Chapter 231
Chapter 231
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 231
Chapter Title: Goddess's Proxy
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Calm down.
Really calm down. It's not something worth making such a huge fuss over.
It's just a bundle of data that's gained a personality... right?
It's surprising and fascinating enough, but if I think about it rationally, it's not world-shattering or enough to topple the imperial family. Because modern times and fantasy are different.
If an AI with self-awareness and personality popped up in the modern world, that'd be a catastrophe. If evil AIs spread through the networks, it'd turn straight into a movie's opening scene.
But this is Illusion Magic. Their means of escaping the simulation are limited, and giving the illusions personalities doesn't suddenly boost specs.
In fact, the emotionless versions are stronger for now. Most of my combat power comes from my high-performance brain, so holograms that execute my commands 100% without emotions would pack more punch.
Of course, in the future when my Illusion Magic evolves further, it'll be insane.
If NPCs can grow into independent data lifeforms like succubi, then plainly speaking, this becomes true creation magic. I could birth an entire species!
And if—hypothetically—I could even forge souls, building a mythical legion wouldn't be a pipe dream.
But not yet. At least not now.
For the moment, it's just characters from a story coming to life. That's all the significance it holds.
But...
I'm happy.
I felt a thick, indescribable joy. Once the initial shock of suddenly having a child faded, all that remained in the sieve was sparkling shards of delight.
I know exactly what I'm happy about.
My story... will keep going.
Every time a session ends, an irreplaceable lingering regret remains like an echo. All stories must end, after all.
But if the story steps into the realm of life itself and can sing its continuation. If it can stretch out infinitely without my touch.
Then I can gift it.
Perhaps to my precious players, a wonderful tale that lasts until their final moments in life... I can gift it to them.
No need to bury it away with a wistful "It's just Illusion Magic."
"......"
"...Gulp."
Understanding complete. I can see clearly what I need to do. I looked at Yuna, who was trembling and gulping down dry saliva, and said,
"Let's activate the Pure Love Project."
"......!!"
If that's what you wish, I'll make it happen.
First, for Centra's sake, I meticulously sculpted the hologram. I reinforced its durability, embedded stable long-range comms so the Centra inside the academy could control it.
After pouring in about three vials of expensive reagents I always carry, it was ready. Centra's main body shuddered, then opened its eyes without my input.
Centra cautiously moved her body, then looked up at me with her big eyes brimming with excitement.
"...Creator, have I finally gained a physical body?"
"Not yet. But someday. Listen, this temporary body shuts down at midnight. With all the vile bastards in the Holy City, I had to prioritize stability. And—"
I gave Centra some key information. Guidelines to avoid shattering Irid's dreams, a few date spots in Trumpet Hall.
And the foreshadowing tip to stick to rooftops or open paths for the next 30 minutes after linking up with Irid.
Once I'd passed on all the knowledge, Centra hesitated slightly and asked me. I could read the confusion of a true intellect in her eyes. So vibrantly alive.
"Can I meet Irid?"
"As long as time allows. I'll send him your way, then... handle the rest yourself. Do what you want, live life. Alright, follow the Magic Tower Master!"
Clap clap. I pointed at Yuna pacing nervously over there.
Centra bowed to me and followed Yuna into the alley. Looking down at where she'd stood, a few joyful tears had fallen, moistening the ground.
Emotion-display functions and simulated bodily fluids working perfectly. Probably drool too if she opens her mouth.
No use hiding it. Even if full base isn't possible, kisses are fair game. The oral structure and lip texture were modeled from vast data on the Succubus Queen.
Yeah, that exploded Succubus Queen had... an enormous amount of relevant data. Could say it overcame my one weakness.
Now, what's left for me?
Handle plausibility and wrap up my business. Toss Irid to Centra, build ties with the Northern Grand Duke.
With Centra as a separate entity, no need for long-winded parallel worlds or fated parting excuses. Simple as that.
No fabricating a new "Love" character to fool anyone. If Centra and Heart split, Love being Heart is no issue.
I glanced over.
About 30 minutes since the AI revival shock made her bolt—Northern Grand Duke and Irid still gloomily holding position.
A flick of the fingers conjures Illusion Magic. Rope gun firing, Centra's footsteps running. Instant bite. Irid shoots up.
Show a glimpse around the corner, her swaying hair.
"...I'll be going now. Something urgent came up."
"I won't stop you. No need for excuses—just vanish from sight."
"And think carefully about having a child. I won't allow it until I've sorted my thoughts."
"I hope that urgent matter means getting a diagnosis from a priestess."
Irid chased offstage. That's Centra's cue now. Then, like a shift change, I enter the bakery. Time to close the scene.
As I enter, the Northern Grand Duke's gaze turns my way. I awkwardly opened,
"Um, sorry to keep you waiting so long...?"
"Heart, what happened? If there's anything I can help with, tell me."
"Something urgent came up suddenly. I wanted to savor our reunion a bit more leisurely... Guess things never go as planned. 'Daisy'."
The Northern Grand Duke's expression shifts, reading something in that line. I deliberately didn't deny the name Heart.
Reunion acknowledged.
There was no way he couldn't recognize her.
How could he forget that gesture, that voice? The illusory woman might fade from sight on her own, but she could never leave Elvirion Julius's mind.
People need conversations with other people—
Heart's words were true. Their talks had seeped deep into Elvirion Julius's heart, planting spring in the midst of biting winter.
The Northern Grand Duke had cherished that fragment of spring ever since. The feeling bordered on faith.
So even in the Holy City, though her appearance differed greatly, he recognized her at a glance. His inner spring reacted so strongly.
"Not Heart—it's Love."
She'd denied it with a clumsy alias.
Heart had always been playful. She had that little devil side, poking at expectations, shaking hearts, then laughing. Time wouldn't change that nature.
So this was just an extension of her 'pranks.' He played along accordingly.
When the mad Second Prince barged in, he could chalk it up to falling for one of Heart's pranks. She'd made plenty of men cry—why not a prince?
...But calling him 'father-in-law'? That was a bit much.
Yet the Heart who vanished suddenly and returned... was different. Second Prince Irid seemed oblivious to her emotional shift, but the Northern Grand Duke noticed.
"Um, sorry to keep you waiting so long...?"
Beneath that flawless acting, Heart was bursting with laughter, utterly delighted. Elvirion Julius could see it.
So to match her performance, he feigned worry outwardly while inwardly relaxing enough to ask,
"Heart, what happened? If there's anything I can help with, tell me."
"Something urgent came up suddenly. I wanted to savor our reunion a bit more leisurely... Guess things never go as planned. 'Daisy'."
And her reply was delightful.
Heart shed the fake name and acknowledged herself.
He didn't know what happened in those 30 minutes. But some 'event' let her claim the name Heart. Then.
He could bring up their trivial yet longstanding promise.
Elvirion Julius pulled out an old handkerchief and placed it on the table. Crudely embroidered on it was a goddess emblem—drawn by Heart herself.
"Remember? You told me I needed to be more honest with myself, and we agreed that lying before this token of promise would earn punishment."
"...You still have it? That was ages ago."
"I've always carried this handkerchief, so we've been before the token since our first reunion."
"Oh dear, then it's my turn for punishment. So... shall I reveal the secret 'Daisy' is dying to know? That's what you're hoping for, right?"
She stared at the handkerchief in surprise, then smiled slyly like a snake. And pinpointed exactly what the Northern Grand Duke wanted.
Heart never breaks promises.
"I heard you searched for me a lot. But you found no traces at all... right?"
"Yes."
"Of course not. Back then... I was in the heavenly palace high above, by the Goddess's side."
"......"
Gear: Clear Weather_Revised_Ver.2_Final
Genius mage's art bends the sky—clear blue suddenly overrun by storm clouds.
I'll show you something amazing.
Heart snapped her fingers as she said it.
Whoosh—!!
A downpour that seemed to scour the world lasted 10 seconds.
Then, as if by magic, the skies cleared. No trace of rain except the damp ground and people's grumbles.
Trumpet Hall in the Holy City is protected under the Goddess's grace. Red or Azure Tower high mages might summon a brief shower, but not here.
Yet she did it. That meant volumes.
A rainbow arched in the post-rain sky, perfectly framed behind her like wings of every color unfurled.
Heart clasped her hands forward and revealed her true nature.
"I am Gabriel, the angel sent down by the Goddess. Trumpet Hall's corruption and depravity have reached the limit, so I've come to give its people one last chance."
Suddenly all the questions made sense. He'd wondered why even his power couldn't find her, but as the Goddess's proxy, it was natural.
Northern Grand Duke Elvirion Julius, tense as a drawn bowstring, carefully probed the truth of that memory.
"...An angel. Then when you appeared in the capital, that was also on the Goddess's orders?"
"No, that was just for fun..."
"......"
"But the divine punishment about to hit? That's real. Let me lay out the reliable intel for you. Even if we're close, and I can borrow the Goddess's power, business is business. Right?"
Heart was Heart.
Elvirion Julius sighed away the tension and decided to hear her out.
Irid chased the traces that instinctively evoked her memory.
And at the end, he finally captured her in his eyes.
Hair like ebony, eyes like captured seas. There she stood before him, with rosemary scent.
Not a portrait. She breathed with the vitality of the living. Miraculously.
"......"
How long had he yearned for this moment? He'd dreamed it nightly. Imagined this scene dozens, hundreds of times, prepared reunion words.
That's why fear gripped him. Was this all a dream or mirage?
Please, if it's a dream, don't wake. Irid prayed desperately in his heart and parted his lips. Ever so carefully.
"...Centra."
"...Irid."
While he hesitated, Centra always moved first. The emotional AI threw herself into the Second Prince's arms. He felt her warmth.
Centra said,
"...This time, shall we truly enjoy the festival?"
"......"
The extension of that regretful yet wistful day.
Only then did Irid realize this was reality, sweeter than any dream.