Seraphim is a Bystander

Interlude: Dialogue Between the Bystanders 2

(It’s been a while, but here’s another chat between the Seraph and the hopeless goddess.)
 
 

Around the time Aoi left on his school trip, I stepped out of that world for the first time in a while. The reason was simple: I’d been summoned to give a report to Lady Spirits-sama.
Since Aoi was away on his trip, I couldn’t use his body. And the spare vessel I had prepared was apparently tied up with detective work lately. So… given that this was outside the world, I figured it would be fine, and temporarily incarnated directly in spiritual form to deliver the report.
Just like last time, I sat in the chair that had been prepared for me, waiting. Soon, a flustered Spirits-sama came hurtling toward me at high speed. She landed right next to me, ignoring things like momentum or air resistance, and immediately bowed her head with tears in her eyes.

“I—I’m so sorry for being late even though I was the one who called you!”
“Spirits-sama… please don’t lower your head so easily to someone like me. I’m sure you’re quite busy too—it can’t be helped.”
“I’m really sorry… I-I’ll get you something to drink, okay…?”

“Thank you.”
Still trembling and apologizing in her usual slow, drawling tone, Spirits-sama prepared the same tea we’d had at the last report meeting. I waited for her to sit down in her chair, then took a sip of the tea she handed me.
“…Yes, it’s just as delicious as ever.”

“I’m glad you like it…”
As we enjoyed the tea, we both grew quiet, no doubt remembering the conversation from the previous report. The one to break the silence this time was surprisingly Spirits-sama herself.
“Um… I’m really sorry for the sudden summons…”

“It’s fine—it’s work. Though if possible, I’d appreciate a little more notice next time.”
“I’m sorry… I only got the order this morning from the Creator God to receive a report…”
…Of course. That damn god again. I barely stopped myself from clicking my tongue and continued speaking.

“I see. Then it might be because I’ve been making a few moves recently.”
“You have…?”
Yes, I have. Though honestly, I wish you’d be keeping track of things happening in your own world. While thinking that, I began explaining to Spirits-sama what had been happening recently.
I told her about how I’d created a kind of sub-body that I could move freely, and how I’d made some light interventions in Aoi’s dreams in preparation for his school trip. Spirits-sama listened attentively, nodding along, and once I finished, she took a sip of tea and spoke.

“I see… So nothing has happened yet that would lead to the world’s destruction, right…?”
“Ah, about that… I should probably report this just in case: I’ve already taken care of the original cause of the world's end from its destined path.”
“…?”

Spirits-sama tilted her head in confusion at my words. …Does ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) this goddess really not realize?
“…You know my reincarnation—Aoi—was originally fated to be a hero, right?”
“He was…?”

“Yes, he was. That child was supposed to save the world from destruction using his own power, as a part of his destined role.”
The original Aoi was supposed to fulfill a planned, harmonious role—one cog in the grand machine of fate, saving the world from a predictable doomsday. But thanks to someone, that fate was thrown off course, and a rift formed in the world, overwriting Aoi’s enemies with something far worse.
“He was supposed to deal with one end-of-the-world scenario… but now, the threat he faces is this rupture in the world itself.”

“…! I see… So the destruction that your reincarnation was meant to handle has been left unattended, then…?”
“Exactly.”
Even if it’s been “overwritten,” it’s like scribbling over red ballpoint pen with red highlighter over and over. The paper itself is so damaged it’s hard to tell what’s what anymore—but the ballpoint pen and the highlighter are still separate, no matter how messy it gets.

…Honestly, why didn’t Spirits-sama notice that? Then again, she’s the kind of goddess who nearly destroyed an entire world by accident. I guess this kind of oversight is just her thing.
“That said, it won’t happen for a while yet…”
“Still, I appreciate you taking measures, Seras-san… Thank you…”

“It’s just my job.”
…Of course, I have no intention of working too hard. I’ll continue staying in the shadows and taking it easy.