"Order!"
With that brief incantation, a jet-black healing talisman shot out from Rozen's hand like flowing light and adhered to Quetzalcoatl.
Clang!
A brilliant emerald radiance shimmered across Quetzalcoatl's body.
As the light coursed over her, Quetzalcoatl's wounds began to close at a speed visible to the naked eye, vanishing completely in mere seconds.
"Wow!"
Quetzalcoatl looked on in amazement, feeling her body fully restored, and couldn't help but give Rozen a big thumbs-up.
"Marvelous, Master-kun. To think you had such power hidden away—truly worthy of being humanity's last hope."
Quetzalcoatl did not hold back her words of praise.
Ever since surrendering, the killing intent, fighting spirit, and divine aura that had clung to her earlier were all gone.
In their place was the image of a warm, sun-like big sister—without a trace of the fierce warrior goddess they had first encountered in battle.
Perhaps this was Quetzalcoatl's true face all along.
As for Quetzalcoatl's astonishment, Rozen only smiled, quietly accepting it.
After all, what he had just used was no ordinary healing talisman, but a specially crafted one. Its effects far surpassed the common variety—able to heal even mortal wounds in an instant.
The process of making them was so troublesome that even Rozen had only prepared a few for emergencies. Spending one in exchange for a goddess's admiration was not too steep a price.
Rozen then dismissed Galatine, and with a wave of his hand, beckoned Kinu and Gyokuto down from the air. They descended as two streams of light and enveloped his body.
Before long, Rozen once again donned his jet-black feathered cloak, his fingers encircled by silver rings, restoring the divine protection of the twin gods.
Mash and the others approached.
"Are you all right, Senpai?" Mash was the first to ask.
"Looking at him, he doesn't seem hurt at all, does he?"
Ryougi Shiki answered in his place, her gaze filled with newfound respect.
Clearly, she had been deeply impressed by Rozen's performance just now.
"You really are a monster, aren't you?"
Even Ishtar cast Rozen a couple of scrutinizing looks before sighing.
She couldn't help it.
"To think you actually beat a war god in a sword fight—one of the chief gods, no less. Even that arrogant King of Uruk wouldn't dare claim he could do such a thing. I'm starting to doubt you're even human."
Ishtar spoke with exasperation, then turned her eyes toward Quetzalcoatl.
"But in any case, this means you have no choice but to admit defeat honestly, without a single complaint, right?"
At those words, Quetzalcoatl rose to her feet, raising her thumb once again.
"Sí (Yes). This time I truly lost. Master-kun won fair and square in open combat. As humanity's protector, and as both a benevolent and war god, I, Quetzalcoatl, swear in my name that I feel not the slightest resentment."
Indeed.
At this very moment, Quetzalcoatl's heart held nothing but satisfaction.
To be defeated openly by Rozen was no disgrace—on the contrary, it was an honor.
For to nurture human growth, and to witness humanity's continued prosperity and survival, was the very essence of Quetzalcoatl's divinity.
And so, seeing a human like Rozen wield such strength, enough to triumph even over herself and carve out a great destiny, Quetzalcoatl felt not bitterness, but fulfillment and deep emotion.
"Now I am certain. If there is anyone who can save Human Order and defeat the King of Magic, it can only be you."
Unable to contain her joy, Quetzalcoatl embraced Rozen warmly.
"So yes, I admit defeat wholeheartedly, without even a trace of resentment. Please—continue to grow stronger, and completely save mankind, Master."
As she spoke, Quetzalcoatl began smiling with the bashfulness of a maiden in love, radiant with both happiness and shyness.
The others could only stare in shock.
Who would have thought that the once ruthless jungle goddess could make such an expression?
Ryougi Shiki came to a realization.
"This goddess is just like Ereshkigal—putting on a fierce front, but really just a clumsy girl."
Thinking that, she found Quetzalcoatl much easier to look at.
"So, you'll keep your promise and form a contract with Rozen, right?"
Ishtar asked to confirm.
"Of course." Quetzalcoatl replied without hesitation: "I have always awaited a human worthy of being called hope. Since Master has shown the resolve and power to face even gods head-on, there is no second path for me but to aid humanity."
She tightened her embrace on Rozen's hand.
"Then I'll switch sides! I'll withdraw from the Three Goddess Alliance! From today onward, I am Master's Servant! Please take good care of me!"
Thus declared the strongest goddess.
"Wonderful!"
"Phew!"
"With this, the Three Goddess Alliance is completely finished!"
The cheers of Olga Marie, Da Vinci, and Roman rang out.
"Thank you, Miss Quetzalcoatl!" Mash too could not hide her delight.
But then she grew serious and said: "But… could you please let go of Master first?"
Quetzalcoatl was still hugging Rozen tightly, to the point where even he was starting to feel awkward.
After all, this goddess had a great figure, and being pressed against like this left Rozen unable to stay calm.
"What a pity."
Quetzalcoatl finally let go of him, though her face was full of regret.
Just then—
"Meowhahaha! How pitiful, an unwanted goddess! Forced to rely on skinship to boost favorability—so sad it'd make even a jaguar cry! Want me to lend you my paw pads, Kukul? Humans would love it!"
With exaggerated laughter, a jaguar-man dropped from the treetops and landed before them all.
"You…!"
"You finally show yourself?"
"Good! This time I'll turn you into a pincushion!"
Mash, Ryougi Shiki, and Ishtar all reacted at once—raising shields, readying knives, gathering mana into blinding light—all fully intent on chopping the intruder into pieces.
"W-Wait! Isn't this supposed to be the warm, happy End scene? Why all the murderous intent?"
Jaguar Man yelped, tail bristling straight up.
Quetzalcoatl merely gave her a sidelong glance before smiling apologetically to the others.
"Sorry, it seems my Jaguar has been causing you trouble. You're free to take her back and do whatever you like with her. Shall I lend you a cage?"
"Kukul…!?" Jaguar Man's eyes went wide with disbelief at Quetzalcoatl's words.
Everyone's gazes turned cold and hostile toward Jaguar Man.
Rozen included.
After all, this jaguar had ticked them all off.
Jaguar Man began trembling.
"D-Don't tell me the ending isn't a Happy Ending, but a Death Ending?"
The screams that followed seconds later made the answer clear.