[You have become quite bold to request me directly without trying to activate <Oracle> skill, my beloved Paladin.]
Just a moment after I asked nicely, the Goddess replied inside my mind with a hint of amusement in her tone.
"I believe that you would answer me regardless, my Goddess. This gate seems like something more special than the small crack I found in that cave."
[Indeed, you're not wrong about that one. It's indeed more… special.]
From her voice, I could feel that she was a little bit unsure and hesitant. I was curious about what made her feel like that. But before I could ask, she spoke once again.
[My beloved. Do not let any human enter this space within your barrier. And if possible… Cure this place out of miasma. I need time before dealing with that repulsive gate.]
"As you wish, my Goddess."
After that, I heard nothing from her again and sighed. I looked at the gate for the last time before raising my hand and activated various skills.
"<Barrier>, <Holy Barrier>, <Holy Fortress>."
Three different kinds of barriers were formed: a cube, a sphere, and a prism. The last skill I used was the highest level barrier available in <Holy Magic>, requiring Lv 9 skill. It had all kinds of skills, such as <Purification> and <High Heal>, constantly active inside it.
The purple fog that was spread in the party hall suddenly receded and only filled the inner two barriers, hiding the gate behind it.
'It worked.' I sighed in relief as I turned around and put [Caliburn] back in my inventory. All my buffs expired, and my status returned to normal.
Cleric was still unconscious, and his HP was depleted slowly from his injuries. So I gave him a hand and healed him to full HP. I also used <Purification> and <Lift Curse> as a bonus in case he was inflicted with one.
After I was done, I made him lean his back against the wall.
He regained his consciousness just as I was about to leave. Opening his eyes, he looked at me and asked, "Ugh… Is it over?"
"If you mean by the monster, I made sure that I killed it already," I answered and helped him stand up. Then, I pointed over my shoulder, "But the gate is still here. I am waiting for the news from the Goddess. She told me to wait for a while."
"So the Goddess decided to get involved directly, huh? Can't you do something about that yourself?"
I shrugged my shoulders at Cleric's words, "I wish. But it was useless even with <Sanctuary>, the highest purification skill of <Holy Magic> I could use. Well, Hell has encroached on this world faster because of those heathens who call themselves Hell's Cult."
"That's worrying." Cleric smiled wryly, "But if you have it in your hand, then I will find my wife. I am worried about her."
"Worried?" I raised my eyebrows as I watched Cleric walk away. He stopped and turned to me with a wry smile.
"Yes." Nodding his head, he continued, "I am worried she can't hold herself back against those Nobles and freeze them, so I need to be there to stop her. Anyway, I am sure I can leave it to you, Arthur."
"Ah!" I exclaimed in understanding. "Sure. Have fun with your wife."
Cleric nodded for the last time and walked out of the room through the destroyed wall. He complained that his best suit was wrecked and that he needed to get a new one before going home.
As for me, I sent a [Love Letter] to Tris. She was still with Queen Eve, Duke Blacktomb, and Naya Blacktomb. Prince Thomas and Prince Edison were also in the same room, guarded by Grand Marshal Garland and some Royal Knights.
'That's too much guard. I even put <Holy Barrier> in that place, too.' I thought, chuckling slightly.
My letter to Tris was simple, telling her that everything was under control but to stop them from approaching the party hall for a while. I also told her that the Goddess would probably descend here or arrive in one of the Holy Bodies, so they shouldn't try to ignore my warning.
Of course, I also contacted Beatrice through the [Earring of Communication]. She accepted the call almost immediately with an excited voice.
(Your lovely succubus slave, Beatrice, is ready for your order, Master~! What do you want me to do next?)
This girl didn't even question whether I was fine or not and immediately went to the point. But… I didn't think she needed to ask me after the big show I did earlier. Everyone in the Capital City must've seen that <Holy Ray> piercing the sky.
I waited patiently, patrolling around the Hell Gate, and looked at it curiously while answering Beatrice.
"The monster is gone now; inform the others about it. Tell Emilia to rest or find her father to show that she's okay. Also, go to the church after this and escort both Sana and Ertha when they arrive."
I was expecting Goddess to descend to one of the Holy Bodies to deal with this Hell Gate, so I ordered Beatrice to wait for those two.
Dealing with it from where her real body was without descending would be too difficult, as this gate was special. Descending to the world would also pose a problem for the Goddess, who shouldn't use her strength recklessly in this situation.
'That's why she would send <Oracle> to both Sana and Ertha. They, without hesitation, would accept such a request.'
(That's easy! Do you need anything else from me? Like… Massage service or something?)
At her question, I also remembered the unconscious intruder in one of the rooms.
"I don't need massage service for now. There is one Hell's Cult member on the second floor with a broken window. Bring her to the church and tell Archbishop Cameron to keep her in a cell and strip her current attire. Left her in a neutralized state until I visited."
(Alright, Master. While I am disappointed that you don't want to be massaged after a long day, I, Beatrice, shall follow your order. Oh, don't hesitate to call me if you change your mind.)
"I will."
(Fufufu, this is why I fell for you. See you later, Master!)
With that, Beatrice ended the communication. I needed to wait until the Goddess arrived, so I took out a fluffy chair from my inventory and sat right in front of the Hell Gate, looking at the ominous aura trying to break through the barrier while sipping wine.
While doing so, I analyzed the paper I got from one of the intruders earlier. The symbol on the paper was made from black ink. The symbol reminded me of vines that got entangled with a big eye behind them all as if they held the eye from escaping.
The crack made it difficult to see, but that symbol was also present on the door, precisely drawn on the outer rim and on the surface of the door itself.
Without a doubt, what the intruders summoned was this gate and not the Cerberus. The latter only came as an addition because its duty was to guard the gate.
Thus, it invited a question.
'Why do they bother to summon the gate in this place and not summon it while being hidden from the world? That way, no one will be able to destroy their plan.'
It bothered me so much.
At that moment, I noticed two blue dots appeared on the church. They were Sana and Ertha, two girls that I was waiting for.
'I can guess what you want, my Goddess.' I chuckled in amusement.
Probably, the Goddess was able to deal with Hell Gate without entering a Holy Body. I understood that she wanted to spend her energy as low as possible around this time.
At the same time, I also understood her goal of using a Holy Body and sent <Oracle> to both of them instead of ordering the Holy Body or Holy Maiden in Capital City.
'She's so impatient.' I sighed and prepared for their arrival.
While I knew <Sanctuary> wouldn't affect the Hell Gate, at least I wanted to purify this whole room so they wouldn't get sick when entering.
An illusory golden castle appeared in front of me before slowly covering the whole party hall. Everything was cleansed, even the trace of battle from earlier. But the wound on the property couldn't be returned like usual.
"This is enough." I nodded in satisfaction.
As soon as I said that, I felt something on my left and turned in that direction. A teleportation magic commenced, and three girls appeared from the magic circle that suddenly appeared.
Sana and Beatrice walked side by side, with Ertha in front of them. For some reason, the blue-haired Bishop didn't wear her blindfold, and her eyes had an unusual golden glow.
Stopping in front of me, she smiled beautifully and spoke.
[Now, my beloved.]
Even if the voice belonged to Ertha, I immediately knew that the Goddess had descended. She turned to the Hell Gate and extended her hand, causing her large boobs to jiggle in response.
[Put down your barrier and close your eyes.]
"Yes," I responded immediately and canceled the three barriers surrounding the Hell Gate.
The purple fog was freed and tried to cover the whole room. But before it could do that, a light exploded from Ertha's palm.
It was so bright that I needed to avert my gaze after closing my eyes. I guessed both Sana and Beatrice also did the same.
[It's done. You may open your eyes again.]
Not even a second later, the Goddess continued. I opened my eyes only to see the ominous door, and the purple fog disappeared.
Nothing was left.
'This is the Goddess' power…'
I was amazed.
