The meaning behind choosing a soul.

Elen stood before the Water Mirror Chamber, aware of Lovell’s presence there.

Beside her, Origin sat on a chair, and the Dual Goddesses were already there, having returned earlier.

“Elen!”

Elen saw Lovell running toward her and instantly teleported right in front of Lovell, straight from Ark’s arms.

Without hesitation, Elen wrapped her arms tightly around Lovell’s lower neck.

“Thank goodness you’re safe…!”

“Father…!”

Held so tightly it hurt. Elen squeezed back just as hard, her arms locking around Lovell with all her strength.

A large hand settled on the back of Elen’s head, and a kiss brushed her hair.

Tears spilled out like a dam had burst—relief, maybe, or just the weight of it all.

She’d been crying so hard just moments ago that her eyes were already red.

“Crying this much…”

Her hair clung to her cheeks from tears, sticky and damp—she pushed it back with a shaky hand. Lovell kissed her exposed cheek again, light as a whisper.

Like a child who’d just been fussed over, Elen leaned her forehead against Lovell’s shoulder, seeking comfort.

His fingers gently brushed through her hair, the warmth of him wrapping around her like a blanket. She felt herself sinking into it, drowsy, barely able to stay awake.

She must’ve been exhausted—tense to the breaking point.

“Elen-chan, there’s still something you need to say… are you alright?”

“I’m sorry… I know I’m tired, but I’ll push through a little more.”

The Dual Goddesses spoke, and Elen slowly lifted her face.

“Yes…”

“You’re worn out, Elen!”

Lovell snapped at her, sharp and sudden—and she just smiled faintly, murmuring, “I’m fine,” before slipping out of his arms and moving away.

Lovell stared at Elen’s back, struck by how grown-up she seemed all of a sudden.

He lowered the arm he’d raised to stop her, clenching his fist tight.

“There’s something I must speak to you about as a goddess. Come with me, into my space.”

“Bring your little brother too.”

“Of course. Please, then—let’s go, Elen-chan.”

“Y-yes…”

Elen tensed up at Vaul’s words.

What exactly did “my space” mean?

＊＊＊

Ignoring Elen’s confusion, they were instantly transported to a place that was one endless expanse of white.

A floating sensation beneath her feet—like standing on the surface of a vast, calm lake.

(…Like the Uyuni Salt Flats, but nothing’s here at all…)

She glanced around, disoriented, when Origin appeared in a flash and gently wrapped her in a hug.

"Welcome back. You did well, Elen-chan."

"Mother... Yes, I'm home."

Smiling brightly, Origin gently kissed Elen on the forehead.

"I heard you performed the Soul Selection. We'll talk about that, too."

"Y-yes..."

The Soul Selection.

Apparently, that's what they call protecting Amiel's soul and drawing it within.

Elen hadn't even realized she'd done it herself, so she'd been worried she'd somehow done something wrong.

Then, the Dual Goddesses brought Gadiel, who floated midair.

Gadiel floated inside a large, transparent sphere like a balloon, his eyes still closed.

"Gadiel!"

"Elen-chan, it's alright."

Panicking, Elen tried to calm herself—only to be gently reminded by Vaul to breathe.

Gadiel gently placed his hand on the floating sphere. Looks like a barrier spell, then.

"Human beings can't handle the Spirit World's density of magic—it's poisonous to them. This is to shield little one from that poison."

"Is that... really true?"

I watched Gadiel with worry, when Sauvel stepped in to explain.

"Elen-chan, you understand, don’t you? If we leave it like this, little one will die."

"…………"

My heart clenched tight, like someone had just grabbed it.

Seeing Elen’s face crumple, about to burst into tears, Sauvel flustered.

"Oh no, don’t cry, Elen-chan. There *is* a way to save him."

"Really...?"

"But whether he accepts it or not is up to little one. If he wants to live, then you’ll have to be involved from now on."

"Wha...?"

Elen couldn’t make sense of it—her confusion showed plainly.

"I’m currently preparing the Great Spirit of Dreams. I’ll explain the details alongside convincing your grandpa. We both have to accept it."

"Y-yes..."

"Then, while we wait for the preparations, let’s discuss the selection."

As Voël spoke, the Dual Goddesses stepped side by side beside Elen.

"Elen-chan, you’ve taken in a broken soul, haven’t you?"

"Y-yes..."

"When a goddess chooses a soul and takes it within, that’s called 'soul selection.'"

"...So this is soul selection?"

"Yes. Ideally, I’d have explained everything properly before the selection—but you did it already, Elen-chan."

"Yes... I’m sorry."

"It’s alright. We ourselves thought it was too soon to say anything."

"Yes, really. Don’t worry about it."

The Dual Goddesses were laughing, dry and sharp, but the situation was more serious than it seemed.

We take a soul within us and give birth to the next goddess. That is the selection of souls.

"Uh...?"

Elen-chan was born just like that, you know.

Elen’s thoughts went completely blank.

Maybe that’s why the Origin knew Elen all along.

Elen glanced back at the Origin behind her, who was smiling warmly.

I chose Elen just like that, you know.

"...So you knew all along I was reincarnated, then."

Yeah. Normally, if you absorb a soul into yourself, its memories become a burden—so you have to erase them. But Elen was born still carrying her memories, exactly as they were.

"Why...?"

"About that, Lovell's the one to blame."

Vol explained it all with a sigh.

"Normally, after selecting a soul, we’d conceive and give birth. Origin-chan had even prepared for the selection, but then Lovell showed up before the conception ritual, and Elen-chan was born."

"Exactly. Elen-chan came into the world before her soul’s memories were erased."

"Wha—? Wha—? S-so, conception...?"

"Yeah, that’s different from how humans do it. We don’t need men to give birth to goddesses."

"Right. We don’t need them at all."

"Wha—?! W-wait, WHAT?!"

Elen’s head felt like it was about to short-circuit from the confusion.

Her pre-reincarnation logic kept getting in the way, trying to make sense of this.

"Wait—hold on… So that means, after I underwent soul selection…?"

(Pregnant…?)

Seeing Elen go deathly pale, the Dual Goddesses and Origin burst into laughter, understanding exactly what she was afraid of.

"It's fine, Elen-chan. I won't do it. Otherwise Lovell would be in real trouble."

"That's right, because that soul is broken."

"Exactly—because it's asleep."

They're laughing loudly, but Elen's heart is pounding, out of control.

"Besides, you've already placed protection over that soul. So conception won't happen. You're safe."

"Y-yes..."

Elen clutched her chest tightly, nerves fraying.

Even if she didn’t mean to select it, she never thought it would carry such a meaning.

(Incarnate Saint Gospel... the Annunciation to Mary...?)

That’s why there are no male gods in this world.

When she asked for details, she was told there *are* male gods—just not in *this* world. Another cryptic phrase. Again.

(My head’s about to explode...)

A dull ache spreads through her skull. Elen was already at her limit.

"So, Elen-chan. About that soul you selected..."

"Yes...?"

"It can't be used as a vessel for the next Goddess, because it's already broken."

"Eh...?"

"I think it'll just stay asleep within you. Honestly, I can't even tell how long it will remain there—the Goddess's restrictions are interfering, and I can't see it clearly..."

"So... does that mean I won't be able to give birth to the next Goddess?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"Still, we can just have one if we need to, right? No need to worry about it."

"Eh...?"

"Oh? What's wrong?"

(Something feels really light...?)

The fact that bearing a child is no small thing—anyone could imagine that—so the Dual Goddesses’ reply was hard to hide my shock.

"Umm... yes, I understand...?"

"You're still making that 'I don't understand' face."

She poked my cheek with a finger, right in the middle of my face.

"Oh really? Well, Elen’s got strong human values and memories, so it’s only natural, isn’t it?"

My cheek was poked on the opposite side—by Van.

Then, without warning, both cheeks were gently kneaded, as if savoring the softness of Elen’s skin.

Elen squirmed, flustered.

"Ugh, sister… not here, please…"

"Oh? Sorry~"

"Really, sorry. Elen’s cheeks are just… *so* soft, I might get addicted."

She said it all with a smile, light and easy—but Elen knew full well what she’d done. This wasn’t just some idle act. The soul selection, the role as a goddess… it was all part of the foundation of this world.

(They’re probably going to scold me for meddling like this…)

But still—being watched over so gently by the Dual Goddesses and Origin… It felt like a lifeline.