Zebul and the others arrived at Yashiori Island by boat.
After asking the local villagers, they learned that Elliot was resting on the far western side of the island.
When they found him, he was lying in a hammock strung between two trees, basking in the sunlight, completely relaxed.
Seeing him so at ease, the group exchanged amused glances, whispering among themselves before carefully approaching.
"He's out cold…" Chiyo muttered, eyeing Elliot.
"Right? Napping in a place like this—he really knows how to enjoy life," Zebul said with a grin.
"Alright…"
"One... two... three!"
At the count, all four of them kicked the hammock at once, sending Elliot tumbling to the ground.
"Hey! Who—!?"
Startled awake, Elliot shot up from the ground in a panic.
"Hahahahahaha..."
The four women burst into laughter at his reaction.
"General, what brings you all here…?"
Scratching his head sheepishly, Elliot smiled awkwardly.
"If we hadn't come, how would we know you were out here enjoying yourself?" Kitsune Saiguu said, settling comfortably into the hammock.
"Exactly. You go straight into vacation mode right after a war, huh?" Chiyo joined her on the hammock.
"Now, let's think about how we should punish you~"
Zebul narrowed her eyes, crossed her legs on the hammock, and smirked playfully.
Even the usually gentle Baal couldn't resist and joined them with interest.
Now all four stunning women were seated on Elliot's hammock, while he stood before them awkwardly—like a man caught red-handed.
"Well…"
"Can you blame me? The four of you are so beautiful…"
"Hanging out with you just makes me feel inferior—and draws jealous looks from others too…"
Elliot said it with honest sincerity.
The four women blinked, caught off guard, then burst into laughter again.
"Since when did you get so smooth with words?" Zebul teased.
"When did my Sasayuri turn bad? I don't remember you ever saying anything like that before," Chiyo said, grinning ear to ear.
"Maybe a few days of sunbathing helped him reach enlightenment," Kitsune Saiguu joked.
After all, who doesn't enjoy a good compliment—
Especially from Elliot, who'd always been a hopelessly straightforward guy. Hearing something flattering from him used to be nearly impossible.
But now, out of nowhere, he was dishing out praise like it was nothing.
Seeing their cheerful smiles, Elliot finally relaxed.
After all, just ten minutes before they arrived, he had been training.
When he caught a familiar scent in the air, he quickly put away the training stones and dove into the hammock, falling asleep instantly to play it cool.
Judging by their reactions, they hadn't noticed anything unusual.
"So, what brings you all here anyway?" he asked, changing the subject.
"A few days ago, I went to Celestia and retrieved the Gnosis," Baal explained succinctly. "We're planning a founding celebration and drafting the initial laws for Inazuma. We wanted to hear your thoughts."
"You got the Gnosis!?"
"Then… you really became a god!?"
Elliot's face lit up with surprise and excitement.
"Well, of course," Zebul said proudly.
"True, I just didn't expect it to happen so fast. I'm still a little dazed," Elliot admitted.
Kitsune Saiguu then recounted the full story and asked for his opinion.
"Uh… I don't really mind. I'm fine with either the Tenryou Commission or the Kanjou Commission. Let Chiyo pick first."
"Then I'll take the Kanjou Commission. I want to handle the finances. I'll become Inazuma's richest person!" Chiyo nodded, quite pleased with her choice.
"Then I'll take the Tenryou Commission—military and security are mine," Elliot said.
With the roles now clearly assigned, the group shifted to planning the founding ceremony.
Their discussion grew lively, and Elliot chimed in with jokes now and then, keeping the mood light and cheerful.
"Hey…"
As the conversation began to settle, Elliot finally spoke up.
He hadn't participated much until now, so his sudden input naturally caught everyone's attention.
"I'd like to bring a friend to the founding ceremony. Is that okay?"
"Oh? Who?" Chiyo asked, curious.
"You'll find out when the time comes," Elliot said with a faint smile.
"Now you're being all mysterious with us."
"I'll need to go pick them up, so I'll leave the event setup to you all for the next few days," he added, pressing his hands together and giving a hopeful look to Kitsune Saiguu and Chiyo.
"Ugh, you just want to slack off," Chiyo said with a helpless wave, reluctantly taking on his share of the work.
"You'd better make it up to us," Kitsune Saiguu teased.
"Don't worry. I definitely will," Elliot said, patting his chest earnestly.
After chatting a while longer, the four women finally left Yashiori Island and returned to Narukami Island.
Elliot stayed behind, preparing to welcome his "friend."