I, feeling a sense of crisis regarding the possibility of an invasion of this world by the gods, rushed to the scene with my allies.
“Adams, even if you’re going to open the door, why not wait until everyone’s here!”
Our destination was the forbidden land within the Underworld, the “Heart of the Evil God.” This place, once the stronghold of an Apostle of God, was a dangerously miasma-filled area in the past, but thanks to Dahak’s greening project, it has now become a land rich in nature. However, it remains a place with a storied past, and the local residents still seem to avoid it, so it has now been chosen as the location to connect to the Divine Realm. Perhaps it’s also because this is a place with a history involving Adams? No, rather than worrying about such things, it’s more important to hurry now.
“Adams! We’re here! Is everything alright!?”
After spotting the troublesome Evil God, I headed straight there. Wait, looking closely, I see Gordiana, one of the Ten Authorities, as well as Maria and Kuon. What’s with this star-studded lineup?
“Hmm, Kelvin and your allies. You’ve arrived quite early? It seems you’ve been looking forward to this moment.”
“Yeah, we’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment, but that’s not what I mean! …Look, even if you’re connecting the path, you should do it after we arrive. What were you going to do if they came to this world before we’re ready to make our move?”
I directly voiced my dissatisfaction.
“Ah, about that. I simply got into the mood. I thought, ‘Maybe I can do it now?’ and used the ‘Hallucination Catching God’ ability. Turns out, it actually connected to Eva’s location. Heh, even I have to reflect on that.”
“Don’t put the world in danger on a whim…”
“Pfft, I was cracking up too. Connecting to another dimension with brute force, that’s just too ridiculous! But it’s amusing, so it’s all good! Oh, and I think you can already tell, but Kuon and I are coming along too~. It looks like there will be even more interesting things to see ♪”
“Eh…?”
“Whoa, you’re making such an obviously displeased face. It makes an old woman sad.”
Well, if you two come too, my share will decrease. And Adams is already here.
“I apologize for various reasons. However, I doubt Eva will come to this side. What he excels at is taking his time to strategize, and he rarely charges into the enemy’s territory himself. He’s probably busy setting up traps, focused on exploiting the terrain. But even if he does make a surprise attack, I’ll be there to greet him.”
“Oh, is that so? Well, Kelvum was rushing me, so I was worried unnecessarily.”
“I believe I said I was in a hurry to attack?”
Hmm, well, Kelvum can be a bit airheaded… Oh, right, gods can’t come to the surface unless they materialize a golem, can they? Whoa, *I* was the one who was airheaded! How embarrassing!
“Kelvin-chan, I’m counting on you today.”
“Ah, Pritia-chan. Likewise—… is what I should say, but is it appropriate this time?”
“From my position, I can’t really say. Besides, I’m not officially a Reincarnated Goddess yet… But precisely because of that, I have to observe carefully with these beautiful eyes! Adams-chan, thank you for letting me participate~ (heart).”
“You don’t need to thank me. Rather, I’m grateful for Gordia’s precise guidance. Thanks to her, I succeeded in breaking through the dimensional wall.”
“Pritia-chan, you personally guided him!? And plus, I’m truly sorry for my unauthorized request to Gordia…!”
The advanced technique of making a tsukkomi and a dogeza simultaneously is difficult even with my current strength. The fact that I succeeded without practice must be because my heart was in both actions. After all, sincerity is important in everything.
“I see, so this is the path that connects to the Divine Realm.”
“…Um, Mel-san? Could you please not stand right next to me while I’m doing dogeza? And could you please not ignore me so cruelly? At least, I’d like you to direct your gaze this way.”
Taking a deep breath, I examined the path. It… looks somewhat intimidating to enter. An amorphous hole hangs in mid-air, its outer edges contorting and warping. Is it a small Black Hole, or should I call it a wormhole…? In any case, I can’t see through the hole to the other side, and a scene of mixed darkness and light stretches endlessly.
“Even as a Reincarnated Goddess, Mel, you never went to other gods’ domains before, did you?”
“Yes, only the Reincarnated God in charge of this land was treated differently due to their unique characteristics. But judging from Adams’s stories, I was likely isolated to avoid being influenced by their laziness. As there are no replacements for gods other than the Reincarnated God.”
“Th-That’s right! That’s why those who have fallen must be purged! Mufufu!”
“Whoa!?”
Isabel, who suddenly cut into our conversation, began to passionately explain, her breath ragged.
“I-Isabel, calm down! You’re causing trouble!”
“Gloria, let go! I still have things I need to tell the ones I must protect!”
“I’ll listen on their behalf! …Um, apologies to both of you. They seem to be getting excited before the decisive battle. Come on, let’s go!”
Forced to move away by Gloria’s Authority, Isabel was sent flying. Ugh, she’s still shouting something. Are the current gods that much of a landmine for her?
“………”
However, while the current gods are quite something, I also have anxiety about whether these individuals replacing them is the right course of action. Well, Shutra and Colette are handling the negotiations for that, so there’s nothing I can do about it now.
“Hey, hey, let’s hurry! We can talk later, right?”
“Oh, ou? Sera, you seem fully awake now… But I agree with your opinion. Adams, is everyone here? Shall we depart soon?”
“I, as the ‘mere me,’ have no objections… However, your beloved daughter, Kromel, as she’s called? She doesn’t seem to be here yet, is that alright?”
“Do you know what time it is? — Kromel is already well past her bedtime!”
“I see, so that’s how it is!”
By the way, and naturally, Lalanua is staying at the mansion with the maids, house-sitting.
“Hmph, finally departing. This time, I’ll be on the front lines as well, so victory is practically guaranteed. Hehehe.”
“…Um, Kelvum? Could you please refrain from those slightly flag-like remarks? The kind that say you’ve won before the end. It feels like some strange power might be activated.”
“Hmm? Why? I’m only speaking the truth.”
“Ah, it’s quite difficult to explain to someone who doesn’t know the conventions… Well, it’s like this: no matter who the enemy is, fight with the spirit of ‘eternal vigilance.’ I don’t want you to die over something trivial.”
“…! R-Right, if that’s the case, then I understand. I promise to give my all, no matter the situation.”
“Yeah, please do.”
Man, Kelvum is easy to handle and good. If I generally use wording that implies reliance, he seems to understand anything.
“Hey, hey, Adams-chan. This is an important battle, right? If so, why don’t you give a rallying cry before we depart? It’ll surely liven things up~?”
“A rallying cry? Hmph, we ‘mere us’ have no need for words. Before us lies a supreme battle, and we shall simply devour it.”
“Ehh, won’t that make it anticlimactic~?”
Maria, displeased, puffed out her cheeks. She seems like the type who would enjoy that sort of thing.
“Mmm, if you insist that much… Then, just one word.”
“Yes! As expected of Adams-chan! You understand~ ♪”
Prompted by Maria, Adams stood before the path and turned to face everyone.
“My comrades, listen well. …Our battle begins now!”
“Whooooooa!?”
Don’t drop a line that’s even more dangerous than a flag!?
