The Goddess of Luck seemed to have regained some of her composure after returning to her true form. She had finally stopped her aggressive recruitment drive and was currently enduring a lecture from Ren-kun.
"Honestly! Trying to poach someone else's apostle—what were you thinking!?"
"I mean..."
She ducked her head at Ren-kun’s outburst, but the disgruntled whine she let out suggested that while she was subdued, she wasn't exactly repentant.
The reason she had targeted me in the first place was my massive winning streak at the roulette table. Given the nature of Orcus, it was packed with her followers, which essentially made it her backyard. Specifically, that casino bore the name Rainanorn, which apparently meant "Luck God's Garden." In other words, it referred to this very realm. Because of that link, she had been able to track the events at the casino in excruciating detail.
"Even humans with my divine protection don't possess that level of Great Luck! It’s just not right. Stay out of my territory!"
Her irritation flared up again as she spoke. I realized then that her reckless attempt to poach me was born from a feeling that her specialty—granting luck—was being infringed upon.
Ren-kun was forced to soften his tone at that. "It wasn't intentional. It’s just... in Ruto's case, it’s a bit special."
My Great Luck likely stemmed from my bond with Ren-kun in our previous lives. He had mentioned before that our high compatibility amplified his divine protection. It seemed even Ren-kun didn't fully grasp the mechanics, though. The gods in this world weren't exactly omniscient or omnipotent. If such a being existed, it was probably only the God of Creation.
"Anyway, Ruto’s luck is purely a result of his compatibility with me. I’m not intentionally handing out luck, and I can't replicate it for other followers."
"So that’s how it is. I suppose I can accept that you aren't trying to usurp my Authority of Luck. I'm still not entirely satisfied, though."
My existence was merely an exception. By explaining that he wasn't intentionally trying to steal the Authority of Luck, Ren-kun managed to persuade her. The Goddess of Luck reluctantly accepted the explanation. I was just glad we had avoided a divine domestic.
Once things settled, Ren-kun got back to the point. "Now, where were we? You called out to me, right?"
Right. The Goddess of Luck’s entrance had been so flashy I’d almost forgotten. I had asked Ren-kun for a way to find the girls. I took the opportunity to explain the situation—including why I needed the help—before repeating my request.
"A man who hears the voice despite not following Garnalava, huh? Why would that guy do such a thing...? Was it on purpose?"
Ren-kun fell into thought. He shook his head, unable to find an answer, and let out a sigh.
"Well, for now, let's take care of Ruto's request. How about a Dream-Viewing Mirror? I’ve locked in the contents of your Pandora Gift, as usual."
The Dream-Viewing Mirror was apparently a mirror-type magic tool. If you held it and pictured an acquaintance, it would show their current status. Since the condition was knowing the person, I wouldn't be able to find Aura and Kira myself, but I could have Demuad use it.
Still, the potential for abuse was terrifying. You could peer into someone's life without their consent. Considering there was absolutely no way for the target to notice, it was even more insidious than a hidden camera.
"Make sure you don't use it for anything shady," Ren-kun teased with a grin.
"I won't!"
He was probably half-serious with the warning. I had no intention of misusing it, of course, but since you couldn't know what the person was doing before you looked, accidents were bound to happen. Once this matter was settled, I’d probably be better off sealing it away.
As I was pondering that, the Goddess of Luck chimed in.
"Are evil cultists operating in Zephyrson?"
"We don't have proof yet. We're just looking into things."
"Is that so?"
The Goddess of Luck tilted her head and turned her questioning gaze toward Ren-kun. He simply shook his head.
"I haven't felt any omens of a plot yet, either. But those guys never show their tails until the moment they start moving. It’s hard to detect them before the damage is done. What about you, Rulaina? Have you noticed anything odd in Zephyrson?"
Rulaina—that seemed to be the Goddess of Luck's name.
"No presence of the Evil God... I think. But there is this lingering sense of wrongness. I can't quite put my finger on it."
So even she had her concerns.
"Well, anyway, if you're working to keep Zephyrson from falling into a crisis, then I suppose I'll grant you my divine protect—"
"Ahem?"
Ren-kun cut her off before she could finish. She really didn't give up, did she?
"It was a slip of the tongue! I meant I’ll help out. I’ll add my own interference to the Pandora Gift."
Regardless of the truth of her words, it seemed the Goddess of Luck could also manipulate the Pandora Gift. I suppose her power of luck would ensure that something good came out.