I first met Kousuke at the Nansen Guild.
When I say “met,” I just found Kousuke looking at the bulletin board.
At that time, we didn’t exchange any particular words.
However, I felt there was something about him that strangely drew my gaze.
That was all I thought at first.
But Kousuke, who initially parted ways without even a greeting, ended up getting involved in trouble elsewhere. When I found out, I couldn’t help but butt in.
It was an action I couldn’t believe I’d take normally.
After that, we ended up acting together in a way that was difficult to refuse, and I found myself unexpectedly charmed by Kousuke himself, more easily than I thought.
Of course, Colette, who was with us, teased me incessantly, which probably made me more aware of him.
But, after all, the first impression was significant.
It was only after I had been in the management layer for a while that I remembered that feeling of being drawn to his gaze felt similar to when I felt a god’s “oracle.”
More specifically, it was after we entered into that kind of relationship, but by then, I had already become somewhat accustomed to Kousuke’s outrageous behavior.
After all, he performed a Divine Union right in front of me, and then easily created a Divine Tool for it and handed it to me.
Even that alone would be enough to make a normal person dizzy, but he continued to do one unbelievable thing after another.
By the time I realized it, it was too late, but I have no regrets about it.
Rather, I feel more than enough happiness.
The outrageous Kousuke did it again.
In front of a large audience, he succeeded in three Divine Power Summons.
And not only that, but he even managed to summon the Three Great Gods.
I regret not being able to see the expressions on the faces of the temple officials watching up close.
However, it was decided that the management layer members would not show themselves that day, so it’s understandable that I couldn’t see it.
More importantly, I was worried about Kousuke, who performed the Divine Power Summon.
Just summoning a god should consume a considerable amount of power.
I can’t even imagine how much power it would take to simultaneously summon three gods, let alone the Three Great Gods.
I was worried until Kousuke returned to the management layer, but when I saw him return with a perfectly normal expression, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.
…I felt a little frustrated, so I made sure not to be seen.
It hadn’t been long since the Divine Power Summon, but now he was talking about returning to the Divine Realm.
At this point, all I could think was, “As expected.”
Divine manifestations have existed in this world since ancient times, but no human or demi-human has ever stepped into the Divine Realm.
If he could achieve it, it would be on a completely different level than summoning the Three Great Gods.
Whether he understood this or not, Kousuke replied in his usual manner, “I’m sure it’ll work out somehow.”
Based on past experiences, I understood intellectually that worrying was pointless, but my heart was still anxious.
I wanted to avoid relying on divine intervention if possible, but when Kousuke’s form disappeared from the transfer array, I immediately performed a Divine Union.
“It’s rare for you to contact me at a time like this.”
“…Was I too presumptuous?”
“For my part, I wish you would rely on me more?”
“No. I’ll have to refrain from that, though.”
Upon hearing Silvia’s words, Elisamil (God) let out a soft chuckle.
“Oh, what a shame. Well, never mind that, regarding Kousuke, the results are not yet known.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Even if you’re using a transfer array, it doesn’t mean you can reach this Divine Realm from your side in an instant, you know?”
“Is that so?”
Not getting the answer she wanted, Silvia was disappointed.
“Well, judging by the aura I could sense, he likely didn’t fail, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
“…But…”
Still, when using magic or holy laws, one must remember that anything can happen.
What’s more, no one has ever ventured into the Divine Realm before, so unforeseen circumstances could arise.
“Is it perhaps the ‘maiden’s heart’ that still worries you?”
Uncharacteristically, very uncharacteristically, Elisamil (God) spoke in a teasing tone.
Silvia, who was spoken to, blushed, but fortunately, no one else saw it.
During a Divine Union, I’m often left alone. This time was no exception, and I was alone.
“…Yes.”
“Heh heh. Well, anything more would be impolite. For now, it will still take time until his arrival, so please wait a while.”
Elisamil (God) said so and ended the Divine Union.
It was common for the other party to end the Divine Union.
Silvia, who had obtained incomplete information without confirmation of his safety, headed to the room where everyone else was.
It was some time later that Elisamil (God) contacted me via Divine Union, confirming Kousuke’s safe arrival in the Divine Realm.
Along with his safe arrival, I also heard unbelievable information.
“With this, Kousuke has been recognized as an Avatar.”
“…What!?”
“Is it that surprising? You must have expected it to some extent, hadn’t you?”
“It’s true that I thought it might happen someday. But I never expected it so soon…”
Kousuke once again achieved results that defied expectations.
Silvia was keenly aware of how much she was into him, as this quality also drew her in.
“Well, that aside, what are you going to do?”
“Do what?”
“Oh my. Have you forgotten your position?”
At that, Silvia understood what Elisamil (God) meant.
“…However, that…”
“If you’re concerned about me, there’s no need to worry? I won’t withdraw my Blessing for something like that. You know that there have been cases of people having multiple Blessings, right?”
“…”
Silvia understood what Elisamil (God) was saying.
But still, Silvia couldn’t help but think.
“Or are you afraid of rejection?”
At those words, she flinched.
Indeed, that was exactly Silvia’s current state of mind.
“…Honestly. Well, I’ll leave it up to you what you decide, but I won’t be able to help you if someone else takes him.”
At Elisamil (God)’s words, which were in a sense prophetic, Silvia’s face grew sad.
“…I…”
“Well, I won’t tell you not to worry. However, you probably don’t have much time?”
“Is that so?”
“You’ve seen Kousuke’s drive more closely than I have, haven’t you?”
“…Understood. I will come to a conclusion as soon as possible.”
“That would be for the best. That said, you might have more time than you think.”
Silvia inwardly tilted her head at Elisamil (God)’s tone, which somehow became cheerful with the last word.
At the same time, she thought his last words contradicted his previous statement, but she also knew that a god’s perception was different from a human’s, so she decided not to dwell on it too much.
In the end, the day after returning from the Divine Realm, Kousuke declared the start of conquering another tower. Silvia realized that this must be what he meant by having more time than expected.
Hmm… I debated whether to include this story in the main text, but I ended up making it a side story.
I’m still debating whether to keep it here.
…There’s no turning back now that I’ve posted it.
June 19, 29, 2014 Correction of typos and misspellings
