––The challengers are victorious!!
Angel Mariel-san's joyful announcement rang out loudly.
"Eugy-kun!!"
Sumire threw herself into my arms.
"Eugene!" "Eugy!"
A moment later, Sara and Airi followed.
"Haa… That was exhausting…" (Eri)
Eri swayed slightly, using her spear as a cane.
"Eri, thank you. You saved us." (Eugene)
"Hmph, you should be more grateful." (Eri)
When I thanked her, she pushed aside her fatigue and smiled with her usual fearless grin.
"However…King Uther, she is a Demon Lord… Was it truly wise to release her?" (Claire)
First Knight Claire-san looked at Eri with concern.
"Oh? Are you going to capture me?" (Eri)
Claire-san shook her head vigorously when Eri gave her a provocative smile.
"Hm, indeed." (Uther)
Principal Uther seemed troubled, though he didn't look entirely serious.
(In reality, there's no one who could capture Demon Lord Eri…) (Eugene)
In the battle against the Red Dragon earlier, three people stood out as overwhelmingly strong.
Rosalie-san, the Spirit User.
Principal Uther.
And Eri.
"Ahh, I can't move anymore. As expected, a Great Spirit is still too much for me." (Rosalie)
"Mama! Drink this recovery potion!" (Rebecca)
A little distance away, Rosalie-san had collapsed flat onto the ground.
Rebecca-senpai was tending to her.
"Principal…are you alright?" (Media)
"You should rest as well, Media-kun. I pushed you too hard." (Uther)
"You're the one who should be resting, Principal Uther…" (Media)
Media-senpai looked worried about Principal Uther's condition.
Looking closely, Principal Uther was in tatters.
It seemed handling Excalibur placed tremendous strain on him.
He forcibly drew out the power of a Holy Sword that only a Hero should be able to wield.
"What's wrong, Eugene?" (Eri)
Eri stretched with a long "Nn~".
She looked tired, but that was all.
She still seemed to have plenty of strength left.
"Hey, Eri-san. I'm exhausted." (Sumire)
"How pathetic." (Eri)
Sumire clung to Eri.
They were close master and disciple.
It was then…
— "Challengers, you have done well."
A sacred voice that sent chills down my spine echoed out.
The owner of that voice was…
"Rita-san?" (Eugene)
Golden aura radiated from her body, her eyes shining in seven colors.
"The Destiny Goddess, Ilia-chan, has descended." (Eugene)
Eri murmured.
Sara's eyes widened, and she hurriedly knelt.
— "You may relax. However, it is a little difficult to speak here." (Ilia)
The moment the Destiny Goddess spoke through Rita-san's mouth, the scenery changed.
We were surrounded by a golden grassland.
This is…
"The 100th floor of the Zenith Tower?" (Sumire)
Just as Sumire said.
We were teleported to the 100th floor managed by Rita-san.
Not only Sumire and I, but Principal Uther, Eri, Rosalie-san, Claude… Everyone who fought the Red Dragon had been transported.
— "Wounds, be healed." (Ilia)
My body suddenly felt lighter as the Destiny Goddess murmured.
Looking around, Principal Uther's and Rosalie-san's injuries had vanished.
— "Now then, I would like to once again express my gratitude and speak of your rewards. However, before that, I believe it would be best to clarify what is weighing on your minds. Demon Lord Erinyes-san." (Ilia)
"......"
The smile vanished from Eri's face at being called out by name.
"Destiny Goddess-sama! Without Eri-san, we could not have won this Trial of the Gods! So sending her back to the underground prison would be…too cruel…" (Sumire)
Sumire pleaded, while Sara watched anxiously.
I was a step behind, but I felt the same way.
"Destiny Goddess-sama. If I am to receive a reward for this Trial of the Gods, please give mine to Eri. I beg you for mercy." (Eugene)
I bowed my head.
Sumire followed suit.
"......"
The others watched in silence.
I quietly awaited the Destiny Goddess's words.
— "Fufufu, you are well loved, Erinyes-san. Eugene-kun, Sumire-san, there is no need to worry. I will not order her back to the underground prison. Though she was once a Demon Lord who ruled the South Continent a thousand years ago, in truth she protected its people from being oppressed by the Great Demon Lord and the other Demon Lords. In the first place, her sealing in the underground prison of the Zenith Tower was by her own wish." (Ilia)
"!?"
Everyone except Eri showed shock.
Even Principal Uther appeared unaware.
"......Haa." (Eri)
Only Eri muttered, "Why would you say that…" and sighed.
The Destiny Goddess, descended through Rita-san, continued.
— "Just now, at the council of Goddesses, we have received approval from the Sun Goddess Althena-sama. Erinyes-san, your fall is hereby rescinded. Please, return to the Divine Realm." (Ilia)
The Destiny Goddess declared it.
"...Seriously?" (Eri)
Eri wore an expression of surprise and complexity while wrapped in light.
When the light cleared, the former Demon Lord, now restored as an angel, stood revealed, pure white wings shining from her back.