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"...aster? Master Lloyd!?"
I opened my eyes to the sound of a familiar voice. I was in my own room.
The moment I tried to sit up—
"Master Lloyd!"
"Mph!?"
Sylpha pounced on me, tackling me back down into the bed.
W-What? What in the world was happening?
"Hmph. Looks like you’re finally awake."
Connie—or rather, Beal inside her—spoke to me via Telepathy.
"We were worried, Master Lloyd. You just wouldn't wake up."
"Indeed. But it is a relief to see you have finally returned to your original body."
Grimo and Jiriel were there too, perched on the palms of my hands.
In front of me, Sylpha had me pinned, pressing her entire weight against me, while Ren looked on apologetically, clearly having been unable to restrain her.
...Ah, right. My Fusion with Beal had been dissolved, and I was back in my own body.
I had completely forgotten, but that was the whole reason I went to the Celestial Realm. It seemed God had granted that wish for me.
"Was this for the best, Lloyd-kun?"
"Yeah. It’s a huge help."
I nodded at God's voice echoing in my mind.
Man, I’d wondered what would happen if I couldn't change back.
There really was nothing like my own body. That Magic Body was just too powerful; it never felt quite right.
"Hmm. Even so, it seems a pity. The power you gained through Fusion surely surpassed even that of a God. As a lover of magic, do you not find it a waste?"
"Not at all," I replied with absolute certainty.
To begin with, I had no interest in strength for its own sake. It was true that manually operating a Magic Body was a fascinating experience, but it felt ethereal and weightless, which made me restless.
Besides, that was someone else's body. While it led to new discoveries in its own way, I was much more at ease in my own skin.
"Besides, it’s not like that state is necessarily the ultimate form for handling magic. Magic is deep. There are surely other forms that allow for a broader and clearer understanding. Given the possibility of encountering those, I have no lingering attachment to that body."
As a side note, having Grimo, Jiriel, and even Beal all cohabiting in my body was a bit annoying. I could hear voices from everywhere; it was so noisy I couldn't concentrate on my research.
"Wait, Master Lloyd, you never listen to what we say anyway!"
"Especially when you're focused, sir. In fact, it seems you can't hear anything except for us during those times."
"Precisely. Don't go blaming us for your lack of concentration."
Grimo and the others were grumbling, but in this body, the resonance of their voices was much softer. While it wasn't a huge problem when I was focused, there was no doubt that peace and quiet were preferable.
"Is that so... I suppose it is. Perhaps it is because you are who you are that you were able to defeat even that most terrible of Demon Kings. I thought that if it were you—someone who possesses such power yet lacks a wicked heart—I could entrust the Throne of God to you... but I'm sure you would find the idea repulsive."
God began muttering something to himself.
Was the Telepathy failing because he was in the Celestial Realm? Bridging the Dimensional Wall seemed like quite an ordeal. He did lose to the Demon King, after all, so his raw power probably wasn't that impressive.
As I was pondering this, God let out a loud, awkward cough.
"Ahem! ...I understand. In that case, I shall say no more. You should live as freely as you please."
"I was going to do that whether you told me to or not."
No matter what anyone said, I was just going to do what I wanted.
Hehehe, regardless, I really gained a lot from this expedition. From the Magic Body of the Fusion to the various Spell Formulas of the Celestial Realm, a massive number of Angels, combat with the Demon, and even the Spell Formula of the First Demon King... Naturally, there were many large-scale spells that could only be used while in a Magic Body, but that just made them all the more worth the effort to adapt.
I’d like to try going to the Demon World next time. I’m sure it would be fun.
Nothing can stand in the way of my curiosity. Not even God or a Demon King.
"More importantly, tell me how you undid the Fusion."
"Ho-ho-ho. Then, farewell."
"Ah! Hey!"
I called out, but God's presence gradually faded away.
Tch. A God who doesn't listen to a word anyone else says. If I’d had a clear enough head, I could have analyzed the process... What a waste.
Well, whatever. I’m sure there will be another chance. Next time, I’ll devise a way to automatically convert any magic I receive into a Spell Formula.
"Master Lloyd!? Please, pull yourself together!"
"Whoa!"
As I was vowing a rematch with the unknown in my heart, Sylpha suddenly grabbed my face and pulled hers close to mine.
...Crap. I forgot about Sylpha.
"Just when I thought you'd finally come to, you start muttering to yourself... Oh, this won't do! I really should have prepared for the worst! I must take you to a Doctor immediately!"
"Wait, wait, Sylpha? I'm telling you I'm fine... Hey, listen to me—"
Ignoring my protests, Sylpha caught me in a full nelson and began hauling me off.
I looked to the others for help, but Ren and Connie just shook their heads as if to say it was useless.
"Even Master Lloyd, who fears neither God nor Demon King, can't beat this Maid..."
"Sylpha-tan was dreadfully worried, after all. It would be best to just obey quietly for now."
"Kuku. Well, why not? You've been enjoying yourself by leaving everything to Connie and the others until now. You should keep her company for a bit."
Tch. Even Grimo and the others... I had no allies.