I was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but that World is at Peace (WN)-Chapter 2258: Intermission: Tears of the Ice Oni - Part 3 ②

In response to the question posed by Otherworld's God, Makina, Epsilon lifted only her upper body while keeping both knees on the ground, assuming a posture resembling seiza as she opened her mouth to speak.

[I believe I was summoned by Earth God-sama this time regarding the matter of Miyabi's reincarnation.]

[Unn, that's right. If you didn’t even understand that much, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.]

Epsilon was familiar with Makina as well. Although Makina had only recently begun acting in her current form, Epsilon had known of her prior identity as Eden and had even witnessed her in a few incidents involving Kaito.

To be honest, she had thought she'd be summoned much sooner. Makina had just spoken of her consideration toward promises, but with her power, such concerns were easily circumvented.

[As you understand, this is a matter concerning my child. Well, since the body is native to this world, there are parts of it I feel a bit conflicted about. I had the same hesitation with Neun at first…… but in the end, I decided that if the soul is my child’s, then I would recognize them as such. That child is precious to me as well.]

Like with Neun, the beings reincarnated in Trinia may carry souls that are Makina's children, but their bodies were formed in another world, which caused her some inner conflict. However, if asked whether she would deny them as her children just because their bodies weren’t born in her world, she couldn’t say yes.

It may have taken some time for her to come to terms with the idea that if the soul was her child, then it was her child———— and that hesitation might be the reason Makina only now chose to speak to Epsilon.

[……Don’t get me wrong. I don’t intend to reproach you for reincarnating my child. The soul of my child who died in Trinia was originally meant to return to my world, but in this particular case, there were unique circumstances. And you couldn’t have known anything about the nature of the soul. So I’m not blaming you for that.]

[……………!?]

Makina had been speaking gently until that moment, but suddenly, an overwhelming pressure filled the space. It felt as if the very air had turned into lead. Epsilon broke into a cold sweat, waiting silently for Makina’s next words.

[What I do take issue with…… is that due to your clumsy and forceful reincarnation, "my child’s soul was damaged". That, I will not forgive. That’s why you’re here, because you, who damaged my child’s soul, must answer for it…… So? Do you have any excuses? Any justification you’d like to offer?]

Though Makina stated she would not condemn the act of reincarnating Miyabi itself, she would not forgive the damage done to Miyabi’s soul———– the loss of her memories. Under the weight of Makina’s presence, Epsilon stared straight into her eyes without looking away.

The soul damage Makina mentioned, the memory loss Miyabi had suffered, was something Epsilon had long regretted. Miyabi herself had never brought it up, nor shown any intention to condemn her for it…… but deep down, Epsilon had always felt that she would eventually need to atone.

[……No, I have no excuses, no justification. It was a failure caused entirely by my own inadequacy. However, if I may be so bold, I ask to say one thing.]

[Unn?]

[I cannot claim that I will accept any punishment. I only beg that you spare me from being erased…… Anything else, I will bear without complaint……]

[……Are you saying your life is that precious to you?]

At Epsilon’s words, which sounded almost like a plea for her life, Makina’s expression sharpened. It was as if she were saying that, depending on the answer, she might carry out judgment then and there. In response, Epsilon quietly shook her head.

[No, it’s not that I fear for my life. But if I disappear, Miyabi will grieve. I once lost Miyabi and felt a sorrow too great for words. That feeling like a hole opened in my heart, I don’t want Miyabi to ever feel that same pain…… That is why I must return to her side, no matter what.]

[……………….]

[Punish me however you see fit. I only ask that you allow me to return to Miyabi. That is all I wish for.]

Even under the crushing pressure, enough to make her lose consciousness if she let her guard down…… Epsilon did not avert her eyes from Makina. Her gaze was steady, filled with resolve.

If she could return to Miyabi, she would accept any punishment……

[……Your name…… What was it again?]

[……I am called Ix Nirva.]

The question came suddenly, but given that the other party was a God, she chose not to use the name "Epsilon", instead offering her true name: Ix Nirva.

Makina gave a small nod upon hearing it. After a moment of silence, she spoke again.

[……Let me get to the point. I will not forgive the damage done to my child’s soul, and I have no intention of overlooking it.]

[Yes.]

[But……]

A sharp snap of fingers rang out, and in the next moment, Epsilon felt power surge through her body…… no, she felt the "return of power she should have lost".

[What…… This is……?]

It was the power she had once offered as the price for the forbidden art that reincarnated Miyabi. Though bewildered by its return, she instinctively knew who was responsible. For an Omnipotent God, restoring such power wasn’t beyond possibility…… but she couldn’t understand why.

And as if to answer that very question, Makina continued in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.

[It’s simple. You perfectly succeeded in the forbidden art. "You didn’t lose your power" and "my child’s soul was never damaged". ……Naturally, my child’s memories were never lost either.]

[Ah…… ahh……]

[In that case…… there’s no reason for me to punish you, is there?]

It all made sense now. Just moments ago, this God before her had not only restored Epsilon’s power, but also repaired Miyabi’s soul and memories……

Epsilon’s expression grew blank with shock, an overwhelming mix of astonishment at the sudden turn of events, joy that Miyabi’s memories had returned, and a flood of other emotions too tangled to name. Seeing her like that, Makina gave a gentle smile.

[Ix Nirva, was it? I’ll remember your name. You wished to live and return not for your own sake, but for my child’s. I place great value in that and I acknowledge your worth…… From now on, stay close with my child.]

With only those words, Makina turned her back on her and vanished, as if declaring the matter resolved. Ix Nirva stood there in a daze for a brief while, but once her thoughts settled, she immediately turned in the direction where Makina had disappeared and bowed deeply.

[……Thank you very much!]

Unable to contain her rising excitement, Epsilon returned home. The moment she opened the door, just like always, she was greeted by Miyabi’s voice.

[Welcome home, Ix-sama. Dinner’s almost ready. I found some really good fish today so……]

[Miyabi!]

[Yes?]

[Do you…… remember your memories from the other world?]

Miyabi, who had been preparing a meal with her kimono sleeves tied back, came to greet her. She looked so completely normal, it was impossible to tell whether her memories had returned, so Epsilon asked directly……

[Errr…… oh, yes. I can definitely remember now. Arehh? But why do you ask so suddenly……?] ƒгeewebnovёl.com

[Well, that’s……]

Seeing Miyabi’s puzzled expression as she realized her memories from before the summoning had returned, Epsilon quickly gave her a brief explanation of her encounter with Makina, letting her know that both her own lost powers and Miyabi’s memories had been restored…… Miyabi’s face immediately lit up with joy.

[I see! Well, never mind my memories, what matters is that your power came back, Ix-sama! That’s wonderful!]

[No, my power doesn’t matter in the slightest…… What’s important is that your memories came back, Miyabi.]

[No, I think Ix-sama's power……]

[Miyabi's memories……]

Each of them insisted that what had happened to the other was more important. Their eyes met, and almost at the same time, they both burst into soft laughter.

[Fufufu, this could go on forever, couldn’t it?]

[Indeed. Let’s just say we’re both fortunate and leave it at that.]

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [Phew, good nap. Slept through what, three chapters? So? While I was out, did you get through one or two of the lovers’ birthday presents?]

Makina : [Good morning, Serious-senpai~~ Just now, a sudden serious intermission wrapped up. Not to brag, but I was the star of the chapter.]

Serious-senpai : [……Huh? Wait…… wait a second…… Explain…… Explain everything in detail…… I’m on the verge of losing my composure.]

Makina : [I mean, I don’t think you’re ever really composed anyway…… But hey, looks like there’s still one more intermission chapter to go?]

Serious-senpai : [Another serious one!?]

Makina : [Nah, the big stuff got resolved already. Next one's just gonna be a fluffy yuri couple being all lovey-dovey, so they saved it for after you woke up.]

Serious-senpai : [………………………………………..]