The Destiny Goddess, Ilia-sama.
The name that came from Orianne-sama's lips was that of the Goddess worshiped by the Goddess Church.
——The Miracle of a Goddess's Descent
The reason the Destiny Oracle is such a special existence even within the Goddess Church…
I heard before that she could bring the Goddess into her own body, but this was my first time seeing it.
Any doubts I had about whether such a thing was possible were blown away the moment I saw the real thing.
A sacred light enveloped the body of the Destiny Oracle.
An overwhelming presence that made even Demon Lord Eri and the Divine Beasts pale in comparison.
A pressure from an absolute being that robbed me of the will to resist.
There was no mistake…the one speaking now was the Goddess herself.
(That's right… She's talking to me.) (Eugene)
I have to say something.
"It's…an honor to meet you." (Eugene)
I somehow managed to string those words together.
— "You don't have to be so tense." (Ilia)
The Goddess spoke to me more gently and warmly than before.
But the Holy Knights around us didn't even dare lift their heads.
I too couldn't follow up with any more words under the pressure she emitted.
Instead, it was the woman beside Orianne-sama who answered.
"Ilia-sama, please, guide us." (Sara)
It seemed Sara, who likely ranked second only to Orianne-sama here, will speak on everyone's behalf.
The Goddess, having descended into Orianne-sama, turned her gaze towards her.
Her seven-colored eyes shone, and the moment I found myself staring into them, I quickly averted my gaze, fearing I might lose consciousness if I kept looking.
— "Holy Maiden Sara, you've been through much hardship." (Ilia)
"…Your words are far too kind." (Sara)
Sara's voice trembled slightly.
— "I have a divine command for you." (Ilia)
"Please, tell me anything!" (Sara)
Sara immediately replied.
— "Assist Eugene Santafield. Doing so will benefit the Holy Union…and ultimately, the South Continent as well.
"!!"
It wasn't just Sara…murmurs spread among the surrounding Holy Knights.
Even Captain Robert seemed surprised.
Some looked like they were about to speak, but no words were voiced.
No one would oppose the Goddess's words.
In other words, it was decided.
"Thank you, Ilia-sama." (Eugene)
Having regained some composure, I offered my thanks.
This secured Sara's cooperation.
I didn't expect my mother to arrange things to this extent.
I have to thank her later.
— "No thanks are necessary, Eugene Santafield. As for your mother, she, on a daily basis— ah." (Ilia)
"???"
Sara and the Holy Knights all gave puzzled looks at the Goddess's words.
(Uh… Ilia-sama, that's probably something you shouldn't say.) (Eugene)
Mother told me in no uncertain terms to keep that a secret.
Looking closely, I noticed a bead of sweat running down the cheek of Orianne-sama…or rather, Ilia-sama in her body.
It seemed that was a slip of the tongue.
— "Fufufu, well then, I will always pray for everyone's happiness." (Ilia)
With a laugh to gloss it over, the light radiating from Orianne-sama's body began to fade.
"…Phew, she descended so suddenly, I was startled." (Orianne)
The small sigh suggested Orianne-sama had returned.
"Orianne-sama…" (Sara)
Sara spoke softly.
"Holy Maiden Sara, these are the words of the Goddess. Act together with Eugene-kun." (Orianne)
"Yes, leave it to me." (Sara)
With the words of the two Holy Maidens, this time there was truly no one who voiced any objection.
And so, I achieved my purpose in coming to the Holy Union though it was a narrow tightrope walk.
◇◇
"…Sara, where are we going?" (Eugene)
We were set to depart for the imperial capital tomorrow. I, Sumire, Miguel, and Claude would be staying the night at an inn in the Holy City.
Of course, we obtained our stay permits.
While I was resting there, Sara suddenly came to me and said, "I need to talk to you. Come with me."
Normally, Sumire would have immediately said "I'm coming too!" but this time she didn't say a word.
Our destination turned out to be on the outskirts of the Holy City.
Sara and I were walking through…a cemetery lined with countless gravestones.
So, I knew the "where" in my earlier question was somewhere within this cemetery.
The problem was whose.
"We're almost there." (Sara)
Her reply was curt.
I had a bad feeling.
I didn't have many acquaintances in the Holy Union.
And yet Sara was leading me here, which could only mean…
I tried not to think further than that.
I prayed my bad feeling would be wrong.
That prayer…was cruelly shattered.
"Here." (Sara)
Sara stopped in front of a small communal grave site.
There was a row of names inscribed there.
My eyesight was good as a swordsman.
Which is why…I spotted it right away.
[Lily Whitewind]
"…Lily?" (Eugene)
I was staggering forward before I knew it, rushing to the gravestone.
When did I last see her?
During the Red Dragon incident, I don't think we even had time to talk.
But during practical training, she would always come to bother me, so we spoke often.
Among my classmates, I probably talked with her the most after Sumire, Sara, Airi, and Claude.
"Lily lost her life in a major battle between the Imperial Army and the Holy Knights right after the war began. After that, Captain Jacqueline also…fell in a later battle…" (Sara)
"…!"
I was speechless.
Two of the comrades who had fought alongside me against the Dark Bird Raum…both gone?
It felt like my vision darkened.
It had been two years since I was sealed in the Zenith Tower of Babel.
Sumire greeted me with a smile.
I managed to reunite with Miguel and Claude, both healthy.
Captain Robert's strength and Sara's skill with the Holy Sword were as sharp as ever… So maybe, without realizing it, I'd taken the war too lightly.
I let myself think no one I knew died…
But that wasn't true.
—"Weren't we supposed to have another sword match in the next training? How long do you plan on keeping me waiting!?"
The image of a small, haughty Holy Knight apprentice appeared vividly in my mind.
she'd pick a fight with me during every practical training session in the Legendary Hero Department.
She was a little annoying, but crossing swords with her as she steadily grew stronger was fun.
(I'll…never hear that voice again…) (Eugene)
I felt a heaviness not just in my heart, but in my body as well.
"Captain Jacqueline was the one who taught me the sword. I really wanted to fight alongside her… But since I became one of the Eight Holy Maidens, I wasn't allowed to stand on the frontlines. All I could do was sit in the Holy Capital and hear reports of my comrades' deaths…" (Sara)
Sara's voice trembled as she spoke.
"Sara…" (Eugene)
"Eugene, when I heard you weren't taking me to the imperial capital, I was honestly relieved. Because…if I saw an Imperial soldier, I know I'd attack them without hesitation…" (Sara)
Her low voice carried unmistakable, genuine killing intent.
◇The Next Day◇
"You okay, Eugene?" (Claude)
"…Yeah, I'm fine." (Eugene)
I was riding on Claude's wyvern, heading toward the imperial capital.
Sumire and Sara were heading to the Dungeon City with Miguel.
We agreed to regroup later.
Claude's wyvern cut through the air high above.
Fortunately, the weather was cloudy.
With poor visibility, we managed to enter imperial territory without being spotted by the Imperial Army.
"You look pale. Didn't sleep, did you?" (Claude)
"…Somewhat. I slept a little." (Eugene)
I didn't deny it.
"You heard about Lily, huh?" (Claude)
"You knew, Claude?" (Eugene)
I didn't ask why he didn't tell me.
My current state was the answer.
Even after a night, I still couldn't accept the death of a classmate.
"It's not your fault. You didn't know." (Claude)
His words of encouragement gave me a small measure of comfort.
"I hate war…" (Eugene)
That was all I could say.
"You're going to stop it, right? Convince Airi-chan." (Claude)
"Yeah." (Eugene)
Ever since leaving the Zenith Tower, everyone called my childhood friend "Empress."
The only ones still calling her like we had back at the Lykeion Magic Academy were Sumire and Claude.
That felt nostalgic…and sad.
"…Uh-oh, this isn't good." (Claude)
Suddenly, the wyvern banked sharply.
A crushing force pressed against my body.
"What is it?" (Eugene)
I gripped the saddle tightly to avoid being thrown off.
"Imperial magic soldiers spotted us! I knew it wouldn't be possible to get through completely unnoticed!" (Claude)
With that, we accelerated sharply.
I used Mana Detection to check behind us.
The distance between us was slowly increasing.
"We're fine, Claude. We're faster." (Eugene)
"Too bad…there's another unit that's spotted us." (Claude)
Sure enough, other magic soldiers were moving as if to intercept us.
"No time to cry! Don't bite your tongue!" (Claude)
Claude's reins work became rougher.
"I'm not crying! I'll leave the rest to you till we reach the capital." (Eugene)
"Yeah! Leave it to me!" (Claude)
Hearing Claude's confident reply, I switched my focus entirely to keeping watch on our surroundings.
We were pursued by magic soldiers five times.
Attacked by airship cannon fire twice.
Claude cut the travel time in half, getting us there in just half a day instead of a full one.
(I can see it…) (Eugene)
The familiar imperial capital.
According to Claude, the area around the capital has never become a battlefield.
So it should look the same as before.
And yet, to my eyes, the air surrounding it felt dark and heavy.
The Imperial Capital, Grandflare.
I arrived at the very seat of Empress Airi.