— — — — — —
World Dragon… Ryo's heartbeat thudded a few times.
That title belonged to Kurma—the second avatar among Vishnu's ten incarnations.
In Little Garden, Vishnu, the overhyped god of the Indian pantheon, possessed an unfinished one-digit spirit rank. Those competing for that Authority naturally drew near to it and willingly took on the role of the so-called Ten Avatars.
To the gods of Little Garden, there were two biggest contenders for that Authority.
The first: The Buddha.
The second: Kurma, the World King… or better known as the World Dragon.
Which was why Kurma was referred to by the gods as a "suspected two-digit."
The problem was… Ryo knew very well that she wasn't "suspected" anything. He read the damn novel.
Kurma was a two-digit. One of the true Seventeen.
"She… went to the Campione world?"
The thought made Ryo's lips twitch.
With the means of a two-digit, even if she couldn't break the dimensional forum's seal on the King of End's true name, the idea alone made him uneasy.
Lily, Erica, and Alice were all in that world.
Even though the name seal prevented them from leaking anything, someone of that level would have no trouble tracing the King of End's true identity.
And if Kurma discovered that he was the King of End… wait.
Actually… that might be fine?
Ryo suddenly remembered something crucial.
Yes, he was the King of End—but he only became one by seizing Authorities.
In that world, based on their mythic terminology, Rama was technically considered the real King of End.
Meaning…
Brother Rama, I'm so sorry. I didn't know this would attract a two-digit. I'm gonna have to let you take this one for the team. Brother Rama... Rest in Peace
If the situation weren't so tense, Ryo might've crossed himself and whispered a prayer for Rama's noble sacrifice.
"You seem to have prepared some contingencies," Omega's melodious voice said with a relaxed amusement.
Standing before Omega, Ryo naturally didn't dare act arrogant, so he spoke humbly.
"Just some insignificant little tricks not worth mentioning."
"Little tricks, hmm?"
Omega chuckled softly, lifting her head ever so slightly—her gaze cast into the unseen distance as if watching something no one else could perceive.
"Oh? So the King of End's Authority threads through Vishnu's ten incarnations… yet it also connects to that one from Cross?"
"No wonder. Kurma has been eyeing Vishnu's Authority all this time. Suddenly, a new competitor shows up? Naturally she'd be on edge."
Hearing Omega personally spell it out, Ryo let out a slow breath.
So that was it. Because Rama and the messiah were considered the same figure in that world.
Kurma must suspect that the "Cross" intended to fight her for the unfinished Authority, so she went to investigate personally?
If that's the case, maybe Rama won't actually suffer.
Just as Ryo felt a bit of relief, Omega smiled again—this time with a hint of playful exasperation.
"That world has somehow tangled a whole lineup of people with unfinished spirit ranks. You certainly know how to stir things up."
Ryo stared straight ahead with saintly serenity, pretending he heard absolutely nothing.
"But if that's the case, Thousand Eyes can't stay idle."
Omega said this and casually waved her hand. A golden parchment scroll materialized in the air and drifted toward Ryo.
He caught it and glanced over it, then blinked in surprise. "A four-digit mission—investigate the King of End's true name?"
"This is a Thousand Eyes assignment. I'm giving it to you. Of course, don't expect a big reward."
"But I will arrange a reasonable record of events for you—one that will let you unleash your full five-digit power without reservation."
For Ryo, this was basically a freebie—he already knew the answer.
But in comparison, Omega's offer was extremely valuable.
His biggest flaw right now was how fast he'd grown. His personal history had glaring blanks.
This was exactly why he had been hesitant to ascend to four digits.
He had only been in Little Garden for two months. Ascending to four digits that quickly would raise every eyebrow in existence. Anyone would know he had some massive stroke of fortune.
But if Omega herself forged a plausible background for him, that was a different story.
For a two-digit, even creating slots for a three-digit's agents was doable. Making up a five-digit reach the next level? Child's play.
Ryo carefully rolled up the parchment and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your generosity."
This would patch up his greatest weakness nicely.
And even if it meant another quick trip back to the Campione world, that was at most a few days—nothing worth worrying about when the benefits were this good.
The pure-white woman whose face couldn't be clearly seen let out a soft laugh.
"No need for formality. Consider it a small investment from us sisters."
There weren't many humans in Little Garden who possessed a Pseudo-Star Map of Creation, Another Cosmology.
But among those aligned with the Greek mythos worldview, whose potential could rival or even surpass those within the Indian Ten Avatars heritage—there was only Ryo Yagami.
His existence alone made him worth the Twin Goddesses' investment. Not to mention, from what they'd gathered, he wasn't the narrow-minded type.
You could tell just from how he agreed to take on Arcadia's burden simply because of a life-saving debt.
"Grow as much as you can. The chaos in the lower levels might not be a bad thing for you."
With that gentle advice—
Ryo opened his eyes inside the altar.
And the first thing he saw was Shiroyasha's big round face leaning in close.
"Oh, you're up? Did Boss say anything interesting?" Shiroyasha grinned, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"A mission and a piece of news," Ryo said, shaking the golden scroll lightly. "Interested in hearing it, Lady Shiroyasha?"
"Oh? Then go on, I'm listening."
— — —
1224 Outer Gate — Thousand Eyes Base.
Dressed in a white knight uniform with a pale blue mantle, Aishelia stood respectfully before the woman in front of her.
"Lady Athena, the Gate of Trials is ready."
"What did you just call me?" the golden-haired goddess with an olive wreath asked with a mischievous smile.
"…Sensei."
Aishelia replied with a touch of helplessness. The gentle goddess before her had a fondness for teasing her students—something Aishelia had learned to endure.
"It hasn't been officially announced yet, but you have become my student. You should get used to the title."
Athena lightly knocked her on the forehead.
"If you can't even get used to that, once you marry into [No Name] you'll get eaten alive by that scheming brat. Have some dignity."
"Yes, ma'am…" Aishelia could only reply.
Her upcoming marriage to Ryo had become the biggest headache in her life lately.
It had started as a 'mistake' on Laius' part, but now—Perseus' ancestor had acknowledged it, Athena had acknowledged it, and rumor had it that Hades himself had heard the news and even sent gifts from the Underworld.
At this rate, even if she didn't want to marry, she'd still be carried off eventually. Aishelia felt nothing but resignation toward her future.
Meanwhile, Athena looked toward the distant Gate of Trials and sighed with very real reluctance.
"If I had a choice, I honestly wouldn't want to go."
Still sighing, she took a step forward and crossed through the gate.
...
At that exact moment, within a palace filled with countless mirrors—
A girl with purple hair bound in a restraint dress, both seductive and strangely innocent, suddenly lifted her head—her expression startled.
.
.
.