"I miss that man! I miss going out with him! I miss his screams when I took him flying! I miss the stories he told, the food he cooked—even that Elf Weed's sneer has become a fond memory!!!"
"Am I insane? My Lord!!!"
After spitting out those words, the Flügel looked like a madman who had lost control, or perhaps she was just past the point of caring. Her speech was so rapid that Artosh could barely have heard her if his hearing weren't divine.
Thumping her fist against the floor in a fury, Jibril shouted in self-abandonment. This was the first time she had ever done such a thing in this palace, where every Flügel maintained the utmost solemnity and reverence.
To be honest, Artosh was a bit startled.
As a Old Zeus, he had never imagined a Flügel born from his hands could have such an intense emotional explosion, let alone the reason for it.
Could a Flügel really do such a thing?
"Mhm~~~ if you miss them that much~ why don't you go see them?"
Theoretically, there should have only been Artosh and Jibril in the palace. It was impossible for anyone to sneak past them and eavesdrop. Yet a third voice rang out—a very familiar, dimwitted-sounding voice. Jibril had only just gotten away from it.
"Well~ calling me dimwitted is a bit much, isn't it? I have at least a little bit of pride in my game-wisdom—"
BEEP—
A sharp explosion of energy followed. With an intensity that suggested she was trying to "silence a witness"—or perhaps just an explosion of shame—Jibril attacked the source of the voice: Tet.
BOOM!
"Alright, alright~ don't be so angry~. I come bearing good news~."
Naturally, the attack did no harm to Tet. Emerging from the smoke in his light jacket, Tet made a show of coughing and brushing off non-existent dust. He smiled at Jibril murderous gaze.
"You—"
"It's the latest news regarding Sū ěr~."
That one simple sentence cut off Jibril incoming torrent of Flügel-and-Elf-style insults. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Actually, it's news I received from the future~. But for me, once I know, I've always known~. After much thought, I decided to hand the news to you at this point in time... mhm, the timing seems perfect~."
Tet looked around and nodded. Between his fingers, he held a white envelope.
"That's?!" Jibril pupils shrank. The style of the envelope was too familiar; she had just opened one today.
For once acting like a decent person, Tet didn't drag it out. He shrugged easily and flicked the envelope toward Jibril.
Unable to speak, Jibril tore the envelope open with a speed that was both frantic and incredibly gentle. her fingers were still trembling, but—Why is it blank?
She silently unfolded the paper from the envelope. There wasn't a single word on it. Jibril felt like a bomb about to go off; a surge of fury at being pranked began to rise.
"Ah~ forgot to mention. Actually, what Sū ěr sent back was a verbal message~. So I'll just relay it directly—uh, the letter is just for your convenience to write a reply when you refuse him~~~"
Jibril: "..."
She didn't believe a word of it. Tet malicious grin told her everything.
He knew Jibril would never refuse Sū ěr.
The pink-haired Flügel didn't need to look like a bomb about to go off; she was a bomb that had already exploded, but the explosion was held back by a single extended finger—no joke, it was a literal bomb of expanding energy.
"Enough. There is no need to tease my kin further... Tet, speak. The business of the One True God," Artosh said steadily, undisturbed by the farce.
Though he said "One True God," Tet knew that from Artosh's mouth, that title never referred to himself, but to that man.
"In truth, I don't know much more than you do. Sū ěr was only able to send a message back by resonating with my divine power. His situation seems very urgent; there wasn't even time for small talk or greetings. Only one word: HELP."
"WHAT!!! THEN WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR! ARE YOU JUST GOING TO—" Jibril shouted, an unspeakable anxiety and worry flooding her. She clenched her fists.
"Stay cool, stay cool. No need for such haste," Tet soothed her. "In this universe, the scale of time is dictated by me. No matter how much time we spend discussing this, we won't miss the chance to support... mhm, the chance to send support."
This was the privilege of the One True God.
"Then what are you waiting for?" Artosh asked on behalf of his kin, casting a glance at Jibril anxiety-ridden face.
To be honest, the idea of that man sending a cry for help made the God of War feel a certain itch for battle.
"Because I cannot go," Tet said with a look of helplessness. "I am the One True God, and only the One True God of this world. The Star Grail cannot leave this universe either. That's why I thought of sending you, who are so close to Sū ěr."
"You miss him too, don't you?" Tet said, looking at Jibril. He then suddenly turned to explain to Artosh: "You can't go. Don't forget that your current body is just a manifestation of your God-Core; your true essence is a concept within this universe."
Artosh: "..."
"Don't worry about not being able to exist in that world as a being of Elementals. I will grant you the right to use my divine power temporarily. Once you arrive, you can replace your form of existence with an equivalent energy level of that world... or just follow Sū ěr arrangements. It's better than me guessing here."
Though he seemed casual before, Tet current serious and focused tone revealed that he wasn't as relaxed as he appeared.