The Goddess Helena
"I understand that you're flustered, but I would appreciate it if you'd look at me."
And so the woman fixed her gaze squarely on me.
"Ahem. Allow me to introduce myself once more. I am the Goddess Helena."
"A goddess...? Then... where is this...? I'm... huh?"
"I know it's a shock to take in. Your beloved childhood friend murdered your girlfriend, tried to kill you too, and you fled — and suddenly you wake up here. Of course you're shaken."
That's right... Sea-a killed Yujin and me. Aaaaah! Haa... haa...
"Feeling a little calmer now?"
"Calmer? How could I possibly be."
No — of course I can't be. The friend I'd spent eighteen years with was a murderer... and she killed me and my girlfriend. There's no way I could be fine.
"Mm, well then. No matter what happens, nothing changes. Even a goddess cannot turn back time. But I can offer you a chance."
A chance? Why? I was just an ordinary person... This is suspicious. The mere fact that a goddess is meeting with me alone, an ordinary citizen, is suspicious in itself.
"Why? I'm just an ordinary citizen. Why am I meeting with you? And why would you give me a chance?"
"Oh, digging right into that, are you? Sharp as ever. To tell you the truth — in your previous life, you were a member of the hero party that saved the world. You and your companions defeated the Demon God, and as your reward, a wish was granted. When you died, you asked for reincarnation, and I granted it. What I'm doing now is simply following up on that — you died sooner than I expected. There's no need to be so guarded."
I was in the hero party...? But I can't believe that... It doesn't add up. Then again, there's nothing I can do about it either way. Which means I have no choice but to believe her...
"Then as this follow-up, what exactly can you do for me?"
"Hmm, let me think. You must hate that former world, no? She is still there. And the woman you loved isn't. So this time, I shall send you to the world where the soul of Lee Yujin — the one you loved — resides."
A world where Yujin exists? Yes... that's all I need... Sea-a... no. A world without her. I'll start over with Yujin there...
"Very well. I accept. I choose reincarnation, as you say. Please, Goddess."
"Of course. Ah — one thing worth noting. That world is a gender-reversed world. Concepts like chastity, among many others, are flipped on their head. Do keep it in mind."
Huh?... A gender-reversed world? Does it really matter? As long as Yujin is there, something like that means nothing...
"It's no problem at all. Please send me there."
"Understood. And as a special courtesy, I'll ensure your memories from your previous life — as Han Yuseong — remain with you after reincarnation. Consider it a bonus."
"Thank you, Goddess. Thank you. But... how will I recognize Yujin?..."
"Hm, a fair point. Your former girlfriend has no memories of her past life, so finding her would be difficult. Then let us do this: the moment you meet your former girlfriend, your past-life memories will surface — and I'll weave a little magic so that hers do the same."
"Thank you. Thank you... truly... thank you."
At some point, I found myself shedding tears.
"Ahem. You're embarrassing me, crying this much. But remember — this is your final life. There is no next one. I pray that in this life, you live it to its natural end."
And with that, light enveloped my body, and my consciousness began to blur.
"Now then, come out, Hero."
In the white room, a black void opened, and a woman began to emerge from it.
"Ha... Helena. You've played quite the interesting hand, haven't you? Putting me in the same world as her — and Ahiru... no, Yuseong."
"Your bargain with me was, from the very beginning, to reincarnate you into the same world as Han Yuseong. If you failed to win his heart in that world, that was hardly my fault, was it?"
In that instant, mana so overwhelming it dyed every corner of the white room black came flooding out.
"Stop that. If you kill me here, you'll never meet him again, will you...? Per our bargain, I merely do as you wish. And I only lend Han Yuseong a hand out of pity — besides, isn't he already in the palm of your hand?"
"Yes... that's right... he's mine. I will never give him to anyone. To anyone at all!"
There's no one madder than this woman... To think she'd flood my domain with this much mana... Haa... I'm the crazy one for making a deal with a lunatic like her...
"So, Helena — when will you send me over? This time, make me a noble, please. Hmm... a ducal house would be nice. The royal family is too much of a hassle. But the remaining houses seem far too weak."
"Very well. I shall have you born as the eldest daughter of a ducal house. That is a world where women hold power — in other words, you will be the heir to the duchy. As before, I'll arrange things so you can recognize Han Yuseong at once."
"Thanks. You really do know how to talk business, Helena."
Yuseong, I'm coming to see you again... I wonder what face you wear in that world, what name you go by? I truly can't wait... Haa... whatever form you take, whatever shape you wear, I will love you forever. Stay mine forever, forever and always.
"Then let the reincarnation begin. Good fortune to—"
"Thanks. If anything comes up, I'll visit the temple. Looking forward to working with you, Helena, dear~"
And so, Kim Sea was reborn.
"You only call me 'dear' when it suits you, do you?... Haa, honestly, this is maddening. Han Yuseong... your future will be a dark one, I fear... Well, I did reincarnate you somewhere with a fair amount of power at play, so do try to keep a low profile..."
Waaah, waaah — from a certain estate, the cry of a newborn rang out.
"Congratulations, Boss. It's a son."
"You did well, honey. A beautiful little baby — takes after both of us."
A boy after all. Well, doesn't matter. He's my and Jack's child, so it doesn't matter at all.
So this is... a new world? I can't see a thing, and I'm so sleepy... I'll just have to sleep for now.
"Oh my... Sarah, look at our son. Isn't he just adorable? Looks like he's fallen asleep. He's so precious! He looks like a little angel."
"He is, Jack — he takes after you, so of course he's adorable. And that's exactly what worries me. Who knows what wicked woman might sink her claws into him when he's grown."
"True... this world is far too cruel a place for a fragile boy to survive in... Let's protect him together, you and I."
"Of course. Don't worry. Epi — from this moment, contact every branch. Tell them we are recruiting only the most capable to guard our son. Gender doesn't matter, rank doesn't matter — only skill."
"Yes, Boss. On my way right now."
Wow, he's unreal. The young master is so cute? So babies really can be this adorable. I'll have to pick only the very best bodyguards, together with the madam.
"So, Sarah — what shall we name him?"
"Hm, a name... That's tricky. I had one in mind, but that was for a girl... Mm... Al... Albert? How about Albert?"
"Albert... I like it. A fine name. From today onward, you are Albert. Our little Al~ From now on, Mommy and Daddy will protect you. Sleep well~"
At that same hour, in the Secro Ducal House, a baby girl was born.
"Hm, a girl? For the firstborn to be a daughter — no need to worry about an heir, then."
With that, a woman's gaze turned toward the corner of the room. There, a man sat bound in shackles.
"You... you're truly garbage. I carried a child I never even wanted to bear... you rapist. Disgusting... But... the child is innocent... Show me my daughter. Please, I'm begging you!!"
"You think that'll work? You're my man. Even if she is my own daughter, a woman is a woman — you never know. You are not to meet with any woman but me. Our child is a separate matter, of course, but there will be limits. Erihi — you are mine."
"Please... I'm begging you... I don't care what happens to me. Just give the child love, I beg you. Don't raise her with nothing but indifference, the way my parents raised me. Promise me, Shiina..."
"Of course. Isn't she ours? I'll raise her with love. First, let's check her talent... Oh my. What enormous potential. At this level, she'll do nicely as the heir of our house. Yes — your name from this day forth is Iris. Iris Secrida. Hm... I named her myself, but truly, I've chosen magnificently."
And so, in this world as well, Kim Sea — no, Iris — was reborn.
Haa... Helena, that woman... Of all the ducal houses, she had to drop me into the most twisted one of all. That absolute witch...
At that same time, in a certain countryside village of the Arceus Kingdom, a farmer's wife gave birth to a daughter as well.
"Waaah, waaah."
"Oh, honey — a beautiful baby girl. She's absolutely precious."
"She certainly is. She gets her loveliness from you."
The blonde, golden-eyed couple spoke softly as they gazed upon their child.
"What shall we name her? Something sweet, I think."
"Hmm... how about Yuna? The moonlight's influence gave her eyes like moonbeams — Yuna suits her. Let's call her Yuna."
"Yuna... I think it's a truly lovely name."
And so, Lee Yujin's reincarnation — Yuna — was born as well.
Ah, and with that, all three of them have been reborn. That was exhausting work. I've lost count of how many times I've done this — had I never struck that bargain with the hero back then, I wouldn't be this worn out. Haa... But I gained something out of it too, so it's fine. Otherwise, I'd never have bothered with any of this... Will this life of yours end in a happy ending? Or in ruin? I am Helena, the goddess who watches always — I will observe your fates for as long as it takes. That is my duty, after all. How very exciting, what lies ahead. Do please entertain me, all of you. Heh heh heh heh heh heh.
And it is said that laughter echoed through the goddess's chambers for some time afterward.