Moprheus's words left not only Kanzaki but also Index stunned.
"So that's how it is," Index said, her smile strained, as if mourning her own fate. She had no memories of her past because someone had been using her as a tool.
It filled her with both anger and helplessness.
Moprheus placed a hand on Index's head, ruffling her hair firmly.
"Don't worry. It's just a petty trick—nothing I can't handle."
He turned his gaze to the Collar in Index's mouth and softly commanded, "Erase."
In an instant, the Collar was obliterated, wiped from existence as if it had never been there.
For Moprheus, speaking a command and making it reality was no difficult feat.
Then, addressing Index again, he said, "Restore your original memories."
The memories that had been erased flooded back into Index's mind—her moments with Kanzaki, Stiyl, and others filling her consciousness.
"Kanzaki, Stiyl, I remember! I remember everything!" Index cried, overjoyed, throwing her arms around Kanzaki.
Kanzaki was dumbfounded. The erased memories had been restored so easily—it was almost too absurd.
But then she remembered Moprheus's identity, and it suddenly seemed reasonable.
A deity? Doing something like this was hardly surprising.
Moprheus smiled and released the pressure he'd been exerting, allowing Stiyl to scramble up from the ground. Stiyl glanced at Moprheus with awe, too intimidated to speak.
This man was just too extraordinary.
But when his eyes fell on Index, his face lit up with joy, his expression brimming with excitement.
Moprheus knew the three had much to discuss and chose not to interrupt. He quietly slipped away.
After all, he had already made Kanzaki his follower. If anything came up, she would contact him.
That night, Moprheus slept soundly.
The next morning, during breakfast, Kanzaki reached out as expected.
"Lord Moprheus, Index wants to meet you in person to thank you."
"Sure," Moprheus replied.
With a snap of his fingers, he teleported Kanzaki and Index to his side. As for Stiyl, he decided to leave him out.
Index had a bad habit of biting people to vent her emotions.
When she was in a good mood, she'd nibble lightly on someone's arm. When upset, she'd chomp hard on their head.
And when truly furious, she wouldn't stop at the head—she'd bite every part of the body, leaving clear tooth marks.
Fortunately, this habit was usually reserved for Touma Kamijou, not someone like Moprheus, a deity.
"Thank you for saving me, Lord Moprheus. If it weren't for you, I'd still be caught in a huge misunderstanding with Kanzaki and the others. Thank you for rescuing us."
Moprheus smiled calmly. "It was nothing, really. No need to be so formal. You bumping into me in a sea of people—that's fate, isn't it?"
Index nodded. Fate was indeed a mysterious thing.
Kanzaki spoke up. "Lord Moprheus, after this, Index can't return to the Anglican Church. What should we do now?"
Her visit wasn't just to bring Index to thank Moprheus but also to seek his protection.
Index's importance to the Anglican Church was undeniable—they wouldn't let her go easily.
And with the Church's vast resources, Kanzaki alone might not be able to keep her safe.
Moprheus replied calmly, "Just take her back to your Amakusa-Style Remix of Church."
"But…"
"Don't worry. With me here, the Anglican Church won't dare act recklessly."
Moprheus's tone was light but assured.
That was exactly what Kanzaki needed to hear. With Moprheus's protection, no matter how many forces the Church sent, they'd be powerless.
Overjoyed and relieved, Kanzaki thanked Moprheus again before leaving with Index.
Index expressed her gratitude once more before they departed.
Moprheus smiled, and after seeing them off, a knock came at the door.
Knock, knock, knock…
Moprheus opened it to find a beautiful woman in a kimono with short hair standing there.
Void Shiki.
"All done with your business?"
"Yep, come on in," Moprheus said with a smile, ushering her inside. "So, what's the reason for your visit this time? Don't tell me another Lostbelt has appeared."
Void Shiki shook her head. "No, but this is even more troublesome than a new Lostbelt."
Moprheus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of trouble?"
"Another world," Void Shiki said.
"Another world?"
She nodded, a wry smile on her face. "Whoever's behind this used some unknown method to try merging another world with ours."
"Unlike a Lostbelt, this other world is fundamentally incompatible with ours."
"If they collide, not only will they fail to merge, but it could be like a comet smashing into Earth."
Moprheus thought for a moment, then said involuntarily, "That's… pretty bad."
How did the dinosaurs go extinct?
A meteor crashed into Earth, triggering a mass extinction.
If two incompatible worlds collided, it would be far worse than a comet impact.
Both worlds could be annihilated.
No wonder the mastermind had been silent after Moprheus devoured several Lostbelts—they were preparing something massive.
And this was indeed a troublesome move.
Moprheus asked, "So, you want me to head to this other world and deal with it before it collides with ours? No problem. When do I leave?"
Void Shiki gave a bitter smile. "If only it were that simple. The problem is, I can't pinpoint this other world, nor can I send you there."
Moprheus let out a surprised "Huh?"
Unable to locate the other world? Was she serious?
If he couldn't even find it, how was he supposed to absorb it, grow stronger, or protect their Earth?
Was he just supposed to watch their world crash into this other one and perish together?
What kind of nonsense was that?
Moprheus pressed, "Isn't there some other way?"
Void Shiki replied, "There is, but it's… a bit risky."
It was clear from her hesitation that this method was indeed dangerous.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
If you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (removespace)