As a goddess, Loki was extremely sensitive to the laws of the world.
The moment she stepped into Izumi's domain—
She noticed it.
This world… was wrong.
Not broken—
But composed.
Layers upon layers of different rules coexisted, interwoven like a grand tapestry.
It didn't feel like a single world at all.
"…I see."
It didn't take long for her to figure it out.
"This isn't just one world."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You've already fused multiple worlds together, haven't you?"
Izumi didn't look surprised in the slightest.
Instead, he simply smiled.
"And what do you think?"
Loki crossed her arms and fell into thought.
After a moment, she shrugged.
"…Honestly?"
"I don't think there'll be a problem."
Izumi raised a brow.
"Oh?"
"The gods in my world?" Loki continued, grinning. "They're bored out of their minds."
"If you can bring their world here—"
"They probably wouldn't reject it."
She chuckled.
"Hell, they might even welcome it."
After all—
That was the very reason they descended to the lower world in the first place.
To escape boredom.
To seek amusement.
Izumi's smile widened.
"I see."
"Then it's settled."
Before Loki could react—
Izumi produced a card.
A faint, mysterious glow pulsed from its surface.
He handed it toward her.
"Take this."
"Once you return, just crush it."
"As long as you do that… your world will begin merging with mine."
Loki didn't take it.
Instead, she stared at him.
Deadpan.
"…You're trying to make me take the blame, aren't you?"
Izumi blinked innocently.
"Oh?"
"Don't 'oh' me," she shot back. "If I bring this back and fuse the worlds—"
"And someone objects—"
"They're coming after me, not you."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You're sneakier than you look."
Izumi shrugged casually.
"But you said they wouldn't object, right?"
"So, Loki-san…"
He grinned.
"I'll leave it to you."
"…Wow."
Loki rubbed her temples.
"Did I just dig my own grave?"
After a brief silence, she sighed.
"Fine."
"But if I'm doing this—what do I get?"
Izumi didn't hesitate.
"How about a few divine seats?"
Silence.
Then—
Loki's hand shot out and snatched the card instantly.
"Deal."
"Don't you dare take that back!"
She turned toward Ais Wallenstein.
"Ais-tan, you stay here."
"I'll be right back."
And just like that—
She vanished.
Ais frowned slightly.
"…Will she be okay?"
Cecilia, who had been watching everything unfold, was completely stunned.
"…That's it?"
"World fusion is… done like that?"
Izumi chuckled.
Turning toward Ais and Cecilia, he reassured them.
"Don't worry."
"She'll be fine."
"At worst, she'll just have to deal with some annoying gods."
Then he looked at Ais.
"In the meantime—"
"How about choosing a place to stay?"
"I'll allow you to live on this World Tree."
That was no small privilege.
This place—
Was reserved only for Izumi's closest companions.
Others weren't even allowed to enter.
Anyone who tried would be automatically relocated.
Ais hesitated briefly…
Then nodded.
"…Thank you."
Beside them, Cecilia finally spoke again.
"Izumi… is it really that simple?"
He shook his head.
"Not at all."
"If it were anyone else—it would be impossible."
He raised another card.
"The real key… is this."
"A World Fusion Card."
He placed it gently into Cecilia's hand.
"Next time we return to your world—"
"You'll use it."
Cecilia froze.
"…Me?"
Izumi nodded.
"As long as your world merges into mine—"
"The Honkai… won't be a problem anymore."
"I'll handle everything."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"And the being behind it…"
"It'll show itself eventually."
"When that happens—"
"I'll deal with it personally."
Because once fusion began—
The authority of that world would shift.
And the will behind the Honkai would have no choice but to emerge.
Cecilia looked down at the card in her hand.
Then—
She clenched it tightly.
"…I understand."
"That world… is my home."
"So this time—"
Her eyes became firm.
"I'll be the one to bring it here."
Izumi smiled.
Then—
A thought crossed his mind.
If he was already planning to merge Loki's world…
Then—
Why stop there?
"…Might as well go all the way."
Snap.
A figure suddenly appeared before them.
Silver hair.
Bare shoulders.
Wrapped only in a bath towel.
Still slightly damp.
Cecilia blinked.
"…Huh?"
The girl froze.
Then her face turned bright red.
"…Eh?"
"…EEEEHHHHHH!?"
Eris instantly crouched down, clutching her towel in panic.
"I-Izumi-sama!!"
"Don't just summon people like that out of nowhere!!"
Izumi coughed awkwardly.
"…Ah. Sorry."
"I didn't realize you were in the middle of changing."
Without hesitation—
He snapped his fingers again and sent her back.
Silence.
Cecilia slowly turned toward him.
"…Who was that?"
Izumi scratched his cheek.
"…Another goddess."
A pause.
"…I think I'll wait until she's properly dressed before continuing this conversation."