Capítulo 16: One by One
Narrator's POV
After Charlotte's death and Remi quitting the game entirely, nothing stayed the same.
The girls, as much as they want to have fun at their own leisure, are not able to.
The abundance of the memories made amongst Players within the Clan Base made it hard for them to bear.
They eventually stopped with their 'Roleplaying Series', for them to play, each has a significant role. A cast of Heroines...
But what is there to play, when a Heroine dies and another quits?
The joys of playing a fantasy character were no more.
Each girl was tormented by sweet but now bitter memories, burdened by immense guilt.
For who dares to play when one friend is dead...
Who dares to laugh and enjoy at times of loss...
No one did.
The baggage, the weight, of the cruel reality dragged them down to a point that their time of leisure was spent on mourning.
Their minds circling on thoughts... on 'what if?'.
'What' and 'If'...
Two words that are as nonthreatening as words can be.
But put them together...
And they'll have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life.
'What if we didn't help her get ready?'
'What if we didn't play on that day?'
'What if we did something... more?'
'Maybe she wouldn't have died?'
'Maybe... just maybe...'
Just as the girls are filled with woe. Their time is spent toiling away in their careers. Earning money for the sake of security. Money for the sake of achieving justice for Charlotte, little by little.
Each of them, even though they know their efforts can't contend with those of the rich and powerful. They will not give up hope. They will not rest unless they are not able to grant Charlotte peace.
As for our Hero, he is left stumped.
What is he to do when he can do nothing?
Trapped in his own body made out of data and numbers.
Stuck in an endless loop of commands and a script of words.
He cannot find a way to comfort the friends he had made in the years of his arrival. Unbeknownst to the girls, though they may see all this as a game, he has found a friend in them... no matter how shallow it may seem.
What is left for him to do?
Comfort them in silence? Steel his heart and just mope around till the shutdown? Accept their fates as it is the way of life?
Should he... pray? But the question is... to whom?
To the gods?
Ainz was never a devout believer of any religion.
He was an atheist.
For who is he to believe and have faith in other than himself?
All things he had achieves are done through his own hard work. There were no sparkling blessings or prophetic dreams, nor were there any miraculous events. All he had, he worked for it by himself.
So what use is there to believe in a god who does nothing but leave their children in suffering?
Our Hero was lucky to be born with privilege but what of the others?
What of the kind souls that suffer as if they deserved it?
Why let the ones who are foul and vile, live their lives in luxury?
'What is it that these gods truly want?'
'A show?'
'Are they perhaps not entertained enough with their plays?'
'This... Unending tragedy, a play filled with the darkest shade of humanity?'
'What did they do to deserve it?'
Questions rouse from the storming mind of our troubled Hero.
The world is treacherous.
For the starved are left to die of hunger or steal, only to be killed for their crimes.
For the old and sick are left to die in the streets.
For the weak are abused and raped.
For the desperate are worked till their last breath.
The world is dying or better yet, it is long dead.
Its silent screams were never heard when it mattered.
What is one to do to stay alive in the wretched hell called Earth?
Where death and ruthlessness is nothing but mercy upon themselves.
Where the world continues to drown itself in the hubris of humankind.
Where trying heroes in the making die young before they could do anything?
Small embers are being extinguished at every moment.
Even the smallest spark of hope dwindles in the hearts of men, women, and children.
What is there to hope for?
When the light of day is covered in smog and poisoned air.
When the sun, the moon, and stars no longer shine?
When critters, both great and small, are to left for dead?
When nature that used to prosper freely upon the earth, are now trapped within the confines of constructs?
Who do you call for? To whom do you seek help?
No one...
The gods have left... that is... if they existed.
The world has grown too cold, too cruel, that life has become the notion of 'to each for themselves'.
But despite all this... when nothing is left to do... when there are no more cards left on the table... Nothing but only sheer desperation...
He prayed.
Ainz prayed, an act rare in his life.
He prayed.
For peaceful nights
For better days
For fulfilling food
For warm homes
For sweetness embrace
All these he prayed to whoever was listening to.
He prayed not for himself but for the girls... for Charlotte... for Sera.
Is this how it is going to end?
Is this to be the fate of this dystopian earth?
Where Pandora's Box which contained all the evils of the world has been opened for so long.
Wasn't there still Hope?
Humans as complex as they may be...
Are disgusting, cruel, and wretched.
Yet capable of warmth, compassion, and kindness.
They can truly be anything, given the chance.
That is the magnificence of Humanity.
The endurance, the fortitude, and resilience that is required to adapt.
But its greatness... they can be 'controlled'.
In this world, money reigned supreme.
But should our Hero let it happen to another?
Whether they live or die, is up for the to fates decide.
He shall be that 'Fate'.
He shall be that 'Hope'
He shall be the one to seal their fates.
He shall be the one to decide.
Whether to live or die, to start and end.
Not Money!
Not Guns and Bombs!
Nor self-proclaimed Kings or Queens!
Not the Rich!
Nor those who claim to be Powerful!
With great determination and conviction in our Hero's eyes.
He swore to not let the world he is to dwell in, follow the same path as this.... Earth.
He had set his sight towards the others.
The girls...
The members of the Angelarium Clan, sat on their own designated throne.
One by one, they stopped playing.
One by one, their images drifted afar.
One by one, they left their spotlight.
One by one, they left the fantasies behind.
One by one...
One by one, except...
Sera.
The Creator... The friend... The Love of our beloved Hero.
She stayed.
All alone, sitting on her throne.
But the cruel fates still have something in store...
She won't be staying for long...
Not that our hero has to know.
_____
Sheeeshh~ 1 more chapter to go before the next Arc!
How was today's chapter?
I experimented a bit on making this chapter using the Narrator's POV.
I don't know if this is the first and last or if I'll do it in future chapters.
I wanted to explore different perspectives and was planning out how to create different POVs for different chapters with different characters.
Does it seem weird? Let me know in the comments.
By the way! We actually made it to the Ranks! and we passed the 1,000 Collection mark!
Seriously I am mind blown by that info.
I was not really expecting anything when I created and posted this but I'm so not complaining about how far it reached in just 2 months!
I can't thank you all enough! It brings me so much joy and satisfaction that you guys like the story.
Also, I wanted to point out a concern of mine. I wanted to ask some of your wisdomous wisdom, dear readers.
(づ￣ ³￣)づ
You see, I'm quite concerned with the 'simping' thing. What is the level and scope of actions for someone to be considered as a simp? Cause it truly baffles me.
I know different people have different sets of perspectives, truths, and values. But all this time I really thought the feelings that our MC has towards Sera is Mild. Like the type where if it was in my spectrum, it would be the bare minimum.
I do sometimes base the actions and feelings of our MC entirely on what I would do and feel if I were to be in his shoes.
But I won't consider it as 'Simping' because for me by definition, a Simp is destructive both emotionally and socially.
As for the follow-up question from the Q/A chapter regarding the Romance. Boy were you guys frustrated Hahaha Sorry about that. (つ≧▽≦)つ
I will confirm that there will be a Romance. But it would be in the far faaaarr further up future. So let's settle for one-sided feelings for now. (~￣³￣)~
And... that's it for now? I guess?
Anyways, none of the milestones would have been reached without you, my beloved readers! Thank you so much for reading!
And of course, I can't forget about the supporters~ Thank you so much as well! You guys truly outdone yourselves with the Power Stones this time! Sheeesh~
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Hope you all liked it! Got any suggestions? Violent reactions? Comments and Reviews? I welcome it all ~
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Reyviel_Faesly
Reyviel_Faesly I just realized that when I edit published chapters, both mine and the readers', the comments get removed. I'm sorry it took this long for me to realize.
Some of the your comments were great that I'm sad that it got removed. (༎ຶ ෴ ༎ຶ)
I'll make sure to edit properly so It won't happen again. (╥﹏╥)
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