After informing about the situation to the former Saints and my grandparents. We all regrouped with Sariel and headed to the location. My fiancés had some very suspicious smiles when they came out of the room though, I hope they'll go easy on me. Or not, I don't want that.

Sara went ahead and announced to the people about the drought, so that's good. She also wanted the dragon's corpses, so we gave them to her, it'll be helpful to sell them.

Either way, after a few minutes of flying, we arrived at the orange surface that I dug with explosives again.

''Stand back a bit.'' Sariel says with a grin.

We do as she says.

After confirming that, she turns below and aims her hand a the surface.

ℜΥΣΣÆΠΩŒ℘∀Ψ§ΞΡℑΤΖΔ∅ØÄℵ

Sariel narrows her eyes and begins to chant something. Silver aura swirls intensely around her, causing our clothes to flutter. The dragoness's eyes shine brilliantly as her hair dances in the air, on her hand, a tree-like pattern appears.

''Impressive...'' I hear Grandma mutter.

It's true. Based on her mana alone, Sariel is probably the strongest person I've ever met, besides Eva and maybe Dad. I don't even know if Dad can defeat her either. I guess this is the strength of a dragon clan leader.

Wait, if she's this strong, then how about the dragon king?

While I'm thinking about that, it seems like Sariel has finished her spell.

SHIING—!!

A silver light bursts out, engulfing the whole space. After a bit, I open my eyes to see that a hole had been created on the surface, Sariel floats in the air lazily, looking at me with a proud face, as if asking for praise.

'''' ... ''''

I fly us toward Sariel and pet her gently, to which she immediately nuzzles her head against my hand. This is just like Anna...

''Stop flirting.''

Liana pinches my boob lightly, causing me to flinch.

''Well, let's go down, shall we?'' I smile awkwardly.

So we begin the descent. I notice there's a faint membrane sandwiched by the thick surface as well, wonder what that does.

'''' !!! ''''

Immediately after going through the membrane, an unbelievably large wave of energy hits me. It feels like I'm facing that Leviathan again. In the cubic room with a bleach-white interior, a lone giant cylinder is standing at the center.

The cylinder has a blue tint, but that doesn't seem to be affecting our vision of the thing inside one bit. Floating there is an extremely bright piece of white crystal, or something in the shape of a crystal, radiating immense power.

It's not mana either. This is... The same divine energy I felt from Eva.

Crazy. To think that this is just a fragment of a god's strength. Eva bragged to me that she cleared out like what, more than a hundred pieces like this?

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''Woah...''

I can see everyone—just like me, feeling extremely pressured from just standing near this piece.

Well, it's time for the goddess to descend once again.

So I close my eyes and text Eva. She immediately texts me back, telling me that she's ready.

It's been a while since I've seen her, can't wait.

''Well, the goddess is about to be here.'' I turn around and say. ''Don't be too startled, okay?''

'''' ... ''''

''Sorry, the what?'' Grandpa asks with a blank face.

''Sylvie, did your brain get weird from being near this crystal?'' While Grandma treats me like a mental patient.

''...No.'' I reply with a deadpan face.

''You mean the real goddess?'' Sariel snugs up to me from behind, her attempt at squeezing my butt is immediately stopped by Liana. ''...As expected of the woman I love.'' She whispers into my ear, her voice soft and warm like a spring breeze.

Don't try ASMR with me... I'm actually weak to that stuff.

''A-Anyway, don't react... Oh, she's here.''

From thin air, a speck of golden-white light appears. It soon swells rapidly, taking the shape of a human-sized portal. Then, a slender and delicate, as fair as pearls pokes out. Finally, an unbelievably beautiful woman with silver hair and red eyes is standing before us.

It's the mother goddess herself.

She has a serious expression this time, both indiscernible and cold at the same time, even though that might seem contradictory. And not to forget, the aura I can feel from her is still as dense and terrifying as before.

'''' ... ''''

Needless to say, everyone is stunned. But well, let's not waste more time.

''Ya, Eva. Long time no see.'' I raise my hand, palm facing her, and greet her casually.

pack

''Yes, long time no see.''

'''' ... ''''

...Eh? Did she just high-five me?!

''H-How are you doing recently?'' I ask, suppressing this feeling of excitement rising.

''I thought I texted you about that... Well, as you can probably infer from my face, I am quite tired.'' She lets out a tiny and elegant sigh.

No? You look just as beautiful as I remember.

''I see, that's rough.'' I pat her shoulder a few times. ''But enough about that, let's get the business.''

''Yes, but before that.'' She turns around to everyone else. ''It is nice to see you two again, Maxwell and Lacey.''

''It's an honor.''

''Likewise.''

Both of the former Saints bow respectfully to the goddess.

''As well as you four.'' She turns to my fiancés. ''I hope you have considered my offer seriously.''

''We are.'' Liana nods normally, the others nod along as well. Anna is especially excited, as usual.

''And you two should be Hanako's grandparents. Nice to see you.''

''A-Ah, yes!'' Grandpa replies nervously, while Grandma nudges him from the side.

''So you are...''

''Sariel, my goddess.'' Sariel bows, her demeanor is surprisingly calm. I guess she's not a clan leader of dragons for nothing.

''Mhm, I heard about you. Good job keeping this piece safe so far.'' Eva nods. ''Now, I will be straightforward.''

We all wait with bated breath, anticipating Eva's next words.

''I will not be able to assimilate this fragment into my body as I do not have enough time for that right now.'' She begins with a serious voice. ''And we cannot simply leave it alone like this.''

''So we need someone to absorb it instead?'' I ask.

''Yes. Hanako, are you ready to tell me your answer? Else, I might need to find a suitable person to do it.''

Well, the reality is—I can't pile more work onto Eva like this. Not to mention the evil goddess, I don't think us as we are can defeat her, a deity-level threat...

'''' ... ''''

''...I'll do it.'' I look straight at Eva's beautiful red eyes. ''Being a god, doesn't sound too bad, eh?''

''That is what I like about you.'' Eva sighs in relief, smiling gently. ''And I have not said this before, but the challenges provided by the fragments can be done with multiple people. The divine power received will be divided at the end, of course.''

That means...!

I turn around and look at my lovely fiancés. To my delight, they all give me a confident nod.

''We'll do it!'' I turn to Eva excitedly.

Facing trials with the loves of my life? That's a bit romantic...!

When I notice it, my beloveds are standing beside me with determined looks.

''Hm, good spirit.'' Eva nods contently. ''Would you like to start right away? Remember, the first trial for godhood will always be a mental one, so I will personally take care of your bodies during the period that you are unconscious.''

''How long would it typically take?''

''A month or so in the real world. In the trial though, I cannot say for certain.''

Well, I'll probably need to task the former Saints and my grandparents to keep an eye on this area. But other than that... I don't see any reason to delay this further.

''I'd like to do it right away.''