To be Happy Ever After: It's all about Love (ch. 3)

It would be inaccurate to describe her lord as calm. He remained a bundle of nerves, even as he settled onto the couch after successfully abducting the boy (who, fortunately, had not yet been marked by the Goddess of the Home). Nevertheless, it was evident that his worries now stemmed solely from the stress of uncertainty surrounding the success of her plan, which considering he had essentially staked his life on its favorable outcome, it was not an unreasonable worry to have.

Previously though, he would appear visibly anxious in their presence, but now he stood more at ease, resting his head on Lendrott's lap while he conversed with the nun.

For a moment, Renner entertained the notion that Ai might have surpassed her expectations, but it seemed that the idol hadn't even had the opportunity to make a move before... well, before whatever had unfolded came to pass.

How did the maid manage it?

Of course, Renner was happy her lord was in a better mood. She was happy, more than happy even! The way her chest tightened, her stomach turned and her throat dried, those were all signs of her happiness!

“MMMMHHH! HMM-MMPHHH!! WUHHHH-PPMM!!!” The boy with white hair struggled to yell through the gag. Renner glanced at him, determined to silence him, but as their eyes met, the boy whimpered and ceased his cries on his own.

“Shi-shi-shi-shi-shi.” Soft, airy laughter wafted from behind her, causing Renner's brow to twitch imperceptibly. Accompanying the laughter were a pair of arms that enveloped her neck, gently pulling her backward.

“You didn't foresee this,” the idol murmured, her voice so close to Renner's ear that she could feel the girl's breath.

Renner grit her teeth. “That maid didn't fix anything. She merely slapped a bandage on a severed appendage. A rather sizable bandage, admittedly, but still just a bandage.” Yes, there was still much to be done, many plans to formulate. Renner could still be of use, prove her worth.

Even the ongoing conversation with Hoshino was merely a piece of her grand scheme.

The embrace around her neck tightened, compelling Renner to meet Hoshino's gaze, her eyebrow raised questioningly.

In response, the idol simply looked at her... and smiled.

As swiftly as she appeared, Ai removed herself from the embrace and moved towards her lord.

“Hey Unum, what are we doing now?” she asked.

“Hm?” Her lord raised his head from the maid's lap and looked at Hoshino. He took in a measured breath before releasing it, as if to calm himself, and sat up. “Well, now comes the hard part I guess. I’ll have to abduct enough people to net me at least two hundred and fifty points which will not be fun. However…” He took a look at his device, more specifically the tracker within, and relaxed a bit. “It is feasible. After that, Renner will establish contact with Freya, use Bell here as the bait to make the Goddess accept being bound by me - because what kind of Deusdea would believe they could be affected by a mortal’s power after all - and from there, well…” A smile spread across his face. A creepy and yet beautiful smile. “From there, Ai, Orario will be ours.”

A muffled cry erupted from the boy but Renner could not find it in herself to care about that right now.

The look in her lord’s eyes as he proclaimed his soon to happen dominion over the city, the way he then nervously gazed into her eyes, as if to say that he was counting on her, counting on her plan to work, it made Renner fall in love with him all over again.

She would succeed. There was no other possible result. She would bring victory to her lord, and she would do it without fail.

And perhaps, once she became the main wife, she could ponder about placing Ai Hoshino as primary concubine.

For now though, she needed to aid her Lord in expanding his retinue.

#

4 days later

———————

Greetings, esteemed contractor. I hereby present the latest alterations made to your build, as requested:

New Bindings:

Complementary Colors x42 [You, Valac Clara, Lilly Aquaria, Rindo Kobayashi, Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself, Ai Hoshino, Alice Lendrott, Sabrina Raincomprix, Gita Meyers, Coco Collins, Sophia Flores, Shinonome Momiji, Tsukinokami Kaede, Emma Flores, Iris Bennett, Karen Morris, Leo Diaz, Love Silva, Lucia Ramirez, Primo Libera, Daisy Kelly, Clarice Boyd, Maro Powell, Gina Gwen, Liliruca Arde, Yamato Mikoto, Naaza Erisuis, Vivian Green, Asuka, Hitachi Chigusa, Orianna Drake, Cassandra Ilion, Daphne Lauros, Pot, Meryl Tear, Laurier, Feena, Elmina Garof, Lena Tally, Noel, Ariadne Lakrios] -250

New Other Controls:

Conjunction -25

New Purchases

Companions bought

Ariadne Lakrios(T3 -> T6)[buy]{Familiar} from Danmachi

Elmina Garof(T3 -> T6)[buy]{Familiar} from Danmachi

All remaining members of your retinue have also been outfitted with Complementary Colors, leading to an accompanying enhancement of their individual Tiers, in compliance with the regulations stipulated by the perk.

If desired, you may review your full build to confirm these modifications.

New Captures

Notice: The Tier of all (non-Sold) captured entities has already undergone modification due to the implementation of the Shroud Bounding and Complementary Colors perk. For confirmation of their original Tier, you may consult the Companions tab within the catalog.

Companions captured +264; sold +22

Cassandra Ilion(T7){Familiar} from Danmachi

Daphne Lauros(T7){Familiar} from Danmachi

Asuka(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Clarice Boyd(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Coco Collins(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Daisy Kelly(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Emma Flores(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Gita Meyers(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Hitachi Chigusa(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Iris Bennett(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Karen Morris(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Lena Tally(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Leo Diaz(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Liliruca Arde(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Love Silva(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Lucia Ramirez(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Maro Powell(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Naaza Erisuis(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Noel(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Orianna Drake(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Primo Libera(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Shinonome Momiji(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Sophia Flores(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Tsukinokami Kaede(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Vivian Green(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Yamato Mikoto(T6){Familiar} from Danmachi

Bom Cornwall(T5) from Danmachi --SOLD

Chandra Ihit(T4) from Danmachi --SOLD

Enoch(T4) from Danmachi --SOLD

Guilde India(T4) from Danmachi --SOLD

Kashima Ouka(T4) from Danmachi --SOLD

Mord Latro(T4) from Danmachi --SOLD

Scott Olds(T4) from Danmachi --SOLD

Zanis Lustra(T4) from Danmachi --SOLD

Canoe Belway(T3) from Danmachi --SOLD

Ged Raish(T3) from Danmachi --SOLD

Gregory(T3) from Danmachi --SOLD

Luan Espel(T3) from Danmachi --SOLD

———————

#

Freya found herself thoroughly amused.

When a girl with vibrant sun-like hair appeared in front of her window at the top of Babel, she had been curious.

When the girl politely knocked on the window and curtsied with the grace of a noble-born, despite the visible relentless wind, Freya had become interested.

When, upon letting her in, the girl proved to be completely immune to Freya’s passive charm, she had become fully intrigued.

And now, as she told Freya that she had found Odr… well -

“It is not everyday that a flying human appears before my window. Yet, it seems you have managed to surpass the one who came before in picking my interest.” Quite impressive, since that one had been quite interesting too. Then again, most of the children of that annoying Goddess were.

The girl graciously inclined her head in gratitude before raising it again.

“Lady Freya, I -”

“Shush now, Ottar. I want to see this Odr that… sorry dear, I didn’t catch your name.”

“Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself, at your service.” Five names. Members of noble families usually had three names. Four on special occasions. To proclaim to have five and not trigger her biological lie detector… it meant that this girl either hailed from a kingdom Freya never heard about, or her parents were delusional. That, or the girl herself had a few screws loose.

“Yes, well, the person little Renner claims to be my fated one.”

Freya was aware of Ottar's intense glare towards Renner. Usually, she would reprimand him for being overbearing, but the girl's nonchalant demeanor in the face of the strongest adventurer's scrutiny amused Freya greatly.

Renner extended her right arm, palm forward, and after a moment of concentration -

Pop

Her window suddenly had a hole in it.

The air around the hole began to shimmer with an iridescent glow, like the faintest brush of moonlight on water. The portal's edges appeared to be made of pure energy, radiating a soft, pulsating light that shifted and undulated, casting ethereal hues of blues, purples, and greens.

However, none of these visual marvels mattered to Freya. Neither did the theoretical impossibility of what the girl just did. The only thing that captured her attention was what lay within the portal - the soul she had glimpsed.

Pure. Untainted. Intimerate.

Intimerate was the perfect word to describe it. Intimerate. What a funny word. Intimerate. The goddess felt the word had been created for this exact moment.

Intoxicating too, would not be an inaccurate term on account of how it was making her feel.

Freya opened her mouth, air entered into her lungs in preparation for the order she was about to shout, the mortal cords in her throat began to vibrate, and just as she was about to call for her most loyal retainer to seize that boy, the portal abruptly closed.

Freya realized, with some delay, how undignified she must appear at the moment. How mortal. However, she couldn't find it within herself to care. It was there, it was right there.

What she dreamed of every night. What she spent all day desiring.

Her Odr. The one that could make Freya forsake everything, the one that would help Freya leave the bottomless pit of despair she found herself in for hundreds of thousands of years by now.

“Whatever you desire, it shall be yours, but that boy belongs to me.”

She would have that soul, no matter the cost.

#

I could not stand still. Alice had tried, once, to get me to lay on her lap, to breathe deeply to calm myself, but it was worthless.

Back and forth, back and forth, I walked meaninglessly in such a way, waiting for Renner to pop open the portal.

I had been in the bathroom when she opened it the first time, trying to distract myself with the help of Ai’s mouth, but even that proved futile.

I opened the company app and checked, for the umpteenth time, that everything was alright.

Grand Tapestry was there, ready to be bought. I had been lacking both requirements - Conjunction (telepathy between the retinue essentially) and Complementary Colors (which made it so the chosen waifu could gain a unique Shroud of her own which significantly raised the tier of most of them) - but I managed to accrue enough points to buy them both after discreetly absconding with some characters that wouldn’t be missed in the short term and were weak enough to not offer any significant resistance. The Bounty Tracker had been a substantial investment, but it was already proving its worth.

However, even if I took a gamble and started attempting to kidnap level 3 characters (attempting any move to one above level 3 was just asking to get fucked) or waited some more for the other lower tiered characters to leave their bases, I would still not have enough points to buy Grand Tapestry.

It was quite annoying, because I only wanted a single ability that came from buying that option, but because the rest of its features were fucking broken I was being made to cough up one hundred points for it (plus the two hundred and seventy five fucking points I paid for the requirements I was missing). Yet I needed that ability, the ability that would make it so the chance of failing the Shroud-Bounding became zero, no matter if the target’s strength was leagues above mine or not.

Of course, buying it would put me in debt, which was something I wanted to avoid at all costs. However, when I called to question how soon I would have my privileges revoked and need to start to complete missions I was informed that while my access to the company app would be immediately restricted upon falling into debt, I would be given a sixty minute grace period to repay it before beginning to face any of the consequences.

It made me nervous as all hell, but it was a necessary risk. Without that grace period, I would likely have no choice but to sell every captive I acquired. As it was though, selling every dude was enough to leave me with a measly eleven points left. It left a somewhat bitter taste on my mouth, especially when I sold people that were undeniably good people. But it was either them or me, and I liked me much more.

Still, those eleven points didn’t last long, as they soon got reduced into one when I bought Elmina Garof, and Ariadne Lakrios (heroes from the Argonaut Era who would be very useful in case things went south thanks to the boost provided by the Complementary Colors Perk and to the fact they looked exactly like Tione Hyriute and Aiz Wallenstein respectively).

Yeah. One fucking point. A point which would soon disappear and turn into minus ninety nine once I bought Grand Tapestry.

Fucking hell I should have bought the second level of Stress Defense instead of one of the new girls. Screw the fact it fucks with my mind, it has to be better than -

“Uuuuuuugh.” I turned my head and caught sight of Ai, her head thrown back, emitting the loudest groan I had ever heard coming from anyone. Her vocal cords were truly impressive.

While I absentmindedly popped another saffron-infused almond into my mouth, I observed Ai rising from her seat and heading towards the secondary room. There… that’s where we kept all the captures crammed up isn’t it? The door slammed shut with a resounding bang, leaving me bewildered to the point where I momentarily forgot my own worries.

“Um, hey,” I called out, pointing at Rindo. “Do you have any idea what that was all about?”

Rindo simply shrugged her shoulders, extending her hand towards me, offering another almond. Naturally, I accepted her offering and placed the almond, along with the two fingers that held it, into my mouth.

“Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see,” Rindo remarked, nonchalantly popping her saliva-coated fingers into her own mouth, much to my amusement. “Hmm, sweet.” I may not have conversed much with her in the past few days thanks to being busy capturing the low tiers, but - as I was finding out - she was quite fun to be around. And inside.

“Hey, have I thanked you yet for making my breasts so perky?” I chortled. If she hadn't thanked me yet, I likely would have choked on the almond at the absurdity of the statement, but as it was...

“Oh, just a few dozen times in the last five days. Feel free to continue though.”

“You bet I will! I mean, just look at these things!” As she said that, Rindo squeezed her ample chest while laughing. The most entertaining part though, was that the reason for her happiness was not the fact that her boobs looked better now. Oh no, the reason she was happier was simply because now she could cook for longer without her back hurting and, as she called it, without experiencing under-boob chef sweat.

And indeed, the automatic sharing of the Body Tune-Up perk from the beginning was certainly a very... pleasing thing, let's say. However, before I could fully appreciate the pleasantness of that perk once again, Ai barged in through the door, accompanied by six easily recognizable faces: Yamato Mikoto and Chigusa Hitachi (two of the members of Takemikazuchi Familia that I had managed to snag as they left the dungeon), Daphne Lauros and Cassandra Ilion (second verse same as the first), Lena Tally (which came from the fact that Ishtar had wanted to see my power in action before committing to anything) and Elmina Garof (the previous incarnation of Tione Hyriute and an incredibly skilled combatant).

Without even giving me a chance to ask her what the hell was going on Ai plopped herself down beside me on the sofa, casually draping her legs over mine and immediately launching into conversation.

“You two,” she exclaimed, pointing towards Cassandra and Daphne. “Why don't you start making out?” My head whipped to the side so abruptly that I momentarily feared I had injured myself. Before I could even react to her outrageous statement, Ai was already barking out more orders. “And you two,” she gestured towards the girls from the Far East, then motioned towards my feet. “Time for a foot massage! Chop-chop!” She then gazed at the Amazons and, after a few seconds of contemplation, ended up uttering another utterly insane thing. “Since you walk around basically naked I will assume you have no shame. Drop your panties and start masturbating.”

“Wha- Ai, what the fu-”

“You’re stressing out too much. Renner said she had it handled didn’t she? She may be a bit, you know,” Ai playfully twirled her index finger around her temple. “However, her succeeding means that you succeed and she would never jeopardize that. You know it, I know it, everyone with two brain cells to rub together knows it so there really is no need to be worrying so much.”

“Okay, but…” I waved my hand at, well, everything in front of me. “Why?”

A mischievous smile made its way to Ai’s face. “Hmm? Entertainment of course. If you’re stressed then all you’ve gotta do is distract yourself, and what’s more distracting than cute girls being frisky?” To my left, I could hear Rindo laughing uproariously.

That… I mean… true? I guess? Well, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a go.

For now, the room remained silent. After all, Ai didn't possess the authority to simply order them around, even if they were all Familiars and she was a Companion. Besides that, as Familiars, love and sexual attraction was not compelled unlike from Companions (the idea for setting them as such coming from Renner, who argued that while lovesick fools easily screwed plans, simply loyal people were more likely to stay and do as they’re told). However, even as Familiars, if the command came from me, they would have no choice but to obey.

I opened my mouth, ready to bark out exactly what Ai had just said, but before I even had the chance to utter the first word -

Cassandra Ilion mashed her lips against Daphne’s.

Huh. I guess Ai was right. This is indeed entertaining.

#

It would not be wrong to say that Tiers (the numbered ones at least) followed a rough logarithmic scale. The discrepancy in raw power became especially pronounced from Tier 6 onward, but even in the lower tiers, the distinction was still quite noticeable.

In essence, this meant that a Tier 6 individual would be roughly ten times stronger than someone from Tier 5, while a Tier 7 would be ten times more powerful than a Tier 6, making them a hundred times mightier than a Tier 5.

Cassandra Ilion had been originally a Tier 5. Thanks to the Shroud Bounding coupled with Complementary Colors her tier had been instantly raised to 7. While the same happened to Daphne Lauros, the red haired girl had no special ability to write home about, and as such she simply got a basic power boost and some improvements to any skills and or magic she may have had.

Cassandra however? She had been ‘cursed’ with the ability to see the future through prophetic dreams. Cursed was the term because even if she told the future to her friends, no one would believe her.

Upon being captured, this limitation had been removed, as was done with all such power limitations by The Company’s system. But that wasn't the crux of the matter. The crux was that Cassandra Ilion was special. She possessed a unique power.

And now, that extraordinary power had been amplified a hundredfold.

I stay quiet until the order is given. I am forced to start kissing Daphne. Mister Unum seems entertained, but not overly so. He is still distracted, still worried. Ai is annoyed. I am sent back with the others. Nothing changes.

Rejected.

I proclaim my love to Mister Unum, claiming to be able to perceive infinite realities and choose to follow the path of the most beneficial one. His face morphs into shock. Then realization. Then worry. Ai jumps from the sofa and ushers me out of the room while profusely apologizing to Mister Unum. Nothing changes.

Rejected.

I move to kiss Mister Unum instead. He is amused, however Ai is annoyed. Mister Unum notices that and awkwardly pushes me back, ordering me to go kiss Daphne. I’m left with no other choice than to comply and am then sent back with the others. Nothing changes.

Rejected.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven - a multitude of realities pass through Cassandra’s eyes. She can't see too far ahead, and as she searches, time continues its relentless march, bringing her ever closer to the first timeline she wanted to reject. She can only see two timelines at the same time, although the happenings are sped up; three if she strains herself. As Mister Unum’s lips open, her heart starts to beat furiously, and she searches more, faster, until finally -

I mash my lips against Daphne’s. My friend looks at me in disbelief, however soon begins reciprocating. Mister Unum leans forward, clearly enraptured by the display, even forgetting about the Far East girls and the Amazons. Ai is happy. Something may change.

Accepted!

“Hmm!” Daphne moans in more ways than one as Cassandra mashes her lips against hers, yet just like in Cassandra’s vision, the red haired woman soon reciprocates the kiss.

She can feel exhaustion creeping in, it seems overusing her ability is not without its consequences. However, she must. This is her only chance. Otherwise, she knows - she has seen it in a dream, or rather, a nightmare - she will be left behind. In a place as large as a world, created by a God-like Mister Unum, she will be left behind to perform menial tasks, eternally, without pause, without end in sight. She will be satisfied though, for she is being of use to him. However, Cassandra desires more. She desires a place at his side. She desires…

Cassandra’s eyes lock with Ai’s starry ones and she knows. As she gazes at the girl, draped all over Mister Unum without a care in the world, she knows.

Cassandra desires that.

#

‘You’re doing something.’

Lost in the moment, my mind captivated by the pleasure of her lips, the background noises of self-indulgence serving as our soundtrack, I had had no other thoughts. Ai had succeeded in that aspect. Yet there was an eerie perfection to it all, from this girl’s seductive hip movements to the tantalizing lick of her lips. It felt too flawless, almost contrived.

‘Don’t lie.’ I commanded, the directive flowing effortlessly into her mind. I couldn't help but smirk.

Conjunction truly was useful. However, the most useful part was that no one beyond those ranked Companion knew I had it.

When I focused on Cassandra, I didn't experience the usual foreign emotions and sensations that accompanied the use of my ability. Instead, I was bombarded with multiple sensations, even though I had solely concentrated on her.

By now everyone had realized something was wrong. Even Lena and Elmina had ceased their vigorous self-stimulation, their hands no longer engaging in fervent exploration of their nether regions.

Cassandra's tongue moistened her lips as she prepared to respond. As I focused on her, I noticed her unfocused eyes, as if gazing into a distant realm. She was based on that prophetess, Cassandra of Troy, whom nobody believed. However, this universe’s version had managed to alter one of the futures she had foreseen. It was in part due to Bell's usual absurdity, but she still achieved what had been deemed impossible.

Had her increased tier somehow affected her powers?

‘Can you listen to this?’ Her voice resounded in my mind and I nodded.

She explained to me then, the ways her power had evolved. The ways it had changed and the ways she was using it now.

Frankly? It was fucking terrifying. To begin with, why the fuck can she see me in there? And without a problem by the looks of it? Wasn’t I supposed to be protected against Destiny bullshit thanks to that Defense I bought? That damned hotline would be receiving another call soon.

‘How far can you see?’ I asked and Cassandra’s eyes became unfocused once again.

‘Far enough to know that in around one hundred and forty seconds something will happen that will cause you to react, and then a portal will open to my right.’ She answered after ten seconds of silence.

“Uh, Unum is… is everything alright? You, want me to send her back or something?” Ai's voice came directly from my right, diverting my attention from Cassandra momentarily as the seconds ticked away in my mind.

“I’m just testing something, don’t worry about it.” I assured her. Despite her evident concern, she couldn't communicate with me through Conjunction since the channel was closed, leaving her to remain silent.

As I waited, I manifested an exceptionally sharp claw and, using my index finger, sliced away Cassandra's clothing until her breasts were exposed before me. Without hesitation, my fingers homed in on her right nipple, giving it a gentle squeeze.

The sound of her moans was like sweet music to my ears, although my enjoyment was diluted by the knowledge that she had likely perused various future scenarios to determine which moan was most pleasing.

That reminds me, though...

‘If you foresaw the future, including me cutting away your clothes, why didn't you remove them yourself?’

‘I saw that you derived far greater pleasure in the timelines where you took the initiative to undress me rather than those where I willingly did so,’ she purred in response, tantalizingly toying with her breasts, making my dick instantly turn into a diamond and…

Yeah. Yeah, that was fucking unsettling. Not due to her response - well, not entirely at least - but because it, too, seemed to be a future she had consciously chosen rather than a genuine thought of her own.

Was she not worried about free will? About how her power implied that that our actions were ultimately predictable, mere products of external influences on us?

And if I maxed out Destiny Defense? Would her visions stop showing me? Or was Destiny something different than what I envisioned in my mortal perspective? No, wasn’t precognition protection under Trace Defense? Shit, fuck, weren’t Gods said to be omniscient? Could they -

“Out, all of you, out!” Ai's voice resounded loudly in the room, prompting everyone to hastily evacuate - everyone except Cassandra.

I could see in Ai’s eyes that if the girl did not move then I was going to watch a super-powered catfight.

Before I could suggest Cassandra remove herself from my lap, a voice surged in my head.

‘Everything is ready my lord. I will be opening the portal in ten seconds.’

Shit, I had stopped counting. Had it been two minutes yet? Judging by the light smile on Cassandra’s face when she saw my reaction, I presumed it had.

She quietly got of me and offered a polite bow, as if excusing herself and wishing me luck.

“Ai, go get Lilly and have her grill Cassandra about how her powers work. She’ll likely know what I want asked.” I had conversed with the nun enough that she probably understood me better than Renner did by now. It was liberating to speak with someone who wouldn't judge me and genuinely aimed to help in the best way possible.

Well, not that the others would judge me, and Alice had done a more than decent job at listening and helping me, but she simply didn't have the expertise of someone like Lilly, who had actual training in that field.

With simple a click of my finger, Grand Tapestry was bought. I felt a connection to my retinue’s Shrouds forming, but I was in no frame of mind to pay it any heed. Instantly, a lock icon appeared on my device's screen, accompanied by a pulsating red warning message.

[Attention Contractor. You are now indebted. Consequently, your access to the catalog for making purchases has been locked, and your ability to engage in Arranged PvP has been disabled.

As a first-time occurrence, you are granted a grace period of 59 minutes and 53 seconds to repay the debt. Failure to return the required points within this timeframe may result in the disabling of any or all of your Controls and Perks, including the standard loyalty effects associated with all Bindings.

Furthermore, please be aware that you may be assigned mandatory missions and face additional penalties for failure to comply with the terms outlined above.

Please take appropriate action to rectify the situation promptly.]

The seconds slowly ticked away, each one feeling agonizingly long. Once the timer went down to fifty-nine minutes and forty-four seconds, a portal materialized and on the other side, I saw my future.

Or, depending on how things unfolded, the absence of one.

“Well, time to face the music. Come on Valac.”

#

The first thing she noticed was that the woman before her was beautiful. Supernaturally beautiful. Frankly, she put any Succubus Valac had ever seen to shame. If not for the fact that Unum-chi’s Mental Defense was shared with her then Valac wasn’t sure she could stand to maintain eye contact with the Goddess before her.

Well, not that that mattered in any way in the end.

The click of her lollipop hitting her teeth echoed through the hushed room as Valac maneuvered herself until she stood face to face with the man the city hailed as their King.

Frankly? Valac couldn’t see it. She had met kings before, had met people that would certainly become kings. The being before her shared none of their qualities.

"Underwhelming, wouldn't you say?"

Unum-chi's head jerked towards her, and Valac couldn't help but worry for his poor neck. If he kept doing that, it was bound to give in sooner or later.

“Valac, please shut up.” She felt her lips closing abruptly. The order had been professed and she had no choice but to obey. Still… “Umumumumumumumumu…” She would show her displeasure! He would surely feel her wrath and regret crossing paths with Valac Clara!

Well, not that we would ever actually become enemies. We’re best friends after all!

Indeed, Unum-chi had even said she was his only friend. It was a little disheartening, but Valac found solace in the fact that she could be there for him. She, more than anyone among their companions, understood how that felt. Perhaps, in the future, she could bring him back to her homeworld and introduce him to everyone - help him make new friends! Valac was certain he would appreciate that gesture.

“I could say the same to you.” The Goddess answered in lieu of the animal man and Valac felt her lips pull up in a grin. She could feel how Renner was barely containing her rage at the Goddess’ statement, but Valac didn’t understand why. She would show the stuck up princess that no one who barbed with Valac Clara came out on top.

Freya’s gaze shifted towards Unum-chi and she sneered. The bitch sneered.

“I mean, from someone that command girls like you… I was expecting more.”

…Oh.

‘I am going to kill this whore.’ the thought resonated within her, filled with a wrath she rarely experienced, and made its way towards Renner.

Valac wasn’t one to swear, or use crass words to insult someone. It wasn’t fun to hurt people. Valac firmly believed in such a thing.

However, however - unacceptable!

To mock her beloved friend, to hurt him - for Valac could feel how it hurt him thanks to their connection - to make him believe in such falsehoods!

‘No,’ the princess's voice infiltrated her mind, but Valac paid it no heed. She was going to - ‘Not yet.’

“Hmph, no comment?” Freya snorted and Valac felt her hate grow tenfold. “Alright then, let’s get this farce over with so I can get the boy and not have to look at this clown show any longer.” Hundredfold. It grew hundredfold.

Unum-chi did not appear affected outwardly, and simply extended his hand towards Freya. From it, his sage green shroud came forth. Gas turned to liquid, liquid turned to solid and solid took form and turned into a long coat.

“So, all I need is to wear this for a bit and you will gain more power? What a weird skill. Still, suitable for the person I suppose.” Valac’s teeth ground together and she felt she couldn’t wait until this woman was turned to their side so she could freely give her a piece of her mind and a few good smacks.

Freya put on the coat with the animal man’s help and Valac hated how graceful she appeared as she did it. How enrapturing, noble.

“Do you… enjoy it?” After a few minutes of silence, the white haired Goddess was the first to break it.

She gazed at Unum-chi, with her eyebrow raised. Valac could feel his nervousness, his trepidation. Those intensified every time he shot a look at the big animal person shaped doormat behind Freya.

“I - I’m afraid I don’t understand the question?”

Freya sighed and Unum-chi winced slightly at the Goddess’ reaction. “Sex, boy.” Valac felt her face burn as her friend suddenly erupted into a coughing fit. “The kisses, the caresses, the declarations of love, the hand-holding... doesn't it all feel empty? Inauthentic? How can you derive pleasure from such things?”

Valac felt the urge to scoff. Empty? Inauthentic? This woman couldn't recognize truth if it slapped her in the face. There was nothing counterfeit about the bond she shared with her friend. No matter how her feelings came to be, they were still her feelings.

That was the truth. The undeniable truth. So…

Unum-chi, why don't you feel the same way?

"Speak your mind. I can sense your desire to do so. I swear on my honor not to renege on the agreement I made with Renner, regardless of what you say,"

Valac expected Renner to chime in by now, and yet the princess was silent, suspiciously so. As if, she too, did not really know what to do in this situation.

His body tensed. He bit his lip - oh and what marvelous things that action did to Valac’s heart - and opened his mouth. However, no sound came and he ended up closing it once again.

In response Freya sighed and let her head fall backwards. Another bunch of minutes passed before the Goddess spoke again.

“You don’t want to do it. You are either being forced to do it or feel you have no other choice. Why?” Once again, she asked a question. The minutes she had spent gazing at the ceiling seemed to have given her the answer to her previous questions even if no one spoke.

Once again though, she was met with silence.

“He saved me. What you are implying, what you believe - that what happened to us was prejudicial, is simply fallacious.” Renner finally interjected, and Valac saw as Unum-chi’s head slowly turned in her direction. “Should I be without it, I’d be despairing. I’d look at the world and not find any purpose for my life in it. Only the heavens know what I would do if that was the case.”

Unum-chi’s mouth hung open like a gaping fish, but Renner was not finished. “I have a purpose now, I have hope, I… I have a dream. A dream. Can you grasp how impossible that would be otherwise?”

“I never denied that you are happy. I never denied that you do not wish to go back to what you were.” Yeah, she simply implied that the way they got to where they were was wrong. Even Valac understood tha- “I also never meant to imply that you should go back to what you were, or that your present condition is erroneous and you should wish to revert it.” …Huh.

“The issue was never with any of you. It has always been about how the one responsible for your transformation feels.”

Renner's face scrunched in annoyance as if she was looking at puzzle she could not solve no matter how she looked at it before, suddenly, it brightened and a shocked look crosses her face. “You… It was never about him. You’re the one that wants to und-” Freya smiled and raised a hand to silence Renner before rising and walking towards Unum-chi.

‘Hey, explain to me what’s going on!’ Valac projected her thoughts into Renner's mind through their connection, but even so, the princess took a moment to respond.

‘I believed Freya disliked my lord because, as the Goddess of Love, she perceived our bindings as a slight to her domain. That was not it though. What she hated in him is what she has always hated. What she will always hate.’

Slowly reaching up with her hand, Freya caressed Unum-chi’s cheek.

‘Hey. Hey! We gotta stop this bitch right? Let me punch this bitch, say the word, just say the word and I will punch her right in her perfect smug teeth.’ Suffice was to say, Renner did not deign to answer Valac’s yelling. She was much to enraptured by what was happening to care about the demon.

“I wonder, if I could see it, would my soul resemble yours?” With each gesture Freya made, Unum-chi grew increasingly tense. However, when she caressed his cheek, Valac detected a slight relaxation in his body.

“You crave unconditional love for who you are,” Freya began, and Valac snapped her gaze to her. She wondered what the Goddess was expecting Unum-chi to reply with.

“You know that is impossible, for what you are is undeniably hideous,” Unum-chi continued, and Freya smiled. It was a sad smile. An understanding smile.

“You can't stand anyone possessing what is yours, yet you covet all that belongs to others.”

“The mere thought of something cherished or desired by you being tainted is enough to send you into a frenzy.” They continued to pile on more. More descriptions, more flaws, more limitations, as if desperately seeking something that would definitively differentiate them. Deep down, it seemed neither of them wanted to believe they were anything alike.

The way Unum-chi was reacting especially. It was as if he was in a trance. That should be impossible though, considering he had maxed out Mind Defense… what the hell was going on then? It was not like him, to engage in such a thing with someone he barely knew. It was very much not like him.

“You pursue purity, impossibility, an unattainable genuine ideal. And if that something... ”

“If that something demanded you abandon everything. ”

“Renounce all else.”

“To live solely for them.”

““...you would do it, because that's how desperate you truly are.”” They concluded in perfect unison.

An uncomfortable silence reigned in the room. Even the Goddess’ attendant appeared genuinely perturbed.

“You dislike me?” This time, Unum-chi was the one to break the silence.

“Yes. It’s like looking at a mirror that reflects a younger version of me. A foolish, naive version of me.”

“That so? …well, I just pity you, so I suppose we differ in that aspect." A sardonic smile graced both their faces as they chuckled.

“If… if you are able to accomplish what you want then… well, that will be that.” Wait, Freya knew what they were trying to do? Renner told her? Valac glanced at the princess, but her expression revealed nothing.

“If not… please leave Orario. I know, just as you do, that we will inevitably clash sooner or later. Well, unless we fall in love with each other I guess.” Valac would have finally blown a fuse if both of them had not immediately began laughing at Freya’s statement. “Jokes aside, can you promise me that, oh Loveless child? I… truly do not wish to fight you.”

Unum-chi attempted to conceal an uncomfortable wince, but Freya was quick to notice and appease his worries. “Of course, I’ll help you out a bit before asking you to leave. To accrue more power and such.” Unum relaxed at her response, and Freya drew closer to him. “I… am sorry. Sorry that even as a Goddess of Love, I can’t do anything to aid you.”

Valac didn’t like how genuine those words sounded. Didn’t like how sorrowful the Goddess’ voice felt.

He gently shook his head in response, as if telling her not to worry. Gradually, Freya drew closer to him once more until their lips met. Valac let out an indignant cry, but before she could give voice to her displeasure, Freya pulled away.

“No… right?”

“Yeah. Nope. …sorry?” This time, it was Freya who shook her head.

She returned to her throne, still wrapped in Unum-chi's Shroud, and settled back down. "Let's get this over with."

“Even if… even if you are not able to help me… I promise - I will help you.” Freya responded to his pledge with a melancholic smile and rested her head against the throne.

The moment her head touched the headrest, the Shroud enveloping her body began to glow. It liquefied, covering every inch of the Goddess' form. One, two, three seconds passed. Unum-chi removed the Shroud from her, and as soon as Freya's eyes were uncovered, tears streamed down her face.

“Ah - ah… so this… this is how it feels… It… it’s so beautiful…”

In response, Unum-chi simply looked at her unemotionally and connected the Goddess to their Conjunction space.

‘Enchant the city.’ Valac heard him command, urgency in his voice.

‘…as you wish.’ Valac heard her answer and at the same time, noticed the retainer was nowhere to be seen.

Nevertheless, a brilliant white light suddenly erupted from Freya's body, spreading in all directions. It expanded, encompassing at least the entire city in its radiance. The light gradually dimmed, and when Valac could see again, her gaze fell upon him.

Unum looked around. Up, down, left, right, front, back - he made sure to check all corners, as if expecting something to come from one of them and strike him down in an instant.

“I… won?” He did. “Ha. Haha. I won! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” His laughter echoed through the room. “I WON! HOLY SHIT! How… what the fuck -” He paced around the room, holding his head with his right hand, laughter consuming him until he stopped in front of the glass that allowed Freya to observe the entire city.

“This… so this, this is it huh? A week to achieve Godhood. I’ve gotta have some kind of speedrun record for this.” His voice sounded upbeat. Cheerful. A stark contrast to how he had been behaving a mere few dozen seconds ago.

He seemed... happy. Ecstatic even, as if intoxicated by some potent drug.

If Valac was less excitable, less childish or immature, then she’d likely worry about the inevitable ensuing crash once his spirits dimmed. However, at present, she only cared about her friend’s elation and how she wanted to take part in it.

“Hey! Woah woah woah - wait a goddamn minu-!”

A thunderous boom reverberated throughout the room as Valac hurled herself toward Unum-chi, laughter bubbling out of her throat. Swiftly extending his arms, he adeptly caught her mid-air and spun around, skillfully quelling her momentum. Though risky, this action - and what she was about to do - had been meticulously calculated, and Valac deemed it perfectly safe.

Their eyes met, and smiles adorned their faces.

“You won. Congratulations Unum-chi!” A simple nod was her answer, as if he still couldn’t believe it. In their current positioning - Unum-chi lifting Valac in his arms - his head aligned roughly with her chest.

Sporting a mischievous grin, Valac grabbed his head and pulled.

The sound of Unum-chi trying to release himself from her grip was like music to Valac’s ears as she laughed maniacally. “Don't forget though, you may have won, but for now you are still under the clutches of the one and only, MIGHTY-”

‘Valaaaaaaaac!’ Yes, exactly! ‘That’s it! You’re getting fucked. Right here, right now!’

As she felt her friend’s hand grab at her skirt and tear it off, before immediately delivering a mighty - and pleasurable, why was it so pleasurable? - smack to her bum, Valac realized something very important.

She may have calculated the risks.

“Feel my Sticky Fingers oh ye mighty -”

“No, wait - wait-wait-wait-wait - why are you putting your hand in - AH~!”

“…and orgasm!”

But she was fucking terrible at math.