Defeated at the hands of a human?!

Impossible! How can this be?

Urgh... Curse you, Holy Emperor! You seek to use my power even after your own death?

The power of the Pious Emperor Alza Masta had finally returned me to my original form!

This humiliation...

Why you...

......

It seems like we finally got the sealed god back to normal.

It felt like it released a lot of power just now, but is that it?

I don't really know what happened, but that was incredible work you did in defeating Raka, Hans!

Oh, if only Master Seria and I hadn't been held up back there...

...we could have joined you and been useful in your fight, Hans.

*Sigh...*

I don't even have the energy to get mad at him right now.

Hans! *Huff...* *huff...*

What's wrong, Tilith? You could've just waited in the palace.

Yeah, but Suzune's all right, and I was worried about you.

Okay, that's touching and everything, but will you stop crouching down like that?

B-But we're so far off the ground.

It's a lot weirder that you guys can stand up normally out here!

We just have better posture.

And anyway, your outfit doesn't leave much to the imagination when you lean over like that.

What do you m--?!

Seria, you pervert!

A pervert?! You know I didn't mean it like that...

Ugh...

You!

......

It doesn't look like you've got the strength to fight any more.

Urgh...kill me.

Hey, Hans, let's get her back into the palace.

There's no point in hanging around out here any longer.

Please, Lord Genba, you mustn't!

Don't try to stop me, Kage!

This is all I can do.

This is the only way I can make amends!

Wh-What's all the fuss about?!

Hans, Seria...

Regardless of whether or not someone was controlling me...

...I have not only rebelled against Lady Suzune, I even attempted to imprison her!

The only way to atone for my crimes...is to shave my head here and now!

Genba...

Shave your head? But you have such nice hair!

You can't do that!

Sakunoshin said something about doing that a while back. Is that a custom in this world?!

Please! Please allow me to repent!

Shave your head?

Do you think that will be enough to repent for what you've done?!

It's you!

If you truly wish to repent for your crimes, then it is your lord or lady's right and duty to pass judgment on them.

There is no greater act of selfishness than to deny them of that!

Th-That's...

Ngh!

Princess Suzune... No, Your Majesty, may I humbly request you speak to this man?

A lady's right, and her duty...

Very well. I understand.

Genba, while it's true that you have committed some severe crimes...

...and, if you insist on shaving your head in penance, I will not stop you.

Huh?!

However, when you do...

...I will shave my own as well!

What?! But Lady Suzune...!

You succumbed to the control of this swordswoman, Raka, because...

...you were torn between your loyalty to me and your need to address the Tenmu-do issue.

That makes me guilty of the same crimes...

...for ignoring your counsel and continuing my late father's policies.

It only stands to reason that if you insist on punishing yourself, then I should receive the same punishment!

But, Princess...

Even so, I do not believe that doing so would be enough to atone for our follies.

To truly repent, we must endeavor once more to rule for the sake of the people.

Genba, if you cannot forgive yourself...

...will you at least aid me as I seek to atone?

Lady Suzune!

I... Yes.

I humbly accept your request!

I will work harder than ever before for the people, and for you, Lady Suzune!

I will be counting on you in the future, Genba.

As anticipated, you have reached a splendid decision.

It was all thanks to your teachings when I was young, Lord Myoukei.

Ah, you saw through my disguise.

You two know each other?

Yes.

Lord Myoukei was in charge of my education when I was a little girl.

Several years ago, I heard that he had vanished from the temple he belonged to. I was terribly worried.

Hahahaha! I was touring the provinces.

Oh, before we forget, there's one more person here who needs your judgement Suzune.

......

That's...!

Hans was the one who defeated her...

...but she's from this world. I thought it would be best if you decided her fate.

Indeed.

Just...kill me quickly.

That's a surprising stance to take.

I'd expect someone like you would try to survive no matter what it took.

......

Now that the Phoenix has fallen, there's nothing else I can do.

Having merged with it once...

...it took almost all of my power with it as it departed.

I doubt that I can even use a sword very well anymore.

Behaving as I used to after that wouldn't be very entertaining, would it?

I think...she's probably telling the truth.

This isn't a temporary loss.

I can sense that she has much less power within her now than she did before.

......

What shall we do, Princess?

Raka the Swordswoman...I set you free.

You may go wherever you choose.

...!

Hmph... Do you think I'm going to change my ways just because you set me free?

You're making a big mistake if that's your aim.

I am aware that you won't change.

And yet...you're setting me free?

Hm... Very well, then.

I may be weak now, but no matter the cost, I will eventually regain my strength.

Hehehe! Don't come crying in regret when I do...

I do not mean to cast doubt on your decision, Princess...

...but was that a wise decision?

It is fine.

It would be easy to execute her now.

However, it wouldn't have been a punishment...

...if we had given her the execution she longed for.

For her, a person who lived for combat and bloodshed...

...living a life in which she is incapable of them is the true punishment.

That is what I believe.

She was also saying that she'd eventually regain her strength, though.

Should she do so, we will deal with her when that time comes.

All we need to do is build a nation that she cannot destabilize.

I see...

Well, I don't think we need to add anything if you've already thought it through.

Hans, Lady Tilith, and Seria...

...I do not have the words to thank you enough...

...for everything you have done.

Am I correct in assuming that you will proceed to explore other worlds in the future, much as you did in Ohbanahara?

Yeah, our friends are off on other worlds right now.

Indeed.

Then I will give my heartfelt prayers that Hans and all of you...

...accomplish your goals unscathed.

And...

...invite you to return to this world for rest and relaxation whenever you have the time.

All of you will always be welcome among us!

Yeah, I'll definitely be back!

I want to get to know you and your world better, Suzune!