goddess of this new world, each one a symbol of the strength and sacrifice that had saved so many lives.

Quetzalcoatl... Ranefer... Ai’s heart eased at the sight. These weren’t just statues; they were tributes to those who risked their life and fought to protect this world. It seems they were well-rewarded for their help, having become Gods in this distant world.

As they watched the celebrations unfold, Ai’s attention was drawn to a figure in the distance. A girl, her hand glowing with a vibrant green energy, was raising buildings from the ground as if reversing time to restore them to their former state. The green energy shimmered around her, and Ai’s breath caught in her throat. No, not an illusion. She’s... really reversing time...

You’re not alone, Aqua, Ai thought, her resolve strengthening with every passing second. I’ll always be here for you. If they don’t want you, they don’t deserve you.

****

The streets of Thalindra pulsed with life, the heart of Thyranais beating to the rhythm of celebration. Aqua’s home, the capital of the Duchy, was a spectacle of vibrant colors and sounds right now.

Lanterns of every hue hung from windows and street posts, casting a warm, festive glow over the cobblestone streets. Music filled the air, a harmonious blend of strings, drums, and voices, all coming together in a mix of joy that reverberated through the city. The scent of roasted meats, fresh bread, and sweet confections wafted through the air, mingling with the perfume of blooming flowers that adorned the balconies and windowsills.

In the midst of it all, Quetzalcoatl danced.

Her eyes were closed, her lips curved into a satisfied smile as she swayed to the beat. The crowd around her was a sea of faces, all turned toward her with respect and reverence. She moved with the grace of a serpent, her body undulating in time with the music. Her hands traced the curves of her dancing partners, young women who laughed and giggled as they twirled around her. The mortal joy was infectious, and Quetzalcoatl allowed herself to be swept up in it, her heart light with the success they had achieved in this world.

Victory tasted sweet, especially in a realm not her own.

Her thoughts drifted as she danced, carried away by the rhythm and the memories of their triumph. The new gods who had risen in this world played across her mind—true gods, not demi-gods. Some Barolt had been the first, a warrior who had ascended to heaven, and Elara, Aqua’s own wife, had followed. Even Goddess Galaxara herself earned an Icon from the prayers of the world’s inhabitants, solidifying her place in this newly opened world.

Yet, despite some new local deities, it was Quetzalcoatl and Ranefer who had been honored with statues, raised by the grateful people of this world.

She could still see them in her mind’s eye, those statues standing tall beside the image of Goddess Galaxara, forming a new Trinity of the world.

The Trinity Goddess—Goddess Galaxara, Quetzalcoatl, and Ranefer—forever immortalized in stone.

A small smirk tugged at her lips, though a flicker of irritation still lingered. Ranefer, that scaredy-cat phoenix, had received the same honor as she had. But then again, Ranefer had died in that final, glorious battle. In death, the phoenix had earned her place, and while it stung a bit, Quetzalcoatl accepted it with a wry smile.

As her hands brushed over the soft skin of the girls who danced beside her, her thoughts returned to the present. This world’s girls were fine. They reminded her of the English girls from a few hundred years ago, except prettier. She loved that. The beat of the drums echoed in her chest, the music pulling her deeper into the rhythm.

“You’re enjoying yourself, my Goddess.”

“May I join in too?”

The girls giggled and danced around her, radiating with power when their skin touched hers. Mortals touched by Gods. These vixens would rise in this world as celebrities soon, as girls who danced with a God. Quetzalcoatl smirked.

She was ready to lose herself in the dance once more when, suddenly, her ears rang with a message that pulled her out of her reverie. “Hm?”

[It’s me, Ai. I’ve woken up, so it’s time we leave this world. I don’t want to spend a single needless minute in a world that does not appreciate my son.]

Quetzalcoatl’s eyes snapped open, the lightness in her heart replaced by a sharp edge of understanding. Ai’s voice was calm, but the underlying anger was clear. The Serpent Goddess raised an eyebrow, a low whistle escaping her lips.

Drama always had a way of finding them, it seemed. Then again, this wasn't a funny drama—it was sad. She felt sympathetic for Aqua. Poor boy. So she understood the weight of Ai’s words.

“Sorry girls, another time~” With a sigh, Quetzalcoatl gently extricated herself from the crowd, offering a quick smile and a graceful bow to her dance partners.

The girls pouted, disappointed to lose her company, but they let her go, understanding that even gods had their own matters to attend to. The music and laughter continued to fill the air as she stepped away, her mind already shifting gears, preparing for what was to come.

This new world. It was her dominion now, at least partially. This was the reward she was looking forward to, and she had received it. She’d frequent this world often, so it’s not as if she was leaving for good.

As the sounds of the festival faded into the distance, Quetzalcoatl prepared herself to leave this fun world behind. It was a good vacation for her.

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Author Note: Not everyone got the short end of the stick in this arc, Quetzalcoatl and Ranefer enjoyed their trip. Even if one died once. Regardless, the arc is at its very end. Soon we’ll return to DxD!! (And see what fucked up situation rose there)

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