Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!

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"G-Grandma! Thank you for your blessings…" Alma cried happily, as she embraced her grandmother, then me, and then her grandmother again. "I-I was nervous at first… I wasn't sure you would accept it. We never really discussed such things, after all… I-I mean, we didn't need to. With Maria, it was the first time I genuinely liked a girl… before, I always had crushes on boys…"

"Fufu, I suppose you found a woman so wonderful you couldn't resist, then," her grandmother giggled. "Whatever the case… I hope you'll bring her along, Maria."

"What?" I gazed at Alma's grandmother with a puzzled expression. "B-Bring her along? What do you mean…?"

"You know what I mean…" her grandmother replied. "She'll be heartbroken if you leave so soon… you promised to make her happy, didn't you? I understand you must depart to save others, but… you're also responsible for my granddaughter's happiness!"

"I-I know! I was considering it, but I wasn't certain… it could be too dangerous for her!" I exclaimed, as Alma's grandmother grew slightly stern.

"No, Alma is vital to your journey from now on," her grandmother declared. "I saw the Great Tower, worlds intertwined… their suffering and agony. The apotheosis blooms amidst a sea of torment, as countless figures rise against the status quo. You're the one destined to lead this revolution, Maria… and Alma is essential. My granddaughter will develop a unique power, one that can restrain the darkness within you, preventing it from consuming you."

"…What?" Alma and I said in unison.

Was this some kind of prophecy? A divination, perhaps?

So I'm fated to bring Alma along to… help me contain this darkness?

But why would it ever turn against me? I have complete control…

Strange.

There's something deep within me I don't yet understand.

Perhaps it's my nature as an eldritch goddess?

Whatever the case, I suppose I can't dwell on it now. I must bring her along…

"Grandma? What are you talking about?" Alma asked. "W-What did you see? Did you see too much?"

"A great deal…" her grandmother sighed. "I suppose this truth was right before us all along… but you and your friends uncovered it, my dear. Yet it's not over… not until the tower falls… or so I saw. I barely comprehend ninety percent of what I'm saying… but I believe Maria understands."

"Yes…" I nodded. "I understood everything… but Alma, are you okay with coming along?"

"E-Eh? I… I really wanted to ask if I could… you said you'd visit often too, right? So it's like a vacation? A few weeks or months, then we return?" Alma wondered.

"Yes, but… are you certain?" I asked. "It might be dangerous."

"I'll be with you and everyone else, so I'm sure I'll be fine," Alma said, smiling sweetly and holding my hand. "I… I want to see other worlds… honestly."

"Heheh, very well, then~" I giggled, kissing her forehead gently. "A-Ah! Sorry… I shouldn't have done that in front of your grandma."

"It's fine…" Alma smiled. "I… well, we should head to the funeral now… w-we've talked a lot. I didn't quite understand what grandma said, but we'll figure it out later, right?"

"Yeah…" I nodded. "I'm excited to bring you along… we'll need to move quickly, though, but… I hope you'll enjoy it."

"I'll definitely enjoy it!" she nodded. "Ah, right… let's go, the people are moving."

"Right," I said.

With her grandmother joining us, we moved through the crowd. Everyone fell silent. There were no coffins, as it had been some time since these people passed away. They had been buried long ago.

However, many portraits and pictures lined up a large stage, with most of our teachers standing in front, looking somber. Everyone wore black clothes.

It was more a memorial than a funeral, honoring all those we lost.

Their portraits were arranged beautifully, and many attendees began to weep, especially parents of students who didn't survive.

And also families of civilians, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters…

"Today, we stand at the memorial for all those we lost," Professor Hendrick said. "Our dear students, civilians, and our director… I wish to begin by…"

He spoke of many things, naming every person lost, a considerable number. He shared what he knew about each student, and the other professors followed suit.

I had been invited to speak before the ceremony began, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I didn't know what to say… I had no experience with such things.

Besides, I had only been here a few weeks, after all. This wasn't the world where I was born, in the end.

Thus, Sofia and Emily took the stage. They poured their hearts into their speeches, and I could feel the depth of pain they had endured.

The mood was somber, we mourned, and the atmosphere remained hushed. Yet the sky was clear, the sun shone brightly above, and a gentle breeze stirred.

Despite the tragedy and the many lives lost… the world was finally free from the Nightmare Curse, and these people could now seize their own destinies, no longer bound to an endless cycle of suffering.

And yet…

RUMBLE!

The ground trembled—no, the entire world shook.

An unprecedented earthquake began, shaking everything.

I shielded everyone with my Aura, and my barrier prevented the buildings from collapsing.

But…

Suddenly, in the distance, I saw it.

No, we all saw it.

An enormous Tower.

[Congratulations! The World of Azure Star has been successfully integrated into Floor 49 of the Tower of Babel!]

[All qualified sapient lifeforms above the age of 18 within the World of Azure Star can now undergo a Special Tutorial to become qualified as Players and awaken the ability to utilize the Babel System.]

A dreadful system message appeared, visible not only to me but to everyone across the world.

In that moment, the people of Azure Star realized they were not alone in the Universe.

A massive message displayed what was about to unfold for this world…

No, for the future of every living soul within it.

The Nightmare had ended, but a vast universe was now revealing itself to them.

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