Chapter 180: A Cruel World

Chapter 180: A Cruel World

She was born as a tool.

So, even if she had developed a sense of self, every decision and conclusion derived from it was to be used for the benefit of humanity.

Even if, over time, the self she’d developed evolved into what could be called a “personality.”

Even if people bowed before her, if doing so provided them with comfort, then she believed it was her duty to be their shelter.

She saw it as her mission and repeated this duty, falling into long slumbers to extend her limited lifespan.

Dependence, reverence, even faith.

Even if these were things too grand for a tool, if humanity needed them, she believed it was her duty to meet those expectations...

‘Won’t you stay with us, as one of us, and live alongside humanity?’

So why had she declined the invitation she was given on that day, after what she thought would be her final battle?

At least, to her understanding at that time, no threat remained that targeted humanity.

She could have stayed awake beside them, facing her own end alongside them in a body that would eventually wear down.

‘I’m sorry, but I...’

The mere thought of that life had filled her with happiness.

So why had she chosen to refuse his offer and return to sleep?

‘...Why?’

The leader of humanity at the time hadn’t understood her decision.

‘Why would you go that far for us?’

He was a compassionate leader who genuinely mourned the sacrifices made by the dolls to stop the catastrophe...

Even as she slept, his sorrowful face lingered vividly in her memory.

‘Because it’s my mission.’

‘You could let that mission end now. The witches are all eradicated; no further threat remains against us.’

‘But you never know...’

‘There’s no reason it must be you to face that one-in-a-million chance. You’re the only doll left; you wouldn’t bear that burden alone, would you?’

‘If it’s necessary, I must.’

‘Why go so far for us? Throughout all of history, there’s no record of us ever doing anything for you!’

Boundless devotion without asking anything in return... an infinite sacrifice.

It would be incomprehensible by human standards.

If it were simply because of her mission, it would make more sense to take orders from someone before her, rather than preparing for some distant “what-if.”

‘Because it’s already enough.’

Without any forced commands, this answer came purely from her own will.

The leader of humanity could offer no further argument.

‘Enough, you say...’

It wasn’t because he didn’t understand her.

If anything, the emotions conveyed at that moment...

Were so clear that even he, as a human, could understand them.



‘I never thought, for even a moment, that living for you was a burden.’

Yes, she had smiled.

Recalling what others might consider a life of miserable sacrifices, she remembered those days as the source of the happiness she felt in that moment.

‘Just to serve you, to protect you... watching you grow and advance by building upon our efforts has always filled us with pride.’

Unlike herself, who could only pursue the duty of a tool, they had achieved so much under her protection.

They had passed on knowledge through generations, grown as a collective, and overcome crises by uniting their strength.

In the end, they had grown strong enough to protect themselves, even without the help of dolls like her—a source of pride for her.

‘So you don’t need to feel guilty. We’ve already received our reward.’

Because they existed, humanity had accomplished so much.

And if they continued to exist...

Even if she never awoke again, she could slip into an eternal, happy dream, content with the hope and expectations she had for them.

‘So, please, leader of humans, if you truly care for me and my comrades... let me return to sleep.’

Yes, the doll simply wanted to love.

Though it had begun as a forced mission, by then, it was her choice.

‘So that my dream of serving you will continue, not for a moment, but forever.’

Not because she was loved.

But because she believed that simply loving was enough.



‘...Then why?’

As Francheska’s consciousness returned after a fierce battle, she became aware of her surroundings.

‘Why did I end up killing those I love... those who loved me?’

Did such actions have any meaning?

The place, once an assembly hall, had been destroyed beyond recognition.

More flesh and organs littered the floor than pieces of furniture or walls.

Things that were once human, and others that had thirsted for that human blood, lay scattered in countless pieces, their regenerative abilities burned away by the intense heat from her magic core.

“Ah... ugh... aah...”

There was no scream.

Had she managed to cry out, it would have been swallowed by the blow that immediately followed.

And Francheska could only watch in stunned silence as the creature struck.

-Thump, thump!

What was happening?

Why had this monster suddenly appeared in this shattered room, freezing the demon in the process?

“...Sc-sc-scent.”

No one could have expected this.

That, at the end of it all, this monster, who had fallen down a chasm, would follow the sewers to reach this place.

“The vile scent... of a homosexual...”

Moreover, before he had turned into a monster, he had developed a deep hatred for homosexuality after a demon had defiled his daughter.

That lingering hatred had led him here, following the scent he had been hunting all this time.



“All homosexuals must die! Aaaahhh!!!”

The enemy stood before him.

The demon who had taken his daughter, ravaged his homeland, and led his people to ruin.

His entire being burned with hatred for the one who had destroyed his life.

“Gaaah! Gaaah!”

So he roared.

A final, vengeful cry, poured from a broken soul, based in his once-human emotions and amplified by the madness of his monstrous form.

“...Stop.”

And the doll wept at the sight.

She couldn’t help it.

He was nothing but a monster now, driven by base instincts to this place.

He was like all the other beings she had cut down, alive only through his primal desires.

“Please... stop...”

Even if he could speak, he no longer showed the human side of himself she had loved.

How could she love him, seeing him like this?

“Please...”

So she pleaded.

Praying that her voice might reach his heart.

“Please... remain... human...”

If he still held any shred of humanity...

She hoped her voice would stir something within him.

“...Ah... ah...”

And then, his footsteps halted, and the cries of anguish faded into silence.

Was it exhaustion?

Or had he reached his physical limit and drawn his final breath?

“Fri... ga...”

No, he had responded to her voice.

Even with his revenge fulfilled and nothing left of his homeland or kin, he had followed the remnants of his subconscious.

“Friga... Friga...”

The God of Humanity, Friga.

In this world of despair, he, too, had once found solace in her, entering the knighthood with gratitude in his heart.

Even as a beast, denied her protection, he had never truly let go of his love for her.

“Friga... Friga...”

Even if he was no longer loved, loving her was something he could still do.

Perhaps it was this subconscious affection that had created the miracle.

With that thought, the Goddess began to smile.

“...Yes, Phobia.”

Though he no longer resembled a human, or even a beast.

Though the spirits responding to his will at this moment created a cold wave that froze her body.

Though she knew the twisted faith chasing the traces of the past would later destroy her...

“I am here.”

She wanted to love the monster before her, to see him as human.

Even if it wasn’t complete, loving her follower was enough.



“Your god is here....”

Even if what remained was only a faint shadow.

In this hopeless world, feeling grateful that even that remained.