Published: August 10, 2026
γγ§γ―γηΎγη€γζγγγθ―γγ......γ©γγγγγγ€γ³οΌγ
Aervelmine asked in genuine puzzlement when I cried out and collapsed there, sitting down as if I had lost all strength.
"It hurts... I can't do this! Ahgh..."
The divine power poured into me from the various gods made it impossible even to sit up, so I lay down on the spot and endured the pain by curling my body up as much as I could. If it had only been the divine power of Mestionora, I would have become completely accustomed to it and could have let it flow through me without even being aware of it. But the divine power flowing in from multiple gods was repelling each other.
Each of them was asserting its own existence inside me, rampaging as it tried to expand its territory, and unlike devouring fever, I couldn't move it with my own will.
"...Hmm. It seems even the gods weren't entirely expecting this. They are quite flustered. It appears Mestionora would like to descend and adjust the divine power of the gods, but can you remove that ornament from your arm?"
"Ugh... ngh..."
As Aervelmine murmured that while looking down at me, I shook my head. In my current state, where I couldn't even stand properly, there was no way I could roll up my sleeve to my shoulder, search for the clasp, and remove it with one hand. I couldn't possibly manage such a dexterous thing.
Aervelmine crouched down on the spot and reached out to me, but he couldn't reach. It seemed that even in human form, Aervelmine couldn't move from that spot.
...Your human form is completely useless! Idiot! Idiot!
"Well, what to do..."
Aervelmine stood while saying that in a voice that made it impossible to tell whether he was truly troubled or not. His slow glance around the area was reflected in my blurred, pain-warped vision.
"...Hm? Someone is trying to open a path here. The mana is a little lacking, but if it is someone who can remove it, perhaps I should invite them?"
There was no doubt that the one opening a path was Eglantine. I nodded desperately. Right now, the divine power of the gods inside my body was repelling each other and swelling more and more. If someone didn't help me, I was seriously in danger.
With a swift motion of Aervelmine's arm, an entrance opened in the all-white Garden of Beginnings. For a brief instant, it seemed as though the rainbow-colored curtain over the entrance shimmered. Immediately afterward, several small explosions burst around Aervelmine.
...Ah, it's Lord Ferdinand.
There was no one else who could sneak into the Garden of Beginnings wearing the amulet of the god of concealment, Fairburken, and then attack Aervelmine like that. However, the attack apparently had little effect, and Aervelmine only frowned in annoyance.
"The mana that was offered should not have been Quinta's, and yet you used another underhanded trick. Well, fine. Remove the ornament from Myne's arm."
"For what purpose?"
"So that Mestionora may descend."
"I refuse."
...Wait. Don't refuse!
It looked like he had removed the amulet of concealment, because Ferdinand's figure became visible. He was fully in battle stance, measuring the distance between me and Aervelmine with his eyes while holding several magic tools in his hands. But if he refused here, I wouldn't be able to endure the divine power of the gods. I desperately reached out my trembling hand toward Ferdinand. But Ferdinand kept glaring at Aervelmine and didn't turn toward me.
...Help me, Lord Ferdinand.
"I see. So you mean to drive Myne to death as she is, and then complete the Book of Mestionora and gain the foundation yourself. Indeed, it would be efficient, and your hands would remain clean. Very much like you. ...It is extremely regrettable, but I have no choice but to acknowledge you as Zent. Myne, it seems I regrettably ran out of time before I could support you and make you Zent."
Aervelmine shook his head with a deeply regretful expression, as if he had completely given up.
"Quinta, it is rather cruel to keep making Myne suffer. If you have even a little mercy left, then don't wait until she diesβjust put her out of her misery quickly. And go swiftly to dye the foundation."