"From this point forward, I'll be handling your case. Aqua will be... appropriately punished."
The moment Aqua finished explaining her screw-up, she didn't show even a hint of remorse. In fact, she got smug about it—so smug, Kuro nearly punched her again.
That's when she arrived.
A gentle voice. A serene presence. A new figure stepped into the room—a girl with short silver hair, soft blue eyes, and dressed in a modest, ceremonial robe. Her appearance was elegant yet unassuming, the very picture of a dignified goddess.
Eris.
If Aqua was the embodiment of chaos, irresponsibility, and incompetence... Eris was the exact opposite.
Where Aqua forgot the names of her subordinates, Eris knew every soul she was responsible for. Where Aqua slacked off, Eris worked tirelessly. She was calm, kind, and—above all—competent. Truly, a goddess worthy of the title.
Aqua immediately lit up when she saw her, like a guilty kid hoping their big sister would bail them out. But her hope was short-lived.
Eris didn't say a word. She simply extended a hand, and a glowing seal flared into life beneath Aqua, locking her in place like a bug under a jar. Then she turned to Kuro with a warm, apologetic smile.
"I deeply apologize for everything my senior has put you through," she said, bowing gracefully. "This was not sanctioned by the Celestial Bureau. What she did was both reckless and highly dangerous."
Kuro was stunned.A goddess was bowing to him? Apologizing? Sure, this wasn't her fault, but… still.
Before he could respond, Aqua—still restrained—started whining again.
"Why are you apologizing to him?! He hit me! I'm a goddess! He should be the one getting punished!"
Kuro's goodwill evaporated.
He turned and gave Aqua a stare so cold it could refrigerate hell.
Eris sighed and massaged her temple. "Why... why now of all times…?"
Kuro turned back to her. "I think you understand what I'm about to say," he said. "I could've forgiven her, you know. I almost did. But then she opened her damn mouth again."
Eris nodded solemnly. "Your feelings are completely valid."
Then she turned to Aqua.
"Aqua-senpai, although I promised not to report this to the High Council, I cannot ignore the severity of your actions. You've shown zero remorse. I have no choice."
"Wait—Eris?! Are you betraying me?!"
Aqua began thrashing against the magical restraints. But Eris didn't budge. She didn't want to do this, but it was the only way to protect the realms from potential fallout.
A glowing teleportation circle began to form beneath Aqua's feet.
She looked down and screamed. "That's a teleport seal! Where are you sending me?! I don't wanna go!"
Eris looked pained but firm. "You'll be transported to a lower-tier isekai realm—one under our jurisdiction. You need time to reflect. I truly hope you learn from this."
Aqua's wails faded as the teleportation magic activated, and in a flash, she was gone.
Silence.
Kuro exhaled. "...That was satisfying."
"Was the punishment... acceptable?" Eris asked hesitantly.
"Oh, more than acceptable," he replied. "Feels like divine exile. I bet half of heaven wanted her gone anyway."
"Well… some people still like her," Eris said diplomatically.
Kuro raised an eyebrow. "Can you say that while looking me in the eye?"
Eris looked away.
"Thought so," he chuckled.
Putting the Aqua situation behind them, he turned serious again. "Now… what happens to me? Please tell me you're not sending me back to that boring world. I'd honestly rather die again."
His tone had gotten sharper. Aqua had pushed his patience to its limit.
Eris quickly waved her hands. "No, of course not. We've already discussed it up here. You'll be sent to the world you were originally meant for. It's not under our administration, so we don't know much about it… but the energy that summoned you is ancient and powerful. That world… it's your true destination."
Kuro's eyes lit up.
"Finally," he muttered. "Even if I have no idea what it'll be like... I've lived two ordinary lives already. This time, I just want something different. Something fulfilling. Preferably something a little more… peaceful."
"Then I sincerely hope it's the world you've been waiting for," Eris said with a warm smile.
She began casting the teleportation spell, this time with great care. A delicate, swirling magic circle formed at Kuro's feet—different from the one used on Aqua. Strange patterns danced across its surface—residual fragments of the mysterious energy that had originally tried to pull him elsewhere.
The gods had tried to analyze that power. None of them could make sense of it. But one thing was clear: it was beyond their reach, and it had chosen Kuro.
"How Aqua ever intercepted it… we'll never understand," Eris muttered under her breath.
Kuro looked at her thoughtfully.
"Eris, you know... you're like the perfect woman. Kind, smart, responsible. Honestly, if I had to choose an ideal girlfriend—you'd be it."
She blushed faintly but kept her poise. "That's very sweet of you. Thank you."
With a final pulse of light, the teleportation circle began to glow.
"May you find the life you deserve," she said gently.
"Thanks. I hope I can see you again sometime," Kuro replied, his smile genuine.
His body began to fade, particles of light lifting into the air. The patterns of the spell flickered with hidden complexity, layered with energies even Eris couldn't decipher.
"Good luck," she whispered one last time.
As his form vanished, Eris stood in silence, praying softly. She knew the destination was completely unknown—even to the gods. All she could do was hope.
Kuro's consciousness floated through a corridor of light, suspended in a vast stream of worlds. Dozens—no, hundreds—of realms drifted past him, each one showing glimpses of what could be.
He could feel their energies. He could choose one, if he wanted.
But he didn't.
He chose to trust. Trust in Eris, and in the power that had summoned him in the first place.
He closed his eyes, letting go.
"I really hope I'm not dying again. This whole 'hope-then-despair' cycle sucks."
His thoughts faded.
Then—darkness.
And after that...
Something new.