-No One's P.O.V-

After your death, Ricca and Iris were easily bodied by the Arch-Lich.

Claret: Ricca...! (Y/N)...! Iris! Anyone...! Please respond!

Claret yells through the Crystal Ball, but there was no response as we zoomed out and see Iris who is weakened while the Arch-Lich was lifting Ricca by the throat.

Arch-Lich: Gnat of God...I traced the wave of magic that holy knight's brooch was emitting, and spied on you. On learning the appearance of that girl, I told my minions...Then ordered them to attack that town with the church!

Ricca: Aaauuugh...Huff...Huff...For killing my sister...For killing all those people in the village and town...and for killing my (Y/N)...I'm going to destroy...You're the one...Huff, Huff...That's going to get punished by Miria and (Y/N) in the afterlife!

Arch-Lich: Oho...Still so rebellious after I've beaten you so hard and witnessed your future husband's death.

Ricca: Shut your mouth...! Aaaugh...I won't ...let you...

The Arch-Lich then throws Ricca into the wall and falls to the ground until we hear Iris begging everything to stop.

Iris: Aaack... Arch-Lich...Stop...Please...!

We then see Ricca getting up and summoning out her throwing swords as duel-wielding weapons.

Ricca: Ngh...Huff...Huff...

Arch-Lich: Oho...Alright then, little girl...I've come to like your spirit, and that rebellious wave of magic radiating from you...! That body of yours isn't good enough to be a host for my soul...But you should feel honored! I'll use your magic to keep this rotting body of mine going!

That's when the Arch-Lich raises his hand and summons out a bunch of tentacles from the ground.

Ricca: Eeep...Tentacles...

Ricca says with a horrified look on her face as the tentacles start to get messy with Ricca.

Ricca: Aaah, no...Eeeeek!

Arch-Lich: Mwahaha! You're lewd just like that woman, right? Show me your true lewd self to me, and submit to me all of your love juice along with your magic!

Ricca: Ah....Aaah...! Stop...Don't...! Nooo...! (Y/N)...help me...!!

Iris: Aaah...Stop...Please...!

Iris begged as she slams her fist onto the Arch-Lich's boots, but it was inevitable.

Claret: Ricca! (Y/N)! Iris...! Do you hear me!? A horde of monsters easily closed in on us...We can't go any longer! The soldiers...They're all heavily wounded and...Eeeek!

...

After the tentacles finished messing around with Ricca, we then see the young lady lifted by the Arch-Lich's tentacles...

Iris: Arch-Lich...Ah...Stop...! She has nothing to do with this! I forced the girl into this mess...! So please, stop...Rape me instead...! Please...I'm begging you...!

Iris pleaded and once again...it was no use.

...

Time passed in a short while until we see Ricca who is now in a defeated state and her holy knight was returned back to her normal form with a newly loved crest surrounding her entire body because of the Arch-Lich's tentacles.

Arch-Lich: Mwahaha! You failure of a holy knight...No, village girl...When I touched your weak magical waves, the memories came rushing back.

The Arch-Lich gloated in an evil way until he starts telling a story of his backstory.

Arch-Lich: A long time ago...The woman who gave me the reason to see out eternal life...The unfaithful whore who toyed with me then betrayed me back when I was the court wizard...The queen of this castle escaped my grasp and fled to your village. Along with her bodyguard, the knight that was the previous owner of my body...

Ricca: (Body...? A knight...My...village...?)

Arch-Lich: And ten years ago...The child who was lost in the dark...You're the one who released me from the church basement...! Mwahaha...! I see...So that's why you've been the one who's responsible for all of this mess to happen!

Ricca then had a flash of an image back at the church.

Ricca: Wha...at...? I...was...just...playing...hide-and-seek...Aah...Aaaugh...

Arch-Lich: Weak village girl...That is what you are. In your next life with your future husband, instead of chasing ambitions, you aren't suited for, go live on the edge of obscurity, and despair.

Iris: No...That can't be...God wouldn't...Did I really...bring this girl here to be...? Ugh...

Iris says in despair as the Arch-Lich continues to laugh evilly.

...

That's when Ricca's world starts to become a black void as she begins to thought to herself.

Ricca: (I didn't know...My parents moved in from another town...so no one told me...how sacred the church crypts were...so it was...all my fault...I broke the seal...when I was playing hide and seek...How can I keep living...now that I know that...? "Keep living"...? Hahaha...So I still had some will to live...Not that I even...have the right to live...But...everyone else...? What about the others...?)

Ricca questioned in her thoughts until she felt the love crest pulsing in her body.

Ricca: (Ugh...Ah...Nngh...Aah...Nnnh...Haaah, nnngh...The curse...Miria engraved this crest into my tummy...It's so hot...Aaah...It aches...Is it because my holy knight powers were taken away...? Huff, huff...I don't feel...any other sensations...Am I really going to die...like this...? When everyone's going to get killed...Is this going to be the last sensation I feel...? Huff, huff...Haa....Haa...Nngh, ghh...Huff, huff...Ah...Iris...Claret...I'm sorry...I'll apologize to you in heaven...Oh...But Miria died as a devil, so she might be in hell...Nngh...And my sins are heavy, too. I'm probably going to hell as well...Haaah...Nngh...I'm going to be sent down a bottomless pit of darkness...much farther down than Miria...and punished forever...)

Ricca then had a flash of images of you and her having a lot of wholesome interactions with each other for the past two months.

Ricca: ((Y/N)...I...haven't got the chance to tell you...that I like you...You may not belong in this world...and yet...you truly are a reliable guy I've met throughout this journey...thank you..for everything...)

Ricca closes her eyes and accepts her fate.

...

Back outside in the real world, the Arch-Lich is still laughing evilly at the inevitable situation that everyone was in.

Arch-Lich: Now then...no one will stand in my way. Not even this pathetic villager girl or that lowly mortal with an entity that protects him anymore...! Mwahahaha!

Everything was in despair for all our heroes...

That's when a heavy tremor starts to shake everything.

Iris: H-Huh? What are these tremors...?

Arch-Lich: Damn, it doesn't feel like these tremors are shaking the tower. I can feel a powerful holy energy rising! Wait, this doesn't mean...?!

Iris and Arch-Lich looked to the big hole that you were blasted away until a large beacon of light shines down from the heavens into the ocean to where you were supposed to be dead.

Arch-Lich: What?!

Iris: What is this light...!?

That's when they felt the heating wind as it blows all over the place. Once the pillar of light fades away as we see a floating glowing figure with no features on it.

The glowing figure floats towards the big hole as it slowly reveals itself to be none other than (Y/N) (L/N) himself and his chest had no longer a hole to where the Arch-Lich blasted him away.

This time, (Y/N) had a light bluish aura surrounding his body, his (H/C) was lightly swaying, and his (E/C) were silver-colored.

Iris: (Y-Y/N)...!?

Arch-Lich: You...! I thought I had killed you...!

(Y/N): You did.

At a speed of light, the Arch-Lich felt a powerful kick to the face as he was sent flying back and hitting through a couple of walls.

Iris: Whoa...! (What was that?! I really couldn't see (Y/N)'s movements but it was too fast! (Y/N) kicked the Arch-Lich's face!)

Iris thought to herself in shock until you approached Iris and Ricca's defeated body.

You looked at Ricca and give her a sympathetic look as you clenched and start to clench your left hand. Once you released it, a green orb appears in your left palm.

Iris: What are you doing?

(Y/N): I'm healing her back to full condition.

You said as the green orb floats towards Ricca and gets inside of her. Ricca's body starts to glow and shortly fades away as we see that her body was no longer affected by the lustful crest and her village clothing was returned back to her body.

Ricca: ...?

Ricca slowly wakes up as she holds her head in pain.

Ricca: What...happened...?

(Y/N): Afternoon, Ricca.

You greeted her as Ricca's eyes widened in shock and turn to see you.

(Y/N): Hey there.

Ricca: (Y/N)!

Ricca then gets up and gives you a hug.

Ricca: I...I thought you were dead...! How?!

(Y/N): It's all thanks to God himself.

Iris: Wait, God helped you?

(Y/N): Yeah, he did.

-Flashback-

(A/N: Incoming Asspull, sorry about that folks.)

(Y/N): I felt my body hit the ocean as my vision went black. I really thought it was over for me until I see a glowing light in front of me. I then hear the echoed voice of someone speaking to me.

???: (Y/N), wake up, young man.

(Y/N): Huh? Who...Who are you?

God: Don't be afraid. I am God.

(Y/N): I was in total shock that I'm speaking to the ruler of Heavens himself.

(Y/N): Wait, are you for real?!

God: Yes, young man. I can see you're having some trouble defeating the Arch-Lich, yes?

(Y/N): Y-Yeah...and I'm worried about what's happening to Ricca and the others right now.

God: I see. Then...allow me to grant you some of my power.

(Y/N): Really?!

God: That's right. You will learn a new an immediate technique that I shall bestow upon you... And with that power, it will exceed the Arch-Lich. I can tell that this power will be worthy to you, due to how much you've been taking care of our chosen holy knight.

(Y/N): *Nods* I...I see. Very well, I shall borrow your power, My Lord.

God: Good. I will restore your body to the way it was and my divine energy will send to you. Now, go forth and defeat the Arch-Lich!

(Y/N): Thank you!

(Y/N): And just like that, a bright light shines into my eyes.

-Flashback End-

Ricca: So that's how you were revived! You look really cool in that form!

Iris: Amazing...I can't believe that God would lend his energy to a human mortal.

(Y/N): Yeah, and I can feel the powerful divine energy surging inside me.

That's when the three of you hear the sound of someone teleporting.

(Y/N): Oh, you're here.

Arch-Lich: That power of yours...it is made my holy divine energy, correct? Tch, I felt that damn kick of yours was painful.

(Y/N): Yup.

Arch-Lich: Grrr...! Since you have that power, I can tell that you are worthy of this fight!

(Y/N): Before we do that, you said that you are resistant to holy power, yes?

Arch-Lich: So what? You're still not going to beat me when I have that resistance!

(Y/N): Well, jokes on you, I have the ability to nullify it.

Arch-Lich: What?!

(Y/N): When I kicked you in the face, I had some of God's power to nullify it easily. You won't be able to stand a chance against us this time.

Arch-Lich: Damn you, humans!!

The Arch-Lich was about to go for an attack, but he was interrupted by a torrent of magic.

Arch-Lich: Ngh...?! What is this torrent of magic...?!

Ricca: Huh...? This light...Huff...Huff...It's Claret...It's the Crystal Ball...!

(Y/N): I think she's trying to contact us.

That's when a glowing light occurs around the area as you and Ricca start to speak with Claret.

Claret: Ricca...(Y/N)...can you hear me...?

Ricca: Claret...?

(Y/N): We can hear you. What's going on?

Claret: Guys...! The soldiers and I are currently sending you our magic energy through the crystal ball...

Ricca: You are...? B-But aren't you surrounded by monsters, right...!?

Claret: Yes...The whole place is crawling with monsters. We can't hang on for much longer...That's why we're entrusting you with our strength...! It may be nothing...compared to the strength you have...but if it can help you defeat Arch-Lich in any way...This is all we've got...

That's when your visions returned back to reality until we see Arch-Lich summoned out of the throwing swords and destroying the Crystal Ball.

Ricca: Claret...?! Aaaaaaaugh....!

Iris: That idiot...She kept following us...no matter how many times we told her not to...Ugh...

Arch-Lich: Hmph, trying to get in my way with such a pitiful amount of magic...!

That's when lightning strikes behind Arch-Lich's back as the necromancer screams in pain and falls to the floor.

Ricca: Huh...?

(Y/N): Heh, looks like she's arrived here, too.

You said with an amused smile until the two of you hear a familiar voice.

???: How dare you lay your hands on them...!

Ricca: Ah...

You, Iris, and Ricca looked up at the window and see a familiar face.

Ricca: Mi...ri...a...

(Y/N): Heh, looks like your sister has joined in the game.

Miria then flies down to the ground as Ricca spoke up to her.

Ricca: Miria...Miria...! Why...?! Didn't you...At the cave...

Miria: Heehee...That necklace you gave me...The magic in the gem revived me. Arch-Lich, the lightning that you gave me to capture Ricca...It seems to work quite well against you, too.

Arch-Lich: Grrr....!

Miria: As far as I can tell...the necromancers of the castle...the goblins in the fortress...none of them wanted to follow you...If so...! Hear me, monsters! Let us have our revenge upon that man!

Miria says as she fires out a lightning bolt and destroys the Drain Crystal.

Arch-Lich: Stop...!

Arch-Lich then fires three of his throwing swords, but Miria dodges them as the swords destroyed another Drain Crystal which is the necromancer's mistake.

Iris: The Drain Crystals around us are turning into Magic Stones...! I know! By using the magic stones inside them, we can fix the brooch...!

(Y/N): That sounds like a good idea.

That's when all of the magic stones start to absorb inside Ricca.

Ricca: Ugh...Aah...Aaaaagh....!

Iris: Aaaagh...! If she takes in the magic of the monsters all at once in that state, she'll...!

Miria: Miss Fairy, it's alright...I'm sure that she can do it. Let's believe in Ricca...!

(Y/N): Heh, let's see what she's got.

All of you watched as we see Ricca floating at the center of the room as the magic stones were still absorbed by Ricca.

Ricca: Huff, huff...I can feel it...The monsters' magic...and their feelings...are flowing through my body. So many emotions...Hatred...fear...pain...and sadness...They're targeted not just as Arch-Lich and God...but at humans, too...I understand...I know these feelings too...Release them...Let it all out inside me...!

Ricca yelled as the brooch on her chest starts glowing as Ricca begins to transform back into her usual holy knight form, but with a bit of addition into her form.

After the transformation, her angelic wings uncovered Ricca as the young holy knight stands up tall on her feet.

Ricca: ...

(Y/N): Whoa...

You had an awed expression until Iris speaks up.

Iris: The holy knight's brooch...A magic tool that uses the wearer's magic to gather the light energy drifting in this world...A Drain Crystal of hope...imbued with the feelings of my friends...The magic from the humans sent through the crystal ball replenished her, supplying holy power to the brooch...On top of that, the curse seal allowed her to take in the magic of countless monsters...which regulates the dark powers from the gate! She's now more powerful than ever!

Ricca: My body...feels light...What is this form...?

Iris: Her body's so strong, her powers have taken the form of wings...Her great sword can shatter anyone that comes in her way...You can win...! With the strength you have now, you can defeat that necromancer...!

Ricca: Everyone lent me their power...I won't let it go to waste...!

Arch-Lich: Ngh...! No matter how much power you usurp, a failure like you can never hope to defeat me! Hmph!!!

Iris: He still had that much power left...? No matter...!

Miria: Miss Fairy, Ricca, (Y/N)...I'll fight too. Let's punish this monster together!

Ricca: Actually...let me and (Y/N) do it.

Miria: What?

Ricca: Miria, (Y/N) and I have been partnering with each other for two months along with Iris throughout our journey. We've been through so much, but we have grown better and stronger. So please, let us do the battle.

You and Miria were surprised by this until Miria lets out a giggle before speaking up.

Miria: Very well. I'll let you two enjoy the fight.

Miria says as she stepped back.

(Y/N): Well...I guess you and I are going to defeat him together, yeah?

Ricca: Yeah, and we're not going to fail this time around!

Arch-Lich: Hmph, you mongrels...Why do you all try to stand in my way!? There's no way you three can defeat me...! I'll make you all submit, you scums of God!

Iris: What a petty man...No wonder the monsters abandoned you...

Ricca: This is the end of your evil reign. Just as you were defeated by the knight in the fairy tale, I'm going to cut you in two with this sword!

Arch-Lich: Urghh....! I won't end up like in that story again...! I won't leave behind a legacy of losing to a little girl like you! The legend this world needs is the tale of me, and the hero I defeated...This world...doesn't need a story about a worthless girl!

(Y/N): However, in this fairy tale story will have the traveling companion will fight alongside the holy knight to defeat you. This is going to be the end of your life, Arch-Lich. And we promise it's going to get hurt.

And just like that, you and Ricca begin to fight the Arch-Lich.

(A/N: You can just imagine the fight in your own imagination, my apologies.)

-Mini Time Skip-

It was an inevitable fight for the Arch-Lich because he was easily bodied by you and Ricca.

Throughout the fight, you mostly bullied Arch-Lich to piss him off in the fight and let Ricca get all of the free hits she need to attack the Arch-Lich.

Ricca: It finally...ended...

(Y/N): Heh, looks like you became the fallen, you failure of a necromancer.

Ricca: Jeez, (Y/N). You didn't have to kill him like that.

You let out a chuckle until everyone hears a familiar voice.

Claret: Riccaaaa! (Y/NNNN)!

Everyone turned to see Claret and the soldiers.

Ricca: Huh!? Claret...!? And the soldiers!? Why...? I thought you were defeated by the horde of monsters after you gave us your strength...W-Wait, is this another one of the Arch-Lich's traps!?

(Y/N): Ricca, chill. I can sense their life forces on them.

Claret: Yeah! Don't just assume that we're his minions. Besides, we weren't defeated! A little fatigued, yes, but we're alive!

...

Claret: We thought we were done for when the monsters surrounded us...but then the village guardian dragon came to save us!

Ricca: What...? Really...!?

(Y/N): Huh, that's impressive.

Claret: He must have known that the Drain Crystals were making him go mad, so he wanted to get back at Arch-Lich for his fiendish schemes...

Claret explains before continuing to speak.

Claret: Anyway, you two look really cool in those forms! It's amazing!

Claret says as you and Ricca looked at each other with smiles on your faces.

Claret: Hmm...? Oh, anyway, Iris...So the skeletons suddenly stopped moving and the other monsters ran away, probably because Arch-Lich was...

You and Ricca then turned to look at Miria who is surrounded by soldiers with their weapons aimed at her.

(Y/N): Lower the weapons, boys. She's friendly.

You tell them as the soldiers lowered their weapons.

Ricca: Miria...

Miria: Ricca...

The two sisters walked together and gave each other a hug as Ricca begins to purify Miria's succubus form.

After purifying Miria, Ricca starts to cry her eyes out.

Ricca: Waaaaah! Aaaaaaah! Miriaaaa...Hick...don't ever leave me behind agaaaaain....! Waaaaah! Auuugh....Waaaaah....Aaaah...!

Miria: Ricca...You did a good job...*Sob*...You've become such a great knight...but you're still a crybaby...

Claret: *Sniff* Ricca and her sister...Aah...Hick...I'm so glad...I'm so happy for them...

Claret says with her eyes watered at the sigh of the two sisters hugging each other.

(Y/N): Hehehe, oh you two sisters...

You said with an amused smile on seeing their heartwarming reunion.

Iris: *Sigh* I cut off all the sources of magic that were powering the gate...Now we just wait for it to close on its own...

Iris stated as she begins to examine the body of the Arch-Lich.

Iris: Hopefully, the efforts of the previous holy knight will be repaid now...Perhaps she left the remnants of those memories we found across the land, hoping someone would avenge her. But did he...really die...? Arch-Lich is a necromancer, someone who abandoned his humanity and became a monster in his quest for power and immortality...Would someone who spent hundreds of years resurrecting himself be defeated so...

As Iris was about to finish her sentence, we see Arch-Lich's fingers twitching.

...

(A/N: That's that! Stay tuned for the final chapter!)