What was going on?
Why was He here?
The instant that figure appeared, Elise's entire body tensed, and her expression worsened considerably.
Not that she could be blamed. The existence before her was simply too incomprehensible.
His entire body was enveloped in holy light, divine power seemed on the verge of overflowing from Him, and then there was that unimaginable power of faith...
He was the master of the power of faith here, and He could even manifest through the system. That made His identity easy enough to guess...
The God of the Bible!
But God had clearly been lost. Otherwise, how could the corruption of the exorcists and priests in the human world be explained?
Unless... No, the God of the Bible here definitely was not His true body!
Perhaps He was a lingering projection, or some kind of avatar?
"You really did appear. As expected, my waiting was not in vain."
Under Elise's tense gaze, the figure slowly opened His mouth—assuming that humanoid mass of light truly had a mouth...
"There is no need to be so wary of me, blessed child..."
"As I am now, I am merely a sliver of will left behind when I departed. I possess no power whatsoever."
His tone carried warmth and goodwill. Elise sensed no hostility from Him, but...
That was clearly not enough for her to lower her guard. Elise herself was much the same. She was harmless enough toward the virtuous, but she was far less merciful toward the despicable.
What Elise had been preparing to do was, without question, steal everything that belonged to the God of the Bible. She refused to believe He would let her off so easily!
Besides... Power of faith was rising from below. Barring any surprises, it had to be coming from the angels. They were praying to God!
In the past, Elise absolutely could have intercepted that faith, but now... the rightful recipient of that faith was standing right in front of her!
The chances of severing it right under His nose were far too low!
Unless... Wait!
At that moment, another stream of faith rose upward.
Its target was not the God of the Bible, but Elise herself!
"Est, and... Ophis?"
"The Infinite Dragon God is praying to me?"
After sensing the owner of that power of faith, Elise was somewhat dumbfounded. She and Ophis did not seem to be that close, did they?
They had only met recently, yet Ophis had already developed some faith in her? And its quality was not even poor!
There is a chance!
With the power of faith from an existence as mighty as Ophis, Elise had nothing to fear!
What was more, the God of the Bible opposite her was only a remnant projection. Just as He Himself had said, as long as she remained prepared, she could still emerge victorious even in a direct confrontation!
Seeing that Elise had not relaxed her guard, the God of the Bible gave a helpless smile.
"What I said is true. As I am now, I truly cannot do anything. I left this projection behind only to wait..."
"Wait?"
Elise could sense that the God of the Bible's tone seemed to conceal a trace of relief.
What was He waiting for?
"Yes. I have been waiting!"
"Waiting for an existence like me—one capable of wielding the power of faith—to appear!"
With that, the God of the Bible looked around at the Seventh Heaven, which Elise had previously dyed with her own power...
"Did you do all of this? It truly is beautiful!"
"In that case, let us have a proper conversation here!"
...
The Fourth Heaven of the celestial realm.
At the same time, this was also the legendary Garden of Eden.
"The sense of danger... disappeared. It seems Sister has escaped danger for now."
Sensing the change transmitted through their contract, Est relaxed slightly.
What exactly happened?
While Est was still confused, Ophis, who was eating an apple nearby, noticed something unusual and walked over.
"It is the God of the Bible, but He is too weak."
"He should only be an avatar."
"The God of the Bible? One of the strongest beings in this world..."
After receiving definite confirmation from Ophis, the tension in Est's heart did not fade. Instead, she grew even more worried.
Although Est normally appeared indifferent to many things, that was merely a façade meant to mislead others. She still learned about the outside world through Elise.
For example, the powerful beings in this world, as well as Elise's purpose in coming to the celestial realm this time!
Est knew all of it!
That was precisely why she was so flustered. Against an existence like that, even Sister would have no way to cope.
"Are you nervous, Est?"
With half the apple in her hand already eaten, Ophis tilted her head in confusion.
"Mm..."
"It is all right. Est is my companion, and Elise is my companion too."
"I will help you."
In Ophis' eyes, Elise was a companion who had promised to help her deal with Great Red.
Since her companion had encountered trouble, she naturally ought to help. Just as she had with those people from the Khaos Brigade, Ophis had never been stingy with her power.
Perhaps it was because she was simply too innocent.
Even so, Ophis was not that easy to deceive... probably?
"Thank you, Ophis!"
Est happily took Ophis' hand. Elise had reminded her before that Ophis was one of the strongest beings in this world, and that she should cling to her thigh if she ever had the chance!
Cling to her thigh?
What did Sister mean by that?
Est's small face scrunched up in distress. After all, she was merely a spirit who had been sealed for over a thousand years in the world of the Elementalists. Although she had experienced many things while following Elise, she still did not fully understand certain unusual expressions.
There is only one thing to do!
Her small face gradually turned solemn. Est walked straight up to Ophis and stared at her seriously.
"Es...t?"
Sensing the atmosphere around them suddenly grow serious, Ophis failed to understand what was happening and could only ask Est, who stood before her.
"Sister said that when someone helps you, you must thank them properly!"
"Thank you, Ophis!"
"It is fine. You are my companions!"
"Mm!"
Then, under Ophis' bewildered gaze, Est gradually disappeared from view. At the same time, a strange movement came from beneath her skirt...
"What are you doing, Est?"
"Clinging to your thigh."
"What is the point of that?"
"...I do not know."
The spirit and the adorable dragon fell silent just like that, an oddly awkward atmosphere hanging between them. Until...
"Sorry. Something very important came up just now, and I could not get away..."
Gabriel appeared in the Garden of Eden with an apologetic look on her face. However, the moment she raised her eyes, she saw Est sitting on the ground beneath Ophis as though using her as an umbrella.
For a moment, even the pure Seraph froze in place.
"What are you doing?"