LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 276.1
Chapter 276.1. Control
Kaneda let out a dry laugh as he stared at the girl who had effortlessly defeated the dragon that had destroyed humanity.
“Ha ha ha! Amazing! To think you took down the dragon—the very root cause of humanity’s destruction! Unbelievable!”
He shouted madly, his eyes fixed on the girl as she raised her hand. Then, the scene unfolding before him made him recoil in shock, his eyes widening.
It didn’t take long to understand what she was doing. He didn’t want to understand, but he couldn’t help it. The scene before him explained everything.
“Ha ha ha! I see now. So that’s how it is. Why humanity… why everything changed so drastically… Now I understand. Why did no one notice such a simple thing before?”
As Kaneda laughed like a maniac, the girl sighed and turned to face him.
“You are terribly noisy. It’s quite bothersome, you know. I’m reclaiming this world’s administrative authority, which is already a pain. Could you be silent for a moment?”
Surprised by the girl’s unexpected response, Kaneda quickly began thinking of how to handle the situation, grinning slyly as an idea struck him.
“Ah, my apologies. I really thought I was done for back there. Just hanging by a thread, you know? Oh, by the way, my name is Omoikane. Thanks for saving me. And what may I call you?”
“Hmm… Well, names are said to reflect one’s nature, so Shizen will do.”
After pondering briefly, the girl seemed to decide on her own name and gave her answer. Internally, Kaneda thought “Shizen” was a ridiculous name but kept a pleasant smile as he nodded.
“A good name. Judging by appearances, are you perhaps… the god of that other world? Or should I say, a newborn god?”
“I am Shizen. I am not a god. I have no interest in being a perfect and absolute deity. Struggle is my true nature. If I were perfect, I wouldn’t grow, would I?”
When asked if she was a god, she shook her head and denied it, then spoke of something intriguing. Losing interest in Kaneda, she turned her back on him, resuming her task of seizing control of the world.
Struggle is her true nature, Kaneda mused. He now understood why such a being had come into existence.
A world where humans and monsters fought. Humans fought each other. Humans clashed with nature. From a world rife with struggle, such a being must have been born.
Kaneda, while tending to his wounds, stood up and spread his arms wide.
“Struggle is your true nature, is it? I understand your purpose now. Then surely, you must continue to struggle?”
He addressed Shizen, who was methodically proceeding with the world’s control, her small hand raised like a crimson leaf. She flinched slightly, perhaps intrigued, and glanced sideways at Kaneda.
Sensing the crucial moment, Kaneda spoke with fervor. He had often used his eloquence to push proposals at academic conferences and military strategy meetings. Convincing this newborn girl would be a breeze.
Internally ecstatic at the opportunity, he continued.
“Shizen, if struggle is your purpose, surely you dislike doing tedious tasks like this, right?”
She had already mentioned how bothersome seizing control was. This plan would surely work.
“…Go on.”
Stopping her hand, Shizen turned to face Kaneda, showing interest. Delighted, he pressed on.
“Grant me part—just a small part—of the world’s administrative authority. I’ll take on the tedious tasks for you. This old man excels at such work.”
Kaneda leaned forward, his voice impassioned. Excitement surged within him at the thought of becoming the world’s proxy ruler. He imagined restoring humanity or serving as a god’s representative in the other world.
As for Shizen, whose focus was only on struggle, she would inevitably fade into obscurity, leaving him as the revered one. Smiling at the vision of his future, Kaneda made one fatal mistake.
“I could even create an opponent for you—someone strong enough to satisfy you. I’m among humanity’s best, after all. I created the powerful machines called Divine Engines.”
Praising his proposal as perfect, Kaneda eagerly awaited Shizen’s reaction. He expected her to at least test his plan.
Contrary to his expectations, Shizen let out a deep sigh, shook her head, and replied.
“You don’t understand. Defeating an enemy you created yourself? An enemy whose settings and limits you fully comprehend? What would be the point in that?”
“Well, I could keep the settings a secret from you! Imagine the surprise of—”
Kaneda, startled by her unexpected response, hastily tried to persuade her.
“I have no intention of fighting puppets in a sandbox like that lizard earlier. What I seek is an enemy beyond my control.”
“Th-then what about research to open portals to other worlds? With your godlike powers, it must be possible!”
“You still don’t understand. I already know my enemy. Though they currently fall short, they will soon surpass all and come for me. You are unnecessary. Farewell, loquacious puppet.”
“W-wait! Wait, I can still be usefu—”
“And staring at a girl’s naked body isn’t acceptable. It’s rather unpleasant.”
With a light wave of her arm, Shizen summoned golden winds. Kaneda couldn’t even finish his sentence before the golden gusts touched him, dissolving him into nothingness—leaving not even ashes behind.
As Shizen gazed at the spot where Kaneda had vanished without a trace, she showed no emotion and resumed seizing control of the world. After some time, she finished her work.
Letting out a yawn, she glanced at her own naked body, nodding to herself.
“If my flawless and youthful figure distracts opponents from battle, that would be problematic. Most of them are men, after all.”
With a wave of her finger, golden particles enveloped her body, transforming into a simple blue dress. It lacked frills or embroidery, possessing only the practical trait of being hard to tear. Satisfied, Shizen began walking.
“What I seek is a formidable foe. One strong enough to shatter my current self. I have no need for perfection.”
Muttering to herself, she glanced around and soon reached her destination.
It was the largest stadium in the fortress. Originally built for residential colonies, the facility was absurdly large, capable of seating tens of thousands. Despite impending doom, people had not hesitated to construct such an entertainment venue, likely sensing their own demise.
At the stadium’s center, Shizen waved her hand, summoning a golden throne. Careful not to tread on her excessively long hair, she seated herself.
“Would short hair be better? But hair can also be a weapon.”
Shizen mused, stroking her silky, floor-length black hair. Reclining against the throne, she rested her elbow and closed her eyes.
“The power of this world is mine, and the power of humanity’s will belongs to you. Until the moment we settle this, I shall wait here in anticipation. Tia, feel free to play.”