"Woah! Iori, your world really has everything! It's so cool!" (C)

I'm not exactly sure if this is what I'd call it. However, I can honestly claim that I'm weirded out.

"So Aureas is up there and everyone knows that this weird floating rock contains their god?!" (I)

"This is about it." (So)

That's crazy!

"Now if you'd stop freaking out, may you be so kind, as to teleport up there, right through the barrier he erected for 'privacy reasons'." (So)

Doesn't seem to be a concept Soraja holds much favor for. But if there truly is an issue with Aureas, and he truly refused to come out for he-knows-how-long, then I guess sitting out here till he gets better isn't going to cut it.

"Alright. I'll go. I suppose it would be bad to leave him cooped up there by himself. That can't be good for his mental health." (I)

"Yes, sure. That is the issue." (So)

Yeah, I need to channel everything Mum taught me about "having a talk". I may have usually been on the receiving end, but this doesn't mean I didn't catch anything about it. Though, first I need to go somewhere more private. After all, it would be plain stupid to do my horror teleportation in front of all these people.

"Fine, let's get going. Do you happen to know some place out of plain sight where we could go?" (I)

"In abundance. I laid out almost every second building and my familiars traversed every nook and cranny." (So)

A simple "yes" would've sufficed.

"Great. Then please, bring me over to somewhere close." (I)

While Soraja seems mildly annoyed about my demand, ultimately she does as told.

"Here. This alley is out of sight. Yet I'm sure you could've found it yourself if you had tried." (So)

"Had I done so, someone may have noticed the eyes." (I)

Or whatever else would've happened. My powers usually don't work all that unnoticeably. On the other hand, this is my dream. It might be possible to develop a general feeling for it that isn't quite based on me planting sensory organs everywhere.

"So let's go! Teleport action!" (C)

"I never said that I would take you with me, Chiaki." (I)

"What!? But why?!" (C)

"How do you think he's going to react when we all gang up on him?" (I)

After all, he erected a frickin' barrier! In my room!

I look at the two, trying to appear confident. While Chiaki can be very convincing, Aureas doesn't even know her. This means, sending her, a complete stranger, would be pointless. Also, as much as she's got charisma, she also can be overbearing, and if my assessment of Aureas is right, he doesn't do too well with this kind of character. On the other side, I'm not all that confident that I can handle this by myself. If Soraja had any chance to convince Aureas of anything, she probably would've achieved some form of success decades ago.

"No, I'm going to him by myself." (I)

I don't even wait for their response and teleport away to this stone construct that floats over the city. For a split-second, there's a bit of resistance that gets promptly nullified. Did that boy for real put up a barrier around my very own room?!

I manifest on the floor, gradually gaining form, until I feel like me again.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Even though everything in this world is me in some way. Well, it's time for a talk.

- Aureas -

Something just changed. It went through all of the realm. A wave of presence that made me shiver all over. This can only mean one thing. She is back again!

For many decades she wasn't seen, and suddenly she reappears. I'll just ignore her and eventually, she will be gone again. But even if she wants to reclaim this world, she can have it. It's not like these mortals were ever grateful in a lasting manner for all the things I did for them. None of them even retains anything after a single rebirth cycle. Now they are even all fawning about this occupier goddess. Pah, as if I'd need their admiration.

All I need is this magnificent artifact that was left behind by her. A small little box that contains all the distraction I'd ever need. One only has to activate it and a smaller world opens, where actions don't have consequences, can be reattempted, and one still can indulge oneself in the greatest variety of activities. Puzzles, fights, strategizing, countless challenges to beat. Just the right thing for a god of personal growth such as me. I certainly won't relinquish this. It means too much for me. One of the reasons why I prefer helping the People to get better at games. Would certainly help them become less stiff. But apparently that wasn't enough. No, they want more. Always more.

So Iori, Oroi, or whoever can take them from me. I don't need this.

"Whosh"

I perceive something and abruptly, a wave rushes directly through the barrier. This presence is undeniable. She's here.

It's impossible that she would have any other purpose for appearing here than to confront me. I am left with no choice in this matter. Escaping won't be possible and she's too powerful as that I could ignore her. But what else can I do? Then, suddenly, a thought comes up for me. Oh, no!

Lacking options, I do the only reasonable thing and hide the game box below the bed. No, I won't relinquish my only joy in this dark world!

"Seriously, locked?" (I)

She's right there.

"Open Sesame!" (I)

Promptly the door springs open. There was a code word!?

There she is. In her form of a young girl, although enough time passed to mature several times. Even I changed in all that time, growing with my duties. Yet here she is, acting as if nothing has changed.

"Uh, hello Aureas. I hope I'm not disturbing you in... whatever you're doing here. Even though this is technically my room." (I)

Her room?! Says the one who abandoned everything here?!

"I was under the impression that you wouldn't care for this space. As you showed rather little interest in recent times." (A)

That should throw her off. There's little argument against her shortcoming.

"Ah, right. You see, there was a problem with the time dilation. I accidentally kept it too fast for a while. Things changed so fast I couldn't keep up. I'm sorry for this." (I)

I can barely believe it. So she literally had us running in circles while her perception was barely affected? Is this revelation supposed to make me more compliant? As if!

"Then what is leading you here now? As you see, this world can do very well without you!" (A)

We managed so far, we'll continue doing so.

"Yes, I could see that. You apparently did a great job so far. It's just that... you know, Soraja told me that recently you stopped doing your job properly." (I)

Of course! This "prime example of divinity" would certainly find faults in how I'm doing things. As nitpicky and nagging as she is about doing everything in always the correct way, it's clear that I couldn't satisfy her standards. Always berating me about granting proper blessings to the right people.

"Just because I stopped giving my blessing to people who don't deserve it doesn't mean I am in the wrong." (A)

"Well, okay. But it's also kinda your thing. So, how many blessings did you give out in general, recently?" (I)

Gruh. I was occupied with beating that last boss in Last Quest 3 recently. But that doesn't have to concern her!

"As if that is of importance!" (A)

"But it is. Soraja can only do so much to cover up for you. If the People stop noticing your influence, nobody can blame them for turning to Soraja. Just to clarify, I don't want her to replace you, but I can't blame her either for doing her job." (I)

"So you want to get rid of me?! Well, then don't hesitate! Just get it over with!" (A)

"Wait, how did you get to this? Everything I just said should indicate something different." (I)

"I'm obviously no good to you, so you can just get rid of me or leave! Better you leave!" (A)

"Could you please stop this and just listen? I'm only saying this for your own good." (I)

"Well, maybe you don't know what's best for me! I don't need you! I can do by myself!" (A)

"What's wrong with you? Can't you just comply?" (I)

"I don't need to comply! You aren't my boss!" (A)

She may think differently, but I can certainly do without her.

"Are you in puberty or something?! (I)

What kind of ridiculous accusation is this?! Now she's openly insulting me.

"I won't let you insult me any further! You have no power over me! I don't need you and don't need to listen to you!" (A)

She can't force me. I'll simply ignore her. It even seems like my strategy bears fruit, as she becomes still. Though, unfortunately, she eventually resumes her talk.

"Listen, if you won't hear reason, you leave me no choice but to do something drastic!" (I)

"Are you threatening me?! I won't give in to you." (A)

That she'd go that far. But I have my pride as a god and won't let her fare with me as she pleases.

"I'm not threatening you. I'm asking you to not let it come so far." (I)

"Get lost! I don't want you here!" (A)

This seems to finally get through to her. This time she stops her retorts.

"Fine, your choice." (I)

And with this, from one moment to the other, she's gone.

I did it! I stood my ground and got her to vanish.

I retrieve my game box. Now I can finally go and beat that boss. This is much better than anything else. For all I care, this world can come to ruin, I got here all I need.

Yet right after I got back into my game, suddenly another portal opens. This time right in the room.

Out of it, to all shame, this Iori steps once again. Seems like I didn't fully succeed in driving her away. Well, time for round two!

Yet instead of engaging me, or even acknowledging my presence, she turns back to the portal. Reaching with her hand inside, she grabs onto something, and gently guides it towards her. Out of the portal, a woman emerges. She seems quite shaken by the strain of passing through dimensions.

"Is that him?"

"Yes, that is Aureas." (I)

She fixates on me after this, especially my console, walks closer, and extends her hand.

"Alright. I'm pleased to make your acquaintanceship. My name is Satomi Nomia. And I'm Iori's mother." (S)

. . .

Huh!?

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