On the morning of the seventh day, Momo left.
She didn't cry, she didn't turn back, she just paused for a moment when she reached the door.
"Cheng-san."
"Um."
"I'll be back in two years. I'll bring new clothes with me next time, so look forward to it, Makoto!"
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
She stepped out of the room.
The footsteps faded into the distance in the corridor, the crisp sound of the silver ornaments grew fainter and fainter, and were eventually swallowed up by the sound of the wind outside the window.
Higashino Makoto sat in the armchair, staring at the closed door, and remained silent for a long time.
Then he stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.
Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the entire room.
"Jibril."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to the end of the corridor.
"Exist."
A voice came from outside the door, clear, indifferent, and with an ethereal quality that seemed otherworldly.
The door was pushed open.
She came in.
Rainbow-colored, slightly wavy long hair swayed gently indoors. There was no wind, but the strands of hair seemed to have a life of their own, floating slowly in the air and reflecting a prism-like light.
A halo composed of polygonal geometric patterns floats above their heads. It is not stationary, but slowly rotating, producing a subtle sound like crystals colliding with each rotation.
It has a pair of angelic wing-shaped ears that tremble slightly, capturing every sound in the air.
The eyes are purple, with a golden iris surrounding the pupil.
At this moment, those eyes were looking at Higashino Makoto with indifference, but something was churning within them.
It also has a pair of small, delicate wings at its waist, emitting a faint glow that is not reflected but rather emanates from within.
Her figure was well-proportioned and sexy, and her skin was so fair it looked like it had never been exposed to the sun.
The asymmetrical short top and long skirt barely covered her body, her right leg was wearing an over-the-knee sock, her right hand was wearing a long glove, and a large area of skin on her left side was exposed.
Standing there, it resembles a living sculpture, so beautiful it seems unreal.
"Owner."
She walked up to Higashino Makoto, stopped, and gave a slight bow.
Its wings folded behind it, then unfolded again, stirring up a gentle breeze.
"Jibril, I have been appointed to serve as your secretary. Please take good care of me."
Higashino Makoto looked at her, his golden eyes devoid of any emotion.
You're late.
"I waited at the door for a while."
"Wait for what?"
"Wait until you've calmed down."
Jibril straightened up, looking at him with her purple eyes.
You were sad when Momo left. I shouldn't have bothered you when you were sad.
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"You're so considerate."
"I just didn't want to upset my master."
Jibril's voice was calm, but something flickered in her purple eyes.
It's not about ingratiating or flattering, but a purer kind of self-assurance, like "this is my duty."
You've never talked to me this much before.
There was no opportunity before.
"Now you have it?"
"Now we have it."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"Fine."
"I've always been fine. It's just that I didn't have the opportunity to showcase myself when I was with Novas Etier, but now I do."
Jibril tilted her head, her rainbow-colored hair slipping down her shoulder.
"Master, don't you like it?"
"I don't dislike it."
Higashino Makoto turned around, walked to the window, and looked at the sky outside.
"Jibril, do you know what we're going to do?"
"Yes, Momo has given me your upcoming travel plans."
Jibril walked over to him and stood beside him at the window.
The enormous wings cast a shadow in the sunlight, enveloping her and him.
"Seize faith and become a god."
Aren't you worried?
"I'm not worried."
"Why?"
"Because the master will not fail."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"You seem to trust me a lot, even though I'm not that confident."
"I just believe the facts."
Jibril's tone was calm.
"The master is omnipotent."
She paused.
"Therefore, seizing faith and becoming a god may seem impossible to others, but in the hands of the master, it is only a matter of time."
Higashino Makoto turned around and looked at her.
"Jibril."
"Exist."
"Let's go."
Higashino Makoto stretched out his hand and made a light sweeping motion in the air.
A pitch-black spatial rift appeared silently before the two of them.
On the other side of the crack, sunlight, blue sky, and a huge, towering domed building in the distance shone through.
"First stop, Vatican."
Higashino Makoto stepped into the crevice.
Jibril spread her wings and followed.
The rift closed quietly after the two people passed through.
Italy, Rome.
Higashino Makoto stood in the center of St. Peter's Square, looking up at the smallest country in the world.
The morning sunlight shone on the Baroque columns, casting long shadows of the marble statues onto the ground.
There were already quite a few people in the square.
Pilgrims, tourists, and clergy members in black robes.
Some were praying, some were touring, and some were simply sitting on the steps basking in the sun.
Nobody noticed him.
He cast a small spell to make the two of them inconspicuous.
He was right there, but nobody would bother to look for him.
Like a tree by the roadside, you know it exists, but you don't pay attention to it.
"Owner."
Jibril stood behind him, her enormous wings folded and hidden under a magical disguise.
From the outside, she was just an ordinary, beautiful woman with somewhat unusual clothing.
"Is this the Vatican?"
"Yes, the center of Christianity worldwide, the seat of the Pope."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"This is also the first stop in our fight to seize faith."
Jibril tilted her head, her rainbow-colored hair shimmering softly in the sunlight.
"Master, why start here? The Christianity faith in this world has declined."
"Decline does not mean loss of value."
Higashino Makoto strode forward, crossed the square, and headed toward St. Peter's Basilica.
"Christianity was once the most powerful religion in the world. It shaped the values of Western civilization and influenced the worldview of billions of people. Even though the faith has declined, those beliefs still exist."
He stopped and looked up at the dome of the cathedral.
The essence of faith is not belief in God.
His voice was very soft.
"It's about believing in something. Christianity believes in God, Heaven, and the Supreme Deity. Buddhism believes in reincarnation and karma. Islam believes in Allah and the Prophet. Every belief is different, but they all have one thing in common: they give humanity meaning."
Jibril looked at him, his profile reflected in her purple eyes.
"Does the owner want to give them a new meaning?"
"It's not new, it's genuine."
Higashino Makoto turned around and looked at her.
"In this world, there is heaven, there is hell, there is reincarnation, there is cause and effect, and God truly exists. Although He is not as humans imagine, humans are unaware of these things. They believe in these things their whole lives, thinking they are just legends, just stories, just comfort."
He paused.
"I want to tell them that these aren't stories. Heaven really exists, hell really exists, good people really go to heaven, and evil people really go to hell."