What I saw in my vision was a room made of stone.

(............)

　Huh?

　It looks the same as the room we were in earlier.

　There is a magic circle at the foot of the room, and in the four corners, there are pedestals with magic spheres standing on them.

　On the wall, there is only one door.

　........................Was it really a transition?

　That's when I wondered.

'It's so cold.'

　bulge

　The girl next to me who was holding hands with me muttered with her body trembling.

　Speaking of which.........

　Earlier, the air was stagnant, but now, it's strangely cold and clear.

''Hm?''

　Mr. Kilt exhales.

　White.

　The breath he exhaled was tinted white.

(Wrong temperature...?)

　Everyone seems to have come to that realization.

　So, if that's the case.

　tat

　I ran quickly to the door.

　The door, which had been open just wide enough for one person to pass through earlier, was now completely closed when I looked closer.

　I pressed my little body against it.

　Guffaw.

(Oh, it's heavy.)

I'll help.

　Illtimina-san quickly joined us, and the door was gradually opened.

　Gogog, gowon.

(Ugh?)

　The air is colder than ever before.

　My nose hurts.

　But there's light coming through the cracks.

　Light.

　A moment ago, the other side should have been an underground passage, but there was light shining through.

(Shh!)

　There was enough room for people to get through.

　Tang.

　At that moment, I couldn't take it anymore and immediately ran out of the room.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


(Wow...)

　The view from there left me speechless.

　The sky, which filled most of my vision, was an endlessly clear blue sky.

　There was not a single cloud in the sky.

　There was not a single cloud in the sky, not a single white cloud in the sky.

　A sea of clouds.

　All I could see was the blue sky and sea of clouds.

　I was on an expanse of land that stretched from the sea of clouds.

　Dirt, gravel, rocks, and snow on the ground.

　It continues on a gentle slope to the sea of clouds below.

　Huohhhhh.....

　A strong wind blows.

　It's cold.

　My breath flutters white and is sucked into the blue sky.

"This is....

　Illtimina-san, who had been following me, was raptured.

　So was everyone else who followed.

　All of them were staring at the magnificent scenery as if they were dumbfounded.

　Eventually, Frederica-san said.



　Maybe.

　No matter how you look at it, this is a view of a mountain top.

　Beneath the clouds below, it's probably raining, the same downpour that had drenched us a while ago.

　I look back.

　The room we were in was a stone building.

　The triangular roof was pointed, and above the door was a carving that looked like an angel.

(A temple...?)

　It's small, but it's such an atmosphere.

　The roof and the angels were covered in snow.

　And there was a long flight of cobblestone stairs leading from the stone temple to the summit.

　Probably about 200 meadows?

　We stare at the stairs.

　Eventually.

Hmm, let's go for it.

　Mr. Kilt said, his breath fluttering white.

　We nodded.

　I took off my wet rainproof robe and changed into a thermal robe.

(Warm...)

　My trembling body calmed down a bit.

　And so, having made our preparations, we slowly climbed the stone stairs.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


"Huh, huh.

　I'm walking, but I'm out of breath easily.

　The oxygen is so thin.

　Solstice also walked with a large magic wand as if it were a climbing staff, "Hee hee hee.

"Be careful not to slip.

　Kilt, who is leading the way, warns us.

　The stone staircase has snow on it, and sometimes it's frozen.

　If you slip here, you'll fall down the mountainside.

(We have to be careful.)

　Slowly, slowly.

　Right behind me and Solstice like that, Illtimina-san was casually holding back in case of any problems.

　She's a really sweet sister........

　Soon, I could see the shadow of a small building at the end of the stone stairs.

(A hut.........?)　

　It looks like a stone house.

　I walked up the stairs, amazed.

　Fifty meters to go.

　Then.

(Uh.....)

　I noticed a lone figure standing right next to the stone house.

　Everyone notices it too.

　We stop in our tracks, alarmed.

　However, although they should have noticed us, there is no sign of movement.

　..........

　We started walking again in silence.

　As we got closer, the figure of the person became clearer and clearer.

　........it's a dragon.

　I thought to myself.

　The dragon, to be precise, had the shape of a person.

　He was about six foot two and a half inches tall.

　A face like a dragon, but rounded like a man.

　His entire body was covered in scales and his hands were covered in sharp claws.

　The dragon person was clad in pure white clothing like a priest's robe, and a long tail could be seen from the foot of the clothing.

　It's hard to tell what his expression is because he's a dragon, but it still gives him a very calm atmosphere.

''Are you a dragon person?''

　Frederica muttered.

　'The Dragon Man?

　Is that...?

　As I recall, one of the countries on the dollar continent was the 'Land of the Dragon People'.

　But it's exclusive and closed off........

　I recall such information.

　Zach.

　Finally we climbed the stone stairs.

　The distance between us and Ryuujin-san is less than 10 meters.

　We couldn't help but stare at each other.

　Eventually, the dragonman smiles and

Welcome, my dear friends. You are invited by the goddess to dwell in the company of men, gods and demons.

　And he bowed deeply to us.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


That voice...!

　I huffed.

　Rapt, Recto Alice has the same look on her face.

　Poe is the same, but....

　But I'm sure of it.

(That's the voice that saved us when we were being attacked by the storm dragon.)

　There was a difference between my eardrums and my head, but the voices themselves felt the same.

　She noticed our eyes.

　smiling

　Ryuujin-san smiled.

　..................

　Kirto-san steps forward.

''Who are you?''

　His hand was prepared to pull out the sword of lightning at any time.

　He looked at it.

My name is Emma.

　Mr. Ryuujin replied quietly.

　And.

One of the congregation members who serve Lady More, the goddess of love, as well as the custodian of this sanctuary.

　I continued.

(Sanctuary administrators?)

　Emma must have noticed my expression, because she smiled and

'This land was once a sacred realm for the people and Lady Moa, the goddess of love, to communicate with each other. I was instrumental in that.

　says.

　A place for the people and the goddess Moa to communicate with each other.

　Then I knew this was the place to be.

"The Goddess Temple...
That's what they used to call you.

　Emma nodded calmly.

　Ah.....

　We've safely arrived at our destination.

(Good.....

　I felt myself very relieved to confirm that fact.

　Everyone felt somewhat relieved as well.

　Emma lowered her dragon's eyes.

''However, that sanctuary has also been closed off due to a major sin that people committed three hundred years ago.

(What...?

　Three hundred years ago........oh, I see.

　The event that humanity used the Children of God and others as bait and bombarded them with the Demon Shards.

　Moa, the Goddess of Love, was angry about it.

'The goddess's anger attracted the dragon and rejected the people.
..........
Nevertheless, those who have survived the ordeal have been allowed to communicate in holy communion with no one else in the last 300 years.

　Emma tells us matter-of-factly.

　We all fell silent.

　Noticing this, Emma smiled.

'Excuse me,'

　A quick bow.

You must be tired, gentlemen.　First of all, please come inside and rest.

　And I indicated the stone house behind me.

　We looked at each other.

　And we decide to warm up a little to warm our cold bodies.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　There was a table in the house, and there was a warm cup of tea for fourteen people at the table.

(Oh, delicious...)

　It warms my cold body to the core.

　Everyone looks relieved.

　Emma smiled gently.

　I look again at the house and see that it is very simple, with a poorly made cupboard, a fireplace and a straw mattress.

　In the back, a small statue of a goddess is displayed.

　....

　I suddenly asked, "Emma-san, are you alone?

"Emma, do you live here by yourself?
Yes, sir.

　Emma nodded.

'It's been four hundred years now.'

　...400 years?

(What?　(Ryuujin-san has lived that long!

　I'm stunned.

'Silly,'

　Mr. Kilt said.

'I've heard that the life span of the dragon race is 150 years at the most.

　Emma smiled.

'I have been given an 'immortal body' by the goddess of love, More, to be the custodian of this sanctuary.

(Elixir!)　

　Everyone stares at her with their eyes peeled back.

　We're not going to let them.

So this is the first time in 300 years that I've talked to someone like this.

　Ryujin said happily.

　...........

　The embodiment of God's miracle.

　Perhaps, four hundred years ago, Emma-san was a person who could be called a 'saint'.

　That's what I thought.

　Somehow, the silence falls.

　Eventually, Frederica-san opened her mouth, as if she had made up her mind.

''Emma-dono. We have come here by the oracle of that goddess of love, Lady Moa.
Yes, sir.

　Emma nodded.

'I hear you, Goddess,'
So,
Yes, it's my job to get you all to the sanctuary.

　She looks at us slowly.

　They are beautiful dragon eyes.

　In turn, they stare at our faces one by one.

　Its gaze stops at me.

''You are Godgu-sama, aren't you?''

(!)

And the two divine Dragons. And Master Shenlong.

　Rapt, Recto Alice and Poe, the gaze stops even on each of them.

　..........

　It's as if their eyes can see through to the heart.

　Emma stands up, shaking her priestly robe.

　While looking at the 14 of us.

All a goddess desires is an encounter with my children. These four are the only ones I can guide.

　I told him.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　With Emma's help, we came to the back of the stone house.

　This is the real summit of Caligure Holy Mountain.

　A small circular altar was built there on a flat stone pavement.

　On the stone pavement, there were inscriptions on it.

(Ah ... it's a divine script.)

　I realize that.

　Emma looks back at us in front of the cobblestones.

'From this point forward, only the 'sons of God' will be allowed to enter.

　He says in a stern voice.

(Is it just us from here...)

"Merle.

　Illtimina called out to me and I turned around.

　Geez.

(What?)

　Iltimina's arms hug me tightly.

'Please, be careful,'
Yes.
...and make sure you come back to us, okay?

　He let go of my body and kneeled on the ground, holding my hands in his, and looked straight up into my blue eyes.

　There was a light of anxiety shimmering in my crimson eyes.

　It was as if she had gone to the God Realm and was worried that she wouldn't come back.

(....................Illtimina-san.)

　I laughed, trying to reassure him.

'It's okay,'
..........
I'm Mr. Illtimina's marl. I'll be back.
Yes, sir.

　Illtimina nodded firmly.

　'Panto.'

　Mr. Kilt pats me on the back to encourage me.

'Go ahead, Merle.'

　And Solstice.

Just go talk to the goddess and see what she has to say.

　He advises with a pout of his lips.　

(Yes!)

　I nodded widely.

　Rapt and Lectoris were also getting encouragement from Frederica and the people of Arun.

　Poe, too, was being patted on the head by Mr. Colon-Tude.

　They spent some time preparing and saying goodbye.

Here you go.
Come on. Let's go.
Yeah.
.......................

　The four of us turned to face Emma.

　Emma nodded.

Okay, come on in.

　He urged us to go into the cobblestones.

　I obeyed obediently.

　....................

(Phew.)

　I'm a little nervous to think that I'm about to meet the Goddess.

　I fix my bangs and so on.

"I look so relaxed.　

　Rapt chuckles.

(Really?)

　I nodded my head.

　Even Recto Alice laughed when she saw it.

　Emma then made her way around the outside of the cobblestones to the front of the altar.

　BOOM!

　A fire was lit on the altar.

'Lior Koule Auria Kamishya Tarran Kurran Lior Koule.

　The dragon's eyes are down and it spins a mysterious chant.

(...?)

　Is there incense being burned?

　It smelled sweet.

　And then smoke poured from the altar and spread out onto the cobblestones.

　A pretty amazing amount.

　Illtimina and the other ten humans could no longer be seen behind the smoke.

''Lior Kowl Auria.''

　Emma's chanting continues.

　The unique rhythm hits my ears, and my consciousness becomes somewhat fuzzy.

　Boom, boom, boom.

　The flames of the altar flicker.

　The smoke spreads.

'Arga le dal on more!

　Emma intensified her chanting and spread her hands high in the sky.

　Instantly.

　bang

　A bright white light erupted from the cobblestone pavement carved with divine letters at his feet.

(Whoa!)

　The light surrounds my whole body.

"Hmm?
"What?
Huh.

　The three surprised faces were also consumed by the light.

　A pillar of light that engulfed us rose from the summit of the Caligurian Spiritual Peak and stretched out to the blue sky beyond - a pillar of light.