She could use it... simply because she wanted to?
At that moment, the four Archangels were completely stunned. None of them had expected Elise to give such an answer.
It was far beyond anything they had anticipated.
They had assumed Elise had obtained some Sacred Gear carrying the Lord's aura, or perhaps undergone some kind of trial...
But now, it seemed everything had returned to the starting point!
Using the power simply because she wanted to—no one other than the Lord could possibly achieve such a thing! Even they, who stood closest to the throne of God and were known as those who resembled God, could never do it!
Yet Elise, a human, could...
The four Archangels exchanged glances, all of them unable to conceal the shock in their eyes, except Gabriel.
Other than reincarnation, there truly was nothing else that could explain it!
However, Elise's situation was clearly different from ordinary reincarnation.
Unless...
Was it a reincarnation of power alone, or perhaps a reincarnation that had lost its memories?
In any case, they were now certain that Elise was the reincarnation of the God of the Bible. As for the exact nature and extent of that reincarnation, none of them could determine it.
There was one thing they could confirm, however. Her reincarnation was definitely incomplete!
Without Elise realizing it, the misunderstanding seemed to be growing even worse, though perhaps that was not a bad thing...
"Then, do you have any other questions?"
Seeing the four Archangels staring blankly before her, Elise spoke up to bring them back to their senses.
"Ah... this..."
They had received too much information at once, and their minds were somewhat overloaded.
"Forgive us. What we have learned has exceeded our expectations. We must discuss it before we can reach a conclusion..."
"However, please rest assured that your position will not be shaken in any way!" Michael bowed solemnly to Elise, and even the way he addressed her changed completely into one of reverence.
"My Lord!"
"I see... You have worked hard as well, Michael."
Looks like it worked?
The angels of Heaven had successfully mistaken Elise for the God of the Bible.
Although there were still many flaws they could not explain, there was also no way to prove her false. Unless the original God of the Bible personally appeared and declared Elise an impostor, who could possibly verify it?
When the time comes, I should find a way to get Michael an assistant!
Elise secretly flashed a victory sign.
Heaven's faction was, more or less, now in her hands!
Her life in this world would also become a little easier from now on.
With that, Elise rose and left, going to find Ophis, who had been settled elsewhere.
...
"See? It was just as I said, wasn't it?"
Only after Elise had left did Gabriel speak to the other three.
"Yes, it truly was..."
"Without the Lord's acknowledgment, no one could possibly disguise themselves as the Lord!"
At that point, Michael glanced at Gabriel.
"Still, did you not already confirm it yesterday?"
"Not that quickly. I only arrived at the idea not long ago."
The instant Gabriel met Elise, countless possibilities had passed through her mind. In the end, however, she had reached a judgment regarding Elise's condition.
God had indeed died, but He had not completely vanished!
That was Gabriel's conclusion. She simply had not told Michael because she did not want her own thoughts to interfere with his judgment.
"I merely wanted you to confirm it with your own eyes," Gabriel said with a smile as she looked at Michael and the other two Archangels. "Now that you have reached the same conclusion as I did, is it not time to make a choice?"
Indeed, before meeting Elise, none of them would have chosen to submit so easily.
But now that the result was clear, there was nothing more to say.
"Yes. After serving as Heaven's leader for so long... it is time to return this position exactly as it was..."
Michael sighed. Since the Lord had returned, there was nothing left to discuss. He had never particularly wanted the title of Heaven's leader in the first place. At the time, he had only taken it on because he had no other choice.
"Is it truly wise to do so this quickly?" Uriel raised an objection from the side. "How strong is the Lord now? If she assumes the position this early, could the other pantheons join forces against her?"
"Gabriel, do you know?"
"Yes, I know very well!" Gabriel's wings fluttered slightly, seemingly revealing the excitement in her heart.
"The Lord's strength is far beyond that of ordinary powerhouses. The Satans of the Underworld and the chief gods of the pantheons are no match for her! Even Ophis willingly allows herself to be held in the Lord's arms!"
"In that case, could it be...?"
Above those who had surpassed their limits!
Dragon God class?
"Then there is no problem!"
With such terrifying strength, ninety-nine percent of the beings in the world would be incapable of defeating her!
Moreover, the Infinite Dragon God Ophis had been held in her arms like a little pet. What did that prove?
Even Ophis had been taken in by their Lord!
"I should step down from this position as soon as possible..."
Michael: Overtime is finally over!
After serving as Heaven's leader for so long, Michael could finally return to the Lord's embrace!
That was not all. They were also planning something grand!
"Then next, we shall hold an enormous ceremony to welcome the Lord's return!"
"Preferably one that every faction in the world can witness!"
"Should we invite the other factions?"
"There is no need. We only need to prepare the ceremony properly. Besides, even without an invitation, the other pantheons will certainly come to observe, will they not?"
"That does save us a great deal of trouble."
The four Archangels chatted and laughed together, as though they had returned to the days when the Lord was still present. Back then, just as now, their relationship had been extraordinarily close!
Michael was the first to rise. "Then I shall arrange the specific proceedings for this ceremony!"
"Consider it my final task as Heaven's leader!"
Afterward, Heaven's welcoming ceremony officially began. Countless angels, along with Heaven's subordinate factions, witnessed that myth-like scene!
The devils, fallen angels, and even the gods of other pantheons also watched the ceremony, though none of them attended in person.
However...
Now that their Lord had returned, someone was certainly going to suffer next!
At least, that was what Michael believed...
...
"What? You want me to take over as Heaven's leader?"
"Yes. At that time, everything in Heaven will be placed under your control, and all matters will be arranged by you!"
"Everything will be arranged by me?"
"Precisely!"
"..."
Elise's heart was filled with rejection. She had only just freed herself from her position as captain of the Astraea Familia, and now she was about to fall into the same trap again?
"Michael, you should continue handling Heaven's administration and arrangements. I do not seem particularly suited to it..."
Michael: ?
"It is no trouble, my Lord! I..."
"You will do it!"
"Yes!"