A battle rages in the heavens — a debate of the divine vs. the mortal — one that would determine Hajime-kun’s dignity for the rest of his “adventure.”

  Valiant declares, “I’ve found a violation in ToS 337642 under the Heroic Labor Framework! Hajime’s work hours are supposed to be nine to five with paid overtime, yet he’s forced to work weekends — and for minimum wage! That’s a disgrace for a hero!”

  Deus replies, “It’s not a violation. ToS 538792, the Indentured Hero Doctrine, stipulates that Hajime-kun’s work hours are at the discretion of his handlers.”

  Valiant slams the table. “He legally immigrated into this dimension! He deserves a dignified life for PR purposes!”

  Deus sighs. “Fine, fine, let me amend it for you.”

  She scribbles: “Hajime’s work hours shall be nine to five, but he must pray daily to Deus for her holy grace by watching a one-hour ad of ‘How to Worship 101.’”

  The amendment passes — but it’s total nonsense.

  Valiant narrows her eyes. “This clause is problematic. What’s this about marrying the Saintess to get the final wish? It’s oddly specific and denies Hajime’s agency to choose his own lover.”

  Deus crosses her arms. “You’re being ridiculous. Hajime’s one true love is obviously Elnora. Who doesn’t love her?”

  Valiant shoots back, “Apparently all the heroes before him!”

  Deus frowns. “That’s not true! Most of them did… she’s just… picky!”

  “So all the hard work for the wish means nothing if she doesn’t love the hero?! That’s a scam!” Valiant roars, slamming the table again.

  “Hey! Don’t be rude! That clause was added specifically for this hero selection. The old one said the hero must marry his one true heroine!”

  Valiant growls, Deus continues. “Amanonus got his wish because he found his reincarnated wife, its understandable he didn't choose Elnora!”

  Hajime, pale as paper, hesitates. “Not to pry, but… what was Amanonus’s wish?”

  Deus shrugs. “To be reunited with his daughter in this world.”

  Hajime goes even paler. “The wish… must’ve failed… right? Is Amanonus alive?”

  “Yeah,” Deus says casually. “Living a wonderful retired life somewhere. Probably drank the Fountain of Youth after seeing the ad posted by the White Lady.”

  Whalescalibur yells, “HE’S NOT DEAD?!”

  Deus shrugs. “ He healthily living in this world. Exercising and maybe doing keto?”

  Hajime trembles. “Then how were you going to complete his wish?”

  Deus snaps, “Of course we were going to summon his daughter as the new hero! Now I have to deal with you instead!”

  Hajime sighs in relief. “She’s not here… thank the gods…”

  Some color returns to his face as the debate drones on.

  Valiant flips another page. “This clause is even stranger! Why does Hajime need to model in a G-string in front of nuns?”

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  Deus answers calmly, “It’s the hero’s duty to raise church morale.”

  They don’t amend that one.

  “Hold it!” Hajime protests. “Fix that one!”

  Valiant smirks. “Nah. I want to see that.”

  The other swords chant in chorus, “Ditto!”

  Hajime groans, black lines forming on his face. “How long is this going to take?”

  Deus says, “At this pace? Three days.”

  Valiant: “Two if we skip lunch.”

  Hajime mutters, “Is there any chance I just don’t sign this crap?”

  Then, deep within, a whisper echoes: “My Herald…”

  A strange warmth fills him. “Who’s thinking of me?” he wonders aloud. He sneezes, then returns to the endless nightmare of divine paperwork.

  “The hero must now be receiving the sacred covenant between the divine and man,” she says while polishing her staff. “He must be overjoyed, knowing his endeavors are sanctified by this once-in-a-lifetime contract!”

  Merryad is busy rebuilding the city, burning the remains of fallen monsters. Hope returns to the people, and Elnora’s delusion deepens.

  “As his humble follower, I must show his greatness. Only then will he recognize me as his one true heroine and… advertise our union at journey’s end!”

  She clasps her hands, trembling with devotion. “Don’t worry, hero. Your heroine will be there every step of the way…”

  But deep down, her love is slipping into obsession — the kind that remakes others by force.

  She clenches her hand. “Everything’s on schedule…”

  Melissa straightens her coat and approaches a desk worker “Melissa, coworker, visiting Nocture — bringing assorted Nocturne Stream ads to Room 1.” They give her access and Melisa arrives at a premium room.

  Knock, knock.

  A sultry voice from within: “You may enter.”

  Melissa opens the door and sees a mature, black-haired beauty with glasses reading a catalog, sitting beside her comatose daughter.

  “Ah! A friend of my Nocture! How wonderful — her first visitor!”

  Melissa bows. “Yes, we’re colleagues. I help with her marketing...”

  “How lovely,” the woman beams. “Her success has been one of my proudest joys.”

  Nocturne mumbles in her sleep, “Hero… abs… mine…”

  Her mother smiles faintly. “She reminds me of my youth…”

  Melissa tilts her head. “You… knew a hero too?”

  Noctrine chuckles. “A story as old as time. We were— never mind.”

  Then she notices someone lurking. “Aren’t you going to introduce your friend?”

  Melissa stammers. “Ah, this is Haruka, my intern.”

  Haruka bows. “It’s a pleasure, ma’am. I’ll be shadowing Melissa-san.”

  Noctrine stares, stunned. “You… look just like her…”

  Confused, Haruka bows again. “I… beg your pardon?”

  Noctrine shakes it off. “Forgive me. I’m Noctrine — mother of Nocturne. It’s a pity she’s asleep during such a kind visit.”

  Melissa asks carefully, “Have the doctors prescribed proper treatment?”

  “Oh yes,” Noctrine says brightly. “The Mesothelioma Ad Special, with a healthy dose of Cough Syrup Bonanza spots. The doctor says she’ll recover in no time!”

  Melissa forces a polite smile. “That’s… good to hear.”

  Then she produces a letter. “I also have business with you.”

  Noctrine opens it, her expression hardening. “Ah… so she’s collecting. And she wants me to mentor you in an Idol Training Arc?”

  She squints at Melissa. “No offense, but you don’t look like idol material…”

  Her gaze drifts over Melissa’s messy hair and baggy clothes. “Hmm. This’ll be a challenge — but I accept! Come back when Nocturne wakes up. We’ll make it a joyous training arc between friends!”

  Melissa trembles, whispering internally, “This is hell! Why meee?!”

  She looks at Walletbreaker. “You’re to stay with Haruka 24/7 during training. No distractions.”

  Walletbreaker groggily replies, “Okaaaay…”

  Haruka asks, “Walletbreaker-san, you’ve met the hero, right? What was he like?”

  Walletbreaker, always talkative, begins to spill everything about Hajime — right to his stepsister.

  A chill runs down Hajime’s spine. Every absurd clause that Valiant amends against Deus is sapping his life force.

  Valiant gasps. “What’s this about a skimpy AdsMax event in the Bestial Kingdom of Furutopiad?!”

  Deus smiles innocently. “We’re expanding demographics. The beastfolk will appreciate the… marketed meat, cough, hero!”

  Hajime gulps. “And what percentage of that population would you call… humanlike?”

  Deus taps her blocky chin. “Depends on the bloodline. Some are full fur and pheromones.”

  Hajime paler that the moon.

  Valiant shouts, “Hold it! Only mostly human beastfolk are allowed — for anatomical reasons!”

  Deus smirks. “Selfish, aren’t we?”

  Valiant’s lion ears twitch. “Of course I am!”

  “Please,” Hajime groans, “don’t make me…”

  Deus, softening, says, “Fine. As long as you watch a 30-minute ad titled ‘The Joys of Interspecies Relationships,’ we can skip that arc.”

  Valiant nods. “Deal.”

  Hajime screams, “PLEASE STOP! NO MORE!!!”