"Yes . I am Scala . Goddess of Destruction . "
"De-destruction!?"
The word 'Destruction' had quite the impact . Miki was surprised and Tenjouin gulped .
"I'm surprised you're so open about that . "
"It would be stupid to hide when people already know of the existence of gods . Besides, you're the one who asked . "
Tenjouin had assumed she would hide it, and so he was a little surprised .
"Now that you know, hurry up and give it to me . "
She was already irritated over having to come here .
Scala pointed at the sword angrily .
Now that he knew who she was and her demands, Tenjouin felt that she probably would leave quietly if he gave her the sword . And yet he did not .
He looked at Scala . He could not help but wonder about something, now that there was a god in front of him .
It seemed like a waste to have it end so simply .
"...Could I ask you something first?"
"Huh? What?"
Tenjouin was still sitting on the ground as he looked up at Scala .
"Would you fight me?"
―――――――――――――――――
He knew how it would end even before it began .
"Hah...ha..."
"What? Over already?"
But he hadn't expected to be toyed with so much .
His hands and knees were on the ground as he tried to catch his breath . Tenjouin was overwhelmed by the difference in power .
Miki was the same . She stood in a corner and looked shocked .
"Hold yourself together . I haven't even taken a single step . "
Scala said tauntingly as she folded her arms .
It was true . She had not taken a step since the beginning of the fight .
It wasn't something they had decided on . She had just decided that there was no need for it .
He had used the sword from Korola, but it barely even mattered when the difference in power was so wide .
As evidence, Scala did not have a single scratch . She wasn't even sweating .
So this was the power of a god...
As for gods, Tenjouin had only ever seen Korola and Metron up until now . And so it was a moment where he was reminded of just how great they were .
"I heard that you were from the same world as Yato and had high expectations . But no, someone like that is clearly rare . "
Scala said in a disappointed voice . Tenjouin twitched at the mention of the name Yato .
"You know Yato...Kamiya?"
"Yes . We even had a fight to the death once . "
It was a little confusing what she meant by that, but it had nothing to do with Tenjouin .
"So-so, who won?"
Tenjouin asked hesitantly . Scala muttered something and tried to remember .
"Well, someone got in the way and we never finished it . But had we continued, well, even I am not sure . "
She thought about it for a while and then said, 'No, I would probably have won in the end . But Tenjouin didn't hear her .
They fought and it was an even match?
If that was true, it meant Kamiya was as strong as a god, or even stronger...
This fact was the most shocking for Tenjouin .
He had thought that defeat was something that couldn't be helped against a god, but the person who was his goal was in the same spot as the gods .
He had seen Kamiya's level once, but had it been this high...?
"...Goddess of Destruction . "
"Hmm?"
"You may have the sword back . Thank you for fighting me . "
He said in a weak voice . Tenjouin then put the sword down in front of him .
"I shouldn't be so surprised, seeing as you're a god and all . I was completely defeated . "
Tenjouin closed his eyes and took in a deep breath as if he were surrendering .
This wasn't just an enemy he could not beat .
He wasn't even fit as a diversion for her . Had Kamiya thought the same about him?
"I will try to become stronger . "
He stood up and returned to his calm self .
This was what it felt like to give up...
They were going to defeat a demon lord, not a god or Yato .
Thankfully, there were no demon lords that were stronger than a god .
He could do it just as he was .
At this point, he had to admit it .
He would not be able to surpass Yato .
"...Well, if you're really going to give it back . "
Scala seemed a little surprised at his sudden lack of spirit, but she picked up the sword anyway .
"Uh, how did you get so strong, Goddess of Destruction?"
Tenjouin suddenly asked as she picked up the sword .
He simply wanted to know how she had reached this point .
'Ah, yes...' Scala seemed to hesitate as she searched for an answer .
"I just kept fighting . "
That was her answer after much thought .
"What? That's it?"
"What else could there be?"
Tenjouin had been sure that there was more to it . But Scala's expression suggested it was the most obvious thing in the world .
He was confused at first, but then it dawned on him .
They were fundamentally different from him .
Like training with the sword or practicing with magic .
They were satisfied as long as they could train in a warm location . But these gods had different values .
They didn't see danger as danger . They would do anything to get stronger .
That's why they were so different .
"Yes, I could never do that . "
Tenjouin said with a weak laugh .
He might have had a chance when he was first summoned .
But now the gap was too wide to fill .
After all, even Yato was still growing stronger by the day .
The gap between us will never be filled now .
At least, in his current situation, there was nothing that would help elevate him .
It was as if the fiery spirit had started to die within him . His feelings were sinking . Scala just stared at him .
"You . You want to get stronger?"
She said suddenly .
"I do . "
He had worked so hard .
"Then you should become stronger . "
It was not that simple .
"I mean to . "
He could still defeat a demon lord .
He hadn't given up becoming stronger . But he knew there were limits .
In the first place, it was only his own pride that led him to want to defeat Kamiya . There was no actual need for it .
He knew about this difference already .
It was not something he should feel bad about .
He told himself this . And then something came to him .
Why had he wanted to defeat Yato so bad?