Riena’s Side (2) “Divine Oracle” (2)
“Our enemy is the most powerful, most terrifying Demon King this world has ever known. He must have found a way to deceive both you and the Hero—or perhaps some hidden mechanism was at work. Whatever the case, one thing is certain: the Goddess Athena has bestowed upon me a Divine Oracle.”
The gravity in her mother’s voice steadied Riena. She drew a slow breath, quieted her mind, and began to gather her thoughts.
“Kanan was a master of spatial manipulation… He even crafted battlefields tailored to his advantage. I suppose… if he used spatial transfer at the last possible instant, it’s not impossible. But it didn’t feel like he escaped. Shuhei-sama said it felt like a true final blow… I was sure—we both were sure—we destroyed him… So why…? Why…?”
“Riena, you don’t need to carry this burden alone. You did everything you could. Lift your head.”
As Riena bowed her head, voice trembling with tears, her mother gently drew her into a comforting embrace.
She patted Riena’s back in soft, reassuring strokes, helping her calm down.
“So it’s true… Demon King Kanan is trying to revive himself in Shuhei-sama’s world?”
“Yes. There is no doubt.”
“…!”
Though her mother’s warmth had soothed her for a moment, frustration now surged in Riena’s chest, and she bit her lip without thinking.
To learn that the Demon King they believed defeated had survived—and escaped to another world—was a bitter truth to bear.
And of all places… it was the homeland of Shuhei Oda, the Hero she revered.
“I will now convene an emergency High Priestess Council and summon all High Priestesses to discuss our next course of action.”
“A High Priestess Council…?”
“Riena. As the one who journeyed with the Hero and helped bring down Demon King Kanan, I ask that you attend the council as well. That’s why I called you here.”
“Understood. I’ll hand off my current duties and be there shortly.”
Riena returned to her post, explained the situation to her colleagues, entrusted her duties to them, and hurried toward the council chamber.
And already, deep within her chest, she had made a firm decision—one forged in steel.
(I must make contact with Shuhei-sama as soon as possible.
Which means I’ll have to cross into his world.
But that presents two major problems.
First: very few people can endure the immense strain of interworld travel. Only someone chosen by the Goddess Athena, like Shuhei-sama, can survive it.
But I might be able to.
If it’s me—someone who fully understands the spellwork behind dimensional transfer—
Then I should be able to transport at least myself across the worlds.
The success rate may be under fifty percent… but even so, it’s worth the risk.
I’m sure the council will come to the same conclusion.
After all, that’s the real reason I’ve been summoned.
The second problem…
In Shuhei-sama’s world—where the Goddess Athena’s influence is faint—the intricate, power-laden transfer ritual may not activate at all.
Which means, once I cross over, I may never return to Orphermaus.
I may never see my mother again…)
Even so…
“Even so, I will go to Shuhei-sama’s world. Because I believe this is the deepest sincerity we can show the Hero who once saved us.”
With resolve forged like tempered steel, Riena pushed open the doors to the council chamber.