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As Kaito's words fell, the system's light orb suddenly trembled violently.
A white light shot out instantly, and Kaito caught it, then gently blew a breath toward the orb.
"Hoo!"
The orb began to expand rapidly, forming a human silhouette in moments.
"This... it's the Lord's aura, it really is the Lord's aura!"
"Lord! To feel your aura again, I truly am..."
Michael and the other three felt the Bible God's presence once more and were overcome with joy.
As the white light gradually faded, a silent, white-haired loli with her eyes tightly shut appeared before everyone.
Kaito looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Why won't she open her eyes? Did the revival not complete?"
Thinking this, he extended his right index finger and poked the Bible God's small cheek.
"I have already revived. Please remove your finger."
The white-haired loli opened her eyes, fixed Kaito with a poker face, and spoke flatly.
"Hehe, I was just checking."
Hearing her words, Kaito awkwardly withdrew his wayward hand.
"Lord, it is truly wonderful to see you again!"
Michael and the other three looked at the revived Bible God and immediately knelt on one knee to salute.
"Michael, it has been a long time. You have all worked very hard."
A hint of loving warmth flickered in the Bible God's eyes as she spoke, expression still composed.
"Lord, we must confess something to you!"
"To revive you, we swore allegiance to Kaito-sama."
Hearing this, the Bible God showed no anger. She revealed a faint smile.
"I already know the full story. Kaito told me everything during the revival."
"You have nothing to confess. I agree with your decision."
Hearing that the Bible God held no blame for them, tears of relief streamed down their faces.
"Hey, can I ask you something?"
Ignoring the sobbing group, Kaito shamelessly sidled up to the Bible God.
"What do you wish to ask?"
"Uh... could you not talk like that? Isn't it exhausting?"
The overly formal phrasing genuinely made Kaito a little uncomfortable.
"Is that so...?"
The white-haired girl closed her eyes for a moment, then reopened them.
"Then, is this better?"
"Yeah, much better."
"Anyway, back to what I wanted to ask. Did you fake your own death on purpose?"
The Bible God hadn't responded yet, but Michael and the others whipped around with expressions of complete disbelief.
"How did you know about this?"
Her reaction confirmed it. Kaito had guessed right.
Before transmigrating, he had come across an explanation on a certain website. According to it, the Bible God had learned of the mechanical lifeforms, the evil gods who would later invade, through the Holy Mother Goddess. So she faked her death to throw the global balance into disarray, then secretly influenced the world through the system, dramatically increasing the odds of powerful individuals being born to resist the coming invasion.
"Hehe, I know everything. Looks like I was right!"
"You are right. With the world's current strength, resisting the evil gods' invasion is impossible. Feigning death and cultivating strong individuals was the only option I had."
"Though it seems that's no longer necessary."
Kaito blinked. "Why not?"
"Hehe, aren't you the greatest evil god? With you around, what do I have to worry about!"
Bible Loli fixed him with a strange smile.
"Cough cough... What are you talking about? I'm not an evil god. I'm a good person. A very good person!"
"If you say so. Either way, I'm entrusting Michael and the others to you."
Seeing Bible Loli apparently ready to wash her hands of responsibility, Kaito quickly cut in.
"What about you? Where are you going?"
"Me? Shouldn't you be taking me in?"
Kaito pointed at himself with an incredulous look.
"Why would I take you in!"
Sure, he had revived her. And yes, he had recruited Michael and the others. And fine, Heaven was his now too. But still...
"You revived me. Michael and the others have joined you. Heaven is yours. I have no home left."
Bible Loli deliberately opened her big, watery eyes wide and stared directly at him.
The message was clear: I will keep staring until you say yes.
Stare... stare...
A full quarter of an hour passed. Everyone watched Kaito and Bible Loli locked in silent contest.
"Alright, you win. I'll take you in. Just stop staring at me."
Kaito cracked first and quickly conceded.
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Bible Loli's eyes, and she said softly:
"I won!"
"Wonderful! Now the Lord has someone to take care of her too!"
Raphael, freshly released by Uriel, immediately resumed his march toward death.
"Raphael, you dare say the Lord is being 'taken care of'? That is blasphemy. Heretic. Die!"
Uriel's expression shifted instantly, and he brought an Angelic Judgment down squarely on Raphael's head.
"Ah ah ah!"
Raphael's hair exploded from the impact. He spat a mouthful of black smoke and collapsed dazedly to the floor.
"Satisfying."
Uriel surveyed the fallen Raphael with an expression of deep contentment.
'Master, it's a good thing I'm called Ciel now. Otherwise, sharing a name with that guy, I'd die of embarrassment!'
Even the long-absent Ciel-sensei couldn't help surfacing to complain at the sight.
'Hehe, agreed!'
Rimuru responded from within.
"Alright, that's everything settled. We should head back. Bible Loli, you can catch up with the others first."
"You know where the Dimensional Gate is. Someone there will guide you to my place."
Kaito was satisfied that things had wrapped up and ready to go home and rest.
Bible Loli nodded calmly.
At that moment, Rimuru spoke up.
"Kai-chan, you all go on ahead. I want a word with Gabriel."
Kaito nodded, puzzled but unconcerned. He had no idea what Rimuru wanted to say, but there was no danger here, so he let her be.
"Then, Jana!"
The words had barely left his mouth before Kaito vanished from the spot along with Milim and Ramiris.
Bible Loli and Rimuru, accompanied by Gabriel and the others, made their way toward the Lord's former residence.
Michael, however, had a nagging feeling he had forgotten something.
But with the Lord revived, it couldn't be anything too important. He let it go.
At that moment, Azazel, flying toward Heaven, suddenly sneezed, causing Baraqiel and Vali trailing behind him to exchange sideways glances.