Reunion with the Goddess
The Sekri family had left the Shadow estate and were riding in their carriage toward their own mansion. Sheena and Erich sat side by side on one bench, while Vik and Iris sat across from them.
"Iris, the last time we spoke, you told me you had no interest in men. But from what I saw today, that doesn't seem to be quite true."
Puzzled by Iris's behavior at the Shadow household, Sheena decided to ask her directly.
"Mother, I understood love for the first time today. The moment I laid eyes on Albert, I simply felt it. I believe this is the love you once spoke to me about."
At those words, Sheena broke into a smile, while Erich clutched her head as though a headache were setting in. Fighting down that enormous ache, she addressed her daughter.
"Iris, let Daddy say one thing. Falling head over heels at first sight — I won't deny that such things happen. But you mustn't force your love on anyone."
The moment Erich offered her advice, Sheena shot it down.
"What nonsense? If he's the man you want, then of course you should take him, no matter what."
Erich glared at her. Under that look, Sheena caught sight of her expression and turned her head away.
"Haa... Listen carefully, Iris. Boys are delicate creatures, you see. So treat them gently and preciously. If you handle them roughly the way your mother does, boys will dislike it."
Vik, who had been listening to Erich, piped up with a question.
"I don't really understand difficult things, you know? So does that mean Daddy dislikes Mommy?"
At Vik's earnest question, the air inside the carriage turned heavy. And it was Erich who answered.
"Well, in the old days, Daddy really did dislike Mommy quite a lot. But Mommy loved Daddy steadily and devoted herself to him, so now Daddy likes Mommy very much."
Erich stroked Vik's head with tender warmth.
"And I love Mommy and Daddy and Big Sis so, so much!!!"
And so, wrapped in that warm family harmony, the carriage rolled on toward the Sekri estate.
Around that same time, at the Shadow household, Albert was deep in thought — all because of Iris.
'Apis, what am I supposed to do? If things go on like this, I might actually end up having to marry Iris...'
At that, Apis began pondering the problem in earnest. After a good stretch of deliberation, the little cat finally spoke.
'Master, I've been thinking — would it really be so bad to marry her?'
'Huh? What's that supposed to mean?'
'I've always been right beside you, Master, and aside from Lara you don't have a single girl around you. So wouldn't it be fine to become friends first and get to know her?'
Albert picked Apis up, fiddling with his little wings as he replied.
'Apis, getting close to someone and marrying them are two different things, you know?'
'Are they? But how about taking this chance to make a new friend? The kids your age are all scared of you anyway.'
'Yeah... that's true. There's no one my age around me, is there?'
The city where the Shadow family resided was their direct territory, and to guarantee Albert's safety, watchers were posted around him at all times. Making friends had never been easy for him.
'Master, here's my thought: stay friends with her for now, and bring up marriage or engagement later. How does that sound?'
Albert considered Apis's advice with grave seriousness.
'Yeah, you're right. I should start by getting to know her as a friend first.'
With that, Albert set his worries aside and was playing with Apis when a knock sounded at his door.
"Young master, it's Lara. Dinner is ready, so I've come to escort you."
"Got it. I'll be right out, Lara."
'Apis, let's go eat dinner.'
'Nyaa, I'm starving. Let's go eat.'
And so Albert tucked Apis under his arm and headed for the dining hall.
"Hey, Lara. What do you think — would it be good if Iris and I got married?"
Lara, walking behind him, answered his question.
"You and the young lady of the Sekri family? Hmm... Well, in my opinion, the two of you would suit each other quite nicely."
"Really? I'm not so sure. We've only just met, after all."
'And besides... I have Yujin. I can't be with anyone else...'
"Well, it's still a good thing, you know."
"Hm? What do you mean by that?"
At Lara's words, Albert stopped in his tracks and turned around.
"Well, it's just that you don't have anyone your own age around you, young master. Even if only for entering high society later, I think having one friend of the opposite sex your age would be a good thing."
"Is that so...? Well, I do have to enter society eventually. When did they say my debut would be, again?"
"Three years from now. The year you turn twelve, a debutante ball will be held on your birthday, and you'll make your formal debut into society."
"Really?... Then I suppose I should treat this as practice for that and get to know her well."
"That's a wonderful idea! Now, let's head to the dining hall!"
And so the two of them — with Apis in tow — made their way to the dining hall.
Upon arriving at the Sekri duchy, Iris headed straight for the Church of Helena. There, the high priestess Ruby — red-haired and crimson-eyed — was deep in prayer.
"It has been far too long, Lady Iris."
The moment her prayer ended, Ruby turned and faced Iris.
"Ruby, it has been a while. I've been so busy that I've neglected my duties here. I apologize."
"Please, think nothing of it. Everyone knows how busy your life is, Sister Iris. Have you come to offer your prayers today as well?"
"Yes, that's right. Is the prayer chamber empty today?"
Whenever she could spare a moment, Iris would visit the Church of Helena, searching for traces of Yuseong.
"Yes, there are few brothers and sisters present today, so the chamber is free. Please, go right in. May your time be a blessed one..."
With that, Iris left Ruby behind and entered the prayer chamber.
As Iris knelt before the statue of Helena and recited her prayers, the goddess herself descended into the statue.
"It has been some time. I never imagined you would find that man this quickly. Truly, this must be fate."
Every time Iris had come before, Helena had refused to give her a single hint about Yuseong. That had been her final act of mercy on the matter.
"Haa... Fate or not, it doesn't matter. I've found Yuseong — no, wait, I suppose I should call him Albert now. Hehehehe..."
Iris suddenly began to laugh, right there before the goddess. She laughed for several minutes straight — then abruptly cut herself off and glared up at Helena.
"How does it feel? After everything you did to hide him, I've finally found your precious Albert. Oh, I knew all along you'd reincarnated him somewhere close to me because of our deal. But with the Shadow family standing guard, I couldn't very well touch him carelessly."
Indeed. Helena had pitied Yuseong's tragic life and tried to hide her as far away from Iris as possible — but because of the bargain between them, she'd had no choice but to reincarnate her near Iris. In exchange, she had placed her somewhere Iris, too, could not carelessly touch.
"Your meeting with him was inevitable — destiny itself. But more importantly, as you wished, I have reunited the two of you. Now it is your turn to honor the bargain."
"Fine, I know. This is a deal, after all. Here, take it. This is the demonic mana I've gathered. Well? Fresh, isn't it?"
The bargain between Helena and Iris was Iris's reincarnation — the rebirth of Se-A — and in exchange, Helena demanded the demonic mana of demons from every dimension. Across countless lives, Se-A had reincarnated again and again, each time delivering to Helena the demonic mana of the demons of that era.
"Mmm... Haa... Excellent. This mana is wonderfully fresh. Your previous world had no demons at all, which was a dreadful inconvenience — but do remember that reincarnating you in this life cost me a considerable sacrifice."
"I know. Last time I couldn't gather any mana for you, so I couldn't use the powers I'd carried from my previous life properly. I understand."
When she finished, Helena spoke again.
"So then, Iris — what brings you back this time? Surely you didn't come all this way just to hand over mana in person?"
"As if. You know perfectly well what I want."
Helena deliberated for a long moment.
"Don't tell me... You intend to find her and kill her?"
"That's right. Before that woman can crawl back to Albert and sink her claws into him again, I'm going to kill her."
At Iris's words, Helena's expression turned grave, and she tried to dissuade her.
"Iris, this is my counsel: I strongly recommend you leave her alone in this life."
"Ha? What are you talking about? You're the one who set it up so that when she meets Albert, her past-life memories will awaken. And now you're telling me I shouldn't kill her?"
"Iris, calm yourself and listen. In her previous life, she died far too soon for her allotted lifespan. Because of that, the law of causality warped around her, and she became absurdly, impossibly strong. If you fight her now, you will lose. Without question."
"Ha! You think I'd lose to a woman like that? I am the heir of a ducal house, and my master is the strongest mage among humankind. Tell me what she looks like and where she is — she won't have any special privileges like Albert does!"
"Haa... Very well. But know that I gave you my warning plainly."
Helena sketched a gesture in the empty air. A small rectangular window shimmered into being, and she gazed into it.
"I've found her. Her current name is Yuna; she has no family name and is of common birth. Her parents died early, and she is currently residing in the Mage Tower in the royal capital."
"The Mage Tower? Why? Find that out for me too."
"Haa... You truly are a bothersome one. Let's see... Yes, it's written here. She's been acquainted with the Tower Master since before, and having lost her parents, she now lives with him. Appearance: a young girl with golden hair and blue eyes."
"Is that so? Thank you, big sister. Sooner or later, I'll have to meet that woman myself and kill her. I'll be going now."
"Yes, do go. But my warning stands: do not touch her."
As Iris stepped out of the prayer chamber, Ruby was waiting for her.
"Did you have a blessed time?"
"Yes, it was truly wonderful. Until next time."
"Of course. Please travel home safely."
And so Iris was leaving the Church of Helena and making her way home — when a woman called out to her.