Chapter 276: I'd Rather Die(1)
Chapter 276: I'd Rather Die(1)
Life in Helium was flowing smoothly, and the three days I had promised Mora passed quickly.
Today was the day Mora warned me a crisis would strike. I had no idea what kind of crisis would prompt a goddess to intervene personally, but since I didn't know, I planned to visit the temple as scheduled.
I also needed to top up on my divine power. Lately, Adelia and I had been spending nights so passionate they rivaled a honeymoon, making divine power an absolute necessity.
Perhaps Mari and Cecile had decided to be generous during this break, as they hadn't interfered much. Instead—if you could call it that—I often caught the two of them watching me with burning gazes. It seemed they were reaching their limit, so I’d have to soothe them soon.
Since there was a chance I might have to handle all three at once, I planned to stock up on plenty of power this time. It wasn't entirely impossible that Mari and Cecile might coax Adelia into a joint effort.
However, the most significant part of visiting Mora’s temple was, as always, the conversation.
Luminous was similar, but Mora tended to dote on me excessively, perhaps because I had saved the race she cherished—the Demons. She would say things like how she wished I’d visit every day, or how happy she was that her temple had been built in the Maishal territory so we could meet often.
She mentioned that the concentration of divine power had intensified several times over since the Demons were redeemed through the Xenon Chronicle, so that was likely the reason.
'So, what is this crisis you mentioned that I need to come see you for?'
[It wouldn't be any fun if I told you in advance~]
As soon as I sent the thought, a response typical of Mora came back. I imagined Loki, the Norse god of mischief, would feel exactly like this.
Actually, I hadn't ruled out this kind of situation. Mora surely had her own schemes, which was why she had specified exactly three days. However, the fact remained that gods do not lie to their favored believers. The prophecy (?) of an impending crisis was also limited only to me.
Therefore, looking at it objectively, it might just be something trivial. Grumbling internally that it was just as I thought, I opened my mouth.
'Fine. I'll be going then.'
[Ack! Sorry! I'll stop joking!]
When I made a move to actually leave, Mora’s urgent voice barely managed to stop me. She should have just said so from the start.
As soon as I heard her plea, I closed my eyes again. As I focused, Mora’s voice echoed in my head.
[I just wanted to talk to you... sniff...]
'Acting pitiful won't work on me.'
[Tsk. You're getting craftier by the day.]
'I wonder whose fault that is.'
[Does it make sense for the Goddess of Darkness and Rest to be treated like this?]
'If you try to harm me, I'll describe you as a hidden evil god in my writing, just like I said before.'
[Sorry.]
If someone overheard this conversation, I might seem like an impious brat daring to talk back to a goddess. But this was all just Mora’s way of being cute or playful.
In truth, no matter what I did, Mora could end my life with a snap of her fingers. Even my threat to portray her as an evil god would be seen through as a lie by those who can glimpse the future.
To the gods, including Mora, I was probably nothing more than a very, very cute pet. A normal owner showers their beloved pet with infinite love and affection; they don't trample or torment them.
In that sense, Luminous, Mora, and Hirt were by no means evil gods. They were—at least from my perspective—extremely kind deities who generously listened to their pet’s whining or tantrums.
That said, one must not cross the line. Just as an owner might scold or sternly punish a pet the moment it bites, the gods were the same.
'Everyone is so kind, but I really hope Lady Hirt isn't in too much pain.'
[My mom said her back has been hurting lately, too. An earthquake might happen soon, so be careful.]
As I’ve mentioned many times, Hirt is the Goddess of Life and Nature. Being the Goddess of Nature, she is also in charge of natural disasters.
She is a goddess truly one with nature; if she gets angry, volcanoes erupt, and if she accidentally trips and hurts herself, an earthquake occurs. While there haven't been any national-level disasters recently, historical records exist of terrible calamities that wiped out entire countries.
[As the population grows and science develops, the frequency of natural disasters will likely increase. Just like on your Earth.]
'Does Earth have a nature god like Lady Hirt?'
[Of course. There is never a case where a nature god doesn't exist where humanity lives. To be precise, it's a planet where humanity evolves naturally.]
'But isn't Earth struggling right now because of global warming?'
[Of course it's struggling. For humanity, it's like a fever that won't go down and keeps rising. The reason natural disasters have become more frequent is because the heat isn't dissipating.]
Conversations with the gods always yielded fascinating stories. As an atheist in my past life, their tales were like another fantasy altogether.
Also, being a former atheist, there were parts I didn't quite understand—specifically, the gods of Earth mentioned by the gods of this world. This meant that transcendental beings like them also resided on Earth. Yet, aside from books like myths, the gods had never directly spoken to humanity.
There were "Saints" who actually existed, like Jesus or Buddha, but it was impossible to know if they truly became gods.
'That's strange. Why don't the gods of Earth give direct oracles to humanity?'
[There are many complex reasons. First, there are so many gods that the number exceeds three digits, and if someone starts, everyone else will follow. Unless a significant chaos arrives, it's very rare for a god of Earth to give a direct oracle.]
'What do you mean by "significant chaos"?'
[Like a demon invasion where holes are punched through from another dimension and all sorts of monsters come swarming out? But Earth's dimension is very sturdy because there are so many gods, so that almost never happens.]
So it's like a Hunter novel. But did I reincarnate here by breaking through that sturdy defense?
Suddenly, I wondered what kind of demon the demon worshippers who summoned me were trying to call forth that they managed to punch through Earth's dimension. If it had gone as planned, a catastrophe no less significant than the events in the Xenon Chronicle might have occurred.
Whether it was a blessing in disguise or poetic justice, the demon worshippers' heads were currently being smashed because I had crossed over.
'But is it okay to just tell me all this?'
[We don't mind if you use this as material. In fact, it's even better since it can develop the culture of this world.]
'Hmm...'
Certainly, as Mora said, I planned to cover similar stories in the sequel to the Xenon Chronicle, rather than World War II. Since that was a story for the distant future, I moved back to the main point.
'I understand for now. Anyway, we got sidetracked—when is the crisis you mentioned going to hit?'
[In about three...]
'Thirty minutes?'
Thirty minutes felt short yet sufficient to prepare. Above all, Mora would respond immediately, so there shouldn't be a problem—
[...minutes?]
'Pardon?'
[Three minutes left.]
You absolute devil of a goddess. I was more dumbfounded than panicked by the news that the impending crisis was only three minutes away.
Was all that chatter until now just to stall for time? I even had that reasonable suspicion.
[Hehe.]
I was right. Seeing her laugh like that after reading my mind made it certain.
I stood there agape for a moment before quickly looking for a way to deal with the crisis. But shouldn't I know what the crisis was before I could do anything? I hurriedly questioned Mora.
'Can you tell me what the crisis is? Since there are only three minutes left, you can tell me, right?'
[Actually, it's not even that big of a crisis. It's just that your mother has arrived at the temple.]
'What?'
No. How did she find me? Did she rummage through my room and find Gartz's summoning paper?
It was a plausible story. But just in case, I had locked the drawer containing the summoning paper. And since the key to that lock was kept in a safe, it would be very difficult for my mother to break through.
[Oh, that? She just ripped the lock off with brute force.]
'My mother isn't secretly a descendant of a Hero or something, is she?'
[No. It's just innate talent combined with her strength growing while living with your father. I mean, even you are blossoming late, aren't you?]
As Mora said, although I had divine power and an excellent teacher (Adelia), my growth was indeed at a nonsensical level. Even when I only received basic knight training, it was just that the standard was too high; I was always evaluated as having great potential.
If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to spend the entire dawn in "cloud and rain" during my first night with Mari.
Anyway, putting aside my family's talent, the priority was escaping the crisis. If she really reached Helium through Gartz, she would soon realize I was here. I had come to the temple with Cecile.
[I have a re~ally good idea. Want to hear it?]
'What is it?'
While I was agonizing over how to overcome the current situation, Mora asked me in a suggestive voice. She giggled mischievously and answered in a tone full of anticipation.
[Why don't you open your eyes and look in the mirror?]
'...No way.'
I felt like I had experienced this situation before. Was it déjà vu?
As soon as I heard her suggestion, I opened my eyes and turned my gaze toward the mirror. A full-length mirror was placed in each private chapel, allowing me to check my appearance.
And sure enough. I couldn't help but lament at the sight reflected in the mirror.
'Oh. Please...'
Without exaggeration, a beauty with red hair, golden eyes, and watermelons attached to her chest stood proudly in the mirror. With her hair down, she possessed a beauty that could be called heavenly.
It was the grown-up version of my lovely and cute younger sister, Lily, and the appearance I would have if I turned into a woman.
If nothing else, those massive breasts felt a bit too much. It was a size that made me seriously wonder if there could be anyone larger than Cecile or Cherry.
I'd hate it even if I died. I'd rather choose death.
I looked at the beauty in the mirror—who truly deserved the description "uselessly beautiful"—and closed my eyes tightly.
[If you go out like this, even your mother won't recognize— Ow!]
'Huh?'
Just as I was about to sigh and argue with Mora, her sudden scream echoed in my mind. It was a scream as if she had been hit by something, and sure enough, her grumbling immediately followed.
[Ouch... Why did you hit me! That hurts! Can't I even play a joke?]
'...'
[Fine! Fine! I won't do it! I'll change it to something other than gender! So stingy, really...]
It seemed she had been properly scolded by either Luminous or Hirt. Well, honestly, she did cross the line.
She grumbled for a while longer before speaking to me quietly in a disappointed voice.
[...Mom told me not to. She said it's like neutering a pet in Earth terms, though I don't really get it.]
'Pfft!'
That's a very appropriate analogy, Lady Hirt.
I always felt this, but they were gods whose human side was truly prominent. Usually, gods are portrayed as sociopathic images that only pursue profit without a shred of humanity, but these three were nothing but benevolent.
That didn't mean they were pushovers. As in Hirt's analogy, humanity was likely nothing more than small, cute pets to the gods.
'So, what are you going to do for me now? If it's too much trouble, you don't have to. It's only a "crisis" in name; I'll probably just get scolded a bit and that'll be it.'
[No. I said I'd help, so I have to help until the end. Let's see... Yes. Right. This would be good. Want to look in the mirror?]
At Mora's instruction to look in the mirror, I cautiously opened my eyes and turned my gaze toward it.
And...
'Oh?'
I couldn't help but be surprised by my appearance, which was similar yet completely different.
With this, my mother really might not know.
*
"Hello, Princess. You are as beautiful as ever."
"Hello, Mother. You are beautiful as well."
Meanwhile, Cecile, who had been waiting outside the temple, was exchanging greetings with Isaac's mother, Anna.
Though she was smiling on the outside, she was inwardly flustered. She had never dreamed that Anna would come all the way here.
When she heard the situation from Gartz, her plan was to soothe her and send her back. Even if Jin's death was a shock, she couldn't allow her to interfere with Isaac.
"It's my first time visiting Helium, and it's just so beautiful. Because of that, I'm late visiting the temple. I'm sorry."
"Not at all. Since you are praising my country, I'm the one who doesn't know what to do with myself."
However, the situation reversed after Anna arrived in Helium. Anna had been completely captivated by Helium's beautiful scenery.
While finding Isaac was a goal, a new goal of sightseeing in Helium had been born, making it awkward to send her back so readily.
To Cecile, Isaac was the most important person, but Anna was also important as Isaac's mother, so it was difficult to be firm with her. Moreover, with Anna praising her beloved homeland, Helium, Cecile's guard had long since crumbled.
"Sir Cross is here too, but where is Mari?"
"Mari is currently staying at the royal palace. If you wish, Mother, I will grant you permission to enter the palace."
"No. I have some conscience; I just came to check if Isaac is doing well, so I'll be heading back soon."
On the surface, the atmosphere was warm, but Gartz, who had actually brought Anna here, was suffering. He couldn't refuse the request of his benefactor's mother, but if he granted it, he didn't know what Isaac would say to him.
For Gartz, it was a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. He could only hope that Isaac would be lenient.
"Instead, please don't scold Isaac even if you meet him. Promise?"
"Don't worry, Princess. I don't think Jin will actually die either. I'm just annoyed that Isaac visited Helium as if he were running away. If we had visited together, it would be one thing, but going only with his daughters-in-law made me feel left out as a mother."
"I understand that feeling."
Step— step— step—
At that moment, the sound of someone walking inside the temple reached their ears. Everyone waiting outside the temple turned their gaze toward the entrance.
Many people had come and gone while Isaac was inside for prayer, but the only person left now was Isaac. This was information they knew because they had been keeping track, and Cecile had just informed Anna of this.
Therefore, it meant the person approaching now was Isaac...
"Huh?"
"Hmm?"
"Oh?"
Everyone, without exception, wore a puzzled expression. The person walking out of the temple was a complete stranger.
With long hair tied back like a woman's and a delicate face, one might mistake him for a woman at first glance. However, his broad shoulders and lean but solid physique made it clear he was a man. Up to this point, these were Isaac's characteristics.
But looking at his face, the story changed. He certainly looked like Isaac, but the colors were completely different.
He had jet-black hair, which was said to grow only on Demons, along with blood-red eyes. Finally, there were black horns on his head.
Unlike Gartz, whose horns grew like a ram's, or Cecile, whose horns pointed straight up, his horns were small protrusions.
He had an aura and appearance that could captivate many women's hearts. Along with this, he wore a black formal suit that seemed perfectly tailored to him.
The appearance of a Demon who lacked nothing left Isaac's acquaintances dumbfounded for their own various reasons.
Cecile questioned the existence of a Demon with horns but no black mana; Adelia questioned where Isaac had gone, regardless of how handsome the man was; and Anna was interested in a Demon who possessed a charm (?) rivaling Hawk's.
Finally, Gartz... didn't have many thoughts. Instead, like Adelia, he wondered where Isaac had gone.
Eventually, as the Demon who emerged from the temple was about to pass them, Cecile spoke up the moment the scent of "peach" wafting from him hit her nose.
"Excuse me. You there, sir."
"Yes?"
The Demon male looked at her with an expression asking what was the matter. Cecile stared into eyes as red as her own before asking politely.
"By any chance, did you see a red-haired man inside? His eyes are golden."
"Hmm... I'm sorry, but I don't think I saw him."
The man said so and immediately moved past. As he passed, it felt as if a thick peach fragrance filled the air.
Was Isaac still inside then? For that to be the case, this Demon was far too suspicious. Above all, not a single trace of black mana, a characteristic of Demons, could be felt from him. This meant...
'...Lady Mora played another prank.'
This Demon was definitely Isaac. Since Cecile had also been a victim of Mora's pranks, she could be certain.
He had likely disguised himself to avoid Anna, and the disguise suited him incredibly well. She watched the back of the receding Demon, Isaac.
Originally, Isaac had a warm atmosphere, but just by changing the colors, he was practically dripping with sensuality. It felt a bit strange to use the word "sensuality" for a man, but she brushed it off.
The important thing now was whether she should play along with his acting or not. For once, Isaac was acting well, unlike his usual self, but Cecile had already grasped the entire situation.
Naturally, she had to struggle to hide the laughter welling up from within. It was hard even to keep her lips from twitching.
Looking at the others, they seemed to have no idea he was Isaac—
"Hmm... this is strange. Wait a second, Isaac?"
At Anna's incredibly natural call for her child.
"Yes?"
The Demon—more accurately, Isaac—who had slightly lowered his guard, turned around with his signature airheadedness.
"..."
"..."
"Pfft!"
Hahahaha!
In the end, Cecile couldn't hold back her bursting laughter.
No matter how much he changed his appearance, no matter how much his atmosphere shifted, Isaac was Isaac.
A man full of openings, overflowing with clumsiness—truly, a person one must not lower their guard around for even a second.
'Oh. Honestly...'
He was so lovely she felt like she might go crazy.