After the removal of Kirié, the world immediately entered into reconstruction.

The zombie virus that Kirié had created and spread was completely eradicated, and everything returned to a peaceful era. However, as a reward and in recognition of the efforts made to prevent the apocalypse, the reconstruction was carried out in a world favorable to those individuals.

This was due to Zero’s earnest request, made together with God, to save the world from destruction. Zero, utilizing the knowledge of the gods taken on a USB, awakened the missing goddess, Ardel, and earnestly requested her.

“I have a favor to ask, Ardel.”

“What is it? The successor god who woke me up from a distant era.”

Zero explained everything about the creatures he had saved, who managed the world in Ardel’s place during her absence. He didn’t miss out on highlighting the significant contribution of God and her in the process.

“…So, what favor do you want?”

“Please restore the memories of God and her companions.”

Zero deeply bowed towards Ardel.

“If it’s you, the administrator of this world, I know it’s possible.”

“Yes.”

“To ensure the stable reconstruction of the world, unavoidably, the hardships experienced by God and her companions were all turned into non-existent events erased from their memories. But I think that shouldn’t be the case.”

No one should arbitrarily take away the memories of their efforts to save the world. Even if it wasn’t a new agreement with the gods, Zero considered this a necessary measure.

“As the successor god, I understand that it’s difficult to enter the upper echelons of the divine realm. So, please implore them on behalf of Ardel.”

“Why should I do that?”

“You are the last remaining descendant of the precious bloodline of Kalladia, whom you loved and cherished in that world.”

A tremor.

At Zero’s words, flames sparked in Ardel’s gentle eyes.

Zero continued undeterred.

“Ashton, the last remaining descendant of that bloodline, was saved thanks to God. If it weren’t for her, Ashton would still be wandering the cold wasteland, having lost the reason to keep on living.”

“If I made a deal with the gods and even induced you to save that child, was it to weaken me in front of Kalladia’s name?”

At Ardel’s words, Zero lowered his head.

“That’s not the case. The gods had no intention of that. It was a mere coincidence. An outsider from another world formed a deep bond with the descendant of the human you loved.”

Ardel silently stared into Zero’s eyes. Zero never avoided her gaze, knowing that it was an attempt to discern whether it was truth or falsehood.

Having peered into Zero’s memories, Ardel let out a deep sigh.

“…I see. A lot happened while I was asleep.”
“Then, are you going to grant my request?”

Still in the form of a small hamster, Ardell sent an expectant gaze and patted Zero’s head with a wry smile.

“I promise. I will do my best to obtain permission from the divine realm and restore their memories. I will make sure they can reclaim the stolen memories.”

“Thank you!”

Delighted, Zero, intending to check whether Ardell’s world had successfully reconstructed, hesitated before going down.

“Oh, Ardell!”

“What now?”

“It’s nothing, just a message from the higher-ups in the divine realm that I must convey.”

“…?”

Grinning, Zero, now with a loosened neck, imitated the voice of the higher gods and said,

“I complain about Ardell, who abandoned her duties and fell asleep as she pleased. For the crime of neglecting her duties, she’ll be confined in the body of a temporarily speechless beast. Until novice god Zero proves the integrity of the world with her, you cannot return to your original state.”

“What, what did you say?”

Ardell tried to protest, but as soon as Zero finished speaking, she transformed into a small guinea pig.

“Squeak, squeak! (What is this!) Squeak, squeak! (Is this why, Zero, you can’t fulfill your request anymore!)”

To this, Zero confidently took out a recording artifact.

“No? I’ve recorded Ardell’s promise well and conveyed it to the higher-ups in real-time.”

“…Squeak. (Are there scammers like this?)”

“Angry as you may be, there’s nothing to be done. You neglected your duties, forgot that you are the administrator of one world, and allowed the world to be neglected until it led to its destruction because of personal emotions.”

“…”

Ardell couldn’t respond. Zero’s words were true.

Zero, in hamster form, patted the shrunken guinea pig on the shoulder.

“Just accept it. Well, you probably anticipated this kind of mischief. Be grateful that it’s ending quite gracefully.”

“Squeak? (How can I be grateful for this?)”

“Just stop by the human realm for verification procedures and come back. I also have a responsibility to see the results of my new bet. Now, let’s go together. I also need to fulfill my responsibilities.”

As Zero took unsteady steps, the resigned guinea pig version of Ardell crawled on all fours.

Under their small feet, the now peaceful human realm revealed itself.