I’m completely overwhelmed.

Even if it’s unavoidable, listening to Gadiel’s thoughts without his consent? That’s just not okay.

Elen shouted, her face blazing red, as Gadiel turned bright red and looked on the verge of tears.

“D-don’t worry! I’ll pretend I never heard it!”

“Huh?”

That seemed to shock him—his face paled instantly.

“Elen-chan, I don’t think that’ll work.”

“I get that you’re flustered, but you *did* hear it, so you’ve gotta answer properly.”

The Dual Goddesses’ criticism sent Elen spiraling.

“B-but…! W-what am I supposed to do now…!?”

Elen was at her wit’s end.

She didn’t even notice her vision swimming or her body tilting sideways—only the frantic energy of the Origins rushing toward her registered.

“Elen-chan!”

The flustered Origin reached out and caught Elen with a soft, careful grip. Realizing why Elen had collapsed, the Origin murmured, "Ara ara..."

"Guess you really did catch a fever."

Elen blinked, dazed. "Huh...?"

The cool touch of the Origin’s hand on her forehead sent a jolt through her—her body was burning, but the Origin’s skin felt like ice.

She really had gotten sick.

"Ara, are you okay?"

"Today’s been a lot, huh."

Elen was already swaying, half-asleep even before she’d made it back to the Spirit Castle.

Mentally drained. Physically wrecked. Probably both.

Gadiel’s voice drifted in, worried. Elen tried to lift her head and say "I’m fine," but her body refused. Her limbs were lead. Her eyelids were anchors.

"...You pushed yourself too hard, didn’t you? Even when you were exhausted..."

The Dual Goddesses explained to Gadiel, who had sunk into silence, why Elen had collapsed.

“Elen’s body was always fragile to begin with. It’s only natural she’d break down after exerting herself like that.”

“Exactly. Just like how we explained it was impossible for Obo-chan’s soul and body to stay balanced, Elen’s body simply can’t keep up with her strength.”

Gadiel, pale and stunned at not having known Elen was in such a state, was reassured with a gentle smile. “It’s alright,” the Dual Goddesses said.

“We’ll talk again once Elen’s health settles. There are ways to make her voice disappear completely, you know. Constantly hearing someone talk makes conversation unbearable, after all.”

“Yes… I forgot to mention that earlier. Sorry.”

“No, we’re the ones who should be thanking you.”

With that, Gadiel placed his right hand over his chest and bowed deeply in gratitude.

Without the cleverness of the Origin and the Dual Goddesses, Gadiel wouldn’t have had a chance to live.

Though it’s said it’ll take some time, just hearing he’d see his family again had Gadiel sighing in relief.

Next to the Dual Goddesses’ dry, crackling laughter, the Origin gently lifted Elen into her arms.

Gadiel blinked, surprised—how could a slender woman lift someone of Elen’s weight?—when a voice murmured from the side: “Spirits are incredibly light.”

“Once your body’s ready, I’ll explain everything slowly. I’ll even bring along that noisy Driitra to keep things lively, hmm?”

“Y-yes… um, so I’ve been here the whole time…?”

“This is inside a dream. Time moves so slowly you barely notice it—just a blink. The moment you realize, Elen-chan’s already right in front of you.”

“Mm. After all, you’ve been asleep.”

Gadiel struggled to keep up, dazed by the Dual Goddesses' explanation, but overwhelmed by sheer surprise—Gadiel was already at their limit.

“S-so, is that right…”

“You’re tired too, aren’t you? It takes time for your soul to adjust to the goddesses’ power. You should rest now.”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, when Elen wakes up, be the first to reply to her.”

“Guh!?!”

Caught completely off guard, Gadiel seemed to choke on air.

Coughing—hack, hack—despite being in a dream, Gadiel felt an odd, sharp tightness in their chest.

Vaul roared with laughter at Gadiel’s flustered red face.

“Elen needs emotional preparation too. Forgive me.”

“Y-yes…”

Watching Gadiel turn redder and redder, Val muttered quietly.

“Unlike Lovell, this one’s refreshingly honest.”

"Ah, don't go comparing me to Lovell. He's a grumpy one."

"True enough."

If Lovell were here, he'd probably yell, "Who the hell are you to say that?!"

I let out a dry chuckle at the Dual Goddesses' words, and they waved at me with a "See you later."

Gadiel bowed his head too.

When I looked up, the goddesses were gone—vanished into nothing.

＊＊＊

The moment Origin carried Elen out of the Dual Goddesses' realm, Lovell, waiting just outside, screamed.

"Elen!"

Elen's face was crimson, her body limp. She didn’t answer Lovell’s call—might’ve already fallen asleep.

"You, Ciel, go..."

"What's wrong? What happened!?"

"I'm exhausted... and feverish. Take me to my bedroom."

"Ah, right. I'll get Leven and Kleiren!"

Seeing Lovell vanish in a fluster, Origin muttered softly.

“If Lovell finds out Elen’s made a pact with that little brat, she’ll probably come after him with murder on her mind. Let’s keep quiet for now.”

Thankfully, only the goddess knew about Elen’s pact.

Origin transferred to the bedroom, gently settling Elen onto the bed, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Will she even let go?”

Knowing full well she’d lose her cool, the laughter just wouldn’t stop—“hehehe…”

“Things are gonna get lively, aren’t they?”

Proud of the cheerful future ahead, Origin slowly pulled the blanket over Elen’s body.