"So it's about Brandish and Dimaria?"
Irene paused briefly, then continued calmly, "I'll go and see what's going on."
After hearing August's request, Irene accepted it without hesitation.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Irene-san."
August replied with a composed nod.
...
Far to the west of the Alvarez Empire, there lay a quiet valley overflowing with blooming flowers.
At the heart of that sea of blossoms stood a small hut, wrapped in petals and sunlight—and inside it sat a woman who looked as though she had descended from myth itself.
Irene Belserion.
"Brandish and Dimaria… those two little ones?"
Recalling August's words, the graceful queen rose to her feet, lifting her gaze toward the outside world.
"Let's go and see what kind of situation those two have gotten themselves into."
In the next instant, her figure vanished from the hut—leaving behind nothing but drifting petals.
...
At the same time, Rain and the others were seated inside a magic-guided four-wheel vehicle, already preparing to leave the Alvarez Empire and return to the Ishgar Continent.
After all, Rain's objective here had already been achieved. There was no reason to remain any longer.
If they truly continued staying within Alvarez territory, Rain had no doubt that someone at the level of an Spriggan-level powerhouse would eventually come looking for trouble.
Although Rain's current strength—after inheriting the power of the God of Time—had already reached the Spriggan level himself, he wasn't afraid of facing a single one.
But what if two came?
That would just be asking for death.
And even if one were looking for death, there was no need to seek it out so directly.
Because of that, Rain chose to retreat immediately.
What he didn't expect—what he couldn't possibly expect—was who would arrive at this moment.
...
Irene, moving alone, already knew her target would arrive in five minutes.
The reason was simple.
She had seen a fragment of the future.
"Are we really going to meet like this?"
The corners of Irene's lips curved upward faintly.
Yet almost immediately, a trace of helplessness surfaced in her expression.
She wasn't ready.
She didn't know what kind of attitude—what kind of face—she should use to meet that child.
"It's still a little too early."
As that thought passed through her mind, Irene's body began to change.
Her presence shifted, divine radiance blooming outward as her aura transformed. In just a few breaths, the Irene standing there was completely different—her existence shrouded in sacred light.
Even someone familiar with her would find it impossible to recognize her now.
"This should be enough."
Gripping her staff once more, Irene looked down from the top of the canyon below, quietly waiting.
...
Five minutes later—
The magic-guided vehicle carrying Rain and the others approached the canyon.
And at that very moment, all four of them felt it.
Their expressions turned serious simultaneously.
"What a terrifying presence…"
"This isn't just strong—this is top-tier."
"Enemy?"
"…Could it be one of the Spriggan?"
Those thoughts flashed through their minds almost instantly.
"Did the Empire send someone to intercept us?"
Brandish glanced at Rain, unease flickering across her face. "What do we do? Even if the four of us fight together, I'm not sure we can win."
Rain remained silent for a brief moment—then his expression steadied.
"There's no choice. If it comes to this, we fight."
His gaze sharpened.
"No matter who the enemy is, they shouldn't think defeating us will be easy."
Confidence surged from him, steady and unshaken.
"We'll move together," Dimaria said, her face equally serious.
"…I just hope it's not someone I know," Brandish muttered quietly.
If it was, things would get complicated—because she wasn't sure she could be ruthless.
As they advanced, the figure standing atop the canyon finally came into view.
A radiant silhouette, wrapped in divine light.
"…A goddess?"
The four of them froze.
For a moment, their minds went blank as they stared at the holy figure before them.
This was completely outside their expectations.
"Not the Empire's Spriggan… but…"
Rain felt a wave of relief when he realized the Empire hadn't sent its executioners.
And yet—
The aura emanating from this person felt even more overwhelming.
Stronger than the Spriggan level.
Stronger than anything he had sensed before.
The goddess looked down at them calmly. The staff in her right hand tapped lightly against the ground.
"Teleport."
Three beams of light instantly enveloped Brandish, Dimaria, and Erza.
"—!"
Rain's face changed instantly.
He had seen this moment in the future.
"Stop—!"
But it was already too late.
Buzz!
In the next instant, the three of them vanished.
"You—what did you do to them?!"
Killing intent erupted from Rain as he glared upward.
If any harm had come to them, he would never forgive this.
"Relax," Irene said gently, her voice calm.
"It was only teleportation magic. I simply sent them away so they wouldn't interfere."
"This is a conversation between the two of us."
"…Teleportation?"
Rain paused, then slowly exhaled.
He could tell.
She wasn't lying.
They weren't hurt—only separated.
"…Who are you?"
Rain looked at her with suspicion, confusion deep in his eyes.
He had never heard of someone like this existing in the world.
"If you want to know my identity," the goddess said with a faint smile,
"that depends on your strength."
Her expression hardened.
The staff in her hand pointed directly at Rain.
"Deus Sema!"
A massive fireball—nearly a hundred meters wide—roared down toward him.
"—!!"
Rain's eyes widened.
"…What the hell—Irene?!"
PS: I have some bad news...
Kidding!
I've started a brand-new novel:
Naruto: Minato Died, So I Took His Wife
Ahem...
The title alone should tell my fellow men of culture exactly what to expect. Yes, you guessed it—there will be R-18 content from the earlier chapters.
But don't worry, it won't be mindless smut. The plot is refreshing, the story has actual direction, and there's plenty more to enjoy beyond the mature content.
So, check it out if you're looking for a breath of fresh air from the usual Naruto fanfics!
Tagged below 👇