Infinite Dragon God, acquired!
Although Elise had prepared herself beforehand, she still had not expected her conversation with Ophis to proceed so smoothly.
Perhaps Ophis would agree to any request as long as she was given a suitable reason?
Then... if someone told Ophis that they would help her defeat Great Red in exchange for sleeping with her once, would Ophis agree?
After all, Ophis was not human, or even truly female...
Ahem. My thoughts seem to have wandered in the wrong direction.
Elise cast all the distracting thoughts from her mind and extended a hand toward Ophis.
"Until then, let us get along well, Ophis!"
"We'll work hard to defeat Great Red!"
Ophis looked at Elise's outstretched hand and took it without much hesitation.
Although she was somewhat pure of heart, that did not mean she truly knew nothing. Handshakes were practiced throughout the world.
"Mm. Let us get along well, Elise."
"What are we going to do next?"
"We only need to wait... because someone will be coming to find me very soon!"
"An angel?"
"Yes."
Elise used the power of faith directed toward the God of the Bible to make her aura resemble that of this world's God of the Bible.
Even the angels might not be able to see through it.
There was one problem, however. No matter how much she altered her aura, the fundamental difference still remained. Yet only powerhouses on Ophis' level could detect it.
Anyone weaker than that level would certainly be unable to notice. Therefore, in their eyes, Elise was the resurrected God of the Bible.
Who in this world had not heard of the God of the Bible?
Resurrection was that fellow's specialty. Faking His death once was hardly unreasonable, right?
Elise believed that those people had already sensed her existence. She wondered what kind of reaction they would have.
...
Within Heaven, the four great archangels each performed their own duties, with every one of them bearing separate responsibilities.
Ordinarily, it would have been difficult for them to meet, but three of them were now seated together.
The reason was naturally none other than the aura that had spread throughout the world, which was precisely what they were discussing.
"There is no doubt about it. That was the Lord's aura!"
Michael slammed his palm down, his expression becoming exceptionally solemn.
As the four great angels who surrounded the divine throne, they could never mistake that familiar aura. However...
"But hasn't the Lord already..."
The one who continued was Uriel. Among the four archangels, only he symbolized wisdom, so he considered matters more deeply.
Although he had not finished speaking, the other two understood what he meant.
The Lord was already dead!
They had witnessed it with their own eyes during that great war of the past!
At first, they might not have believed it. After all, resurrection was what the Lord excelled at most.
Had they built Him a grave, perhaps one day they might have seen Him taking photographs atop His own tomb while flashing a victory sign.
Yet as subsequent events unfolded, they had gradually come to believe it.
Over the years, news of exorcists, Holy Sword wielders, and even saintesses falling from grace had far exceeded the norm. The number of miracles bestowed by God had also steadily declined...
No matter how unwilling they were, the four archangels had been forced to accept the truth that God had fallen!
But now...
The moment that aura appeared once more, all four great archangels sprang into action.
That aura was far too familiar. Even Uriel, who symbolized wisdom, could not imagine anyone else in the world possessing such power.
There was absolutely no way it could have been faked!
"Perhaps the Lord left behind some contingency at the time... It may be reincarnation, or perhaps an inheritance. We have no way of knowing."
After all, this concerned the Lord, so they did not dare make reckless guesses.
Yet every action the Lord took surely had its own meaning.
"Therefore, we must act. We absolutely have to find the Lord!"
At this point, Michael paused briefly and looked toward the empty seat on one side.
That was... Gabriel's seat.
"Because the matter arose so suddenly, Gabriel has already taken a group of angels there. As the one who inherited the Lord's power, she should not encounter any problems."
"That is why I summoned both of you back..."
Michael looked at the two archangels beside him, Raphael and Uriel, and his gentle expression immediately became solemn.
To give an example, it was as though the friendly older boy next door whom one had always known had suddenly transformed into a veteran general. The contrast was almost unbelievable.
"From this moment onward, Heaven will enter its highest state of alert. Until the Lord returns, we must guard against every possible disturbance."
While Michael discussed the matter with the other two archangels, Gabriel, who had departed long ago, was drawing closer and closer to the location.
"There can be no mistake. It is definitely the Lord!"
Ever since her birth, Gabriel had continuously received God's power. It could be said that no one was more familiar with the Lord's aura than she was.
Not only that, she was also Heaven's strongest combatant!
Michael was Heaven's leader and was more famous in the outside world than Gabriel, but that was because he had fought in more wars.
Although Gabriel rarely participated in battle and was often overlooked, how could someone who received God's power possibly be weak?
Do not forget who held the trumpet of the apocalypse!
Therefore, the instant she sensed the Lord's aura appear, Gabriel led a large force of battle-capable angels and rushed in that direction at the greatest possible speed.
She did not dare show the slightest negligence regarding anything connected to the Lord.
What is the Lord's current condition?
Resurrection? Reincarnation? Or is there some other issue?
Gabriel was deeply worried about the Lord's current state. What if He was weakened and an enemy dared offend Him...
No!
Since the Lord has dared release His aura in this manner, it proves that He fears no enemy!
Regardless of the truth, Gabriel had to accelerate!
The angels were naturally swift, and before long, they arrived near a certain town.
"There is the aura of devils here, but they were all weak. It appears the Lord has already eliminated them."
Sensing the astonishing sacred power lingering in the surroundings despite being no more than an aftershock, Gabriel slowly raised her head.
"He is directly above us..."
That aura had remained in the same place the entire time. It appeared the Lord had been waiting for their arrival.
Her twelve wings gently beat as Gabriel flew upward with reverence in her gaze.
Until...
A figure entered her field of vision. It was a woman seated atop a blue barrier.
Long golden hair, covered eyes, and pure-white clothing...
Although her appearance was completely different from before, that did not matter. What mattered most was the aura emanating from her body!
Sacred, majestic, and inviolable!
There was no doubt about it. She was the Lord!
At that exact moment, she lowered her head...
Although her eyes were covered, Gabriel still felt that the woman was looking directly at her. She hurriedly brought her hands together in a prayerful gesture.
My Lord!
Welcome back!