Overlimit Skill Holder
Book 6: Chapter 16.1

Eye Of The Goddess

** Lake Brunstalk **

The cathedral of Brunstalk was the stage for the “World Union”. It was damaged by the subsequent battles, but the Church has already restored the building and it has regained its original tranquil atmosphere.

However, this cathedral, which is the main temple of the Church and is visited by believers all year round, has been kept closed since.

Rainbow-colored light filtered through the stained glass. A girl stood amidst it.

No one else was around her. Her head and arms hung down loosely. She had a very strange appearance.

『———Ogre, are you there?』

The girl did not move. But a voice echoed from around her body.

「…I am here. Goddess.」

Smoke gathered around. And took the form of a kneeling old man.

It was the Vision Ogre.

『———Were you able to contact the dragon?』

「I have not been able to. I think the dragon still hasn’t overcome the physical burden caused by the world union.」

『———…………』

「…Goddess? Is there something wrong?」

『———No, it’s nothing. It must be inconvenient for you and the dragon to have such difficulties in grasping your existence.』

Even after dividing the world into two, the vision ogre and the dragon existed in between the two worlds as “mediators”. As such, they were out of the range of the goddess’s powerful influence.

「…It should not take too long now. Construction of the Goddess statues and new temples are progressing at a steady pace in various places.」

『———Hmm, you are right.』

The Vision Ogre felt as if the girl had laughed, as a gentle breeze blew.

『———I shall sleep for a little while. Preserve this girl.』

「Understood.」

Immediately after, the girl’s body staggered unsteadily as if a puppet was cut off its strings. The Vision Ogre grabbed hold of the girl. She was terribly debilitated.

The girl was still called the “Pope”, and she reigned at the top of the entire Church organization.

However, she seems to be a good vessel for the goddess to descend to the Earth. And the goddess frequently uses the girl’s body.

Blood rolled down the corners of the girl’s eyes like tears.

(This girl’s body has been used beyond its limits…)

The Vision Ogre supplied mana into the girl’s body and healed it. As a being who lives eternally, the Vision Ogre can use these kinds of magic. Though, it is not certain how much longer the girl’s body will last. Even if the wavelength of the girl and the goddess matches, it is still a huge strain on the girl to serve as a vessel for the tremendous existence of the goddess.

A faint relaxed expression appeared on the girl’s face, but she soon fell asleep. The Vision Ogre decided to let her sleep.

「Stupid dragon, where in the world are you?」

The Vision Ogre muttered vexedly.

There are beings in this world who are beyond the influence of the Goddess.

The Vision Ogre and the dragon are the prime examples. Even if the goddess “summons” them, they can choose to ignore it and their whereabouts cannot be detected.

On the day of “World Union”, when the goddess was about to kill Reiji, it was El and the dragon’s magic which saved him.

No creature can survive the goddess’ attack.

So El sacrificed his body to divert the attack, and the dragon made a “hole” in that space with his magic and saved Reiji.

(Reiji is most likely alive… no, perhaps he is dead. If not, the dragon acted in “rebellion” against the goddess.)

The dragon was clearly sympathetic towards Reiji.

(It’s dangerous… Dragon.)

Even if the Vision Ogre and the dragon are beyond the scope of influence of the goddess, traces of magic still remain.

The goddess must surely know that it was either the Vision Ogre or the dragon who used magic in that white space.

And currently, the dragon cannot be contacted.

However, the goddess has left the dragon alone.

(Soon, many places will fall under the “eyes” of the goddess. Dragon, what are you going to do?)

The Vision Ogre picked up the girl and started walking.

The girl was as light as a withered branch.

** Valhalla, the capital of the Keith Gran Federation **

「It seems that huge temples with a huge budget are being constructed to worship the goddess. With the world in such chaos, there are a million other ways to spend money… What do you think of this?」

Unusually, King Geffert ordered people to leave the room.

Only three people were present: the old King Geffert, the Crown Prince, and a guest who arrived in Valhalla yesterday.

King Geffert’s office can be said to be the very definition of luxurious.

A grand luxury that can only be afforded by the man who controls the entirety of the Keith Gran Federation, a superpower nation.

「This is not the Church’s teaching. I don’t think that being is the god we worshiped. I can’t even imagine it.」

The guest — Cardinal Thomason, replied frustratedly.

He seems to have lost some weight since “World Union”. His energetic power remains the same, however.

King Geffert responds politely to Thomason at all times. Because it was none other than King Geffert himself who sent the Crown Prince to escort Thomason.

「However, the dignitaries of powerful countries rushing to display their faith are all believers of the goddess. The same is true even for Her Holiness the Pope.」King Geffert said.

「I did something horrible towards Erie.」

The 320th Pope, Elmentaut-Eirich-Klausegut, is called “Erie” only by Thomason.

「That child possessed what was called “afflatus” and was extremely sensitive to it. It couldn’t be reproduced by any skill orb.」Thomason said.

「Is it a special ability of her bloodline?」King Geffert asked.

「No, Erie’s talents manifested out of nowhere one day. Just like a miracle…」

「Do you think it was a miracle by the goddess, Your Eminence?」

After a short silence, Thomason responded.

「I am no longer the Cardinal.」

「There are many who yearn for you to return.」

「Let’s stop. I don’t want to cause any more confusion.」

Thomason waved his hand exhaustedly.

The gesture seemed to indicate that there was a lot of friction when he resigned from the position of Cardinal.

「–Incidentally, I heard that the Holy Kingdom was able to restrain Duke Grenjido’s reckless actions.」

Thomason leaned forward as King Geffert changed the topic.

「Is that true? Duke Grenjido’s strength and presence makes him one of, if not, the top Pledger.」

「It’s true. As it happens, someone just contacted us.」