After hearing Rika's suggestion, Izumi thought about it for a moment before nodding.
Then he suddenly looked up toward the endless Dimensional World.
"You all heard that too, didn't you?"
"Why don't we gather and discuss it together?"
He knew very well that the other Single-Digit beings had been observing everything that had happened.
No sooner had he spoken than voices echoed throughout the Dimensional World.
"Sure."
"Agreed."
"No objections."
"...Tch. I knew it."
Responses came one after another from every direction.
Hearing the last, particularly disgruntled voice, Izumi couldn't help but wear an amused expression.
He didn't even need to think about who it belonged to.
It was obviously that guy whom Izumi had beaten black and blue.
He's still holding a grudge...
Seriously vindictive.
Rika glanced sideways at him before clicking her tongue.
Without another word, she turned around and headed toward Izumi's world.
Izumi followed behind her.
Before entering, he retrieved the bracelet that had been protecting the entire world.
The golden barrier dissolved into countless particles of light before disappearing back into the bracelet.
Only then did the two step inside.
...
The moment they returned—
Nyarlathotep came charging over.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
She threw herself directly onto Izumi.
"So you really used Lord Azathot's power!"
"That was amazing!"
She couldn't hide the excitement on her face.
The instant that familiar aura had erupted, every member of their pantheon had been stunned.
To them, that power carried tremendous significance.
Naturally, they had all rushed over as soon as the battle ended.
It wasn't just Nyarlathotep.
The other Outer Gods quickly surrounded Izumi as well.
Seeing the growing crowd, Rika quietly slipped away without saying anything.
She wasn't interested in staying any longer.
More importantly...
She needed some time to calm herself.
Izumi watched her leave but didn't stop her.
Instead, he looked toward Nyarlathotep and the others.
"So?"
"What brings all of you here?"
"Just because I used Azathoth's power?"
Nyarlathotep nodded so hard it looked like her head might fall off.
"Of course!"
"That's exactly why we came!"
Then she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right!"
"What was that barrier earlier?"
"We couldn't get out..."
"And nothing from outside could get in either."
"That thing is ridiculously powerful."
They had spent quite a while studying the golden barrier while waiting.
The more they examined it, the more unbelievable it seemed.
Izumi smiled proudly.
"Not bad, right?"
"It's an artifact from another world."
"Anyway, enough standing around."
"Let's head back."
With that, his figure vanished instantly.
Nyarlathotep and the others exchanged glances before following him back into the world.
...
However, after returning...
Izumi didn't go anywhere else.
Instead, he headed straight toward Rika.
As for his objective...
It was obvious.
He intended to claim the reward for his victory.
After all—
Rika had already acknowledged the outcome of their duel.
By her own promise, she now belonged to him.
And judging by her attitude...
She had no intention of going back on her word.
When Rika saw Izumi approaching, her expression remained calm.
At least on the surface.
The bright red tips of her ears, however, betrayed her completely.
"...You came."
A gentle smile appeared on Izumi's face.
"Yeah."
"I'm here."
Rika took a slow breath.
Then, with complete sincerity, she bowed deeply before him.
In a soft yet unwavering voice, she said,
"From this day forward..."
"...please take care of me for the rest of my life."